Following a quiet day yesterday, despite the strong SE'ly wind, today was much better. The continuing near-gale force SE'ly meant that the majority of birds were sheltering down the west cliffs. It was a dull old day with frequent showers, some heavy. Thrushes were arriving throughout the day - Redwings led the way with 4,600 logged but 770 Song Thrushes, 46 Blackbirds, 37 Fieldfares and 15 Ring Ouzel added variety. The best however was left til late when at 16.45 Micky Maher stumbled upon a White's Thrush at Hjukni Geo. Pure quality!!! It waited around long enough, peeking out of a hole in the cliff before departing amid a torrential shower! Everyone got soaked but nobody minded!! Nice one Micky!
In-land the River Warbler was seen fleetingly a couple of times, the Richard's Pipit was at Quoy, the Little Bunting remained at Taft and three Bluethroats were logged. Other counts included a dozen Robins, 58 Brambling, 38 Snow Bunting, 41 Goldcrest and four Chiffchaff, two each of Sparrowhawk and Woodcock plus singles of Stonechat and Willow Warbler. The best day for long while!
The non-birdy bit: The kids (including Lachlan) are all on school holiday for a couple of weeks and Hollie had em all beavering away today with individual lists of chores and I'm told they all completed (and enjoyed!) them - even LC!?
Lubo has had his first (long overdue) bath and although obviously petrified he was as good as gold and sat in the bath whilst Hollie, LC and I doused him in warm water and doggy shampoo!! He smelt lovely for half an hour....before I took him out with me again and he found some more sheep poo to roll in!
Hollie (with help from LC) has made some potent Chilli Beetroot jam!
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