More Out Skerries

 Still making the most of a quiet spot in bookings before we get really busy in May. So it was off to the Skerries again 

 It was pretty quiet. Jill started by having another good look for the Stone Curlew but couldn't find it. Then news came out that Chris had found a Mandarin in the harbour but it had flown. We went and had a look but couldn't find it. We ended up having a coffee with some new friends Danny and Frankie who hope to move to the Skerries. Good luck guys!

We then did some more general birding, and found lots of meadow pipits, a blackcap, 5 Chiffchaffs, kestrel, wheatears, ringed Plover, goldfinch, 3 red throated divers, white wagtail, 5 great northern divers and 5 mergansers. We had a disappearing otter too.

Jill found some animal prints, very tiny so we think they are weasel.

We decided to head back early for the ferry and as we got back, our friend Matt came to find us as he had heard the Mandarin had been refound again by Chris near the bridge between the two islands. We gave Matt and Jake a lift and Chris and Anne very kindly pointed it out. Always nice to see Mandarins. Matt thinks it's a Skerries first. Thanks Chris!

It ended the day nicely, and it didn't start raining til we got off the ferry

Freetine

 No guests this weekend so we are making the most of it. Today we went to our favourite place, The Skerries. We haven't been on a Friday before, and you don't get so long, but it was lovely and not too rough!

It was quiet a Chiffchaff, willow warbler and 3 blackcaps. Another local birder, Andrew , found a stone curlew. Jill went to look but didn't find it, she didn't want to tramp around and disturb it as Andrew had said it was exhausted and Stonies are quite nervie at the best of times. Mostly sitting and scanning, after 30 mins, Jill gave up and left it alone somewhere.

Lots of Great Northern divers though.

We dropped off a hat, left behind by our guests, in Hamnavoe, did a Tesco's run and enjoyed a takeaway. Nice

Swiss Chocolate

 We had four days with new friends from Switzerland and Germany. They were very good company and our Swizz guests left us some yummy chocolate. They can definitely come again. We have had another two 10 out of 10 reviews on booking.com too. A good week.

Jill did a croft visit with one of the farming groups.

they are offering grants to aid waders and land management for them. It was a lovely evening, thank you Alan, your new scrape is lovely. It's a beautiful croft too.

We have fitted in a bit of bird watching too as the weather has been fantastic 

Mostly at Melby.

The starlings have been amazing too.

Jill has been tidying up outside. There is another step too.