New month, old friends

The last week or so has really been a story of long-stayers rather than eye-catching new arrivals. The two Smew have remained on-and-off at Sand Loch, with five Wigeon and five Red-breasted Mergansers for company. The white male Hen Harrier popped up again on Thursday, this time over South Forvie, while the Slavonian Grebe showed well again on the estuary mid-week. Meanwhile, the 'big white gull' at Collieston harbour continues to make a good living from the blocks of lard washed up on the beach there.

A hike up to the old castle yesterday, in atrocious underfoot conditions, produced a nice mix of seaduck and small numbers of Red-throated Divers, with a massive female Peregrine cruising lazily by for good measure.

On a more spring-like note, the Fulmars are now looking (and sounding) very settled on the cliffs at Forvie, ready for another long breeding season. I can almost sense the first Wheatears and phylloscs just round the corner..... well, maybe not JUST yet....

Noisy neighbours on Forvie's cliffs