The Peregrine sighting wasn't the only pleasing moment during last weekend's Gyre walk. The original intention had been to amble to Orphir Bay and bide a while on the shore listening to the waves, waders and ducks. However, en route, it became obvious (by dint of the clanging, scraping and revving sounds) that a local farmer was mechanically shovelling up seaweed from the high tide line of the bay, presumably to be used as fertiliser on his fields. This didn't seem such a mindful activity, so the Gyre wood detour was taken instead. Fortuitously so, bearing in mind the Peregrine encounter. Despite the ice and snow, i n the shelter afforded by the hedges and ditches, a few splashed of colour were emerging, an early promise of the hope of Spring. Pink Purslane Elderberry bud Elderberry bud Yellow Brain Fungus In the wood, some feathers were found beneath a branch, evidence of another raptor kill. A few of the feathers were collected for later identification, but our initial th...