Drizzly rain and low cloud with a brisk southwesterly wind wasn't too inspiring as a start to a day off work. However, a quick drive to look for the Common Crane soon found it happily feeding in a field near Feall. On my return our first 4 Siskins of the year had found our feeders and there were 2 Goldcrests in our roses. Skaw produced a juvenile Glaucous Gull and a Chiffchaff and there were 2 Woodpigeons and 3 Fieldfares at Lamba Ness where the blue Fulmar was again sat on the cliffs that was briefly joined by a Goldcrest! The number of Siskin in our garden had risen to 8 and they had been joined by 2 Chaffinches and a Robin. Norwick produced 2 Robins, 5 Goldcrests, 5 Chaffinches and our first Greenfinch of the year. Back in our garden Chaffinches now numbered 6 so along with the Siskins was a hive of activity that in turn was no doubt responsible for our first Sparrowhawk of the year flying through. An evening check of Burrafirth produced just 2 Whooper Swans although the Crane was seen at both Ungirsta and Feall.
Goldcrest at Lamba Ness
Woodpigeons seawatching from Lamba Ness
Male Siskin at Millfield
Male Chaffinch at Millfield
Common Crane at Feall
