Sandhill Crane - A Lifer!

Went down to Strathbeg and St Combs with Lynda today to try for the Sandhill Crane. Pitching up at the main RSPB hide at Strathbeg we heard the dreaded statement, it flew about ten minutes ago and cannot be relocated!!
We stayed in the hide watching Greenshank and Spotted Redshank and then the  call came, the bird had been re-located at usual field at St Combs, a quick dash soon located a line of birders in a stubble field.

And here are the results :-)

Sandhill Crane - St Combs

A golden start to the day

Down at my local patch at Findhorn Dunes, started the day off with a flock of roosting Golden Plovers on the shingle beach. Light levels were still very low but happy with the couple of quick digiscoped shots below.

I was expecting a few migrants after the recent heavy rains and strong winds however not much about: a flock of 15 Coal tit, another flock of 7 Skylark one Pale bellied Brent Goose and Wheatear where the highlights.

Ansers on a postcard (get it? Anser?!)

Okay not a quiz, but genuine question.

What do you reckeon to this wee goose seen 17/9/11 in Moray? Lots of pointers to Ross's but note the grey (not black) wing feathers.

Autumn is here!

Managed a trip on my own today for a couple of hours,down to Findhorn bay which seems to be about my travel limits!

Beautiful day, flat calm and quite mild.

Seawatching produced an Adult winter Little Gull which is uncommon in this area plus plenty of Gannets feeding close to shore.

Another nice bonus was the two Wheatears hopping around in the dunes.

Also on Findhorn bay, 14 Whooper Swans and 3 Grey Plover.

A nice few hours.

Wheatears at Findhorn