Had a good day of natural connections today. The morning was spent walking around Ardmore Point. Most notable sightings there were of at least 4 Common Sandpipers along the shore, 2 Whimbrel in South Bay, a Black Guillemot off the west coast and a male Long tailed Duck off the south coast (see picture below). A Common Seal was lazing on a rock, quite oblivious to the walkers nearby (Second picture below).

Stopped off for a quick scout of the dams above Helensburgh early afternoon. Best sightings there were Little Grebe feeding young, 9 Canada Geese and a mixed flock of Siskins and Redpolls.

Spent the afternoon in Darnley Glen. Highlights there were family parties of Great crested Grebe, Dipper, Great Tit, Chaffinch and Swallow. Day total was 51 species: Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Eider, Long tailed Duck, Red breasted Merganser, Great crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Pheasant, Gannet, Shag, Grey Heron, Moorhen, Oystercatcher, Whimbrel, Common Sandpiper, Curlew, Black headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser black backed Gull, Herring Gull, Great black backed Gull, Sandwich Tern, Black Guillemot, Collared Dove, Woodpigeon, Swallow, House Martin, Pied Wagtail, Swift, Dipper, Wren, Dunnock, Blackbird, Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler, Willow Warbler, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Rook, Starling, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Redpoll, Siskin, Linnet and Reed Bunting.