Mull and back

I've just returned from 9 days on Mull, the annual holiday. Weather was the worst in 4 visits but the wildlife was definitely the best. On a walk to the hide at Ardmore were this pair of Woodcock chicks after the adult had flushed from the side of the track. 

 

Crossbill are always a pleasure to watch

and what a view from Ardmore hide

This Common Sandpiper nest was at Croggan

I'll post more images another time

Back on the homefront, a round of 28 boxes was carried out today. Weather was still, cold and misty and many boxes had brooding adults inside them

In general the boxes seem to be doing ok however I was not expecting this - 3 Blue Tit's ready to fledge with 7 dead. Hopefully this isn't going to set a pattern.

Here's a reminder of what the Nuthatch young (7) looked like on the 11th -

and here they are today, all 7 still going (one is under the mud)

and finally 2 Blue Tit just hours old