A family holiday really but with so many birding opportunities the following highlights were observed:

B.T.Diver, 1 on Lochindorb & 1 on the sea at St. Cyrus,

R.T.Diver, 1 at St. Cyrus,

Slavonian Grebe, at least 4 pairs at Loch Ruthven,

Gannet, c40 passed Fowlsheugh,

Greylag Goose, c100,

Red Breasted Merganser, c12 mainly on Syke,

Golden Eagle, soaring birds in Glen Clova, Angus and Glen Aros, Skye,

Osprey, 3 at Lochindorb, 1 at Loch Garten & 1 near Dingwall,

Buzzard, c100, birds all over,

Red Kite, 1 on The Black Isle,

Peregrine, 1 near Loch Ruthven,

Red Grouse, c12 up The Findhorn Valley,

Red Legged Partridge, c20 up Glen Clova,

Redshank, just 1 in Glen Clova,

Curlew, many especially Glen Clova,

Snipe, Chipping bird in Glen Clova,

Common Sandpiper, pair on Skye,

Great Skua, 2 killed and ate a Guillemot at Fowlsheugh,

Arctic Skua, a single bird was chasing a gulls at Nairn,

B.H.Gull, several on Skye & Nairn,

Common Gull, good numbers including breeding colony,

Guillemot, good numbers at Fowlsheugh,

Razorbill, good numbers at Fowlsheugh,

Stock Dove, 1 at Glen Clova,

Cuckoo, calling in Glen Clova, Skye & Glenelg,

Wheatear, 1 in Findhorn,

Stonechat, 1 on Skye,

Whinchat, singles on Skye & Glenelg,

Sedge Warbler, singing on Skye & St.Cyrus,

Crested Tit, just 1 in Abernethy,

Raven, c12, especially in Glen Clova & Skye,

Siskin, everywhere!

Redpoll, c20 especially in Glen Clova,

Bullfinch, c6,

Linnet, c20,

Twite, 6 at lower breakish, Skye,

Reed Bunting, 2,

Yellowhammer, c12 mainly approaching Glen Clova, Glenelg & Nairn.

also saw the following mammals:

Bottlenose Dolphin, pods of 6 & 4 off Nairn,

Grey Seal, c20 on Skye,

Red Squirrel, 1 near Perth,

Red Deer, c40 especially Glen Clova,

Roe Deer, c4.

Regards,

David Nuttall & family