Roger Treeby

[Roger Treeby @DevonBirder]

Despite going to my usual loch to see Red-throated Divers on NU I failed both times. There are 2 lochs where I have seen Black-throated Divers in past years and whilst parked this morning overlooking one 2 Black-throated Divers flew in. Good birds to see on our final day.

[Roger Treeby @DevonBirder]

@levelsbirder I presume like me you saw the Bingley American Robin after twitching the first Pacific Diver Jeff.

[Roger Treeby @DevonBirder]

Rain stopped, bright and breezy now. The local pair of Arctic Skuas put in an appearance, one a smart light phase bird. We walked to the end of the headland with birds all the way. Track driveable in a 4x4 although the late John Doddridge once did it in a Vauxhall Insignia!!!

[Roger Treeby @DevonBirder]

Wet and windy so wanted somewhere I could sit in the car and watch birds. The track out to Ardvule was drivable at 3 mph but improved towards the end, speed 8 mph. Birds all the way best being a Glaucous Gull on the ploughed machair dwarfing the other gulls. No one else here.

[Roger Treeby @DevonBirder]

Light rain this afternoon but cleared early evening. Thought trying to see Red-necked Phalarope might by worthwhile. After an hour of looking at water I saw what was undoubtedly an RNP although quite distant. Scoped it and fortunately it flew quite close before disappearing again

[Roger Treeby @DevonBirder]

Great news from Westside Motors late afternoon. My new tyre has arrived from Inverness and has been fitted to my wheel. Now just need to visit the garage and have the wheel fitted back on my car.

[Roger Treeby @DevonBirder]

Our final day on North Uist before moving down to Benbecula. Hope my tyre will arrive tomorrow. Blue sky and sun so chilling out on Berneray. Popped into the famous Coralbox shop and great to finally meet Eilidh who I follow on X.

[Roger Treeby @DevonBirder]

On Monday I had an unrepairable puncture so have been driving with my spare wheel on the car which is limited to 50 mph. Not a problem over here with mainly single track roads with passing places. I doubt this Ferrari seen on Benbecula can get out of first gear though.

[Roger Treeby @DevonBirder]

Fortunately I didn't have to wait too long for the pair of Arctic Skuas to raid the large wader flock on the beach, Dunlins, Sanderlings, Turnstones and Ringed Plovers. First time for many years I have seen four species of Skua the same day.

[Roger Treeby @DevonBirder]

Two friends arrived at Aird an Runair and I was out talking to them when two Bonxies flew past very close to the shore. Just need an Arctic now. Good to see that hard core has greatly improved the track out from the VC.

[Roger Treeby @DevonBirder]

Decided to try Aird an Runair this evening. So quiet I started to make coffee. Suddenly at 18.19 the sky was alive with Long-tailed Skuas,I counted flocks of 19 and 20. They flew over the car park and 4 Poms flew past low over the sea. Truly amazing.

[Roger Treeby @DevonBirder]

The last two years I have seen Twite on Skye before crossing to North Uist. As I didn't see Twite in Norfolk in January or on Berneray on Sunday I was very pleased to see 2 Twite this morning at Loch Euphort briefly on the fence of the last house, whilst sitting in the car.

[Roger Treeby @DevonBirder]

Pair of American Wigeon still on Loch Paible, North Uist at 10.20. Showing well from the end of the road.

[Roger Treeby @DevonBirder]

Spent most of the morning scanning a large field at Rattray without seeing the Dotterel. A very strong wind made life difficult. This afternoon I put my scope up at Roseisle at 15.25. Faced with a large amount of water the first bird I found was the sumplun White-billed Diver.

[Roger Treeby @DevonBirder]

@levelsbirder Great photo Jeff. Ann had to climb over into the back seat of my car as my camera was in the boot. She pulled the back seat down and reached around the boot until finding it!!!! All photos were taken from inside the car on a public road.

[Roger Treeby @DevonBirder]

Drake Garganey at 15.45 at Loch of Strathbeg RSPB viewable from Dunbar Hide.

[Roger Treeby @DevonBirder]

Had a quick scan of the pool and scrape viewable from the VC at Loch of Strathbeg RSPB. 3 Wood Sandpipers and a Spoonbill at 14.35.

[Roger Treeby @DevonBirder]

As we are staying in Elgin tonight we visited a small reserve nearby, Loch of Spynie RSPB. Had a slice of good luck when planning around the lake from the new hide. A Bittern was showing well in an area of cut reeds, a Scottish tick. A Common Tern was flying around the loch.

[Roger Treeby @DevonBirder]

@FionaMc81001502 Snap Fiona. Before we came away I saw 2 on the River Lowman about 100 yards from Tesco's.

[Roger Treeby @DevonBirder]

After enjoying an excellent meal at the Carrbridge Hotel we crossed the road to join a crowd of tourists taking photos of the ancient bridge. I used my phone to take a photo of the bird under the bridge. Only my second this holiday in Scotland.