salmotrutta

Unusual Visitors

**Hybrid/Feral geese – for several years a small flock of these geese** **have occasionally been seen on the Loch the result of interbreeding between wild Greylag and domestic geese.** **The Lapwings and Mallards are not disturbed by their prescence!**

Coconut Alley

With Spring well underway the Whins (Gorse) along the track to the Loch are in full bloom and the air is full of the scent of coconut created by the golden blossoms.

A raptor strikes …

The telltale ‘ring of feathers’ where the local Sparrowhawk has plucked its victim – in this case one of a pair of Woodpigeons which have nested for many years in the trees at the end of the garden. Having lost **its mate…**

... the remaining partner seeks refuge amongst the branches!

Shetland Islands Fire Festival UpHelly Aa

Live coverage of the Up Helly Aa procession starts at 1900hrs GMTcoverage is on : https://www.uphellyaa.com/

This will cover the whole of the torchlight procession and the burning of the Viking galley.

Watch this tribute to Shetlands Viking Heritage.

Seasons Greetings.

**Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas and a Happy and Peaceful 2025.**

Vacant possession!

**With the regular pair of Mute Swans vacating the local ponds after losing all of this years brood another younger pair have moved in which may lead to a confrontation in the Spring!**

Not a welcome visitor …

**… and not a pleasing sight, having been ‘fishing’ this Cormorant is ‘drying out’ prior to flying** **off!**

A ‘stalker’ at the loch …

A Grey Heron stalks stealthily along the shore and …..

… eventually selects its fishing spot.