The same. But more so.

I just had time for a quick dash up and down the Elsick Burn between nursery drop-off and nursery pickup. As I walked down St Anne's Road a buzzard going over was a Common Buzzard (daaaamnnnn!), and in the bushes at the top of St Anne's track, there was a Spotted Flycatcher, a rather grey Common Chiffchaff and a Sedge Warbler. So the migrants are still around... encouragement.

And encouragement indeed, when at Elsick Mill, the Wood Warbler was still present, this time in company with at least 3 Common Chiffchaffs and 2 Willow Warblers, as well as 4 Goldcrests and a couple each of Blue Tit and Great Tit. While I was there, who should turn up but Ken Hall, he of the wondrous photographs, and a birding companion whose name I shamefully forgot to ask. Together we enjoyed the less-than-regular Newtonhill experience of there being so much movement in the bushes that you didn't know where to look next. It is not like that all the time.

Further down the burn, there wasn't so much to look at, but it turned into a nice autumn's day with a Small Copper up the cliff steps and several Red Admirals. And as I walked down past the Wood Warbler again, one of each of the Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers were in song. That's how crazy it all was. Today would have really repayed being able to spend all day kicking trees.