Dawn raid.

Friday we were preparing for a mad dash down to Newcastle so not a lot of birding to talk about but sometimes things just come to you. First off five Whooper Swan flew down on to the loch in front of the shop but better still while I was outside chatting I heard a Willow Warbler singing behind the shop. For me the Willow Warbler epitomises the arrival of Spring - that made my day. I stood outside and waited for the bird to show itself...patience required. I had the distraction of the bird feeders while I waited so the fleeting visit of the Coal Tit...

...and the squabbling Siskins...

...kept me amused while I scanned the trees - Goldcrest, Greenfinch, Crossbill all showed well before the Willow Warbler finally revealed itself. The Whooper Swans had hauled out on the shore so I got a quick snap of them too.

With only one full day in Newcastle and family to visit there was only one option to get some birding done - a dawn raid! We managed to pick up thirteen year ticks some of which I hadn't seen for a couple of years. As soon as we stepped out of the car at Cresswell there were Linnets everywhere, Coot and Moorhen on a small pool, Tree Sparrow in the hedge, Stock Dove on the barn roof and Pink-footed Goose in the field.

That was six year ticks in about five minutes - brilliant! Another three were added as we entered the hide with a few Gadwall on the pool, 8 Pied Avocet and the first Yellow Wagtail I've seen in Britain since 2006, how good is that?! I could have went home there and then but it was still early. As we headed back to the car I snapped away at a couple of birds - Blue Tit...

...a nicely blurred Tree Sparrow...

...and the rest of the photos went in the bin. We went for a closer look at the Avocet and took a few shots through the scope - stunning birds.

Druridge next to add more to the list with Grey Partridge, Shoveler and Pintail (below).

Certainly not a year tick but this Pheasant was worth looking at...

...as were the Carrion Crows that were perched along the hedges.

The last of the year ticks were a couple of Sandwich Tern - not greatly exciting but we don't see that many on Mull. The other thing that made my day was to catch up with a bunch of local birders along the way - Rick, Chris, Andy, Tom, Graeme, Steve, Maurice, Les, Tim - what a day! 

The rest of the day was taken up with visiting the kids and grandkids - tremendous to see them again. Saturday night we spent catching up with another old friend Sarah Millican - a great show and nice to catch up with her properly after the show.
Sunday we travelled back to Mull with a quick stop to pick up Osprey along with cracking views of a displaying Red-throated Diver.