Shrike 1!

What's happening at St Abb's Head...

 

Breeding Birds,

Peak seabird season is fast approaching and many of the birds have eggs (Shags already have young). It won’t be long now until the first Guillemot chicks hatch and the cliffs get even louder.

Migrants,

Migrant birds have been few and far between despite the seemingly good conditions. Since the dashing double act of Subalpine Warbler and Collared Flycatcher things have been very quiet with stuff mostly turning up further down the east coast. Today brought an end to the dry spell (in more ways than one) with a female Red-Backed Shrike by the Mire Loch. Spotted Flycatcher and Stonechat were also fresh in this week.

RB Shrike

Other,

Butterflies currently on the wing include, Small Copper, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Wall, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock. A Speckled Wood was also reported last week, only the 7^th reserve record.

Small Copper

Flowers,

Wild flowers are currently in fine bloom with Spring Sandwort, Purple-milk Vetch, Rock-rose, Birds-foot Trefoil, Thrift, Tormentil and Sea Campion all putting on fine displays.

Spring Sandwort

Purple-milk Vetch

 

Roe buck... taken though the kitchen window.