A day of contrasts on site with a superb selection of both seabirds and waders but absolutely nothing on the passerine front!
Following the strong winds over the weekend an early morning seawatch seemed the most sensible option as although the winds were not true northerlies or north-easterlies they had to have pushed some birds into the area. This was proved to be correct with a very productive watch, highlights included: eight manx and two sooty shearwaters; nine bonxie and two arctic skuas; single red throated diver; small numbers of swandwich and commic terns; a male velvet scoter (first for the year - 176) and six storm petrels, the highest ever count of this species for the reserve.
In addition to the wind there had been a fair amount of rain so all the main wetland areas were flooded meaning that waders would be concentrated in small areas offering a slightly easier opportunity to count what was on the reserve - a check of all the major areas (lagoon / beach / Savoch Low Ground / Starnafin) revealed the following counts: 62 ruff (probably the highest single day count ever); 5 curlew sandpipers; 3 little stints; 3 bar tailed godwit (a scarce visitor to the reserve); 2 wood sandpipers; single spotted redshank and whimbrel; as well as several knot, sanderling, ringed plover and dunlin.
The only disappointment was the plantation where the best we could muster were 2 goldcrest and sinlge willow warbler, robin and chaffinch.
Despite the strong winds raptors were much in evidence - probably because all the potential food was concentrated in small areas - with two marsh harriers and a single peregrine being the highlights.
Dom