Newton-St-Loe Birding: Lands end to John O'Groats and everywhere in-between

Date:
July- August 2020

Location:
Lands end to John O'Groats

Species Highlights:

Lunar Hornet Moth, Large Tortoiseshell, Dolphins, Puffins, Skua, Hobby
Observation:

We start with more Garden Macro and more insects moving into my Bee hotel a Leafcutter species, amazing to watch these carrying their food for their youngsters.

My best Ruby Tailed Wasp to date, again from the hotel.

Spotted Flycatchers doing well on a patch walk with at least one juvenile, but the highlight was this cracking Lunar Hornet Moth, just sat in the road, a species normally only seen with pheromones.

A trip to WWT Steart Marshes on a very windy day and managed to find Channel Wagtail.

Plenty of Avocet also.

Back at home, the Hedgehog is now making regular visits, very happy with its Tea

Butterflies around the patch, thought this European Peacock really shinning.

Large Tortoiseshell from Portland Bill a good number of Caterpillars were found this year so these were homegrown! Who knows next year spreading throughout the Uk?

I'm jumping around a bit but another from garden Zebra Spider, a Jumping spider, love these!

Next, off we'd planned a trip to Cornwall so Lands end and Landscapes was in order, if you'd like to see a Vlog what Lauren has made take a look there are 3 parts so follow links

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7X1Az73iqg

Next, we took a boat trip from Penzance on the MErmaid, Weather was not ideal with rain, fog, and heavy cloud, but Manx Shearwater were in good numbers a lifer for us both.

Gannets, Shearwater, Guillemot, Fulmar also flitting about.

Dolphins too but took some finding, as usual, hard to get that headshot!

Lauren got closest, shame Dolphin wasn't.

Shame weather was so bad for boat trip as Blue skies for the rest of the trip!

Cape Cornwall.

Sennen Cove

Back home and a Patch walk Grey Heron on its normal tree, a real lack of Heron this year, the reason I spoke of earlier in blogs.

Kingfisher buzzing up and down the top lake.

A week later Scotland! I know but it was very cheap, a quick flight to Edinburgh a stunning city, really enjoyed wandering around this great city. Two days then a hire car and we drove up the east coast toward Inverness dropping in at Loch Garten, really pleased to get Northern Damselfly a lifer, a brief view of Crested Tit but gone before I could raise the camera.

Another lifer Red Grouse from Lochindorb on are the way to Channory Point for more dolphins.

We went 3 times over the course of the next few days but the Dolphins not really showing well, big crowds of people and Grey Seal showed the best.

My best shot of the trip.

The best area of the trip was a bit further up at John O'Groats and Duncanbys Stacks.
Hooded Crow.

Loads of Kittiwake, Fulmar, Wheatear scattered along the coastline.

We'd booked a Trip to Staffa from Mull but with the weather on the change was doubtful whether it would go ahead, so very pleased to find some Puffin at Duncansby Stacks, so close too!

Always think they look a bit sad?

A highlight was This Great Skua a few of them whipping around the other birds trying to unsettle and nab its lunch!

Then Lauren spotted this beaut an Artic Ska, wow!

I'd recommend Duncansby could spend all day there!

Within 5 feet!!!

The next day we drove to Eilean Donan - Kyle of Lochalsh, a 13th Century Castle and the star of the Shortcake Tin, well that's where I know it from, LOL. It rained all day it was very wet.

Later we dropped into Creag Meagaih for a wander and my target Scotch Argus, weather was not ideal, windy drizzle but a few minutes searching likely locations, Bingo 10/20 seen!

My 55th butterfly of 2020 not bad considering lockdown!

A few miles away was Glenfinnan Viaduct, you recognise it ??? Harry Potter.

A stunning location but beware parking is a bit of a nightmare, had to park over a mile away and jog back to the car park!

Red Deer wandering freely around the viaduct.

A very early start and two hours from Oban, two ferries later we eventually drove onto Mull, it was pouring down, in fact, it didn't stop until the next day! At least no midges, O wait still midges!!

Eas Fors Waterfall full flood!

Not many pictures, unfortunately, we ended the trip in Glasgow, and as before my girls made another VLog check link here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkICU2Czv3I

3 parts so follow links and maybe subscribe

Back home and time to visit Chipping Sodbury Common, Lesser Whitethroat, Redstarts but tricky.

Now with my 56th Butterfly done and dusted the Silver Spotted Skipper, a blog for that to follow soon, as normal I head down to Chew Valley Lake for some Hobby action, I hope.