It was the first Hide Session of the year at The Loons today and the morning wasn't promising with heavy snow showers and most of the birds hunkering down out of the wind. I wasn't too optimistic about how many would drop in to the session (you wouldn't believe the numbers of layers of clothing I put on in preparation!) but the morning past quickly with 6 people enjoying what the hide had to offer this morning.
The snowy weather didn't seem to put off the teal who were the stars of the show this morning pottering around on the banks, braking off from foraging to do a spot of courtship from time to time. The sunshine soon arrived though and the first of visitors timed it nicely to see the drake teal in all their finery right in front of the hide. A female hen harrier drifted past, half heartedly going after a snipe she flushed but she didn't hang around for long.
The pair of mute swans were back for a short time - checking out the nest site for this year - but one had a less than elegant landing, mis-timing it slightly and semi crashed landed into the reed bed! There was the usual complement of curlew and lapwing, an odd redshank or snipe about but the most activity was from the coot. The two pairs having a bit of a territorial dispute with a lot of noise and posturing going on. There were also an usually large number to moorhen visible today, with at least 5 present.
The geese are still around too, with the ever present greylag geese but also around 50 plus pink-footed geese in the field to the right of the hide. A small group of 11 Greenland white-fronts were very close to the road nearby.
The next hide session will be at The Loons again, on the Monday 8th of April, as ever just drop by any time between 9.30 and 12.30 to have a guide to what's about. The sessions this year will always be on a Monday. Our first guided walk will be at Hobbister at 9.30am on Wednesday 3rd April (next week). Keep an eye out on the RSPB web pages or Outdoor Orkney website for more information. You can also call the Orkney Office for more information on 01856 850176. If you haven't found the RSPB Orkney Facebook page - have a look and it'll keep you up to date with what's on as well.