We've had a week of superb weather here at Loch of Strathbeg. The wardens and volunteers have enthusiastically jumped on the chance to shovel about a ton of hardcore onto the access track, which will make the approach to the reserve a bit less bumpy for a while at least. We've also been focussing on work at the other reserves this week as seabird counts at Fowlsheugh and Troup Head start getting into full swing. You can read more about what we're doing at each reserve on their reserve blogs.
The bird of the week at Strathbeg has been a Red Crested Pochard at the south end of the loch. It's been seen best from the Rattray Church viewpoint, usually near the boathouse. It's always hard to tell exactly where ducks have come from, and we know that some Red Crested Pochards escape from ponds and wildfowl collections, but they do have wild populations in Holland and Europe so it could well be a genuinely wild bird that's been blown off course.
The highlights from the visitor centre today have been two Little Gulls and a pair of Ruff, including a stunning-looking male bird in almost full white breeding plumage.
The Greater Yellowlegs is still around, and a female Osprey spent at least eight hours sitting on the low ground after catching a pike in the silt traps this morning. We've also had some good otter moments recently, Richard had great views late in the evening from Fen Hide and visiter reported at least one in from of Tower Pool Hide for five or tenminutes this afternoon.