Speyside Part 2 - 14th to 15th April 2026

Welcome back to the 2nd instalment of our Scottish trip. Oriole always do a trip to the West coast and this time we went a bit further North to Handa Island as the weather looked superb for the day. The last time I visited was over 40 years ago and it is still as magical. I will start off with a few views.

After being greeted by the two volunteer Wardens we headed inland watching Pink-footed Geese heading off to their breeding grounds in Iceland.

Just off the landing beach was a confiding Skylark.

And a Wheatear.

As we climbed slowly upwards across the island we spotted a Red Grouse on the ridge.

Willow Warbler, Hooded Crow and distant Dolphins were added to the list and we soon spotted a few Great Skuas, or Bonxies as they are known in Scotland. They came to check us out but as they were not yet breeding they decided to avoid dive bombing us!

The North end of the island has sheer cliffs and already a number of sea birds were starting to nest including these Razorbills.

About 5 or 6 Puffins were on the sea as well as Shags and Guillemots. It was also good to see quite a few Fulmars and I always enjoy the challenge of photographing them. 

All too soon we were heading back but had a final surprise on the way back, finding some Black Guillemots. The boat skipper even took us round for a closer view!

On the way we had passed a few lochs that looked good for Divers and on the return journey eagle eyed Steve spotted one which had the vans screeching to a halt! A beautiful Summer plumage Black-throated​ Diver which slowly got closer, giving super views through the scope. These two pictures do not really do it justice.

The following day started with us looking for Crested Tits at Loch Malachie and here is a view to set the scene.

I'm sure Ashley, our guide has bionic hearing as he soon located a Crested Tit before we left the car park. They are very flighty, and it is quite dark under the pines, but I did manage some shots.

An easy to spot bird was this Mistle Thrush, singing away on the top of a Pine.

It was then off to the Loch Garten centre car park which is always a good spot for birds including Siskin.

A male Scottish Crossbill perched briefly, but I did not have time for a picture, however shortly after a female Crossbill flew in and perched. The bulkier body and bill identifying it as a Parrot Crossbill.

It was then time to head for the coast, trying again for White-billed Diver. First stop was Port Knockie.

Scanning the sea produced views of Bottlenose Dolphins.

Nesting Shags.

Kittiwakes.

And finally Guillemots, one of which is the bridled form.

It was a great spot as we also had Rock Pipit and Wheatear, but no White-billed Diver! It was almost as if these Herring Gulls were laughing at us.

Determined to track the Divers down, we then headed to Portsoy, a very pretty little town.

The small harbour was good for Rock Pipit.

We also had great close views of Eiders in the sheltered harbour.

Some concerted sea watching again failed to find a White-billed Diver even with leading ornithological legend and RSPB SE Herts Group Coach & Car Outings president Paul Ballantyne doing his utmost!

There were some other great birds including this adult Gannet which came in close.

It was also great to see a few Long-tailed Ducks on the sea which eventually drifted a bit closer to shore.

And a Diver at last! Not the one we wanted but a lovely Red Throated Diver, close to shore.

We were in the last chance saloon so a final stop at the caravan park in Cullen. Here's a Linnet with a caravan backdrop!

And a happy ending to the day when Ashley located a very, very distant White-billed Diver and then located another closer one. Through the scope you could clearly see the distinctive bill which separates it from the similar Great Northern Diver. The ground was tricky, and Sue took a tumble in the gorse after viewing the bird, bravely waving away help until everyone had seen it. A fantastic end to a great day, and a view of that Gorse bush!

The third and final Speyside blog will follow soon.