Scotland Hebrides and West Coast : Special Birds, Special Mammals 2022

[Galana]

4 hours ago, TonyQ said:

found in Scotland - though some are now being seen in Wales and northern England

The Martes are on the march! One was seen and photoed in London earlier this month. Now seen regularly in New Forest and English Midlands.

Shame about the state of Stag Cottage. It was a special place but there are others. Good to see "Fang" still going strong.

Some great shots of the birds on Lunga. The boat trip sounds fun.

Love the Birds in flight, esp Bridled Guillemot.

 

[michael-ibk]

Wow, absolutely breathtaking photos Tony, wonderful! News to me that Martens are common in mainland Europe, never had a photographable sighting. 

[Galana]

@michael-ibkMainly Stone Marten in Europe where they are causing considerable problems.

In Germany they are eating Mercedes cars.

And in Switzerland Insurers are not very fond of them.

https://www.axa.ch/en/ueber-axa/blog/mobility/marten damage-martens-vehicle damage.html

 

When you stop at home I fee l sure you may find them in a wood near you.

[michael-ibk]

Oh I know we have many eating our cars (happened to me even) - but seeing them like this is a very different story. 

Edited October 25, 2022 by michael-ibk

[TonyQ]

Luckily we only had to feed peanuts to ours

[Galana]

Stag Cottage Martens are rather special as they will come in daylight in the longer summer days. Other places I have had to rig up Trail Cameras to get any worthwhile photos. All are quite omnivorous. Eilean Shona liked Spaghetti with a meat sauce a la Bolognese but not too much spice. Drimnin took most things even tinned sardines put out for the wildcats. I don't know what Lynn and Gordon fed their's on at Dunchraigaig as I was too busy keeping an eye on the Martens. They did rig up a neat sort of hopper to stop all the food going too quickly. 

 

So @michael-ibkare you about to risk your neighbour's ire by starting a feeding programme? I look forward to reading about it. 

 

[offshorebirder]

Superb Alcid photos.   Thanks for this excellent trip report @TonyQ.

[Towlersonsafari]

As @TonyQ and @Galanahave said the best options are peanuts or peanut butter as then the pine martens stay to eat it. they seem to like eggs but they run off with them to store them or eat further away- in Wester ross we once found egg shells-after we had put some eggs out- about a quarter mile away. i cannot say how I know but they will also eat a Mr kiplings pie (other pies are available)

[TonyQ]

@Galanathank you. Good to hear about Pine Martens spreading in England. It is a shame about the decline of the cottage, but we are still glad we went and had such good views of the Martens. Again thank you for the advice!

@michael-ibkthank you

@offshorebirderthank you

@Towlersonsafarithank you, and thank you for the advice on an alternative place to stay in the area

@Dave Williamsthank you. Part of your comments were in the visitor book - the part about the Pine Marten activity, but the next page had been removed from the book!

Our choice of peanut butter - no salt, no sugar, no palm oil. Just nuts!

 

Edited October 26, 2022 by TonyQ

[TonyQ]

A few more Pine Martens...

There were a couple of Wood Piles in the garden, and a number of times a Marten came out from underneath one

 

 

We put a log onto a tree stump and the Martens were very curious about it

[TonyQ]

The area around the cottage was pretty isolated, but there were a few nice walks in the area - especially on the days when the weather was good!

A Loch a short distance from the cottage

Willow Warbler

Sedge Warbler

One of the single lane tracks on the way to the cottage

 

A juvenile Spotted Flycatcher

 

[TonyQ]

Near Strontian was a hide overlooking a Loch, with Seals viewable

A stream near the cottage

 

House Martins collecting mud to make their nests

And another special creature

 

A Toad (Common I think)

[MMMim]

Magnificent photographs (as usual).  I'm just back from the highlands, but we were not there for wildlife, although we did see some red deer stag, which was a bonus.  I love the pine martens - so mischievous and, I'm afraid I have to say it, cute!  Love the puffins, they always look a bit sad (their eyes).  Thank-you for the lovely photographs.

[TonyQ]

thank you @MMMim. I am glad you enjoyed the Highlands! I agree that the Pine Martens are cute!

 

So I will finish the report with a short video (1min 26 seconds) @Towlersonsafarishould watch until the end. I don't take many videos, and this one was just taken on my phone through the window - but I do enjoy seeing how the Martens move. THey seem so full of life!

 

And a final few photos to end the report and the Marten Overload

 

 

 

 

Standing to see what is going on

 

And running off into the darkness

 

So for us it was a really good trip for wildlife. Excellent birding on Uist, and wonderful sightings of the Pine Martens.

 

It was then a long drive home, but we stopped for a night on the way and then paid a visit to Leighton Moss RSPB reserve to meet up with @Zim Girland Adrian - a real treat to see them again. Leighton Moss is their local reserve, and they were able to show us Marsh Harriers, Osprey and a lifer for us - a Bittern. An excellent way to finish the trip

[Galana]

All that is lacking is an Orchestral finale to play us out.

Great sequences of the Martens. I think your principal player is one of Domino's twin kits that I saw as a threesome often last year. Judging from the single 'dead centre' chest spot. Great pose on the hind legs.

Excellent little video. It just shows what can be dome with modest equipment. As @Towlersonsafariwarned, Eggs are welcome but are removed to be eaten at leisure. I often smear/bury paste in log cracks as that keeps them in shot.

Thanks for sharing your trip with us.

[Towlersonsafari]

hurrah! @TonyQwhat a wonderful  film and clearly a very fine holiday. I paid that pine marten to run off with the egg to pretend I know stuff

[Zim Girl]

Excellent Pine Marten video!

The scenery around the cottage is lovely.  Enjoyed reading this TR and had a great time meeting up with you both again at LM.

[Kitsafari]

beautiful Pine Marten! brilliant shots too and a wonderful video to watch it bouncing around before bouncing off with the large egg. thoroughly enjoyed the martens.