Forfar Loch and Murton, Garganey still there along with canada Geese

The sun was shining briefly at Forfar Loch today and then well at Murton where the first of the summers Canada Geese turned up. Also there, some young Little Grebes and the Garganey pair are still viewable from the Gladstone Hide but are in the far corner and even more difficult to pick out from the Stewart Hide without a scope.

Canada Goose

Five of the six Canada Geese at Murton.

Both Garganey are still at Murton, the female did appear. They are as far from the Gladstone and Stewart Hides as is possible.

Three nesting Great Crested Grebes near the Sports Centre at Forfar and not so wary.

One of this years young Little Grebes at Murton

This Sand Martin was trying to land on the cable at Forfar loch but its feet seemed too small to grip it.

"Roamin in the gloamin", a dull day at Backwater Dam

Although the light was poor at Backwater Dam the birds cheered my mood and I saw more birds and species than ever before, must visit more in the summer months. Cuckoo, Spotted Flycatcher, Common Sandpiper, Mistle and Song Thrush, Buzzard, Kestrel, Osprey, Goldcrest, Pied and Grey Wagtail, Cormorant, Tufted Duck, Lapwing, Oystercatcher and a large number of Snipe calling and many others. Starting with two of often seen mammals and I also found but didn't photograph a Common Lizard, too quick this time.

Roe Deer

I'd got too close

A one-eared Brown Hare, no it's just got the other one lowered

Common Sandpiper on the Dam picking flies from the water edge

This one and its mate didn't want me around so I left

Distant calling Cuckoo, one of three or four

Meadow Pipit, the object of the Cuckoo's attention

One of the grey variant Willow Warblers, many still singing

Wren fledgling at Kinnordy