Here they come!

Five Whooper Swans flew high north over the Ythan Estuary yesterday morning, heralding the onset of spring passage. Their calls have a particularly resonant, almost human-voice quality from a distance, and for me it's one of the finest sounds in the natural world.

Whooper Swan 'up close', as opposed to 'up high'

Other notable sightings this week have included a pair of Grey Partridge by the Forvie Centre - the first ones there in ages - and two Snow Buntings in South Forvie by the ternery. Also a nice selection of waterfowl on Sand Loch including one Scaup, two Red-breasted Mergansers and nine Wigeon.