can anyone identify this wee creature

**Terry Searl** · 1st January 17, 01:58 PM

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It's fair cool outside on Vancouver Island this New Years day and I saw this wee creature hovering outside the kitchen window...has anyone else seen such a "bird".....I know it's not "the Famous Grouse" because I was into that last night!

**Jock Scot** · 1st January 17, 02:13 PM

No idea! One can only hope that the Atlantic is wide enough to keep them from migrating!

**MNlad** · 1st January 17, 02:34 PM

I believe that is the rare Red Breasted Huff 'N Puff. It appears to be in full mating plumage.

**MacGumerait** · 2nd January 17, 09:37 PM

I'm thinking it's the rare " Scottish Sandpiper " .

**Nile** · 2nd January 17, 09:38 PM

Thats a Steward, chanter beaked, pied piper!

**kiltedsawyer** · 10th January 17, 10:59 AM

I think it's a drone.

**CameronCat** · 11th January 17, 09:56 AM

Och, noo! For sure 'tis a Lesser Winged Haggis, a common but secretive creature native to the Highlands. (Also migratory to the east coast and the Borders to escape severe weather.) In the pic it's obviously been startled, having jumped straight up from the perch and briefly showing its defensive spines. Their call(s) are variously noted as enticing or off-putting, depending on the listener. The LWH is difficult to catch in the wild and natural populations have remained generally stable for hundreds of years. The Lesser Winged Haggis is classified by international authorities as "tasty" but not endangered.