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
You were correct. Your 'Tree Pipit' IS a Meadow Pipit. The bill is yellow - pink on a Tree Pipit and slightly bulkier. Legs should also be bubblegum pink for Tree Pipit, and the flank streaks should look like they were drawn on with a very sharp pencil (rather than the biro pen markings on a Meadow). Pic of a Tree Pipit that should show differences quite well.
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