Working from home today. The Blue Tits in the nestbox spent the day running the gauntlet of the local Magpies. At least one of the chicks must have strayed too close to the entrance hole and was promptly snatched away. Other visitors to the garden included several Blackbirds. They really have been notably common this year. Perhaps the mild weather (and soft ground) has suited them. 

There were plenty of birds on show at Hogganfield Loch this evening. Pairs of Great crested Grebes and Mute Swans were nesting in the artificial reedbed at the northeast corner. Clouds of Swallows, House Martins and Sand Martins were feeding over the open water. Back at the car park, the juvenile male Long tailed Duck was associating loosely with some Tufted Ducks (I saw him snap at one of them at one point). Although its a shame that he is so far off course, it was a useful opportunity to brush up on some ID features: slightly smaller than tufties, predominantly brown with white flanks, dark eye in pale face and stubby tail.