Monday 31 March 2014

Everyone loves Puffins

Although I'd seen a few Puffins at the Red Head on March 12th they were too far for a photo. These ones, there were 37 in total were at Auchmithie and were close in to the cliffs from where I used the digital zoom to get these below. The other photo is a non-breeding Guillemot at Lunan Bay unusually feeding in the surf.



































Saturday 29 March 2014

Kingfisher at Monikie Country Park, Angus

I'm assuming this is the male Kingfisher seen throughout the winter around the area between the two main ponds at Monikie. It was confident enough to watch the anglers coming into the pier from its perch on the island.


Thursday 27 March 2014

Black Grouse and Marsh Harrier

The Black Grouse (Black Cock) were photographed just after sunrise in the shadow of a hill and the Marsh Harrier was hunting quite far across a loch.





Red-legged Partridge

A very accommodating Red-legged Partridge sitting at the roadside in Glenisla trying to get some early morning sun.


Fish Hunters, Kinnordy and Backwater Dam

Backwater Dam and Kinnordy fish hunters, from the top, Cormorant in breeding colours, a Grey Heron with a pike and the ever present male Smew.







Tuesday 25 March 2014

Glossy Ibis, Kinross 24/3/2014

My second attempt to find the Glossy Ibis at Loch Leven was a success and according to Olive it was her presence that made it happen. After only 10 minutes on site the Ibis flew in showing the glossy plumage in the bright sunlight, the photo doesn't show that as it settled quite far away!

Also below one of two Chiffchaffs and a Wren Olive found at Morton Lochs on the way back.
















Snow Goose and Twite - Wigeon Hide, Montrose Basin

I was happy enough just to see the Snow Goose and chuffed that I got a few record photos from a distance of around 600 metres and even some acceptable video despite the poor light. Despite a warmer winter some Twite remain on the way to the hide but numbers this winter are lower and some birds have already left.

The Snow Goose is the centre bird and not in the white phase but blue morph. One of the Twite is a Yellowhammer!



Thursday 20 March 2014

Frogs, Toads and Newts and Lunan Bay photos

It's breeding season for amphibians and Common Frogs, Common Toads and Palmate Newts are appearing in suitable habitat in Angus.

Toads first, then Frogs and a Palmate Newt, reasonably sure about the newt! Below these are my first 2014 Gannet photo from a great distance and Red Castle at Lunan Bay which reminded me of Doctor Who's K9.











































Sunday 16 March 2014

Death returns!!

I wondered where all of the birds on my feeders had gone and blamed Olive for gardening and scaring them away then we saw him on my garage roof. 

A male Sparrowhawk who has been missing for a while since the birds had got wise to him.


Saturday 15 March 2014

Craigmill Den - Stock Dove and Grey Wagtails

At least three but likely four Grey Wagtails in Craigmill Den along with a pair of Stock Doves today with good light for a change.
















Thursday 13 March 2014

Catch up, ones I've not had time to deal with!

Cormorants, adult male and juvenile at Auchmithie
Guillemots at Red Head 
Jackdaws at Keptie Pond, Arbroath
Moorhen at Keptie Pond 
Local area Red Squirrels

Tufted Duck drake at Keptie Pond

Tuesday 11 March 2014

Glenshee - Ptarmigan and Snow Bunting

A bright sunny and warm day meant a visit to Glenshee to see Snow Buntings and Ptarmigan before the snow goes and the birds leave or migrate up the hill, too late as I had to almost climb to the top of Cairnwell to get the Ptarmigan. The male Red Grouse is threatening another male in the last photo.



















Saturday 1 March 2014

Three from Easthaven

It's good to see the start of the return of sea birds with this Razorbill being my first this year. I find getting photos of Crows difficult but like this one below, the same with Yellowhammers in bright light the yellow washes out.
















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