Cracker!

So it was. We travelled from Caol Ila to Bruichladdich. No Otters at the distillery but good views of Jura, Mull and a superb view of a Ringtail at Finlaggan - we watched it for a good 1/2 hour. Wheatear, Linnet, Dunnock, Goldfinch and Buzzard too. Then down to the Merse. We scanned
the departing tide line and found plenty. Dunlin, Sanderling, Ringed Plover - including an albino one and a Little Stint too. Then a possible Bairds Sandpiper. We all looked carefully noting the diagnostics including the long projecting primaries but the light was variable and it was quite mobile so I was not happy to call it 100%. I telephoned Catherine at the RSPB to pass on the message and John Armitage too. We headed on and found Andy form the RSPB at the other end of Uiskentiue and told him. He had a suspect one the day before but again too far to commit. We left him to head off to find it. We ended at Debbies, Bruichladdich, for a coffee; Great Northern Diver, Gannet and Black Throated Diver for afters! Returning to the Merse, via Blackrock; Scoter, Eider and Shags, to finish and drop off our clients. The sea was even further out so viewing was not as good, although as we arrived everything went up as a Peregrine stormed through. Cracker!