Fox, Lizards, Little Gulls, Purple Sandpiper and supporting cast

A bit of a round up from late in the week and a big surprise to find a young male fox hunting in daylight and aware that I was watching from about 30 metres away. When I first saw the fox it looked to be carrying a bird which I'm afraid looked like a young Water Rail. The photos range from St Cyrus to Arbroath Harbour and some were even taken when it wasn't raining.

Fox catching a Bank Vole at the Lurgies, click here for video

Viewed from the path at the Lurgies, Montrose Basin

It's looking straight at me but happy that I wasn't a threat

Ears up having heard a vole moving

The attack, this one failed

Goosander also at the Lurgies

In a brief shower, they were happy to stay near if I stood still

Greenshank, this one was a bit more relaxed at people walking along the path

Sedge Warbler in the shade of the reeds where I was looking for a Water Rail

Common Lizards at St Cyrus, I should have stopped for a better photo but someone was needing a coffee

One of a few Little Gulls with the Common Terns at the sewage pump station at Inchcape Park, Arbroath. Hiding behind the many motor homes stops the birds being spooked, until a dog comes along

Little Gull

I've seen this Purple Sandpiper at Inchcape mostly on the west breakwater for a few weeks now, still the only one

Redshank, with Purple Sandpiper preening

Turnstones

Guillemot, oiled on a day when there was a bit of a storm but looks like it could recover if it doesn't ingest too much oil

Common Tern

Feeding time for the young tern but another shower starting for me trying to keep the camera dry

Collared Dove feeding on the strand line, I think a pair hang around the Signal Tower Museum