Killearn 11/1/10

I went to Killearn hoping to se the White Tailed Eagle that was spotted.
Using the closest post code I set off. I ended up on a country road still thick with ice that led to a farm house. There was another small road but was closed off.
About turned and drove around looking for a suitable place to park.

I could see the river but finding a parking place wasn't so easy. If you don't know the area, you just don't know where to go or where the best place to go at the river. Saw a Kestrel sitting on a post so I had to drive up a bit before I could turn around and hope it was still there. Luckily it was and I managed to get two pictures before it flew off.
I drove around for a while but the roads kept taking me away from the river.

I then decided to give up on the eagle as I got the feeling it would not be there anyway.
Turned out it was seen in Luss that day so it had moved on.

I went to Ardmore point knowing I shouldn't due to the recent rain we have had. But I donned the wellies and set off.
The tide was quite far out, so where the birds
There was a report of a Mandarin duck, female, being there but I didn't see it.
Saw a Greenshank which I believe is not too common at Ardmore.

I dared myself to walk the track. It was thick with mud as expected and it was a trek and a half.

Got rewarded with the sighting of the Slavonian Grebe though which is the first lifer of the year. Being only the start of my second year birding, I still have and hope to see many lifers to come.

What surprisd me was how hot I was. It was a cold day but the sun was shining brightly and it was nice to be warm outsid for a change.

The birds were chirping away as if it were Spring. A little false hope for them I expect. Or they were just happy to feel warmth too after the recent long spell of icy cold weather.

Usually there are lots of Curlew but they must have been out in the fields enjoying the feel of grass beneath their feet for a change. So, I only saw one on it's return to the bay.

Oyster Catchers, Wigeons, Teal were in good numbers, but I didn't see the Lapwings that usually frequent the area too. Maybe they were with the Curlew.

Saw some Rock Pipits on the pebble beach but only for a few moments.
I could just make out Eider Ducks out in the middle of the water and hear them with that distinct bellowing call.
Couldn't see them clearly as the sun was reflecting off the water where they were.
I hadn't noticed Eiders there on previous trips so couldn't say if they are regulars to the bay or not?

Sat down for a wee break when inevitably, a Robin popped up. Gave it some crumbs from my ceral bar which it seemed to enjoy.

Some Greenfinches appeared on top of a tree with Chaffinches but they didn't stay long either.

Ardmore is def. not a place to go to when raining or just after heavy rain. So why do I go ?

Pictures of some of my day are in my album birds of 2011,
or something like that