Well, following on from our walk along the Caledonian canal, I headed out to the fort again once home.
Parked in the usual place, I walked out onto the shore and spotted a Rock Pipit, on a rock!
On along the path, not a lot going on, again, down the ramp to the fungus twins!
How quickly they grow up? :)
I walk over to the edge of the grass here to see down onto the shoreline and often stop behind a shrub which acts as cover while I check out the wildlife that might be nearby.
I could see movement on the rocky beach further ahead so started walking slowly that way, looking, taking shots and waiting to ID.
Looked like a small group of young Ringed Plover and ...
Young Turnstone.
Actually, maybe young and adults, just look at that one looking my way! :)
The light was almost behind them making it a wee bit harder to get good shots and of course, they took flight when I got that wee bit too close.
I did manage to get a couple of decent shots of them leaving.
They only turned and flew back to shore not too far ahead but, I kept clear to leave them alone and headed on to the point. A Curlew stood on the high shore for a while watching me approaching before calling out and flying off.
Then I spotted one of my favourites, the Hooded Crow x Carrion Crow pair. I see them almost every time I walk here. I saw them earlier in the year with a couple of youngsters, I think but, they looked more Carrion than Hooded, maybe the Hoodie is the female?
The Corvids are such intelligent birds and I've had some really good close encounters with them as they go about their business ignoring me.
I didn't get the Carrion Crow this time but I've got several shots of them together already.
There's a pool about halfway along, looks like it may have been constructed a harbour or shelter for small boats way back, bearing in mind there used to be sailing ships coming in to Ardersier and then early seaplanes at air station here so who knows what it may have been used for? It is however, a great pool for many birds.
There were a couple of Redshank hanging out along the shore of the pool mostly unperturbed by me.
That didn't last long of course!
On past the pool onto the hard standings and along to the point, where I stood and enjoyed the solitude for a while.
A Black-headed gull flew by checking me out, maybe liked the lens? :)
I carried on round to the back of the fort where all the worn stanchions are, they too fascinate me. What were they for, when?
Anyone else see a big eared, one eyed troll??
I disturbed a mixed flock as I rounded the point, mostly Oystercatchers but there are others in there. Anyone able to pick them out and name them? This is the view out into the Moray Firth/
As ever at this time of year, the Pink-footed geese were on the move, flying due South this time, from the Black Isle.
I must have turned around at this point, there was nothing more this way, I think the red flags were still up on the ranges so there's no point carrying on.
I got back past the point, over the hard standings before I noticed the Hooded x Carrion Crow pair on the old posts.
I am assuming here of course but I have seen them together so many times....
I'll say it again, I love Hooded Crows :)
Anyway, round the corner, keeping an eye on the shore and there were the Turnstone & Ringed Plover again, same spot just about.
You can miss Turnstone so easily if the light is right, or wrong :)
Ringed Plover are so cute, lost looking. There's at least one pair that nest out by the point every year.
I had one last sighting before I headed back to the car.
A few Mute Swans hang out in the bay every year, wonder if this is the first one back?
OK, so I did spot one more airborne item as I walked back .... just an Osprey.
Bumps and jumps at Inverness airport for some reason but, different to see here
