Sometimes you go for one bird and you get another!

South Landing beckoned with possible water pipit and citrine wagtail. In spite of several hours' careful search neither bird was located. A couple of birders tried to convince themselves a rock pipit was a water pipit. There were plenty of rock pipits to watch plus wagtails but no citrine. However Dave Aitken put me onto the passing groups of little auks soon after I arrived. I saw 28 in all which after 3 singletons over the years was rather spectacular! Photographing them as they hurtled north along the tideline was tricky but i had a go.

Little Auk

Little Auk

After seeing several groups of 4, or 5 little auks pass us by I went in search of the pipit and wagtail. I soon found lots of rock pipits.

Rock Pipit

This one showed up well against the white stones as if it were standing in a huge mass of white birds' eggs!

Rock Pipit

After an hour I climbed back up to the car park to put more money in the meter as I decided it was worth spending more time there. A squirrel was huddled in the cold wind on a lichen-encrusted branch .

Grey Squirrel

I was soon back among the pipits. A grey wagtail joined in.

Grey Wagtail

Some birders were looking skyward at a kestrel hovering along the cliff top.

Cue kestrel photos!

Kestrel Kestrel Kestrel Kestrel

A birder I'd been chatting to spotted a little auk on the water.

Little Auk

As the tide was slowly coming in the bird drifted nearer the shore.

Little Auk

Sometimes it headed out into the oncoming tide.

Little Auk Little Auk

By going out onto the rocks I think you get the impression we're well out to sea!

Little Auk Little Auk

Lovely little bird. I hope it made it.

UK 2014 now 259 and, incidentally the little auk was the 281st species of bird I've photographed in Britain. Not a lot of people know that!