Spring has felt like it has been happening in slow motion this year, but it is gradually unravelling. At the loch area, since my last post, highlights have been Red-legged Partridge and a migrant Wheatear. On the water itself, a Red-breasted Merganser has again turned up. The tagged (LYU) female Mute Swan, who bred here between 2014 and 2021 turned up, but was chased off by the present resident male. I did wonder if going by the amount of aggression shown, whether LYU might be its mother-in-law!
Along the coastal strip, a second Lesser Whitethroat has moved in; this one near Seafield Cave. Out on the firth, there has been a large Common Scoter presence, but despite multiple long range photos, I've not been able to sort out a Velvet amongst them. A few Long-tailed Duck are still present, and a half dozen Wigeon made an appearance. Sandwich Terns now showing up in numbers.
Last night, a Grasshopper Warbler was reported on the Fife network as being near Seafield Tower. I headed down there first thing this morning, and was able to find the bird (see photo) in almost the exact same location that I found my only other one from the patch a few years ago. Another year first in Common Whitethroat also present this morning.
Along the coastal strip, a second Lesser Whitethroat has moved in; this one near Seafield Cave. Out on the firth, there has been a large Common Scoter presence, but despite multiple long range photos, I've not been able to sort out a Velvet amongst them. A few Long-tailed Duck are still present, and a half dozen Wigeon made an appearance. Sandwich Terns now showing up in numbers.
Last night, a Grasshopper Warbler was reported on the Fife network as being near Seafield Tower. I headed down there first thing this morning, and was able to find the bird (see photo) in almost the exact same location that I found my only other one from the patch a few years ago. Another year first in Common Whitethroat also present this morning.
