Monday 25 February 2013

Fowlesheugh Nature Reserve, Saturday 23rd February

Bottle-nosed Dolphins heading north 200 metres off the cliffs at Fowlesheugh Nature Reserve near Stonehaven.



One of many Fulmars returning to the cliffs to nest, they are inquisitive birds and often fly in close for a look at visitors.



Inverbervie Beach Saturday 23th February

Not one, but two of the rarer local birds seen in the winter around Angus coasts.


Red-throated Diver at Inverbervie beach



Black-throated Diver at Inverbervie beach, or maybe it's a juvenile Red-throated. Still being debated!

Forfar Loch, Sunday February 24th 2013

Blue Tit
Chaffinch female
Coal Tit
Goldcrest
Sticklebacks
Goosander (they eat sticklebacks)
Olive's photo of a young Buzzard
Magpie
Robin in perfect breeding plumage

Friday 22 February 2013

Grey Wagtail at Arbirlot

The first Grey Wagtail sighting of the year for me at Arbirlot.
I took this photo for the grandchildren, they do look good enough to eat don't you think!
The piglets, not the grandchildren.

Common Seal video

YouTube link to HD Video of Common Seals at St Cyrus. Note, it was cold and windy and at maximum zoom distance so the HD refers to the format and not the final quality!

http://youtu.be/3p41OrApsyI   click the link for the video or the photo below for a full page still


Still of said seals before they were spooked by a walker.

A Black-headed Gull just getting the breeding season black head at the Curly in Montrose


Dunnock in Craigmill Den

A Dunnock at the bottom end of Craigmill Den which had just flown from the stubble field where it and many Yellowhammers had been feeding.

St Cyrus Hang-gliders

One of two Hang-gliders at St Cyrus taking advantage of the south easterly wind giving lift as it blows up the cliffs.


Monday 18 February 2013

Purple Sandpipers, Dunlin, Turnstones and Oystercatchers

Oystercatchers moving from the incoming tide
A single Dunlin among Oystercatchers and Turnstones
Purple Sandpipers in the centre

Alpaca, Buzzard and Drookit Spug!

Alpaca in Kelly Den near Arbroath
A Buzzard flying over Arbroath Road, Dundee
Drookit Spug
Hopefully the last of this winters snow, taken from Boghead Farm
This Sparrowhawk is still hunting throughout the day in my garden. These past few days the song birds have been returning, maybe he's eaten the stupid ones and can't catch the wise.

Montrose Basin, ducks but not the eagle

Male Long-tailed Duck.

I didn't get a photo of the White-tailed Eagle which was sitting in the middle of the Basin but got decent views through the SWT Centre scopes.
Twins
Blackbird walking on water at Tayock car park
A Mute Swan just after being chased off crops by SWT staff
Winter Aconites which have been in flower since late January

Monday 11 February 2013

Lunan Bay, high tide and big seas.

 A supply vessel going into Montrose Harbour on a stormy but busy day, three other vessels left the harbour just before this into a strong easterly.
Only these Sanderling and 19 Oystercatchers were on the beach at Lunan Bay today at high tide.

Kinnordy Loch, part frozen, part flooded, 22 species

A Brambling at the feeder station at Kinnordy.



Brambling, one of a couple of dozen.
Male Goosanders
Greylag Geese with a polar bear below them to the right, OK its a sheep!
Early Mute Swan courtship which was followed by a mating attempt
A jealous rival
The male Smew to the left of the Goldeneye looked to be getting the attention of a male Goldeneye and he wasn't being put off!
These Whooper Swans always announce their landing with much noise and splashing.
This Wren was trying to make a living in among the moss and also on the reeds.
Not so many Wigeon today but later I counted around 120 at Murton.

Saturday 9 February 2013

Balgavies Birds in flight, Jay, Heron and Mallard



A Jay in flight in front of Balgavies Hide, it was very wary and took a few flights past the feeders checking to see if anyone was in the hide.










Grey Heron

Male Mallard

Reed Bunting and Sunset

Sunset from West Links Arbroath
Reed Bunting in front of Balgavies Hide

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