The spring so far...

There’s been some fantastic early spring weather since the 21st and the east to southerly
airflow has brought in a good number of returning bird migrants. The first greenshank was back in from warmer climes on the 21st and joined by another on the 22nd, 2 redshanks were also present around this time. 

The first greenshank of the year on the 21st


A single adult summer black-headed gull was also around Kinloch (shore and top fields) on the 21st and our first chiffchaff of the spring was recorded on the 23rd. Wheatears are back in, with the first report from Harris on the 23rd. The continued east to southerly element to the wind last weekend (24/25th March) produced a small passage of migrants namely a single house martin, 7 goldcrests, 3 chiffchaffs, 5 wheatear (1 merlin and a single great northern diver also at Kilmory).

Chiffchaff, Kinloch 23rd March



Male wheatear, Kilmory.

Goldcrest, Kilmory

All of our resident birds are getting on with the business of breeding with song thrush already on eggs. Our white tailed sea eagles are on eggs and look likely to breed this year, but all of our golden eagles are still yet to lay (3 pairs).



The unmistakable smell of manxie goodness

 

Manx shearwaters are definitely back in from their South Atlantic wintering grounds, as their droppings were noted around breeding burrows on Hallival, Askival and Trollaval on the 27th.




Red breasted mergansers, eider and red-throated divers were all displaying in Loch Scresort during the past week. Great to watch.



Displaying male red-breasted mergansers (female far left), Loch Scresort.

Male eiders are now fully hot under the collar and are chasing females all over Loch Scresort



Today (29^th) the weather conditions were typically dismal, with light drizzle bringing in a small passage of at least 15 common crossbills, 20 redwings and 2 starlings at Kinloch.  Late bird news not included in last spring update was a single short-eared owl at Kilmory on March 18th.  

  

Some of todays flying dots (redwings)



Common crossbills (males), Kinloch today 

On the none birdy front, a single European otter was seen under the bridge at Kilmory on the 22nd .The first common lizard of the year was spotted around Kinloch and 2 harbour porpoise were seen heading towards Camas Pliasgaig both on the 24th March. As expected at this time of the year our bluebells are out as well as primroses and lesser celandine.

One of the earliest of Britain's wild flowers to appear is the lesser celandine

 One of the first bluebells of spring

 Some of the last few days great spring weather in pictures...

The Rum Cuillin

Hallival and Askival from Loch Scresort

Sunrise over Mallaig

Dawn, Loch Scresort 

Sunset over Canna

Kinloch Castle