An extremely busy day in several respects trying to incorporate different tasks and integrate some birding as well. It appeared that there had been a small arrival of Northern Wheatear on the southern Rinns in the early morning but birds soon dispersed more widely or moved on. A seawatch produced very little in actuality, which was disappointing.
A necessary journey to Bowmore ( the island's "metropolis" !! ) allowed a look to be taken over Inner Loch Indaal. There were some fine Eider and Red-breasted Merganser on show, but duck generally were a little scarce and I suspect the good weather will also now encourage any lingering winterers to move on. Wader numbers were also low, but a number of Bar-tailed Godwit showed well, none, as yet, showing any signs of summer plumage.
Over the last three days or so numbers of "alba" wagtails have finally become noticeable. The obvious presence of Song Thrushes and Blackbirds everywhere, so noticeable in early March, has now ended with only our usual breeding birds in evidence. Meadow Pipit are now around in better numbers and the lower hill land generally has taken on more life. At the very end of the day a fine Barn Owl near Cladville surveyed intently a ditch from a convenient fence post, doubtless alerted to the presence of potential prey!
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