Tuesday 25 December 2012

Victoria Park, Arbroath 23/12/2012

A Kestrel hunting at the Ness, Arbroath Cliffs
A wave crashing over the Steeple Rock, also at the Ness

Tuesday 18 December 2012

Montrose Area Views

Scurdie Ness Lighthouse at dusk
Montrose Steeple from Tayock
A stubble field at sunset near Ferryden
Rig supply or anchor vessel coming into Montrose

Thursday 6 December 2012

Suburban Coastal Birds

You don't have to go far to see birds in Scotland and a short visit to Arbroath Harbour on a cold day in November delivered, Rock Pipit, Dipper, Mute Swan, Cormorant, Great Black-backed Gulls, Herring Gulls, Turnstone, Redshank, Ringed Plover and Eider Ducks. I'm sure if I'd been earlier, it was getting dark more could have been seen.

Dipper and Rock Pipit


Reconstructed 2021 with originals



A Dipper which has been resident all summer on the Brothock Burn just upstream from the sea.




A Rock Pipit waiting for the Old Brewhouse to open. There has been one bird in this area for at least 2 months now.


Thursday 29 November 2012

A few birds from this weeks travels

Bullfinch at Balgavies
Buzzard at Elliot
Grey Wagtail at Balgavies
Heron at Keptie Pond
Jay at Balgavies
Whooper Swans at Kinnordy
Wren at St Vigeons Nature Trail

This weeks views from around Angus

Balgavies Loch
Arbroath Golf Course
 Inchcape Park
Boysack Mill
St Vigeons Church
Water Tower, Arbroath
Remains of an aborted attempt to create a new landing area for fishing boats at Arbroath. I believe this was built when I was about 8, in 1964

Sunday 25 November 2012

River, sunset and goldfinch

North Esk in Glenesk upstream from Dalbrack Bridge
Goldfinch feeding on Teasle at Tayock
Sunset viewed from the Lurgies

Saturday 24 November 2012

Balgavies Hide

Blue Tit
Coal Tit
Great spotted woodpecker male

Sunday 18 November 2012

Easthaven to Arbroath, at Hatton

This female Kestrel was hunting near to Hatton Waste Water Works and was visible from the new coastal path section between Easthaven and Arbroath.






A solitary Redwing next to the pig fields at Hatton.
An accidental motion shot as I took a photo to show someone a closer look at Goldfinches. Looks like an adult in flight with a juvenile not yet with the red brow.

Run Rabbit Run, or not?

This doesn't look good for the rabbit.
The rabbit froze and the Stoat after a few attempts killed it with bites to the back of its neck.

This hunt was in the field opposite the Slunks at Montrose Basin.

Landscape and Wigeon

Montrose Basin towards Montrose from "The Lurgies"
Wigeon at Montrose Station


Friday 16 November 2012

Craigmill Den, West Haven, Carnoustie

A morning trip to Craigmill Den where, Goldfinches, Long-tailed Tits, 8 Yellowhammers, Robins, Blackbirds, Chaffinches, 2 Kestrels, 1 Buzzard, Blue Tits, Coal Tits and Great Tits were seen. Two pheasants were spooked by something as I walked up and I later met someone who followed me up the den who saw a large dog fox where the pheasants had been.

Craigmill Den

One of 8 Long-tailed Tits moving quickly as usual through the den.
This Wren was at the house at the bottom of the den.
One of 8 Yellowhammers I counted in the den.

Easthaven to Hatton

Bar-tailed Godwits near to Hatton Waste Water facility. Also seen were Pied Wagtails, a White Wagtail, a Rock Pipit, Redshanks and a Goosander. The new footpath to Elliot is now open and can be cycled with any type of bike.

Tuesday 13 November 2012

Merlin at Bridge of Dun Railway Station

I've seen these small falcons before, mostly in the hills but at this time of year they move to the coastal areas where flocks of small birds provide food.

South Esk and Wigeon Hide, Montrose Basin

A female Goosander at Bridge of Dun old railway bridge. Another disappeared under the water and may have been a male.
Wigeon near the Wigeon Hide with three Pintail Duck in there somewhere

Birds in flight on an unsuitable day for photos!

Shelduck from the Wigeon Hide
Black-tailed Godwit from the Wigeon Hide
Curlew

Friday 9 November 2012

Goldcrest at Montrose Basin

I took many photos of this ever mobile bird and couldn't decide on which to post so I've put in the five best ones. Our smallest breeder, weighing in at around 5-6 grams, ( a fifth of an ounce ) the Goldcrest can lay up to 12 eggs in a clutch (though 6-8 is more normal), representing one and half times her bodyweight.






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