Archive - February 2018
 

25th February

Ardmore Point

I was on my own this week once more as John couldn’t make the trip. With the brighter weather more likely in the west I headed for Ardmore Point, west of Dumbarton. Of course as I passed through Dumbarton I visited Morrisons for a quick breakfast. I’m glad to report that it was very fine (10/10) and set me up for the plod around the rocky and usually muddy Ardmore. This peninsula on the River Clyde is privately owned land but has a popular nature trail and is also a favourite destination for fishermen, dog walkers and wild campers. The Point has a RIGS status (Regionally Important Geographical Site) due to unique rock formations that includes an exposed sea cliff . It also has a bit of archaeology (see here).

The tide was low when I arrived and the bright sun was not in a favourable position but I picked my way through the seaweed and slippy rocks out to the water’s edge, partially hidden from the birds there by a low, seaweed-covered ridge. As I looked across from behind the ridge I could see well lit Oystercatchers and a Curlew. But I was suddenly startled to discover that Teal and Wigeon were just behind the ridge. The equally startled birds took off, providing me with the opportunity to snap some flight shots.

Curlew
Oystercatcher
Teal
Wigeon




As I returned to the main path I noticed Canada Geese behind where I had been standing. I would see more of that flock as my walk progressed. Just as I reached the path, a wee Dunnock was foraging amongst the waste vegetation that littered that part of the shore. Then I was drawn to a wooded area attracted by the unmistakable call of a Greenfinch perched high on the leafless branches of a tree. It didn’t notice me as the sun was behind me as I very slowly approached it. After a short time a female joined him on the same tree, no doubt attracted by the persuasiveness of his song. As I pressed on with my journey I noticed that extensive patches of Gorse were starting to bloom. (Although an old proverb states, "When gorse is out of bloom, kissing's out of season” leads us to believe that Gorse is in flower all year round, it does flower more abundantly from Spring to Autumn.)

Canada Goose
Dunnock
Female Greenfinch
Gorse




As I was taking pictures of the Gorse, I put up a nervous Blackbird and then a Song Thrush. They each found sanctuary high in the branches of distant trees where they could keep track of my threatening movements. I left them and, to avoid the very muddy paths, decided to travel around the extremes of the Point by carefully, and slowly, scrambling over the rocky shore. Straight away I heard a Wagtail’s chirps a bit ahead of me. As I waited, the Grey Wagtail obliged by posing on top of the yellow algae-coated rocks. During a brief “comfort” visit to the bushes I came upon a patch of Snowdrops before returning to the rocky shore.

Blackbird
Song Thrush
Grey Wagtail
Snowdrop




As I was edging towards a pair of Mallards napping on a large rock, a small group of beautifully illuminated Wigeon came into view. I managed great shots of a female (below) and drake (see “Pictures of the Week” below). To the east I spotted a Common Seal lounging on a shallow rock, until it noticed me and took to the water. As I pressed on a distant male Eider was following its mate

Mallard
Female Wigeon
Common Seal
Eider




A solitary Black Guillemot surfaced close to the Eiders, and not far from them a male Goldeneye drifted by. In my eagerness to clamber over the rocks to get a bit closer to those birds I disturbed a Grey Heron from its hidden stance. It flew a wide horseshoe-shaped path around me, conveniently passing through a large selection of lighting angles - great for the camera. To cap things off for that stage of the walk, not long after the Heron, as I came back onto the track, a Buzzard glided overhead into the woods.

Black Guillimot
Goldeneye
Grey Heron
Common Buzzard




As I nearer the end of the walk, approaching the fenced path across the field to the road where my car was parked, I noticed a very handsome male Shelduck feeding on the North Bay sands. I managed to sneak off the path to the sands’ edge without disturbing the bird so allowing me a chance to get a few relatively good shots. Also on the sands, east of the Shelduck, a flock of Canada Geese took off  (not me this time - a pair of walkers in fluorescent pastel shades of green and pink had caught their eyes) over to the South Bay. As I examined my photos after the walk I noticed that among the Canada Geese there was a Pink-footed Goose. As the photograph below shows, it was an easy spot as it’s backlit pink feet really stand out. My last picture of the day was of the early flowering plant, Coltsfoot, a true sign that Spring isn’t too far off. The plant has the folk-name of "son before father" due to its habit of flowering before its leaves have formed. Its horse hoof-shaped leaves, when they appear, give the plant its common name.

Shelduck
Canada Geese
Pink-footed Goose
Coltsfoot



I forgot to mention above that although the sun was shining for most of the walk, the wind was very cold. So it was a bit of a relief to get back to the car for a wee cup of warm tea and a chocolate biscuit. I returned home very satisfied with a great collection of sightings.

Pictures of the Week:

Teal
Greenfinch


Wigeon
Shelduck



18th February 2018

Musselburgh

I was on my own this week again as John had family commitments. The weatherman had forecast a depressing covering of cloud over the whole of the Central Belt of Scotland with a lighter covering over the East - so it was Musselburgh then! I had a lovely breakfast in Dalkeith Morrisons (10/10) and then I drove to the mouth of the River Esk where a pair of Canada Geese were there to meet me. I was followed around the Cadet Halls by an inquisitive Black-headed Gull that was probably after some easy food. As I reached the seawall I saw that the tide was very low but that there were many birds on the shore by the river. Mallard were dabbling on the river edges for water invertebrates, seeds, shoots, roots, while Goldeneye were diving for crustaceans, molluscs, fish eggs, insects and aquatic plants.

Canada Geese
Black-headed Gull
Mallard
Female Goldeneye




A few Wigeon, with a similar diet to the Mallards, were foraging in the same sort of places. A large male Mallard was sitting on a rock, preening its plumage. It was the time of year when birds were turning their thoughts to reproduction. Apparently though, according to an article I read in the New Scientist, male Mallards commonly attempt to inseminate females against their wills. But, surprisingly, females’ vaginas have design features that prevent unwanted sperm from reaching their eggs. Several pouches within their vaginas present “blind alleys” that trap the rogue fluids, so acting as a form of natural contraception. A Curlew strode past the naughty Mallard occasionally probing the sand for invertebrates and crabs. I noticed that a fair bit of courting was going on amongst the Goldeneye- another duck guilty of forcing their attentions on their females.

Wigeon
Mallard
Curlew
Goldeneye




A few male birds circled an apparently disinterested female. Periodically, they vigorously threw their heads back over their tails while emitting whooping calls -  but their behaviours showed no signs of turning to violence. Further around the shore a Bar-tailed Godwit was quite close in, digging its bill deep into the sand for vegetation, insects and crustaceans. A male Eider and a Cormorant flew past as conditions got rather more dull.

Goldeneye
Bar-tailed Godwit
Eider
Cormorant




I was surprised to hear the very familiar tones of an ascending Skylark. It was a bit early in the year, but there it was. I managed a couple of record shots of the bird in the air and followed its path as it landed, so also managed a shot of the Skylark on the ground. Three Curlews flew overhead heading inland and out to sea there was only a solitary Velvet Scoter.

Sky
lark
Curlew
Velvet Scoter




The Scrapes were a bit devoid of birds. Only a few Teal were providing decent photo opportunities so I set off retracing my steps back to the car. A friendly Robin warbled to me as I passed it on my way out of the Scrapes (see “Pictures of the Week” below). At the seawall I met a friendly old gent who had attracted a Carrion Crow onto the seawall by tossing it dog treats, much to the frustration of his pet Alsation. A nosey Rock Pipit was hopping on and off of the wall but as I photographed these birds I noticed I was being watched by a Common Seal floating on the waves some 30m away.

Teal
Carrion Crow
Rock Pipit
Common Seal




The Seal retreated a bit further from the wall. Very many Oystercatchers had by this time started to fly in from their feeding expeditions on the seashore. The tide was now fairly high and they preferred to roost in the relative safety of the Scrapes. My next encounter with courting birds was with four Red-breasted Mergansers, one female with three males posing around her. The males lifted their heads through almost 90 degrees and then dipped their beaks into the water. Once again the female showed little reaction.

Common Seal
Oystercatcher
Red -breasted
Merganser




As I plodded on westwards I heard the calls of Long-tailed Ducks and the spotted a group of about five males pursuing a very reluctant female. They were very active and before long the fleeing female had drawn the group to about 20m from the seawall. Occasionally she dived to attempt an escape from the males’ attentions -  but they followed her down below the surface. There was no getting away from them. I suspect that the males would drop out one-by-one leaving the most persistent to mate with the, by then, very tired female.


Long-tailed Duck
Pied Wagtail

It had brightened up a bit as I reached the car and I took photos of the panorama towards the West. My final picture of the day was of a Cormorant in breeding plumage that surfaced very near the seawall I was quite relieved he didn’t seem to have a female near him - I had seen quite enough courting rituals for one day!

Portobello
Arthur's Seat
Calton Hill
Cormorant




When I set off on this trip I genuinely thought I wouldn’t see very much given the overcast conditions. Well, while it is true to say I didn’t get top quality photos, it is equally true that I had witnessed and captured some very interesting sights. It just goes to show - it’s all about getting out there. The weather conditions are a challenge to the photographer, but one that can be overcome. I enjoyed my tea and biscuit before returning to the damper gloom of the west.

Carrion Crow
Common Seal


Long-tailed Duck
Robin



11th February 2018


Skateraw and Belhaven Bay

I was on my own last Sunday as John had an important Birthday Party to attend. With sunny weather predicted in the east I set course for Skateraw, East Lothian, where a Water Pipit has been reported. I stopped into Dalkeith Morrisons for a Wee Scottish Breakfast. After last week’s poor brekky I have to report that Dalkeith showed how it should be done – delicious, on time and excelled service, and, I got a table with a comfy seat: 10/10! My euphoria was dashed though when I arrived at Skateraw when I saw how many dog walkers there were at this small and relatively remote beauty spot. I tried for a time to locate the Water Pipit but the birds were spooked by the rampaging dogs. I did though catch a picture of one of the spooked birds, a Curlew as it flew overhead. A couple of Rock Pipits tweeted my attention to some patches of seaweed by the old Limekilns but they were very restless. Some Redshanks sheltering on the rocks managed to find some peace there. I walked round the bay to Chapel Point. I’m glad to say it was free of dogs and people, but not birds. As I sat on my stool a few Racing Pigeons sped past. I think they may have been from one of the houses in Skateraw hamlet.

Curlew
Rock Pipit
Redshanks
Racing Pigeon





As I sat at the Point sheltered from the cool wind but warmed by the winter sun I was able to get some shots of the many birds that were coming and going. There were quite a few Black-headed Gulls and on the rocks a few Rock Pipits were foraging for food. Three Mallards flew past, two males and a female, heading for better shelter west of the Point. I nearly got a snap of a Wren but it was too nippy for me!

Black-headed Gull
Rock Pipit
Mallard
Wren




The Barns Ness Lighthouse was clearly visible from the Point. A male Goosander passed me flying towards it followed by a beautiful lit Carrion Crow. I decided then to return to the car and drive to Belhaven, west of Dunbar. As I drove up the brae to Skateraw I passed a field of Curlew. I parked the car and shimmied up the grassy banks to sneak a few shots.

Barns Ness Lighthouse
Goosander
Carrion Crow
Curlew




Further up the hill I found a large flock of Rooks feeding on a sprouting crop field. I had quick look for Tree Sparrows at the houses but without any success. At Belhaven Bay I was greeted by a wee Goldfinch singing his head off. I was looking for Snow Buntings but initially they were nowhere to be seen. However there were many familiar and well illuminated birds in the Bay, Black-headed Gulls, and close in, dabbling furiously, Teal.

Rook
Goldfinch
Black-headed Gull
Teal




As the Bay slowly filled with seawater as the tide advanced, and the Teal moved between the salt pools, the sands appeared blue as the waters reflected the clear azure sky. I photographed a handsome Redshank that, I found out later, had been tagged and flagged in 2014 in the NE of Scotland. As I returned to the car, thinking I was finished for the day, I spotted some small, light-coloured birds fluttering about some 150m away between the burn and the sea. So I walked past the car and over the steel bridge over the Burn and walked slowly towards the birds. As I got closer I very quickly saw they were indeed Snow Buntings and managed to get to within about 30m of the flock before they were put up by a passing jogger and his dog. Another bloody dog-walker spoiling it for the birder!

Teal

Redshank
Snow Bunting




Although I got a few nice photos of “familiar “ birds, I think the Snow Buntings made the day. The nice weather helped too, and tea and a chocolate biscuit helped round off the nice feeling of satisfaction.

Pictures of the Week

Mallard
Rook


Teal
Snow Bunting


4th February 2018

Pow Burn and Troon Harbour.

This week we took ourselves “doon tae” Troon to check out the reported Glaucous Gull. Thankfully the weather predictions were all good, so although it was overcast first thing, we set off filled with optimism. By the time we got to the Kilmarnock ASDA cafeteria the sun was breaking through. We were however less happy with our breakfasts which were cold, skimpy and poorly cooked (5/10). The food there is usually much better. As we were passing Prestwick it seemed a good idea to have a wee look for anything interesting along the Pow Burn. When we arrived there we were surprised to see there was noisy building work being carried out on the periphery of Prestwick Golf Course. We hoped that birds would not be scared by the building activities. A very big grey cloud had covered the majority of the sky, though the sun was fighting to get through. There were few pesserines showing, but on the Burn some Black-headed Gulls were resting. And before too long the cloud had broken and I spotted a pair of Teal basking in sunlight.


Black-headed Gull
Female Teal
Drake Teal




Midstream, a lone Curlew had spotted me and was shuffling off towards a large flock of Redshanks roosting on the bank. As we reached the Burn mouth, a Common Gull was diving into the water but didn’t seem to catch anything. To the south, Ayr was still looking gloomy

Curlew
Redshank
Common Gull
Ayr




As we walked along the beach we noticed a few Ringed Plovers on the water’s edge. One conveniently posed for a few seconds allowing time for a couple of shots. There was a large flock of Wigeon about 30m offshore. They weren’t up to much. They were just bobbing up and down as the waves passed. To the north, Troon seemed to be seeing a lot of the sun, or so I hoped as we were going there soon. A passing jogger and his dog spooked the Wigeon and they went up and settled about 400m to the south.

Ringed Plover
Wigeon
Troon
Wigeon




As we moved along the dunes our attention was drawn to a nippy aeroplane performing some daring manoeuvres as it passed us heading towards Prestwick Airport. A startled Curlew fled along the banks of the Pow Burn. We returned to the car and zoomed the short distance north to Troon Harbour. As I left the car I was being watched carefully by a beautiful adult Herring Gull as it sat perched atop a lamppost basking in the now constantly bright sunlight. On the rocky shoreline I could see many birds including several Cormorants drying their feathers in the heat of the sun.


Curlew
Herring Gull
Cormorant




It didn’t take very long to locate the Glaucous Gull – all I had do was to follow the lines of sight of the spotting scopes of the few birders already present! It was a large bird with pale plumage, pink legs and feet and whose beak was pink with a dark tip. It’s name is derived from Latin, and means literally “bluish grey of green or dull grey”, a description that didn’t quite match the bird we were looking at as it was a younger bird. It wasn’t shy and and was certainly enjoying the many chips with which the birders we enticing it, and the other, more common birds. After taking far too many shots of the Glaucous Gull, we turned our attentions to the rocky shoreline and immediately spotted a large flock of small waders resting on the rocks. They were predominantly Ringed Plovers, but I decided to climb down onto the rocks for a better look. As I was sitting on a rock observing the Plovers, a foraging Rock Pipit passed me only metres away, providing an excellent photo-opportunity.

Glaucous
Gull
Ringed Plover
Rock Pipit




On my way along the beach, I was being watched by a chirping male House Sparrow, its fine plumage was well illuminated by the strong sunlight, and a singing Starling (see Pictures of the Week). The tide was coming in but the rocks were still a hive of activity with Cormorant and Shag coming and going as they took time off from diving for fish to dry their feathers, and Herring and Black-headed Gulls hanging about for opportunities to steal each other’s tasty morsels. Amid the gulls a pair of Eider seemed to have drifted into the mayhem, finding themselves unable to dive without harassment. Actually I think the female Eider was trying to escape the attentions of the male and was using the crowded scene to lose her amorous pursuer. A passing pair of jet skiers didn’t seem to scare the birds – perhaps the birds were used to such disturbances.

House Sparrow
Eider
Cormorant





At the other end of the speed spectrum a large boat of rowers were cutting the waters to the northwest of Troon. It was the “Marr Voyager” of the Troon Coastal Rowing Club who meet at weekends. John then pointed out that there were a few Sanderling with the Ringed Plovers. I located one and got a distant picture. Beside it was a Herring Gull with a orange ring (A:B24; see Pictures of the Week). A juvenile Herring Gull was being chased by other gulls attempting to rob it of what it had in its beak – a Starfish. Our final picture was of a Turnstone turning stones in amongst the Ringed Plovers before it and all of the small waders were put up by a family playing with a ball on the sand.

Troon Coastal Rowing Club
Sanderling
Herring Gull
Turnstone




So it was a very enjoyable trip. The weather was bright and sunny, the birds were plentiful and obliging and we got photographs of the Glaucous Gull – mission accomplished! We celebrated with a cuppa and a pair of chocolate fondant eclairs, each! It seemed a shame to leave the sunny shores of Troon but I suppose that was a much better sentiment than feeling you’d rather be at home.

Pictures of the week:

Glaucous Gull
Herring Gull


Ringed Plover
Starling


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