19th August Trip to Dinnet and the back of Glen Tannar

One of a few not very succssful trips was a day at Dinnet with Alex.  The aim was to find a Redstart for my list and a Green Woodpecker for Alex to move from his 'heard' listing to a 'seen' listing and of course to get photographs.

We Started at the Vat o' Burn carpark and crossed the road into the Muir of Dinnet NNR.  This is where Alex had seen Redstart last year.  Of course this year the most exotic bird was a Robin.

Robin

We went to parts of the birch woodland that I did not know existed.  There is a long boardwalk over marshy ground that held lots of Dragonflys

Black Darter

The other insect that was abundant was a Scotch Argus butterfly.  I had never seen one before and for some reason I thought they lived on heather moorland and were rather scarce.  Actually they live in damp woodland and are common at least locally.  This one was on heather so I was partialy right!

Scotch Argus

 From Dinnet we went just a little way to the South Deeside Road to walk a farm track that basiclly led round the back of the Glen Tannar estate.  Here the target was Green Woodpecker, Tawny Owl and Garden Warbler. What we saw was Crossbill and Buzzard.  Now, you know and I know that Crossbills live in conifers and eat the seeds out of the cones.  So it came as something of a surprise to see two of them flying from one willow tree to another.

Crossbill

Crossbill

We also know that there are three types of Crossbill that live in Scotland, Common, Scottish and Parrot.  It takes something of an expert to tell the three apart.  What you need, to be certain is a DNA testing kit and sound recording equipment that will produce a sonogram, a sort of chart showing the sound frequencies of the birds call.  Alex and I only had our cameras but we are told that these are Common Crossbills.  Our hunt for Scottish and Parrot Crossbills has to continue.

And we saw a Buzzard....

Buzzard

Buzzard

.... and took some other photos as well

A large derilict looking barn with new bails

Very Old Potato Harvester

Old Gate New Fence

  I've put these up because somehow they typify the Scottish Highlands countryside.  These were all in the same place and I could have taken more of the same, the lorry that clearly no longer fit for the road, the pile of large bits of wood, the rusty old stock feeding thing.  You get the idea.  When I first moved up here I was all for something being done to tidy up the countryside and get rid of all the debris and scrap that is lying around.  That was fifteen years or so ago.  Now my attitude has changed.  I don't want the old barn and steadings converted and 'gentryfied', I want to see old farm machinery, yes and rusty old cars, and I want to see old wooden gates.  Along with the mountains and the moorland, the (highland) cattle running with calves and herds of sheep these things from the past, often no longer useful are what makes Scotland, well Scotland and unique.  And they are good for wildlife.  See the lichens on the gate.  How many mice and voles live in the field with the uncut grass and the potoato harvester that feed owls, kestrels stoats and weasels.  What nesting habitat is there in the derilict looking steading and for what cretures?  Many rural parts of England and alas of Scotland to are becoming too tidy, too efficient at the expense of our wildlife.  And that is not good for the soul or the mental health of the nation.

Rant over

Total on list 201

August - Cairnbulg Harbour

 I visited Cairnbuld Harbour many times during August.  It is the nearest bit of the sea to our house and the village shop is the closest place to buy a morning paper.  Most times I buy a paper I also look at the sea and foreshore just yo see whats about.

These visits often provide good photo opportunites the highlight was this juvenile Cuckoo

Cuckoo

Cuckoo

Cuckoo

It is the time of year for young birds

Kittiwake

Sanwich Tern

 Some coming in from northern breeding grounds

Wheatear

 and the Starlings start to gather in flocks

Starlings

Total on list 201

August Morning Walks

My morning walks continued as usual, almost, on one day I was joined by Neve my granddaughter who wanted to get up early and come on the walk with me when the family visited.

Neve Striding Out

 On that walk we saw a Roe Deer and Rabbits and Lapwing

Roe Deer

Rabbit

Lapwing

 

 Other walks produced a variety of birds and mammals but generally were quite

Fox

Roe Deer

Buzzard

Wren

Brown Hare

Total on list 201

August Sea Watching

I have snatched the odd half hour to gaze out to sea through my telescope.  Other bird watchers in the area were seeing all sorts of birds that I could add to my list, some of them would be 'lifers' for me.   Shearwaters, Skuas and Petrels were the targets.  Any of the Shearwaters and any of the Petrels would have been additions to the list as it was I have only been able to add Pomarine Skua

Pomarine Skua 15/8/2017

 There were quite a few other sea birds passing across the 'scopes lens.  I was able to capture some of them through the camera lens as well.

Fulmar

Gannets

Great Skua

Great Black-backed Gull

Gannet Fishing

There was even the occasional Grey Heron.....

Grey Heron

 ....and quite frequently a fishing boat

FR249 'Grateful', a new addition to the fleet

 

 Total on list 201

The Blog is Back in Business

After an absence of more than a month the blog is back by popular demand.  I took the view that as I had reached my target of 200 birds species for 2017 that I could relax a bit and in doing so I have let the blogging slide.  But so many people have asked whats happened to the blog that I have decided to start it up again on a regular basis.  The next few blogs are by way of a catch up

Thee Wood Pigeons Can't Wait for the Next Blog Post. Is it Mum, Dad and the Youngster in the Middle?

Total on list 200