Long-billed Dowitcher - Montrose Basin

A Long-billed Dowitcher, a first for me and after a few days in difficult sites at the basin it conveniently settled at Tayock in the northeast corner and viewable from existing viewpoints. The only issue was the harsh sunlight shining directly from behind the bird. It may have been possible to get behind it, but it's likely that it would be flushed when the Redshanks signalled an exit stage right!

Other photos from the Lurgies, the Bank of Scotland Hide and a very cocky Sparrowhawk that sat tight as I took my gear out of the car only 8 metres away. It only flew off after I approached, but was back again within 5 minutes.

UHD videos at the link below with a Grey Plover, Velvet Scoters and Common Scoters, click to play


Long-billed Dowitcher into sunlight      Long-billed Dowitcher part 2      Grey Plover, Lurgies     

Velvet Scoters Lunan Bay     Common Scoters distant Lunan Bay      Lunan Bay north

Long-billed Dowitcher

Sparrowhawk in late afternoon sunlight

On a windy day the Great Egret was sheltering in the salt pans

Just a small number of  the Pink-footed Geese that left to feed in the stubble fields

These Pinkies were heading towards St Cyrus

Late in the day at the Lurgies at least 40 Cormorants flew inland to roost

I've noticed many of the Whooper Swans have low numbers or no juveniles, not so long ago they'd have 2-4 and most pairs would have youngsters

Willow Warbler, very late?

   
It was a big surprise to find a very late Willow Warbler at Tayock, so much so that I asked for confirmation in case it was a rare warbler vagrant. I couldn't find an alternative.

Also at Tayock, 25-30 Pintails, 100's of Wigeon near to the hide and 1000's distributed all over the mud in the centre, 4 Little Egrets, a single Knot, about 30 Bar-tailed Godwits, Shelducks, Pink-footed Geese, Teal, Curlews and countless Redshanks.

Other sightings are from Forfar Loch and Elliot Beach, details below the photos. Videos on these links open in a new window.

A late Willow Warbler, Tayock      Willow Warbler bathing      Distant Great Egret, Montrose Basin      

Black-tailed Godwit      Great Crested Grebes      Little Egret      Curlew

A very late Willow Warbler seen at Tayock, Montrose Basin on 23/10/2025. First seen bathing in a puddle near to the second path which loops to the viewpoint. All three photos are screen grabs from the video at the link above

Just a bit wet

Showing the primary projection

Pintail pair and Wigeon

Forfar Loch

One of three Red Squirrels coming to feeders on the Forfar Loch circular track. It managed to find the only shaft of light in dense woodland

Probably a dozen Long-tailed Tits being very active as usual on the north side of the loch

Great Tit on a feeder, also on the the north bank

Magpies can be seen anywhere around the loch and the parkland at the east end

I believe this is the first Stonechat I've seen at Forfar Loch, spotted by Olive who insisted I photograph it, seen at the west end from the "bus shelter" on the loch edge reeds

Another Long-tailed Tit

Elliot Beach

A Cormorant at Elliot, near Arbroath with what I think is a Saithe/Coalfish, a "pickin" is the Fit o' the Toon name

It's lining up the Saithe head first

No escape

Dunlin, Sanderling and Ringed Plovers being disturbed as they roosted near the Elliot Burn

Juvenile Ringed Plover

Ringed Plovers

Glossy Ibis at Mains of Usan

   
A Glossy Ibis was found in a field at Mains of Usan by James A Wolstencroft on Friday 10th October and was still feeding in the field and burn on 14/10/2025 when these photos of it with a Stickleback were taken. It was very unphased by people walking through the field, it would just fly into the burn near the beach.

Two UHD videos on the blue links below...

Glossy Ibis feeding in the burn   Filmed on my Nikon Z8, handheld

Glossy Ibis feeding in mud and cattle dung   Filmed on my Nikon P1000 (125 zoom)

It dropped the Stickleback behind its right leg

Retrieved the Stickleback

Breaking off the spines?

Now lined up head first

Perfect positioning

Past the point of no return