Wednesday 29th December

A complete change in the weather from yesterday, with strong winds and quite heavy, persistent rain overnight and for much of the morning. There was a slight improvement in the afternoon, but not sufficient to tempt any resident birdwatchers outside to brave the elements. However, two of our intrepid visitors did just that:

Ian Dearing saw 2 Chough just east of Ballinaby Farm at 1430. While Phil Edwards sat out the storm this morning but made it to Blackrock at 13.00. He struggled to see birds amongst the waves, but noted 5 Long-tailed Ducks and 3 Red-breasted Mergansers. He had a more productive time later at Loch Skerrols where he caught up with the Lesser Scaup, seeing 2 birds - a female and a 1stCY male. He even managed a photo of the male (see below).