Velvet Scoter slightly inland on the North Esk Estuary

In search of something rare I walked along the beach from the Glaxo area in Montrose to the mouth of the North Esk hoping a Pied Wheatear posted as missing at Donmouth had moved south to one of the Esk estuaries, of course it hadn't!

The Velvet Scoter below I'm assuming is the same one I saw fly up the estuary at St Cyrus last week. Today it cruised slowly upstream with the tide to feed near to the north bank, unusual but not unknown for these sea ducks to venture inland.

Adult female Velvet Scoter on the estuary of the North Esk upstream of the St Cyrus Hide. Other photos and views showed the white wing bars on this confident duck which tolerated me getting closer than I'd expected

One of a small group of Rooks picking on scraps left in the car parking near Kinnaber sewage works

Grey Heron at the "Curlie" in Montrose, pity about the reeds being in the way

One of a number of Robins on the rock armour at Montrose Beach along with Rock Pipits, one of which was ringed

A female Kestrel at Arbroath Cliffs, a return visit when the sun is better positioned is on the cards