A hard life.

Saturday the weather was a bit poor but when it cleared I headed out to have another go at the Short-eared Owls. I could see three birds sitting on fence posts and another flying around from the shop but when I drove round there was nothing in sight. A few minutes wait and an adult took flight...

...closely followed by two youngsters. One young bird landed on the fence, calling and giving everything the hard stare! Awesome bird!!

On the way home I spotted two female type Hen Harriers interacting. By the time I'd stopped I could only see one bird and I wonder if the other bird had been a first summer male passing food to the female.

Sunday was a better day but the threat of a shower was always there. We started the day with a trio of Mountain Hare and a brief glimpse of a male Hen Harrier. Next up was a Red Deer stag that was relaxing in the sunshine and looking like life was easy.

A Red-breasted Merganser was looking like it was having a hard life but once it's moult is complete it will be back to it's best.

The sightings came thick and fast after that with WT Eagle, three Hen Harrier, Spotted Flycatcher, Dipper, another Hen Harrier, four Adder, Slow Worm and cracking views of the humble Rock Pipit.

A couple of WT Eagle were seen circling over the loch and when one bird headed off the other bird...

...gained a bit of height before performing a spectacular stoop down to the rocks below. Naturally, this upset the gulls that were loafing below and they gave the eagle a real hard time! It's a hard life being an eagle!

Our last stop of the day produced the Golden Eagles that we'd been searching for with the added bonus of a small herd of Feral Goats. Another cracking day in the field!