An early morning wander through the farmyard produced a Dipper flying along the stream. One bird all weekend was a disappointing tally - they seemed to be everywhere last year.


Saturday, May 17, 2008

Woke up to the sound of a bubbling Curlew. Other singers were Song Thrush, Goldfinch, Willow Warbler and Wren. A few Pheasants wandered about the farm, a couple of Swallows visited a possible nest site and a pair of Starlings fed chicks in the roof of the barn. A trip to the waterfront in Greenock turned up a couple of Rock Pipits on the beach and a male Mallard beside the pond there. Back at the farm, a walk up Cairncurran Hill produced bubbling Curlews, singing Skylarks and a mixed flock of Common and Lesser black backed Gulls. Three House Martins landed on a gravel path. Later, a Curlew called in the distance, away to the Northeast.


Friday, May 16, 2008

Spent a pleasant weekend in the Inverclyde hills. Arrived at Auchenfoyle early evening. First birds seen were a Grey Wagtail flying upriver and an Oystercatcher overhead. A beautiful, still evening ended with a singing Mistle Thrush in the shelter belt and a solitary bat flying between the farm buildings.