January 2013 Catch up

Well to all the blog readers (both of you), I dedicate this catch up to you.
Wintery conditions in the N/East of Scotland have been the order for the last week or so.
In the last week I've seen 3 different short-eared owl midday along the Old Coast Road and at Torry Battery with many other sightings posted so it would appear we have had a bit of an influx. Waxwings are still about the region, albeit in lesser numbers (presumably being topped up with a few new arrivals).
We caught up with a  reported 1st W iceland gull last Sunday 20th January at Loch of Skene after a trawl around Crathes and Drum (usual suspects such as jay, treecreeper and a nice group of long-tailed tit at Drum).
The garden this week has had a nice male brambling and a few fieldfare in the vicinity and a healthy dose of bird seed scattered today will hopefully bring in others. Good numbers of chaffinch seen - predominantly male and again, numbers probably swelled by migrants.

Short-eared owl - near Girdleness 23.1.13

Short-eared owl No.2 100 yards on 23.1.13

Robin in my garden 24.1.13

Weekend 6th January 2013

Weather still slightly grim so again opted to head South on Sunday instead of North.

Loch of Kinnordy had a male smew as well as the ususal regular ducks but like many other sites in Scotland a lack of pochard anywhere.

About a half hour after arriving, shooting began in the surrounding area so a chance to practice some flight shots.

After Kinnordy we drove to Backwater Reservoir and caught up with an earlier reported great northern diver. Always good to see one inland even if in winter plumage. The surrounding area had dipper and red grouse and looks as though quality time spent here would be rewarded with some good birds such as eagle etc not far away in the glens. As it was the rain came heavily curtailing our day but good to get out! 

Greylag Geese

Whooper Swan

Greylag Geese

Male & Female Mallard

Between the hides, two red squirrel were at the bird feeder area and not too concerned about our presence but poor light made it awkward to get a decent picture.

Just what are you staring at?

 

 

 

 

 

2013 - Happy New Year

Wednesday 2nd January 2013 - weather not attractive enough for a trip up North. Recent goodies include the region's first laughing gull at Rosehearty and a wintering desert wheatear at Rattray. Supporting cast of king eider, american wigeon and mediterranean gull and more regular sightings posted of white winged gulls.

Anyway, maybe a weekend trip beckons but a foray in to Aberdeen and specifically at the Wellington bridge at the River Dee today, a winter plumaged slavonian grebe was a nice bird to find early in the year. It took a bit of time to get a reasonable picture as it moved between there and the Victoria Bridge.

Slavonian Grebe - River dee, Aberdeen 2nd January 2013

Whilst trying to relocate the slav, three long tailed tuck were near the Victoria Bridge but flew further down the harbour.
A small flock of waxwing flew (approx 25) over the river towards Torry and also in the area around 20 redshank, red-breasted merganser, goldeneye, goosander, mallard as well as black headed and herring gull.

Goldeneye (m) - River Dee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goosander (m) - River Dee