Willow warbler/lövsångare. Värmland, Sweden (July 17, 2022).

I managed to get a snap of this specimen of not Zilpzalp.

Fitis (willow warbler) am Max-Eyth-See, Mühlhausen.

Willow Warbler - Felosa-musical (Phylloscopus trochilus)

Vila Franca de Xira/Portugal (28/09/2023)

[NIkon D500; AF-S Nikkor 500mm F5,6E PF ED VR; 1/2500s; F5,6; 400 ISO]

Willow warbler tush

Our Scotland trip 2024

Over the past week we have been on a wild adventure in Scotland, independently (rather then on an organised tour this time) we visited locations in the Cairngorms where we were based, wider Highlands and Moray to look for wildlife and we managed to cover many places and see so much incredible wildlife which was thrilling and fantastic. 

Alongside all the big wild locations visited we need to look no further than the cottage we stayed in near Duthil near Carr Bridge for exciting wildlife experiences on many occasions, set in gorgeous countryside with a view over a vast area including the impressive Cairn Gorm range and some lovely wetland and pine woodland nearby, we saw so much wildlife. Singing Willow Warblers, a sensation of the holiday it’s amazing to think the one I saw as soon as we arrived was my first of the year given how many we’ve seen and heard this week, and charming Brown Hares getting some of my closest ever views of them were a constant. Curlew, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Teal, Rook, Buzzard, Chaffinch, Skylark, beautiful Yellowhammer, Red-legged Partridge, Pheasants, amazing scenes of Pink-footed flying over a valuable chance for us to see them this year, Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell butterflies, Cuckoo heard, Roe Deers, Crossbill and oil beetle in the woodland and only my second ever Stoat were some of the other amazing species seen with many seen whilst having breakfast. 

After enjoying the quirky sight of Oystercatchers (what would go onto be a star of the trip) on a roadside verge by the hotel we stayed in near Preston to break up the outward journey and Blackcap at Ralia services on the way, Sunday arrived and it was time to explore. We firstly headed to the first of many amazing locations we had visited on our past birding tours with Heatherlea in 2018 and 2023, a location with top views of an Osprey nest which is always a breathtaking sight. Then onto Laggan Dam where I’m thrilled that we picked out two stunning summer plumage Black-throated Divers in the beautiful setting of Loch Laggan and the mountains. With rain really set in we headed for Lochindorb securing our first views of Red Grouse this week a key species of the area that we don’t get at home and my first Common Sandpipers of the year. Monday arrived and we went to Strathdearn to search for eagles, finding at least one and maybe two gigantic White-tailed Eagles. In this stunning mountainous landscape along the Findhorn River it was also great to see many Common Sandpipers, Goosander and Wheatear. Later in the day we headed for Chanonry Point where my first Kittiwakes of the year, Gannet and Razorbill were waiting. On the way and way back so far north it was brilliant to see my first Hooded Crows of the trip another novelty to us not resident at home. 

We headed for the Moray coast on Tuesday and were spoilt at Spey Bay with exhilarating moments watching Bottlenose Dolphins, as we saw here last year Ospreys fishing in the river, Red-throated Divers including one in exquisite summer plumage, Common Scoters, a distant Puffin out to sea and thanks to some of many kind like minded people we met on the trip giving us invaluable advice and information on species and locations a lovely White Wagtail. It was then onto RSPB Loch Spynie when as happened last year here we spotted a Tree Sparrow a very valuable species to us alongside Yellowhammer and Brambling. Later that day we were treated to more sensational views of fishing Ospreys over the river at Lossiemouth East Beach a personal favourite location of the Heatherlea trips we’ve done and the gorgeous sight of my first Little Ringed Plover of the year as well as more Gannets. Lovely headland at Burghead beckoned before we headed back to the Cairngorms and on a beautiful sunny spring evening it was great to see Long-tailed Duck, more Gannets, Guillemot, Wheatear and the amazing sight of hundreds of pretty Knots huddled on a rock. 

Wednesday brought an early start to see Black Grouse at a lek site that another kind person we met on Monday recommended and it was a pleasure to see these birds evocative of open spaces, before getting astonishing views of Dippers one of my favourite birds that I love seeing at Nethy Bridge in bright sunshine. We then headed for RSPB Loch Garten where just a day before a dramatic nest takeover it was special to see the Ospreys on the nest and the site where Ospreys first nested here. Without that iconic pair from the Scandinavian population settling here and the amazing work of the RSPB to protect the nest Ospreys might not be so successful now across Scotland as we’ve seen this week but also across the whole of the UK with Loch Garten paving the way for the reintroduction programmes elsewhere such as Poole Harbour and especially Rutland Water that has given me so many amazing opportunities to see this bird that I love so much and have such a special bond with over the years. Also standing out that day was precious time hearing Crested Tit and Cuckoo, and seeing Goldeneye, some of many Common Sandpipers this week and Redstart. Next was a stop at Dell Woods where it was nice to see a Red Kite. We ended the day via another look at the Black Grouse spot and seeing them again revisiting Lochindorb to take in the nice views of the castle in clearer weather and we had some of the most magical and intimate wildlife encounters of the trip. Firstly we saw Common Sandpiper and Oystercatcher right at the edge of the loch from the car, then a phenomenal moment as an excellent and dashing Black-throated Diver surfaced right near to us in the car and we were all spellbound watching it and it’s partner getting fabulous views of them. The best views I’d ever got of a rarity in home areas and a species I only saw for the first time in 2020, simply one of my best ever wildlife watching moments. The icing on the cake was a similarly stunning intimate and prolonged encounter with a ravishing Red Grouse by the roadside which was an honour. 

Thursday saw our return to Strathdearn when alongside White-tailed Eagle again we achieved a massive trip aim of seeing a Golden Eagle. What a bird, the icon on wilderness. Possibly seeing a Goshawk too, some of the many Buzzards seen on the trip, my first Red Deers of the year and as we took an exciting walk up a mountainous track at Coignafearn a brief view of a Mountain Hare with only a bit of it’s winter white left another iconic species of the area were other highlights with Cuckoo heard. That day on a fine afternoon/evening we moved onto the beautiful RSPB Loch Ruthven. The summer plumage theme of the trip continued here as we were in awe of four summer plumage Slavonian Grebes. A bird we usually see in winter in Hampshire as with last year here it was a magnificent novelty to see them in their summer finery in their breeding grounds. Little Grebe, the serenading song of Willow Warbler and call of Cuckoo and another Osprey seen were also highlights here. Another magical encounter on a sunny morning awaited on a revisit to Dell Woods on Friday when we saw a glorious Red Squirrel, another heartfelt mammal encounter this week. Jay and Willow Warbler were good to see here too before seeing a Dipper at Nethy Bridge passing through again this time seeing their nest on the bridge. Another mountain walk followed that afternoon as like last year we drove up Cairn Gorm and walked a little way. It was breathtaking to take in the beautiful views in the sun and perseverance paid off as we just got a view of a Ring Ouzel late on, a fine final addition to my bird year list of the week which soared to end the holiday on 183 after ticking nineteen species for 2024. Top views of Willow Warbler and Meadow Pipit stood out there too. 

On the final morning yesterday we were invigorated once more visiting Loch Garten and Loch Mallachie before beginning the journey back south to home, getting amazing views of Goldeneyes, hearing the loudest calling I’ve heard from a Cuckoo yet this year and seeing and hearing the loud drumming of the Great Spotted Woodpecker. A Grey Heron and Moorhen was nice to see at Milton Loch soon into the journey. It was great to hear Blackbird, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Woodpigeon and Magpie on International Dawn Chorus Day morning at the hotel we stayed in near Warrington to break up the return journey today. Other standout birds throughout the trip included many Common Gulls seeing them in their breeding grounds which is unique for us too as we usually see a handful at most of these at home, Sandwich Tern, Red-breasted Merganser, Greylag Geese, Siskin, Swallow, Sand Martin and enigmatic Ravens seen and heard a lot. Mountain Goats at Strathdearn alongside Highland Cattle a nice sight of the area and Sheep on the trip were nice to see.

Butterflies very much played a big role on the spring trip especially when it got sunnier with the Small Tortoiseshells at the cottage and Peacock across the week joined by Orange Tip and Green-veined White and I saw moths too including The Streamer at the cottage. A Green Tiger beetle, an incredible and exuberant species, on the path at Coignafearn was another insect of the trip as were regular bees. It was a fantastic floral week too with it nice to see seas of daffodils a beautiful sight now passed at home. Wood sorrel was a revelation of the week in the Abernethy Forest at Loch Garten and at Loch Ruthven, beautiful flowers adorning the forest floor. Wood anemone, lesser celandine, marsh marigold, gorse, broom, dandelion, daisy, violets, red deadnettle, thrift, scurvygrass, primroses, ferns, bog myrtle, wood rush especially at the cottage and a bit of groundsel there and stunning coltsfoot on Cairn Gorm were other highlights. It was good to see fungi clinging to trees including hoof fungus and much lichen and moss. 

It really was so awe-inspiring seeing all this wildlife and being in the vast mountainous landscape and also enjoying woodland, coast, wetland, moors, lochs and pretty whitewater and otherwise rivers. I found this week so fulfilling, captivating and inspiring and it brought me such valuable and refreshing tranquility. I am sad this anticipated amazing week is over and I feel it will have a lasting impact on me as I hold dear many fantastic memories from the trip.

The photos in this set from the trip are of; one of the Crossbills, a view at Pattack Falls where we briefly called into, the lighthouse at Chanonry Point, Herring Gull at Chanonry Point, one of the Willow Warblers on one of my morning walks from the cottage, Small Tortoiseshell on a dandelion in the cottage garden, daffodil at Ralia services on the way, the Knots at Burghead, a beautiful view at Loch Garten and the Red Grouse we got close to at Lochindorb.

By Jeff's Wildlife: With Spring with us, well stormy weather todays thread is Yellow, Willow Warbler UK 🇬🇧

Phylloscopus coronatus [センダイムシクイ,Eastern crowned willow warbler]

ちょこまかと動き回ってなかなか捉えられませんでしたが、何とか撮れました👍

Pretty little pine warbler

"Janet from HR" has the same energy as "Blaine Warbler."

Great tit/talgoxe, Willow tit/talltita and Willow warbler/lövsångare. Värmland, Sweden (August 8, 2020).

Willow Warbler - Felosa-musical (Phylloscopus trochilus)

Vila Franca de Xira/Portugal (7/09/2023)

[Nikon D500; AF-S Nikkor 500mm F5,6E PF ED VR; 1/2500s; F7,1; 400 ISO]

Pouillot Fitis (1878). Léo-Paul Robert (Swiss, 1851 - 1923)

A willow warbler that was just for a few seconds and then flew away again. What a cute little ball of fluff. 

Looking back on an amazing and year defining day twelve months ago today on Skomer Island where I enjoyed seeing so many Puffins, Guillemot, Razorbill, Kittiwake, Fulmar, Wheatears, Willow Warbler, Chough, Red Kite, Harbour Porpoises, Grey Seals, a wonderful Osprey sighting and more. I took the pictures in this photoset that day of; Puffins, beautiful coastal views the habitat I love, sea campion that painted so much of the landscape white that week at Martin’s Haven before boarding the boat, Osprey and Guillemots. 

I did these three posts about the day on the day a year ago: https://dansnaturepictures.tumblr.com/post/682628385522008064/26042022-blog-1-of-3-skomer-island-and-martins, https://dansnaturepictures.tumblr.com/post/682628679474511872/26042022-post-2-of-3-ten-landscape-photos-i and https://dansnaturepictures.tumblr.com/post/682629165561872384/26042022-post-3-of-3-ten-photos-i-took-of