Little Ringed Plover and Scaup

Safe to say that a Little Ringed Plover doesn't nest between the low and high tide marks so reporting this one at Montrose Basin (it has been reported already) shouldn't affect the bird and careful birders may see it again in the future.

The Scaup at Maryton Ditch seem to prefer that side of the basin when the high banks offer shelter from a southerly or south westerly wind, they'll be gone very soon I suspect.

The large Rainbow Trout was one of a pair excavating a redd to spawn in which is something I've never seen before and wasn't even sure that species did attempt to breed, or succeed.

No excuses about three photos, I'll likely never get this kind of chance again to photograph these rare migrants around the size of a sparrow

The marking on the cheek behind the eye which has brown in the black shows this single bird is a female

They always look serious

Three of 17 Scaup, 5 drakes and 12 ducks still at the basin just waiting to fly north any day now

Shelduck, near the Shelduck Hide, where else?

Seen from above the pair of Rainbow Trout looked to be 7 and 5 pounds in weight but given the depth of this one seen when it was digging the redd it's safe to add a few pounds to each.

Ring Ouzel, Little Ringed Plover and a first 2017 Swallow

No stunning photos but a record of some newly arrived species which nearly always stay well away and high up on the hills especially when the weather is good as it was on Thursday. The birds in question are Ring Ouzel and two birds a male and female were seen at the east end of Lochlee along with some Wheatears and surprisingly a Red-legged Partridge. I found two other year firsts at a different named site, Little Ringed Plover and a Swallow. (might have a usable video later)

Male Ring Ouzel

Red-legged Partridge, appeared in one poor photo with the female Ring Ouzel

Wheatears fighting over a female or territory

The winner

Distant Little Ringed plover newly returned from Africa to breed and spend the summer in Angus! Photo at 104 times zoom on the Canon SX60

My first Swallow, seen at the same site as the Little Ringed Plover

Walking along the South Esk I found this Grey Wagtail in a strange pose and soon found out why as its mate flew in and they mated

Pied Wagtail, I recall this one was at Lochlee