RSPB Spiggie

 Spiggie is a large loch down in the south mainland and is renown for its winter wildfowl. 

Although its protected by the RSPB there are no facilities and viewing is from the roadside. At the more interesting north end there is a couple of marshy areas and a farm with some newly grown saplings. Over to the west of the loch is Peerie Spiggie an attractive voe with  granite stacks which glow in the sun and a stream leading from the loch under the road and into the sea.

Arriving at the north end we could see lots of Swallows over the water and as we parked up about 50 Swallows came to rest on the road. they would take off fly around and come back to the same spot.

Also here,  Sand Martin (8) and House Martin (6) on the fence beside the road. 

On the loch i couldn't find the Scaup that dropped in last night but the Goosander (4) and Pintail (5) an increase from the three yesterday fed close to the edge until spooked by a low flying Gt Skua put them and a flock of Greylag to flight. 

A Grey Heron then flew in and came to rest for a short while in the marsh.

A small flock of Willow Warbler (7) were found feeding on the grassland close to the fishermen's hut, flying up occasionally when sheep and lambs came close.

Skylark and Meadow Pipit sang, while a few Wheatear flitted about.

Further to the south the flock of bathing Gt Skuas reached 78 and a small flock of Tufted (12) Mallard (8) fed close to the southern marsh. At least 68 Greylag fed on the newly sown crop and Mute and Whooper appeared to be breeding.

Good to see 2 pairs of Shelduck , hopefully they will stop to breed and extend the small population

A short walk down to Scousburgh beach proved worth while with three Gt Northern Diver and two Red Throated Divers close in

Spiggie area Birds

Swallow, House Martin, Sand Martin, Grey Heron, Greylag, Mallard, Tufted, Goosander, Pintail, Shelduck, Gt Skua, Mute swan, Whooper Swan, Willow Warbler, Wheatear, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Starling, House Sparrow, Gt BB, Herring Gull, Black Headed Gull , Arctic Tern, Gt Northern Diver, Red Throated Diver, Cormorant, Eider, Lapwing, Redshank, Curlew, Oystercatcher, Turnstone, Ringed Plover, Raven, Hoddie, Fulmar, Blackbird, Wren