Sunny Long-tailed Ducks, and Smew still at Forfar Loch

   
It's winter and sometimes, perhaps more than often it's poor weather. That's when wise people stay at home and do useful things in the house, I'm not keen on housework so I try to get out into any weather breaks I can, but locally, so more from around Arbroath and area in this post.

I did manage to Forfar Loch where the Smew redhead is still favouring the reeds in front of the south bank green shelter. It rarely moves away from the reeds and to have the best chance of seeing it, use a scope from the sailing club or the house on the track at the northwest end.

Common Scoter into the light      Common Scoter with the light      Red Squirrel Forfar Loch

Shovelers, Montrose Basin      Long-tailed drake preening

Common Scoter in Arbroath Harbour, but will it still be there after today's weather which currently is 30pmh east wind, heavy rain and 4 degrees centigrade

 

Photographed in good light for a change

There were two Long-tailed drakes, one with two females, the other feeding separately

One of the females

A Starling making a mimic call, of what I don't know, it's on a street light at the Lifeboat Shed

I'm waiting history for this Dipper seen on the Brothock, it's coming up for at least 4 years old

The Herring Gulls at Arbroath Harbour are loath to fly away and used to the fishermen, anglers, walkers, and one pair at least, the chip and white pudding stealers. People need to stop feeding them chips, but with five chip shops near the harbour and tourists either directly feeding them or having something stolen, they're not going to stop

I took this photo of the Magpie as three were disturbed by two women walking to towards them and me. I foolishly said to them "the only interesting birds I've seen" with a smile they said, "you mean us don't you" and walked off laughing 

Winter Aconites and Snowdrops at Mains of Dun

Red Squirrel at Forfar Loch where a kind walker has put up a feeder

Curlew at Inchcape in Arbroath

Ringed Plover

A young Moorhen at Keptie Pond where I'd gone to escape the very cold conditions at the coast

Tufted Duck female

Wigeon female

Wigeon drake

again....