Karl Martin bird blog: Whitehead/Portmuck

More good weather yesterday took me up to Whitehead in search of Peregrines which normally nest there. Unfortunately, there were no peregrines, however, between Whitehead and Blackhead, and then later in Portmuck, there was no shortage of bird activity. Notably, a Wheatear sat nicely for me on my way out to Blackhead along the coastal path. Stonechats were numerous and also quite showy. There were also a few Whitethroats, however they were much less obliging to the camera. Later, at Portmuck, there were hundreds of Guillemots, Razorbills and Kittiwakes on the cliff faces on Muck Island, however too far for photographs. There were more Whitethroats here but they were just as elusive. Other birds included Rock Pipits, Pied and White Wagtails, a single Sandwich Tern, Gannets, Fulmar, Eider, Ringed Plovers, Swallows and a lone Whimbrel at Blackhead. The best photos are below as usual, along with a few record shots. Please excuse the amount I took of the Wheatear, I couldn't narrow it down any further!