Day 4

 Sunday April 28

I had a good night in a very comfortable bed, as did Pam. Neither of us woke until 9 a.m., almost unheard of. Although dry until early afternoon, the weather was not conducive to rushing out. However, seeing a pair of Bullfinches at the end of our lane was a lovely start. When we eventually did leave, it was to drive west to Loch Flemington, one of our good for padders lochs. We have also seen Otters here. Tufted Ducks, Little Grebe, Meadow Pipit, Reed  Buntings, Yellowhammer and a Magpie for the list. 

On to Alturlie, on the Firth within sight of Inverness's Kessock bridge. There are always Hooded Crows here but look of dubious parentage. Some Carrion Crow present in most.

 


A poor return for our efforts today. Oystercatchers, a Redshank and a flock of Linnets were the only birds seen.

Nairn Harbour produced our first Sandwich Terns of the year, fishing out to sea. Pam then did the major week's shop in Sainsbury's before driving to the east beach of Findhorn Bay. It rained. A lot.  Ah well, further east to Burghead, starting at the east end of the bay. Too wet to open the windows, we drove to the west end, seeing a bedraggled Rock Pipit en route. Parked at the very end, past the abandoned boat hulk, it was a while before I dared open my side window,  when I was partly sheltered enough to use my binoculars. Two Swallows were swooping out  from behind the rock face and birds started to appear from around the corner. Eight Common Scoter, Six Turnstones, Razorbill, Guillemot, Gannets and two male Eider. There was a lull. We turned to leave. In time to see a flock of about a thousand Knot form a large morphing cloud, flying this way and another until landing on the rocky shore. We drove to where they had landed. All of them were still in winter plumage, some washing, others preening, most asleep with their beaks tucked away under their wings. 

 




How far had they flown? Where from? Were they all non breeders? We left them to their slumbers and drove home. In the rain.

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