Whooper swans, turnstones, and Coral Beaches

29th January 2014; Skye U3A go to Coral Beaches

 A pair of Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) leaving Loch Suardal. Small numbers of these birds, which breed in  Sweden, Finland, the Baltic States, and Russia, overwinter on the Isle of Skye. It has been found in recent years that more Goldeneye in Sweden and Finland, from where the Skye overwintering birds have come, are deciding to remain in their breeding grounds in these countries during the winter, presumably because of the milder climate.

 Four of seven Whooper Swans (Cygnus cygnus) on Loch Suardal.

 Whooper swans on Skye are mostly passage migrants on their way from Iceland to their overwintering grounds in Ireland and the UK (including important sites such as Martin Mere in Lancashire and the Ouse Washes).

 However, a few overwinter on Skye, with Loch Suardal being their favourite spot.

 One of a flock of Greylag Geese (Anser anser). Part of the Skye greylag population is resident and part is made up of overwintering birds from Iceland.

 Male Eurasian Wigeon (Anas penelope) on Loch Dunvegan (photo by David). This is a winter visitor which could originate in Iceland.

 Red-Breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator). This could be a Skye resident or a winter immigrant from Iceland. Notice the long, slightly upturned bill which helps to differentiate this bird from the Merganser whose bill has a subtle downward curve at the end.

(Photo by David)

Coral Beaches - the "beach" is not made from coral but from something variously described as a dried, calcareous seaweed or red algae known as Maerl, which is said to comprise three species of coralline algae: Lithothamnion corallioides, Lithothamnion glaciale, and Phymatolithon calcareum. Beyond is the small island of Isay and further still in the distance are the mountains of Harris in the Outer Hebrides.

Heading for the port of Dunvegan.

A Rock Pipit (Anthus petrosus); this is resident on Skye - photo by David.

Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres) - photo by David. This is a winter visitor on Skye, arriving from Canada and Greenland, but can be seen at other times of the year as a passage migrant.

Ringed Plovers (Charadrius hiaticula) - photo by David. This is a common breeding resident but some can be overwintering European birds or passage migrants from Canada and Greenland.

Ringed Plover and Turnstone - photo by David.

Photo by David.

Photo by David.

Photo by David.

Coral Beaches and Isay.

A Great Northern Diver (Gavia immer), spotted by David. This is a winter visitor on Skye and could be a passage migrant as well, as it also overwinters on the seaboards of Scandinavia and western Europe. It breeds in Canada and southern Greenland.

On our way back a gathering of seals (Steve counted 24) in Loch Dunvegan came to stare at us. In an instant they all disappeared under the water simultaneously, as if with one mind. Photo by David.