RSPB Fowlsheugh Bird Sanctuary

Since our return to Bonnie Scotland, I have wanted to revisit the RSPB Fowlsheugh Bird Santuary and last week I actually managed to do just that. 

It's only a short drive from Aberdeen so we are very lucky. 

The spectacular cliffs at Fowlsheugh are packed with approximately 130,000 breeding seabirds at this time of year, from Guillemots, Razorbills, Kittiwakes, Fulmars and my personal favourite... the Puffin. It's possible also to see grey seals, dolphins and minke whales too, if you are lucky. 

But before we start our visit, perhaps I should warn you that this post contains a lot of photographs and if you have vertigo, then maybe this post isn't for you.

So watch your step and let's head to the edge of the cliffs....

The weather was a mixed bag on the day... we got both wet and sunburnt!

(Just a typical summer day in Aberdeenshire)

I'm always surprised by three things when visiting the santuary.

Firstly, that there are no railings, fencing or any restrictions on the clifftops. 

Secondly, the smell can be quite pungent shall we say and thirdly the noise is incredible.

But the views are spectacular.

Breath-taking in fact.

Yes, once I got into photographic mode, I had to be reminded not to step too near the edge.

I tend to get a compelling feeling that I'm being pulled if I get too near the edge, especially whilst looking down to the sea crashing onto the cliffs.

Obviously the birds don't suffer this... looking at the tiny ledge they call home.

Did you spot them? 

In the photo above it shows the closest that I could get to the baby birds.

It was a very precarious perch... I mean me... not the bird!

I was amazed to see flowers growing... they must be hardy to survive here.

You might think that you are just looking at the cliff face, but let me tell you that that cliff is teaming with life. How they perch on to the rock face is beyond me.

Here's a closer look at just how many birds are nesting here. 

The mind boggles as to how they find the right nest when they return from a visit out to sea.

It appears that no perch is beyond their reach.

As we passed other visitors we asked if they had been successful in seeing any Puffins. 

It was on my wish list to see these incredible birds, especially as they have been placed on the endangered list. 

One chap in full camouflage gear carrying enough camera equipment to sink a battle ship, said that he'd seen only few, as numbers were down this year. 

I began to think I'd be unsuccessful in my quest yet again.

Well the view certainly made up for any disappointment.

But with the aid of rather strong binoculars and my very own Twitcher 

(that's a bird watcher for those who may not have heard of this term before) 

we found two pairs of Puffins! 

They were situated on the grass bank near that cave (shown in above photo)

We watched as one parent returned numerous times to the nest with their bill full of sand eels. 

Fantastic!

Unfortunately, I still haven't purchased that zoom lens, so I haven't managed to get a photo for you, but I can't tell you how happy I was and I may even have done a little happy dance, if I hadn't been so near the edge of the cliff.
I'm linking today to Wordless (on Tuesday at image-in-ing) and Mersad ~ Photography Through My Lens

If you'd like to read more about the RSPB Bird Sanctuary then click Here

Scotland does have amazing scenery and I hope to show you more soon.

Thank you for spending some time with me.

Have a great day and hopefully I'll see you again soon.

Birds and Booze... PPF

It seems to be all happening this week... well all except painting that is, but at least I managed to start a sketch. I'm not sure if you've heard of the BBC programme 'Springwatch' especially if you are situated outside of the UK, but it's airing at the moment and there's been some brilliant footage.

They have live camera's and it gives you a chance to really see nature up close and personal 24/7. Some scenes a little too close for my liking, but they're brilliant all the same. 

Here's a link if you'd like to take a peek - click here

They featured Puffins one evening and I'd heard that they are near the endangered list and since then I just can't get them out of my mind... so I started to draw them.

(I'm hoping that you can see this as it's really quite light)

There's a bird sanctuary not far from here, with the cliff tops crammed with wild birds and their nests. I keep saying that we must visit whilst the puffins are nesting. 

By the way, did you know that a young puffin is called a 'puffling'. 

Now you've got to agree that's rather cute.

Anyway, I've got to be on my game today... moving swiftly on because my hubby has purchased a huge beast of a garden tool, that has the potential to strip a whole woodland in one sweep never mind a feed weeds from around the perimeter of our garden!

I can virtually hear my plants gasp in horror and lean away in terror.

Heaven knows what damage he could do wielding that baby!

Don't worry... I'm going to be standing well back and wearing full safety gear and I'm not even going to be anywhere near. 

I'm taking no chances!

I may even need a stiff drink by the time he's finished.

None during for obvious reasons!

Talking of needing a stiff drink reminded me of my painting of a Bombay Sapphire Gin bottle 

(other gin's are available) 

I painted it a little while back, so maybe some of you haven't seen it before. 

My son has it on his bedroom wall and objected to me taking it down... so I took the photo in situ which wasn't the best idea... but there you go!

Cheers!

I'm linking up as usual with Eva and Kristin as usual over at PPF
and to Alexandra's Sunday Sketches 

Thanks for hosting once again ladies.

I hope you all have a wonderful safe weekend and thanks for visiting my place.