Well, we are fast becoming an ornithological paradise here at the cottages. Phezza joins us every morning for his breakfast - though he's still very shy- and we have a raucaus collection of jays at the moment flitting around the trees , and sometimes coming on to the nuts. Along with the spotted wood pecker, they add a lovely splash of colour to a very grey landscape.
We have the usual collection of tits (we are inundated with coal tits having been told last year that they were practically extinct after the cold winter) and a wee blackcap was spotted the other day guzzling away - no doubt filling up before a trip south.
One of the less welcome visitors is the sparrowhawk who swoops in, and we just hope the little birds get out of his way in time.
But with eagles up the glen, a wonderful selection of sea-birds, and a magnificent hide - usually with the very helpful Eddie present - at Machrihanish , we really are the place to be for the twitchers.