Sunday, May 26, 2019
I took a grim kind of pleasure in walking up the quarry road today in pouring rain. Bins and camera were safely packed away in the rucksack with an inner waterproof liner. It wasn't the best weather for seeking birds, but as far as I could tell there were no spotted flycatchers.
Blue tit, willow warblers, tree pipit, grey wagtails, and a small flyover raptor carrying prey were all I could manage before I turned; but the sudden sound of a wood warbler stopped me in my tracks. I listened in delight to the "pew" or "tiu" and the stuttering trill, but failed to spot the bird.
Almost back at my car I spotted a chunky bird on a pine at the side of the road, and realising it was a crossbill I risked getting the camera out for a record shot.
The crossbill looked as wet and bedraggled as I felt. A second bird which I hadn't noticed emerged from lower down in the tree, and they flew off up the hillside. This is the closest to the village I've seen crossbills - it just about qualifies as an Ullapool tick.
One thing I did find out - most of my waterproof clothing needs to be replaced. I was soaked! But was it worth it? For the sound of a wood warbler and the sighting of a crossbill? A resounding yes!
// posted by Christine @ 7:51 AM 
