The mild winter continued in January with only three days where the temperature was in negative figures. The mean temperature was a degree warmer than last January. It was also drier than the same month last year, with around 40 per cent less rain, and there were fewer winter storms.
Highlights included: a Slavonian grebe in Loch Ranza on the 1st, the last record was January 2016, aerial jousting between a merlin and peregrine over Sliddery on 2nd, a pair of goosander on Loch Iorsa on 25th and a hunting goshawk on the south of Arran on 31st.
Bullfinch, one of a number of unusual garden birds reported in January.
Photo by Marquerite Richards.