September 30th

Gannet

The winds were less strong today although it was still windy from the west. It was much quieter at Fife Ness. No skuas and barely any kittiwakes. The gannets saved the day as always. It is easy to take them for granted, but really, the sight of 50 or more gannets plunge diving simultaneously into a choppy sea always makes it a good day. I walked the coastal path in a loop from Kilminning to get to Fife Ness and counted at least 15 stonechats on the way – a record. The cold winter must have been offset by a great breeding season and there are stonechats all along the coastal path now.

A male stonechat – one of the many along the coastal path between Crail and Fife Ness at the moment

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