Tuesday 18th March. Everything looked fine for today. We intended to go to Burghead - sun shining on and off and high tide about 1.00pm.

On the way, we visited Loch Flemington for the long-staying American Coot. Found it on arrival but it was distant and in the sun - an afternoon visit. Then on to Burghead.

The day before, high tide in the harbour produced Eider, Merganser, Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Great Northern Diver, Red-throated Diver and Scaup, all waiting to be photographed. Well, someone must have warned them we were coming because the harbour was totally devoid of any bird life at all. Plenty out on the sea but nothing in the harbour.

We moved up to Hopeman harbour with the same result. Difficult to believe but it had to happen to us.

So with our tail between our legs, we went back to the hotel calling at Loch Flemington on the way. This time the sun behind us but the American Coot distant. Eventually, it came rather closer but still about 50 yards away. This record shot is quite heavily cropped.

So a very disappointing day.