Boxing Day

Yesterday, forgot to mention that the male Hen Harrier flew over the garden and at one time yesterday, we had 22 Goldfinches at the feeders, just as well there was plenty of food there for them! Today, another day and a new tick for the garden with a ringtail Hen Harrier on the ground, it took off and landed immediately afterwards 3 times and then flew over and landed for a few moments on one of the fence posts at the edge of the garden, so a "garden bird" now for sure rather than one that flies over your garden! Coming back from Griuinart , late afternoon, and on top of one of the fence posts outside the RSPB offices was a Tawny Owl! Gary had done some birding today from Gartmain, where the wee stream enters Loch Indaal. His birds were 24 Pale belied Brent, 220 Barnies, 51 Wigeon, 14 Mallard, 7 Curlew, 53 Oystercatcher, 3 Knot, and 125 barwits. Over at Cash Kelly's House at Blackrock, on the other side of Loch Indaal, Gary had a count of 54 Scaup along with 17 R B Merganser. Today also, James had seen one of the Green winged Teal but no sign today of the American Wigeon, possibly over the sea wall...