Redpolls and ???

A gorgeous week on the Outer Hebrides got off to a good start with a White-tailed eagle seen from the minibus - no pics I am afraid.... but plenty of others to fill this blog!!

The weather was amazing, cold but in general sunshine - ferries all ran as planned.  A visit to Callanish standing stones was fun watching the photographers vie for the best position for the imminent sunset - hope they got the shots!!








 

Corn buntings in abundance and the sheer delight of thousands (well it felt like it) of Fieldfare and Redwing arriving to strip the rowan berries.



 Obliging Corn Buntings posed
 

 
Redshanks enjoyed the late afternoon sun

 
Our sharped-eyed guide spotted this Snipe trying to hide beneath a gate


A distant Snow Goose, unsuccesfully trying to hide amongst the Greylags
 

 
Hebridean Wrens were noisy


Red-throated and Great Northern divers, vied with Black Guillemots on the ferry trips
 




 
other native 'wildlife' watched the watchers with interest...
 



The highlight for me was a group of 7 or 8 Redpolls in close proximity to the bus, joined by Long-tailed tits. 





The excitement came as an unusual wader was sighted, distant but after much research the verdict (a couple of days later and to be fully confirmed) was a Bairds Sandpiper....


The final morning birding around the Stornaway area produced a vociferous gang of Mergansers.....



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