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scotland

  1. New ones still coming

    New ones still coming

    Got rather excited this day, as a new species arrived to enjoy the offerings at our feeding station. An Immature European Greenfinch! I just wasn't expecting this, as they've been so rarely sighted in the area. But great to know that at least one pair has produced young somewhere locally
  2. A bit big for a small bill

    A bit big for a small bill

    The Great Tit now seems rather pleased with his suet treat and within a couple of seconds he was off to eat it in private!
  3. My Garden rarity

    My Garden rarity

    A bit of excitement in the middle of August, when a Magpie came to the garden. Unfortunately, he only sat at the top of the tree, behind the leaves and spent all his time preening. However, we can see enough to identify him. I just seem to get 1 or 2 visits a year, from the locally scarce species.
  4. All getting older??

    All getting older??

    Another maturing youngster... this Blue Tit seems to be losing his distinctive yellow feathers around the face. Another species which appeared to have had a good breeding season, as there were loads of youngsters, and they are still good numbers of Blue Tits at our two edge of town feeding stations
  5. How they do it

    How they do it

    This is for those who wonder why tits don't spend long at the feeders, and seem to know the exact moment that you're about to click the shutter timing it to the last nano second to fly off!! This Great Tit had, moments before, been on the peanut feeder. Grabbed one and flew up into a tree to...
  6. Maturing

    Maturing

    The young Great Spotted Woodpecker was a bit more independent now and finding his own way around the feeding station. BTW yesterday I was observing after filling the feeders and a female came to the nuts, later a male came, shortly after a third arrived and caused chaos with all three flying...
  7. Loads!

    Loads!

    The Robins appear to have had a great breeding year round there, for there were loads of youngsters of varying ages. Even just recently I saw at least 5 individual adults at the Mause feeders.
  8. A first for me

    A first for me

    I've never noticed this happening before but this would appear to be a young male Chaffinch just beginning to get his adult colouring, judging by the blue feathers on his neck.
  9. Oh no!

    Oh no!

    I've a load of young gulls in here and I "don't do" gulls!!! However, I think we have Herring Gulls and Great Black-back Gulls with a Eurasian Oystercatcher thrown in for good measure. Then there's one odd one. An adult with a fine yellow bill with no red spot and pink legs. Just can't pin that...
  10. Rising tide

    Rising tide

    We finally got to the end of the prom so looked around to see what birds were there. A large group of Eurasian Oystercatchers, bathing and dozing and just thinking about when it would be time to move I guess. A single Herring Gull with them.
  11. Road block

    Road block

    Then our progress was halted by a jay-walking young Herring Gull with rather ruffled feathers. No idea what had upset him!
  12. Guess it had to happen some time!

    Guess it had to happen some time!

    Over the years I've made many, many attempts to photograph a fly-by Barn Swallow, with no success whatsoever. I didn't even see any swallows flying about that day, so they weren't on my mind. This picture was taken in an attempt to try and work out what all the distant birds were on the water...
  13. A big 'un

    A big 'un

    We then moved on to the coast, visiting Arbroath. As we drove along the front, there were a number of gulls loafing, walking or posturing on the wide grassy area beside the road. This is a Lesser Black-backed Gull. Well the storm is doing its damage... we had a powercut this afternoon. Came...
  14. Back to Ospreys

    Back to Ospreys

    Above the swans on the island, the Osprey returned to that treetop with partner still below, having appeared to have finished his meal. A very heavy crop, but I'm quite pleased with the result really. This was so lovely to see after the disappointment at Loch of the Lowes, when the female lost...
  15. Family outing

    Family outing

    There's an island not far from the hide which this Mute Swan family seemed to be heading for. Quite well grown cygnets too.
  16. Checking

    Checking

    Near the hide at Balgavies is a feeding station. A Coal Tit was checking out that it was safe to go in for a feed.
  17. Two in Silhouette

    Two in Silhouette

    A few days later we paid a long overdue visit to Balgavies nature reserve. Osprey breed there but, in August, this was at the very end of the breeding season. I was just taking a picture of one perched on the very top of that tree when it suddenly took flight. It wasn't until later I realised...
  18. Under escort

    Under escort

    It seemed that the Mallards had surrounded the Mute Swan to escort him away (or keep him safe from marauders), though what they thought they could do is another matter!! A scene from the hide at Loch of the Lowes.
  19. Gymnastic Ferdy

    Gymnastic Ferdy

    Ferdy, my friendly Pheasant at the Mause feeders is here showing his gymnastic abilities on the Balance Beam! I am rather attached to this guy. Saturday Fun
  20. Developing

    Developing

    A young Great Tit had graduated to peanuts. Doesn't take them long, does it!!
  21. Growing up

    Growing up

    I think this young Robin now qualifies as a juvenile, rather than fledgling, as he's started to get some red feathering on his breast. He seems to have been attracted to the coconut just like the Blue Tit had been LOL
  22. How do I get out of here

    How do I get out of here

    Back at home, and first visit to the feeding station at Mause. A Blue Tit came to inspect the coconut feeder and then didn't seem to be too sure how to get away LOL. Sorry about my in and out attendance... got sciatica again, and the pills are the type that make you sleepy. So I keep dozing...
  23. Baby face

    Baby face

    I think this Robin has now gained some independence as he was finding some food for himself. He's already found how delicious peanut butter is!! Hope you're all recovering from your hangovers now LOL
  24. How he relaxes

    How he relaxes

    That worried looking Chaffinch I showed you the other day, then showed me how he relaxes... he needs a cigarette!! Happy New Year everyone. I hope you all have a wonderful 2025.
  25. Learning curve

    Learning curve

    The young birds are on a steep learning curve, lessons they must learn before they have young of their own. This one has learnt a feeding trick from some adult! Great Tits grab a seed from wherever, then fly up into the nearest tree, holding it between their toes to eat it. There's one crucial...
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