Scottish Odyssey 2014 ~ The Crex-Crex of the Corncrake

"... a summer noise among the meadow hay…" 

John Clare

Corncrake making its 'Crex- crex' song. Photo credit: © David Gill 2014

I have a new 'lifer' on my bird list. David and I were on Skye two weeks ago, watching Corncrakes!

Yes, we actually saw two Corncrakes, one in flight and the other some distance away from the first in long vegetation. These birds have been given Red conservation status by the RSPB. They were far more prevalent in the past before updated agricultural practices began to interfere with the Corncrake habitats. You can read about the legal protection of this species here.

Many folk in the islands off the west coast of Scotland will have heard the distinctive 'crex-crex' sound, but few will have seen these shy birds in recent years. After our Skye sightings we kept a sharp eye open on Iona, but failed to spot any more. We knew they were close by as several males were calling loudly.

We sent this iPad audio recording of a male Corncrake, with David's photo, to the RSPB, along with details of the Corncrakes we saw and heard ... It may take a few seconds to load on this page.

Photo and audio credit: © David Gill 2014, used with permission

Corncrakes are fascinating birds. Unlike most members of their bird family - the Coots, Water Rails and Moorhens - they rarely inhabit wetland landscapes, preferring meadows with long grass and wild flowers and fields in which the crops have reached a decent height for cover.

Each winter the birds migrate to the grassy plains of sub-Saharan Africa and each spring they make the long journey to the islands off the west coast of Scotland.

My photo ... you can see how hidden the Corncrake was. Photo shot with zoom lens.

Male Corncrake singing. Photo credit: © David Gill 2014

Deep in the foliage ...

... with one eye peeping out. Photo credit: © David Gill 2014

Corncrakes breed in their first year, with the female incubating the clutch of about ten eggs while the male moves on to mate with another partner. I was given the impression that the Corncrake is a bird who loves to skulk away from the limelight, so I was not surprised to discover that nests are laid low on the ground in the middle of areas covered by vegetation.

The Corncrake is also known as the Landrail. You might like to read this RSPB blog post by Mark Avery - and the rest of John Clare's poem, The Landrail, which features in it ...



Recommended reading

• Corncrakes by Rhys Green and Heather Riley (Scottish Natural Heritage, 2005 edition)
  

Website suggestions

• The Corncrake on BBC Nature
• and on the Zoological Society of London site
• The Corncrake in a Guardian-Observer review of 'Findings' by Kathleen Jamie
• Scottish Poetry Library: Before the Traffic, the Corncrake
• Update in 2015: Corncrake Chess by Wildlife Artist, Jane Smith 

Scottish Odyssey 2 ~ Finches at Dunvegan on Skye

It was lovely to find Dunvegan in sunshine. The castle grounds were looking magnificent ...

... with waterlilies ...

... lupins and delphiniums.

We were delighted to find a Bullfinch as we rarely see these Amber Status birds in our own neck of the woods, and have only ever seen one in our Suffolk garden 'down south'.  

We soon noticed that there was also a female. 

I'm not sure what she was eating but it seemed to come from the tree ...

... near the roses.

We also saw this Goldfinch just outside the castle grounds from a place where we like to watch seals on the skerries.

Scottish Odyssey 1 ~ Heading South (amphibians)

We have just returned from a holiday on (well, mainly off) the west coast of Scotland. The weather was remarkably kind, and even hot at times. To date we have only processed the last of my digital films, so please forgive me if I begin at the end! I shall highlight the creatures we saw in yellow.

It seems remarkable to think that only last weekend we were ambling through the sub-tropical gardens at Arduaine, some miles south of Oban. We were looking for a picnic place on our drive to Dumbarton and noticed a sign saying 'Coastal Viewpoint'. It proved to be an idyllic spot, consisting of coastal views, unspoilt beaches ...

... and glorious plants such as the one below. It seemed very strange to be sitting among palm trees in hot sunshine, but the gardens benefit from the effects of the Gulf Stream.     

Scottish Flame Flower, perhaps?

The Arduaine headland protrudes from Loch Melfort and the gardens, now in the care of the National Trust for Scotland, face south over Asknish Bay. The photo below shows the beautiful coastline along the edge of the garden - and despite the fact that schools in Scotland had broken up for the summer vacation, the beach was certainly a crowd-free zone. We watched Gannets flying from one side of the bay to the other and one visitor claimed he saw a White-tailed Eagle.  

After enjoying the view we wandered inland to explore the part of the garden that spreads out around the pond. I had just turned my eyes to the water in the hope of seeing a newt when ...

... right on cue, David spotted one. 

It was a small but fine specimen ...

... and I enjoyed watching the newt as it swam in the water ...

... as it twisted and turned among the tadpoles ...

... and dived under strands of weed.

The tadpole population was certainly very healthy, though I rather suspect that all too few of these small creatures will make it through to maturity. 

It was time to head for that elusive viewpoint, but just before we left the pond, we noticed a second newt (in the photo above). I had a hunch that the newts would be Palmates, perhaps juveniles, but I am not convinced that this identification is correct. I am submitting the sightings to the Reptiles and Amphibians of the UK (RAUK) site for their records. The only eft I have ever seen in Scotland was on the edge of Loch Awe. 

Arduaine - what an unexpected jewel in the Scottish coastline! 

Great Cumbrae ~ Crocodile Rock

I love visiting Scottish islands, and Great Cumbrae was a new one for me to explore. I had read about the 'local wildlife' in the form of this crocodile, but was not quite prepared for his size and gaping jaw! The rock apparently morphed into this iconic reptile during Victorian days.

Great Cumbrae is only a short CalMac ferry ride from Wemyss Bay on the mainland. We arrived at the ferry terminal, having just missed the boat - as you can see. Fortunately the next sailing was only 30 minutes later, which gave us a chance to finish our takeaway coffees before embarking on the ten minute crossing. 

We had a glorious day on Great Cumbrae. I spotted a couple of Tysties (or Black Guillemots), birds of the auk family that we rarely see. I'm not quite sure what the one in the photo below had found to eat! The favoured Scottish name of 'tystie' is Norse in origin.

In breeding plumage

Tysties are easily identified by their flame coloured feet ... when they dive, that is!

You can see the red sandstone and the stark beauty of this peaceful island.

It proved to be a haven for birds, and the curlew's call in the wind was, as ever, an irresistible and compelling sound.

We had a splendid tea in Millport, the island's town. I can recommend the tiffin and the Mars Bar cake ... and am glad to report that we failed to see (or feel) any of the wee beasties on the cafe sign!

Scotland - and my 2014 Wildlife List

I returned from a few days in Ayr and Galloway just before Easter. We saw some wonderful birds on our Scottish travels, so it seems the right moment to update my 2014 wildlife list.  

Female Red-breasted Merganser, Isle of Bute, Scotland, April 2014

Bird List 2014, updated 23 April 2014

Blue indicates that the bird was seen somewhere other than on my home patch or at Minsmere.
Yellow indicates my home patch.
Purple indicates Minsmere. 

If you click on the bird names in the list immediately below, you will be taken to the RSPB site about the species mentioned.

1. Bar-tailed Godwit (1 bird, 9 January, Pin Mill) 
2. Barn Owl (1 bird, 12 January, Minsmere) 
3. Barnacle Goose (flock, April, WWT Caerlaverock) 
4. Black Guillemot / Tystie (2, April, on Great Cumbrae) 
5. Blackbird (1 bird, male, leucistic stripe, 8 January, home patch)
6. Black-headed Gull (about 25, 3 January, Woodbridge)
7. Blue tit (2 birds, 2 January, home patch) 
8. Buzzard (1 bird, 11 January, near Eyke)
9. Canada Goose (small flock, 9 January, Wherstead)
10. Carrion Crow (about 20, 5 January, field near Leiston)
11. Chaffinch (2 birds, 5 January, Minsmere)
12. Collared Dove (1 bird, 5 January, up the lane from Minsmere reserve)
13. Common Crane (1 bird, probably juvenile, 1 February, RSPB Lakenheath Fen) 
14. Common Gull (several, April, Great Cumbrae)
15. Common Scoter (1 bird, 12 January, Minsmere) - red conservation status
16. Coot (1 bird plus brood, 3 May, Pakenham Mill)
17. Cormorant (several, 4 and 5 January, Minsmere and Ipswich Waterfront)
18. Cuckoo (1 bird, 4 May, Pakenham, a 'hearing' rather than a sighting!) - red conservation status
19. Curlew (2 birds, 19 January, Minsmere)
20. Dunnock (1 bird, 5 January, Minsmere) 
21. Egyptian Goose (4 birds, 1 February, near Lackford Lakes) 
22. Eider duck (numerous birds, Ayrshire, Bute and Great Cumbrae, April 2014) 
23. Gannet (numerous birds from Ailsa Craig, seen from Girvan, Scotland, April 2014) 
24. Golden Plover (flock, April, WWT Caerlaverock, Scotland)
25. Goldfinch (1 bird, 22 January, home patch)
26. Great Northern Diver (1 bird, 16 January, Alton Water, Shotley Peninsula) 
27. Great Spotted Woodpecker (1 bird, 27 January, home patch) 
28. Great tit (2 birds, 4 January, home patch)
29. Green Woodpecker (1 bird, 12 January, Minsmere)
30. Greenfinch (7 birds, 5 January, Minsmere) 
31. Grey Heron (1 bird flying over, 4 February, home patch) 
32. Greylag Goose (small flock, 16 January, Wherstead)  
33. Guillemot (1 off the coast at Girvan, looking out to Ailsa Craig, Scotland, April 2014)
34. House Sparrow (4 birds, 12 January, Minsmere)
35. Herring Gull (1 bird, 3 January, Woodbridge) - red conservation status
36. Jay (1 bird, 3 May, Pakenham Mill)
37. Jackdaw (4 birds, 1 February, Ickworth)
38. Kestrel (2 birds, 5 January, Rendlesham)
39. Lapwing (9 birds, 4 January, Woodbridge) - red conservation status
40. Lesser Black-backed Gull (2 birds, 6 May, home patch)
41. Little Egret (1 bird, 27 January, home patch) 
42. Long-tailed tit (3 birds, 2 January, home patch)
43. Magpie (2 birds, 2 January, home patch) 
44. Mallard (1 bird, 5 January, Minsmere) 
45. Mandarin (pair, 9 February, Wilderness Pond, Ipswich)
46. Marsh Harrier (2 birds, 12 January, Minsmere) 
47. Meadow Pipit (small flock, 24 March, Shingle Street)
48. Moorhen (1 bird, 5 January, Minsmere)
49. Mute Swan (2 birds, 3 January, Woodbridge) 
50. Oystercatcher (1 bird, 16 January, Wherstead)
51. Pheasant (1 female bird, 5 January, Minsmere)
52. Pied Wagtail (1 bird, 15 January, Waterfront, Ipswich) 
53. Redshank (2 birds, 9 January, Pin Mill) 
54. Redwing (about 9 birds, 26 January, local hospital) - red conservation status
55. Red-breasted Merganser (several pairs, off the Scottish island of Bute, April 2014)
56. Reed Bunting (2 birds, 19 January, Minsmere)
57. Robin (1 bird, 1 January, home patch) 
58. Rock Pipit (2 birds, April, Great Cumbrae)
59. Rook (flying in roost, 1 February, RSPB Lakenheath Fen)
60. Shelduck (8 birds, 19 January, Minsmere) 
61. Shoveler (2 birds, 19 Januray, Minsmere) 
62. Siskin (2 birds, April, WWT Caerlaverock) 
63. Song Thrush (1 bird, ringed, 17 January, home patch) - red conservation status
64. Tawny Owl ('Mabel', Christchurch Park, 13 February)
65. Teal (about 20 birds, 19 January, Minsmere)
66. Tufted Duck (about 15, April, WWT Caerlaverock) 
67. Turnstone (15 birds, 3 January, Woodbridge)
68. Wheatear (1 bird, 24 March, Shingle Street) 
69. White-fronted Geese, (a flock, April, Wigtown)
70. Whooper Swan (2 birds, April, WWT Caerlaverock) 
71. Whitethroat (1 bird, 5 May, Carlton Marshes)
72. Wigeon (about 10 birds) 16 January, Wherstead)
73. Wood Pigeon (11 birds, 4 January, home patch)
74. Wren (1 bird, 8 January, home patch) 

Home Patch list for first sightings ...

1. Blackbird (1 bird, male, leucistic stripe, 8 January)
2. Blue tit (2 birds, 2 January)
3. Chaffinch (1 bird, 8 January)
4. Dunnock (1 bird, 8 January) 
5. Great Spotted Woodpecker (1 bird, 27 January)
6. Great tit (2 birds, 4 January)
7. Greenfinch (1 bird, 8 January) 
8. Grey Heron (1 bird flying over, 4 February) 
9. Lesser Black-backed Gull (2 birds, 6 May) 
10. Little Egret (1 bird flying over, 27 January) 
11. Long-tailed tit (3 birds, 2 January)
12. Magpie (2 birds, 2 January)
13. Robin (1 bird, 1 January) 
14. Song Thrush (1 bird, 17 January, home patch, ringed) - red conservation status
15. Starling (1 bird, 10 January)
16. Wood Pigeon (11 birds, 4 January)
17. Wren (1 bird, 8 January)

First wild mammals of 2014 ...

1. Fox (1, 1 February 2014, Lakenheath) 
2. Grey Seal (1off Girvan; 2 off Bute; 1 off Great Cumbrae, Scotland, April 2014)
3. Grey Squirrel (1, 12 January, Minsmere) 1st squirrel in home patch seen on 13 Jan.
4. Hare (2, 1 April 2014, near Bury St Edmunds)
5. Muntjac Deer (1 doe, 11 January, Rendlesham Forest) 
6. Otter (2, 12 January, Minsmere)  
7. Rabbit (several, 5 January, Minsmere)  
8. Rat (2, 9 February, Wilderness Pond, Ipswich)
9. Red Deer (2 does, 12 January, Minsmere)
10. Stoat (1 fleetingly, 12 January, Minsmere)

First amphibians of 2014 ...

1. Common Frog and spawn (73 frogs, 10 March, Felixstowe)
   

First Ladybirds of 2014 ...

1. 2-spot (1, 5 May, Carlton Marshes)  
2. 7-spot (3, 10 March, home patch) 
3. Harlequin (1, April, home patch)

First Lepidoptera of 2014 ...

1. Brimstone butterfly (2 April, home patch)
2. Green-veined White butterfly (5 May, Carlton Marshes)
3. Orange Tip butterfly (3 May, home patch)
4. Peacock butterfly (March, home patch) 
5. Small Tortoiseshell (5 March, home patch)
6. Small White butterfly (a few, 5 Mat, Carlton Marshes)
7. Unidentified moths on window (March, home patch)

First Odonata of 2014 ...

1. Damselfly, to be identified (5 May, Carlton Marshes)
2. Hairy hawker dragonfly (two, 5 May, Carlton Marshes)

First insects (other than lepidoptera, odonata and ladybirds) of 2014 ...

1. Ant (20 March, home patch) 
2. Buff-tailed Bumblebee (5 March, home patch)
3. Common cranefly (5 May, Carlton Marshes) 
4. Early Bumblebee (20 March, home patch)
5. Lacewing (3 May, home patch) 
6. Mortar Bee (3 May, home patch)
7. Red-and-black Froghopper (three, 5 may, Carlton Marshes)
8. Unidentified flies, ?Blue bottles (25 January, home patch)  
9. Unidentified Hoverfly (24 March, home patch) 

First gastropods of 2014 ... 

1. Brown-lipped Snail (7 March, home patch)
   

First arachnids of 2014 ...

1. Unidentified spider (8 January, home patch) 

First fungi of 2014

1. Bracket Fungus (as yet unidentified, April, Caerlaverock, Scotland) 
2. Scarlet Elf Cup (April, Caerlaverock, Scotland)

Beautiful Birds ~ Eider off the Ayrshire Coast

I love Eider Ducks, and have only seen them in Scotland and Northumbria.

You can just about make out the pink tinge on the front of the male

This time we were based in Ayr in the south-west of Scotland. We saw Eiders at a number of coastal locations - another species for my 2014 list! 

Male Eiders off the Scottish coast

I love the stylish green patch of feathers on the male.

It is always a joy to see these gregarious sea ducks doing what they do best.
 

Female Eider

The female Eider plucks down from her breast to line her nest. These birds became affectionately known as Cuddy ducks because back in the 7th century a hermit who later became St Cuthbert afforded them protection.

Raft of Eider approaching Girvan Harbour

• Phil Gates on the Eider at Seahouses (The Guardian Country Diary 22 April 2013)