6th December

Persistent rain through the morning and early afternoon limited observations to barely an hour between the rain [kind of] stopping and dusk falling, so a van safari of the lochs produced the highlight of the returning drake Smew on Bewan (presumably the drake that was first seen in November 2016 and that has been returning each winter since).   Other birds included 3 Mute Swans (a new adult plus the pair from the 4^th), 3 Whooper Swans (two adults and a juvenile), 9 Shoveler, 26 Tufted Duck (the highest count since the spring), 4 Goldeneye, 2 Hen Harriers, 2 Kestrels, a Merlin, a Knot and the 5 Ruff with 150 Redshank, 13 Fieldfare, 26 Redwing and 22 Snow Buntings at Brides.

Merlin                                            Simon Davies