Christine's walking & birds blog

Yesterday: A very brief visit to Ardmair during which I didn't even leave the car brought two great northern divers, mostly preening. As I parked and opened the window, one of the birds uttered its thrilling, two-syllable rising call.

I also heard some rather gruff single calls, a bit like a distant small dog. There were a few dogs being walked on the beach, but I don't think the sound came from them. One of the birds dived and vanished while the second bird came closer to the shore.

This diver appeared to be curious about the comings and goings both on the beach and up in the lay-by (there are quite a few tourists about). Eventually the other diver reappeared and there were a couple more contact calls as both divers moved away.

The only other birds seen were three turnstone that flew, trilling, along the edge of the waves, and a male pied wagtail foraging in the sea-weed. The weather today has been glum and we've stayed in; Greger now has my virus infection, whatever it is, and we were feeling pretty miserable. Never mind, it won't be forever!