Yaffletastic

Philpstoun continues to chunter along surprisingly at the top of the chart with some of the usual migs arriving but also a few quality birds. A gadwall who thought he was a wigeon was a long awaited patch tick on the rapidly drying ponds in March where snipe also made a welcome reappearance. At the same time a coot popped up on the adjacent canal, a rare species in these parts though I think they once bred.

Another hard to get species was a song flighting linnet, a surprise to me as I didn't even know they made song flights (the shame of this ornithological ignorance was tempered by learning that The Proclaimers didn't know Isabelline wheatears made song flights which made Snowy feel better). Finally this morning, on a pre-breakfast dog walk, a green woodpecker was yaffling away. According to records I've not had them here since 2008 so a pleasing return.