Hello cheeky

Please don’t tickle this Sand Martin. If you do it’s likely to splutter flies everywhere from cheeks bursting with them.

Seriously, birds aren’t recognisably ticklish but they do love a scratch and a preen on places they can’t reach themselves. I can see many flies in this one’s chicks’ next meal, although one insect hasn’t quite been caught and looks as if it’s making a bid for freedom.

Beautiful birds, aren’t they?

There seem to be many more Sand Martins here on Westray this year and I’ve found a couple of breeding sites which are new to me. I’m feeling encouraged.