Scotland's much-anticipated "Indian Summer" arrived today with blue skies and temperatures in the 20s. Working in Ayr, so headed for Rozelle Park before my 9 o'clock meeting. The first bird to show was a Nuthatch calling from one of the Cedars behind the big house. A walk around the ponds produced over 100 Mallards and the usual drake Wood Duck. Then back at the house, a Jay gave me the best view I have ever had of the species in Scotland. The birds I have seen in England (mostly in London and Leeds) have been relatively easy to approach, but all of my Scottish records have either been of a bird disappearing from view, or a strangulated screech from deep in cover. Today's bird was screeching from the exposed branch of a conifer to the east of the house. It then flew to a large Oak in the "paddock" where it was joined by what might have been a second bird. It then headed off across the paddock, giving the usual "retreating white rump" view.
This afternoon, a Raven was being mobbed by four Rooks as it perched in a tree to the south of Cairn Hill.