Monday 13th July

Once the dreich weather went away, this afternoon and now this evening, a different story with the sun streaming in through the big window with distant views out to Ireland and the Royal Princess sailing past on the horizon. Yesterday Mandy had been on the INHT rAmble out to Dun Nosebridge. She saw a Spotted Flycatcher as they passed through the trees, Further on she had a male Stonechat on top of a fence post with a juvenile bird on the next again post! Today, visitor Mike from Birmingham had gone over Gruinart and then on up to Ardnave, seeing many "red birds", Oystercatcher, Redshank, Stonechats, over 30 Chough at Ardnave and Linnets too. He also saw a male Hen Harrier carrying prey in its' talons! Back here at home today, the Buzzards were out on the wing teaching their 2 young some acrobatics. 2 Peregrines were seeing each other off, so whether they were 2 different birds both on the edge of their territories. Later on, a male Hen Harrier flew along the front of the crag before it flew on over the crag and way out of sight and 2 Linnets were on top of the fence. Finally there was a hedgehog in the garden this evening!!!