Mixed weather and it's COLD!

OK, so "cold" is relative..... but temperatures are well below average at just 11 degrees C (44F).  But we haven't the awful rain and floods of other parts of the UK so I'm grateful. And there are sunny spells.  It's just it's nearly the "longest day" and for mid-summer I expect HEAT.  Ho Hum.

But as you can see above, it hasn't stopped the hens hatching out chicks. So far two hens, one with two chicks, and one with one chick. The hen above started out with 4, but 2 died inexplicably so she now has two left. She has finally found her parenting skills and is looking after them. But for a few days I was running around trying to reunite two cheeping (loudly!) chicks with their mother.

Then this morning I had to go through the process with another hen. Honestly..... But fortunately both hens are now tucked up with their respective young ones, safe and warm.

And talking of chicks, the Shetland "Puffin cam" puffins have hatched out their "puffling"! You'll be lucky to see it - both parents take it in turns to keep it warm.  But you might catch a glimpse!   Here's the link (you get the soundtrack from Radio Shetland/Radio Scotland too)  and Cam2 is the best view (warning - it's addictive!): http://www.shetland.org/puffincam/index.php?file=stream2

Cam 4 or 5 sometimes shows the lighthouse at Sumburgh Head in Shetland - you can now watch ANOTHER lighthouse instead of the two Graemsay ones ;-)