Happy Christmas to one and all from me and Jim, here's hoping we can come up with something special next year here in Argyll. I'm sure like us we were really amazed to find the Snowy Egret on our doorstep but that's the way birding goes!
After moving down from Shetland, the birding Mecca, this "mega" lands just 2 miles from our house and stayed around long enough to satisfy many top birders (around 2,500) with exceptional views of an obliging first for Britain. I wonder just how many shots were taken of this performer (did it know it was a first for Britain and so very special?).
Me, ah well...I could not get enough of a good thing. Films/video and hours of great memories. It seems a long while since its disappearance and those happy times just going along and right on cue it would arrive.... generally from the farm direction at about 8.30 a.m. and leaving just after dusk. It all seems quite a while ago now.
The bird was re-found at Adrossan, Ayrshire on the 22nd December, hopefully it will stay around for ...a year tick on Jan 1st 2002.
It was great to see a lot of old friends here on Seil Island... hopefully not too long before we have you all back again. It looks as if we have arrived in a very special spot...watch this space as who knows what's next!
All the very best for a really great birding new year,
Bill Jackson and James Milne Dickson,
Argyll, Scotland. 21st Dec
