Excellent news from Kinnordy this week as the first Whooper swans of the season arrived. On monday (5th nov.) four were sighed on the loch at East hide, two adults and two juviniles, and today (8th nov.) there were at least twenty-seven individuals. Greylag geese can now be seen in and around the loch in considerable numbers (over 400) as well as substantial gatherings of Mute swan, Teal, Wigeon, Gadwall, Mallards, Tufted Duck and Common Gulls. There have also been smaller numbers of Canada geese, Shovelers, and Goosander as well as a few Coot and a lone Cormorant. Also today a single Scaup appeared, a female. This is relatively unusual since Scaup tend to winter of the coast, but of course Kinnordy isn't so far from the sea. Other birds to be seen around the reserve at this season include Great spotted woodpecker, Great, Blue and Coal tits, Bullfinch, Chaffinch, Robin; Buzzard, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk. Red squirrels are also conspicuous, especially around Gullery hide: four were seen today.