Not so "grand tour"

Some common species from a short "grand tour" before the sun disappears into the mist forecast for the next few days. 

My first Lesser Black-backed Gull of 2021, seen at Forfar Loch

This one appears to have a larger bill and is still showing some dark specs on its head and neck, also smaller mirrors which I reckon makes it a 4th calendar year bird

The ever present and noisy Magpies

Someone had fed them so I took the opportunity for some photos

One of the very approachable Robins

This Blackbird seemed to be used to people

Now from Montreathmont Forest, a female Chaffinch

Dunnock

Great Tit

Female Siskin

Male Siskin

And now from my garden while waiting for Olive. Two of three Goldfinches, the first since autumn

Finally and as I had to lie on the ground to take this photo, an unknown species of snail yet to be researched

Windswept Waders

   
Want a notification when I upload a new post? The tool in the sidebar "Get an email" will send you an email version of each new post. Enter your email address once, I can't see that address. A verification is sent on sign up to the Google tool.

School children congratulate government for Grouse Licencing, click to read their letters 

 

RPUK blog on gamekeepers response to 8 year old rewilders, click here (para 4)

A few wader photos from a windy walk along towards Hatton on Thursday

Around 24 Ringed Plovers sheltering on the beach at Hatton, and we managed to creep past them without disturbing them

Oystercatchers from the high dunes

Dunlin in a state of moult

Inevitably the Dunlin were flushed, it's a busy beach even in the windy conditions we found

Dunlin, they'll not be around for long now, other waders are already being reported inland

Lunan Bay - White-tailed Eagle

   

A rare flypast from a young White-tailed Eagle, it came in from the sea and flew inland towards Rossie Moor, being harried as it went by corvids.

Don't expect a great record here, it was gloomy and very windy and I was caught with the wrong camera and wrong set up!

White-tailed Eagle at Lunan Bay, click here for video

White-tailed Eagle, flying through at Lunan Bay on Thursday