First Pelagic of the season

And a cracking day out it proved to be.  Overcast so no glare to contend with, and the Minch almost flat calm.

Birds seen throughout the trip were; Gannet, Storm Petrel, Manx Shearwater, Bonxie, Tystie, Arctic Skua, Guillemot, Razorbill, Puffins, Raven and Hooded Crow in Stornoway, but highlight had to be a pod of about 50 Common Dolphin.  At one point the ferry was completely surrounded by these fantastic beasts.

Once again great company, many laughs and some brilliant birds.  Happy days and roll on the next trip in two weeks time!

Todays victims  clients, Roger and Lynne,

and no Roger I'm NOT having those optics on MY Blog! :-)

Stornoway Harbour

Common Dolphin, nice change from Bottle Nosed!

I hear the patter of tiny feet!

Before any of my family, or indeed Lynda, pass out reading the title, let me explain....... Philbert and Felicity our tame pheasants have had chicks! (ten to be exact)  Plus the Great Spotted Woodpecker has started bringing it's chick to the feeders as well.  Summer is well under way although by the rotten weather you would never know!

Felicity the proud mum, bringing her chicks to be fed

Young Great Spotted Woodpecker

This young woodpecker was drinking the water out of the cupped leaves on the beech hedge.  Never witnessed this behaviour before.