Webs count - nearly went with a bang

An update from my Webs count which I did a day early on Saturday when I came across three policemen on the beach. When I asked "what's up" one replied "nothing" and I continued on along the beach. It turned out that someone had reported seeing a bomb on the beach which was quickly covered by the incoming tide. On my return the police had been replaced by coastguards who asked that I walk along the top of the dunes, which unlike me I did! Apparently they were waiting for Bomb Disposal from Rosyth, who didn't arrive till Sunday when two mortars were made safe by controlled explosions. A third "device" turned out to be a car's brake cylinder! I'm happy that this episode made the local news so my grandkids will now believe my story, that'll be a first!

Some photos and video I've just added to my Flickr, click here

Some video I should have posted before now on YouTube, click here  this is a different link, hope it works

Baby-sitting, teenagers!!

A change from birding, we were on family duty in Carnoustie this weekend.

Just as well I remember how much trouble I was when I was a teenager, and that Olive and I can hand them back! Some photos from said teenagers garden and Easthaven beach where I'd managed to fit in my Webs count.

White Wagtail at Easthaven, click here for video

"Oiled" Razorbill near Easthaven, click here for video

A very unfortunate Razorbill which has been "oiled". The other flank wasn't so bad and I reported it to the SSPCA who said they'd send someone to collect it. This is a far too regular occurrence along the coast in Angus

Shelduck, near Easthaven, female nearby

Wheatear on the beach at Westhaven near sunset

Blackbird on Sunday morning when the teenagers mentioned above were still in their caves!

Collared Dove

Dunnock singing

Goldfinch

Herring Gull

Female House Sparrow

Male House Sparrow acting as a sentry at its nest

Starling

Tulip

More Tulips

"Of course I love you"

Woodpigeon

Driving off the competition

Long time coming - Great Egret

Sorry, I seem to have neglected to post for some time, and I did have photos, just not very good though.

Photos from RSPB Strathbeg, Lochlee, Kinnordy and Ferryden. No photo or video of the two White-billed Divers I saw at Portsoy on Thursday, they were a fair bit out at sea. The Spoonbill reported at Strathbeg had just flown away when I arrived! The Avocet I looked for on the chance it might still be around at the Ythan wasn't!

Great White Egret at Strathbeg, click here for 2 minute video       click this for shorter video

Common Sandpiper, Lochlee, click here for video     Shovelers at Strathbeg, click here for video

Peregrine at Strathbeg, doesn't do much, click here

Great White Egret, seen from the Dunbar Hide at Loch of Strathbeg on Thursday. Canon SX60, the video will be better

The first Swallow I've seen this year that sat still for a few seconds. In this photo I think it's spotted a juvenile Peregrine I'd seen fly away from the wetlands in front of the RSPB Centre at Strathbeg

Looks thin, expected given the journey its just made

Not many Wheatears at Lochlee this week and always too far away and wary

This one looks bedraggled, and with his mate above they ranged over a large area of the hill and lochside

First Common Sandpiper for me this year. Photographed from a position where I was hidden amongst the lochside boulders, just not very well hidden

Crop of the one above

Arty shot of the Common Sandpiper

Song Thrush near the Invermark car park

I think these are Buzzard wing feathers which were consecutive and still held together. I found them at the foot of a wall which had a dead rabbit on it, did it jump up there and die? Why would anyone put a dead rabbit in a prominent place in an Angus Glen?

Still eight of these Greenfinches in my garden and Olive's not happy that they're eating her Goldfinch niger

Female Marsh Harrier on a dull day this week

Male Marsh Harrier, still a dull day

Shelduck drake, one of what looks like a pair at Murton NR

Shoveler drake at Loch of Kinnordy, his mate just out of shot behind reeds

Eider drake at Ferryden where numbers are building up

Teal at the Swamp Hide Kinnordy, seen while I searched for a Ruff that had been reported. It's still there this morning, Friday 19th

SOC Where To Watch Birds Scotland launched

The SOC's Where To Watch Birds Scotland - launched

Android version here, https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.muckypuddle.soc

Apple,  https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/where-to-watch-birds-scotland/id1456351759?ls=1&mt=8

The App is available for both Android and Apple devices, is free and details bird-watching sites and more around Scotland. I'd encourage anyone who doesn't record birds regularly to also have a look at the "Record Your Bird Sightings" Menu. I believe around 27 sites are covered at present in Angus.

From the Google Play Store

Palmate Newts and Little Ringed Plover

It's taken a while but I've sorted out this post at last.

Going back in time, I've been to Murton, Balgavies, Montreathmont, St Vigeans, Keptie Pond, Scurdie Ness and some bees Olive took an interest in when they were digging egg chambers in her garden. I'd recommend for the rarity value the first Palmate Newt video, I've never  seen this behaviour before where the female is depositing eggs from her vent on some weed.

Female Palmate Newt depositing eggs, click here for video      Male Palmate Newt, click here for video

Little Ringed Plover, click here for video

Little Ringed Plover, in flight at Murton NR

Shelducks, also Murton

Dunnock at Balgavies where I'd gone to see the Osprey (before the hoards arrived)

Male Palmate Newt, in a small ditch at Montreathmont along with his mate. Canon SX60

Male Palmate Newt. Not distinct here but he has a pin like black tip to his tail along with the palmate rear feet. Canon SX60, DSLR wouldn't focus!

Dipper on the Brothock Burn, nest building in a different hole from previous years and a bit nearer the water level

Goosander, always on the wrong side of the light, or I'm always there at the wrong time

Tree Pipit in Glen Prosen 2018, this one was singing

Tree Pipit Glenesk 2015

Tree Pipit Glenesk 2015

Meadow Pipit on the track to Scurdie Ness. Originally I'd thought this was a Meadow Pipit, changed it to a Tree Pipit and now after another opinion, some more research and editing of this photo it's a Meadow Pipit. The Tree Pipits above all have pink beaks and "bubble gum" pink legs whereas the Meadow Pipit has darker legs and a yellow beak, that wasn't obvious before I edited the photo. The breast streaks and spots on the Tree Pipits are much finer than on a Meadow Pipit. There is as usual amongst birds great variation and in future they'll have to sing there ID to me!

Meadow Pipit at Scurdie, clearly with yellow beak and bold markings, different bird from the previous one

Ringed Plover, most likely one of the pair with yellow flags 116 and 119

Solitary Bee in Olive's garden, and as yet no species agreed. Some kind of Mining Bee is the best I can say for sure!

Solitary Bee, I'm assuming I've got male and female here

Solitary Bee, no clear or apparent stripes on the abdomen and covered in pollen