Back to Black - Scoter that is

I wasn't going out today until Gus reported the Black Scoter at Lunan Bay and I was lured out to spend what seemed like an age finding the Scoter. After scanning the Scoter flock numerous times, and I don't know why, I focused on a likely bird which was sleeping. Eventually it lifted its head and behold it was the Black Scoter, too far out for any photo or video attempt, but I was glad, no relieved to see it. A bonus group of four Velvet Scoter and the many Long-tailed Ducks and Red-throated Divers completed the visit.

Returning to Arbroath I found the birds below around the harbour but no sign of the Iceland Gull seen yesterday. I couldn't access Victoria Park as some fool had driven a 4 by 4 onto the beach and got stuck, the Coastguard had blocked the road to pull it off!!

The first Little Grebe I've ever seen in the inner dock/marina or Arbroath Harbour

A Wren on the banks of the Brothock Burn near Peppos chip shop. No Dipper or Grey Wagtail to be seen there since the end of the year

A single Curlew was feeding in the large pool behind the Old Brewhouse

The male Sparrowhawk in late afternoon, back in my garden and to make it worse for the wee birds I saw a female take a House Sparrow yesterday. The female had been hunting closer to the cemetery at the other side of the street/crescent