Merry Christmas.

I think I've worn out the blog for a wee spell and it's holiday time too - Christmas, family etc - so it might go quiet. Early on Monday we were serenaded by a Common Crossbill. There were two birds flying around but only one on view when they landed.

I had to go to the garage at lunchtime so that was a good excuse to have a look about too. I drove past an Otter on the way and managed to see it again on the return journey half an hour later - result.

While scanning through the gulls on the loch they started to lift and call in alarm - where is the cause though? I didn't have to look as a juv WT Eagle flew into my view so I kept an eye on it until it landed. I didn't realise how dull it was at the time (duff, distant photo) but the view was superb in the scope. As you can see it's a tagged bird from the East coast released in 2009.

Not a lot else to report. We missed the eclipse due to cloud cover but as soon as it was all over the cloud started to break up - typical. Nice view of red snow when the sun was breaking the horizon.

Well that could be it until the middle of January so I'll take the time to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a bird filled New Year - all the best, folks. Bryan & Joy.

'It's my tinsel, right!!'