This week back in Scotland with the weather warmed up and a noticeable arrival of summer visitors. While working in Stirlingshire and Dumfries and Galloway  I've had Cuckoo, Whinchat, Tree Pipit, Grasshopper Warbler, Garden Warbler and Common Sandpiper all back on territory.

The Easterly winds have kicked in but with bright conditions so not ideal for falls of migrants. But i've been plugging away at my local patch in Fife at Ferryhills and been rewarded with some good patch birds. A Lesser Whitethroat (April 30th), a late Brambling (May 1st), single Whimbrel, Arctic Tern and my first 3 Scottish Swifts of the year (6th) and then 2 Lesser Whitethroat and  a singing Grasshopper Warbler today plus 5 Arctic Tern over.

I tried the usual Fife wetland sites this weekend and last , but these were fairly quiet the best being a Little Ringed Plover at the Wilderness.

So far the main species brought in on the easterlies has been Lesser Whitethroat, a good showing of this normally uncommon species in Fife the past week. 

Arctic Terns over Ferryhills.

Smart drake Shoveler at Letham

Stunning Orangetip Butterflies at the Wilderness. In spots sheltered from the east wind it has been very warm this weekend and a sun trap with a nectar source was being used by these and Green-veined Whites.