SPRINGING

It seems that spring is rushing towards us at breakneck speed. Sadly I am stuck with out transport patiently waiting to get back on the road(day14). All week the weather has been more favourable, pouring rains turned to drizzle and fog punctuated by spells of clear warm stuff that lasted for a day at a time. The constant west/north west air flows moved more southerly for a while. All good for us as the first of the migrants are starting to get called. I had a bonxie the other day and we had a lesser black backed gull. There have been Chiffchaffs in Kirkwall. Out here in the west mainland Pinkfeet going over at altitude yesterday.
The ring necked duck is still present on North Ron. Over the last few days North Ron blog has reported a couple of Swallows,16 Wheatears, Chiffchaff, Siskin, Wood Pigeon and a golden plover flock that numbered 230. I must go over Deerness way and have a look for some ,they should be in their summer plumage and looking stunning now!.
On shap a male Ruddy duck has appeared on Milldam and 450 Pinkfeet in one flock might have been a record. There was a Hawfinch on Deerness giving good views on feeders yesterday(pisser not having transport) Tim had three Grey wagtails on the Willow burn in the Middle of Kirkwall. Around the house we are still surrounded by grazing Greylags and Widgeon. It can’t last much longer!