Thanks to John "Mad Dog" Bannon for sending me these record shots of the Roller (by Pam Brown), which he scored while on holiday on Mull last week.
John's account below maybe a tad on the excitable side, but if I'd bumped into a Roller, I'd be a bit breathless too...
"Just returned from Mull ,where at 05:30 last Thursday morning the attached
cheeky chappy found me!!
"MegasstonkingFFinbrilliant birding/wildlife place is Mull, with constant eagles, Hen Harriers, Corncrakes, Puffins, auks and two skuas, also loads of Groppers and Cuckoos", says John.
"Otter sightings every day, dolphins, seals and Basking Shark plus Pine Marten crossing road!!!
"BRILLIANT place!!"
I think he likes Mull!
Oddly enough my only UK Roller wasn't that far away, near Kyle of Lochalsh, although it was a scarily long time ago.
The poor thing was clinging to the swaying branch of a rain-battered willow in the teeth of a howling Scottish gale, and it looked a whole lot less happier than John's bird.
Nice one Mad Dog.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies...
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Little Egret north of Southport Pier today, flew onto the Municipal Golf Course. A few Manx Shearwaters offshore at Ainsdale this evening.
The hills are alive with .......Dark Green Fritillaries! On Monday I counted 40 at Ravenmeols between Albert Road and Devil's Hole, a distance of about 400m. There were five of these spectacular insects dashing around in Devil's Hole itself.
Just thought I'd give an update on the nesting Peregrines on Holy Trinity. Watched male and female with one beautifully feathered chick today, there could be more?
Evidence of plenty of prey carcasses below.
Fantastic views so near home, regularly see kills around Marine Lake area, saw male take a pigeon over the lake last week.
Good eh!!!