ML642864242

Observation details

After sorting travel, we returned for a second attempt. Still very difficult viewing as the weather closed in, with its favoured clump of elders by the loch being increasingly wind-tossed. Typical sightings were every 20-30 mins and only parts of bird visible as it had a distinct tendency to feed on clumps of elderberries while hidden from sight, and then very much a matter of luck where gaps in the vegetation appeared. I was lucky to get a one second unobscured view of the bird's head when wind moved a small branch away. Photo gives typical impression. As wind mounted became a bit more mobile and made a couple of trips over road to gardens, where it eventually showed very well for a minute or so close to cover, feeding on ground in garden, eventually emerging unobscured. What a bird!