A Far North Naturalist

18/06/2024

I’m constantly being watched in my garden! The owlet is doing well. It was sat in a small Larch tree on the north side of the garden despite the cool wind, with an adult not too far away (but camera shy).

16/06/2024

A wet morning, so what better place to be than on the glorious Blanket Bog in The Flow Country! Camera within a plastic bag!

Toads and frogs aplenty! I found another site for Bog Orchid, some of which are now starting to flower. And the splendid ascomycete fungus Bog Beacon (Mitrula paludosa) is ‘fruiting’. This splendid little thing breaks down dead plant matter in bog pools, and so recycles nutrients.

Another orchid species that I found, now past its peak flowering period, was Early Marsh Orchid (Dactylorhiza incarnata, with lots of the variety ‘pulchella’.

15/06/2024

Here are some photos of our garden Tawny Owlet, to put it into proper context with the nest box and trees. Zoom in on the centre of the pics to see him/her!

14/06/2024

An update on the garden Tawny Owls…. I think there’s only one youngster and here it is. It has fledged and climbed/fluttered to the top of the tree canopy, approximately above the nestbox. All is looking promising!
You can hear a Song Thrush uttering its alarm call, and a Willow Warbler singing.

14/06/2024

In 2022, after much searching, I rediscovered two tiny populations of the Small White Orchid (Pseudorchis albida) in north Sutherland. They hadn’t been recorded for two decades. They’re starting to flower now. They’re very tiny, hardly 10 centimetres tall up here. Here are 3 pics, taken yesterday, plus one of Lesser Butterfly Orchid (Plantanthera bifolia).

Here’s an extract from the Plant Atlas 2020. ‘This is a species of particular conservation concern, as the majority of recorded populations have been lost and most of those that remain are small, offsetting the supposed benefits of high fruit-set. Although it is easily overlooked, P. albida nonetheless appears to be declining rapidly throughout our area with the exception of the uplands of northern Scotland. This species has long been lost from the Weald of south-eastern England and, more recently, from much of northern England other than the Yorkshire and Cumbria Dales. It may soon be lost to Wales and appears to be declining especially rapidly in Ireland, though the large number of comparatively recent records from the Sligo region suggest that it may be under-recorded elsewhere. Early phases of this decline were likely due mainly to habitat destruction, afforestation or agricultural improvement, but it is also a poor competitor; grazing by livestock or deer must be neither absent nor too intense.’

We’re lucky to have it. One of the two sites that I know is threatened with invasion by non-native coniferous trees, via seed blown in from nearby forestry plantations. They should be removed.

13/06/2024

I discovered a roost site for a Golden Eagle yesterday. Quite close to the Ptarmigan family! Many moulted body feathers and droppings. And a magnificent primary feather (p6 I think) from a juvenile eagle. What a fabulous souvenir of my outing!

12/06/2024

Beware! Cuteness overload… Ptarmigan mum with chicks that are a few days old. I’ve left the sound as it was recorded, so that you can hear mum calling the chicks to her, but ⚠️ a bit of wind roar.

My patience and determination has been rewarded - I have been trying to monitor the ‘goings-on’ of these birds on a few of the high tops in Sutherland. It has been very tiring and time-consuming, but this definitely made it all worthwhile today. I’m off for a soak in the bath!

08/06/2024

As much as I’d rather have stayed at home sat by a log fire today, this current unsettled spell of weather has already been too long for me, so I ventured out onto the Ben Griams SSSI again, in the wind and rain, in search of Bog Orchid. They generally flower from early July onwards, but I’m keen to see things at all stages of development. I visited four locations where I’ve seen them previously, but only at one site were they visible. I counted 21 plants, some with inflorescences sprouting, in a very small area.

On my walk I encountered a breeding pair of Greenshank, displaying Snipe, a calling flyover Red-throated Diver, flyover Osprey, and a pair of Hen Harriers. Then further up the road, a male Hen Harrier mobbing another raptor that was on the ground. I couldn’t see it properly, but think it was a Buzzard with a prey item. Then a Hooded Crow joined in, mobbing the Buzzard, and was then attacked by the Harrier! Another fine afternoon out on the blanket bog. It’s the rain that keeps it wet, so I embraced it .

07/06/2024

I went crawling about in the Willow Carr at Ardersier Common yesterday. A dank, dark, mosquito-inhabited place with shallow, muddy pools, and with a limited plant understory consisting of various sedges and Marsh Pennywort (Hydrocotyle vulgaris). I had a great reason to be there - it’s a site for a splendid little orchid, the Coralroot (Corallorhiza trifida). It’s parasitic on fungi in the Thelephora-Tormentella complex that form mycorrhizal relationships with the willow trees. It has nothing but tiny scale-like leaves on the stem. I found some lovely groups of plants, but sadly photography was difficult due to them constantly quivering in the breeze. Anyway, it’s always thrilling to see them.

03/06/2024

I had a splendid afternoon in the Invernaver SSSI/SAC in search of rare wild flowers. Purple Oxytropis is in fantastic condition. The whole site is very green, which must be due to wet weather. The tiny Moonwort fern is everywhere. My favourite sedge - the Curved Sedge (Carex maritima) - is everywhere on the shoreline. Northern Marsh Orchids and Early Marsh Orchids are rather lovely too.

03/06/2024

The garden Tawny Owls have done it again!

31/05/2024

We always have a pair of Coal T**s nesting in a hole in a stone-lined earth bank right outside our kitchen window, but this year was the first time we’ve witnessed the chicks fledge! It was total mayhem! We counted at least 7, they were scattered everywhere! We were amazed at just how far they could fly, although they spent most of their first half an hour on the ground. Shortly afterwards they ended up in two groups in two separate spruce trees. We could hear them, not see them. And that was that!

27/05/2024

I headed out early this morning, to avoid the rain that was forecast. I went in search of Ptarmigan again, a group that I’ve been trying to keep tabs on. I saw only one today, a splendid male, an individual I’m certain I’ve seen before. He is quite approachable. We had a little chat, although admittedly it was a one-sided conversation. I took some pictures and left him to his sunbathing. I don’t want to betray his confidence in me!

26/05/2024

I spent a few hours clambering up the rather steep slopes in the Ben Griams SSSI yesterday, to investigate the base of the cliffs in search of ‘ledge’ plant communities. These areas are few that are out of reach of deer and hence are a haven for plants. The latitude and high exposure means that a number of alpine plants are found here at such a low altitude.

I had a great time, seeing nationally scarce and rare montane plants including Moss Campion (Silene acaulis), Alpine Mouse-ear (Cerastium alpinum - out of reach but viewable with binoculars), and Alpine Cinquefoil (Potentilla cranzii). There were super displays of Globeflower (Trollius europaeus) and Roseroot (Rhodiola rosea) and Early Purple Orchid (Orchis mascula) too. Eared Willow (Salix aurita) foliage was a splendid bright green. The diminutive Dwarf Willow (Salix herbacea) grows in crack-like seams within the rocks and never ceases to surprise me just how tiny it is!

Oak Fern (Gymnocarpium dryopteris), Beech Fern (Thelypteris phegopteris) and Brittle Bladder Fern (Cystopteris fragilis) were found here and there.

I found numerous Lesser Twayblade orchids (Neottia cordata) beneath old Calluna, but also some robust plants growing in the open.

Magpie Moth (Abraxas grossulariata) caterpillars were very plentiful on Alpine Bearberry (Arctous alpina). And Emperor Moths (Saturnia pavonia) are still very much in evidence, I had a few close encounters with males fluttering around my feet!

Up on the Alpine Heath, most of the Trailing Azalea (Kalmia procumbens) has beautiful seed capsules, with just a few flowers remaining. A surprise was finding two flowering Lesser Twayblade orchids on the very short heather. I’d not seen them in such a place before.

Cloudberry (Rubus chamaemorus) is flowering well now, with the earliest female flowers now producing fruit. Chickweed Wintergreen (Lysimachia europaea) is flowering too.

On the blanket bog, Hare’s-tail Cottongrass now has ‘fluffy’ seed heads. I passed a pair of Golden Plover uttering their alarm call, and a displaying Greenshank.

Another great outing!

23/05/2024

I’m planning to make another trip into the wild and wonderful Ben Griams Site of Special Scientific Interest tomorrow. These panoramic photos should demonstrate why (click on each for full panorama)! It’s a part of the Caithness and Sutherland Peatlands Special Area of Conservation and it’s all awesome!

23/05/2024

Midges, gnats, mosquitoes and more! This is the northern summer and shows exactly why millions of insectivorous birds migrate here. Long days and plenty of food to make raising broods of chicks easier. This video was recorded in my garden yesterday.

22/05/2024

I visited Ardersier Common today, hoping to see some orchids, but was too early. However, my other target, the beautiful little butterfly that is the Dingy Skipper (Eryniss tages) was flying and altogether splendid, here at one of its most northerly UK populations.

Freshly-emerged and not at all ‘dingy’ (that comes a little later as they lose scales, becoming ‘worn’), I saw numerous males darting low over the grassland, in search of females. They frequently perched atop tall grass stems and basked in the sunshine. During overcast spells, I’d see them fold their wings down, curved slightly, in a fashion not seen in any other British species. I managed to get to get some decent pics of two together - they like to gather in groups. I also had one land on my hand. I love to get up close with these splendid insects.

Common Bird’s-foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) is the food plant of the caterpillars. It’s now coming into flower up here.

Only when I looked back at my photos did I see other creatures lurking… ticks! With forelegs outstretched, they were hoping for a mammal to brush past them, where they’d try to grab hold and then seek to take a blood meal.

The next butterfly on my list - Small Blue, on the north coast. Here’s hoping.

21/05/2024

Wow! Another very pleasing discovery today, on the drive home from Inverness. I was just a mile from Forsinard, when suddenly a bird flashed across the road in front of me. I immediately knew that I’d just seen a male Red-backed Shrike. I pulled into the next passing place, grabbed my binoculars (I’m always prepared!) and camera and boom! There he was. I got some decent pics, despite having shaky hands due to the excitement.

He’s probably what’s termed ‘an overshoot’. He should probably be somewhere in France or Scandinavia right now. This is an extract from an article in Birdguides : https://www.birdguides.com/articles/species-profiles/focus-on-early-spring-overshoots.

‘The term 'overshoot' is a familiar one and fairly self-explanatory. It refers to the event of a migratory bird ending up further than intended on its journey, and is usually associated with spring movement. The perfect recipe for a number of birds overshooting far enough to cross the English Channel involves a large area of high pressure lingering over the Mediterranean and stretching as far north as Britain; birds passing over their originally intended destination simply fail to shake the urge to continue as a clear sky, warm temperatures and a light tailwind make an extended journey comparatively light work. Sometimes, birds can end up hundreds of miles beyond their normal breeding grounds.’

21/05/2024

The diminutive Lesser Twayblade orchid (Neottia cordata) is found in two very different habitats: 1. Quite concealed beneath old, leggy Heather (Calluna) bushes on moorland; 2. In Pinewoods (and other coniferous woods), much more ‘in the open’ than in 1.

I enjoy the challenge of the search on the moor, but from a photography point of view, the pinewood floor is best!

Yesterday I found ‘forests’ of this splendid orchid. As some became sun-drenched I focused my camera on them and for the first time ever I actually got some decent photos. A passer-by asked what I’d found, and when I showed her she said the flowers resembled tiny fairies. I think she’s right!

18/05/2024

I spent a few hours scrambling up and down some steep, rocky banks of Loch Ness today, admiring the hundreds of Sword-leaved Helleborine orchids (Cephalanthera longifolia) that grow there. Ignore the A82 traffic noise, and the tipped rubbish (tyres, sofas, general refuse etc) and it really is quite idyllic!

18/05/2024

Phew! That was a hot one. I went to yet more hilltops yesterday in search of my favourite bird -- Ptarmigan. It was tough going and after four hours of searching I reckoned it wasn’t going to be my day. However, I’d had a close encounter with a Mountain Hare so had much to be thankful for.

Then I got lucky, as a head popped out from the shade of a rock. A male Ptarmigan. He took a few steps and just stood in the open. What a stunner, not too far from being in full summer plumage. As is usually the case, it didn’t seem at all bothered by me so I took some pics, changed angles and took some more. But after five minutes the direct sun soon caused him to start panting, so I left him to it.

I’ve seen the plumages change over the past 9 months. I can’t say that I have a favourite, every bird I’ve seen has thrilled me. I’ve collected many of the moulted body feathers as a souvenir!

17/05/2024

I was in the Dingwall area on Wednesday and thanks to a ‘tip off’ from Alex on this page I got to see some fine Bird’s-nest Orchids (Neottia nidus-avis). Thank you very much Alex! They were stunning.

It has no chlorophyll, ie does not photosynthesise to grow, but instead has mycorrhizal associations with fungi in the soil/leaf litter.

16/05/2024

Another day on the alpine heath, in the blazing sun this time. Trailing Azalea (Kalmia procumbens) is flowering. Alpine Bearberry (Arctous alpina) too, with some plants now developing berries. I also found lots of Lesser Twayblade orchid (Neottia cordata) under Heather (Calluna) bushes. I even had a few male Emperor Moths flitting around me at times!

13/05/2024

I went on another bog-walk today, this time in search of the splendid Emperor Moth (Saturnia pavonia). It isn’t uncommon to stumble across the nocturnal female sat in heather, whilst the day-flying males seek them out by following scent trails through their ‘feathery’ antennae, but finding a perched male is more tricky. Today I wasn’t disappointed. No female, but two males - I suspect a female was nearby but I didn’t see her.

I was also in search of Azure Hawker dragonfly. I didn’t see any, but Four-spot Chaser (Libellula quadrimaculata) was here and there.

Bogbean (Menyanthes trifoliata) is in lovely shape too. One of my favourite plants, the flowers are SO attractive.

Adult Two-banded Longhorn Beetles (Rhagium bifasciatum) were buzzing around everywhere, having recently emerged from the local coniferous forest plantations!

Another great day!

27/11/2023

Please, read this then email your MSP / Minister in the list and help ensure that those sponsoring the killing of eagles and other birds of prey are held to account. Thank you.

Today’s news that yet another golden eagle (‘Merrick’) has ‘disappeared’ in an area dominated by driven grouse shooting, and that Police Scotland has reason to “…

12/11/2023

Here are some landscape pics from my walk yesterday. Sutherland is very beautiful, no matter the weather, in all seasons.

11/11/2023

Two days ago the Meteorological Office weather forecast for Saturday was great, sunny, so I set the day as a ‘Ptarmigan expedition’. This morning the forecast had changed to the weather being ‘mixed’, with lots of showers. Maximum temperature of 4 degrees C, ie cooler at higher altitude. I went for it anyway.
Up to the rocky Alpine Heath habitat…

Focus, focus, focus, checking every rock in case it’s a Ptarmigan! Concentrate! But then I lost focus for just a moment. Astonishingly enough that was when I flushed two Ptarmigan from virtually beneath my feet, again.! They flew off and looked to alight at the first ridge… no. Then the second… no. They disappeared from sight.

Then the first heavy shower came down. Then hail. I pressed on, going higher, somewhat risky because that meant visibility was reduced to tens of metres at times. I was hoping for sunshine between the showers and ideally another glimpse of Ptarmigan. A Woodcock at 450 metres was a surprise. Two hours after flushing the first two Ptarmigan, the thick cloud blew past me and the sun appeared. I started searching again and very quickly chanced upon another Pt!. He was not worried by my presence, so even with my pocket camera I got a few decent photos. I really enjoyed just watching him, for 45 minutes, until the dipping sun meant I had to depart, with a walk in the twilight to get to the car. As I was descending, a Mountain Hare appeared, with a rather similar appearance to the Ptarmigan - it’s winter pelage coming through. What a great day!

02/11/2023

I spent two hours on a housing estate in Thurso today, watching Waxwings. It was rather surreal. Flights of them would whizz overhead, uttering their distinctive trill, alight in a group of small trees in a back garden, preen for a while, then off they’d go again. When not in a direct flight, individual birds would flit about in the air making rapid direction changes, as if fly-catching. Amazing to watch, they’re very agile. All of the Rowan trees are berry-less now, so I don’t t know what they’re eating, but they’re clearly very content. Do you have Waxwings where you live?

02/11/2023

Great to see a Slavonian Grebe on the sea off Thurso today. That red eye was stunning, if only my camera had really captured it. This is a rare breeding bird in the Highlands. They look VERY different in the spring and summer of course, most attractive, but this winter plumage is the one I’m most familiar with from my years of birdwatching in southern England.

27/10/2023

Waxwing!

I’d heard a Bohemian Waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus) in Inverness yesterday, the first I’ve encountered for a few years. Then today in Thurso I was hearing them here and there, but saw nothing until suddenly a small flock alighted in a Rowan tree in a small back garden of a terraced house. What fabulous little things they are. About the size of a Starling, similar in structure too, but with a super crest and those ‘wax droplets’ on the tips of some of the wing feathers. Listen out for the high-pitched ringing call near the end of the video.

It seems that the berry crop in Fennoscandia is poor this year, causing an ‘eruption’ of birds across the North Sea. Have you seen any? I’ve got a few Rowan trees in my garden, still with some berries although numerous Blackbirds, Fieldfares and Redwings have been on them. Apple trees too, and Waxwings will happily eat them, so I’m hopeful that we’ll get them with us. I might get some better pics!