Balgavies Loch

This was the fourth really warm day and the usual early insects, queen bumblebees, wasps and peacock butterflies were about. I've seen small tortoise-shell and small white butteflies already in my garden and a two spot ladybird in the house.

I had seen what I thought was an osprey on Thursday March 22nd as I passed in a car and this seemed to be true as the osprey below flew in to the island tree with a pike.
Even though the water can't be very warm the terrapin was out sitting on its tree perch and there were many goldeneye on the loch.

Balgavies Osprey Returns, with a pike

Early Spring Peacock

Balgavies Cormorant

17 degrees in early March

Pictures from a trip to Montrose basin designed to enlighten and tire out three active children.
The tide was out and there wasn't much going on near either of the hides and the noise level from said children didn't help.
The Whooper Swans are still there but can't have long to go now and there were many Skylarks displaying over the fields on the way to the tide line.

Mute Swan in flight

Mute and Whooper Swans

Big Binoculars

Widgeon Hide