It was one of those days, today, when the sea was full up to the brim. Noticed two Great crested Grebes (?) offshore at Langbank - first time I've seen them there. Not much else around apart from plenty of Black headed Gulls (in winter plumage).

Bitterly cold day in Edinburgh yesterday. Braved the North East flanks of Arthur's Seat but soon got beaten back by a ferocious westerly wind. Next to no birds about (except for Mute Swans and assorted gulls on St Margaret's Loch far below us). However heard some intriguing "Tut-tut" and "Whee-eet" calls from deep within the gorse which I imagined might be from Stonechat and Meadow Pipit respectively. Many of the Gorse bushes in full flower. I'm not sure if these are the last flowers of last season or the first of next. Interestingly, the gorse in some places is mixed with Broom. Wondered if this might be part of a deliberate fire-prevention policy.

Drove through from Glasgow to Edinburgh early yesterday afternoon. Cold but clear. Raptor count en route: 6 Kestrels and 1 Buzzard. Noticed about a dozen Greylag Geese on the lawn in front of Holyrood High School (no doubt birds from the flock based at Duddingston Loch). Also 6 Common Gulls (some moulting into adult plumage) on the playing fields east of Arthur's Seat.

Drove down the coast between Greenock and Ayr this afternoon. Tide well in, so plenty of birds visible, mainly Eider, Red breasted Merganser and Cormorant.

Managed out for the last hour of daylight today. Sun low and bright. Weather very cold, with a hard frost over everything the sun hadn't touched. Walked down by the Cart. Disturbed a Little Grebe which exploded out of the shallows before diving out of sight. Next bird was a Grey Wagtail feeding at the river's edge, followed by a Cormorant flying purposefully downstream. Odd Wrens, Chaffinches and Blue Tits around, plus tens of Jackdaws flying North East to roost. Suddenly, from the mildness of the past few weeks, all has been taken over by the grip of winter.