The fog

There was quite a bit of fog around when I went to pick up the guests so we headed out of the fog and back into the sunshine. No problem in finding a WT Eagle as one sailed around in a clear blue sky.

There was plenty of common stuff to see but we couldn't find an Otter or a Golden Eagle but as we headed back into the fog an eagle drifted into view, flew around and then disappeared.

A little bonus just before the guests got dropped off was the lone Whooper Swan.

The next day the weather was better and there were plenty of sightings to be had. An Otter was seen briefly but too distant for photos. Stonechat...

...Common Whitethroat...

...and Great Black-backed Gull were all seen well.

Other posers for the camera were Common Sandpiper...

...and Northern Wheatear.

A Yellowhammer was seen in a new location and also an Adder seen on the day. Good views of WT Eagle were had and quite a few Common Buzzard seen in various locations.

End of April

I'm a little bit behind with the blog but I'll catch up soon. A few snaps from the end of April when Rick T kindly took me out (Cheers, mate). Common Sandpiper doing some wing stretching.

We got cracking view of a Golden Eagle being mobbed by a Raven.

The biggest gull in the world - Great Black-backed Gull.

I'm not seeing that many Twite at the moment so it was nice to see this one.

A Wren was singing in a bush and it was kind enough to pose for a few snaps too.

This won't be the last picture of Northern Wheatear!

My PWC ended up with 92 species and 115 points. I was top of the Coastal Scotland league for March but I won't hold on to that.

Smart

A few showers helped with the year list as I managed to catch up with Blackcap, House Martin and a Tree Pipit that was displaying in the garden!

There are a few White Wagtails around now but none close enough for a photo yet so a Pied Wagtail will have to do.

The Common Scoters are still hanging around.

I didn't actually see an Otter but this Dogfish didn't haul itself out of the sea so it could be a GBB Gulls dinner!

There are plenty of Northern Wheatear around now and I have seen them pairing up and exploring nest sites.

The Shelducks are doing the same thing - how smart does this bird look?

Most of the Lapwings are on the nest so it won't be long before the chicks are on the go.

Other year ticks have included Short-eared Owl, Knot, Cuckoo and Treecreeper - 116 species for now.

Distant

Another quick run out didn't produce much and certainly nothing close - must try harder! A couple of Red Deer stags were resting in the long grass, the other one was closer but facing away.

A brief view of a Kestrel perched up was nice to see but it was on it's way before I realised the shutter speed was too slow!

Another one that was too far away was a nice looking juvenile Great Northern Diver. Another time...

A distant Otter was seen and despite the waiting around it never came any closer so a Great Black-backed Gull will have to do instead.

Free and easy

That seems to be it for the season so I'm free and easy now so the posts might be a bit sporadic depending on whether I'm out or not. A rainy day didn't produce very much inspiration but there was plenty of entertainment provided by the Greenshank chasing each other around.

The following day I was heading to the shop and noticed a couple of large lumps across the marsh - two WT Eagle having their breakfast.

I've been trying to get a few more birds on the list for the Patchwork Challenge but it's hard going. Nothing new was found while I checked out a flock of Chaffinch on the shore. A couple of Rock Pipit...

...a Dunnock...

...an Otter fishing in the distance and a fly past by a Great Black-backed Gull.

Cracking.

Tuesday was a cracking day full of photographs for a change. We started with a couple of Curlew...

...and the pale Common Buzzard or is it a Honey Buzzard/Osprey/Rough-legged Buzzard.

The menace of the sea shore was looking for trouble - Great Black-backed Gull.

We had a laugh trying to photograph the young WT Eagle on the nest after the adult bird tried to sneak round the back of us.

A Hooded Crow watched the proceedings from the safety of the fence.

An Otter was a welcome find but it never came close enough to be inducted into the hall of fame. Lunch was quite productive with a couple of Hen Harrier, a distant WT Eagle and two Golden Eagle. As we left the area we spotted a large bird above the forestry and by the time we stopped to get a better view there were two birds. They were both young WT Eagles and keen to have a bit of interaction.

They even came a bit closer.

We'd already seen quite a few Red Deer but a close one will always trump the distant crowd.

The Adders were on fine form with at least 10 seen on the day. This one has a milky eye so it's ready to shed it's skin.

This is one of two Young Adders seen - it's only about five inches long.

Our Hare Hunt was a bit of a hike but it was worth it. We did see a few Rabbits...

...and a Hen Harrier along the way.

The first Mountain Hare we spotted was keen to stay hidden but we eventually got three together. They all headed in different directions so you had to follow the right one! I missed out to start with but soon made amends.

You would think that would be enough for one day but the icing on the cake was the Goldfinch posing on the thistle.