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Written by BSG
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Aug 03, 2008 at 12:00 AM |
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KYLE OF TONGUE
SCOTLAND
SUTHERLAND (Ullapool), (N)
National Grid NC3775
00o00´/00o00´ c200 ha c30m estuary, rocky coastline further around and beyond, hills with meadows, rough grass, and heath
summer (31.07.08)
Birding Site Guide
Follow the A836 then the A838 west from Thurso or the A835 from Ullapool, then the A894 and A838 to the north coast. The second main estuary from the west the A838 becomes a causeway across the Kyle of Tongue, along which area parking areas. Stop at these places to view the estuary. Low tide is best. There are 2 hotels and Bed & breakfast places in tongue as well as shops.
The main birds of the area on my visit were Curlew, Oystercatcher, Grey Heron, Golden Plover with a few Redshank. Gulls included Herring, Common, Great Black-backed and Black-headed. There were 2 Red-throated Divers in the channel and Ravens were present. Looking north along the sand there were 15 Grey Seals Halichoerus grypus basking. The mountains further inland towards Altnaharra are good Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos country and the coast is good for Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus . Wild Rock Pigeons inhabit this coast, though a few feral birds from the towns sometimes mix with them. Also on the journey keep an eye open for Hooded Crows Corvus cornix .
Birds seen
Red-throated Loon Gavia stellata
Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea
Greylag Goose Anser anser
Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus
Eurasian Golden-Plover Pluvialis apricaria
Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata
Common Redshank Tringa totanus
Mew Gull Larus canus
Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus
European Herring Gull Larus argentatus
Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus
Rock Pigeon Columba livia
Common Wood-Pigeon Columba palumbus
Eurasian Collared-Dove Streptopelia decaocto
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
House Martin Delichon urbicum
Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis
Common Raven Corvus corax
House Sparrow Passer domesticus
Author: BSG
www.birdingsiteguide.com |
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Last Updated ( Aug 03, 2008 at 09:40 AM )
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