Keptie Pond, Arbroath (looking after Mickey's patch for a week)

Just three photos from the pond, the first two, the predator, the third the prey.

Nearly every time recently I've been at Keptie I've seen Lesser Black-backed Gulls try and take Coot chicks. Today was no exception when one gull twice had a go at reasonably large chicks but failed, later two gulls even intimidated the Mute Swans and their five cygnets which are now Tufted Duck size or more.

St Cyrus SNNR, Montrose Basin and the Curly!

I spent about an hour at the south end of the reserve mostly in the hide trying to photograph five orphan Shelduck ducklings which were fed for a few days at the centre before being released and adopted by a female and perhaps an associated male. Staff at the centre will know the up to date details.

I didn't get a photo of the ducklings which I did see as they were too far away. I did get Linnet, Meadow Pipit and earlier at Montrose Basin, Spotted Redshank, Shelduck, Sedge Warbler, Reed Bunting and finally a Moorhen at the Curly in Montrose.

As usual clicking the photos will open them in a larger form.

Linnet, male

Meadow Pipit

Shelduck with ducklings at Montrose Basin

I've been spotted and the male has his eye on me even though I'm a distance away in the hide

Reed Bunting just outside the Shelduck Hide

This Sedge Warbler has a metal ring on its right leg, someone was ringing earlier in the day at Millburn Reedbeds where this was taken, I wonder if this is one of the birds ringed

Yes, I know it's not great but this is good as I can get at 150 metres away in low light, the dark bird is a Spotted Redshank

A Moorhen at the Curly in Montrose, good light and close what a difference from above. This bird also has a ring on its right leg