June 23rd

New in at Balcomie Beach this morning – the first redshank back and a whimbrel. The four knot were still there. The big activity though is the large flock of gulls, starlings, eiders, shelducks and mallards feeding on the seaweed soup on the tideline. The easterlies brought in their usual crop of seaweed to the beach and this is now nicely rotting away creating primordial tidal pools full of seaweed fly maggots. The starlings, in particular, are enjoying this, with a very high feeding rate ensuring that the juveniles this year have a great start. It will also be a great attraction in the coming weeks to migrant waders.

Starlings in the soup. Note the adult in the centre delicately stepping through the muck with its tail cocked to stop it getting dirty

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