Loons

Just a quick run out this morning before the rain comes back in. No sign of the 2 Whooper Swan from yesterday so they must have left early this morning before I was awake. The Lapwings are displaying well and the Mistle Thrush are in fine voice so it's getting more spring like every day. This Common Buzzard was perched up quite nicely keeping it's eyes open for an easy meal no doubt.
About half a mile further down the road a large raptor cleared the ridge and set off a couple of Great Black-backed Gull. You always run the risk of these birds dropping out of sight before you can get a good look but this bird just sailed along the ridge and gave me the chance to get it in the scope. A cracking view of a first winter White-tailed Eagle.
This Great Northern Diver was fishing in the shallows and provided an opportunity for a close look and a few snaps. A real beast of a bird and the beam of the bird is just immense! How wide do you need to be?

Look at the size of that bill too. There were at least 10 GN Diver, 6 RT Diver, 4 Razorbill and numerous Shag out on Loch Scridain. The forecast for the weekend looks a bit breezy but Monday night might be just right for another count of the Divers.
A view out towards Staffa and the Treshnish Isles produced another year tick in the shape of a single Gannet scything through the increasing wind with ease.

The clouds were gathering on the tops and the bank of rain was visibly encroaching but I probably just had enough time to get a few snaps of the Stags. As you can see from this beast it's a hard life out on the hill, skinny hind legs and protruding bones don't look good but he might make it yet.