Northern rarities - a good start to March!

Despite the cold northerly wind, I set off for my second patch walk of the weekend. The sea was quiet with just 2 Red-throated Divers and a handful of Great-crested Grebes. As I passed the Zetlander, a Robin sang from a nearby bush prompting me to takeout my camera. at that moment a flurry of snowy white birds flew into view- 4 NORTHERN LONG-TAILED TITS (Aegithalos caudatus caudatus) with around 6 Long-tailed Tits. The "white-headed" race are visitors from the far North of Europe.

A walk along the old rifle range was also very productive with a superb male Black Redstart at the far end on the sea wall, along with 7-8 Rock Pipits.

The cliffs above were full of noisy Fulmars on their nests.