Ruff, Paratroopers and water safety observation

   
Ruff at Montrose Basin, paras invading RN Condor and a few new insects in the garden. 

I have also included a safety observation after seeing two women embark on a short kayaking paddle in Montrose Basin. In my previous life I was a white-water kayaker and instructor and know the dangers of not being properly equipped and trained for open water paddling.

Four Ruff together but distant, click here for video  

Good preparation and gear - the good     No buoyancy aids, safety lines or wet gear - the bad

4 Ruff, with another just out of shot, seen from the Lurgies path but very far out on the mud as the tide ebbed

A distant photo of a Redshank with a Cockle clamped to its foot, this is at least the third one I've seen over the years and might be more common than you'd think

Cattle are grazing the remaining reedbeds at the start/west of the Lurgies path, another piece of useful habitat is soon to disappear

Erosion on the banks of the South Esk immediately west of Montrose Basin

A seriously risky and stupid thing to do on Montrose Basin, kayaking without any safety gear and without clothing to help survive the cold water. This woman was with another dressed and kitted the same, conversely two men around the same time had proper kayaks, all of the gear and appropriate clothing. Please be sensible on and near the water

Paratroopers on their way to landing in Condor Base, near Arbroath. Photo from my garden about 2km away

Buff-tailed Bumblebee

Common Wasp

Plagiognathus arbustorum, a tiny fly

Plagiognathus arbustorum

Honey Bee Apis mellifera

Honey Bee Apis mellifera

Epistrophe grossulariae Broad Banded Epistrophe

Epistrophe grossulariae Broad Banded Epistrophe

Crane Flies have existed since at least the Barremian stage of the Early Cretaceous. Tipulidae is one of the largest groups of flies, including over 15,000 species and subspecies in 525 genera and subgenera

Pegomyia species

Pegomyia species