A day off today, so was in place at a Stirlingshire Black Grouse lek well before dawn. Meadow Pipits were already calling and a Short-eared Owl drifted by. At 05:20, the first of four Blackcock appeared through the gloom. Five minutes later, the group had assembled and proceeded to display quite vigorously for the next hour. No Greyhens were seen, and the number present was disappointing, but the views were excellent. Owing to the calm weather, the birds' bubbling calls were especially clear.
Other birds in the area included Red Grouse, Pheasant, Raven, singing Meadow Pipit, Skylark and Curlew, and some overflying geese.
A quick stop at Balloch produced lots of good birds including excellent views of Goosander and Goldeneye plus Long tailed Tit, Treecreeper, Common Gull, Oystercatcher, Pied Wagtail, Moorhen, Muscovy Duck and a bickering pair of Great-spotted Woodpeckers. In the woods, a striking yellow plant was possibly an ornamental variety of Lords and Ladies gone wild [Correction: Skunk Cabbage].

Weather looking hopeful for tomorrow...