21st-23rd March

**Firstly lets get some housekeeping out the way. In accordance with advice from the Scottish Government the bird observatory will be closed to visitors at the moment as hotels and self-catering accommodation should not be accepting visitors. We however do hope to welcome visitors once the situation with Covid-19 has been made somewhat clearer, be that in the Autumn or in 2021. We'll also place on record that residential staff already at that obs have been retained.**

Right the birdy stuff you're all really here for!
The 21st bought about a slight change in weather as the wind began to swing into the East and then picked up gradually over the next two days leaving the 23rd as a very windy and ultimately not very nice day.
The Green-winged Teal has remained on Gretchen and was also present on the 22nd. Other waterfowl of interest were 5 Mute Swan on Hooking loch on the 21st and no fewer than 4 Shelduck on the 23rd. 3 Hen Harriers also on the 21st were joined by a single Merilin on the same day and a further two birds on the 23rd. A Peregrine over Holland Park on the 22nd was the first for few days.
Bar-tailed Godwit numbers peaked at 23 on the 23rd as did Purple Sandpipers on the same date with 145.
Passerine numbers have been on a steady increase the highlights of which were 140 Skylark, 6 Fieldfare and 45 Twite on the 21st. 17 Pied Wagtails, 11 Meadow Pipits and a Song Thrush on the 22nd and the 23rd bought 4 Robins, 3 Stonechats, 8 Redwing, 3 Snow Buntings and our first Goldcrest of 2020, which would have been the highlight of the post had it not been for the amazing discovery of a dog Otter on Brides Loch on the 23rd! It's the first island record in nearly a decade with the last being in 2011.

Goldcrest

Mute Swan

Pied Wagtail