Wednesday, February 04, 2015
There was no sign of any geese on the sheep fields as I drew up in the lay-by at Ardmair this morning. I walked towards the spit with the tide ebbing, climbing the grassy bank towards the fence to make less noise as I walked; and belatedly realised that several greylags and the two bean geese were there on the camp-site. I should have been more careful as I've seen geese there before. Too late to retreat, I took two shots - the flight one just about showing the darker wings of the beans and the difference in tail patterns.
The geese split up, some flying inland, some settling on the sea. Four turnstones (legs as orange as those of the bean geese) foraged amongst the rocks, almost unseen, and ringed plovers buzzed about calling. Several curlews flew onto the spit, and there was some nice calling from them as well. A pair of goosanders snorkelled out beyond the rocks, a drake merganser went flying past them, and a bunch of juvenile and/or female Eider sailed across Loch Kanaird. Also in the bay were two little grebes, and a black guillemot in summer plumage - so I probably did see one in the harbour a few days ago. As I left I could see that the greylags and the bean geese had returned to the sheep-fields. Now that we've turned what I call the corner of the year I feel that I'm getting the better of my low spirits at last and can look forward to spring.
// posted by Christine @ 9:30 AM 
