Black Isle

Tuesday October 17

What a good decision we made, to visit the Black Isle to-day. It didn't rain at all - the Highlands were very wet all day. The Black Isle is the eastern peninsula after crossing the Kessock Bridge at Inverness. It looks like the border country rather than the adjacent Highlands, pretty flat and very green.

Munlochy Bay was full of water and Wigeon. I scanned the fields, finding Pink-footed Geese and a few Teal. On to Chanonry Point where Dolphins often appear at high tide. Even on a dull overcast week day, the parking area was full. A few Shag, marauding House Sparrows and a flat calm Moray Firth.

Cromarty - yes a real place not just on the weather forecast - harks back to the last century in atmosphere. The sea there is scattered with oil rigs and supply boats, a large example of the latter had three tugs attached to one side. 
Onward around Udale bay, until a large flock of Scaup appeared, probably 300 in total (they kept diving) with drakes in the majority. We spent some time admiring them, in extremely murky light.

Accompanying the cows on the other side of the road was a spanking Hooded Crow, as pure as they come.

The western end of Udale Bay has a layby and a splendid RSPB hide. We'd timed it perfectly - a total accident - the tide was in and a large number of birds were crowded onto the grassy islands, marshland and inlets before us. Yet more  Wigeon were in the majority, 100+ Oystercatchers, even more Redshank, Curlew, Bar-tailed Godwit, a few Dunlin, one Ringed Plover,a few Lapwing, 3 Golden Plover, one Shelduck and a single Grey Heron. 

Four male sheep were grumping at each other in a small enclosure, probably because their job was done for the season.

There is another well hidden, small, utilitarian hide and muddy parking area further around the bay. The waders feed here on the receding tide. Not to-day. Parents and a small child appeared, to play on the beach, followed by another pair exercising their dog. They have every right to do so.........

A Shaggy Parasol fungus nestled in the grass beside the hedge.

Home via the Tore roundabout, looking for -  and not finding - Red Kite. Thought they'd be hungry after yesterday's day of rain. One Buzzard braved the lack of thermals.

A supreme fungi spotter, Pam saw this old tree trunk with, as yet, unidentified fungus covering the exposed trunk.

Pam photographed Carr Bridge this morning, I'd taken my shoes off so didn't do so. Late afternoon, I couldn't resist the temporary cessation of rain and, the brown flood water from Monday's rain, barrelling its way under the bridge.

Mike Dilger, his other driver and two large minibuses were blocking the parking spaces in front of the hotel. He waved two fingers at us and smiled (2 minutes was mouthed), we were happy to wait.

I wasn't hungry at all to-night so eschewed a starter, ate about four pieces of venison casserole and two small scoops of ice-cream and strawberries. And I'd only had some walnuts and a piece of peanut fudge since breakfast. I'll probably be hungry by 9 !