Eric & Lesley's Wildlife Blog - Wildscotphotos

Sweden in Spring

6/5/2019

Just back from a very satisfying short trip to Sweden. Mostly we were photographing birds which are present in Scotland, however, for some species opportunities are better there. These include the two Diver species (Red-throated and Black-throated) and the two Grebe species (Great Crested and Slavonian). These and Osprey were targets.
One bird that we had seen before but hadn't photographed before was the Ural Owl. We photographed one by the road and another which was flushed during the ringing programme for this species. The Ural Owl is an impressive Owl with a huge range, all the way from Norway to Japan.

A Surprising Swimmer

22/4/2019

The tide is an important factor to be aware of as a wildlife photographer. I am lucky enough to have a hide on a tide line. However, so that it is never swept away it has to be placed for the highest tides. At most, these are once a month for two or three consecutive days. In March, there was one usable day but in April we had two days of the perfect height - enough to immerse the landscape in front of the hide but not too much or the birds will go past. Redshank, Curlew, Dunlin and Godwits all fed close by.
One view I sometimes get is of waders swimming. I have seen Knot swimming but most often it is the commoner Redshank crossing a flooded stream. They look comical, concentrating on getting to the other side quickly.

Spring Break

19/4/2019

To get away for a short break, somewhere reachable in the car we drove north past Aberdeen to Fraserburgh for a couple of days. Having booked it a month before, the weather would be a lottery. In fact it turned out to be the windiest, wettest weather of the Spring. This certainly hampered our efforts, however, in these circumstances you plough on. We visited Troup Head, Scotland's only mainland Gannetry. From a distance it looks like a seabird cliff which you would expect to be populated with Auks and Gulls. However, close up, a myriad of Gannets plastered the slopes.The Gannet's breeding cycle had begun and some were gathering moss for a nest lining. This Gannet, pictured, was quite calm, just preening and taking in the cold air. Chilled out you might say.

All's Well that Ends Well

26/3/2019

Every year I spend time in the winter following the local Dippers. This time it was different. Usually I see them every visit but it was not until the fifth visit that I was informed that there had been a pollution incident. Whilst I was devastated by the news, at least it explained why I wasn't seeing them. Usually they are displaying in January, giving a chance of a picture.
However, in late February a bird was first seen then it was obviously a pair. From a selfish point of view that was excellent since we now had nearly two months of extra light to record their activities. This bird, pictured, is displaying to its partner which is flying towards it. I felt privileged to witness the courtship.

Spring Time?

8/3/2019

Despite it only being early March the local weather has meant that many birds have responded to the fairly mild conditions and decided its time to think about breeding. Consequently, there's plenty of song from the residents. They are setting up and defending territories. So far, I have not seen any true migrants although others have seen Wheatear and Osprey There's plenty of time for their decision making to seem rash. Its too early for confidence.
This Long-tailed Tit has got in on the act and is gathering nesting material. Even with both birds working together, for this species it is a long process with very many visits to build the nest from small components.

February Skylarks

27/2/2019

Out to the coast in warm sunshine on a February day - who would have thought it! And to add to the feeling of Spring, we found singing Skylarks filling the sky with song then descending to feed on the grassy ground below (as this one pictured shows). Its easy to understand how the New Zealand colonists missed the song so much they introduced them to the new country. We only have to do without for a few months and we still miss that joyful sound.
There were also pairs of Stonechats in the dune grasses flying from perch to perch. Fulmars seemed to be picking their nesting ledges too. We found Oystercatchers on the beach, but also inland in fields already anticipating spring.

A Covert Sighting

11/2/2019

Its a no-brainer that birds have different strategies for survival. The Treecreeper has a pretty extreme strategy - it tries not to get noticed any time, any place. It does this by living in a woodland where it mimics a bit of branch. In going for the invisible option , even it's call cannot be heard by some older humans and is pretty faint at the best time. The rest of the time it imitates a bit of tree branch which is does expertly.
In winter they can be attracted to food - either something oily on a branch or even on the ground. With repeated visits they can be more accommodating and stay longer. Such was the case yesterday with this confiding individual.

The King

14/1/2019

I know its a bit presbyterian but I like to work hard at getting pictures. I assume that I will have hardship - long waits in cold or rather hot conditions with much frustration along the way. That's usually the case but not always.
Occasionally a subject doesn't follow the script. This kingfisher has been much admired by regular walkers, families with children and the like. For some, it is probably the first kingfisher they have ever seen and for others the previous sighting would have been the famous blue streak.
I am wary of situations with other keen photographers but I need not have worried. Not too many turned up and everyone left satisfied with their views of this male who performed for everyone, regularly catching sticklebacks in front of our eyes in a decidedly urban setting.

Consequences

14/12/2018

Birds don't all make the same decisions. This seems trivial but can have mortal consequences. This Mistle Thrush has been basically living in the same tree for some time. It intends to stay for another month or two or until the berries are gone. It defends the bush from all comers, in particular other thrushes. It has made a decision and, as a result, is forced to endure the fact that it is an urban area. Humankind pass by close and cars too, honking their horns and such like. It must be stoic and stay put.
We heard about a different Mistle Thrush defending a berry bush in a similar situation. One day, the Sparrowhawk came along and killed it. The berries disappeared within two days from the Blackbirds.

Grey Geese

29/11/2018

We are currently in a run of poor weather. I can even hear the rain and the wind outside as I write. Going outside for the past couple of weeks has meant mainly topping up feeders and getting back in the car. Hopefully we will have something to show for our efforts in due course although the forecast is for more of the same.
At my local Reserve winter always bring in Greylag Geese. Pinkfeet Geese are more prized just as Whooper Swans are more prized than Mute. They are just wilder and more challenging, their lives more exciting and precarious. Still a flock of honking Greylags winging their way down to the loch are impressive enough so we went with what was on offer.