The good, the bad & the ugly

[denfinella]

Just back from a week in the far north of Scotland. Lots of interesting wildlife as usual, including ptarmigan on Ben Loyal and a deer herd of several hundred in Glen Loth. Here are a few of the good, the bad and the ugly - let's start with the good:

1. Male ring ouzel on Ben Klibreck:

2. And a female on Ben Hope (part of a pair - not the same pair obviously!):

3. Great northern diver in summer plumage at Keiss Castle:

4. Now for the bad - a much-maligned seagull (common gull) on a nest at Fort George today:

5. And finally, an "ugly" pigeon chick eyeing us up, also at Fort George:

[Mouse1903]

I'd love to see a Ring Ouzel in the flesh. Seen some Golden Plovers recently on 2 seperate walks, first time I had no idea what they were

[Caberfeidh]

Excellent pics - I once saw a Ring Ouzel and a Dipper (aka Water Ouzel) within a couple of feet of each other by a burn in the Lairig Ghru. It would have made a great photo for comparing the two birds, if only I had my camera...

[Alteknacker]

Green with envy - never seen a GND

[denfinella]

I'd love to see a Ring Ouzel in the flesh. Seen some Golden Plovers recently on 2 seperate walks, first time I had no idea what they were

The northernmost Munros seem a good place to spot ring ouzels! Golden plovers are lovely too though.

Excellent pics - I once saw a Ring Ouzel and a Dipper (aka Water Ouzel) within a couple of feet of each other by a burn in the Lairig Ghru. It would have made a great photo for comparing the two birds, if only I had my camera...

Thanks Caberfeidh. That sort of thing has happened to us many a time

Green with envy - never seen a GND

neither had we until then!