Nature walk

I’m missing doing my nature walk tours but luckily I can now spend time just watching what’s on my own patch (in my book that counts as CPD) Walked a bit further than usual out towards the Ness today and spent some time watching the seals hauled out. The fulmars kept swooping past me, love the way they do that. Never sure if it’s because they are trying to get rid of me or are just riding the thermals and showing off.

Today’s nature watching saw:

Seals - common I think, might have been a couple of grey seals in the water. You might be able to see them in the centre left of the pic... or they may just look like blobs.

Birds:
Fulmars - approx 6
Gulls - various
Oyster catchers - loads
Eider ducks - I counted at least 30, mix of males and females plus a couple still in juvenile plumage 
Gannet - 1
Sandpipers - approx 6
Cormorants - approx 12
Widgeon - Pair
Shellduck - pair
Sand Martin - 2, first I’ve seen any here
Greylag geese - approx 12
Rock pippet  - 3
Twite - 2
Skylark - not sure how many, just heard them.
Raven - 1 (the really big one which I assume is the male)
Hooded crow - 1, don’t usually come this far into raven territory 
Wheatear - 1, male

Plants in flower:
Wild primrose
Water celandine
Bluebells
Small violet - not sure of name
Scurvygrass
Lady’s smock