What have you seen

At last, twenty or more Sand Martins between the Ravine and Sandend although the winter storms have not been kind to their traditional nesting sites in the cliffs with several sections eroding and falling onto the beach. Do they dig out new holes? Lots of insects about mind so much for them to feed on.

Saw our first Egg shell today. Looked like a Woodpigeon one.

Saw a male Marsh Harrier flying low over a tall grass field today on our way to Obterre, will have a look around the Brenne tomorrow as we are eating out at local Auberge.

Well a short trip into the Brenne and n the way saw a Osprey flying over one of the lakes and then a Peregrine Falcon also flying over the car, did stop at a local bird hide and only 1 couple in there mainly Great Crested Grebes including a female sat on a nest and a local Heronry nearby with a lot of herons flying about and then a local bird watching group arrived in the hide and a bit chatty so left and then we came back to Obterre and had a short walk about with a Nightingale singing and saw a lot of Swallows about still no Swifts yet.

Walking along near Ben Lomond there were lots of Willow Warblers both heard and seen in the birch trees, as well as Chiffchats and a Blackcap heard. As we changed to conifers we spotted Siskins and Long Tailed Tits.

Had an email from Adrianne at Burnham Wick CL to say Lapwing chicks have now hatched.  This will be the first lot for some time.

Anyone staying in Cromer look out for the peregrine falcons on the Parish Church Tower.  2 of the 3 eggs have now hatched

We are now at Killin, and have heard, just a few minutes ago, our first Cuckoo of the year. Lots of bird song here, as well as the usual Tits and Wrens there have been, Siskins, Spotted Flycatchers, Mistle Thrush, Willow Warblers and Chiffchats.m

Another good day out walking with a different chorus of Coal Tits, GPS, Goldcrests, Cuckoos and Tree Pippits. However the highlight of the day was seen a couple of Red Squirrels.

More small birds about today, as well as those listed above we saw Nuthatches, Greenfinches and a Treecreeper. However the surprise was seeing the work of Beavers, which I didn't realise inhabit the swampy area at the Killin end of Loch Tay.

When you get into Scottish Pines Nellie keep an eye and ear out for Crested Tits. They are seldom seen in other trees.