Birding in the rain

It's been dull all day and raining on and off. Not perhaps the ideal day to go birdwatching, but a lot of interesting birds have been reported in and around Edinburgh and the coast recently, so off  I went to Musselburgh.

The fields and trees look wonderful in their autumn colours against the grey skies

It was warm enough that I didn't mind getting wet, the actual problem with the rain was the way it reduced visibility, my binoculars were totally saturated!

I did see some great birds, lots of lapwings on the Lagoons, a kestrel hunting over the grass and a few velvet scoters on the Firth of Forth. But if that Lapland bunting reported from this area a few days ago, was still around, I totally missed it....

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As many readers may know, I lead beginners' birdwatching walks for Edinburgh Council Adult Education Programme. The next term starts 10am Mon 22^nd February 2016.  Then a series if early summer evening birdwatching classes, Tuesday evenings  for 5 weeks from 19^th April 2016.

Next term I'm also teaching a Tuesday morning (10am) Winter Wildlife Class for 8 weeks from 19^th January 2016.

Booking for these classes will open on 9 December.