Birchwoods and willow warblers go together like ... well, anything you can think of that blend. A little slice of paradise.

Sutherland birchwood community in song - mainly willow warblers. mp3 -1.2MB

 

 

 

 

 

These birds know how to throw a party. Oddly enough the females tend to wander among the ecstatic males with an air of indifference - playing it cool, I guess. The males pair up to joust, changing partners at intervals. That's the impression given, but apparently a cock's stance on the lek is determined by his status. Very occasionally, the fights become real.

Black grouse lek in the Cairngorms. mp3 -1.2 MB

 

 

 

 

 

As night falls, greenshank flight in from the surrounding moors to a sheltered sea-loch in Sutherland to feed. This being spring, the males can't help singing a little and courting any females present.

Greenshank male 'love song'. mp3 - 2.1 MB