Barely a ten minute drive to the Scottish border, the welcoming Saltire fluttering in the breeze. A late start after a check-up on Henry the Estonisan White-tailed Eagle chick, a slow ablute and then newspaper shopping and petrol. The eaglet will become Henrietta or Rita if.it turns out to be a female.
Seeing a sign for St Abb's Head, I suggested - by mistake - that we should start our birding there. We even had to turn back .....
The sign for St Abb's Nature Reserve which neither of us has ever visited, hinted that I'd made an error. We continued downhill on what was obviously a dead end road to a most attractive working harbour. The usual Scottish east coast, heavy granite walls, protected the harbour itself, stacks of lobster pots and general fishing detritus, boats and ropes added to the scenic picture.
Of more interest to us was the rocky cliff facing the harbour on the northern edge. Densely packed ledges of mainly chocolate-brown backed Guillemots, with a few Razorbills and Fulmars, had me calling for my scope.
I didn't manage to find any Puffins and, neither did Pam when it was her turn. We only brought one scope as Pam has problems using her arthritic fingers on the leg extenders.
I didn't manage to find any Puffins and, neither did Pam when it was her turn. We only brought one scope as Pam has problems using her arthritic fingers on the leg extenders.
The bay rocky outcrops were home to a mass of Herring Gulls, a few Eider on the sea and a passage of Gannets way out. This could become a regular calling place.
Skatteraw's atomic power station's white cement block exterior looks in need of a wash. I prefer it as it's becoming less of an eyesore. Tree Sparrows on the access road to Skatteraw Bay, empty cages where the Snowy owl always stared at us. It must have died.
Skatteraw's atomic power station's white cement block exterior looks in need of a wash. I prefer it as it's becoming less of an eyesore. Tree Sparrows on the access road to Skatteraw Bay, empty cages where the Snowy owl always stared at us. It must have died.
We stayed long enough for Pam to eat a meal as there were few birds on a high tide. Dogs romping along the beach didn't help. Three Swallows flitted through at 70 mph, a lone and very handsome Pied Wagtail looked - in vain hope - for some food. The usual small and motley-plumaged group of Eider and our first Shag of the year.
Bass Rock, white with Gannet snow, is irresistible.
Via North Berwick we made our way along the coast to Longniddry Reeks No 3 car park. I can't resist that name either. No birds here, two surf sailors put paid to that. A few noisy Sandwich Terns were welcome, as was my first Sand Martin.
A short, sharp shower brought about a departure for the Forth Bridge and Leven. A mass of Gulls, including a dozen Lesser Black-backed, washed and drank in the river mouth at the southern end of the bay. The ever more shabby food shack always a reminder of the morning I dressed my infected knees here after a successful twitch for a Masked Shrike. We had bacon rolls for breakfast that day.
Kinross Travelodge for the night, a very verbose Scottish granny - she told us - kept us amused for ages at the counter. All I did was apologise for the tiny print on my booking form - which she couldn't read.
I shall be pleased to get to our accommodation to-morrow, although I'm looking forward to a Loch O' Lowes visit.
Bass Rock, white with Gannet snow, is irresistible.
Via North Berwick we made our way along the coast to Longniddry Reeks No 3 car park. I can't resist that name either. No birds here, two surf sailors put paid to that. A few noisy Sandwich Terns were welcome, as was my first Sand Martin.
A short, sharp shower brought about a departure for the Forth Bridge and Leven. A mass of Gulls, including a dozen Lesser Black-backed, washed and drank in the river mouth at the southern end of the bay. The ever more shabby food shack always a reminder of the morning I dressed my infected knees here after a successful twitch for a Masked Shrike. We had bacon rolls for breakfast that day.
Kinross Travelodge for the night, a very verbose Scottish granny - she told us - kept us amused for ages at the counter. All I did was apologise for the tiny print on my booking form - which she couldn't read.
I shall be pleased to get to our accommodation to-morrow, although I'm looking forward to a Loch O' Lowes visit.
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