March 03, 2005
First signs of Spring
(NB - for those looking for the Little Auk / Gyr Falcon image - click here)
Am clearly completely fated not to bump into one of the (relatively) many Gyrs hanging around Shetland this winter - it appears there have been around 3 individuals involved, which is a pretty remarkable haul when you think about it. Shouldn't be too hard to see one, you'd think...
Except it seems it's just a case of being in the right place at the right time. I've been out a couple of times this week tramping the wilds for work, and of course hoping I'll bump into one, but it's not happened. Frustratingly on a couple of occasions every bird in the area has panicked up into the sky, making me think they've been raptor-spooked, but I've not seen so much as a Merlin, let alone the big white bird.
Plenty of signs of Spring, despite our continuing ridge of freezing cold high pressure. Lots of Oystercatcher everywhere now, and two days ago on Trondra some fabulous Long-tailed Ducks courting, the males flinging their heads back in display. Still seeing Iceland Gulls in Lerwick most days, though no sign of the King Eider back home the last few mornings I've looked.
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Come back soon!
Posted by Stercorarius at March 3, 2005 12:24 PM