November 10th
Somewhere in Argyll and Bute
This site is turning out to be an unexpected migrant trap; i had a cracking Juv Rough-legged Buzzard. In a replay of the weather last week, the preceding days had seen strong ESE winds and drizzle. The 10th dawned calmer with Redwings and Blackbirds calling in the mist at dawn. Later in the morning as conditions brightened I picked up what I thought was a Buzzard some distance away, then it banked and panic set in-look at that striking tail pattern, the long wings, the pale bases on the upperside of primaries, the deep wing beats. Then it disappeared behind a ridge and didn't come out leaving me trying to take it all in.
Fortunately later it was back hanging in the wind and hovering nearer to my position for about 8 minutes, it was a Rough-leg! These are very scarce birds in Scotland even on the E Coast when you compare with further south e.g. Humberside/East Anglia. This is presumably cause the North Sea crossing is wider for them up here.

Generally I don't take my camera when I'm doing survey work as I don't have the option of returning to the car if it starts raining and this resulted in a drowned camera and an expensive repair bill a few months ago.
So back to good old fashioned field notes. I know they are crap but hopefully looks something like an RLB.