It's been quite mild of late and locally things have remained mostly quiet on the birding front over the past few weeks. I've managed patch visits to Dalmadilly Ponds and with the west pond still frozen, even with the recent warm weather most of the action has been on the east side.
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| 1st Winter Drake Goldeneye |
Assuming it's the same bird I've had more sightings of a Kingfisher, which I first noted on January 13th, still preferring to fish on the small burn next to the quarry access road. My visit on February 2nd produced the first returning Tufted Ducks of the year with six, this also coincided with my highest count of Goldeneye with seven, one of which was the ever-present first winter drake, now beginning to look the part.
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| Snow Bunting showing a ring on the bottom right leg. |
On the coast, an enjoyable but quiet walk birding-wise around Forvie Sands on February 3rd was brightened when seven
Snow Buntings dropped down in front of me as I reached the north end of the beach. One bird, in particular, was ringed but unfortunately, I couldn't get close enough to secure any better images before they took flight.
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| Parrot Crossbill ~ Invercauld |
On January 28th Dazza and I spent the day walking in the Cairngorms at Invercauld in beautiful conditions, managing the above record shot of a male
Parrot Crossbill. Also of note year ticks of
Red Grouse,
Red Deer and
Mountain Hare. On the way home we pulled in near Dinnet when we noticed a large group of raptors circling. Incredibly all
Red Kites and we counted eighteen but there were certainly more!
More Recent Images...
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| Rare Nacreous clouds taken from the house on the evening of January 29th |
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| Skylark at Forvie Sands |
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| One of the seven Snow Buntings at Forvie Sands |
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| Cairngorms from Invercauld ~ Surprising how much the snow has thawed already! |
