Wednesday 3 October 2018

Little Egrets at last, featuring a Black-tailed Godwit and supporting cast

Gone Awol recently so here's a catch up. Going back in time from Tuesday to last Friday, encompassing Montrose Basin, where else but the Lurgies. A cameo appearance from my favourite stepdaughters garden, finally three from a brief visit to the beach in Arbroath.

Little Egrets in front of the Shelduck Hide, click here for video

Black-tailed Godwit at the Old Harbour, click here for video

Pink-footed Goose at the Lurgies, click here for video  shouldn't have zoomed in so tight, doh!


A somewhat tame Black-tailed Godwit, similar to last year has taken to liking the area of mud near the Old Harbour as the tide rises, and one of a few Redshanks seen with it in that area


It flew off when someone walked by, but returned quite quickly


Taken as the light started to get low behind the trees


Just as I was leaving these two Little Egrets flew in but were flushed up to the Shelduck Hide shingle where these distant photos were taken with my Canon XS60. Quite pleased with these given the distance and the strong wind







There were fifteen Little Grebes near the harbour


This one has a shrimp in its beak


This Pink-footed Goose doesn't look injured and was sitting in the seaweed on its own before waddling into the channel as the tide rose





These three Redshanks along with around a dozen more flew into the harbour area, obviously they hadn't seen me sitting low on the concrete of the sea wall. They quickly realised I was watching and flew off but only a bit further along the wall. Note to self, sitting on the wall when insects are still around equals bites, means itchy bite marks and much scratching!



This female Eider had been spooked by a hunting Grey Seal which caused a huge splash and wave as it chased a fish


The Norwegian Black-headed Gull is still bossing the area of mud at the harbour, here flying in to chase off a younger bird. Darvic ring J4U3


You can make out the ring here, it appears I deleted the best and clearest photo



Taken in Carnoustie on Sunday, it was the only Red Admiral around in the garden, previously around eight had been in the same place for a number of days until the cold spell on Saturday


One of a few Common darter males still around the Carnoustie Golf Links ponds on Thursday last week, it was a warm day and perhaps the last ones I'll see this year



Back to Victoria Park, trying to get an ever better photo of any wader prepared to sit still, the Turnstones and Dunlin just won't but the Ringed plover stop for a second or two now and then


Or interesting behaviour or in this case, a squinting pose as it either looked at me or something flying over


The gulls along the park will sit as long as you don't venture too close


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