An easy week's break and birding on the brilliant winter birding destination of Islay. Often overlooked and overshadowed by the likes of Mull & The Uists, Islay offers up some of the best UK winter birding. Both species of Eagles are easy to find and see, in fact the best Golden Eagle views I've ever had have been on Islay during the winter.
As expected White-tailed & Golden Eagles were in abundance, 35,000+ Barnacle Geese, 1000's of wildfowl, incl Long-tailed Duck, Great Northern Divers, Slavonian Grebes often in double figures, we had both Iceland & Glaucous gulls, hundreds of shorebirds, plus Chough & Twite.
We also found a drake American Wigeon, all this with easy vehicle access throughout the trip. #islay #birds #birding #norfolkbirding #norfolkbirdingtours
Superb drake Long-tailed Ducks getting very excited, calling as well, which I’ve never heard in the UK. Loch Indaal, #Islay #birding #Scotland #birds #seaduck #stunner
This Tundra Bean Goose was showing brilliantly at Salthouse on Friday, complete with its ‘John Wayne’ swagger! #beangoose #norfolk #birding #guidedbirdingtours #guidedbirdwatching
A great day guiding @norfolk_birding tour with male Hen hr, Merlin, Peregrine, Barn Owl and last bird of the day this superb Short-eared Owl! Thanks to @boywonderbirder & all his Staff for making us welcome. Brilliant work, brilliant birds! #birding #raptors #rspb_love_nature #rspb #frampton
A great way to round off a couple of days guiding & #birding in #Norfolk! Tonight’s Pink-feet 30,000+ coming in to roost @HolkhamEstate Wonderful to see one of the group emotional & in tears! Make sure you have your volume turned up! #Pinkies #geese
Golden Plover in their masses @rspbtitchwell #waders #stunning #rspb_love_nature #birds #norfolk #birding
Amazing views of this beautiful Snipe showing at point blank range this morning @nwtcleycentre #waders #birds #birding #migratorybirds #norfolkcoast