Last weekend..
Plenty of getting out and about showing my mum and brother, who were visiting from down south, round Scotland including Dumfries and Galloway and Highland Perthshire. Several Red Kite, couple of Osprey and some nice woodland birds like Tree Pipit, Crossbill and Spotted Flycatcher.
Me and the bro slipped off for some more serious birding in between times when the major highlight was a Hobby at Letham. Ironically for my bro who is used to seeing this species on regular basis at his birding sites on the Isle of Wight, this wasn't as exciting as the Kites and Ospreys. But for myself this was the weekends highlight. Hobby is my favourite bird of prey, I've only seen four in total (including this one) since moving up to Scotland five years ago. None of the others have hung around for long but after an initial brief view this one came back and gave superb views as it chased Sand Martins, got chased by B H Gulls(and then turned the tables and chased them).
After putting  the news out a bit of mini twitch started as the bird reappeared over the pools over the next few days allowing Fife birders a chance to see this difficult to get species in the county.
After a quiet spring Letham is certainly more productive of late with additional sightings including the Ruff first seen during the previous week, a showy Water Rail and 3 broods of Gadwall.
We also visited Vane Farm, a few days too late for the Temmincks Stint but a drake Greater Scaup was picked out amongst an impressive raft of 500 or more Tufted Duck.

The rate at which second calendar year Hobby acquire adult plumage is variable and this one already has extensive red 'trousers'. The moult in the wings and tail at this time of year indicates this age rather than Adult.

Grainy pic but moult contrast evident between fresh grey mantle and worn upperwings indicating second cal year.

At Vane Farm an impressive moult gathering of 500 plus Tufted Duck also contained a Drk Greater Scaup. Late summer gatherings of diving duck have a well known track record for turning up rarities in Scotland so worth keeping an eye on for Lesser Scaup, Ring-necked Duck or Fudge Duck.

The botanical spectacle at Vane was good as well; Vipers Bugloss above and Northern Marsh Orchid below.