25th June 2017:

White Sands and Barns Ness

The weather was to be sunnier in the east so we made for Whitesands and Barns Ness. Again the usual social media birding sources were very quiet so it was up to us to find something interesting. (Last week's female Garganey stirred up Twitter a wee bit.)
Fed and watered at Morrisons, we arrived at a blowy Whitesands to find the shoreline rather devoid of birds apart from a few female Eider with their chicks. We were drawn though to the local flora. Sea Sandwort was in fruit. At the edge of Dunbar golf course (technically, in the rough!) we spotted a lovely patch of Wild Thyme which I photographed after the golfers had passed through. On a bush in the dunes a male Reed Bunting sang its heart out as I snapped an image of some Lady’s Bedstraw.

Female Eider	Sea Sandwort	Reed Bunting	Lady's Bedstraw

A beautiful patch of Common Restharrow also bordered the dunes, with some Hop Trefoil and Yarrow. It was decided to move on to the Barns Ness car park where we immediately spied a very bonny clump of Viper’s Bugloss. The close up shot shows that it's a stunning flower (see Pictures of the day below).

Common Restharrow	Common Hop-Trefoil	Yarrow	Viper's Bugloss

We walked around the shoreline as the tide crept in. I took a picture of some nicely exposed Silverweed showing its deep red rhizomes and vivid yellow flowers, often confused with buttercups. We spotted a chirping Rock Pipit and at a series of rock pools a pair of Shelduck fed tentatively as we slowly passed by. Offshore a family of Cormorants were using a rock as a base between bouts of fishing.

Silverweed	Rock Pipit	Shelduck	Cormorant

Again it was very quiet on the beach – perhaps the high wind kept the birds away, or maybe they were sheltering further out, or perhaps it was the Sunday walkers. Anyway, we next headed for a wooded area sheltered from the windy gusts. On our way there I came across a Cinnabar moth caterpillar feeding on Common Ragwort. John then took a photo of a Reed Bunting as I photographed a patch of tiny white Fairy Flax. A Stonechat appeared briefly, precariously perched on a distant wind-buffeted bush. It was so windy I had to rest my camera lens on John’s shoulder to get a steady shot.

Cinnabar Caterpillar	Reed Bunting	Fairy Flax	Stonechat

In the relative calm near the trees John saw a few 7-spotted Ladybirds on some burned out bushes. Then, flitting between stalks of grass he pointed out a Common Plume Moth which seemed almost Stick-insect-like. I crept up to capture an image on my macro camera of a Red Admiral butterfly perching on a conifer, but higher on the tree a Painted Lady butterfly needed my 600mm lens to get a decent shot.

7 Spot Ladybird	Common Plume Moth	Red Admiral Butterfly	Painted Lady Butterfly

We returned to the car for a wee cup of tea with pastry lattice. It had been a great day for flowers and insects but rather disappointing for birds. But that's how it goes. Pictures of the day were the Viper’s Bugloss and the Common Plume Moth.

Pictures of the week:

Viper's Bugloss	Common Plume Moth

18th June 2017

Skateraw, Belhaven Bay

The weatherman was promising sunshine across Central Scotland with the best in the east so after our usual breakfast we headed for Skateraw, the sandy cove adjacent to Torness Power Station in East Lothian. On arriving there we were met by a lonely Carrion Crow on a high wall above the old lime kiln. Soon I was engaged in a battle of wits with an excited Common Whitethroat as I manoeuvred myself into a position with the light behind me. Once I got a couple of shots I moved on as I didn't want to upset him too much as he obviously didn't want me about. Above the lime kiln I noticed patches of Restharrow and John pointed out some Germander Speedwell.

Carrion Crow	Common Whitethroat	Restharrow	Germander Speedwell

We decided to move to the rocky area at the west end of the bay where we saw bird activity. On the way there we noticed Red Poppy and Common Toadflax. We were watched by a courting Reed Bunting as we trudged through the long grass before approaching the shore very tentatively trying to avoid putting up any birds that could have been there. Sure enough, swimming in the rock pools was a family of Shelduck with no less than 11 young. We watched as they slowly made their way across the rocks and into the Bay.

Red Poppy	Common Toadflax	Reed Bunting	Shelduck

In the grasses around a small monument to a Youth leader I took some pictures of several moths - Cinnabar caterpillars, Barred Straw and a micro moth, Chrysoteuchia Culmella. I also found two types of the wildflower Campion, White Campion and Bladder Campion (see Pictures of the Day below).

Cinnabar Moth Caterpillar	Barred Straw Moth	Chrysoteuchia Culmella	White Campion

A Curlew passed overhead as it searched for a good spot on the shore, followed by a Grey Heron which had been disturbed by paddlers. On our return journey we were followed by a female Linnet, no doubt watching that we avoided her nest. At the bungalow by the beach a lonely Swallow rested on telephone wire.

Curlew	Grey Heron	Linnet	Barn Swallow

The wildflowers around the house made a very attractive sight. There were large patches of Red Valerian and Catmint with smaller patches of Weld and Teasel.

Red Valerian	Catmint	Weld	Teasel

We moved back west to Belhaven Bay to check out Seafield Pond. There we came upon a family of Mute Swans with half a dozen cygnets. As they moved off the sandy area we noticed an odd-looking bird that was probably a female Garganey. The jury is still out – some say it is a hybrid, others a female Mallard. Nearby, a baby Coot constantly pestered its parent for food.  As we watched these birds a large fish swam on the surface close to the pond edge. Eventually we noticed a further two fish stationary beneath the surface. Just what they were up to, we just don't know.

Mute Swan	Female Garganey	Coot	Unidentified Fish

We returned back to the car for a spot of tea and lattice pastry where we reflected on a very enjoyable and varied day and discussed the pictures of the day.  I chose the Bladder Campion and Common Whitethroat. We had such a good time we got home a half an hour late – a fact not missed by our wives!

Pictures of the week:

Bladder Campion	Common Whitethroat

11th June 2017

Musselburgh , Port Seton

There was light cloud across the Central Belt of Scotland, with the odd chink of blue that gave us hope that we'd get some sunny spells. We headed for Musselburgh although we had no word of any special sightings – we just like Musselburgh.
At the Scrapes we were disappointed to see it looked overfilled with water which probably explained the absence of waders. Three Gadwall flew in and immediately stirred one of the several Shelduck into action. It flew over to the visitors encouraging them to move on. Meanwhile, a Black-headed Gull went about it's business. We decided to move to the seawall and hope for more action there. A Reed Bunting whistled plaintively on the fence as we left the Scrapes.

Gadwall	Shelduck	Black Headed Gull	Reed Bunting

All we saw at the seawall was a couple of Linnets before a shower of rain forced us back to the car. We then drove round to the mouth of the Esk where we found large numbers of Goosander in the water and lazing about the shore. Some were immature but were diving as keenly as the adults. A few Eider were also in the water with their young.

Linnet	Goos	ander	Female Eider

A flock of around 20 Canada Geese glided past us, carelessly scattering any smaller birds in their path. Eider and Mallards in eclipse plumage sat preening on th shore until a passing fisherman disturbed their peace.

Canada Geese	Eider	Juveniles	Male Mallard Eclipse Plumage

On the seawall, a tiny 10 spot Ladybird sheltered from the strengthening breeze. At this point the rain was moving in again so we decided to drive along to Port Seton Harbour. As we made our way back to the car a bold Curlew flew low overhead, probably heading for the Scrapes. A male Eider toddled past us as I captured an image of some Common Mallow at the pathside.

11 spot Ladybird	Curlew	Eider	Common Mallow

At Port Seton we walked around the harbour attracted by the croaking of Sandwich Tern fishing offshore. Eventually one passed close enough for a decent shot. A Cormorant then flew in just as half a dozen Canada Geese flew past.

Sandwich	Tern	Cormorant	Canada Geese

It had been a bit disappointing with only the ”usual suspects” gracing us with their presence. However, as described, there were a few points of interest. Our shots of the day were of the Port Seton Cormorant landing on the sea and the juvenile Goosander.

Cormorant	Juvenile Goosander

As a bit of consolation, we each downed a couple of Chocolate Eclairs with our customary cuppa. Well, any excuse will do for a wee bit of confectionery! 

4th June 2017

Barns Ness, Musselburgh

After we consumed breakfasts in Dalkeith Morrisons (9.5/10 – leaky teapot), the weather app on my phone lead me to expect fair weather further to the east so we headed for Barns Ness. However there were frequent light showers from when we arrived there and the light was poor. At the Cement Woks there were large flocks of Greylags and Canada Geese and a few squabbling Shelducks.

Greylag Geese	Canada	Geese	Shelduck

As I drove past the Whitesands car park a very obliging Swallow posed as John snapped a few shots from the passenger seat. A bit further along I managed to snap a Sand Martin from my side and also a Skylark in the grassy bank. We parked the car at the Barns Ness car park and headed for the Lighthouse and as we reached the seashore John spotted a Grey Heron fishing in the rockpools.

Barn Swallow	Sand Martin	Skylark	Grey Heron

Just as we were getting into our stride the rain came on – not good for expensive camera equipment! We headed back to the car, sneaking shots of Meadow Pipits and Linnet on the way. As we sheltered in the car we watched a pair of Goldfinches feeding in the long grass.

Meadow	Pipit	Linnet	Goldfinch

After consulting my naughty weather app it was apparent that Musselburgh was enjoying dry weather so we decided to cut our losses and head there. Again as we passed Whitesands John captured some nice shots from the passenger seat of a Reed Bunting and a Swallow. We drove via Port Seton where we saw a huge flock of Eider travelling east. At the sea wall by the mouth of the Esk, Musselburgh, we finally got to stretch our legs as the many small groups of the ubiquitous, noisy Oystercatchers were coming and going with their usual haste.

Reed Bunting	Barn Swallow	Eider	Oystercatcher

We startled a pair of Wood Pigeon as we leaned over a fence to get pictures of a family of Eider resting on the water's edge. They soon spotted us and made off for a safer place.

Wood Pigeon	Hatchling Eider	Female Eider	Male Eider

As the light worsened, it was apparent that the rain was not far away, however I managed some shots of a few more birds. I caught a juvenile Pied Wagtail as it flitted on the shore just as a small flock of Goosanders flew in. They looked like females, but some may have been juveniles. A female Eider flew past towards the family we'd just viewed. My final shot was of a Carrion Crow smashing shellfish by dropping them onto the rocks.

Juvenile Pied Wagtail	Goosander	Female Eider	Carrion Crow

Considering the weather we were fairly happy with our haul of pictures. We managed to down our tea and lattice buns sitting by the car reflecting on another enjoyable trip. My pictures of the day are of the Reed Bunting (taken by John) and an Eider chick.

Pictures of the week

Reed Bunting	Eider Chick