Friday 27 December 2013

Tree Sparrows still in my garden, berries disappearing quickly

This photo is for comparison between the Tree Sparrow front left and the three House Sparrows, two females and the male to the right



























The Blackbird and her mates, there are around eight, are eating all of the berries on Olive's Cotoneaster bush. The Goldfinch numbers reached twelve with the poor weather this week



Seven from Montreathmont Forest

Coal Tit, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Great Tit, Hen Pheasant, Red Squirrel, male and finally female Siskin. All taken on Christmas Day in the rain and gloom!









Sunday 22 December 2013

A first for my garden

The Tree Sparrow suffered a 93% decline in numbers between 1970 and 2008 but is recovering. This one which was one of four in my garden is a first and I usually only see Tree Sparrows in a few places around Angus.


Thursday 19 December 2013

Arbroath, Inchcape Park in a storm near dusk

It was still stormy the day after the worst winds and at high tide very little rocky beach was left uncovered resulting in most of the usual waders being very near to the path. The photos were taken near dusk with my DSLR and are a bit noisy.

There are five Purple Sandpipers in the first photo along with a Redshank and a Turnstone. The second photo is included for the Purple Sandpiper and the last is two Turnstones in flight.




A couple from Kinnordy and ones missed

I've waited a long time to get a glimpse of a Barn Owl at Kinnordy but eventually I saw it when it had a quick look out of a nest box during daylight. Also seen that day the Green-winged Teal was still around and a brief flight from a Bittern which has been at Kinnordy for a week or two. The female Goldeneye was unusually close in so it's included here.



Wednesday 11 December 2013

Kinnordy Loch - Green-winged Teal, Smew and Pintail

I shouldn't complain after a visit to Kinnordy when the light was poor and the Bittern I hoped to see turned up after I'd left as I did get some photos of a Green-winged Teal, a male Smew and a male Pintail with a shy Redwing on the path.

From the top, Green-winged Teal with the vertical white stripe and Eurasian Teal with the horizontal, Smew, Pintail and Redwing



















Saturday 7 December 2013

Sleepyhillock, Montrose and the Lurgies

Strange places that birders end up in, in this case Sleepyhillock Cemetery, Montrose, ideal habitat for feeding thrushes with mature trees and berries.

A sunlit Fieldfare






























This Goldcrest was spotted by Olive






























One of many thrushes around, this one is a Mistle Thrush































This Common Seal at the Lurgies had caught and was eating a large salmon perhaps as big as 12-15 lbs. The Peregrine photo below is two photos merged to show both views of the bird which had flown down the Slunks looking for a meal. All photos from my DSLR which does much better in the late afternoon light than the Canon Powershot.




Wednesday 4 December 2013

Gayfield area, Arbroath and Montrose Basin - chilly!

There was good light today so I took my DSLR and tried to learn how to use it!

Quite pleased with this one of a Redshank in the low sun at Arbroath
















Black-headed Gulls near the paddling pool at West Links, Arbroath
Five Mallards and two Wigeon at Tayock, Montrose Basin
Late sun lighting these Starlings in Arbroath
Turnstones rising like a Phoenix from an incoming wave

Sunday 1 December 2013

Carnoustie to Easthaven Beach trip

A bright sunny and warm day for the 1st of December so I went to Carnoustie to try and get a decent photo of a Grey Plover, they always seem to stand with their back to the shore, perhaps fearing predators from the seaward direction.
















Male Chaffinch on the path between Easthaven and Carnoustie
Collared Doves at Easthaven
Meadow Pipit at the mouth of the Craigmill Burn
Oystercatchers put up by yet another dog
A Pied Wagtail at the Craigmill Burn which seemed to be looking at its reflection
A Yellowhammer getting wheat or barley from the bale












One of two bulls in the field at Easthaven, the other didn't seem to like me walking along the path
Late sun at Carnoustie Beach

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