Barnacle Geese, Peregrine and Black Swan

Olive and I took the opportunity of the warm weather on Monday to venture down to the Wigeon Hide at Montrose Basin. On the way along the farm track I spotted a raptor which I couldn't see well in the light but I decided it was a female Sparrowhawk. Later a juvenile Goshawk was photographed at the Lurgies, so it's possible it was the bird I'd seen, but I will never know for sure.

In front of the hide we saw a flock of 23 Barnacle Geese which eventually came as close as was possible without leaving the high tideline. Also 3 Pintails, 2 drakes and one duck, a juvenile Peregrine which looked big enough to be female, and well out in the basin the long-staying Black Swan. Curlews, Redshanks, Dunlin and large numbers of Wigeon and Pink-footed Geese were present with a few Golden Plover and Black-tailed Godwits. As the tide became full many of the birds moved right to the south and some shelter from an increasing wind.


Barnacle Geese, Wigeon Hide      Peregrine juvenile      First Pintails this season (distant)      The wandering Black Swan

Some of 23 Barnacle Geese which I watched fly in almost directly in front of the Wigeon Hide at Montrose Basin

This juvenile Peregrine took a break from chasing waders and landed next to the small headland south of the hide, on the limit of my P1000. I wonder is the red/orange near it's leg could be a ring, I'll look at the video for a screen grab...