Kinnordy Hunters

Both an Osprey and a Marsh Harrier were hunting at Kinnordy Loch on Thursday 28th.
The Osprey flew over and scanned the Loch before leaving without a catch.
The Marsh Harrier hunted over and in the reed beds but not the near ones where I could get a decent photo.

Also spotted were Gadwall, Shoveller Duck and a rare White Pheasant as well as the other usual birds found at Kinnordy.

Kinnordy Marsh Harrier

A Distant Marsh Harrier at Kinnordy

Kinnordy Osprey

Hunting Osprey at Kinnordy

White Pheasant at Kinnordy

Kinnordy Loch

Lapwing at Murton

Shoveller Duck at Kinnordy

Montreathmont Hide

I found the Montreathmont Hide today and it's a credit to the builder.

In the area were Greater Spotted and Green Woodpecker, Buzzard, Siskin, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Goldfinch and I think a Willow Warbler. I'm sure if I'd been there at a different time I would have seen more.

Greater Spotted Woodpecker at Montreathmont Hide

Siskin, Male, Montreathmont Hide

Green-veined White, Scottish Sub Species

I think this is a Willow Warbler

It's amazing what a bit of good weather and sunshine can do. The Red Squirrel, or squirrels feed regularly on the peanuts at Balgavies Hide from where the Terrapin can be seen through binoculars or zoom lenses sitting just out of the water on the dead tree.

There were a number of wasps chewing the wood of the hide, actually the shutters which were down. Even if I couldn't see them I could hear them chewing away.

There were a small number of Wild Pansies out at Murton and many Cowslips. The scrape is full of water and the only small island has been taken over by Black Headed Gulls who constantly squabble for the limited space.

I couldn't find the hide in Montreathmont, apparently I'd walked past the path to it. I did find many Tiger Beetles, an early Peacock Butterfly and photographed a lump on a distant tree which turned out to be a Green Woodpecker. It seems if I'd found the hide I'd have got good views of Green and Greater Spotted Woodpeckers as well as many small birds.

Red Squirrel at Balgavies Hide

Green Woodpecker at Montreathmont

The Infamous Balgavies Terrapin

An early Wild Pansy at Murton

Early Peacock Butterfly at Montreathmont Forest

A wasp chewing the Hide at Balgavies

Tiger Beetle at Montreathmont Forest

Yellowhammer hiding in the grass

Goldfinches in perfect condition

A yellow visitor, just passing through my garden