Spring (maybe)

Yesterday was the first calm day this year that I've been able to go birding so down to Loch of Harray as Long-tailed Duck was still required for the year list. It took a bit of doing but one eventually gave itself up. Also for the year a very distant Red-throated Diver, and always nice to see drake Scaup and no fewer than 4 Slav Grebes.

Slavonian Grebe

On to Howaback where there were plenty of Fieldfares and Redwings, a very large flock of Twite and good numbers of waders and duck. The hound disappeared after a rabbit so I spent longer there than anticipated but in the sunshine and gentle weather there was not much to complain about.

 Twite with Curlews

 Whooper family

Two carbo Cormorants

On Friday I'd gone into Kirkwall, couple of things from the PDC.

 Gull at the back looks dark to my eye...

Hopefully the charge for plastic bags will reduce this sight in the future.

Very windy today, Peregrine passed the bedroom window as I sipped my early morning cuppa, then a Sparrowhawk low between the cars from the kitchen. Could barely make headway at The Links and retreated to hiding behind the dyke and watching around the burn. Best was on the way back, these gulls feeding around the plough.

Common Gulls follow the plough

Jobs to do yesterday p.m.

Something missing?

That's better

 Rather a lot of hours later....