What have you seen

Walking the coastal path from St Agnes Head to Chapel Porth and back over St Agnes Beacon this afternoon the Stonechats were out in force on the bushes. One of my favourite small birds, really colourful and contrasting with the bright yellow of the gorse bushes. 

We've had a good few unexpected visitors to our bird feeder today. As well as the usual Tits we saw Chaffinches and House Sparrows on the feeder, followed by Goldfinches and then Siskins. 

Spotted our first Sandmartins swooping over the R.Nith as well as the Swallows, and by/on the water was a female Red-breasted Merganser, Reed Buntings, Grey Wagtails and a couple of Dippers.

Yesterday, driving back to Bunree from Glenfinnan, a golden eagle was circling overhead.  Unfortunately I couldn't get the camera out in time. The day before, we walked up to see the red squirrels not far from the site. One of them was helping himself to the nuts in the box feeder when another one came up. There was a slight standoff and the first one shooed the second one away. The first one then got into the box completely, letting the lid come down. The second one then returned and sat on the box lid when suddenly it shot up and a head popped out.

On Loch Linnhe we have seen a Northern Diver but not a lot else so far.

Going over to Mull for the next couple of days and so very much hoping to spot an otter. This is our third trip and so we plan to spend more time waiting and watching.

Common Sandpipers & a Redshank on the banks of the R. Nith this morning and then we heard our first Cuckoo when we were walking in the wood around Drumlanrig Castle.

Saw this ancient oak on a walk this morning around Montacute in Somerset. This was on the edge of the "Ladies Walk" where the local gentry could stroll in their finery through the bluebells.. It's actually quite steep in places so I'm not quite sure how they managed it!

I'm guessing the oak is very old, possibly 700 years or more.

What a beautiful tree, Brue. If it was a person it would be described as having character. Old, gnarly and full of wisdom.

Had a walk around the back lanes and beside the local lairds estate yesterday. Lovely to see so many spring flowers out and Willow Warblers, Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs all competing with each other. We also heard and saw our first Redstart of the year and watched the Swallows reconnoitring the new horse stable thats appeared since last year.

We also came across a flower that Mrs WN (resident expert) had never seen before. It was growing in a sunken lane with the open estate fields to one side and a cattle field to t'other. It was about 2 foot high (a few of them around) with a hairy stem. The leaves which only grew on the lower parts were sort of like Geranium leaves, there was the odd flower on the stem but most were grouped at the top but bent over. The flowers were no bigger than your smallest finger nail and in groups of about 6-10, cream coloured with a bit of yellow in the middle. Quite delicate. None of the flower books we have can identify it so if you have any ideas feel free to share. 

We'll take a camera next time we go that way, although I'll have to download a photo reducing app onto this Mac first.

How many petals did each flower have, WN? Our flower book uses petal number, style and colour as a code to aid identification. There's a FB group where you can post your picture and they'll help you identify the flower....Wild Flowers of Great Britain and Ireland....I think it's called.

Walked along the R.Nith today expecting to see the Sandmartins again, but none to be seen, so I guess that they were just passing through the other day. There were a pair of Goosanders, so I suppose that I'd misidentified the female Merganser the other day.

Hi, NTH. Don't know number of petals but wiol walk that way again some time this week and will check. Don't do Faceache but thanks for tip.

Our quick overnight trip to Pendle Hill didn't produce any Dotterals but see Golden Plover and Grey Wagtail.

On to Malham Cove and sat watching Peregrine on nest of 4 eggs.  Plenty of Wheatears and meadow pipits about

I hear Orkney is overflowing with visitors due to the sighting of the Red Winged Blackbird!

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