SOC Where To Watch Birds Scotland launched

The SOC's Where To Watch Birds Scotland - launched

Android version here, https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.muckypuddle.soc

Apple,  https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/where-to-watch-birds-scotland/id1456351759?ls=1&mt=8

The App is available for both Android and Apple devices, is free and details bird-watching sites and more around Scotland. I'd encourage anyone who doesn't record birds regularly to also have a look at the "Record Your Bird Sightings" Menu. I believe around 27 sites are covered at present in Angus.

From the Google Play Store

Palmate Newts and Little Ringed Plover

It's taken a while but I've sorted out this post at last.

Going back in time, I've been to Murton, Balgavies, Montreathmont, St Vigeans, Keptie Pond, Scurdie Ness and some bees Olive took an interest in when they were digging egg chambers in her garden. I'd recommend for the rarity value the first Palmate Newt video, I've never  seen this behaviour before where the female is depositing eggs from her vent on some weed.

Female Palmate Newt depositing eggs, click here for video      Male Palmate Newt, click here for video

Little Ringed Plover, click here for video

Little Ringed Plover, in flight at Murton NR

Shelducks, also Murton

Dunnock at Balgavies where I'd gone to see the Osprey (before the hoards arrived)

Male Palmate Newt, in a small ditch at Montreathmont along with his mate. Canon SX60

Male Palmate Newt. Not distinct here but he has a pin like black tip to his tail along with the palmate rear feet. Canon SX60, DSLR wouldn't focus!

Dipper on the Brothock Burn, nest building in a different hole from previous years and a bit nearer the water level

Goosander, always on the wrong side of the light, or I'm always there at the wrong time

Tree Pipit in Glen Prosen 2018, this one was singing

Tree Pipit Glenesk 2015

Tree Pipit Glenesk 2015

Meadow Pipit on the track to Scurdie Ness. Originally I'd thought this was a Meadow Pipit, changed it to a Tree Pipit and now after another opinion, some more research and editing of this photo it's a Meadow Pipit. The Tree Pipits above all have pink beaks and "bubble gum" pink legs whereas the Meadow Pipit has darker legs and a yellow beak, that wasn't obvious before I edited the photo. The breast streaks and spots on the Tree Pipits are much finer than on a Meadow Pipit. There is as usual amongst birds great variation and in future they'll have to sing there ID to me!

Meadow Pipit at Scurdie, clearly with yellow beak and bold markings, different bird from the previous one

Ringed Plover, most likely one of the pair with yellow flags 116 and 119

Solitary Bee in Olive's garden, and as yet no species agreed. Some kind of Mining Bee is the best I can say for sure!

Solitary Bee, I'm assuming I've got male and female here

Solitary Bee, no clear or apparent stripes on the abdomen and covered in pollen

Red-breasted Mergansers and Purple Sandpipers

Some photos of the few birds that were around at the Lurgies on Friday. Onward from there to Inchcape Park in Arbroath to count the Purple Sandpipers. Finally, and to get out of the cold wind on the coast a short look around Keptie Pond.

A three minute, camera trap video of the Fox I thought had stopped visiting my garden, click here

Coal Tit, feeding on new flowers on the gorse bushes at the Lurgies

same Coal Tit 

Female Red-breasted Merganser, the Lurgies

Male Red-breasted Merganser

maybe the two above, there were at least eight birds around

Purple Sandpiper, at Inchcape Park, Arbroath

The sun was in the wrong place, later high tides may suit when the sun will be behind me

The fairly tame Rock Pipit at Inchcape, seems to be used to humans (and me)

again

Something evil looking about this Coot at Keptie Pond

The last unattached Mallard duck at Keptie, she has five suitors, they'll be trouble

Moorhen

Pied Wagtail. back-lit

It followed me around to the opposite bank where the sun was at my back

Jackdaw

Carrion Crow