East Haven and Hatton

   
Just a few photos from the coastal path while I waited for Olive getting her hair done in Carnoustie. A brief viewing of a Yellow Wagtail through two fence grids before two trains spooked it.

Yellow Wagtail

Skylark with caterpillar

Skylark

Swallow

Wheatear

Reed Bunting male

Avian Flu, Bees and a White Pudding Supper

Some photos from my Webs at East Haven, Murton NR, my garden, and Danger Point, Arbroath. (near The Golden Haddock Chip shop)

Insect ID aided by the ObsIdentify App.

Rook on garden feeder, click here for video

A dead Eider drake on the beach at East Haven seen when I did my Webs. It was in good physical condition, so I'm assuming it died of avian flu, which is still around

Bar-tailed Godwit with two Redshanks, I later counted eight Bar-tailed

First Swallow of the year, with a few others and Sand Martins at Craigmill mouth

I thought this male Sparrowhawk had gone after I didn't see it in my garden for weeks. First seen back in October and regularly since, it seems!

Herring Gull photographed while waiting for my white pudding supper at Danger Point, Arbroath

Male Lesser Redpoll at Murton NR. Subspecies soon to be combined as Redpoll

Gadwall pair at Murton

Pheasant showing signs of fighting

Dark-edged Bee Fly at Murton, it wouldn't turn around...

Early Bumblebee in my garden

At least 5 Rooks now pillaging my fat ball feeders

A pair of Starlings spent a lot of time near my Swift nest, I hope they haven't used it, as the Swifts will be back soon

Goodens Nomad Bee, a parasite on the Buffish Mining Bee below, laying their eggs in the Buffish nest holes

Buffish Mining Bee

Honey Bee

Lochlee in Glenesk

The morning began with a misty departure at 06:30 for Lochlee in Glenesk, the temperature a chilly 4 degrees Celsius. As the drive progressed inland, the temperature continued to drop, reaching zero. Beyond Edzell, the sun finally broke through, illuminating the north-facing slopes of Glenesk. However, the air remained cool until reaching Invermark. A subsequent walk upstream along the riverside track brought a welcome warmth, accompanied by the songs of Song Thrushes.

At the lochside, the sun bathed the water and the encompassing hills in light, yet a strange stillness prevailed, broken only by the calls of a few Lapwings. As the sun ascended further, the natural world gradually stirred, revealing its inhabitants. The photographs below document the majority of the avian species anticipated for this trip. Some images serve primarily as records of observed species, particularly those birds that had recently arrived this week following their long migrations.

Lochlee from east end

One of fifteen Redwings seen at Invermark, probably the latest I've seen this species

Male Wheatear

Female Wheatear, distant

Song Thrush in the lochside churchyard

Meadow Pipit

Grey Wagtail at the Invermark bridge

Ring Ouzel male, 100 metres into the sunlight

Pied Wagtail

Oystercatcher

Red-legged Partridge, a non-native introduction, primarily released to be shot "for fun"

Peacock Butterfly, a butterfly that has over-wintered as an adult, showing signs of wear

Lochlee midpoint looking towards Inchgrundle at the west end

This one is open for debate, first Garden Birdwatch said it was too early for Green-veined White, then the same for Small White and again for Large White. I'm sure it's a Small White.