Blogtober Twenty Nine

This morning I was working at a property near the RSPB's Loons reserve. As I was a little early for the appointment, I briefly stopped off at the Listening Wall, a curved structure set above the wetlands which concentrates the sounds of nature for those seated and listening. Sadly, all I managed was an indignant female Mallard.

I had better luck at my next port of call, the main (and only) hide on the reserve. As I opened one of the shutters, I spotted a very distant Hen Harrier quartering the far side of the reed bed. Probably due to the attentions of this raptor, it seemed as though every Snipe in Orkney was in the air, as small flocks whooshed by the hide. The back wall of the hide is decorated with a mural by talented local artist Anne Bignall.

With a few wisps of Snipe visible top left

Then, whilst I was working at the customer's properrty, even more Snipe and several flocks of Golden Plover went over my head, their calls ringing out through the pleasant Autumnal morning. After the job, a couple of hours later, as I was once again passing the Listening Wall, a smart male Hen Harrier glided serenely over the road in front of me.

Later, once work was completed, I arrived home in time for a sunset photo.

And I have just remembered that during a very brief lunch break, whilst stood on the patio at home, a Stonechat called and flew across the garden. So all in all, I did listen to quite a few birds today.