Finally feel like spring is on its way - the snow has stopped, the wind has calmed down and birds are trickling in.
Our first wheatear on the dunes this morning was a cracking male - always forget how attractive these birds are. Eslewhere a singing chiffchaff and aggressive shelducks are further prompts that spring is starting to happen. had a look round all the normal wader haunts and unsurprisingly no real evidence of breeding yet - it is going to be a late season this year. In 2009 we had already got at least 6 pairs on eggs by now.
As the seas were much calmer today had a quick glance off shore. Our scoter flock is still around - at least 85 birds now although as they keep diving it does make counting them rather tricky, checked the flock closely as a female surf scoter had been seen flying north off Aberdeen a couple of days ago but it was not in the flock. Our great northern diver flock is also still around with atleast 31 today. Other duck of note included several superb long tailed ducks.
Dom