Thursday 30 April 2015

Iceland Gull still in Arbroath and other characters

Still not straying far due to intermittent weather and light for photography so these are all from in or around Arbroath.


A rare close shot of a Jay, unfortunately in poor light before the rain


The Iceland Gull today showing the ring number clearly, T:12H


Iceland Gull


Sandwich Terns, Arbroath Harbour


Chiffchaff on the Brothock Burn, Arbroath


Grey Heron near Morrisons in Arbroath


Wren





Wednesday 29 April 2015

Iceland Gull (juvenile), Arbroath

All videos are available in YouTube and HD

Tuesday 28 April 2015

Winter birding..............well it feels like it!

Dodging showers and trying to find shelter from the wind, ended up at Forfar Loch briefly where I saw my first Sedge Warbler, 3 Common Sandpipers and around 200-300 hirundines mostly Sand Martins with some Swallows.


Buzzard


Common Sandpiper


Magpie


Ospreys


Shelducks


Sunday 26 April 2015

ADBC Club Trip, St Vigeans, Arbroath Cliffs and Harbour

47 species were found on the ADBC trip today at St Vigeans, Arbroath Cliffs and Harbour and there might have been more but for the heavy squall which curtailed things. A Kingfisher and Blackcaps found are new to my list for St Vigeans and the Iceland Gull looks set to stay around having been here since 7/4/2015 and it's now lost its limp and looks stronger.

Iceland Gull, click or view in sidebar


Iceland Gull juvenile, still being chased by the Herring Gulls


Now with colour ring "T:12H"


Grey Wagtail, St Vigeans



Saturday 25 April 2015

Puffins along the Angus Coast

While looking for nesting Cormorants I spotted these Puffins sitting just offshore and a single Razorbill flew in and joined them, there were eleven Puffins in total.









Friday 24 April 2015

Jocks Road, Loch Esk and Bachnagairn

On a search for Dotterel which failed miserably probably due to the warm weather, they'll be higher up no doubt. We did see quite a number of Mountain Hares in mixed moults and a Common Lizard which complied when Olive took the picture below.


Common Lizard, male with yellow belly with black spots


Mountain Hare

Not bothered by us and kept feeding

Wednesday 22 April 2015

Photos from a recce to St Vigeans

I have the dubious honour of being the leader of a trip to St Vigeans soon to allow ADBC members to find out about bird watching sites around Arbroath so off I went today to check what I could find.

As well as the birds below we saw, Moorhen, Teal, Grey Heron, Mallard, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Reed Bunting, Woodpigeon, Robin, Buzzard, Chaffinch, Goldfinch and a Jay was heard.


Treecreeper, one of a pair

the other in the same tree


I think this male is standing guard at a nest


Another of the Grey Wagtails is colour ringed but a blurred photo!


Song Thrush, and Mistle Thrushes heard


Long-tailed Tit


Blue Tit


Coal Tit


Great Tit




Glenesk in search of Common Sandpipers

I walked 6km of the banks of the North Esk to get a Common Sandpiper and found 10 individuals and 1 pair along with 17 Grey Wagtails, 30 Pied Wagtails and most unexpected 4 Woodcocks feeding in the afternoon sun on a cricket pitch. I think I must have caught the arrival of the Sandpipers before they pair up and go quite.

Also seen, Buzzard, Raven, Kestrel, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Redshank, Meadow Pipit, Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush, Jackdaw, Goosander, Wigeon, Mallard, Wheatear, Coal Tit, Great Tit, House Martin and Swallow.


Common Sandpiper

Another

Third of 12 seen


First ever Woodcock photo

Poor I know but a Woodcock in the afternoon sun!!


Sand Martin

Wheatear, unusually high in a tree

Willow Warbler


Grey Wagtail, it did really look this colourful, I think reflected sunlight from the water?

Coal Tit, landed above my head while I was stalking a wagtail



Monday 20 April 2015

Just larking about today at Carnoustie.....................

Two Skylark photos cos I like them and then a Meadow Pipit and Skylark for comparison showing a bit more similarity when seen from a distance.


Skylark

Eyes right!


Meadow Pipit, thin beak


Skylark, more powerful beak


Small and out in daylight but it has survived over winter, maybe the dog food I fed it in my garden before hibernation helped, let's hope so.



Saturday 18 April 2015

Easthaven in the sunshine, with a Whimbrel!

These taken on a pre-webs visit to Easthaven where I will do the survey on Sunday, needless to say it will not be like today and likely be very busy with humans!!

Whimbrel video, in HD if selected, click here

Whimbrel with Curlew comparison


Cormorants, synchronised sunbathing

Female Reed Bunting

Male Reed Bunting

Song Thrush

Stock Dove

Turnstone just changing into breeding plumage


Inhabitants on the Brothock Burn, Arbroath

Grey Wagtail one of a pair at this site

Pied Wagtail with remains of lunch



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