Monday 18th May

A much better day over here today, with the sun streaming in through the windows as I write the blog, not like last night with the rain running down the windows... Before the rain came yesterday, the Bowland birders managed to get out a spot a few birds for us... Over at Finlaggan, they had a female Whinchat on the fence with Tufted Ducks out on the water on Loch Finlaggan itself. Up at Bunnahabhain, they had a Spotted Flycatcher with Common Sandpiper, GND and Tysties out on the Sound of Islay. Back inland at Cattadale, they saw a Cuckoo. This morning here at home in the garden, I saw a hen Pheasant sitting on her brood of youngsters, the first I had seen this year. Mid morning and Margaret saw a Hooded Crow nobble a young Lapwing chick, and then at lunchtime away at the other end of the garden, there was another hen Pheasant with a different set of chicks. This evening just after Auradh cottage, 2 Buzzards were sitting on the ground being mobbed by a couple of Hooded Crows. Many thanks to the RAFOS(RAF Ornithology Society) for sharing their sightings while they were over, wonder how many species they managed to spot in total?