HAPPY 2006 FROM THE MORAY FIRTH !

I hope you had a very nice Xmas and received all you wanted and a few surprises along the way (personally, I'm still trying to figure out how to operate the bubble machine I received from my daughter Kerri), but I'm sure that by the time the next school workshop comes around I will have mastered it and they will benefit from it.

What with the Xmas and New Year period, the last few weeks seem to have flown by, but as we head into a new year lets have a wee look back on December. Weather wise it was a wet and stormy one, with the odd snow shower moving in. Nothing of course like the big snow drifts that hit Kent, thanks to a friend and Marine Connection member who phoned me to say they were trapped in the house and there was over two inches of snow in the garden, to which I said, "We have that in summer here!", although I was of course envious of her getting the snow, as at the time all we had was horizontal rain.

For most of the month the sea was rough and grey, with only rafts of Eider duck bobbing up and down by Longhead. Their calls are amazing, its as if they have heard the most exciting piece of gossip and are keen to tell all - I wish I could speak eider, so that I could get in on the gossip too! For some reason dolphins were far and few this month, I've only seen one lone dolphin from the hostel, but from past experience dolphin watching at this time of a year is a bit hit or miss. For instance, take the Saturday I spent on the beach at Hopeman watching a lone kayaker dodging the waves. Imagine my disappointment when upon my return home I received an e-mail from a friend telling me he had been watching dolphins at Burghead, 18+ feeding and leaping around the headland and only a mile away from where I was! Other sightings of note in December were 20+ bottlenose dolphins (again at Burghead), and the following day a smaller group at Hopeman. Further west over at Fort George, Harbour Porpoise were recorded as well as the amazing scene of grey seals chasing and feeding on eider ducks. Northwards at Golspie a single Risso's dolphin and 2 common dolphin were seen just before Xmas, while on Xmas day 5 dolphins were seen foraging close to the river mouth at Spey bay.

As ever at this time of year, the east coast of Scotland offers the best opportunity to see cetaceans, with Aberdeen being the best watch site. I wonder when the local Tourist Board will see the light and start promoting dolphin watching from the Torry battery? In vain we tried to install a poster to promote the dolphin watching, but were refused as apparently you have to be a member of the tourist board before they can allow this - (I wonder if the dolphins have to be members of the Tourist Board before allowing people can watch them!.)

On the 27 December I went our on a dolphin watch (and mince pie) trip. Sadly no sightings on this occasion, but we were rewarded with a great sunset and good crack on board, I think sometimes simply dolphin watching with friends and like minded folk is just as important as seeing the animals - simply being out on the water and admiring the Firth at its best is grand. Later on in the evening the Rainbow Hostel was packed to the rafters with local people and supporters for a wee festive party. The highlight of the night must have been the appearance of the northern lights at about quarter to ten, we all piled out and watched the amazing free show, as the lights danced along the Moray Firth. I wonder if the dolphins find these dancing lights as amazing as we do?

In the middle of December I organised a small seasonal Craft Fair in the village. The stalls, lots of good music and a great crowd made it a fine day, and all the money raised was donated to a toy appeal run by the local paper - it was nice to be putting something into a good cause.

So farewell 2005 and hello to 2006. Eleven dolphins at 11 minutes past 11 on the 1 of January at Aberdeen - I wonder if that's a sign for the coming year! The Hostel will be up and running again in March so if you are planning a trip up north please email me.

In the meantime, all the best to you all for 2006 - I am looking forward to seeing some old friends and also welcoming new acquaintances to share in the magic of the dolphins, living wild and free in the Moray Firth!

Bye for now,

Peter Macdonald