Spring slowly springing...

Today's highlight for me was a single Goldcrest moving through the gardens of Slains Cottages - my first bona fide passerine migrant on the ground this spring! Further evidence of spring was the presence of four Sandwich Terns at the Forvie ternery - there have been sporadic sightings since 23rd March, of probably passage birds, though today's individuals were more likely Forvie breeders returning for the summer season.

Also added a nice bird to the garden list. Well at least it was seen from the garden...


# "Lesser to the left of me, Herring to the right, here I am, stuck in the field with you..." #

 

This lovely Iceland Gull was in the freshly harrowed field next to the Sand Loch, before making its way onto the loch itself. A second-winter, it was possibly the long-stayer from Cransdale, but who knows? Splendid garden tick either way!