Had a day off today so headed out at 04:30 and was in place near a well known Black Grouse lek by 05:15. The lek started before anything but the faintest outlines of the landscape could be made out. However the unmistakable bubbling calls of the males could be heard drifting across the moor. Very slowly, the birds materialised out of the gloom, and by 5:45, ten males were visible. Actual lekking was sporadic and at one point the birds seemed to be spooked by something happening off to the left of the lek site (possibly a Buzzard which was flapping about). The heavy rain may also have dampened their enthusiasm. However it was very gratifying to see a good number of birds present again this year.
Headed out again in the early afternoon, this time to take a look at Hogganfield Loch and Garnqueen Loch. The target species was Ruddy Duck. However none were visible at either of these traditional sites. Perhaps the local population has finally been wiped out. Some compensation was provided by excellent views of two pairs of Great-crested Grebes displaying at Hogganfield (one pair doing the "Weed Rush"), and two pairs of Little Grebes whinnying at Garnqueen. Also notable were good numbers of Pochard at both sites and at least two family parties of Whooper Swans at Hogganfield.
Other news for today - Ospreys have started arriving back in Central Scotland with birds reported from at least two sites already.