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29th November
Lochwinnoch
and Stevenston
On my own today as John has a family day based
loosely
on his forthcoming 60th Birthday.
The
weather forecast wasn't looking great for the whole of the central
belt. A quick scan on my weather app showed a possible clear spell over
in the west. So, off to Lochwinnoch, where I could utiliise the
photographer's hide if the rain persisted. Well, the clear spell
arrived and the light was good. Usual suspects came and went.
| Carrion
Crow |
Collared
Dove |
Goldfinch |
 |
 |
 |
I decided to head off to Stevenston, on the old Largs Road. Turned
south onto the Dalry Road and arrived at Stevenston via Ardrossan.
Spotted a couple of potential spotting sites
on the way. The Firth of Clyde was a bit wild. Headed inland to the
pond but the Oystercatcher was the best of the
bunch. By the time I arrived here, breakfast was out of the question.
Cup of tea and home for dinner.
22nd November
2015
Aberlady
Off east again today. I had thought about heading to the borders
as I had heard that the salmon were leaping. On the way over the
weather didn't look too bright in that direction and there was no
guarantee that we would see the salmon, so after breakfast, we headed
to Aberlady.
Lovely bright day here but chilly none the less. A long- eared Owl was
reported to be showing at the Marl
loch.
| Long Eared Owl |
Curlew |
Bullfinch |
 |
 |
 |
| Blue
Tit |
Redshank |
Grey
Squirrel |
 |
 |
 |
Not much to see today. The long eared Owl is well
hidden
as usual but I hope you can see it.
Tea and a bun then home for the football. Short visit.
15th
November 2015
Musselburgh
It may look as if I'm heading East for the Short Eared Owls, but
the East coast was potentially the only place in the central belt that
was forecast as rain free. As it turned out, Musselburgh was cloudy and
damp but dry so I could at least get the camera out.
A flock of Linnets flitted around the sea wall. On closer examimation,
I discovered an interloping Twite. There was a notification of a White
Rumped Sandpiper on the scrapes
and, sadly, a more recent notification of it's predation by a
Sparrowhawk. Ever the optimist, we had a look. The scrapes were full
with the usual suspects but sadly the the White Rumped Sandpiper wasn't
one of them.
| Linnet |
Twite |
Black Tailed Godwit |
| As
the weather closed in, and as John hadn't seen the Short Eared Owls, we
made our way to the roosting area. We settled down on our
canvas
chairs under some trees hopefully well
hidden and
waited. We were not
disappointed! |
8th
November 2015
Musselburgh
I had heard that Short Eared Owls were showing and took some reasonable
shots mid week.
I
decided to have another go today, hopefully in better light. On my
own today as John is enjoying a cultural event elsewhere. The light is
slightly better when I arrive and the Owls were still showing. It
wasn't long before the light totally failed though and the rain sent me
homeward.
1st November
2015
Hound
Point
Not exactly a winters day! Bright sunshine, and no need of a
beanie hat. Off to Hermiston Gate for breakfast and back to Hound Point
to perhaps spot some passing trade. It wasn't
to be though, quiet as a grave! - birdwise.
Very busy with walkers and bikers. Perhaps the tide being out was a
factor. Had a nice walk in pleasant sunshine as a consolation though.
Walked back via the beach and had to clamber over some very slippery
rocks. Not so much Autumn Watch more like Hip Watch. Getting off those
rocks in one piece and back to the path probably saved the NHS quite a
few bob!
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