Sunday 28 June 2015

More new life and ongoing nesting

More signs of successful breeding and ongoing attempts, shame only one Buzzard chick but given the pair's nest site had been destroyed by quarrying they've done well to have one well grown chick at their new site.



Buzzard chick


House Martin, the first time in 30 years they've nested on my neighbour's house in full view from my window.

House Martin


Goldfinch, Craigmill Den


Linnet male, backlit unfortunately


Tree Sparrow at home, if we provide the boxes they'll use them.


Willow Warbler fledgling in Craigmill.


Shelducks at Easthaven


Can you see a Nightjar in this one.........I wish





Tuesday 23 June 2015

Kinnaber Links and North Esk Estuary

A walk along the beach from the water works at Kinnaber to the mouth of the North Esk which is moving ever northwards.  Not photographed were a Little Egret and a Great Northern Diver, both too far away in the poor light. Olive says it will take more more than a sandeel for her to say yes!!



Will you marry me


I'm not sure but gimme the sandeel


Red-breasted Mergansers


Red-throated Diver


Red-throated Diver


Reed Bunting, male


Skylark, still can't get a sharp one. maybe when we get some sun


Tree Sparrow back in my garden


Saturday 20 June 2015

The return of the Iceland Gull

The Iceland Gull has re-appeared after a break of around two weeks, I suspect it was laying low part of the time due to the disturbance from a circus where it roosted.

Also below some of the new life at St Vigeans.

Iceland Gull, 1st summer


T:12H





Wren feeding two fledglings at St Vigeans


Dipper chick on the brink of fledging


Blackcap fledgling


Grey Heron, St Vigeans





Wednesday 17 June 2015

Forfar Loch and Murton, Garganey still there along with canada Geese

The sun was shining briefly at Forfar Loch today and then well at Murton where the first of the summers Canada Geese turned up. Also there, some young Little Grebes and the Garganey pair are still viewable from the Gladstone Hide but are in the far corner and even more difficult to pick out from the Stewart Hide without a scope.



Canada Goose


Five of the six Canada Geese at Murton.


Both Garganey are still at Murton, the female did appear. They are as far from the Gladstone and Stewart Hides as is possible.


Three nesting Great Crested Grebes near the Sports Centre at Forfar and not so wary.


One of this years young Little Grebes at Murton


This Sand Martin was trying to land on the cable at Forfar loch but its feet seemed too small to grip it.



"Roamin in the gloamin", a dull day at Backwater Dam

Although the light was poor at Backwater Dam the birds cheered my mood and I saw more birds and species than ever before, must visit more in the summer months. Cuckoo, Spotted Flycatcher, Common Sandpiper, Mistle and Song Thrush, Buzzard, Kestrel, Osprey, Goldcrest, Pied and Grey Wagtail, Cormorant, Tufted Duck, Lapwing, Oystercatcher and a large number of Snipe calling and many others. Starting with two of often seen mammals and I also found but didn't photograph a Common Lizard, too quick this time.



Roe Deer

I'd got too close


A one-eared Brown Hare, no it's just got the other one lowered


Common Sandpiper on the Dam picking flies from the water edge


This one and its mate didn't want me around so I left


Distant calling Cuckoo, one of three or four


Meadow Pipit, the object of the Cuckoo's attention


One of the grey variant Willow Warblers, many still singing


Wren fledgling at Kinnordy





Monday 15 June 2015

Swift, you have to be to get any kind of photo.

Today another quick check on the Ringed Plovers and I found a second chick with the adults. The chicks didn't get top billing as the Swift below is the first half decent photo I've managed of one, they're fast you know and it would have been better on a brighter day although they'd then be up high.



Swift at Keptie Pond, Arbroath.


A second look at the Ringed Plover chick and a second chick was found. It looks like the adults have moved them a fair bit which must had involved crossing a burn but they are waders after all.



Linnet male, caught just as it took off when a train came hurtling along.


Mallard drake, easy to say "it's just a Mallard" until you have a closer look at the colours.


Mute Swan female who along with its mate was trying to cross the A92 at Elliot at the roundabout of all places (read as circle if from Dundee). I escorted both back into the grounds of Elliot House but the female was determined not to go so I suppose they'll try again and cause chaos.


Sedge Warbler, Elliot which was behaving more like a Wagtail and catching insects in the open on the shingle exposed below the old road bridge.


Yet another Whitethroat from Elliot which landed very close for about 3 seconds.


1st Summer Black-headed Gull, Keptie Pond, the light was getting worse so I opted for an easy target. Currently this was the only BH Gull there and very few are around elsewhere in the Arbroath area. The rock armour works at the West Links seems to be having an effect on the gulls and only 110 Herring Gulls were there today.


Swallow at Keptie Pond, more work required on a bright day. This was one of only a few Swallows about but there was a good number of House Martins which proved impossible to get a good photo of.




Saturday 13 June 2015

Ringed Plover chick and others from around Arbroath

Summer appeared to start this week and the birds haven't been waiting for it. The Ringed Plover chick is the only one with the two adults, Mickey has told me there were four eggs so it looks like the disturbance and gulls on the beach have had a big impact. The Sand Martins look to be feeding young and Swallows also seen were photographed leaving a nest with faecal sacs. The Whitethroat has found a large caterpillar and bashed it before flying off to its nest. Finally at least two Grey Wagtail chicks on the burn are well on the way with their tails coming along nicely.


Ringed Plover chick, maybe two days old at most, photo from very far away and its not big


Sand Martin


Sand Martin


Sand Martin


Whitethroat


Swallow


Juvenile Grey Wagtail


Must be summer if I'm posting flowers






Search Blog

Blog archive