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BIRD WALK NOVEMBER
by Ken O'Connor - 17:15 on 22 November 2013
The Birdie group had a good trip to Shapinsay today, Friday 22nd November, having postponed it from Wednesday when the weather forecast was rather grim. We arrived in Shapinsay at 1010 and back out on the1330 ferry . We covered a good distance to Vasa Loch and then on to Mill Dam .
We were lucky in viewing a heron straightaway feeding among the resting seals then through the village caught sight of chaffinches and green finches, starlings and blackbirds, before heading up the hill to see some moorhens on their own little patch of water. We walked to Parkhall and down the road to Vasa loch, which was disappointing as only a few tufted ducks remained after the gales. Ray had seen lots of mute swans and teal on his earlier visit
On to Mill dam and the hide where everyone got the chance to view a wonderful array of water fowl with the sun lighting up the wonderful plumage colours. Teal, Widgeon, Mallard, Tufted, Pintail etc. too numerous to list them all.
After a snack it was a wander past the Mains of Balfour and back in time for the ferry.
Weather was kind, not too cold and no wind with a light shower of drizzle just to make sure we had the right clothes on for a winters day ! All thanked the leader, Ray, for his time and enjoyable walk.
Ken
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