Trip reports

Local Group Outing to Barns Ness

Wednesday, 14 May 2008

A smaller-than-normal group of 10 met at Barn's Ness on a fine Wednesday morning. The tide was dropping and a small flock of Ringed Plover was seen on the tide line, with a smaller, greyer wader feeding with them. Realising how small it was soon had us discarding Dunlin or Knot, and good views through the telescopes soon confirmed it to be a Little Stint, our smallest migrant wader. It showed well its black legs and beak, and its rusty-orange upper plumage was just beginning to show through. This uncommon visitor made for a good start to the day. Curlew and Oystercatchers were feeding on the rocks, and a single Turnstone was found. We walked on past the lighthouse, finding a pair of Stonechats carrying food, whilst Meadow Pipits and Skylarks rose from all around us. In the gorse we found Linnets, many females carrying nesting material whilst the cocks sang, and a single Yellowhammer was spotted. Back by the campsite a Whitethroat showed well whilst in song, but we were surprised not to hear a single Willow Warbler all day in seemingly ideal habitat.
After lunch we walked westwards, finding House Martins possibly breeding in the old limekilns, whilst many Gannets were collecting seaweed for their nests on the Bass Rock, and a skein of Common Scoters flew north-west.


We then drove to Skateraw - where without doubt the most surprising bird was an Eagle Owl (in a large aviary by the roadside), presumably held under licence. The bay and its surrounds were fairly quiet, but obliging Skylarks and Stonechats posed for photos. All in all a very pleasant day out in good weather, with a good variety of spring birds