Took some time off today and had a Big Day out. Started the day at a well-known Black Grouse lek in West Stirlingshire. At least twelve blackcock were involved, mostly standing around, but occasionally lunging and sparring. These flurries were accompanied by a lovely bubbling sound wafting across the moor.
From there, I headed to Gartocharn and walked a little way down the Aber Path. Within a few minutes, around 100 Greenland White fronted Geese arrived, with another 40 appearing a little later. Even from two fields away, the orange legs, barred belly, orange beak and white blaze were all visible. Other birds in the area included Collared Dove and House Sparrow.

Next stop was Saltcoats harbour where six Purple Sandpipers and a single Turnstone were on rocks at the end of the harbour wall. Nearby birds included Redshank, Oystercatcher and Rock Pipit. Over at the pond on Auchenharvie Golf Course, there were fourteen Scaup, two Pochard and a Red breasted Merganser.
Arrived at Stevenston Point about 11:30 and got straight onto the Grey Phalarope which had been there for a few days. Other birds around the point included 20 Sanderlings, three Red throated Divers, a couple of Red breasted Merganser and 30 Common Scoters. Looked in at Barassie Beach on the way past, but failed to spot any Mediterranean Gulls. Then drove to Luce Bay, failing to connect with Little Egrets, although a Hooded Crow and a Stonechat were ample compensation.