Saturday 30 December 2023

Mediterranean Gull and Red-breasted Mergansers

   
Brief visits today in an increasing wind and cold without much useful light at, Montrose, Arbroath Harbour and Keptie Pond. The first two photos are of a Mediterranean Gull last seen at East Haven and I believe it's one of three adults staying around the Angus coastal area.

Black-headed Gulls were feeding in big waves behind the Old Brewhouse and I managed to pick out the Med Gull. No Long-tailed Ducks, Shags or Cormorants in the harbour, but 43 Purple Sandpipers, a seasons high count.

In gloomy conditions at Keptie Pond, there were 9 Goosanders, all male, no Wigeon, and a Buzzard.

The water in Montrose Basin was coloured with the silt from the South Esk which was high, and not many birds could be seen on the water. Just below the road bridge 9 Red-breasted Mergansers were feeding as the tide started flow in.


Mediterranean Gull yellow AL.ZZ at Danger Point, Arbroath. Photographed when a small hole in the grey clouds let the sun light up the waves, but only briefly




The ring can be read in this image






Purple Sandpiper, Arbroath Harbour






A Buzzard at Keptie Pond in Arbroath, it made three visits this afternoon






Immature Herring Gull, showing the complex wing feathering






Female Red-breasted Merganser with what looks to be a Butterfish, photographed from the road bridge in Montrose





Male Red-breasted Merganser





Pair


No comments:

Post a Comment

Search Blog

Blog archive