You just can't predict wildlife

It's Sunday and it's raining...again.

Yesturday was bright and not too sunny but nice; great weather for photography dolphins, birds etc. It was also rarely above freezing.

Dressed up like artic explorers Mark and I got up early and headed for Chanonry Point. We know that the Dolphins typically appear (if they are going to) the during the two hours either side of high tide. Having checked the tide times against the available light times for the last two and half weeks we had decided that today (Saturday) would be a good day. High tide was 14.23 which meant we could get there mid morning and have a spot of tea and check things out.

Arriving at 10.20 we thought the day was going to be good, the light perfect and the sea becoming calmer for every minute we were there. After having tea and dressing for the weather (two pairs of socks, thermal underwear, fleece, duvet jacket, boots, hat, gloves etc) we braved the cold and took up a place on the point.

After nearly two hours of watching 2 Grey Seals, 3 pairs of Red Breasted Merganzer, a flock of Ringed Plovers, two Turnstones, an irrate and hungry (and very large and over friendly) Herring Gull juvenile we were starting to loose feeling in fingers and toes.

We headed back to the campervan to make lunch - pasta in a tomato and basil sauce, garlic bread, more tea, cake, more tea etc. (with people sitting in expensive cars with a small thermos and a sandwich looking on enviously at the ratty old camper they had previously thought shouldn't be allowed on the road.....)

We keep the gear ready and an eye out while we cooked and ate. Ready to leap out at any minute but we didn't need to.

At about 12.30 we headed back onto the point, refreshed and somewhat warmer (especially as we'd had the gas heater on in the van as well) ready for the Dolphins.

At 2.30 we were still ready to see the Dolphins but the light was fading as the clouds were gathering - it was snowing on the far mountains which had been so beautiful earlier as the sun rose up their white and glissening flanks. We were loosing feeling in the hands again - something I seem to constantly battle with and always loose.

At about 2.40 we decided that enough was enough. The light was getting bad and it was getting windier and colder. Time to make a move.

Heading back we saw three birds of prey (all on fence posts by the side of the road and all on NO STOPPING bits with nowhere to pull off) - a buzzard, a peregrine and a kestrel.

We also saw a heron fishing and again nowhere to stop.

So, 150miles, two frozen fingers later we hadn't seen a single Dolphin.

Well, that's wildlife for you. And that's why patience is the number one skill - above fieldcraft (a very close second) and photographic skills.

Perhaps I'll have more luck along the southern side of the firth Monday.

Take care on the roads everyone - its slippery out there!

Jan