There has been great excitement here about an incredibly rare winter visitor to these islands, but eager spotters have been out searching for the first signs of the distinguishing black and white markings, the distinctive bulbous head, with the staccato ‘pip pip’ mating call. Migrating from warmer southern climes, it was once a frequent visitor to these shores, but in recent years climate changing weather conditions, and  increasingly poor habitat, means that the pleasure of seeing this winter migrant has become  few and far between. Close to extinction, it was feared it may have finally succumbed, but The Lesser Spotted Keewhit (tankerus hitthebottomus) should be visible to watchers at sunrise on the shoreline in front of Bruichladdich distillery.