At the opposite end of the day, dawn over Berwick Law above, did my BBS transects near Whitekirk - route from Barebanes Wood to New Mains then back via the golf course. This was my 6th annual visit to a patch of mainly arable land - turf and rape - which I probably would not otherwise visit; nevertheless I'm yet to go and not see something of interest - over the years have had 67 species including Quail, Whinchat and several Wheatears on golf course, formerly Spot Fly and Garden Warbler at News Mains, but neither recently, plus Lesser Whitethroat and migrant Crossbills (and not including Gannets visible in the 100m+ plus recording band on the Bass Rock 3 miles offshore!). Was interested this year to see how Wren was faring - max annual count having been consistently 12+/-1 to 2009 - count of 6 therefore indicative of a decline. On the other hand 4 Grey Partridge seen, first since 2007. Most interesting was a pair of Shelduck flying up from Peffer Burn valley, first registration of this species. Link to summary counts for all years (pdf).
In previous years have noted Tree Sparrows occupying a House Martin nest on Whitekirk church tower; still present this year, with a bird perched on ledge immediately below remaining nests, holding a feather watching the martins busy above it - after a long while appeared despondent, dropped feather and continued to sit motionless - I guess may have been turfed out?!
Saturday took us to East Links by North Berwick; vismig non-existent with just a single Swallow in 3 hrs; one Black-throated Diver showing well on sea just offshore and views of Cormorants and Shags at nests on The Lamb; also Buzzard with prey over inland though presumably too early to have juveniles in the nest. Earlier at Wrecked Craigs, Port Seton, at least 520 Common Scoter remained offshore in a single flock.Friday heard the "twok twok" call of Nuthatch behind Church Walk in Longniddry but could not confirm - this would have been my first record in the village.
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