Seen from my dining room while editing yesterdays photos, it disappeared into a very large cotoneaster and I had enough time to get the camera, walk around into Olive's garden and wait. House Sparrows and a Blackbird were alarm calling from the bush and I could just see the Sparrowhawk moving around. Suddenly it exploded out of the bush, grabbed the House Sparrow and pinned it to the ground. I don't know if it saw me, or cared but the male Blackbird gave up the safety of the bush and went for it, chasing out it of the garden, over the houses and into the field. This morning the feathers of a Feral Pigeon were under a feeder so I presume he's been back unless it was his mate. What a bird though. (Olive said I'm not allowed to say that as it's got one of her Sparrows, what can you do........)
I put this one in as it shows the talon, unfortunately not the long killing one
Swift, too high over Keptie Pond. I wouldn't normally post a photo like this but they've been missing all summer so far
Not sure about the species, everything right for a Herring Gull but the legs of a Lesser Black-backed. I think it's something to do with Britain in Bloom, or similar and this and more can be seen near the Old Brewhouse in Arbroath. Anyone remember "Noah and Nellie", the 3D printer of the seventies, that woman could knit anything!
Herring Gull, picking up some scraps thrown into the harbour from a returning anglers trip on the Predator
A Great Black-backed had already flown off with the only whole fish, this Herring Gull cleaned up what looks to be a fin
Lesser Black-backed photographed while waiting for Graham's Med Gull to fly in, it didn't, time yet though
Herring Gull, as above
Cropped photo of one of this years Rock Pipits, there a few around at Arbroath Cliffs and Victoria Park and approachable with care. I might post the full photo elsewhere just for the background
This one was at the ramp by the first shelter
There are a few of these young Coots at Keptie Pond and adults sitting on second clutches. None had more than two chicks, most just one, I assume the gulls have been active. There are broods of ducklings, both Mallard and Tufted but not many
It seems that the pump at Keptie was turned on yesterday, I was told as a trial, I could see this outlet working and another two being prepared, also there was water flowing into the pond near the pump station. The " Friends of Keptie Pond" (search their Facebook page) have been improving it for a number of years now and it's good to see water flowing at last. The pond suffers from a lack of water during summer, the temperature rises and weed clogs the water. The pump sources a reliable supply of water from an old well and it's likely it will lower the temperature and raise the water level when working optimally, great work. The pond has a good population of "introduced" Roach which provide food for fishing Grey Herons, and at least two dozen large Carp were "liberated" into the pond and can been seen cruising near the surface and breaching in the spring. I'm not sure about the introductions, especially some Swan Mussels which can be seen where the ducks are fed by visitors. It seems that most people have got the message and are feeding the birds with seed, lettuce etc and not bread which isn't good for the birds, having little benefit and containing salt
Jackdaw at Victoria Park, no sign of the Med Gull there either
Carrion Crow at West Links, ever watchful for picnic crumbs or the ice cream dropped by a child
I'll have to ID this species photographed on the ramp up to the cliffs later. Best shot is a Common Carder Bumblebee, but that could be wrong!