Friday 3 March 2017

Tales from Forfar Loch and Auchmithie

A collection from Forfar Loch, Auchmithie and my garden taken over the last few days. I still can't get the "killer photo" of a Magpie at Forfar Loch despite around twelve birds being seen but always high in the trees or just out of sight. The Great Crested Grebes which I'd seen displaying earlier this week were absent today, I'm assuming the partial displays were bonding and not courtship.



An accommodating Grey Heron in a shady corner of Forfar Loch this morning, just a bit too much ripple on the water for a perfect reflection


A female Sparrowhawk which has taken up a hunting residence at the east end of Forfar Loch, it needs to meet the male I saw later at Murton NR. This one was adjusted using the shadow/midtone/highlight tool to get rid of the shaded underwing


A female Bullfinch from a few days ago also at Forfar Loch


This male Bullfinch was with his partner high in the trees near the car park along with a small group of Lesser Redpoll. Quite a stunning looking bird highlighted in the morning sunlight


The west end of Forfar Loch is awash with Dunnocks just now and they have become much less timid as they look for a mate. Many birds won't move away from a favourite tree and I've seen females teasing more than one male and many birds singing


One of a pair of Long-tailed Tits with what appears to be some nesting material, found near the centre


Mute Swan, still a few pairs and cygnets around but no longer the large wintering flock


One of the Fulmars at Auchmithie, less birds around on the cliffs but many seen out at sea on a calm day. Still no sign of Puffins


One of around twelve Jackdaws checking out nesting opportunities near the top of the cliffs, photographed from the beach


The ever present and squabbling Tree Sparrows in my garden, numbers now around twenty at a time and since the weather improved the leucistic bird has been absent. The front garden feeders are now attracting Chaffinches and Greenfinches, the first time this winter, or should I say meteorological spring

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