Balnakeil - 17th September 2025

Having an unexpected day off, I was unsure where to head, but overnight light winds and the promise of a decent first half of the day, I hedged my bets in visiting the NW corner of the UK to the small village of Balnakeil, a site renowned for rare birds over the years, including a Daurian Starling many years ago. 

I was excited to explore this area knowing there wouldn't be any birders around for miles, and I got off to a good start with a Lesser Whitethroat and a few Goldcrests making themselves known. A further wander and I was rewarded with a Barred Warbler which proved to be very mobile and elusive, but two Hawfinches which flew in were slightly more cooperative. Further interest was the long-staying Treecreeper, a Magpie and a Wheatear. The nearby marsh held at least seven Ruff. I saw the Barred Warbler a further four times, but I just couldn't get a photo of this very secretive bird. 

I briefly checked Durness as there were some excellent gardens there, but all I could find was a Garden Warbler. An Otter and a Stoat were other noteworthy things seen.

This hopefully won't be my last visit this autumn to this far-flung area.

Lesser Whitethroat

awful pic of the Barred Warbler

Hawfinch

Balnakeil

Stoat

Portgower - 7th September 2025

Usually Tarbat Ness would be my seawatch location, but I've learnt from others that on an East or South-east wind, the north-east coast is the place to be. I recently found a site just south of Portgower which is relatively sheltered and offers height. During the week, Matt Broadbent and I had been keeping an eye on today's weather, which thankfully stayed fairly consistent meaning Portgower was on the cards for today. 

As soon as I pulled up into the lay-by, a message of a passing Cory's Shearwater (a very rare bird up this way) from Dean only 3kms down the coast prompted me into immediate action and soon it passed me. I quickly ventured down to the coast, later being joined by Matt B and Pete Stronach, with the following seen:

9am - 2.30pm

Cory's Shearwater - 2

Great Shearwater - 4

Sooty Shearwater - 97

Arctic Skua - 11

Manx Shearwater - not counted by a few hundred most likely

Two of the Greats passed only just offshore, as did one of the Cory's. I certainly didn't anticipate views like that up this way!

On my way home, a quick stop at Loch Fleet produced the Curlew Sandpiper which has been present a few days. 

Great Shearwater past Portgower

Cory's Shearwater past Portgower