The Black Isle

 Monday April 25

I changed beds last night. The previous brass bedstead was so high that I needed a trampoline to get in. The new one is still a good height, and comfortable, so that's sorted.

Dictated by the weather, we decided to visit the Black Isle. En route, we pulled into the layby at Dulnain Bridge from which to view the river. No Dipper to-day but Pam found a bedraggled Grey Wagtail huddled on a flat rock.

Carrbridge holds a special place in our hearts, we stayed there in a chalet for over twenty years. A very short detour took us to THE bridge over the river from which we often see some good birds. As we turned round, a piper in full regalia climbed onto the ruins of the bridge and began to play. Awesome. In such a fantastic setting too. Pam is always very moved by bagpipes, she loves them. I joke that it's because she's tone deaf - although I'm fond of them too. A fellow teacher piped me on board the paddle steamer on which we celebrated my retirement.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Black Isle, is  a peninsula just north of Inverness. Although no one is sure of the origins of the name, one theory goes that the peninsula is named after its dark fertile soil. The area’s productivity is evident in the patchwork of farms – mostly arable but with the odd sheep.The Black Isle’s claim to fame is Chanonry Point – the best pace in the UK, or even Europe, to spot bottlenose dolphins from the shore. Low tide, so no dolphins to-day. We did add both Common and Sandwich Terns to the year list which is pleasing.

The Cromarty Firth, separating the Black Isle from the Tain peninsula to the north, houses a fleet of oil rigs as they come back to the shore for maintenance and storage. These huge structures are iconic of the Firth and arguably oddly attractive, particularly at night when they are lit up like Christmas trees! Many of the place names are familiar from the shipping forecast e.g Ross and Cromarty.

To-day there was a large cruise liner berthed at Invergordon, across the channel. The MSC Magnifica, home to over 3,000 passengers. My mind boggles..

Thia is where we usually view a raft of Scaup and the waders and ducks of Udale Bay. The tide was so far out that it was reminiscent of the Wash. No Scaup and very few waders. About 50 Pinkfooted Geese remained, just one Curlew, a few Oystercatchers and a horde of gulls. We did see our first House Martins of the year amongst the feeding Swallows.

Moths

Same old......species as last night,

6 Red chestnut, 8 Common Quaker and 35 Hebrew Characters. 

with the addition of :

3 Clouded Drab.