tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23761845902708198422024-03-01T05:41:05.401+00:00Sedge WarblerBird info - by Stephen Welchwelchshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00378942325088808236noreply@blogger.comBlogger342125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2376184590270819842.post-25695833243785219072024-01-01T00:01:00.017+00:002024-01-16T18:48:12.542+00:00Garden bird log for Longniddry, LothianThis is a log of the more interesting species seen and heard in, and flying over, a small garden on Douglas Road, Longniddry, Lothian, Scotland (<a href="https://binged.it/2iUrwgh"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">map</span></a>), since August 2004. The garden is in an estate within 500m of high water - Firth of Forth. Unfortunately there is no proper view out to the sea, or indeed anywhere beyond the neighbouring houses in the estate.
<p>
<a href="http://sedgewarbler.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/annotated-garden-bird-list-for.html">Annotated species list</a></p><p>
<a href="https://app.box.com/s/x09xmnivghurgv644up954ha2s7n58cr">Detailed records (spreadsheet) - updated 1/1/24</a>
</p><p>
</p><p>
<b><u>2024</u></b>
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZcqG-2OK-9aBGCxjQvq2EVq0-p3_9N_PnVJNxKp2bp71JwX2qQ_WZO1XeIpEfedUpOrZnfOvi3G8wRXcyMZOW2Cdao7uUIUCbjxxxPa8k04Vlwna8Xg7Ipi2jIGGI80DHi1HhugFplU2QrgkK4KUskFBT4wBbNOH8Fx12Ie7cv-JoOBbi5kQH0K55Vx0/s3840/20240116_161441.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="1650" data-original-width="3840" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZcqG-2OK-9aBGCxjQvq2EVq0-p3_9N_PnVJNxKp2bp71JwX2qQ_WZO1XeIpEfedUpOrZnfOvi3G8wRXcyMZOW2Cdao7uUIUCbjxxxPa8k04Vlwna8Xg7Ipi2jIGGI80DHi1HhugFplU2QrgkK4KUskFBT4wBbNOH8Fx12Ie7cv-JoOBbi5kQH0K55Vx0/s320/20240116_161441.jpg"/></a></div>On 16 January, refound the inland Fieldfare roost - having seen birds again flying in at dusk over recent weeks, and peak of 370 S at 14:25hrs on 11 January, followed 50+ and found they continued over Longniddry farm and alighted in tall trees at Southfield, but continued then to the shelterbelt south-west of Hoprig Mains, near Greendykes (<a href="https://www.bing.com/maps?osid=6de1916b-bbc8-4dd9-b78f-90ce7d45640b&cp=55.954342~-2.896764&lvl=16&style=h&pi=0&v=2&sV=2&form=S00027">map</a>); this location is about two miles inland and has good views of coast, as mentioned here previously the only historical Fieldfare roosts noted in Lothian were at Tailend Moss Mar-93 and Gullane Bents Dec-07 & Jan-18, the latter also being one of their main feeding sites so not a "dedicated" roost (I've since confirmed feeding birds roosted there at dusk on 26/12/22). Birds flying inland from sunset to 15 mins after and seen arriving in roost at 20 mins after sunset. Pic of staging at Southfield.
<p>
Scoping from loft through leafless poplar trees to north on New Year's Day, logged 3 Velvet Scoter W as well as around 20 Common Scoter W, and a couple of auk sp., likely Razorbills; Common Scoter is already on garden list from nocmig, while have not included seabirds previously as a "bit of a cheat" but now getting difficult to draw the line, so now added these and subsumed previously seen Gannet and Eider (scanning in April 2020). Don't really have time to be scanning in hope of adding Long-tailed Duck, RBM and Shag, and ID tricky at range, visible water no closer than about a mile.
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3K5TnDP-mjCJlKpyB2l34WHP12e3mnSs_SEgdq-4ZT7mGlZdREe2CZo0cHpvdj59Sdst4Iuez96lmiPmU_okgY8eteXAII_JSIbrcBqQaUg4Ue_PgWRLHrq2ImPljaNEMpaGVMbTfhMG1zgELmDNNLFDUa-vo77n7ayvHtH5li21Or3Rk7rAkkV01elc/s1095/VID_20230810_165008%20-%20frame%20at%200m25s.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="719" data-original-width="1095" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3K5TnDP-mjCJlKpyB2l34WHP12e3mnSs_SEgdq-4ZT7mGlZdREe2CZo0cHpvdj59Sdst4Iuez96lmiPmU_okgY8eteXAII_JSIbrcBqQaUg4Ue_PgWRLHrq2ImPljaNEMpaGVMbTfhMG1zgELmDNNLFDUa-vo77n7ayvHtH5li21Or3Rk7rAkkV01elc/s320/VID_20230810_165008%20-%20frame%20at%200m25s.jpg"/></a></div>[<i style="color: #66ffff;">Overview of the year 2023 </i></p><p>
</p><div style="color: #66ffff;">
<i>An excellent year with 79 species recorded, equalling 2019, and several additions to the list - <a href="https://x.com/lothianrecorder/status/1631105134762532865?s=20">pr Grey Partridge flying over the house on 2 March</a>, Cuckoo W over on 30 April, Hobby S over on 17 June (subject to acceptance by LBRC), ad Little Gull on 10 August (part of huge influx), Red Kite thermalling high over on 30 August and a skua sp. W through on 19 October (probably Arctic); new species total will be 119, plus now two not confirmed to species; also first winter record of Woodcock, bombing down Douglas Road on 28 January and several Waxwings in early winter period including 70 low over on 18 November; a juv Whitethroat among sparrows on 4-5 August (32 of latter the previous day) was also a second record; on nocturals, Coot on 19 March, Moorhen on 18 March (90 mins before the Coot), 24 April, 6 & 10 June, not many waders but Ringed Plover(s) calling over early evening 6 September, Whimbrel early evening 24 June and nocturnal Common Sand 18 July; drake Mallard on 20 March, Nuthatch on 2 April and 10 September, and ad Med Gulls flycatching over on 10 August and flying S over on 15 August; Tawny Owl regular in spring but not later in the year; a much better year for Crossbills with several flocks in July but Willow Warbler absent for second year running and very poor numbers of Sandwich Tern, logged on only two dates.
<p>
On insects, yet another Hummingbird Hawkmoth, nectaring on honeysuckle on 9 July, with Holly Blue also regular in July; on mammals, a cute juv Wood Mouse playing on patio, and Soprano Pipistrelle confirmed on detector on several dates June to October.
<p>
Not wildlife, but nacreous cloud showed up in December.
</i>]</div>
<i><a href="http://sedgewarbler.blogspot.com/2013/12/garden-bird-log-for-longniddry-lothian.html">Older records (to end 2022)</a></i>welchshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00378942325088808236noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2376184590270819842.post-4174701811826012892024-01-01T00:00:00.010+00:002024-01-03T01:31:56.116+00:00Garden bird log for Longniddry, Lothian (to end 2023)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpePhkNfD7nrXuJ3WKRtPAVbNWaJ0SyNXSIB0-O38kJka5O79LLhOnzL46EECA5wlsGge7kvXT5JQLd2xS1rcios_LBjDiRqqs-PpBf9bibEcqUcBWYpd6qLDfSvb4FOX2HrS1TAnqiac/s1600/Garden+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpePhkNfD7nrXuJ3WKRtPAVbNWaJ0SyNXSIB0-O38kJka5O79LLhOnzL46EECA5wlsGge7kvXT5JQLd2xS1rcios_LBjDiRqqs-PpBf9bibEcqUcBWYpd6qLDfSvb4FOX2HrS1TAnqiac/s320/Garden+003.jpg"></a></div>
<p>
<p>
[<i style="color: #66ffff;">Overview of the year 2023 </i></p><p>
</p><div style="color: #66ffff;">
<i>An excellent year with 79 species recorded, equalling 2019, and several additions to the list - <a href="https://x.com/lothianrecorder/status/1631105134762532865?s=20">pr Grey Partridge flying over the house on 2 March</a>, Cuckoo W over on 30 April, Hobby S over on 17 June (subject to acceptance by LBRC), ad Little Gull on 10 August (part of huge influx), Red Kite thermalling high over on 30 August and a skua sp. W through on 19 October (probably Arctic); new species total will be 119, plus now two not confirmed to species; also first winter record of Woodcock, bombing down Douglas Road on 28 January and several Waxwings in early winter period including 70 low over on 18 November; a juv Whitethroat among sparrows on 4-5 August (32 of latter the previous day) was also a second record; on nocturals, Coot on 19 March, Moorhen on 18 March (90 mins before the Coot), 24 April, 6 & 10 June; not so many waders but Ringed Plover(s) calling over early evening 6 September, Whimbrel early evening 24 June and nocturnal Common Sand 18 July; drake Mallard on 20 March, Nuthatch on 2 April and 10 September, and ad Med Gulls flycatching over on 10 August and flying S over on 15 August; Tawny Owl regular in spring but not later in the year; a much better year for Crossbills with several flocks in July but Willow Warbler absent for second year running and very poor numbers of Sandwich Tern, logged on only two dates.
<p>
On insects, yet another Hummingbird Hawkmoth, nectaring on honeysuckle on 9 July, with Holly Blue also regular in July; on mammals, a cute juv Wood Mouse playing on patio, and Soprano Pipistrelle confirmed on detector on several dates June to October.
<p>
Not wildlife, but nacreous cloud showed up in December.
</i>]</div>
<p>
Small groups of Fieldfare (up to 24) heading S over in afternoon or at dusk Christmas Day to New Year, suggesting may be an inland roost again.
<p>
Nacreous cloud showed various appearances towards dusk on 21 December<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEzOv1S6As3uzDBOMpE1FVJyHqpDkEu629a5y_Wr_19UkeEa5GTD3m9l8UChzPLnodKm-SAE3K4JTBSUmJBejZwJuc4v0-jVf0lD1zUcW4dStMO8ma0qiF1nlsycDUW4zgZrihufSWAA31VASyZlzDn255QGjlg1iHPZvhU2z_-n2uS-sSh21_QuuqnDA/s3492/20231221_153734c.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="1863" data-original-width="3492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEzOv1S6As3uzDBOMpE1FVJyHqpDkEu629a5y_Wr_19UkeEa5GTD3m9l8UChzPLnodKm-SAE3K4JTBSUmJBejZwJuc4v0-jVf0lD1zUcW4dStMO8ma0qiF1nlsycDUW4zgZrihufSWAA31VASyZlzDn255QGjlg1iHPZvhU2z_-n2uS-sSh21_QuuqnDA/s320/20231221_153734c.jpg"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN0Zr3nNamauOvF-xSTbsvIp7D8qpZrwVl9oZs5yd7Z65qQjlFityQQG68nVcG9CaTNdwd6vzotU3iRo35ktpUKP7w2rbBqefu9vsSyx2WghLX43Op1BXyKEMffzJ-Rh2jEr1sdf7FL5MUT1BJdy0Y-pp22pwCLDgLy2TSIXY-rnP09E_nZBmZN5wki2k/s2646/20231221_153740c.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="2646" data-original-width="1868" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN0Zr3nNamauOvF-xSTbsvIp7D8qpZrwVl9oZs5yd7Z65qQjlFityQQG68nVcG9CaTNdwd6vzotU3iRo35ktpUKP7w2rbBqefu9vsSyx2WghLX43Op1BXyKEMffzJ-Rh2jEr1sdf7FL5MUT1BJdy0Y-pp22pwCLDgLy2TSIXY-rnP09E_nZBmZN5wki2k/s320/20231221_153740c.jpg"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiskqmazuVSUDpFxbYhGsgoD5Owo51iqWveuwkuXj7192xpxW98xhCkZfVz45dpTIjJwCQgV2XS9vna0AEzy9c_N_y9MdAhctc78eRo1fsCN3FPykauspm5seaSgR4yhMkAKb4rJ1cdcHD3TImrcy2qI0qG1cNkoIZ0-14Mhxq8IjzWWY21keb2cGDjPs4/s4000/20231221_155450c.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="1868" data-original-width="4000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiskqmazuVSUDpFxbYhGsgoD5Owo51iqWveuwkuXj7192xpxW98xhCkZfVz45dpTIjJwCQgV2XS9vna0AEzy9c_N_y9MdAhctc78eRo1fsCN3FPykauspm5seaSgR4yhMkAKb4rJ1cdcHD3TImrcy2qI0qG1cNkoIZ0-14Mhxq8IjzWWY21keb2cGDjPs4/s320/20231221_155450c.jpg"/></a></div>
<p>
Single Waxwing over 15:15hrs 17 December.
<p>
Another 2 Waxwings trilling over 08:51hrs 8 December.
<p>
25 Redwing over on 3 December.
<p>
A Crossbill SW over on 22 November.
<p>
The sky darkened with Waxwings on 18 November when a wave of 70+ went through trilling low SW at 10:30hrs, just a couple of seconds to count them, could have been 80 or 90.
<p>
Having missed a few locally good to hear Waxwings again over on morning 4 November; checking records, have now logged these in 8 of the 20 winters we have been here, though nearly all of the 135 "bird-days" from garden were in Nov-Dec 2008, Dec 2012 and Jan 2017 - and actually not seen one in Lothian since last over garden on 2 January 2019! Also redpolls over, would be good to get a look at them.
<p>
One that got away - all dark slender falcon-shaped bird gliding through west 15:12hrs 19 October with Storm Babet blowing from behind, too late for Hobby so I suspected it was a small skua sp. - went down to Seton and found a juv Arctic sat on sea out beyond crashing surf!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Jl-jS1jsAMLtL_Z8x19krqKenDhvhm8C_xVDVbvpkdi-ceHO7TQv-1VH-Kd54O0zBnKZFwuOKqkRLFl8KVlNHhy9mG8yjfv1M0Pnd2C5oQ3U3Mq4XP72Ww8m0NujtGbva5Y8RCoAnfp-rje_yI7lvgkE7XWll4N0JTgaS7663_tOFRpE500UfIoLsrQ/s1267/20231019_154831_c2.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="606" data-original-width="1267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Jl-jS1jsAMLtL_Z8x19krqKenDhvhm8C_xVDVbvpkdi-ceHO7TQv-1VH-Kd54O0zBnKZFwuOKqkRLFl8KVlNHhy9mG8yjfv1M0Pnd2C5oQ3U3Mq4XP72Ww8m0NujtGbva5Y8RCoAnfp-rje_yI7lvgkE7XWll4N0JTgaS7663_tOFRpE500UfIoLsrQ/s320/20231019_154831_c2.jpg"/></a></div>
<p>
Daily commutes by noisy Greylag Geese, and also Canadas, between Gosford and feeding areas south-west/Blindwells Princes Loch in September, with over 400 Greylags on morning 20 September.
<p>
Young Bullfinch in rowan eating honeysuckle berries 13 September; Blackcap heard often in same period with male also eating honeysuckle berries, rather than rowan, 19 September. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbDEPWAjnmun9W7UykxLX0FinKAHuiNhnKKMlMo2lBJJn2-lLirfruWfDv6h9iudZG0u0CU7GLCe1hh3t2EcCqGpnTsuSMrKNCxh1_PaGLbR6xPbqTmH0caNVzdc8W1xNORIfB880w3IRUfavtZdlsEa68lsyDyMp_llrCcyKAkmH7YOeFzolvH1hwBFA/s2385/IMG_20230913_075038_1.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="2254" data-original-width="2385" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbDEPWAjnmun9W7UykxLX0FinKAHuiNhnKKMlMo2lBJJn2-lLirfruWfDv6h9iudZG0u0CU7GLCe1hh3t2EcCqGpnTsuSMrKNCxh1_PaGLbR6xPbqTmH0caNVzdc8W1xNORIfB880w3IRUfavtZdlsEa68lsyDyMp_llrCcyKAkmH7YOeFzolvH1hwBFA/s320/IMG_20230913_075038_1.jpg"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiRieR_lkKyAK84f31NPUByBTJDUyOgXAD14KIBL51AqVtvW7IJGYin6KEdy_cK9xhTpEl3t6e-M6-P62dw4uss-bw1XUtS7bWKSR2xXmsGcsZMBtI2VJlSCvGrE3NhLhtY_fX64WUIawyYKWJdgL_ZpPQiZJmVe9m-sN-5ZJtU3IfHss01Yn2Q1LaPbY/s4000/IMG_20230913_075136.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiRieR_lkKyAK84f31NPUByBTJDUyOgXAD14KIBL51AqVtvW7IJGYin6KEdy_cK9xhTpEl3t6e-M6-P62dw4uss-bw1XUtS7bWKSR2xXmsGcsZMBtI2VJlSCvGrE3NhLhtY_fX64WUIawyYKWJdgL_ZpPQiZJmVe9m-sN-5ZJtU3IfHss01Yn2Q1LaPbY/s320/IMG_20230913_075136.jpg"/></a></div>
<p>
Nuthatch call week of 10 September, heard in song several times over summer in Fernyness Wood.
<p>
Calls of Ringed Plover(s) heard over at 18:24hrs on 6 September, only previously logged nocturnally.
<p>
An excellent year for new species continues with the first Red Kite seen thermalling high over the village on afternoon of 20 August, eventually drifting off south; with two or more previous records in recent years this species was looking like a bogey bird, so very pleasing to have finally seen it, <span style="color: #ffff33;"><b>species 118</b></span>. Just Raven to go now!
<p>
Another ad Med Gull, this timing flying S over garden with BHG 10:00hrs on 15 August.
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHfLSsNIFwTFMJmIQiGrob0r9J1cNRLvXzN7LBqTG2aT_gZQuYuUPDbhp0BjZc8ZGjxl96ZdpLvto5tNZ-n2zCqb8mtRZWc6tYFezlgLkpElPwdpPcuzyHgWGqX8sW_O5GAwN0vIhzwSU4RvgVk77WvF5ySrW_4baTpArX1YHUmLxArpOs-Q3AYNjn7Zo/s1095/VID_20230810_165008%20-%20frame%20at%200m25s.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="719" data-original-width="1095" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHfLSsNIFwTFMJmIQiGrob0r9J1cNRLvXzN7LBqTG2aT_gZQuYuUPDbhp0BjZc8ZGjxl96ZdpLvto5tNZ-n2zCqb8mtRZWc6tYFezlgLkpElPwdpPcuzyHgWGqX8sW_O5GAwN0vIhzwSU4RvgVk77WvF5ySrW_4baTpArX1YHUmLxArpOs-Q3AYNjn7Zo/s320/VID_20230810_165008%20-%20frame%20at%200m25s.jpg"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAhheXIZ920mPd-CkKVHvi2WHilwGfYaf5-iRLsTFfa_8xUaUIFfTxU3vF2w-A3yvqx0zhmoKDoDag7DYrV7gcity6EKGwBha8nlClYda5WhyFE0cgvnsIFKiAY1JGz-LHYZr1uapzaOVjx28XItNeuQrx2coJCZD4vo2tT36rMUgXDEydkUMQrLFJCeE/s2149/IMG_20230810_162543.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="2149" data-original-width="1585" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAhheXIZ920mPd-CkKVHvi2WHilwGfYaf5-iRLsTFfa_8xUaUIFfTxU3vF2w-A3yvqx0zhmoKDoDag7DYrV7gcity6EKGwBha8nlClYda5WhyFE0cgvnsIFKiAY1JGz-LHYZr1uapzaOVjx28XItNeuQrx2coJCZD4vo2tT36rMUgXDEydkUMQrLFJCeE/s320/IMG_20230810_162543.jpg"/></a></div>A Little Gull hawking for insects in large gathering of gulls and hirundines (and Swift) on 10 August is first record for the garden, <span style="color: #ffff33;"><b>species 117</b></span>. Part of a huge influx along the coast (<a href="https://twitter.com/lothianrecorder/status/1689452783668236288">thread</a>) with 10-20 hawking over coastal woods (1-2 juv), 52+ feeding offshore and 44 (6 ad-sum, 1 juv) down on shore at mouth of Seton Burn (and even more, 200+, at Musselburgh in preceding days, not quite matching <a href="https://www.the-soc.org.uk/about-us/online-scottish-bird-report">record influx peaking at 276 late July 2007</a>). Image above is a video grab of one over Seton Burn, pic right another high over Longniddry club house top left in image.
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFCeT9VhzM1DzVeuG4EDqzgJFMVQmCFttYuewvfe9wTPaYrRuoZflLcPd-XcrtOJ1jTvrtPSCvRENhE4jcb5vXLd21JylYXZ9G3hW1oUBJ2qVOMkVWmGXWj_4p4nQKybflEaHWN_U9tPdcM0KKlWOiv2qU4okhiXuEEIv0MmMsMJeQBCHcCSiyF2kH8s8/s4000/IMG_20230803_113957.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFCeT9VhzM1DzVeuG4EDqzgJFMVQmCFttYuewvfe9wTPaYrRuoZflLcPd-XcrtOJ1jTvrtPSCvRENhE4jcb5vXLd21JylYXZ9G3hW1oUBJ2qVOMkVWmGXWj_4p4nQKybflEaHWN_U9tPdcM0KKlWOiv2qU4okhiXuEEIv0MmMsMJeQBCHcCSiyF2kH8s8/s320/IMG_20230803_113957.jpg"/></a></div>32 House Sparrows (16+ ad m) in buddleja 3 August is best count for several years, preening, sunbathing and nibbling the bark. Even better the following day when they were joined by a juv Whitethroat, just second record for garden (first in 2009), also seen on 5 August.
<p>
Over 100 Common Swift feeding over coastal woods 23 July, with hirundines, part of the regular late summer build-up of presumed mainly post-breeding birds. 220+ logged on 28 July.
<p>
Migrant Common Sandpiper calling low over 02:32hrs 18 July.
<p>
A Hummingbird Hawkmoth seen nectaring at honeysuckle flowers high in rowan tree at dusk on 9 July, 3rd record and second year running (1st was on honeysuckle in September 2006).
<p>
Several flocks of Crossbills SW over 26 June to 17 July, historical graphs for context: <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBuP1_T8wSyJx4LJWE55KbI5JOfQJRl9-6wdtFOLFlMgWGtkmnzfbp-xKA3qewqeERuvG6AQZwcfUmGjUq3Jttd0FhwhxH1MNAsd3FyjcBweNURwbHAcJ4SoFR_zekvaU5TZI9Djqa6sCjQgc6M_xgZL9jOeEI9oNWGM9ThhIVASMTzxz5s6UumoMY3aM/s717/Migrant%20Crossbills%20-%20Longniddry%20coast%20-%20annual.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="514" data-original-width="717" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBuP1_T8wSyJx4LJWE55KbI5JOfQJRl9-6wdtFOLFlMgWGtkmnzfbp-xKA3qewqeERuvG6AQZwcfUmGjUq3Jttd0FhwhxH1MNAsd3FyjcBweNURwbHAcJ4SoFR_zekvaU5TZI9Djqa6sCjQgc6M_xgZL9jOeEI9oNWGM9ThhIVASMTzxz5s6UumoMY3aM/s320/Migrant%20Crossbills%20-%20Longniddry%20coast%20-%20annual.jpg"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhECMiY-uY0DNcL71ArOGmoP80Il8RuLsVaJu9FKJC6Y04sNJDnY83E-BFPiwB8GtXDk4m8a7AOCZCyClE90t_mV7S3JCHvi2Z-ColmL4pVd6UctVhmDNiaSAk-egKkcjx4v5Kvjth8dFaY6dxK2pOh2t57cfYtWMwBaWQfSNRswt9pCia_OBuSyxT-Bhc/s717/Migrant%20Crossbills%20-%20Longniddry%20coast%20-%20seasonal.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="514" data-original-width="717" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhECMiY-uY0DNcL71ArOGmoP80Il8RuLsVaJu9FKJC6Y04sNJDnY83E-BFPiwB8GtXDk4m8a7AOCZCyClE90t_mV7S3JCHvi2Z-ColmL4pVd6UctVhmDNiaSAk-egKkcjx4v5Kvjth8dFaY6dxK2pOh2t57cfYtWMwBaWQfSNRswt9pCia_OBuSyxT-Bhc/s320/Migrant%20Crossbills%20-%20Longniddry%20coast%20-%20seasonal.jpg"/></a></div>
<p>
Whimbrel calling over 19:23hrs on 24 June - an early failed breeder?
<p>
<span style="color: red">Another red letter day - excellent view of a Hobby heading south over 18:55hrs 17 June (several previous "presumed" Hobby but none accepted from garden, more hopeful for this one).<span style="color: #ffff33;">
<p>
Moorhen calling over 6 & 10 June.
<p>
Regular sightings of 1-2 Holly Blue 13 May to 3 June.
<p>
Cuckoo W over 15:14hrs 30 April, <span style="color: #ffff33;"><b>species 116</b></span> for the garden.
<p>
Magnificent display flight and mewing calls from 3 Buzzards directly over, drifting off east, morning of 2 April.
<p>
Small Tortoiseshell fluttering on garage window 2 April, perhaps over-wintered there (not visible when I checked and vast amounts of spider web).
<p>
Chiff in front garden on 31 March, song heard over following days.
<p>
Chiffchaff feeding on back garden 20 March - a week later than last year but not bad considering weather.
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm2uooifl7v5X16Y1pgD5BZRV6U5ufA4AB5Hme9eP9sphOECVQmgeFdfDvganKmo1S_ZVXS9bKNbJy5iZiEAVrjqP0AXSlIhygJoSWBDGIhwgW5kvZ8pvkUpsa4aMR9T_1qgypNU3TE8NzkN2hgrrldVNM0FdiyImhaZCRf-5YclEnGcMSa4JKRbSQ/s3588/IMG_20230317_171835.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="2842" data-original-width="3588" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm2uooifl7v5X16Y1pgD5BZRV6U5ufA4AB5Hme9eP9sphOECVQmgeFdfDvganKmo1S_ZVXS9bKNbJy5iZiEAVrjqP0AXSlIhygJoSWBDGIhwgW5kvZ8pvkUpsa4aMR9T_1qgypNU3TE8NzkN2hgrrldVNM0FdiyImhaZCRf-5YclEnGcMSa4JKRbSQ/s320/IMG_20230317_171835.jpg"/></a></div>Spring has sprung - big queen Buff-tailed Bumbler on red currants 17 March, m & f Wheatear just down at Ferny Ness (only one of those on garden list) 18 March and first territorial flight calls of both Moorhen and Coot later same evening, Coot heading NE (heard 22:30hrs Dean Wood c/o James, here 01:00hrs 19 March).
<p>
Our 2022 breeding male Blackbird has survived - had no idea but the song phrases so familiar from last year are ringing out again, lovely to hear.
<p>
Not heard over garden but of note - two sneeze calls from Woodcock in roding flight N over open area at Kings Park 18:55hrs 3 March.
<p>
<span style="color: red"><b>Red-letter day on 2 March - pr Grey Partridge in flight over the house, then down on road nearby in Wemyss Road, brief calls, then flying SW over playing fields towards school! <span style="color: #ffff33;"><b>Species 115</b></span> for the garden.</b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUcmbsuIbNvp1CsFdnJjANv6l8EeSKD0yMV2SIN1U6LHcHXbU4a3K7tMjvWl0oXzznXiD2cxD59HIBoifwVyk-9RS4D-jNG8wj6xDDzsoEMbVjw2UPLYHjWGAczfrgTikAnMMJFMzfKcbG_gS-HOry8QbosZbEMbJX4NVfjd5MxQ1i8zX7l6n5ojOP/s1349/IMG_20230301_160301%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="1049" data-original-width="1349" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUcmbsuIbNvp1CsFdnJjANv6l8EeSKD0yMV2SIN1U6LHcHXbU4a3K7tMjvWl0oXzznXiD2cxD59HIBoifwVyk-9RS4D-jNG8wj6xDDzsoEMbVjw2UPLYHjWGAczfrgTikAnMMJFMzfKcbG_gS-HOry8QbosZbEMbJX4NVfjd5MxQ1i8zX7l6n5ojOP/s320/IMG_20230301_160301%20-%20Copy.jpg"/></a></div>
<p>
Tawny Owl calls nearby again 11 Feb - heard very regularly since early Dec but perhaps just more vocal?
<p>
Golden Plover calling over in rain 19:00hrs 31 January.
<p>
Out of the blue, literally, a Woodcock bombing along Douglas Road through back gardens on north side, viewed by me from kitchen window - no mistaking it, stocky, brown, long bill and flapping rapidly like on roding flight - 10:05hrs on Sat 28 January - first winter record (previously two roding birds in May 2011) and presumably flushed from Gosford Estate where they can still be found in winter.
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ioBeWx3mxfJj1JPl55f6R5O6SsshtVbCTFN2XYcucYZLoMLOUw2EKcsVgGsJhY3-pMZxIMwQZdiSnfmwwS4LHuM_0zhqYetFxFOyMmeZfll53LcA0C9w8lZFqqADZC0pULEcds-kSb7eYbsY1KnKqdRkgZsCPjMMcSuvoq0w_GPf9t3ZuY6r4gFe/s3491/IMG_20230110_094906_crop.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="2491" data-original-width="3491" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ioBeWx3mxfJj1JPl55f6R5O6SsshtVbCTFN2XYcucYZLoMLOUw2EKcsVgGsJhY3-pMZxIMwQZdiSnfmwwS4LHuM_0zhqYetFxFOyMmeZfll53LcA0C9w8lZFqqADZC0pULEcds-kSb7eYbsY1KnKqdRkgZsCPjMMcSuvoq0w_GPf9t3ZuY6r4gFe/s400/IMG_20230110_094906_crop.jpg"/></a></div>Been hearing redpolls many days recentlty but was still surprised to see them literally at the front window for much of morning on 10 January, 3 Lessers feeding on birch catkins.
<p>
Tawny Owl again in early hours of 3 & 4 January, resident at present.
<p>
More Fieldfares over on New Year's Day.
</p><p>
<b><u>2022</u></b>
</p><p>
</p><p>
[<i style="color: #66ffff;">Overview of the year 2022 </i></p><p>
</p><div style="color: #66ffff;">
<i>A decline to 71 species recorded with more time back at work and no new additions bird wise (but Common Toad, Common Grasshopper, Wall butterfly and Hummingbird Hawkmoth in the house were all new). Nevertheless there were some nice records during the year with the first diurnal Green Sandpiper calling over 11:05hrs 4/9 and a fairly late nocturnal one 23:10hrs 11/10 (4th & 5th records), another Quail calling low over at 23:57hrs on 25/6, tracking NW (audible above the music pumping out of the gala marquee c. 300m to SE, also 5th record), another Tree Pipit hurrying SW over on 15 May (2nd record); quite few gallinules again but a new thing was hearing interaction between a nocturnal Coot and Moorhen on 16 April - calling apparently in response to each other three times each (reminiscent of apparent response of Moorhen which "replied" to sound of call on xeno-canto on 3/6/16!). Just a sprinkling of other waders with Ringed Plover 17/4, Common Sand 6/5, Whimbrel 4/8 and Ringed Plover 27/8; both swans with 2 Mutes 27/1 and 7 Whoopers high S 7/10; a fantastic ad f Peregrine circling over for several minutes 14/4, and a Barn Owl low W over 02:01hrs 22/7. The best bird passed straight over the village unseen, ad f White-tailed Eagle G542, which roosted nearby at Setonhill on 16 April and continued NW the following morning (<a href="https://x.com/James_K_Boyle/status/1515958613378048000?s=20">spotted by James the following day</a>).
<p>
Probably the most remarkable observation of the year was the Robin nest building 8 & 9 February, back and forth with leaves to a log pile, then later grasses for lining. This is extremely early with only one previous Lothian nest in late winter (c3 20/2/05, Musselburgh) - also in a local recorder's garden! The weather was fairly cold at the time of the current attempt and not surprisingly nothing came of it.
<p>
Worth mentioning several notable omissions - no Willow Warbler (previously heard in song nearby every year in spring, except 2006 & 2010), no Grey Heron spotted and no Crossbills again (after 13 flocks recorded in 2020!).</i>]
</div>
<p>
Towards year end Tawny Owl quite vocal on 7 dates in Decemver, Tree Sparrows in garden again on 22 & 23 December and ad & imm Cormorant high S over on 20 November.
<p>
Remarkable, another Green Sand 23:10hrs 11 October, "tsee-oo wee-wee-wee", 5th record and latest (previous 3/8/18, 4/9/22, 7/9/21, 19/9/15)
<p>
Some lovely fungi appeared in the early autumn.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiFws3HUo3v4Bpq1ci_cbb2H6_2ReReqJvt5KCZ7fhQz63USmX4vlvUtdxlhIbBCSQ3LZHckd8Ihi5TFoUjTriZCkxV0yhd4adO476hSA71FJZqxwBaTDVGYehlp58tflOpxQHlDvFr0Zgh8n3U7HPh1ivA_I0zC2luIqjKK9rZqk6ldGmasLbz2H6/s4000/IMG_20221009_164845.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiFws3HUo3v4Bpq1ci_cbb2H6_2ReReqJvt5KCZ7fhQz63USmX4vlvUtdxlhIbBCSQ3LZHckd8Ihi5TFoUjTriZCkxV0yhd4adO476hSA71FJZqxwBaTDVGYehlp58tflOpxQHlDvFr0Zgh8n3U7HPh1ivA_I0zC2luIqjKK9rZqk6ldGmasLbz2H6/s400/IMG_20221009_164845.jpg"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyaCZZNYc3fIIzcibwbnW8KfrxYOVgzXRyxISoLHFQFgngr5sHDsCXeZkqAqmn2vi5RlWSj9G2DwIx7p9i3-_T1QLuM_GYxj43Xpepc0PpLJwSX2AqyJm6vlJti_1_kTj9t08qmmblf7dGbWfSqOlKiuYwMPw2N4pXyGkNaApKPoJHPdvhRoFJS25k/s4000/IMG_20220925_171632.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyaCZZNYc3fIIzcibwbnW8KfrxYOVgzXRyxISoLHFQFgngr5sHDsCXeZkqAqmn2vi5RlWSj9G2DwIx7p9i3-_T1QLuM_GYxj43Xpepc0PpLJwSX2AqyJm6vlJti_1_kTj9t08qmmblf7dGbWfSqOlKiuYwMPw2N4pXyGkNaApKPoJHPdvhRoFJS25k/s400/IMG_20220925_171632.jpg"/></a></div><p>
Multiple calls "COOee swee swee swee" from migrant Green Sandpiper 11:05hrs 4 September, 4th record for garden but first diurnal.
<p>
On 29 June daughter mentioned a "funny moth" - the next day this popped up in front room having presumably stayed overnight (Hummingbird Hawkmoth second for garden, first for "in the house" list; also Common Field Grasshopper on parsley first for garden):
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFTq1F_oZxDQH6wdFL_ISXKQgWkRrXAVXKNZmTSSA78s0aQ7_xQUA5SF2hKD3QlQyrR_WroP_judl0zCS8o2Vyg3rhPLTSHM3kHtd5rAqHsW3bXK-LHG7zo4Y6kNZ3TLD0vrwnVcAaiDd3CNXXGxfrhc_vHFj-zJ2YkvC2XvpUj5HxEGNUs7EViOEs/s877/VID_20220630_173313_Moment.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="877" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFTq1F_oZxDQH6wdFL_ISXKQgWkRrXAVXKNZmTSSA78s0aQ7_xQUA5SF2hKD3QlQyrR_WroP_judl0zCS8o2Vyg3rhPLTSHM3kHtd5rAqHsW3bXK-LHG7zo4Y6kNZ3TLD0vrwnVcAaiDd3CNXXGxfrhc_vHFj-zJ2YkvC2XvpUj5HxEGNUs7EViOEs/s320/VID_20220630_173313_Moment.jpg"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw9Yvjt2EnTa7YQ9EgJsdun4EC-rcmz4mOSzAA_QPTtWdFrSobjf8PVadSZHHLbFTP_5NhozaBBA_oQcfd0ZJvekM_xW2UIMcQF5XiOfdJN_y0UnsutylL0owCjlDnJB5_qVnn6psqNl-IsFSCBJ5gN2kNKEceG-nZ-iQ9VUpdO0W3KIzx_b0VWQu2/s508/VID_20220630_173319_Moment.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="325" data-original-width="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw9Yvjt2EnTa7YQ9EgJsdun4EC-rcmz4mOSzAA_QPTtWdFrSobjf8PVadSZHHLbFTP_5NhozaBBA_oQcfd0ZJvekM_xW2UIMcQF5XiOfdJN_y0UnsutylL0owCjlDnJB5_qVnn6psqNl-IsFSCBJ5gN2kNKEceG-nZ-iQ9VUpdO0W3KIzx_b0VWQu2/s320/VID_20220630_173319_Moment.jpg"/></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiavK4ZTk8HvURfiy0tbmEuYfILEjWJ9XJC204UuiRtCQffbCLXtQu2P3YNCZ_E38IqOgL3pFRBq6RWZQ0gOjmqrOLcyqP7jqHFlh0MSndbIdCzZJtGMTbEmtPfqM-YG2k5EDHAl5ns61mYOY4N29gPXntpesmuDh3Sg0GBcyNA3zkQ4EkJbO_O27GN/s4226/IMG_20220630_152936_crop.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="3493" data-original-width="4226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiavK4ZTk8HvURfiy0tbmEuYfILEjWJ9XJC204UuiRtCQffbCLXtQu2P3YNCZ_E38IqOgL3pFRBq6RWZQ0gOjmqrOLcyqP7jqHFlh0MSndbIdCzZJtGMTbEmtPfqM-YG2k5EDHAl5ns61mYOY4N29gPXntpesmuDh3Sg0GBcyNA3zkQ4EkJbO_O27GN/s320/IMG_20220630_152936_crop.jpg"/></a></div>
<p>
Quail calling over 23:57hrs on 25 June, very close and low and receding north-west; at same time the music was still pumping out from the gala marquee about 300m south-east, hence I did not realise how late it was when putting out the report. 5th for garden, previous dates 1/6/07, 10/7/12, 9/6/17, 22/5/19.
<p>
Buddleja globosa is Bumblebee central in mid-June, 50 on 12 June included 14 Tree, 4 Early, 2 Carder and 1 Red-tailed, also honey bees, wasps and hoverflies including this Pellucid fly:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAvQh0SoEisilj66bLSTR2kkrPCkVu-IYelWF0x14Tba-ATP9Qw-gTbNdTUxqoCo1oPlUaDkq-lii3SSue85Hao2i3znU3hTBwVxtuYonkX4gcWo9XaX9LfLdSgnimAHu3uHdWLJJT_pABTaR_nSe8GhAlU0IlyVLdDGOPoS9pVRqLqW6xF2gyOSzB/s3397/IMG_20220612_140603_crop.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="2676" data-original-width="3397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAvQh0SoEisilj66bLSTR2kkrPCkVu-IYelWF0x14Tba-ATP9Qw-gTbNdTUxqoCo1oPlUaDkq-lii3SSue85Hao2i3znU3hTBwVxtuYonkX4gcWo9XaX9LfLdSgnimAHu3uHdWLJJT_pABTaR_nSe8GhAlU0IlyVLdDGOPoS9pVRqLqW6xF2gyOSzB/s320/IMG_20220612_140603_crop.jpg"/></a></div>
<p>
At 22:57hrs on Sunday 15 May an innocous "sip" call from a nocturnal migrant - seemed curiously familiar and can't help but think it might have been a Spotted Flycatcher. But no recording. Shortly after calls and hooting from Tawny, good to hear having picked up two dead locally on A198 (Seton Mains & Longniddry Bents) in last month.
<p>
A Tree Pipit hurrying SW over calling repeatedly 09:39hrs Sunday 15 May, second for garden after first last year on 14 May. Also one yesterday SW over Fernyness Wood, and a Cuckoo heading W from buckthorn at Longniddry c/p 2 - no calls though and still needed for the garden list. Also <a href="https://www.trektellen.org/count/view/501/20220514?sc=1">on same outing</a> a Wood Sand, fortunately recorded, bringing memories of probable heard over garden 01:33hrs 17/7/18, unconfirmed - still some hope!
<p>
As elsewhere, Swift finally appearing on morning of 10 May, first one then later two, late but welcome.
<p>
Delightful to have a Blackcap singing away in rowan and buddleija in our tiny back garden at dawn on 2 May, seen previously on several occasions and in song nearby but a first in the garden.
<p>
7 House Martins over on 1 May - a very late return with several previous records in second week April, but even later last year.
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVcySpwvBCf0QMcOXCA1W7qjgu5-i_GTWctk9Oh88avoyZpcyBZANVOvVmjfJeE1Kw_zFA_ny6MF-LoYbnmb_XrYa3QlqohG9sh6UqhXYcsZhF0eTGgWh0iwftxMMeEa9SUopmcvXY5IpVmfdyb5jLqbKgNDPfzxpsnLggaEVCgHRLNbgvC1He9DPt/s6193/IMG_20220422_133020.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="4222" data-original-width="6193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVcySpwvBCf0QMcOXCA1W7qjgu5-i_GTWctk9Oh88avoyZpcyBZANVOvVmjfJeE1Kw_zFA_ny6MF-LoYbnmb_XrYa3QlqohG9sh6UqhXYcsZhF0eTGgWh0iwftxMMeEa9SUopmcvXY5IpVmfdyb5jLqbKgNDPfzxpsnLggaEVCgHRLNbgvC1He9DPt/s400/IMG_20220422_133020.jpg"/></a></div>A Wall butterfly in the garden on 22 April was a first (11th species for garden, plus Hummingbird Hawkmoth), one of several seen locally of yet another range expanding species,
<p>
A first for me with interaction between nocturnal calling Coot and Moorhen 21:56hrs 16 April - first heard a distant Moorhen call, went outside only to hear a Coot calling nearby over, it was answered by Moorhen kek-kek-kek calls, this was repeated twice more! Reminiscent of previous instance where Moorhen replied to me playing its call on xeno-canto on my computer (3 June 2016, got two replies!). Hard to keep track of number of records but last year's Coots on 9 & 19 April were 18/19th records, following 6 in first lockdown 1 April to 19 May 2020, while Moorhen logged calling in 34 dates in 2020 but only 3 times last year. Later c. 01:30hrs 17 April a Ringed Plover calling over.
<p>
Alerted by alarm calls from trusty Blue Tit picked up a soaring Peregrine high over 14 April, remained in view for 8 minutes for best ever views of this species over house (only 11th record), a female on size. Posted on local WhatsApp and picked up by James at other end of village, think our 3rd success with relaying info on flyovers.
<p>
Surprised to uncover a young Common Toad below a board in front garden on 26 March, first record (following adult Common Frog found on front doorstep in September 2015).
<p>
Lovely views of Chiffchaff flycatching (!) in garden in light rain on 16 March, following first in song locally down at Old Coast Road on 13 March.
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr5VF0uKckxY7eTIlMH6sxiATspAJECGEC8mcRefeG6ZoKBpIXhFl1CUauJ7Je21mDSQ5tmVQtrEckLztFUAxmsWms7bHVrAk_CXOpiaV6ffBNQLPMX26nItyxmAzxypiCEmOfi7rwv8NRB5lb86Xj7pLjs4kUZ9ZbqwH42pq_BB6OR9AHeE3djipj/s7789/IMG_20220326_121126.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="400" data-original-height="7789" data-original-width="5974" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr5VF0uKckxY7eTIlMH6sxiATspAJECGEC8mcRefeG6ZoKBpIXhFl1CUauJ7Je21mDSQ5tmVQtrEckLztFUAxmsWms7bHVrAk_CXOpiaV6ffBNQLPMX26nItyxmAzxypiCEmOfi7rwv8NRB5lb86Xj7pLjs4kUZ9ZbqwH42pq_BB6OR9AHeE3djipj/s400/IMG_20220326_121126.jpg"/></a></div>A honey bee pollinated heather in front garden on 26 March.
<p>
A joy to hear the full song of Blackbird ringing out at dusk on 21 February, a couple singing against each other, not early but still welcome. Later confirmed this is a new Blackbird, no matches in the song to male with damaged wing which bred successfully 2020 (as first summer) and 2021.
<p>
After a few days break Robin again nest building on 20 February - continuously 10:35-11:18hrs, c. 100 trips each with a leaf, from leaving nest to return with leaf 7-40s, generally 15-20s, in nest chamber with leaf 7-11s, probably some even shorter; male perched briefly above nest, no song; windy W5-6 gusting to W8 but milder than yesterday at 10C (suddenly rose from 3C to 9C at 03:00hrs).
<p>
Tawny again on evening 9 February, kewick calling in rain, from same area as often previously since December 2018, so presumably a long term resident.
<p>
The log pile has paid off - Robins nest building 8 and 9 February! Quite a surprise to see the female with large leaf early on 8 February, took to the pile of <i>leylandii</i> logs and branches I had stacked up optimistically for the hedgehog last summer, thereafter was busily heading back and forth with more leaves, then later some grasses for lining. While working her mate sang about 5m over in rowan tree, and on second day she also paused to sing just above nest site. These behaviours somewhat unusual - one Feb nest documented for Lothian (c3, Musselburgh, 20/2/05) and 3 Jan/Feb nest in Ayrshire (1989, 1981) but most only start in Scotland late March or April (per <a href="https://www.the-soc.org.uk/about-us/online-scottish-bird-report">SBR</a>). In terms of weather, not particularly mild this winter, -1C on morning of 7 February but had risen rapidly to 11C by the evening, sun was shining on morning 8 February but generally down around 2-5C max 8-9 February, with a biting wind and some showers. Will not be approaching nest due to risk of disturbance, Robins very sensitive, but will be interesting to see if this very early breeding attempt continues.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEis9-AdVRX1eT9Zx7aidAzxfJYtHsDTIp61pr_aAoxBvdYge_SCSbnVYB_OiGtZVesRJ_SCCg8XW3dCcWsmFOxE8VLabreI2hPd7NYJAP1Qr0vnwbyeBGU7z7cEnSBr03eTi6_IT8gg-O3y965ajiroHjP6arY6UjQ-yCQtWomuIROCLL968UfJsQNe=s2706" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="2187" data-original-width="2706" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEis9-AdVRX1eT9Zx7aidAzxfJYtHsDTIp61pr_aAoxBvdYge_SCSbnVYB_OiGtZVesRJ_SCCg8XW3dCcWsmFOxE8VLabreI2hPd7NYJAP1Qr0vnwbyeBGU7z7cEnSBr03eTi6_IT8gg-O3y965ajiroHjP6arY6UjQ-yCQtWomuIROCLL968UfJsQNe=s320"/></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhjv4cHKNq1O1ivKYwc0LK83-qsRNUEp2QN4Tf7TvLBIcd3itx_4OWKBknBhJm2LyXGLIeGhrIIn0WmsLKqbZ99S4nqilpfmRMx_WYiaLdOdz23IX4LY-_JgbW7lRwuKI0_uXsMO-DE74Q3G0OdZSAyNyO2r65QSsJyB82b9JmuT-8ocZS_8et3_RNq=s3159" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="3159" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhjv4cHKNq1O1ivKYwc0LK83-qsRNUEp2QN4Tf7TvLBIcd3itx_4OWKBknBhJm2LyXGLIeGhrIIn0WmsLKqbZ99S4nqilpfmRMx_WYiaLdOdz23IX4LY-_JgbW7lRwuKI0_uXsMO-DE74Q3G0OdZSAyNyO2r65QSsJyB82b9JmuT-8ocZS_8et3_RNq=s320"/></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgU5QmslHUYFwfsdO74Min4vXFh311Fb1bNTRBMxo5e6g4UCBmBronC7dut2BXzYbmAfOUndzg6Ybume3Oz5VCatzoLCZLkNkfS1-vJx0HhBpOy9SryQyJUAr99y1Qt8zv70p23_dF5Hkp-hgV8xcXv8eLGhKx7LrFbi5t99YWLO6TNqUhh__e4YpJv=s3520" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="3520" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgU5QmslHUYFwfsdO74Min4vXFh311Fb1bNTRBMxo5e6g4UCBmBronC7dut2BXzYbmAfOUndzg6Ybume3Oz5VCatzoLCZLkNkfS1-vJx0HhBpOy9SryQyJUAr99y1Qt8zv70p23_dF5Hkp-hgV8xcXv8eLGhKx7LrFbi5t99YWLO6TNqUhh__e4YpJv=s320"/></a></div>
<p>
pr Mute Swan E over 10:30hrs 27 January, less than annual.
<p>
Redshank low over 10:30hrs 22 January, very rare over by day here, but seen several dates in following weeks feeding on school playing fields, very site faithful at same small patch in east end penalty area!
<p>
Pinkfoot flock early evening 19 January.
<p>
Unseasonal ad Lesser Blackback SW over on 13 January.
<p>
30 Fieldfare over on 12 January.
<p>
Robin courtship on 11 January with 3 in garden and some chasing, no fighting.
<p>
Buzzard 2 January.
</p><p>
<b><u>2021</u></b>
</p><p>
</p><p>
[<i style="color: #66ffff;">Overview of the year 2021 </i></p><p>
</p><div style="color: #66ffff;">
<i>78 confirmed species second best on record, only 6 down on 2020 when COVID impact was greater, two additions being a surprise singing Lesser Whitethroat moving through back gardens and a fly over Reed Bunting when snow in late November (list total now 111). Two firsts *in* the garden were Grey Wagtail and Nuthatch, the latter only ever heard previously. A singing Redpoll 11/4-15/5 (and 6/6) was intriguing, but not pinned down - none proved to breed during atlas. More nocturnal gallinules - Coots on 9 & 19 April, but much fewer Moorhen, with records on only on 21/4, 10/5, 14/5, & 30/6. Migrant waders included Barwit (1st spring record) 1/5, Common Sands 13/6, 1/8 & 3/8, Whimbrel 10/7, Dunlin 7/8 and 3rd record of Green Sand 7/9. Also 3rd record of Med Gull, ad, over on 6/9. Blackcaps regular late summer but pr 3/12 presumably winter arrivals. Small flock of Whoopers 4/11 was 6th record, while Wigeon over on 30/12 just 2nd record. Of interest, dusk movements of Fieldfare noted since at least Dec-16 were matched to a large roost at Hoprig Mains, 2 miles inland, on 28 January. A new daylist record set on 1 May with 42 species.
<p>
Near misses were a presumed Yellow Wagtail, heard only early on 19 May, and Merlin which passed 250m north along golf course on 12 Feb.
</p><p>
Other species - our local bat was confirmed with detector as a Soprano Pipistrelle, now know that both pipistrelles are frequent around the village. Giant Woodwasp was a garden tick, but sadly picked up dead.]</p><p></p></i>
</div>
<p>
Wigeon heard calling over 16:45hrs, only 2nd record after call heard in flock of 81 duck during hard weather on 2/12/10; earlier same day 350 were grazing on Seton golf course, less than 1.5 miles WSW, likely source!
</p><p>
Not a bird, but interesting to see a Geminid meteor streaking down to the south-west 22:51hrs 12 December.
</p><p>
ad male and f/imm Blackcaps in garden, near berry bushes, 3 December, first since late Sept, presumably different birds and winter arrivals.
</p><p>
Reed Bunting heard calling over, 4 clear calls probably moving north, morning of Tuesday 30 November - post Storm Arwen and with fresh snow lying, albeit very shallow. A long expected first for garden and <span style="color: #ffff33;"><b>species 112</b></span>.
</p><p>
First Fieldfares over on 5 November, exceptionally late, as elsewhere.
</p><p>
Small group of Whooper Swans heard calling over 19:28hrs on 4 November.
</p><p>
Giant Woodwasp found dead in crevice of upstairs window 24 October, sad end for a fine beast - first for garden and only <a href="https://sedgewarbler.blogspot.com/2011/07/wknd-30-31-july.html">second I've seen here</a>.
</p><p>
Nuthatch *in* garden, kwipp-ing away in the rowan tree, on 17 October, also first sight record - all previous "heard only".
</p><p>
Tawny again 23:30hrs 4 October.
</p><p>
Got a bat detector; turns out "our" bat is not a Common Pipistrelle as assumed, but a Soprano, with few records in Longniddry on NBN but apparently the more numerous of the pair in the central belt, so not really a surprise.
</p><p>
Greylag roost flight late summer again, e.g. 10 on 17/8, 50 14/9, 35 25/9, heading to Gosford; first Pinks 130 on 20 September then over most days to 3 November, up to 800 in late October but fewer passing back and forth than most years.
</p><p>
Tawny again on 17 September, calling from nearby gardens off Gosford Road.
</p><p>
Green Sandpiper calling over 21:05hrs 7 September, recorded (only 3rd record after 3/8/18, 19/9/15).
</p><p>
ad Med Gull SW over 10:42hrs 6 September.
</p><p>
Blackcap regular in garden 16 August to 26 September - mainly around berries - elder and rowan.
</p><p>
Dunlin calling over 01:44hrs 7 August.
</p><p>
Whimbrel calling W over in light rain 01:40hrs 10 July.
</p><p>
More Common Sands 1 & 3 July.
</p><p>
Moorhen calling W 00:31hrs 30 June, proved to be last record of the year.
</p><p>
Common Sandpiper calling over 00:31hrs 13 June - going north but could this be the first "returning bird"?
</p><p>
Remarkable, a male Lesser Whitethroat singing while moving west through gardens on north side of Douglas Road, 09:55hrs 5 June 2021 (one had been singing regularly at Old Coast Road, 3-5 June, c. 350m north but on other side of golf course - presumably roaming in search of a mate?). <span style="color: #ffff33;"><b>Species 111</b></span>, never expected to get this one on the list (<a href="https://sedgewarbler.blogspot.com/2009/07/garden-target-lists.html">targets</a>)!
</p><p>
Imm Cormorant low SE over house c. 17:00hrs 23 May.
</p><p>
Two clear calls over from a Yellow Wagtail 07:55hrs 18 May, but bird not seen so another for the "near misses" list (along with Little Grebe, Hobby, LRP, Wood Sand and Water Pipit!).
</p><p>
Mallard - first for year west over on 12 May, a species normally recorded in March-April - was getting worried!
</p><p>
Back at last, Swift over house on 12 May.
</p><p>
Moorhen calling over again 23:28hrs on 10 May, again 22:40hrs on 14 May.
</p><p>
Tried a repeat of last year's daylist challenge (organised then by the North Berwick boys) when had logged 40 species on 29 April, this year managed 42 on 1 May, with 35 logged by 08:30hrs. Extras on last year were: Curlew (05:38), Willow Warbler (05:53), Redpoll (05:58), Goldcrest (07:30), Chiff (07:55), Song Thrush (08:06), Tawny Owl (22:12) and Bar-tailed Godwit (23:32). Latter a rather unexpected first spring record for garden, the distinctive "kwee kweep" call repeated, vaguely reminiscent of Moorhen but a much purer/less reedy call. Omissions from last year's list included LBB, Greylag, Mallard, Grey Wag, Oyc :( and Moorhen! Near miss - Kestrel and Sprawk both over golf course, former would have been visible from house.
</p><p>
Moorhen call over 22:54hrs 21 April, later than first last year (9 April) but less monitoring due to very cold weather, will be interesting to see if last year's territory mapping behaviour continues - only local birds seen recently singles at Coot's pond 10 April and also c/p 1 burn.
</p><p>
Coot calling right over house 21:45hrs 19 April.
</p><p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTabID5viaI9scg2FffNhNnA6qlLBIO_jQJo72lJssLyRtdFze5nOj81q5iIyGb7TGfL86UUTf9Z1YphuV_r-5TfqG9ReyaVBxP0NlKZDTP8im7h7T2HYjUl7iUSdDuUgExRMVJ_IQ-kZMGU4JOr6Qajl9V7QzcktEZBPSwvREt4sHGVqfnokdzEJERhE/s1134/G542%2016-17%20April%202022%20roosted%20Setonhill%20flew%20NW%20next%20day%20-%20crop.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="1134" data-original-width="887" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTabID5viaI9scg2FffNhNnA6qlLBIO_jQJo72lJssLyRtdFze5nOj81q5iIyGb7TGfL86UUTf9Z1YphuV_r-5TfqG9ReyaVBxP0NlKZDTP8im7h7T2HYjUl7iUSdDuUgExRMVJ_IQ-kZMGU4JOr6Qajl9V7QzcktEZBPSwvREt4sHGVqfnokdzEJERhE/s320/G542%2016-17%20April%202022%20roosted%20Setonhill%20flew%20NW%20next%20day%20-%20crop.jpg"/></a></div>Early morning Sunday 17 April young female White-tailed Eagle G542 from the Isle of Wight passed (unseen) straight over the village, having roosted at Setonhill the previous night (<a href="https://www.roydennis.org/category/sea-eagle/isle-of-wight-sea-eagles/">map c/o Roy Dennis blog</a>); it then returned to the Lammermuirs but was spotted by fellow Longniddry birder, James, and his daughter, <a href="https://x.com/James_K_Boyle/status/1515958613378048000?s=20">continuing its journey along coast nearby at Morrison's Haven on 18 April</a>.
</p><p>
The singing Redpoll continues, heard most days from 11 April, and ranging as far as c/p 1 and c/p 3/Fernyness Wood - tricky if not impossible to pin down to a breeding site! NB - rare as a breeder in East Lothian, only three single date records with probable code in local atlas, and first I've suspected of being a resident, hence the interest.
</p><p>
2 Tree Sparrows in the garden, along with 12 House Sparrows busy eating the fresh flowers on Rowan tree; also Robins courtship feeding.
</p><p>Flight calls from first nocturnal Coot of the season, SW over 21:15hrs, 18th record (last year heard on 1, 3, 11 & 15/4, and an exact date match to 9/4/12).
</p><p>Pinkfeet north, 3 Greylags south, Curlew low east, singing Redpoll on 31 March but when I was out fellow birder the other end of the village had an Osprey north! Fortunately seen one previously over the garden.
</p><p>First Tree Bumblebee foraging on red currant flowers 25 March.
</p><p>
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2aJYJckuDKBTZpF_zdyDsSKwD0P5_wyXqCMk7RiQ6wz2CS4ufRN7e-BkeyZ4AklmSLmiQEkvTjYHL4UZ7KSnrbbm8wA5NkpWm7KJWRdAWIFAzx7OcM1tKURxjYxIQyTIU3qMoEAKh1qs/s2048/IMG_20210318_115740_crop.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1294" data-original-width="2048" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2aJYJckuDKBTZpF_zdyDsSKwD0P5_wyXqCMk7RiQ6wz2CS4ufRN7e-BkeyZ4AklmSLmiQEkvTjYHL4UZ7KSnrbbm8wA5NkpWm7KJWRdAWIFAzx7OcM1tKURxjYxIQyTIU3qMoEAKh1qs/w400-h253/IMG_20210318_115740_crop.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A very worn looking second generation (c-album) Comma sunning itself on buddleja on 18 March.<p></p><p>A large dark butterfly, probably a Peacock but could have been a Red Admiral, zipped through the garden on 22 February, a warm day only a week after the snow had gone.
</p><p>
A few Mistle Thrush were encountered on coast during the hard weather thrush influx but had not seen any from garden, a joy then to hear the melancholy song ringing out again on 22 February.
</p><p>
Redwing seem to roost in much smaller numbers than Fieldfare, found a few local gatherings at conifers and buckthorn, one at dusk on 19 February in trees by the Community Centre.
</p><p>
First Chaffinch song 14 February, late (understandably).
</p><p>
Blackbird in song at dusk on 13 February, which would not be so unusual in itself but at the end of cold and snowy week with snow actually falling at the time seemed a bit odd! Earlier a Redwing *in* the garden seems to be a first here, though had them in Banchory garden one snowy winter early 1980s.
</p><p>
The excitement continues - saw a bird dropping down below kitchen window and then male Grey Wagtail appears literally at the back door, patio window - first in the garden though often around locally, daily at times.
</p><p>
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYzs-nmerVXpZSOdOQaPFNUyfcCNoN9F7FnEzu4KyQsrYXzsTvETCGTwPzExTg4EQ0qL9Uq3LDxoypkAwvPynRHHkJvquJdnqJWRF7bYmGsnvzDWLUhALbfRTi5iXNtRSXxeuh4tCtVHI/s2048/IMG_20210211_123859.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1568" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYzs-nmerVXpZSOdOQaPFNUyfcCNoN9F7FnEzu4KyQsrYXzsTvETCGTwPzExTg4EQ0qL9Uq3LDxoypkAwvPynRHHkJvquJdnqJWRF7bYmGsnvzDWLUhALbfRTi5iXNtRSXxeuh4tCtVHI/s400/IMG_20210211_123859.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Massive hard weather impacts 2nd week Feb with temperature reaching -5C and snow lying for 4 days - most visible in yet more thrushes, also several flocks of Pinkfeet on 8 February, a few Skylark but best being a Merlin (prob male based on very small size) E over the golf course at dusk on 12 February, a patch tick (only previous record from Blindwells slope rather outside patch boundary) but unfortunately I was not viewing from the garden (would have passed ~250m north)!
<p>
A male Peregrine hunting over area on 6 February, while watching it picked up a tiny speck high beyond which was a displaying Sparrowhawk, undeterred by the wind.
</p><p>
More of the same, Goldcrest song the 83 Fieldfare S over 13:30hrs 29 January.
</p><p>
Small flocks of Fieldfare around many days in late Jan, often seen flying south at dusk, found their roost on 28 January down at Hoprig Mains, 2 miles from coast, at least 700 birds dropping into trees west of former carting track (c. NT447735). Likely a long-standing site as same movement noted Dec-16, Jan-18, Feb-19 & Jan-20. Per LBR and Lothian database seems only two other roosts logged since 1968 (Tailend Moss Mar-93 and Gullane Bents Dec-07 & Jan-18). Previously found a Redwing roost in Fernyness Wood so it seems despite feeding together they have different preferences.
</p><p>
Goldcrest in song on 28 January.
</p><p>
12 Siskin stripping catkins from birch in corner of front garden on 15 January; our front garden is literally a 2m patch grass to the pavement so this was more remarkable than it sounds!
</p><p>
Vocal Tawny Owl on 14 January, somewhere towards Gosford Road.
</p><p>
<b><u>2020</u></b>
</p><p>
[<i style="color: #66ffff;">Overview of the year 2020 </i></p><p>
</p><div style="color: #66ffff;">
<i>An exceptional year in every sense, 84 confirmed species is by far best total on record, and with 3 new additions to the list (now 109) – exceptional level of "coverage", a few hours on many nights Mar-Sep, totalling over 300 hrs, often with reduced traffic noise, and many more hours sitting working in the garden, or at computer in study with door open, probably at least matching nocturnal coverage, so no surprise to get some new observations: highlight was the clear trill calls of a Water Rail heading over on 9 April, repeated on 15 April, 6 May, 21 May and 4 June - as far as I know the first Lothian record of a nocturnal migrant, though potentially roaming from some coastal breeding site (scarce breeder in East Lothian, not annual, with only 3rd confirmation for Aberlady in 2018); <a href="https://www.birdguides.com/news/massive-common-scoter-movement-takes-place/">parts of northern England were swamped with nocturnal migrant Common Scoter on 1-2 April</a>, but it seems there have been very few Scottish records, so it was very pleasing to pick some up on 14 May, also new to the list. Also fascinating to pick up calls from presumed territory patrolling Moorhen on 34 nights, based on previous records this may not be so unusual here but there seems to be sparse literature on such behaviour. Coot on 5 nights too. On vismig, a Tree Pipit low N at 07:33hrs on 21 April was pleasing given last year's probable in August, while a Fulmar S over on evening of 22 August was totally unexpected and only second record (after 15 May 2013). Other scarcer species inclided 2 flocks of Whoopers Oct/Nov, 1 of Canada Geese Aug, 3 of Barnacle Geese Oct; Peregrine Mar; nocturnal waders: Ringed Plover Aug, Lapwing Jun, Common Sand May, Jul x2, Greenshank Oct (first since 2009!), Dunlin May x2, Aug x2, with record groups of Whimbrel over, flock 13 Jul, flock 12 Aug; Common Tern was also heard over in May (first since 2006!), Barn Owl in Apr & Jul, while another Med Gull passed over in Nov. Nuthatch appearances stepped up with 2 in Apr, 1 Aug (3rd-5th records). Of more frequent species, Common Crossbills were logged in 10 weeks, up to 31 per day in July. As well as a new record annual total, a new record month total of 60 species in April, a weekly total record of 51 species in last week April and a new day list total of 40 species on 29 April, all benefitting from chance to monitor for many hours per day. Another first for the garden was a Weasel at the back door on 31 Jul, while two more species "which got away" were Hobby 17 June and 14 Aug (LBRC accepted record nearby at Seton on 28 Jun), Reed Bunt call only on 28 Sep - while Red Kite seen by others over village was totally missed!</i>]</div>
<p>
A crow amused me on 22 December - pecking end of a TV aerial it dangled below like a tit on a feeder - and once tired of that hung there upside down while its mate looked on bemused - unfortunately did not get a shot of this bit but pecking can be seen here: <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYfjU1344Ra-LlCRI2SdyOajgKTB7G7DQHBdm-5BAs54_Wj1uL7PndYhyMgGQ5F8bR87bOvpTu1oFrtCz6_QHkAAMXWYwc1iIFwteLn_-wKBqf3WTnbOnl7FVS2O7CDWqO3X10kRzLPpU/s850/IMG_20201222_093801.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="446" data-original-width="850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYfjU1344Ra-LlCRI2SdyOajgKTB7G7DQHBdm-5BAs54_Wj1uL7PndYhyMgGQ5F8bR87bOvpTu1oFrtCz6_QHkAAMXWYwc1iIFwteLn_-wKBqf3WTnbOnl7FVS2O7CDWqO3X10kRzLPpU/s400/IMG_20201222_093801.jpg"/></a></div>
<p>
Tree Sparrow in garden on 11 December.
<p>
Female Blackcap back in garden on 30 November - only one appearance last year but likely same "returning" bird now for four years!
<p>
Dusk roost movement of Pinkfeet 16:25hrs on 29 November totalling just over 1k. A small group of Blue Tits flew to roost in roof of house 15:36-15:49hrs.
<p>
Small flock Whoopers SW over 23:01hrs 27 November, a bright night approaching full moon.
<p>
Squirrel in garden on 26 November, second record (after one on 28 September 2006):
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtnXVjmFfQrSjv8GuX7e61rRYD4LzxZRSwGfSziX8iCvuESkV5Tw4hwns6HyRxcBXfJ_SkH1EV3zB6bM9IL4VbeycdxPHdE4PWkwDlCTe7sR53_5Qz_uDIwNmdPQTSnGvKgcxNV287Klw/s1605/IMG_20201126_103944.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="1006" data-original-width="1605" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtnXVjmFfQrSjv8GuX7e61rRYD4LzxZRSwGfSziX8iCvuESkV5Tw4hwns6HyRxcBXfJ_SkH1EV3zB6bM9IL4VbeycdxPHdE4PWkwDlCTe7sR53_5Qz_uDIwNmdPQTSnGvKgcxNV287Klw/s320/IMG_20201126_103944.jpg"/></a></div>
<p>
November dominated by more of same - Pinks back and forth each day, 4200 Pinks on 5th and 3630 on 2nd, Greylags heard late on 19th. Also a Mute Swan high N over on 19th and an adult Med Gull north over the same day among BHG returning from the fields.
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl1pSLhuxHCDqZCEFvP3Xh9U3njJkLoU8YxYvrg710aKWpmKhpKgWVQnlg09c9nYmUNgrjINtVXIXNZCa7hTmKHf4PZB3Hfn-M5GMyEeFqor4JFjYUwOnpOZoAQCVfWoP3Hlw3nweQkeg/s2048/IMG_20201116_105037_crop.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="1572" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl1pSLhuxHCDqZCEFvP3Xh9U3njJkLoU8YxYvrg710aKWpmKhpKgWVQnlg09c9nYmUNgrjINtVXIXNZCa7hTmKHf4PZB3Hfn-M5GMyEeFqor4JFjYUwOnpOZoAQCVfWoP3Hlw3nweQkeg/s400/IMG_20201116_105037_crop.jpg"/></a></div>
<p>
Male Blackcap again in garden seen eating elderberries on morning of 25 October.
<p>
Vocal Tawny owl evening of 24 October, Gosford Road area, and from duck several dates following to 12 November, presumably roosting there.
<p>
Many thousands of Pinkfeet over house at dusk mid-October with a peak count of 7800 NE at dusk on 23 October, then 8880 NE dusk 25 October (1710 16:57, 2950 17:08, 3100 17:10, 1120 17:14hrs) [sunset 16:45hrs].
<p>
A wonderful flock of c. 30 Whoopers (mainly adults) right over house appearing low from N but before I could grab my phone, 18:32hrs 13 October.
<p>
Greenshank calling over somewhere north 19:41hrs on 4 October, only fifth ever record and first since 1 September 2009 (also 2 & 18 August 2006 and October 2004) so one of the birds of the year! Redwing and several groups of Barnacle Geese yapping away as the passed over in the dark later same evening (720 in Gosford Sands earlier same day, some of which flew round to Aberlady at high tide).
<p>
Vocal Tawny Owls just after midnight on 29 September, much fewer records this year than last, despite much more coverage.
<p>
A Reed Bunting call was heard on afternoon of 28 September, potential first record for garden, but bird not seen.
<p>
After a long period of silence since last "territorial" calls on 9 July, a Moorhen heard again moving SW over 23:20hrs 19 September - a different type of call, just a dry "bap bap", repeated once.
<p>
A Blackcap turned up in back garden, tack calls from the cover around elderberries 10-19 September - not seen it yet!
<p>
Impressive fly past by 5 Canada Geese afternoon 27 August, straight down Douglas Road.
<p>
Calls of a flock of Canada Geese heard evening 23 August (confirmed by a flock of 10 heading east towards Gosford along Longniddry shore at dusk on 24 August) - formerly very scarce (records of moult migrants at night on 5/6/10, then 33 ENE on 24/8/12; 8 NE over 16/9/17; 20 SW over 11/8/19) these late summer records seem to be increasing.
<p>
Rare sight of an inland <b>Fulmar</b>, one heading due S on evening 22 August (20:06hrs), rather surreal to see it flapping right overhead, photos just a speck! Only previous record one E over 08:00hrs 15 May 2013. Incidentally, one of 19 species on garden list (total 109) by virtue of a single record, now joins Little Egret on two!
<p>
Evening 18 August - first a long series of calls from a wandering Common Tern, 23:30-23:43hrs (<a href="https://www.xeno-canto.org/583352">xeno-canto link</a>), first autumn record since 2006, then bout of Tawny kewick calls 00:30hrs and finally a flock of Sandwich Tern, ads and juv, calling directly over 00:35hrs before receding east.
</p><p>
Ringed Plover calling over 23:28hrs 16 August, heading SW (an increase to 17 on Seton Sands today).
</p><p>
Dunlin call 23:12hrs 15 August (and more from a flock 01:00hrs), first of autumn (two in early May). Redshank 23:27hrs, also first of autumn after two in spring.
</p><p>
Yet another sighting of a presumed Hobby, scanning Gosford from Seton Burn 19:00hrs when picked up a very distinctive "small" falcon in frenetic flight, appearing very dark, before disappearing out of sight to SW over Longniddry - due to range probably not possible to discount Merlin but by behaviour it would be a Hobby - many hirundines feeding over Fernyness Wood too.
</p><p>
Greylags going over several times per day at present, back and forth from Gosford, the shore (whiffling) and presumably inland feeding.
</p><p>
Golden Plover call 00:20hrs 14 August. Few nocturnal calls so far, though terns often audible from coast.
</p><p>
Nuthatch calling 10:53hrs on 12 August, only 5th record and the two in late April.
</p><p>
Another 12 Whimbrel high S over 14:40hrs 7 August; maybe these pass every year and I miss them when I'm at work?!
</p><p>
Blackbirds now feeding third brood, large young on 2 August - saw male feeding one of two survivors from second brood still loafing on garden; not sure if any of first brood survived. All three in same nest in Leylandii, about 5m from where I'm typing this in sun room. Juvs out on 7 August! Our ad male is a first summer bird and now looking worn out after a long hard summer but now in the home straight.
</p><p>
Two more flocks of Crossbills morning 1 August (James earlier had 4+10 over).
</p><p>
13 Whimbrel high SW over calling 17:17hrs on 31 July is first record of more than two, probably because all previous records nocturnal.
</p><p>
A first for the garden - adult Weasel right at the back door on 31 July, promptly vanished!
</p><p>
Several calls from Whimbrel over 01:08hrs 24 July.
</p><p>
Sandwich Terns already being heard, some by day and first nocturnals 01:30hrs 23 July, more at 23:18hrs on same day.
</p><p>
Barely fledged very small juvenile House Sparrow in garden on 23 July, presumably from a third brood?
</p><p>
17 July a good day for Crossbills with parties 8 (11:56hrs), 14 (13:42hrs) and 3 (14:20hrs), all SW as usual.
</p><p>
2+ Common Sandpipers calling constantly while moving over ~SW 0139hrs 15 July, first multiple record.
</p><p>
Male House Sparrow drinking:</p><p>
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiDIZ70KWBm3_vu-e-fUDHaV7a2YZvW0i6WycJry5aUAiQFLaritgmUzxmvto1PErDl393aP4j6iwZ063-wO1r0rZbI1HQdbiau7XxiZpBpErnCyIrZoGXuF1BiCYHVmjg2deLXErX3_o/s1600/IMG_20200530_183154_crop.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1121" data-original-width="1600" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiDIZ70KWBm3_vu-e-fUDHaV7a2YZvW0i6WycJry5aUAiQFLaritgmUzxmvto1PErDl393aP4j6iwZ063-wO1r0rZbI1HQdbiau7XxiZpBpErnCyIrZoGXuF1BiCYHVmjg2deLXErX3_o/s640/IMG_20200530_183154_crop.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Another two Crossbills flew over SW on evening of 12 July (17:58hrs).
<p>
Moorhen still making its night transit, 01:04hrs on 8 July, I wonder when it's season will end? Meanwhile Blackbird and Dunnocks are still in song though second broods now out for both.
</p><p>
Second brood of Blackbirds fledged around 30 June, just ~44 days after first batch fledged from same nest - just one juv seen; remarkably male parent arrived with beakful of food in Buddleja at 22:30hrs on 6 July, a late supper!
</p><p>
Buzzard and Curlew over morning 6 July.
</p><p>
A couple of year ticks with a Mute Swan low E over 1 July and 7 Lapwings SE over 2 July, now 76 species recorded.
</p><p>
Crossbills heard on 29 June and again 09:21hrs on 30 June, the 3 seen SW over 09:26hrs.
</p><p>
Ad m Kestrel circling for several minutes on 26 June, first of the year, barely annual though not uncommon hunting along golf course.
</p><p>
Noisy Moorhen passing SW 00:03hrs and NE 02:02hrs 26 June; the dawn chorus commenced with Blackbird and Robin at 03:10hrs, Wren, Goldcrest, House Martin followed soon after.
</p><p>
Moorhen over 23:41hrs 20 June, that's 11th week running logged for garden list.
</p><p>
Buzzard NE over 19 June.
</p><p>
Another Hobby sighting on 17 June, though like all previous will be unconfirmed - bird flying steadily NE along Douglas Road, first spotted from kitchen and within 50m, looking like a "giant swift", a long-winged elegant falcon, then briefly from upstairs with bins as it reached Fernyness Wood, grey upperparts but no details of plumage seen; frustratingly hard to confirm ID!
</p><p>
11 June - hedgehog feasting in garden with Tawny calling, dawn chorus commenced with Blackbird at 03:12hrs.
</p><p>
A new one for nocturnal song - single stanza from Dunnock 00:30hrs 4 June and 00:35hrs 5 June.
</p><p>
A distant "grunk grunk" squeal gave notice of an approaching Water Rail which uttered a classic trill call pretty much right overhead 00:12hrs 4 June - could have been a piglet in the neighbour's garden! Had assumed the earlier birds were migrants (2 on 9/4 then 15/4, 6/5 and 21/5) but now 4/6 is the middle of the breeding season so must be a local breeder - possibly from Aberlady (3.3 miles NE, has bred*/held terr there sporadically, 1984*, 1989*, 1991, 2013, 2018*)? Later many calls from Moorhen meandering over at 01:51hrs.
</p><p>
Redpoll chatter from a flyover, first of the year and very scarce as a breeder (in NT47 atlas, just 1 P at NT47R Liberty Hall and 4 S/H in NT47I/L/N/P, all singles).
</p><p>
Greylag call right over midnight on 1 June and 9E over morning 2 June; already 40+ bumblebee, the 6 common species with Tree dominant, on buddleia globosa, 2 Red Admirals nectaring:
</p><p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUzaterB6E20hWgrOikVPFc_ZhpQfWOxr09Anuiy035ufnG59AOrg1bb_yC39J21El5RZD5evuyKgfTtTwfr6ldLi-YJsekJ3KQ_JsnCaoTY0KdOdl32JnW9ghCec_ZjXDmoHFDueeUTk/s1600/IMG_20200602_102206_crop.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="874" data-original-width="1280" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUzaterB6E20hWgrOikVPFc_ZhpQfWOxr09Anuiy035ufnG59AOrg1bb_yC39J21El5RZD5evuyKgfTtTwfr6ldLi-YJsekJ3KQ_JsnCaoTY0KdOdl32JnW9ghCec_ZjXDmoHFDueeUTk/s640/IMG_20200602_102206_crop.jpg" width="640" /></a>
</p><p>
A Lapwing calling over at 02:37hrs on 1 June was unexpected - not seen one locally since a single on Seton Burn on 10 Feb, so perhaps this is a failed breeder arriving?
</p><p>
Moorhen call "grep-grep-grep" x4 in two bouts, while moving W/SW over, 01:06hrs, 30 May, conditions still, warm and clear (now logged for weekly records 8 weeks running).
</p><p>
4 Greylags distantly on 26 May. In early hours a single tern-like call from very close by, a descending "shreeaah" kind of call, not so typical of Sandwich though there have been decent numbers on coast recently, one that got away.
</p><p>
Fourth Water Rail of #lockdown 00:20hrs 21 May, squeal "grEEK greek greek grik", distantly NW.
</p><p>
My mate the Moorhen rather subdued on evening 20 May but I heard him sneaking past muttering reedily under his breath, heading NE, 00:21hrs.
</p><p>
Bright morning on 20 May with 6 House Martins feeding over throughout, then exploring eaves early evening - also 13 over Fernyness Wood on Monday, finally some better numbers - have also seen <a href="https://www.trektellen.org/count/view/501/20200519/">singles W well offshore with migrant Swallows</a>, oddly no Sand Martins though they were reported <a href="https://www.trektellen.org/count/view/2578/20200517">still moving in Northumbs</a> - maybe the northern ones have all passed already?
</p><p>
#lockdown nocmig summary - c. 100 hours of "manual" monitoring now logged over 40 nights since 1 April, to 19 May, "bird/group-day" totals: 15 Moorhen, 13 BHG, 6 Coot, 4 Mallard, 4 Water Rail, 3 Tawny, 3 Redwing, 2 Pinks, 2 Dunlin, 2 Curlew, 2 Redshank, 2 Sandwich Tern, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Heron, 1 Barn Owl, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Common Sand, 1 Common Tern, 1 Common Scoter, also regular Oycs and 3 hedgehog visits. Those using sophisticated equipment and 6 hrs per night will tell me this is the tip of the iceberg but I'm pretty pleased with it, learnt lots new and must do more in spring in other years, though there will surely never be another era with massively reduced sound pollution.
</p><p>
Evening 19 May - yet another Coot, quite vocal over at 23:25hrs, probably W, and then the Moorhen, this time coming from N and departing SW at 00:49hrs. Completely still, and warm.
</p><p>
Young Magpie aloft this morning - unfortunately a very controversial bird and speak to any local and they will complain "Magpies are all we see these days, all the small birds have gone", which of course is rather inaccurate for a number of reasons; they certainly do take eggs and fledglings, there is an arms race going on and despite disturbing the Starlings several times per day their nests are completely impregnable, few may realise that the <a href="https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/magpie/what-do-magpies-eat/">bulk of Magpie diet is invertebrates, they also like fruit and clear carrion</a>.
</p><p>
</p><p>
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrmElITCApjJMcYaRMa3FLuEjRSxRcEiZzPqm2ZZztuUYdvWH5r0lTwWtHLfZv8dn_UArXK3eH8hDP9a0H_bI154HemI_Aug0cU6B5s8nLsAAh6O8ipZPXVHGy_jAx0mz8Vq9zR7Mhz3o/s1600/XC559961-large_crop.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="293" data-original-width="326" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrmElITCApjJMcYaRMa3FLuEjRSxRcEiZzPqm2ZZztuUYdvWH5r0lTwWtHLfZv8dn_UArXK3eH8hDP9a0H_bI154HemI_Aug0cU6B5s8nLsAAh6O8ipZPXVHGy_jAx0mz8Vq9zR7Mhz3o/s400/XC559961-large_crop.png" width="400" /></a></div>
19 May - for several minutes from 00:48hrs calls from a group of Common Terns, apparently moving up and down over golf course, initially to E but receding W - weather at the time WSW1, 12C, a few spots of rain and more coming. Very unexpected, last records here in August 2006! PS - confidently ruling out Arctic not trivial, this is a useful article: <a href="https://www.birdguides.com/articles/birding-while-you-sleep-noc-mig-id-part-two/">Birding while you sleep: noc-mig ID, part two</a> Having now analysed <a href="https://www.xeno-canto.org/559961">the very poor quality recording on my Huawei mobile</a> I seem to have captured only 3 calls but clearly audible despite the background noise - the sonogram is entirely consistent with shape of Common Tern "kip" in the 3-4k range, and not the higher pitched Artic Tern (see <a href="https://www.birdguides-cdn.com/cdn/articles/CommonandAcrticTerns.jpg">useful comparison sonogram </a>in BirdGuides article) - so that's reassuring!
Tawny calling distantly 23:53hrs 18 May, very scarce this year compared to last.
<p>
18 May - rain in early hours but did not deter the Moorhen which was calling as usual as it passed over at 01:36hrs; feeling it is actually on a regular flight path as typically heard from same general area to the north-west, but clearly in motion. A couple of days ago there were a pair of Moorhens on the "Coot's pond" on the golf course, this is the most likely source for these territorial birds and lies about 750m from the house almost due west.
</p><p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgxpFW-7-pwjEY8Adq-RZXo8xnr5UZryVMKjVV-Ly91fXJp-vhAZs4jyGJzAMyK2XwfU8PCwQi52KmZaWHspiPhyCWJ1JNwCC_jGkGZZhLfG2LSGR6RXJIdz6ztyvFUuLETnppK6QZT2Q/s1600/IMG_20200517_142647.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1168" data-original-width="1600" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgxpFW-7-pwjEY8Adq-RZXo8xnr5UZryVMKjVV-Ly91fXJp-vhAZs4jyGJzAMyK2XwfU8PCwQi52KmZaWHspiPhyCWJ1JNwCC_jGkGZZhLfG2LSGR6RXJIdz6ztyvFUuLETnppK6QZT2Q/s640/IMG_20200517_142647.jpg" width="640" /></a>17 May - Blackbird fledglings are out! One struggling through buddleia then plunging down to neighbour's lawn, some hop flights there, let's hope the local cats are indoors as they will have no chance. Another hazard - fledging sparrows twice bouncing off front room window, despite some stickers, we need to add some more to make it more visible. Plus the Magpie circulating all day, it's a tough old world.
</p><p>
First Swift back on 17 May, a typical date for recent years (18/5/19, 19/5/18, 16/5/16), though in earlier years they were normally early May (7/5/05, 2/5/06, 5/5/07, 6/5/09, 6/5/11, 4/5/13, 7/5/14) and on the coast I recall logging them much earlier, on 24/4/04 (Seton), 22/4/05 (Bents) and 26/4/08 (Yellow Craig).
</p><p>
More for the new <a href="http://sedgewarbler.blogspot.com/2020/05/longniddry-bents.html">Longniddry Bents patch page</a>, but here's an updated #lockdownbirds analysis - 70 BirdTrack lists (58 complete) with 2,555 records, total 28,921 birds counted, of 105 species (+6 more nocturnals from garden) - includes trend and comparison graphs for Gadwall, seaduck, waders departure and warblers arrival - <a href="https://app.box.com/s/xp5t5phwhxc05t5qkf0yw6ea9xmaa1za">Excel file link</a>.
</p><p>
16 May - <a href="https://twitter.com/dunnock67/status/1261218518550315015">#gardenbirdrace day</a> - useful additions in morning were Grey Wag and Siskin but heading for a much lower total than the 40 on 29 April, may species now silent.
</p><p>
One of the most bizarre events I can recall here, and there have been a few (e.g. Robin on the TV in front room!) - back in kitchen after concluding nocturnals at 02:15hrs, and banging noise outside, looked down and saw at base of kitchen window a female House Sparrow fluttering and trying to get in, and right behind it the regular black cat with red collar, this at 02:41hrs! Opened door to chase cat off and heard it crashing through vegetation, then heard fluttering in the buddleia, presumably Mrs Sparrow made it there. Spugs do occasionally roost in that bush but not heard them recently. Nevertheless, most likely the cat has flushed the sparrow from a low roost in garden and it has flown to the light to escape - I doubt it recognises me as a friend, though there is a steady stream of them all day coming to water trays put out under buddleia, where many of them have a small bath.
</p><p>
</p><p>
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWhPCmg_mmiHDd1ilrBuyBv5Y2WOUXRQfOT1f1X9dzCECJVNVYlyHVBmBsldY8VLpW7tJQUhBtl893L_1lILwcLEKaQuNXcFy4tn3qnRBryLBXlUGpSrru0y6DnRsUw8bKelrIaLiZDuk/s1600/XC559960-large.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="396" data-original-width="1022" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWhPCmg_mmiHDd1ilrBuyBv5Y2WOUXRQfOT1f1X9dzCECJVNVYlyHVBmBsldY8VLpW7tJQUhBtl893L_1lILwcLEKaQuNXcFy4tn3qnRBryLBXlUGpSrru0y6DnRsUw8bKelrIaLiZDuk/s400/XC559960-large.png" width="400" /></a></div>
15 May - following the scoter(s), Moorhen <a href="https://www.xeno-canto.org/559960">recorded calling over 00:55hrs</a>, part of a long series of "bap-bap-bap" calls, bird arriving from SW and receding NW, then another Dunlin at 01:21hrs, just a single call. Moorhen back at 01:50hrs, calling to NW, longer series of up to 9 "kip" calls strung together, 3 times. Quite noisy creatures really!
14 May - just before midnight, the surreal experience of hearing a series of mellow calls like a muffled bell, "ne-ne ne-ne ne-ne neh, ne-ne ne-ne ne-ne nuh", with subtle variations of pitch - I presume this is the nocturnal flight call of the Common Scoter! Pitch and tone a perfect match to calls on <a href="https://www.xeno-canto.org/554343">Xeno-canto</a>. Possibly moving N-ish. Weather - wind W1 steady, 7C, 2/8 cc, clear and some light from moon; so little breeze and no other sounds tonight (1 car and 2 planes in 3 hrs, and the dull rumble from the cruise ship and tanker engines out in the Forth, no trains!) so near perfect conditions for listening. NB - many Common Scoter seen in flight over sea to north in recent days, 60 yesterday, Velvets generally move around less offshore. This is <span style="color: #ffff33;"><b>species 110</b></span> for garden but I suspect previously overlooked - a fellow birder in North Berwick picked them up on his recording on first ever night of nocmig monitoring on 25 April!
<p>
11 May - first juvenile House Sparrows being fed in garden, looked a couple of weeks old.
</p><p>
9 May - a Small White in garden:
</p><p>
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBL47f22ijKwgm-XLfI5gWJStI1w2hyphenhypheneJDI2re6Th4wtfCesOphYN1E_7_HiB2uvRLV9onrM9DDMcyTPNGZ_VHcyPFKBK_uh3jlXjUvaIa53l-r652wthG1xPlYL01eWkT_-PGiQLZd-M/s1600/IMG_20200509_113846_crop.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1585" data-original-width="1600" height="633" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBL47f22ijKwgm-XLfI5gWJStI1w2hyphenhypheneJDI2re6Th4wtfCesOphYN1E_7_HiB2uvRLV9onrM9DDMcyTPNGZ_VHcyPFKBK_uh3jlXjUvaIa53l-r652wthG1xPlYL01eWkT_-PGiQLZd-M/s640/IMG_20200509_113846_crop.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
8 May - insects again, Speckled Wood and Orange-tip, and garden teeming with <a href="https://twitter.com/Buzz_dont_tweet/status/1257951196054257666">St Mark's flies</a>, odd creatures which just seem to buzz around without doing anything, though <a href="https://www.buglife.org.uk/bugs/bug-directory/st-marks-fly/">apparently they feed on nectar</a> which may explain why they gathered round the rowan - nevertheless welcome prey for many birds!
<p>
Evening 7 May - Dunlin call distantly to W 01:02hrs, then 01:28hrs 7+ sets of "kek-kek-kek" calls from a Moorhen which initially approached from SW, went NE then receded NW, best evidence yet of some kind of territorial circuit.
</p><p>
Another Water Rail, 00:58hrs on 6 May, two sets of kip/trill calls, "kip-kip-kip grrrEEEEeeee" repeated (not "squeal" which I put in <a href="https://twitter.com/lothianrecorder/status/1257823737065455618">Tweet</a>, in haste), bird heading NE (second call recorded); this is the 3rd Water Rail for #lockdown, never previously heard here but unmistakable. As far as I'm aware these are also the first "nocmig" records of this species in Lothian, can't find any in our database, and this species is not a common breeder here, largely I suspect due to lack of habitat (there are plenty in Borders) - typically there are breeding records from 1-5 sites (Duddingston now benefitting from camera traps) and only one of those has been in East Lothian - a dead juv recovered from a new site in Aug-19. Hence I think noteworthy - I tried posting to BirdGuides after <a href="https://www.birdguides.com/news/bird-news-during-lockdown-an-update/">their offer to feature garden firsts, nocmig</a> etc, but it was deemed non-newsworthy; bizarre really as they will post Velvet Scoter, LTD etc in the Forth and it would be very odd to go to Gosford Bay and not see a Velvet, or several hundred, unless the weather was very bad.
</p><p>
5-6 May - pipistrelle sp. over for the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Lothiansbatgroup/">bat survey</a>. Then another Coot calling over, probably heading W, 22:51hrs (16th record, and 5th of #lockdown!), followed by a bout of Moorhen calls at 00:20hrs (~10th of #lockdown) and then a Grey Heron moving NE over 00:22hrs (1st for the year, and just 4th nocturnal record, following 15/7/19, 23/6 & 16/9/16). Then Water Rail 00:58hrs (see above) and first Common Sandpiper of the year too at 01:02hrs (~25th record)! Weather tonight - clear sky, full moon, nearly no wind, 4C - chilly for sitting in the garden but well worth it.
</p><p>
4 May - migrant Whimbrel calling over 00:32hrs. Local Blackbird struck up at 04:33hrs, Robins were much earlier.
</p><p>
3 May - wonderful song flight of Grey Wagtail circling over, went quiet when female Sparrowhawk appeared!
</p><p>
2 May - young Dunnocks being fed in garden, they appear without fail every year!
</p><p>
1 May - Mallard over again in morning and Mistle Thrush song, Grey Wagtail again in afternoon with brief song, and Moorhen nocturnal calls 22:23 and 22:59hrs, followed by regular circuit of hedgehog.
</p><p>
A day late for daylist, Song Thrush singing at dusk on 30 April - at least brought up 51 species for the week and 61 for the month, both are new records for spring and I expect will never be repeated. Regular call from Moorhen, 22:33hrs (8 records in last 3 weeks, surely a regular territorial flight). Sandwich Tern 23:34hrs, rare in spring.
</p><p>
29 April - pr Mallard and a Greylag Goose over at dawn, also Buzzard thermalling over Fernyness Wood, and in the evening the first Grey Wagtails of the year and then regular Moorhen calling over 23:10hrs brought up the daylist to 40 species - but first day with no Mipits or Chiff song!
</p><p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5lSxaDxy_Qy0BTspiKIn3udAbxbyL4vnXRNIdE2WvLbyWCXUFgn6GJY-A3qh7FuxgrYTMrW48iO6QF4HKjspG9UxxOar_LzlPLgVMt9HxG056mPeMlEy3fJ3sv2hUeuBGny2ajiwM9BU/s1600/IMG_20200428_102928_crop.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1424" data-original-width="1600" height="569" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5lSxaDxy_Qy0BTspiKIn3udAbxbyL4vnXRNIdE2WvLbyWCXUFgn6GJY-A3qh7FuxgrYTMrW48iO6QF4HKjspG9UxxOar_LzlPLgVMt9HxG056mPeMlEy3fJ3sv2hUeuBGny2ajiwM9BU/s640/IMG_20200428_102928_crop.jpg" width="640" /></a>Bright again on 28 April, alarm/display call from f Sparrowhawk over was notable. Also first of the year Speckled Wood:
</p><p>
Great, first Barn Owl of 2020, call 22:51hrs 27 April. Updated #lockdownlisting with 100-up: 56 from garden, <u>heard only</u> (<u>Pinkfooted Goose</u>, Mallard, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, <u>Pheasant</u>, <u>Water Rail</u>, <u>Moorhen</u>, <u>Coot</u>, <u>Oystercatcher</u>, <u>Curlew</u>, <u>Redshank</u>, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Blackback, Great Blackback, Feral Pigeon, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, <u>Tawny Owl</u>, <u>Barn Owl</u>, Skylark, Sand Martin, Swallow, House Martin, Meadow Pipit, Tree Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, <u>Redwing</u>, Mistle Thrush, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, <u>Nuthatch</u>, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Tree Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Siskin, Linnet, Crossbill, Bullfinch); 44 additional species recorded on "patch" in same period (Brent Goose, Red-necked Grebe, Whimbrel (2), Purple Sandpiper, Little Egret, Kestrel, Grasshopper Warbler, Whitethroat, Treecreeper, Teal, Great Crested Grebe, Sanderling, Snipe, Guillemot, Sedge Warbler, Goosander, Rock Pipit, Stock Dove, Mediterranean Gull (4), Fulmar, Greylag Goose, Shag, Grey Partridge, Shelduck, Dunlin, Reed Bunting, Slavonian Grebe, Grey Plover, Knot, Razorbill, Red-throated Diver, Common Scoter, Turnstone, Gannet, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Long-tailed Duck, Wigeon, Bar-tailed Godwit, Gadwall, Velvet Scoter, Eider, Red-breasted Merganser). Altogether <a href="https://app.box.com/s/gshfq4uzos4mk4sih6q9rshqquabjc80">1684 records from 50 lists (39 complete lists, others for Gosford Sands) totalling 93 species</a>, plus Pinkfoot, Water Rail, Coot, Tawny Owl, Barn Owl, Tree Pipit and Crossbill only from garden. Just Swift expected now, and hopefully some more waders!
</p><p>
Something new - Orange-tip in garden (previous records Apr-17 and May-06!). Starling "FF" so the young have hatched.
</p><p>
27 April - a joy to hear the song of Mistle Thrush dominating the dawn chorus, last heard here in spring Feb-14, though more regular in springs 2009-11, also song in Dec-17 and Dec-06.
</p><p>
Sunday 26 April started well with pr Mallard (picked up on call, quacks!) and Nuthatch and Goldcrest song. The latter is interesting, 5 weeks of daily BirdTrack circuits and song only from Fernyness Wood conifers, then yesterday song in 3 different places - have they just arrived from somewhere?
</p><p>
Skylark song 25 April, seems really to have set up territory, plus Mistle Thrush and Goldcrest song which makes 55 species for the garden lockdown
</p><p>
The Skylark sang again in morning of 24 April (maybe it has just arrived and established a territory), while in evening the hedgehog was in the garden and a/the Moorhen was calling at 23:27hrs.
</p><p>
Yet another bright sunny day with a light north-easterly on 23 April - despite this and long hours outside, visible or audible migrants really thin on the ground - only exception was 24 Swallows briefly at Longniddry shore yesterday evening, circled and fed before continuing; local Swallows in song over garden daily, and finally another House Martin back. Most cheerful this morning was song of Skylark from high over the golf course, bird eventually flew low S, presumably back to its home in farmland south of village. I'm pretty sure Skylark does not breed on the golf course, no hint of another in a month of visits, so maybe just a morning out?! NB - not uncommonly recorded as migrant here, but singing birds now sparse, wks of: 21/5/17, 4/4/10, 28/6/09, 16/4/06, 1/5/05.
</p><p>
Nuthatch calling from gardens in Gosford Road, 22 April, third record (after one distantly on 20 July 2016 and another in Jan 2018); recently have heard two calling in turn in Fernyness Wood, adjacent territories? Juv seen there on 23 July 2018.
</p><p>
Finally, after a couple of probables (i.e. bird not seen) a Tree Pipit low N over garden calling 07:33hrs 20 April, <span style="color: #ffff33;"><b>species 109</b></span>.
</p><p>
Great, another Moorhen calling, or perhaps more likely the nightly excursion of the same Moorhen, 00:15hrs 20 April. Earlier in the day had located one on the tiny pool at top of golf course, this is 710m from our house (nearly due west), but I have not found any literature indicating any size for a flight territory, if such exists (BWP does not mention it, but says "Pair studied by Howard 1940 occupied area of c. 122 m2, but territory size highly variable" and "In winter, defend a reduced part ('core area') of former breeding territory, often feeding beyond boundary. In study population, Avon valley (Hampshire), occupying streams running through agricultural grassland, c. 50% of pairs held winter territories of c. 40 m (33–47) of waterway plus adjacent land up to 1 m from banks". So, not large! Moreover, checking records, had recorded same on 1 April and 21, 22 and 23 April last year, so perhaps actually a long-term resident breeder? Have also heard and seen previous in the c/p 2 bog and burn across golf course which is much closer, only 400m from house. Postscript, one seen at c/p 1 burn 27/4, which is 1.5km due W.
</p><p>
18 April, Swallow really back now, singing in the sun, also a ragged Buzzard thermalling high over in morning; that's 51 garden birds for the #birdinglockdown, 10 nocturnal only, slim pickings compared to many who have been adding Eagles, Cranes, etc to their garden lists, even just over the hill in Haddington; still, I feel I have a much better knowledge of local status of many species even in 4 weeks - locations of each Chiff, Lotti, Bullfinch, Pheasant etc on local patch, daily variation in wader numbers (peak 172 Barwits), frequency of nocturnals (and lack thereof), much more still to learn! Photo of garden "patch" occupied ~10hrs per day (completed reading 3 PhDs, one to go):
</p><p>
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4XBIqc_fHuiXYtcV96yavVvEYm8eecOE_m4bwiga6iLv1Zuki3aFIMuhy95t7p5Pu8IQUGDw0TvwZ_J5CkpEA7X07ur1gSdZTpFrHUa9iuEPLFeC5Ao2HML4lAiV6TW42wd3Fjb5ekHw/s1600/IMG_20200408_111311.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4XBIqc_fHuiXYtcV96yavVvEYm8eecOE_m4bwiga6iLv1Zuki3aFIMuhy95t7p5Pu8IQUGDw0TvwZ_J5CkpEA7X07ur1gSdZTpFrHUa9iuEPLFeC5Ao2HML4lAiV6TW42wd3Fjb5ekHw/s640/IMG_20200408_111311.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
Many more hours in the garden with very little evidence of vismig, Mipits passing as singles every now and again during the day, normally less than 1 per hour! About 75% direct low over garden SW, 25% high due N or NE. Nocmig normally has an even poorer strike rate, Tawny has been scarce this year compared to last so nice to hear one from golf course early on 17 April. The only genuine change of status has been hearing regular calls from Pheasant, with pr at Bents bog wood they are probably breeding within 400m of house. Some close encounters too, Wren within touching distance in red currant and working our flower pots, lovely to see it so close, completely unaware of me!
<p>
Blackcap in song <b>in</b> the garden was a rare treat, morning 16 April. Blackbird spent all morning building, I was pleased to see her take some of the stuff I'd left out for her; nest just behind bird table in Leylandii hedge, maybe I can carefully <a href="https://www.bto.org/our-science/projects/nesting-neighbours/">monitor for BTO</a>.
</p><p>
Evening 15 April - like buses, another Water Rail, but treated to the "squeal" call this time - 21:54hrs; perhaps I've been missing them in the past, it is often too cold and windy to sit outside in early April, this year have got used to wrapping up warm. More Moorhens latter, 2 of them calling to each other, one circling over house. Been out every day for 4 weeks and not had a sniff of one, then at night they seem to be all over the place! A hat trick with Coot giving single calls at 23:27hrs, the <a href="https://nocmig.com/coot-fulica-atra/">nocmig website</a> mentions these repetitive flights might be territorial behaviour.
</p><p>
Morning 14 April - Tree Pipit heard, also 3 more Crossbill SW over.
</p><p>
Food caddy raided overnight, broccoli stalks ejected, one main suspect - hedgehog!
</p><p>
Change in the wind late on Easter Sunday produced an unusual dusk movement of many hundreds of Herring Gulls moving NE towards colonies/coastal roosts - and with them 8 ad GBB, 3 flying as pairs and two singles, an impressive bird in flight.
</p><p>
2 more Swallows low NE over same day, 12 April.
</p><p>
Robins courtship feeding in garden on Easter Sunday, a very secretive breeder (not found a nest!) but per BWP "♀ starts giving Contact-calls regularly (up to 20 times per min) within 3 days of completing nest (East 1981b) or before lining it (88% of 66 nests: D G C Harper)...Within a few days (exceptionally 15: D G C Harper), ♂ starts to collect food for ♀, while giving infrequent Contact-calls".
</p><p>
Evening of 11 April, Coot and Moorhen heard again flying over; thus ends the best ever spring week for observations from garden, 48 species recorded (though somehow missed Buzzard!) including one tick with Water Rail - an obvious consequence of the noticeably quieter environment and more time spent while working from home.
</p><p>
A new challenge - pr Grey Partridge in flight over golf course just 300m from home! At nearest the course is 250m NNW (<a href="https://www.bing.com/maps?osid=b29da41a-e5e9-4852-b083-952ed77e9bc8&cp=55.980848~-2.897867&lvl=17&style=h&imgid=3a4f1d8e-6bde-4b14-be8b-09456c08bfd0&v=2&sV=2&form=S00027">map</a> - birds near clumps of trees in centre of course, house is 4th row in) so dusk song should be easily audible - problem at present is the BHGs (on sea) are quite raucous, but most of them will be off soon. Here they are by the bunker on the 14th:</p><p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEadM59bdZf8CM-t1IAIlF1G7bzFxEOL0LPu6k9_0ky-v8G7J61Vfmbdqr_i_qJprdNdI6lOgiXApisgzEoiJD7JL-PoY5OkFWpLh-CLCg0hyjgkoISnERdyaF8hm9DOcP9s4uCEXrDw4/s1600/IMG_20200411_184959_crop.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1053" data-original-width="1600" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEadM59bdZf8CM-t1IAIlF1G7bzFxEOL0LPu6k9_0ky-v8G7J61Vfmbdqr_i_qJprdNdI6lOgiXApisgzEoiJD7JL-PoY5OkFWpLh-CLCg0hyjgkoISnERdyaF8hm9DOcP9s4uCEXrDw4/s640/IMG_20200411_184959_crop.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p>
NB - Grey Partridge has declined drastically in South-east Scotland recently with the <a href="https://www.the-soc.org.uk/birds-in-south-east-scotland-2007-13">atlas</a> documenting a numerical drop of up to 80% with accompanying 61% range reduction between atlases (20 yrs); but locally a few cling on; there was one at the c/p 2 bog in Feb 2015 but before that last records on this side of Longniddry (golf course/Bents) were back in 1993, when one resident reported 9 of them in his back garden! [PS - present again by clubhouse on 20 April, and original location 22 April, no song heard which seems odd - I frequently hear song in farmland areas where they are resident, particularly at dusk].
</p><p>
Small Tort rescued from garage - just woken from hibernation? After a minute in the sun flew off before I could give it sugar water.
</p><p>
Water Rail! Had heard a series of distant calls far to north at 23:13hrs, reminiscent of a cross between a House Martin and a Dunlin; delighted when it came back 23:51hrs, three clear Water Rail "trill calls" (like <a href="https://www.xeno-canto.org/543441">this</a>) heading W - managed to record one. <span style="color: #ffff33;"><b>Species 108</b></span> for the garden! Also Moorhen calling again, these must be local birds flying around the area. [Logged results to date on <a href="https://www.trektellen.org/count/view/501/">trektellen</a> - 30 hrs "observation" now in April, this time is actually spent well wrapped up in garden reading a PhD (4 to examine!)].
</p><p>
First Swallow back 9 April.
</p><p>
Moorhen - several calls, 23:37hrs, 19th record (still well ahead of Coot), of which 9 Apr, 5 May, 2 Jun, 2 Jul, 1 Sep.
</p><p>
Crossbill migrating W over morning 8 April.
</p><p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyEGzMUBbNjt5gRNXWBXNplcS8eHjBW8xJLRGwM90lW38r-Ug6v3_vQXgivhUBlyuVdygP3Pi44sSsVejq5QET0wpZw-hRx4sTFzqaeRmhJ-Ac_NDECif2wKPfk_Rb21DFsMpMOz3SOXs/s1600/IMG_20200408_111842_crop.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1076" data-original-width="1600" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyEGzMUBbNjt5gRNXWBXNplcS8eHjBW8xJLRGwM90lW38r-Ug6v3_vQXgivhUBlyuVdygP3Pi44sSsVejq5QET0wpZw-hRx4sTFzqaeRmhJ-Ac_NDECif2wKPfk_Rb21DFsMpMOz3SOXs/s640/IMG_20200408_111842_crop.jpg" width="640" /></a>
</p><p>
Wonderful, Willow Warbler in our flourishing rowan tree for one bout of song early on 8 April, then gone, the essence of spring!
</p><p>
2 House Martins back feeding over late morning 7 April, earliest ever here (after 8 on 9/4/17); also Willow Warbler in the Bents on 6 April, earliest ever here (after one on 10/4/11). [Earliest ever Swallow was 3/4/11, not breaking that record!]
</p><p>
Hard to get excited about it, but nocturnal flight call of Mallard at 00:00hrs on 7 April was a garden year tick! This is second nocturnal record of Mallard after one on same date in 2012.
</p><p>
Several Mipits on 5 April late morning them from 17:00hrs, including group 24. Another Redwing call 22:10hrs, then 03:00hrs.
</p><p>
01:19hrs 5 April - Redwing call, wind again reduced from W4 earlier.
</p><p>
4 April, 2 queen Buff-tailed Bumblebees on red currant flowers.
</p><p>
01:53hrs 3 April - Redwing call; very clear night, wind much reduced from W4 in afternoon
</p><p>
Coot moving NE over 22:46hrs 1 April, 13th record (9 in spring, 4 Jul-Aug). And another 01:05hrs 3 April! Had enough Coots now, would like to swap one for a Water Rail thanks!!!
</p><p>
First queen Tree Bumblebee 29 March.
</p><p>
Blackbirds in song from 04:07hrs, 27 March, that's 1 hr 47 mins before sunrise.
</p><p>
First Chiffchaff song nearby on 22 March.
</p><p>
A chance spot - stuck at home due to COVID, Starlings were up so I looked out and spotted a Sprawk circling, went upstairs for a better look and was surprised to see a Peregrine circling over to the west, toward the golf clubhouse, legs hanging down with a small object, presumably a small bird.
</p><p>
Queen White-tailed Bumble-bee on 8 March (another on 21 March).
</p><p>
Song Thrush doing its thing early March, a bit later than usual but nice to hear it.
</p><p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKQ3g2k3sCHn76QDXb1obTfTo-S8Vl8BEvOP98q8X7AJjHz6Mv-SGmGC8fyZClEnVcEnxMb7LskGMhP3jB8xvQM1WROWiGDptNq2hYltWKfM7b5kmh59g-t0jVchdpmIyHEFofGgmVyyU/s1600/IMG_20200213_160842.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1323" data-original-width="1600" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKQ3g2k3sCHn76QDXb1obTfTo-S8Vl8BEvOP98q8X7AJjHz6Mv-SGmGC8fyZClEnVcEnxMb7LskGMhP3jB8xvQM1WROWiGDptNq2hYltWKfM7b5kmh59g-t0jVchdpmIyHEFofGgmVyyU/s400/IMG_20200213_160842.jpg" width="400" /></a>Linnets back in birch on 13 February, commonly heard in flight over and once on road outside front but this is an unprecedented number in the village itself.
</p><p>
590+ Herring Gulls through 07:45-08:30hrs 4 February, led by a large pack of 2-300 birds, <i>en route</i> into Edinburgh area, would have departed roost islands off North Berwick about half an hour before sunrise.
</p><p>
Flighty bunch of 60 finch sp. in birch, majority Linnet, with a few Greenfinch mixed in, 3 February.
</p><p>
Morning gull commute on 28 January, hundreds Herring gracefully gliding through into the wind 07:45-08:30hrs, 50+ BHG high SW over and best came last with 4 lumbering GBB quite high following the Herrings, lazy lunges at each other as they went, 3 ads + 1 imm.
</p><p>
Butterfly flew over garden on 22 January, Small Tort by size and appearance, most have been woken by sun!
</p><p>
A frustrating one - apparent Reed Bunt call from bird in flight at dusk 21 January, with Fieldfares going over S to roost at same time, but could not see it.
</p><p>
A bit OT for a blog on 'garden birds' - but amazed to find this Small Tortoiseshell flying round my head in our front room on 18 January - where had that been hiding?! Released it in garage, was soon back to sleep...
</p><p>
</p><p>
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7LX0rVbPqOfp5sBG8ccrP4NYzC5wtcycEvynJKjz1xz6jDEO3oLvjiQpqpUpp-iT5NjSVDqx9H7o2GXc9IIhyphenhyphen3_oY3-nCjSdAdxxkr7RMxzhfRAVBIEkkw8DZujXwHflQRRdCQTYh67g/s1600/IMG_20200118_224447.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1004" data-original-width="1600" height="401" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7LX0rVbPqOfp5sBG8ccrP4NYzC5wtcycEvynJKjz1xz6jDEO3oLvjiQpqpUpp-iT5NjSVDqx9H7o2GXc9IIhyphenhyphen3_oY3-nCjSdAdxxkr7RMxzhfRAVBIEkkw8DZujXwHflQRRdCQTYh67g/s640/IMG_20200118_224447.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Greenfinch in song 18 January, normally not heard till around mid-February in recent years.
<p>
Social gathering of 23 Magpies on 10 January matches previous peak count from 27 January 2005.
</p><p>
Cheery Coal Tit in song on New Year's Day.
<p>
<b><u>2019</u></b>
<p>
[<i style="color: #66ffff;">Overview of the year 2019 </i></p><p>
</p><div style="color: #66ffff;">
<i>77 confirmed species is one of the best, and restrospectively includes a single addition to the list (now 107, only 14 additions in last 9 years), this being an apparent Marsh Harrier (<a href="https://twitter.com/lothianrecorder/status/1168208230130098177">photos</a> & <a href="https://app.box.com/s/tofc9snuepika1e5rfru67lpv1d84a20">video</a>) on 1 September. But a probable Tree Pipit on 26 August eluded me! Scarcer species included Waxwing and Peregrine in Jan, nocturnal Coot in Feb (12th record), male Pheasant calling Mar-Apr (4-5th records), Moorhens consecutive nights in Apr (c. 15 records), another nocturnal migrant Quail in May (4th record, and earliest, 22/5), another Moorhen in Jun, Dunlin in Jul (13th record), Kestrels in Jul (first record of pr together), Ringed Plover in Aug (11th record) plus Common Sand (now ~24 records), Med Gull in Aug (2nd record, <a href="https://twitter.com/lothianrecorder/status/1165678818524323842?s=20">first to be filmed</a>!), 20 Canada Geese in Aug (4th record), large numbers of Barnacle Geese in Sep (including 380 over on 28/9), Jay in Oct (4th record), Crossbill in Nov (poor year for them) and Tree Sparrows in Dec. Tawny Owl(s) took up residence within the village, in the spring, for the first time. Greenfinch still resident in breeding season, but a poor year for Grey Wagtails. Latest record of Swift with 3 still on 9 September. Status of Blackcap is changing, with a returning wintering bird in Jan-Feb (though it may have perished/moved on), but m+f in autumn were only 2nd November record here. There was also an invasion of Painted Lady butterflies which reached our garden on 9 June.]</i></div>
<p>
Large group of Pinks NE over late evening 30 December, more at 16:55hrs on New Year's Eve.
<p>
3 Tree Sparrows in garden amongst House Sparrow at feeder (grain from Townhead) - a fairly regular fly over but this first in the garden since 14/9/15 (also 31/10 and 3/12/10 when first recorded).
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBnMObsjOGdhYVggIzT9MxseI38uUcIm6Mv8N2yXoK1-5QY6X8jzyIVSo3JmEL9GkEgmtN7iQRHbuDgzX7Sn5Ow7iwaY4axlfH9iRPrnI7nq7rDi4HX01YtyKuHBhPBYMBcT18jVEhje4/s1600/IMG_20191130_111429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBnMObsjOGdhYVggIzT9MxseI38uUcIm6Mv8N2yXoK1-5QY6X8jzyIVSo3JmEL9GkEgmtN7iQRHbuDgzX7Sn5Ow7iwaY4axlfH9iRPrnI7nq7rDi4HX01YtyKuHBhPBYMBcT18jVEhje4/s400/IMG_20191130_111429.jpg" width="400" height="308" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1230" /></a></div>Woodpigeons hiding in the bushes and mating near former nest, 29 November, could we see first ever December nest here (previous juvs in nest Nov and Feb)?
<p>
Even better, now pr of Blackcap, in rowan on 19 November, taking the last berries on ends of branches that thrushes and starlings failed to reach. Robin not happy!
<p>
Magic, another male Blackcap, in rowan on 10 November (2nd November record, logged every month of the year here).
<p>
A poor year for Common Crossbill compared to autumn 2018, 1 on 4 November was first since 4 November 2018!
<p>
Geese continue into November, hundreds SW most mornings and going back at night ~2 hrs after sunset. 12,342 Pinks at Aberlady on 28 October was latest autumn peak for 20+ yrs.
<p>
Jay low S over 08:45hrs 29 October, 4th record, likely unconnected to current irruption on the Continent but interesting that last here were in 2014, which was the <a href="https://www.trektellen.org/species/trend/5/0/387/-2/0/1990/2019/?g=&l=&k=&">big year</a> for autumn movement.
<p>
Red fox behind surgery on 24 October, first record since June 2009, but many must pass unseen.
<p>
Barnacles still over in numbers on Saturday 28 September, including a flock of 380 E (from photo) at 14:50hrs.
<p>
Yet more Barnacles over early on Friday 27 September.
<p>
A small "fall" in our tiny garden on Tuesday 24 September - 2 Chiffchaffs with 9+ Long-tailed Tits, a male and a f/imm Blackcap (the latter bird seen again twice in following days eating Rowan and Elderflower berries). Several House Martins still around.
<p>
Great, first flock of nocturnal Barnacle Geese for a while, calls from a decent number over SW in rain at 23:05hrs 23 September, with 90 over SW c.09:00hrs the following morning.
<p>
A remarkable 6 Cormorants flying inland on 20 September, previously nearly annual (2004-2013 except 2008), but only 2 in last 5 years, all previous records have been singles apart from 2 in Dec-2004.
<p> Pleasing to have a Bullfinch in the garden feeding on rosehips the same morning (one previous record of pair in garden).
<p>
3 Swift still on 9 September!
<p>
Pinks moving W over 01:50hrs 4 September, earliest autumn record here.
<p>
Noted a huge cloud of c. 1000 Sandwich Tern over coast by Aberlady at dusk on 3 September, then at 00:58hrs 3+ calling as moving S over our house.
<p>
Swift still, 2 September (getting close to latest, which was last year 3-5 September).
<p>
A presumed f/imm Marsh Harrier - a large apparently dark raptor distantly approaching from NE down Wemyss Road, two streets south of us, Buzzards are a routine occurrence around the village but something grabbed me about this bird so I got out phone and grabbed a distant still at 11:55:50 hrs, then <a href="https://twitter.com/lothianrecorder/status/1168209002351775746?s=20">some video from 11:56:16 hrs</a>, bird then encountered mobbing from two Herring Gulls high over and veered NW, grabbed 4 stills, the first below taken at 11:56:53 hrs - bird on left is a Herring Gull which can also be seen in distance rising at bottom of second below which was previous image at 11:56:51 hrs (top right image <a href="https://twitter.com/lothianrecorder/status/1168208230130098177?s=20">in Tweet</a> was first view over tree 11:56:48 hrs). Admittedly the first image below looks "different" but it is 100% certainly the same bird, confirmed as taken 2 seconds after previous image, view is direct into sun but I think difference in profile is because flight is now inclined, perhaps in response to mobbing? Overall views and analysis suggest compared to Buzzard the glide with V "arm" and flat "hand", the longer tail (marginally longer than base of wing), the narrower wing and narrowing hand are all indicative of Marsh Harrier; later more careful analysis of processed video was sufficient to confirm the initial ID, also showing clearly the narrowing hand and less squat appearance in flight (<a href="https://app.box.com/s/tofc9snuepika1e5rfru67lpv1d84a20" target="_blank">processed video linked</a>, compare Marsh Harrier <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPV5JH09Ljs">flight action</a>).
<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghsJZ15ctKtxTgp1XuQkOijnNGdt6gae7ehpFRPOjZ1Jdj2jkSrmMXQHELEO0UhTtTMM1ro70wetjP7k8cWB5S5uXNVDreJUX5fhBz0y7IGVI9yEteXo7AzTJbMbIcPbhUG80jBt6yV74/s1600/IMG_20190901_115653_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghsJZ15ctKtxTgp1XuQkOijnNGdt6gae7ehpFRPOjZ1Jdj2jkSrmMXQHELEO0UhTtTMM1ro70wetjP7k8cWB5S5uXNVDreJUX5fhBz0y7IGVI9yEteXo7AzTJbMbIcPbhUG80jBt6yV74/s640/IMG_20190901_115653_crop.jpg" width="640" height="553" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1382" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDm5wGcUEfZpXQ-PHMVKVTTNWqZjFOF4EWeWnfYgdLGDFPPGqhlaGmBEKHjW-j6w6S6RU3ui4zEykk12WhmnWaWCVlDYfVeElIAgd_0hbVI1Y9PZ9yr5YVm0NhrXsTyR_Y-7CZk8rAODs/s1600/IMG_20190901_115651_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDm5wGcUEfZpXQ-PHMVKVTTNWqZjFOF4EWeWnfYgdLGDFPPGqhlaGmBEKHjW-j6w6S6RU3ui4zEykk12WhmnWaWCVlDYfVeElIAgd_0hbVI1Y9PZ9yr5YVm0NhrXsTyR_Y-7CZk8rAODs/s640/IMG_20190901_115651_crop.jpg" width="640" height="524" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1309" /></a> <span style="color: #ffff33;"><b>Species 107</b></span>
<p>
Several more parties of Sandwich Tern over in early hours on 28 August, some close and some to north nearer coast, all accompanied by Tawny hooting from Fernyness Wood.
<p>
Sandwich Terns again 01:15-01:30hrs 26 August, calm and warm.
<p>
One that got away - an unusual call of a bird flying over 16:05hrs 26 August, very like this: <a href="https://www.xeno-canto.org/493007">Tree Pipit</a>. I wonder if any move later in the day?
<p>
Sandwich Terns over late evening 25 August, very close to house.
<p>
Med Gull hawking for flying ants amongst BHGs directly over garden on 25 August, sufficient views to check legs and confirm unringed, just second record, short video clip in <a href="https://twitter.com/lothianrecorder/status/1165678818524323842?s=20">Tweet</a>. Also 2 Swift over and in evening long duets of Tawny Owl, more Sandwich Tern and a Lapwing call, not frequently heard at night.
<p>
Nocturnal Sandwich Terns over 24 August, a few heard so far but down on last year.
<p>
Bizarre occurrence 23:44hrs on 17 August - two clear Ringed Plover calls over to N apparently prompted a response from Tawny Owl, with kewicks from direction of golf clubhouse NW! This is 11th record of Ringo, of which 8 have been in August, but first since 24/8/16.
<p>
Swift still on 17 August.
<p>
c. 20 Canada Geese low SW over evening 11 August, only 4th confirmed record, or which only 3 flocks seen.
<p>
First nocturnal Sandwich Terns on 6 August.
<p>
Common Sand 00:25hrs 26 July; early a good candidate for Turnstone call a low soft "churee-chuh churee-chuh chuh chuh" (no recording; probably the teu call is easier for this species).
<p>
Dunlin calling 03:30hrs 22 July. Golden Plovers twice in last few days.
<p>
Grey Heron calls over 01:00hrs 15 July, third nocturnal record (after 23/6 & 16/9/16).
<p>
Great sight of a pair of Kestrels circling over on 7 July, first record of more than a single, this is less than annual over garden; male has been hunting golf course recently, perhaps they are failed breeders?
<p>
Another Moorhen calling 4 times flying S over village 02:35hrs on 22 June, already bright towards the east so would have been visible if I could have got onto it!
<p>
Never really gets fully dark at mid-summer and dawn chorus starts very early - logged Blackbird at 03:01hrs on 17 June, joining Robins already in song (cf. 02:59hrs for Blackbird on 18 June 2017).
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg895bY25ZsadNmy_W0i15KI2CsAQKTCBXcZW0ZdgYOpvBV2RhtR7LfBG__6IHCzWdd_3HDY92sAJ89A0z2iNOG_MnWUDMTI9BMFe2pZc_ew6-VtbkoHwCNqyG6270GufBVbDnP2F3S0M/s1600/DSCN3428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg895bY25ZsadNmy_W0i15KI2CsAQKTCBXcZW0ZdgYOpvBV2RhtR7LfBG__6IHCzWdd_3HDY92sAJ89A0z2iNOG_MnWUDMTI9BMFe2pZc_ew6-VtbkoHwCNqyG6270GufBVbDnP2F3S0M/s320/DSCN3428.JPG" width="320" height="248" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1242" /></a></div>More bumblebees on 16 June, now in excess of 100 though Tree greatly diminished, just c. 5 left, along with 3 Early, 3 Garden, a queen Buff-tailed and this single worker Red-tailed (plus 2 honey bee, 1 wasp, 1 hoverfly).<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdg33EMnW8GXMKI_ahoNJ-Jqwkw6A7fCEb6t7tzRM236qgM6VqDuF95h29BCJlb1snPyuw5Lo4HY5KJegcz5ikJgYDA1Y5V4a0sNH8oQYfrj1sKX0lx7k89HsHiqeoy7c1nfdkUle-yf8/s1600/DSCN3308_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdg33EMnW8GXMKI_ahoNJ-Jqwkw6A7fCEb6t7tzRM236qgM6VqDuF95h29BCJlb1snPyuw5Lo4HY5KJegcz5ikJgYDA1Y5V4a0sNH8oQYfrj1sKX0lx7k89HsHiqeoy7c1nfdkUle-yf8/s400/DSCN3308_crop.jpg" width="400" height="292" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1168" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBkgHGrlNz_lr1QzzH95s2bNwg1Fy98oVqaWdZab2pTELBU1QXXW4hU_UY2mrUprv3Enu9ka5AGH_ml_sUkFE4RZeMDcBqoMnee80KNOyHvlA1AEvomDcInNMwGFGi_0oKSWJJE4rmTu8/s1600/DSCN3320_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBkgHGrlNz_lr1QzzH95s2bNwg1Fy98oVqaWdZab2pTELBU1QXXW4hU_UY2mrUprv3Enu9ka5AGH_ml_sUkFE4RZeMDcBqoMnee80KNOyHvlA1AEvomDcInNMwGFGi_0oKSWJJE4rmTu8/s400/DSCN3320_crop.jpg" width="356" height="400" data-original-width="1423" data-original-height="1600" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMHVLyj1H2Yv5Z_NRdj_rSP1Le0i0WsxF2VZRsnH_0_0JpPZt4vRNQOJYOjHxYmkQ-faMh7vHfqoJsYvARy6MRzzPsTxm2EEvDYxAsDXJE8uqVyKyY5yu7XgmfxpT4R7hMXxNHk-IsrxQ/s1600/DSCN3290_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMHVLyj1H2Yv5Z_NRdj_rSP1Le0i0WsxF2VZRsnH_0_0JpPZt4vRNQOJYOjHxYmkQ-faMh7vHfqoJsYvARy6MRzzPsTxm2EEvDYxAsDXJE8uqVyKyY5yu7XgmfxpT4R7hMXxNHk-IsrxQ/s400/DSCN3290_crop.jpg" width="400" height="273" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1093" /></a></div>Garden teeming with life on 9 June - 2 Painted Lady (seen nearby in 2006 but tick for the garden) with 3 Red Admiral and a small white and probably over 100 bumble bees, white-tailed in majority but also many Tree and 3 Early (<i>Bombus pratorum</i>). In addition families of Blackbird, Dunnock and Blue Tit, and a large crop of Great Tits on Saturday.
<p>
Nocturnal migrant Quail calling over near house 00:50hrs 22 May, first two calls near house, by time I had got recorder switched on next two calls were from far to NE; very calm evening, earlier rain had ceased and sky fairly clear; 4th record from house and earliest (previous 1 June 2007, 12 July 2012, 9 June 2017).
<p>
Roaming male Tawny noisy on evening 20 May.
<p>
More terns on 19 May, sounds of large group over late evening - earlier there were 77 on Gosford Sands about a mile north of our house.
<p>
Very late return of Swift on 18 May, very high over so not even sure they are "ours" (they have been present every year since 2004, seen going to neighbour's eaves in 2011-14 but never *proved* to breed).
<p>
2+ Sandwich Terns calling high over village 21:40hrs 13 May.
<p>
Female Mallard low in through houses towards the Braid Burn evening 2 May. Kids reported pr Mallard loitering on path when they went to school, not seen that yet in our village!
<p>
Tawny hooting again in village near house, to NW, on 1 May.
<p>
pr Tawny in noisy hoot and kewick calls, to NE, 28 April.
<p>
Moorhen calls over late evening two consecutive nights 22 and 23 April.
<p>
pr Tawny again on 21 April.
<p>
Cock Pheasant calls 24 March and 7 April, not very exciting but only 4-5th records here.
<p>
Tawny hooting continuing on 22 March, Gosford Road area.
<p>
pr Mallard low over 22 March, a regular sight in spring, duck seen a week later in burn by community centre.
<p>
Tawny hoot and "bubbling-call" (call 2 in BWP, apparently common but audible only over 30-40m, hence perhaps why I've very rarely heard - described there as a mate "summons" and given by either sex) very close to house on 21 March, beginning to wonder if nesting in village.
<p>
Tree Bumblebee daily in early March, on redcurrant flowers.
<p>
Small Tortoiseshell found below freezer in garage around 3 March, flapped so placed securely high up to continue hibernation - but later gone - flown off or moved?
<p>
Tawny vocal again 01:15hrs 27 February.
<p>
Collared Dove visiting probable nest site still 26 February.
<p>
Calls from another nocturnal migrant Coot low W 01:18hrs 26 February, 12th record and by far the earliest spring record.
<p>
25 February - first bumblebee, queen Tree (also rescued one from pavement at work last week); also nice to hear the Greenfinch in song again - regular spring song (=local breeder) here most years since 2005 (only missing in 2008-10, 2013-14).
<p>
Tawny hooting and roaming through village 24 February.
<p>
Tawny calling continuously for over an hour 18 February.
<p>
Bizarre - 01:40hrs on 13 February, daughter screams having seen a large spider by her bed, while looking for it I hear a Magpie calling outside, followed immediately by Tawny Owl kewicks - one seems to be lingering in Community Centre/burn trees!
<p>
Starling and Blue Tit alarms late afternoon Sunday 3 February, expected Sprawk failed to materialise but about a minute later a wonderful lanky Peregrine appeared only about 50m over veering NW, probably a female on size (10th record, previous in 04/05/06/07/08/2x09/13/18).
<p>
Blackcap still daily into Feb, often in control of bird table; seems to confirm it definitely first arrived around 19 Jan, no way would have missed it earlier.
<p>
c. 50 redpolls low over on Sunday 27 January, record count - unfortunately did not perch for further scrutiny.
<p>
Blackcap the first on the <a href="https://www.rspb.org.uk/get-involved/activities/birdwatch/">BGBW</a> - initially seeing off sparrows coming to bird table but eventually sitting with 8 of them eating bread crumbs, ignoring fat ball!
<p>
Blackcap still on bird table in sub-zero conditions 23 January, fighting for scraps with House Sparrows, Robin and Starlings.
<p>
Blackcap again on 20 January, on same apple.
<p>
She's back, female Blackcap present 27/1-7/4/18 seen eating rotting apple on ground in garden on 19 January! Presumably same bird as hopping around on a similar circuit.
<p>
Daughter reports male Pheasant at Community Centre on 16 January, I've only seen one previously in the village, same location on 19/12/14, but heard distant birds twice.
<p>
Waxwing heard again 11:00hrs 2 January. On 6 January Collared Dove flying to and from conifer where nested in March 2018, likely either nest building or sitting - song continues for long periods.
<p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ekEAlUkpvTxMazg8vucOVEtluFcPycQVf854Up1meZHTnotuaPZiBZwIpfm06eL6y-rQeLyh1ZFOsE2k_NVGkA9nob6-rzLk-0oWlOe89081UWOV6q0kud7kZTL20-hiKH7z11kUGF4/s1600/DSCN2805.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ekEAlUkpvTxMazg8vucOVEtluFcPycQVf854Up1meZHTnotuaPZiBZwIpfm06eL6y-rQeLyh1ZFOsE2k_NVGkA9nob6-rzLk-0oWlOe89081UWOV6q0kud7kZTL20-hiKH7z11kUGF4/s640/DSCN2805.jpg" width="640" height="548" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1371" /></a>Signs of spring on New Year's Day with Collared Dove (above) and the three tit species in song. Woodpigeon (below) is the most regular species in the garden, up to 4 at once on the tiny bird table.
<p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiS3-4FdqksXcFNgjdPYjMMY5HJRo1ot5dD9aKZsgaCLsKvFusmPky-fayFUxzmIRvgXW9emwUQRp4INvqzS5LHqCex0WqWyj2kc5Ujw8d8ujPMiUELU7BBJmohaRNJiAkPlENU4vg1eo/s1600/DSCN2800.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiS3-4FdqksXcFNgjdPYjMMY5HJRo1ot5dD9aKZsgaCLsKvFusmPky-fayFUxzmIRvgXW9emwUQRp4INvqzS5LHqCex0WqWyj2kc5Ujw8d8ujPMiUELU7BBJmohaRNJiAkPlENU4vg1eo/s640/DSCN2800.jpg" width="640" height="427" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1067" /></a>
<p>
<b><u>2018</u></b>
<p>
[<i style="color: rgb(102, 255, 255);">Overview of the year 2018 </i></p><p style="color: rgb(102, 255, 255);"> <i>72 confirmed species is similar to recent, with two further additions to the list (now 106), Snipe in early March "beast from the east" snow and a very distant singing Sedge Warbler in early May; unfortunately it was a year where potentially the three best birds went unconfirmed – calls matching Wood Sandpiper on 15/7, a falcon sp. chasing hirundines on 3/9 (and again over Fernyness Wood on 4/9) which was surely a Hobby (and actually 3rd seen from garden, but none confirmed), and 2 chunky pipits giving a non-Mipit “ppzzz” call on 4/11 which seem likely to have been Water Pipits. Confirmed scarce this year included Peregrine on 3/3; more nocturnal gallinules and waders - 4 Moorhens 21/4, 5/5, 14/5, 27/7 (now at least 12 recorded), 1 Coot 9/5 (total 11), Whimbrel 5/5, 3 Common Sandpipers (1 in May, 2 Aug), 1 Green Sandpiper <a href="https://twitter.com/lothianrecorder/status/1025207774765035521">recorded</a> low over house on 3/8 (second record), Dunlins on 9/8 & 4/9; then 15 Barnacle Geese on 22/9 and Waxwings 28/10, 9&18/12; nocturnal Sandwich Terns were prominent from 9/8 to 23/9, often daily; a wintering female Blackcap from 27 January was last seen on 7 April. On downside another year passed with still no record of Reed Bunting or Hawfinch.</i>]
<p>
Pinks heard after dark on Boxing Day.
<p>
Two Waxwing flying down to pink flowers tree at #20 on 9 December (roughly 17th record here in 14 years, peak 18 birds); again on 18 December.
<p>
c. 630 Golden Plover high NE in loose flock early afternoon on 25 November, later a similar number were seen on the mud at Aberlady. Second highest count, after 800 on 31/10/10.
<p>
Dusk on 4 November - 2 pipit sp. low S over at dusk 16:30hrs, single "ppzzz" call, not typical of Meadow, they also looked too big for Meadow - Rock is a candidate, have once seen one flying inland from Seton Burn. No recording and immediately out of sight, another which got away! Also an interesting flock of c. 50 finch sp W over at dusk, most likely a pre-roost flock of Greenfinch. Earlier, 7 Crossbill SW over.
<p>
Waxwing SW over 08:50hrs on 28 October, same or another back again mid-afternoon, just overhead. Also 2 Buzzard over, one very high, and a hedgehog feeding under bird table, climbed into a plant pot and carried on munching, no-one will see me here:
<p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1YQ0StoVK34WWd-YVDyRxC8wBvjii2MWjM5AnUliGiyakytLQ2ACmhJsjPktLRF6xs9tEvS2B7G8qveNVhMuS4IYLVuoOF9yYFy-xUND9hReNPWaW3nLIaFMjXygrbQqt3n02izZ8esA/s1600/20181028_141426_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1YQ0StoVK34WWd-YVDyRxC8wBvjii2MWjM5AnUliGiyakytLQ2ACmhJsjPktLRF6xs9tEvS2B7G8qveNVhMuS4IYLVuoOF9yYFy-xUND9hReNPWaW3nLIaFMjXygrbQqt3n02izZ8esA/s320/20181028_141426_crop.jpg" width="320" height="249" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1243" /></a>
<p>
Very little time to look recently but in passing 9 Crossbills over SW on 18 October; last three hirundines (distant, probably Swallows) on 14 October.
<p>
Bunch of Sandwich Terns heading S over 21:30hrs 23 September, several ads and at least one juv, still lots on the coast. Goose flocks heard every few minutes most of the evening, Pinks going SW/NE, 3 flocks high N, also 40 Greylag NE, perhaps to roost.
<p>
Geese in all directions 22 September - Greylags 32+24+36 W/60 E, yapping Barnacles 15 NE directly over house, many Pinks calling.
<p>
Sandwich Tern(s) calling 23:20hrs 5 September. ad+juv 01:20hrs.
<p>
Swift feeding over on evening 5 September, decent numbers of hirundine still - 20+ each of Swallow and House Martin.
<p>
Redshank over 23:42hrs 4 September, what a lovely call they have. Sandwich Terns, ad+ juv, 23:45hrs.
<p>
Several clear calls from a Dunlin heading SW over 00:25hrs 4 September.
<p>
Group of Sandwich Terns, ads + juv, SW over 23:15hrs 3 September, approached from NE and followed a steady course over next 2-3 minutes until barely audible to SW, probably over centre of the village. Whether these birds continue inland or return to follow Forth coast I have no way of knowing, likely a mixture of the two.
<p>
Falcon sp. on rapid flat beats distantly to N over golf course spreading alarm through the hirundines (mainly Swallows, some high House Martin) feeding over, c. 15:30hrs 3 September - did a circuit but no further sign - quite a gathering of Swallows over Fernyness Wood, rain just easing off. Seen again distantly 19:05hrs, in a long flight SW just over tree tops of Ferny Ness wood where many hirundines feeding (over 200 hirundines altogether over the woods along the coast, mainly Swallows, also Swift, with perhaps same Swift low SW over house c. 19:45hrs). [Incidental, as cannot be submitted due to lack of plumage details, but this would have been my 3rd Hobby from garden in 14+ years, and 5th in Lothian, however species not yet on my Scottish list - as one was dead, one rejected by LBRC (was very confident of that one, plunging to garden opposite on Douglas Road on 4/8/10, but naked eye view only, so understandable) and two others not submitted, including one on 13/9/08 "Upstairs at home, heard alarm calls (Jackdaw, Starling); looked out, shortly afterwards bird appeared from E, following a trajectory about 50m SE of house. Approached with the rapid flapping of a Sprawk, and nearly dismissed as that species which is very common over the garden; however, as came into profile, saw narrow pointed wings and realised not a Sprawk, but was also clearly not a Kestrel, due to very distinct rapid flight action and tail not long enough; suspected must be a male Peregrine but did not seem right so grabbed binoculars and ran through upper floor of house ready for its reappearance at the rear; got good profile view of bird, then increasingly a direct rear view as it was moving away, continuing on a fairly straight path; all dark upperparts, and dark moustashial stripe seen on cheek; underparts indistinct as on a level with bird; winnowing flight action; on glide, could see distinct secondary "bulge"; watched for longest from behind as continued on its journey; wings flexible in flight action, bending up and down with each beat, upstroke taking tips well above horizontal (unlike Peregrine); each set of flapping 8-13 rapid beats." - did not submit this due to lack of plumage details but pretty sure it was also one!]
<p>
Sandwich Terns calling in early hours of 1 September, then twice in evening, 21:50hrs, ad+juv over 22:50hrs.
<p>
Sandwich Terns again 02:00hrs 21 August, group of 3 (2+ ads, juv) over SW (<a href="https://app.box.com/s/5a70jn2q45dy4x0wmrv29azeozqr80hg">recorded</a> - image below is the spectrogram generated in Audacity, I'm still a novice with this software) <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVNkXR2frkRz0Iwzy4FEVcGTKyyrCSXfLhvB_NMBoO46dJ1awRZ-2lE4_7YrcCHBbt7ggZVYDz6mYmoERstLBabSybxbMmBdWhSwqjoE7-CQQ9lWRiKipO0UWGRC3diuV0b6erMeUvcQg/s1600/SandwichTerns+21Aug18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVNkXR2frkRz0Iwzy4FEVcGTKyyrCSXfLhvB_NMBoO46dJ1awRZ-2lE4_7YrcCHBbt7ggZVYDz6mYmoERstLBabSybxbMmBdWhSwqjoE7-CQQ9lWRiKipO0UWGRC3diuV0b6erMeUvcQg/s200/SandwichTerns+21Aug18.jpg" width="200" height="113" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="900" /></a></div>
<p>
Lone Sandwich Tern calling over in light rain 00:35hrs 20 August; sometime the shrill call of the older juveniles can be difficult to separate from Dunlin.
<p>
A bunch of 12 odd looking geese NE over 18:44hrs 19 August heading for Gosford Estate (where recent Snow Goose), most looked smaller than usual Greylags but a couple of rather larger birds, may well have been Canadas.
<p>
Willow Warbler hooet-ing in back gardens 19 August, part of a national-scale movement.
<p>
Yet another Common Sand calling 23:15hrs 16 August. Earlier 5 Arctic Terns were towering at Port Seton, rising very high over the shore as if checking the route ahead, a potential garden addition but tough ID on call alone.
<p>
Sandwich Terns again inland on 15 August.
<p>
Tawny hoots 01:33hrs 13 August. Golden Plover heard 3 times to 02:35hrs.
<p>
Sandwich Terns again in early hours of 11 August, also Redshanks twice - though this is one of the five "common" waders which regularly goes inland to feed here (with Oyc, Golden Plover, Curlew and Lapwing).
<p>
Sandwich Terns - usual combo of ad + juv, calling over house moving inland 01:05hrs 10 August; also Tawny Owl, scarce recently and no young found in Fernyness Wood this year.
<p>
Roost flight of 9 Greylags W c. 22:00hrs 9 August.
<p>
Dunlin calling over loud and clear 01:35hrs 9 August (12th record, annual now since 2015). Sandwich Terns audible from coast, but not moving inland.
<p>
Another Common Sand calling persistently 00:44hrs 7 August, same following day at 22:30hrs, that's also a hat-trick of sandpipers in a month! First Sandwich Terns over.
<p>
Green Sand over 01:28hrs on 3 August - heard a peep-peep-peep call to NE and turned on recorder, about 20s later it called again, a loud clear call "tlooit-vit-vit" now to SW of house, <a href="https://twitter.com/lothianrecorder/status/1025207774765035521">audio is in tweet</a>. [A previous record of this species on 19/9/15 retrospectively accepted as <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);"><b>species 100</b></span>, and prior to that one on 27/5/14 was deemed unconfirmed, many more must pass undetected].
<p>
A great cloud of birds over on evening of 2 August, 500+ gulls coming N to coast and 150+ Swifts with other hirundines feeding over Fernyness Wood (cf. 420+ there on 23/7/17)
<p>
Moorhen low over house calling several times c. 01:40hrs 27 July.
<p>
Clear Sandpiper call 01:44hrs 15 July, k-SEE-soo...kw-see-see-see-soo - not high pitched like Common, nor any hint of disyllabic k-yuk in Green, so I think it was a Wood Sand, no recording though so one that got away.
<p>
Bumble bee total falling last week of June as buddleia flowers dried up, totals much lower than last year but Tree now ~40% of total.
<p>
Another Crossbill calling over Saturday 16 June, just before heavy downpour.
<p>
Hedgehog in garden early June. Bumblebees ramping up on buddleia globosa, Trees already in double figures, become the dominant species!
<p>
Kestrel hovering over golf course to N, Sunday 10 June.
<p>
Sedge Warbler in song, barely audible, just the piercing high notes, c. 440m WNW at Longniddry c/p 2 bog early hours of 14 May (<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);"><b>species 106</b></span>); Moorhen call 00:30hrs, near but could not see; single high pitched 'peeee' from Common Sandpiper 01:30hrs.
<p>
Yet another Coot, probably E, 22:50hrs 9 May, in rain, actually 11th record.
<p>
Yet another Moorhen, E, 02:50hrs 5 May, Whimbrel calling 04:03hrs.
<p>
2 prs Buzzard very high over in sun on 28 April, some display, mewing calls only faintly audible.
<p>
Willow Warbler, Chiff and Blackcap singing 24 April.
<p>
Old hat these days with nocmiggers reporting huge flows of nocturnal migrants, but a Moorhen low over our house at c. 21:40hrs on 21 April was recorded the old fashioned way.
<p>
Blackcap apparently absent 2-6 April but showed again on 7 April!
<p>
Fatball vacated and no sign of wintering Blackcap on 31 March, but back again on 1 April in its usual spot, dodging the Robin:<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxv3Gp6MrHkeKLDUPkSQsAnEas0oZMvvDU_bKTHEkZcujoNnx0ikdXUsse_X2Z7f5u44vQKlz-_4wOhjpo0VBInNz0MhozLHf3UcdmzMV4Uz7EhOZDGxWPjK1s5_f6vzbvBmN5PV2tM5A/s1600/Blackcap+1Apr18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxv3Gp6MrHkeKLDUPkSQsAnEas0oZMvvDU_bKTHEkZcujoNnx0ikdXUsse_X2Z7f5u44vQKlz-_4wOhjpo0VBInNz0MhozLHf3UcdmzMV4Uz7EhOZDGxWPjK1s5_f6vzbvBmN5PV2tM5A/s320/Blackcap+1Apr18.jpg" width="320" height="235" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1175" /></a></div> Amazing to think it could soon be out over the sea - after months lurking in a hedge.
<p>
Blackcap still 28, 29 and 30 March, lurking in same gap in hedge where present since 27 January.
<p>
First bumble-bee of spring 25 March.
<p>
Blackcap right at kitchen window 21 March, wonder when it will be off?
<p>
Another batch of snow 17-19 March - ad f Blackcap still present on bird table; also during 18 March first 2 LBB NE over, and flock 20 Greenfinch.
<p>
Weather beginning to ease 3 March but still lots of snow - Blackcap regular all day and mid-morning a Peregrine passing over to the SW, at c. 30m altitude, a loop with a bit of flapping, such an awesome bird to witness. Joanne also saw it from her room, her second for the garden after one he spotted herself 13 years ago when aged one (confirmed by dad)! As per many others, thrushes suffering - had a Song Thrush literally at the front door eating a snail it had recovered from leaf litter against wall of house, gave it a good bashing first.
<p>
Snipe - great view, had bins ready, flying low NE along line of Forthview Road during severe snowy weather on 1 March, <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);"><b>species 105</b></span> for the list. Blackcap still present on bird table, though subordinate to the Robin. Also Fieldfare in garden. Later while standing in kitchen amazed to see a snipe sp. approaching from SW, flew low over garden hedge before veering S, as if looking to land; naked eye view so if had not seen it earlier may have thought it more likely a Jack Snipe by behaviour (seen on occasion 400m NNE where tiny Braid burn which runs c. 50m W of our house enters the sea).
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnWglRhCgw-Y7L82MfRrG-VoVDWjCbklzWJpxr_lg76-fXR0Xj7VQnSo5ehpSwlEvWcYSqwkNtNaHUUztOtvFjuhJYCWZag8xemlCf1ow5XP1XZdXqRYDhJ0GS4NiRx3aVsoXgzv1_wWc/s1600/Blackcap+2Feb18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnWglRhCgw-Y7L82MfRrG-VoVDWjCbklzWJpxr_lg76-fXR0Xj7VQnSo5ehpSwlEvWcYSqwkNtNaHUUztOtvFjuhJYCWZag8xemlCf1ow5XP1XZdXqRYDhJ0GS4NiRx3aVsoXgzv1_wWc/s320/Blackcap+2Feb18.jpg" width="320" height="230" data-original-width="1203" data-original-height="863" /></a></div>f/imm Blackcap took up residence late Jan, eating bread on bird table and going to feeders in neighbour's garden, poor cropped shot right; this species fairly commonly reported from Edinburgh gardens these days, but this is only our second here after mid-October, 3 on 25 November 2016 was first "winter" record. Also recorded on 1 February by Christina Welch as "an unusual bird" (forgot to tell me till the following day when I saw it again), will be her first bird record in the Lothian database!
<p>
Pinks again moving at night on 2 February.
<p>
Pinks moving late evening 6 January - spring migration is underway! Tawny hooting from Longniddry Community Centre trees 01:05hrs, first there since 20/2/13 and 28/11/07 (also passing our house itself on 27/7/08 (family) and 3/9/14).
<p>
<b><u>2017</u></b>
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpePhkNfD7nrXuJ3WKRtPAVbNWaJ0SyNXSIB0-O38kJka5O79LLhOnzL46EECA5wlsGge7kvXT5JQLd2xS1rcios_LBjDiRqqs-PpBf9bibEcqUcBWYpd6qLDfSvb4FOX2HrS1TAnqiac/s1600/Garden+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpePhkNfD7nrXuJ3WKRtPAVbNWaJ0SyNXSIB0-O38kJka5O79LLhOnzL46EECA5wlsGge7kvXT5JQLd2xS1rcios_LBjDiRqqs-PpBf9bibEcqUcBWYpd6qLDfSvb4FOX2HrS1TAnqiac/s320/Garden+003.jpg"></a></div><i style="color: rgb(102, 255, 255);">Overview of the year 2017 </i></p><p style="color: rgb(102, 255, 255);"> <i>75 species recorded is second only to 77 in 2010, with a single addition to the list, being Red-throated Diver (total now 104), also notable second records of Little Egret and Nuthatch, and third of Quail. 1294 weekly peak counts were logged totalling c. 15k individuals with an average weekly list of 24 species. A new weekly list record of 45 species seen in/from the garden in week of 5th November. Also, a new high of 27 species were recorded *in* the garden during the course of the year, out of 41 in total for all years*, quite a surprising total given the tiny extent of the plot, the back lawn is about 5x5m, but for example hosted 40+ Starlings one day in May, and Rooks in late April - and Herring Gull has regularly plundered that bird table; Barn Owl may be hard to believe, but I could have caught it flying low over our garage a few years ago.<br>
Some highlights of 2017: the year started well with a few Waxwings and a Nuthatch calling nearby. A Small Tortoiseshell butterfly overwintered in garage and came out on 9 April. Further records of nocturnal migrant Moorhen and Coot in spring, also Sandwich Tern in late May. The calling Quail was heard at 02:19hrs on 9 June, but aside from often daily Sandwich Terns, nocturnals were fairly poor in late summer, one more Coot on 8 July and Dunlins on 24 July and 10 August. Down in the garden, bumblebees peaked at 85 mid-June including a new record of 13 Tree Bumblebees. An interesting sounding Crossbill flew over on 8 October. Geese were prominent in autumn with over 10k Pinkfeet logged and several flocks of Barnacles and Whoopers, but it seems like I made a bad error in ID of the first flock of swans on 29 October as possible Bewick's - was not aware then of a Fife record two days previously but it now seems impossible that mine could have been, must have been deceived by the distance! No doubts on the Little Egret flying down Douglas Road the same morning, and <a href="http://www.trektellen.org/count/view/501/20171104">vismig efforts</a> during the same spell also revealed a strong Siskin passage (up to 70/hr), and just the second migrant Brambling, but not the hoped for Hawfinch.</i>
<p>
Quick analysis of two species pairs, shows Grey Wagtail increase (often daily in autumn/winter, may even roost near Braid Burn bridge), and Greenfinch bearing up after trichomonosis, though clearly it is suffering at <a href="https://www.bto.org/sites/default/files/associated-images/sc_grefi_94_16.gif">a national level</a>. Clearly these graphs can be significantly impacted by even a single resident breeder, at it seems this year we had Greenfinch and Goldfinch breeding somewhere nearby, while Grey Wag was absent from early March to mid-July, so clearly bred elsewhere, but often heard daily after that. Nearly all Pied Wags are recorded in roost movements, concentrated in autumn. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggoDD7qeFT9XFP4oe1lGQcYXDzJtLjHnjuZ_kA1ru0pf170lHIMrlip3cyrFi1twRHfrtR6S1xaEywXpVWL4meMl3jfQUhdG2NrAJidjj1EU-yaEnuGiF38cmyMR3c89ooNZ0Wl4WKUgE/s1600/Garden+finches+to+2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: center; float: center; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggoDD7qeFT9XFP4oe1lGQcYXDzJtLjHnjuZ_kA1ru0pf170lHIMrlip3cyrFi1twRHfrtR6S1xaEywXpVWL4meMl3jfQUhdG2NrAJidjj1EU-yaEnuGiF38cmyMR3c89ooNZ0Wl4WKUgE/s320/Garden+finches+to+2017.jpg" width="320" height="129" data-original-width="480" data-original-height="193" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd_d1YoG1s7JBg9zA8UJae1WywYhggZ365s-ACCC1lbwDi-uelEXTpVgBNL-kiqJ_0xUOKFf0wR3y-gv4WRvxC01LMuvvUEJ6cZKIa7r8Na56dE1niSSwXn139EkFhZhYKECRxu4IxOtg/s1600/Garden+wagtails+to+2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: center; float: center; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd_d1YoG1s7JBg9zA8UJae1WywYhggZ365s-ACCC1lbwDi-uelEXTpVgBNL-kiqJ_0xUOKFf0wR3y-gv4WRvxC01LMuvvUEJ6cZKIa7r8Na56dE1niSSwXn139EkFhZhYKECRxu4IxOtg/s320/Garden+wagtails+to+2017.jpg" width="320" height="127" data-original-width="483" data-original-height="191" /></a></div>
<p>
* All species seen in garden (or low airspace): Sparrowhawk, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Tawny Owl, Barn Owl, Common Swift, Swallow, House Martin, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Song Thrush, Redwing, Mistle Thrush, Blackcap, Common Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Treecreeper, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Tree Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Siskin, Lesser Redpoll, Bullfinch
<p>
Pinks have remained all autumn commuting over most days - 3480 NE to Aberlady at dusk on 9 December, 1080 at 16:05hrs and c. 2400 at 16:30hrs.
<p>
Extensive Blackbird sub-song heard most calm days since mid-Oct, but full song briefly at dusk on 3 December; also a treat earlier with the only songster in the "dawn chorus" being a Mistle Thrush; Robin, Great Tit and Collared Dove also during day, last Woodpigeon song was a couple of weeks ago.
<p>
1400 Pinks SW over dawn on 20 November.
<p>
Bright cold morning on 11 November, thought I'd started too late but Siskins ramped up after 9 with c.70 in an hour, now <a href="http://www.trektellen.org/maps/species/5/0/407/20171101/20171111/1/0">ranking third after Spurn and Durlston for this species in Nov</a> ;P Finished week with a new high of 45 species recorded, up on 43 last week, missed 3 easy ones: Buzzard, Fieldfare and Feral Pigeon.
<p>
Another shot for Hawfinch on 5 November, less passage with just one Crossbill of note (<a href="http://www.trektellen.org/count/view/501/20171105">counts</a>), but just before packing up at dusk an alert on phone of one W over Kings Court which is 800m SW and on same flightline - how did I miss it?!
<p>
Beautiful morning on 4 November, constant passage of small groups of Siskin and two groups normal sounding Crossbills; also 34 Lapwing N (<a href="http://www.trektellen.org/count/view/501/20171104">counts</a>). 43 species seen/heard from garden this week, dedicated vismig watching would certainly add more.
<p>
With news of first irrupting Hawfinch seen on vismig in Scotland thought I'd start ironing early Sunday 29 October - expecting not to see one but wondering if may see something else. A good start at 07:30hrs with a diver sp. heading due NW some distance to north, Shag sized bird but distinctive flight on stiff wings, view of pale belly and dark vent - RTD is the only realistic option (<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);"><b>species 104</b></span>). Later at 08:18hrs excellent view of a Little Egret heading low SW down Gosford Road, good view of dark legs and yellow feet, dark bill - second record for garden. Potentially better was yet to come, standing at kitchen sink at 09:13hrs looked up to NW to see a line of all white adult swans proceeding SW at a modest height - but quite unlike all previous swan sightings here these looked more like giant geese, short necked and compact, with blunt bill. Flung open door and watched them for a few seconds through bins before lost to sight behind rowan, bills seemed all dark but no calls heard, unfortunately - should probably have stayed listening but instead dashed upstairs for further view from kids room as came into sight over Old Douglas Road further west, counted 10 and attempted to video on phone, but nothing visible on footage. Kicking myself for lack of proof, but feel sure these must have been Bewick's, <a href="https://www.flightoftheswans.org/expedition-map/">WWT sat tracked birds are currently in Latvia</a>. Kept watching and at 09:27hrs a bunch of Whoopers flew NE, these clearly totally different, big lanky birds with long bills, honking regularly - 6 in total, ads at front and back flanking 4 juvs. Later towards dusk a further 9 ad Whoopers ESE over some distance south - roughly Longniddry school - again unmistakable, unlike this morning's batch. Got video and photos of these latter but even at 10 times zoom they are mere specks and proof of nothing, so perhaps was futile from the start - no time to set up digiscoping gear for transient migrants! Anyway, clearly a day for swans in transit. PS - 15 Whoopers (4 juv) reported on sea off Muss 12:33hrs and understandable that people will doubt above record!
<p>
Also during 29 October, 8 Mistle Thrush over, which is equal second high count with 8 on 30/10/11, peak 11 on 6/10/15. Final day list 34 species.
<p>
Warblers in our rowan mid-Oct - Chiff on 15th, Blackcap on 14th, ses dad "wow, a Blackcap in the rowan!", daughter comes running, dad impressed, she's finally showing an interest in birds, "can't see it", "there it is, hopping about behind that branch"...after a minute of peering into tree turns out she thought I said a "black cat"!
<p>
Crummy pics but first proof of Barnacles over garden, several among c. 3k Pinks over on 13 October, including flock of 11 in lower image:
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAsfqCtzEQNdQzp70ElXCjH2O_aNbXd3rQ4iDIya4i66v6NpESOyPGtB3DegVkOK1_kbMnenCnhNaCejhwYIMVfSEH9FsL5KEBfXT4lIWsEMU8SCzMjI9kwirW_CM810IzrUUH6oDU_xY/s1600/DSCN0678.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAsfqCtzEQNdQzp70ElXCjH2O_aNbXd3rQ4iDIya4i66v6NpESOyPGtB3DegVkOK1_kbMnenCnhNaCejhwYIMVfSEH9FsL5KEBfXT4lIWsEMU8SCzMjI9kwirW_CM810IzrUUH6oDU_xY/s400/DSCN0678.jpg" width="400" height="240" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="961" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIXiV9A0HIcl2gxwW7GW3CeCxs3oP6SGMwumIelFCh60Mye3JeKI8qNfvZREC4BYQqEADYz9vZKw1l5SygbAEu0J7ynzJGk7ZwexA0Tg2BcuZahC_gB0Q0wywMhJ4TOuXlpkjntWbWnjA/s1600/DSCN0679.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIXiV9A0HIcl2gxwW7GW3CeCxs3oP6SGMwumIelFCh60Mye3JeKI8qNfvZREC4BYQqEADYz9vZKw1l5SygbAEu0J7ynzJGk7ZwexA0Tg2BcuZahC_gB0Q0wywMhJ4TOuXlpkjntWbWnjA/s400/DSCN0679.jpg" width="400" height="322" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1286" /></a></div>
<p>
Barnacle Geese heard over, perhaps E, 20:55hrs on 9 October. First Redwing detected, very late, in the morning.
<p>
Crossbill sp. SW over 09:07hrs on 8 October, also upturn in finch passage, Siskins. Many Pinks over, flock 800 NE at dusk.
<p>
Sandwich Terns can be heard daily in late summer, logged in 10 weeks out of last 12, but biggest apparent movement was late, on 25-26 September, 3 groups heading S over at one point. Still 40 on coast earlier.
<p>
Evening 16 September a rare coincidence of geese, Canadas low E (Muss-Gosford to roost?), Greylags low SW (Gosford to stubble?) and Pinks high S, and at same time Sandwich Terns audible to N while House Martins and Swallows calling over in the gloom.
<p>
At last, I can hear them, Pinks over on evening of 14 September, many more to follow no doubt!
<p>
Swift suddenly disappeared on 8 August, but one low SW over on 28 August. Previous last Swift dates here 14/8/16, 22/8/15, 10/8/13, 14/8/14, 27/8/12, 18/8/11, 23/8/10, 29/8/09, 20/8/08, 20/8/07, 20/8/06, 13/8/05, 14/8/04.
<p>
Dawn chorus on 27 August - rich crooning calls of Woodpigeons from all over, topped off with Robin and Swallow song, and the odd bit of Collared Dove, very pleasant on the ears. Also 29 noisy House Martin very high over, barely visible, perhaps getting ready to move, though at least one active nest still in Glassel Park Road.
<p>
Probable Snipe heard over 22:40hrs 10 August - spot on for call but just one and with possibility of some extraneous source matching this call will not add to the garden list!
<p>
August started with Sandwich Tern low over house at 00:45hrs on 1 August, often audible from coast but heads inland normally from mid-August. Redshank and Dunlin calls into early hours of 10 August.
<p>
Hedgehog chomping through stuff in garden in early hours of 31 July, seen here most years even though access via neighbour's not easy for a hog.
<p>
Thrushes on berries may generally be a winter thing, but our local Blackbirds normally make a quick start on our garden rowan and clear the bulk in August - the tree seemed to be early ripening up this year, turning proper orange red towards end of July, and sure enough first Blackbird scoffing them on 29 July, let's see how long they last.
<p>
Several nocturnal calls from a single Dunlin S over 23:25hrs 24 July, 9th record.
<p>
More showers wknd 22-23 July produced further congregations and movements of Swifts and hirundines, these also spread all along coast and over Fernyness Wood where minimum 400 Swifts swirling on Sunday evening (tip off from Willie). Poss highest Lothian count since 2004; coastal concentrations not unusual historically, peak 8000W in 1 hr at Aberlady 29 July 1982.
<p>
Dunnock second brood calling from nest 21 July.
<p>
40 Swift SW in small groups in the hour before rain arrived from NW at 12:30hrs 9 July, a typical July move. Checked a few rumps.
<p>
Another Coot, 10th record, low over calling 00:48hrs on 8 July (now 3 Apr, 3 May, 2 Jul, 2 Aug).
<p>
Pipistrelle bats are a frequent sighting on any nocturnal trip around local area but never seen more than singles over the garden - then on evening of 5 July a party of 5 rotating round and round up to neighbour's eaves, presumably a local colony. On evening of 6 July 3 in line heading in from SW at 22:11hrs, joining Swifts and singing Swallows slightly higher up in the sky.
<p>
18 June - local Blackbird kicking off for dawn chorus at 02:59hrs.
<p>
20 Greylags W 11 June, perhaps start of post-breeding to and fro seen last couple of years.
<p>
Dawn chorus from 03:01hrs on 11 June, several Blackbird underway by 03:05hrs.
<p>
More bumbler pics, 85 present on 10 June.
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB52Z_pko5B745YY8ZAlL2-I1Xe17oy2FyF7RwZbF_-w-Q0bd37sAax0WGakza0Suv7qZV49n5zGmeb-DKKibbSjBSq3Yx8l_owSm7G_C0unLuoo4WhPLOTwIxgjGw6nRRXHtJ2rvyKuY/s1600/20170610_195310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB52Z_pko5B745YY8ZAlL2-I1Xe17oy2FyF7RwZbF_-w-Q0bd37sAax0WGakza0Suv7qZV49n5zGmeb-DKKibbSjBSq3Yx8l_owSm7G_C0unLuoo4WhPLOTwIxgjGw6nRRXHtJ2rvyKuY/s400/20170610_195310.jpg" width="400" height="239" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="954" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTgb_wQ_8NzAj90TtnkzcL_uf0pmUNZ7rxXm4W1Vy1J7bQm3MMO2PW4PksLhEvITPKkEy6ZM5slivVfh5bLUVdycS1C9PFK4GY5DIRgXLaikzVaBqZ-jfVmSJuEBEkk0l2tyV9mrXHsPw/s1600/20170610_195215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTgb_wQ_8NzAj90TtnkzcL_uf0pmUNZ7rxXm4W1Vy1J7bQm3MMO2PW4PksLhEvITPKkEy6ZM5slivVfh5bLUVdycS1C9PFK4GY5DIRgXLaikzVaBqZ-jfVmSJuEBEkk0l2tyV9mrXHsPw/s400/20170610_195215.jpg" width="400" height="287" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1148" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQJdrn5gsVzsqLjCSF1kv2763DuunoQCPiaaVRHSNPr9Ux-6vPH4mcD6aCSDuIobv0g4l6Ai884W2uuvvw5YtkCZCMRzX92xS229gx5LC4tS2s5NI6YITB2CWIUCaoT_1sSeSfK19GNnA/s1600/20170610_195259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQJdrn5gsVzsqLjCSF1kv2763DuunoQCPiaaVRHSNPr9Ux-6vPH4mcD6aCSDuIobv0g4l6Ai884W2uuvvw5YtkCZCMRzX92xS229gx5LC4tS2s5NI6YITB2CWIUCaoT_1sSeSfK19GNnA/s400/20170610_195259.jpg" width="400" height="251" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1002" /></a></div>
<p>
Dusk on 9 June - first post-breeding Starling flocks hurrying west, heading for the western hills?
<p>
9 June - probably "peak bumble", 75 of them on our buddleia bush but some flowers now finished, and new record of 13 Tree Bumblebees.
<p>
Pleasing to hear a clear set of 3 quic-ic-ic calls from a migrant Quail over house, probably not far off to east, at 02:19hrs on 9 June, 3rd record after 1/6/07 and 10/7/12; an overcast night but a bit of brightness in the east and a strong moon behind clouds.
<p>
Dusk on 8 June as I dashed to polling station 21:55hrs a distant buzzard was heading over west, pursued by corvids, flap-flap-glide, deep beats (though it was dusk), did make me pause considering the time of year, but no bins!
<p>
At dawn on 7 June after 30 hours solid of rain I was surprised to note dawn chorus on as usual - Song Thrush and Blackbird undeterred, not sure if Robin was still involved due to the noise of the downpour.
<p>
<i>Buddleia globosa</i> out earlier than usual with 70% in flower by 29 May, Tree Bumblebee present again (first seen in 2016 when peaked at 7). New record of 8 Tree Bumbles, amongst 60 total, on 4 June, then 12 in 40 on 5 June! First Red-tailed (<i>lapidarius</i>), a queen, on 3 June, also a queen Buff-tailed (<i>terrestris</i>). Here's a Tree, Buff-tailed and Early (<i>pratorum</i>):
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2dSlBvXveSEA0wYHgYdXvrSL6sDe5c-5UKm15IM_IjD_niBrw7A7oDcvmygUeQWVjph21NMr9aFC8egW-Dtj4r7ejYjm-Z76Qy7eioYH0UORVzODaOkVPvD3o8Bl-i88XUPRqsLhTs4Q/s1600/20170604_132911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2dSlBvXveSEA0wYHgYdXvrSL6sDe5c-5UKm15IM_IjD_niBrw7A7oDcvmygUeQWVjph21NMr9aFC8egW-Dtj4r7ejYjm-Z76Qy7eioYH0UORVzODaOkVPvD3o8Bl-i88XUPRqsLhTs4Q/s400/20170604_132911.jpg" width="400" height="247" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="986" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqb9maP05UfYyBxdrAByATap5VN4qD-jwd-ICD_JBqcZbNzDNCWMSGUhXVd_zbbqqqqv0qjAgZFGNH6o6vIcn3-H1iZ8cT_Ovtmh0vXeUuNcY1n0aa7rXvSQL-yqqBkWIoU5oh5RseDfk/s1600/20170604_133047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqb9maP05UfYyBxdrAByATap5VN4qD-jwd-ICD_JBqcZbNzDNCWMSGUhXVd_zbbqqqqv0qjAgZFGNH6o6vIcn3-H1iZ8cT_Ovtmh0vXeUuNcY1n0aa7rXvSQL-yqqBkWIoU5oh5RseDfk/s400/20170604_133047.jpg" width="400" height="290" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1159" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkw3gzLBcg9xw89awQOpgQmNdyOODdq4fZ1CjqzT9jmUA5uIEoUyuZcWuqTQND9djRYHnSQfpO7CSHMmt1cbgSsO43cb_OONfJHQNAfvqdxW48QScXGP1vNwNZWBOoNJzYY1lf4WAAd_U/s1600/20170604_133101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkw3gzLBcg9xw89awQOpgQmNdyOODdq4fZ1CjqzT9jmUA5uIEoUyuZcWuqTQND9djRYHnSQfpO7CSHMmt1cbgSsO43cb_OONfJHQNAfvqdxW48QScXGP1vNwNZWBOoNJzYY1lf4WAAd_U/s400/20170604_133101.jpg" width="400" height="306" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1222" /></a></div>
<p>
Young Starlings out in force, 41 on a tiny patch of our tiny back lawn on 30 May!
<p>
2+ noisy Sandwich Terns over SW 23:35hrs 27 May, unusual in spring.
<p>
Coot calling over to north 00:22hrs 26 May, matching late May records in 2015 and 2013, only 9th record but must miss loads. Moorhen more frequent. Much Barn Owl noise 02:40hrs, encouraging sound just after getting back with latest dead one off A1.
<p>
Late May, dawn chorus now starting just after 03:00hrs, with night Robins joined by Swallow at 03:10hrs, the Blackbird, Song Thrush and dawn Robins at 03:20hrs, often accompanied by main arrival of large gulls from colonies by 03:30hrs. Also Greylags audible departing their roost at 03:15hrs. On 26 May also Skylark song audible around 03:15hrs, song detected here previously only in 2005/6 and 2009/10, what a privilege to hear.
<p>
Swift at last, Sunday 7 May.
<p>
Moorhen low over house, very close just north-east, 03:52hrs 29 April (annual since 2011, mainly late spring).
<p>
Easter Saturday - Orange tip butterfly out in garden, Swallow low over, 2 Herons passing NE perhaps to Gosford nests?
<p>
Again 27 species during ironing 9 April, including first House Martins (8W in one group), other westbound migrants included 18 Siskin and 16 Goldfinch; very impressive lightening quick male Sparrowhawk having a shot at our local Blue Tit (which has been collecting down from a phragmites head I had left out for it, presumably nest lining) proving that even small garden birding can be exciting - Blue Tit escaped and sang repeatedly. Also a Small Tortoiseshell out in the sun, first seen near open back door of garage, and likely the one which overwintered there clinging to the wooden ceiling.
<p>
27 species during an hour of ironing, 11 in song including Buzzard, with first LBB, Mipit and Skylark of the spring, 5 March. Also recently Magpie song.
<p>
Crossbills SW over early on 26 February - early post breeders? Hint of an <a href="http://www.trektellen.org/species/graph/5/0/415/0?g=&l=&k=&jaar=0&jaar2=&jaar3=&hidempbars=1&">early spring movement some years</a>.
<p>
Large gulls commuting SW over at dawn on 22 February totalled at least 1180 from 07:00hrs, including 4 ad GBB; probably more than usual due to WSW4 wind, but many will have been missed. Also one possible LBB, first seen locally at Seton on 4 February.
<p>
Rolling Nuthatch call nearby in last week January, second record and much closer than first.
<p>
Another 10+ Waxwings in berry tree at entrance to our small cul-de-sac, 15 January. Regular flocks of Fieldfare over from Longniddry Bents.
<p>
Started well on New Year's day with 5 Waxwings and the first Kestrel in over a year, hunting golf course to north. 13 Waxwing on 5 January.
<p>
<b><u>2016</u></b>
<p>
[<i style="color: rgb(102, 255, 255);">Overview of the year 2016 </i></p><p style="color: rgb(102, 255, 255);"> <i>73 species recorded is above average, boosted by three additions to the list, long-expected Nuthatch and Yellowhammer, along with a surprise Wheatear, overall total now 103. 57 species are now recorded every year (listed below for reference*), so just the 16 "scarce" logged of the 45 not recorded annually - these included nocturnal migrants: Moorhen (gave two replies to its call on xeno-canto!), Ringed Plover (3), Whimbrel, Common Sand (2), Dunlin, Sandwich Tern (recorded in 9 wks), and also third records of Pheasant and pr Stock Dove, Waxwings in late autumn and several Sand Martin in spring. Tree Bumblebee was new. The number of targets for additions is diminishing but still expected are: Snipe, Yellow Wag, Tree Pipit, Raven and Reed Bunting, with a few other long shots still possible (falcons, other pipits/buntings).
* Pink-footed Goose, Greylag Goose, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Curlew, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Blackback, Great Blackback, Sandwich Tern, Feral Pigeon, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Tawny Owl, Barn Owl, Common Swift, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Skylark, Swallow, House Martin, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Song Thrush, Redwing, Mistle Thrush, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Tree Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Siskin, Linnet, Lesser Redpoll, Bullfinch</i>]
<p>
At dawn on 12 December a Yellowhammer calling high SW over, first record. Can't match Banchory garden where we had one perched in our birch tree, still a welcome addition to the list, <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);"><b>species 103</b></span>.
<p>
A Small Tortoiseshell is overwintering in garage, perked up and flew around when I had light on one day in early December.
<p>
Remarkable event on 25 November with first a single f/imm Blackcap in rowan, which flew off NE (first winter record, regular in song in spring, and 7 autumn records all Sep-Oct); less than a minute later two male Blackcaps appeared in same rowan and remained for 10 mins, sunbathing and taking last berries from extremities of branches (<1% left after thrushes cleared in early autumn); during last 2 minutes followed round tree and briefly pursued by a ticking Robin.
<p>
Waxwings three dates early Nov, decent flocks reported by others locally.
<p>
Golden Plover flying inland on afternoon of Sunday 16 October, no great surprise with 450 along the shore the previous day! Also Red Admiral, all sightings in last two years from late Sept onwards, similar with Peacock seen as late as 30 November. All the usual suspects of late, abundant geese, Goldcrests, Redwings and a Song Thrush (less than annual in garden) spent a day in the rowan (berries normally all eaten by Blackbirds in August!).
<p>
First wink-wink calls on evening of 15 September. Followed by "grak grak", fairly rare log of nocturnal Heron.
<p>
Single clear "plü-ip" Ringo call 23:14hrs 21 August. 3 more of same call low over 23:24hrs on 24 August.
<p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqQviJ6vKZqKLz5rYZnAEYc6jAjT__EWmym3YFVnKp5I9-4CApcvWb6dMvXJLtESC_j5kSgd6IQXFK7EGGrJ8Dbx0GHJswiNXi5jmbUjoznGRlpgzLR7jJC0Pz5Qhm9-Z8UbryRiJIx98/s1600/Wheatear+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqQviJ6vKZqKLz5rYZnAEYc6jAjT__EWmym3YFVnKp5I9-4CApcvWb6dMvXJLtESC_j5kSgd6IQXFK7EGGrJ8Dbx0GHJswiNXi5jmbUjoznGRlpgzLR7jJC0Pz5Qhm9-Z8UbryRiJIx98/s400/Wheatear+018.JPG" width="400" height="317" /></a>
<p>
Last home working day in school hols paid off, when glanced out and amazed to see a pale bird perched on ridge of roof over the road, clearly a Wheatear. Over next 5 mins this ad f was very obliging, chasing the odd insect and crouching low when a distant Buzzard mew was audible (quite unlikely to have been caught on a roof, but presumably an innate response), then moving down the roof to stretch out for a sunbathe, one wing after the other. <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);"><b>Species 102</b></span> for the garden and first year with two new birds since 2011!
<p>
Still 19 Swift drifting over on evening of 14 August, typical mid-August appearance here in bigger group, lazy flight with occasional high "chit" calls. Willow Warbler in the garden, another typical appearance, though Chiffs far more common these days.
<p>
25 Greylag low NE dusk 12 August.
<p>
Swift gatherings now more obvious, 22 over house on 6 August hopefully including some young, a week or so from now most will be on their way.
<p>
Dunlin 02:11hrs 6 August.
<p>
More rain 27 July - Barn Owl shriek 00:30hrs then Whimbrel 01:30hrs.
<p>
Calm and drizzle on 24 July - Common Sand calls over to N 23:15hrs.
<p>
Party Lotti through on 24 July, Blackbird still in regular dusk song.
<p>
Over-night work on a European project report 20 July gave chance to log calls: Barn Owl screech 00:44hrs, Common Sand 03:02hrs, Dunlin 03:14hrs, first 'long calls' from Herring Gull commuters 03:56hrs, Robin ticks from 03:58hrs, Blackbird song from 04:05hrs, Wren song from 04:20hrs, Swallow song from 04:24hrs, House Martin calls from 04:39hrs, three corvid species active from 04:40-45hrs, first Swift screams 04:48hrs, [sunrise 04:56hrs], Woodpigeon/Collared Dove songs from ~05:00hrs, Chiffchaff 05:09hrs, Greenfinch twitter 05:12hrs, Curlew 05:13hrs, GSW 05:15hrs, Bullfinch call 05:30hrs, Crossbill W 05:31hrs, Linnet song 05:33hrs, Tree Sparrow calls 05:44hrs, Coal Tit song 05:54hrs, Skylark low over 05:55hrs, House Sparrows song ~6:00hrs, Grey Wagtail over 06:16hrs, Goldcrest song 06:30hrs, Starling song 06:45hrs, Goldfinch tinkle 07:30hrs; but best of all, just after dawn at 05:05hrs, extended bout of Nuthatch calls - at last, first "for the garden" and <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);"><b>species 101</b></span>! Back to work...possibly the last of these for a very long time, due to Brexit :(
<p>
Grey Heron call low over at 00:04hrs on 23 June, still light enough for this large creature to be flying around.
<p>
First Tree Bumblebees on 19 June, 3 on buddleia globosa, rising to 7 amongst 70+ bumblebees feeding on 22 June.
<p>
House Martin calls over just after 23:00hrs on 21 June, nocturnal roosting?
<p>
Greylags NE over 23:25hrs 6 June.
<p>
Moorhen calling over house 23:35hrs 3 June, I quickly toggled to xeno-canto and played a <a href="http://www.xeno-canto.org/237699">nocturnal flight call</a> which matched it very closely - remarkably got two replies, one distant and one closer - bird must still have been circling. Cloudy, but no fog but drizzle later, and just light wind. This species annual since 2011 (3 in April, 2 May, now 2 in June, 1 July, 1 Sept).
<p>
Sparrowhawk in slow flapping and swooping display flight on 3 June, latest such noted here (latest previous was on 10 May, back in 2008); per BWP display (normally just high circling) mainly Feb-early May.
<p>
House Martins are ever present nesting in our part of the village for 12 years we've been here but Swallows though abundant locally are normally all concentrated outside the village, nice this year to have some presumed breeders at the end of the road opposite the club house. Swifts have been erratic so far, 2-4 on odd dates from 16 May.
<p>
Ringed Plover over 01:05hrs 9 May - was hoping for this having totally failed to find one on the shore so far this year, including Gosford Sands at dusk today. Attempting to sneak namesake Sedge Warbler onto the garden list via the bird back on territory at Longniddry c/p 2 bog, 460m NNW, but despite snatches of possible churring not quite sure I can hear it - unlike Gropper which could be heard from house at same location in previous years. My hearing may have deteriorated though. Pheasant also at same bog - and at dawn on 9 May a distant territory call heard, just my third record here!
<p>
2 Stock Dove over on 1 May.
<p>
Sunday 17 April: Siskins very visible including male in song in garden and flock 25 low W, Smartie W, Tree Sparrow over, Robins courtship feeding on bird table.
<p>
Two Swallows briefly over burn trees late morning on 3 April, equal earliest back here (3/4/11, 5/4/09).
<p>
Golden Plover low NE over c. 02:30hrs 3 April.
<p>
Chiff flitting around garden calling on 1 April, just about annual in the garden now, previously only song.
<p>
4 Smarties low W over on 31 March, first March hirundines here (4 previous records, all spring migrants, earliest 3/4/11)
<p>
50 Redwings low over on 23 March.
<p>
Drake Mallard making characteristic spring appearance dropping down to tiny Braid Burn past Community Centre on 3 March; further south some have laid, but not enough vegetation here for that yet.
<p>
Decent flocks of Fieldfare milling over last week February into March, max 85, with the odd Redwing.
<p>
Mistle Thrush has been defending a bush on Douglas Road and was perched on neighbour's aerial on 2 January, closest ever seen to house, normally a scarce fly-over.
<p>
<b><u>2015</u></b>
<p>
[<i style="color: rgb(102, 255, 255);">Overview of the year 2015 </i></p><p style="color: rgb(102, 255, 255);"> <i>A better year for species recorded with 75 being second only to the 77 in 2010, and two additions to the list with Mediterranean Gull in regular flights over the neighbourhood in early August and Green Sandpiper heard in late September (now just 7 additions in last 5 years, after 9 in 2010*). Nothing exceptional recorded but a decent collection of scarcer species including Cormorant, Whooper Swan (flock of 22), Canada Goose, Mallard, Kestrel (2), Pheasant, Moorhen (5/9), Coot (21/5), Ringed Plover (11/8), Whimbrel (15/8), Common Sand(s) and Dunlin(s). After a good year in 2014, Sandwich Tern seemed to be even more prominent, with several nocturnal migrants heard some nights and daily records persisting until 19/9. Stock Doves are not uncommon locally but rare in the village, and two on 3/7 was just the second record over. Barn Owl was less frequent than last year, just three dates, but Tawny regular as usual. Crossbills passed over in five weeks May-Sept and Tree Sparrows continued to increase with records in 12 weeks, up from 9 in 2014 and ~5 from 2010-12, and renewed appearance <u>in</u> the garden. Nocturnal song was heard for both Woodpigeon and Collared Dove. Herring Gull made it to the "in the bird table" list, while Robin became the first species on the "in the house" list!</i>]
<p>
An adult Great Blackback over at dawn on 19 November.
<p>
On 1 November at 16:13hrs, 20 minutes to sunset, a Blue Tit flew over the ironing board and went to roost in a crack under tiles accessed from the side of the upstairs bathroom window - a roost flight path which I last noticed on 10 September 2007 (and previous to that date)! Seems unlikely that this particular gap has been rediscovered, so this is perhaps a "traditional" roost, knowledge passed on down the Blue Tit generations, and there they are asleep inches from our bathroom sink.
<p>
On 25 October, out at the back door with the ironing board as is my regular practice on Sunday afternoons and normal expectation of getting the first ~20 species for the weekly list, heard a single Whooper note and running into back garden the glorious sight of a V of 22 returning Whoopers at about 30m NE over the Community Centre area. Alerted kids who both saw them, but did not manage to check for juvs/rings as they progressed over Fernyness Wood trees onto Gosford Estate; 10 minutes later, a V of 9 S/SW even lower, presumably some of same, included 3+ juvs and no rings apparent.
<p>
First for the "in the house" list, Robin becoming a little too cheeky, flew in kitchen window at breakfast time, daughter Joanne heard fluttering and saw it sitting on top of the TV in the front room, 12 October!
<p>
Male Blackcap in rowan (last berries remaining from Blackbird feasting) 4 October, chased off by sparrows, fourth record (f 16/9/07, m 29/8/11, m 19/10/13) - never in winter, suspect all are local birds roaming after breeding, pre-departure; also regularly heard in song in spring but never <u>in</u> garden.
<p>
Golden Plover calls 22:30-50hrs 3 October - 244 had been at Ferny Ness towards dusk and following morning a large flock in flight over Hoprig a mile south, probably all the same birds.
<p>
A first for the garden - late evening on 29 September, sat in the middle of the front doorstep, a full size adult ... frog!
<p>
House Martins suddenly dropping in last week September but still 60+ Swallows over our part of the village in 28th, mainly juveniles.
<p>
First Pinkfoot 2 minutes to midnight on 19 September! Then Barn Owl shriek 00:18hrs 20 September. That's goose, wader, tern and owl species so far tonight, some of my favourites...
<p>
Another of those calls you wait for - a wader type clear repeated "cooee hwee-wee" rather distantly east and receding 23:15hrs 19 September, surely a Green Sandpiper! One day one will come right over the house [retrospectively added as <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);"><b>species 100</b></span> after one did exactly this on 3/8/18 <a href=" https://twitter.com/lothianrecorder/status/1025207774765035521"> tweet</a>]
<p>
Sandwich Terns going strong daily until 19 September, me benefiting from some late season still nights for listening - some nights occurring every hour or so and sounds of larger groups, calls often very close overhead, i.e. 500m inland from Longniddry Bents and 1km south of Gosford Sands; suspect some/all are Aberlady roost birds thinking about/setting off on overland flights south.
<p>
A Moorhen moving SW over at 00:10hrs on 5 September (reedy kwup-kwup-kwup, repeated), latest date for this species here, more common in spring.
<p>
Yet more geese over, 31 presumed Greylags NE 17:11hrs 4 September, repeat of last year's regular Muss-Gosford roost flights?
<p>
Lapwings calling over just before midnight on 3 September, an unusual nocturnal call, the first I can remember hearing. Sandwich Terns being heard most nights. Tawny vocal from Fernyness Wood just after midnight.
<p>
Golden Plover calling over 23:00hrs 31 August.
<p>
2 Common Crossbills with rather redpoll-like calls SW over 27 August, then standard "glip" type on 28 August; meanwhile a dry chatter Redpoll itself on 31 August. Siskins prominent again daily from mid-August, possibly a good autumn ahead?!
<p>
High calling Curlew and 8 Greylag W over evening of 30 August, Redshank in early hours.
<p>
Nights drawing in and winter song of Robin has started up, 24 August.
<p>
Common Sand SW over 22:20hrs 23 August
<p>
Dunlin call 00:35hrs 19 August, becoming a habit!
<p>
Dunlin W over 02:35hrs 18 August, 6th record.
<p>
20+ Swift over on evening of 16 August.
<p>
2 Whimbrel W over 23:15hrs 15 August, strictly not from home, rather a tent on the beach from where Michael later heard a "goose" (aka Heron, which we saw at dawn).
<p>
Swift still over on 14 August, with 3 over Fernyness Wood.
<p>
Ringed Plover calling low over 23:10hrs 11 August, 7th record; Dunlin call heard 00:15hrs 12 August, 5th record. Sandwich Terns frequent at present. Probable Turnstone calls 02:55hrs.
<p>
A sandpiper call very close at 00:13hrs on 9 August - for the first time I have doubt between <a href="http://www.xeno-canto.org/263951">Common</a> and <a href="http://www.xeno-canto.org/263923">Wood</a>, all previous records here have been quite obviously the former; call was loud and qweee-we-we-we; it's all about the pitch and I can't be sure. Anyway, would like to see it!
<p>
ad Med flew NNW over the bowling green within 100m of the house at 20:30hrs on 7 August, <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);"><b>species 99</b></span>. Swift still present, typical departure here is 12-14 August, late dates 20/8/08 and 27/8/12.
<p>
So close - ad Med Gull flew over Longniddry school playing field c. 21:00hrs on 1 August and later I found possibly same down on the beach 1km NNW - and our house on an exact line in between - missed it! On Monday presumably same was in stubble at Longniddry farm just behind the railway station early evening - must have been flying over house on a daily basis.
<p>
41 minutes before sunrise on 24 July, while writing atlas species accounts in the early hours, the sky blackened with corvids, mainly Jackdaws, presumably disturbed early from their roost; suddenly they whiffled and c. 300 literally whooshed onto roof of three neighbours' houses opposite, where they sat resting for 28 minutes before all departing again as suddenly as they arrived. The unsuspecting occupants would no doubt have been amazed to see them all sitting there!
<p>
Another Crossbill, again sadly alone, SW over - 19 July.
<p>
Wader return stepping up - Curlew over on 14 July, Golden Plover nocturnal call in evening, then 2 Lapwings flapping N over to coast on 15 July. When I lived much further inland in Banchory I recall seeing flocks of Curlew at great height moving S over, <a href="http://sedgewarbler.blogspot.co.uk/2009/07/garden-bird-log-for-banchory.html">from late June</a>, I reckoned then they were moving off from high ground.
<p>
Collared Dove in song 01:40hrs on 14 July, 3 sets of even toned coo-KOO-coo from nearby perhaps at the Braid Burn bridge, where presumably conditioned by the street lighting, only a faint glimmer of blue sky at this time of the night, though perhaps also triggered by the noise I made opening the back door (unusual response?); dawn chorus has drifted back to c. 03:30hrs at this time of the year (03:31hrs distant Song Thrush 16 July, as early as 03:05hrs in mid-June, 03:37hrs local Blackbird), around the time when the first large gulls are heard passing over. Not aware of any other records of nocturnal song of this species and can't immediately find anything in literature (first person I asked, Jim, tells me he's heard it in Gullane - any others?). Have also noted Collared Dove triggering Woodpigeon song.
<p>
Siskins prominent in late June/early July, calls heard every few minutes at times but few seen, those that were all heading over SW. More effort to see them produced sight of flocks of 5+10, also another Crossbill on 13 July, sadly chipping along all on its own :(
<p>
Some excited Sandwich Terns over the golf course early evening of 8 July giving a rare sight record of this normally heard only species.
<p>
1 then 2 Stock Doves over N of village on 3 July, second record of this species after 12/08/06.
<p>
Amazing - Herring Gull entering our tiny roofed bird table from the side to snatch scraps of chicken skin, first for the bird table! Local crow got very cross with it and tried to pull its tail.
<p>
6 Greylags W evening of 21 June.
<p>
Two more fluff balls out in garden week of 15 June - Dunnock second brood!
<p>
c. 5 June - drowsy sounding Woodpigeon in song c. 02:00hrs, first record of nocturnal song for me. Not previously come across this as far as I can recall but checking BWP I note this historic reference: "♂ may occasionally give Advertising-call at night (Klinz 1955)"
<p>
First 7 post-breeding Crossbills SW over 08:40hrs 25 May, followed by Siskins from 7 June.
<p>
Coot NE over 23:50hrs 21 May (too late for a migrant, so perhaps moving between ponds? Still ON at Blindwells 2 miles WSW, also resident at Gosford 1.5 miles NE)
<p>
Common Sand heard 20:50hrs 12 May.
<p>
Steady stream of hirundines W over on 10 May, plus first two Swift (later than usual). Wow, 20:35hrs as we got to door of the house, suddenly the sky blackened and 180+ hirundines flew over low calling, mainly Swallow but a few House Martin. An unprecedented flock (previous max 22W 19:00hrs 21/9/06, spring peak 13W dusk 6/5/13), I can only presume a pre-roost somewhere east which had just been dispersed.
<p>
New bird for the hanging feeder - Herring Gull - technically our neighbours' one, and stocked with bread crusts, gull alighted on ground then flew up and managed to extract bread before flying off! Repeated another day end of April so an acquired habit.
<p>
Another warbler spent 5 minutes in our rowan on 26 April, a female Blackcap (4th seen in the garden, previous all autumn: 16/9/07, 29/8/11, 13/10/13; normally heard in song from burn area).
<p>
2 House Martin back 22 April, 3 over on 24 April.
<p>
Willow Warbler in our rowan, just coming into leaf (photo at top), on 18 April (also third record <u>in</u> the garden after 21/8/11 and 11/9/04); still a common species in Scotland but one of those magical moments just watching it moving from twig to twig gleaning from the new leaves for several minutes, pondering how a tiny thing weighing less than 10g has found its way to sub-Saharan Africa and back again.
<p>
First Blackbird chick spotted out in village 20 April.
<p>
2 Sand Martin high over, song, on 18 April (fourth record after 3W 3/4/11, 4W 15/4/06, 1W 15/5/12)
<p>
3 Buzzard thermalling over in heat of 8 April.
<p>
40 Pinkfeet heading N on morning of 7 April.
<p>
A Kestrel drifting over on 6 April, 9th record, of which 6 were spring/summer but dropping off (2 '05, 1 '06, 2 '07, 2 '10, 1 '13).
<p>
Barn and Tawny Owls calling within the village on evening of 5 April.
<p>
Peacock in garden with sun beating down 5 April, Pipistrelle nearby in Amisfield Place in evening.
<p>
Blackbird eggshell on lawn 29 March.
<p>
Chiffchaff back, in song along Braid Burn, 22 March (one near Seton House 18 March).
<p>
Blackbird and Great Tit in full song during eclipse c. 09:30hrs on 20 March; may have been coincidence, however daytime song by Blackbird in late March is fairly rare here, almost all song is concentrated at dawn/dusk at this time of year, suspect becomes more common once first brood fledged and in longer summer days.
<p>
2 Redwing low NW over in drizzle in 13 March, fairly rare to catch them on return migration.
<p>
8 February - first Siskin of the year, also the mellifluous tones of Blackbirds around the village after dusk; ours roosted in our <i>leylandii</i> along with our ever present Robin, entering 17:40hrs with last flapping/readjustments of position 18:00hrs. Early song generally this year, with Dunnock from 2nd week Jan and both Collared Dove and Woodpigeon daily from mid-Dec.
<p>
320 Pinks SW over 5 February.
<p>
c. 45 Greenfinch to roost west end of Douglas Road was a heartening sight, a declining species; no Siskin in January is pretty unusual but hopefully doing fine elsewhere benefiting from cone crop?
<p>
37 Fieldfare SW over 30 January.
<p>
Song Thrush in garden on 28 January, I think only second record in garden after one in 2012!
<p>
2 ad GBB low over SW on their morning commute 27 January, always nice to see away from coast.
<p>
A flock of Canada Geese SW over the house calling at 21:20hrs on 3 January.
<p>
<b><u>2014</u></b>
<p>
[<i style="color: rgb(102, 255, 255);">Overview of the year 2014 </i></p><p style="color: rgb(102, 255, 255);"> <i>Another relatively low total of 67 species recorded, but again managed a single addition to the list with the Little Egret on 9 August, <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);"><b>species 98</b></span> (just 5 additions in last 4 years after 9 in 2010*). This year, a good series of Sandwich Tern records, nocturnal migrants totalling 29+ heard most weeks 2/8 to 11/9, coinciding with <a href="http://sedgewarbler.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/sandwich-terns-port-seton.html">big influx on coast</a>. Also at night, two Common Sandpipers and another Moorhen in spring, but most notable nearly daily Barn Owl calls with locally breeding birds regularly venturing into and through the village, once flying past house nearly within touching distance (strong hints of local residence in 2013, occasional records since 2009), with Tawny's equally prominent and the first record of one actually <i>on</i> the house. A regular roost flight of Canada (+Greylag) Geese was a less exciting new development, yapping Barnacles again heard on nocturnal migration. Also the second record of Pheasant (call), but the second and third records of Jay, over in late October, were much more welcome. Finally the Chiffchaff on 1 March was interesting, likely a wintering bird. * Several ideas for what might be expected for species 100, some vismig may bring a Tree Pipit, Yellow Wag, Reed Bunting (or better bunting!), and I expect Raven will eventually materialise, as they have been increasing elsewhere in the region; amongst the waders, Snipe is long overdue...</i>]
<p>
Into December and Grey Wagtail still around daily (best year here so far), Pinks flying out from Aberlady many mornings and Barn Owl still being heard. On 23 December I discovered a female House Sparrow roosting in our now very sparse Orange ball bush (<i>Buddleja globosa</i>); this is a regular roost on balmy summer days but with an overnight low of 1C I expected they would be in warmer roosts mid-winter, indeed per BWP adults roost in nests and young normally roost in secure sites (evergreen/buildings) from autumn, then potential nest sites in spring.
<p>
30 November in continuing mild weather (10C!) had a Peacock butterfly in neighbour's garden then sunbathing on eaves; this follows what I thought was a late Red Admiral on 20 October.
<p>
c. 50 Lapwing NE over on 15 November/N over on 29 November. Redpolls heard and up to 12 Siskin.
<p>
Mid-afternoon on 31 October the spugs and Starlings plunged for cover with urgent alarm calls giving me ~5 seconds warning of a large falcon low SW directly over the garden, dash for bins upstairs and picked it up again gaining height but then entering a shallow stoop; possibly a Peregrine but they are usually higher over in transit, once one chasing Woodpigeons over gardens, but also bird seemed unusually dark - similar to <a href="http://jameshanlonbirder.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/frustration-on-shetland-and-dark-shadow.html">this one last October from St Abbs</a>. Per Kris also informed of a possible Gyr-Peregrine hybrid seen eating a gull in Gilmerton on 30 October - coincidence?
<p>
Thrush arrival at dawn on 30 October, Redwing calls every few seconds and a great flock of 51 Fieldfare high SW over 07:25hrs, sadly could not watch for longer.
<p>
Like buses, Jay again on 29 October, NE over with acorns.
<p>
Jay! One over, ambling NE, 23 October, this is the second record after one on 2 October 2010. Also saw one recently over A1/A720 junction at Musselburgh. When resident in Herts this species was common around gardens in autumn but our Scottish birds are typically much more wary, shy and often only betrayed by calls deep in cover.
<p>
Barn Owl shriek yet again on 00:13hrs 20 October; I wonder what calls immature Barn Owls make, not much clue in BWP and shriek should only be territorial ad m, so perhaps young silent post-fledging until first breeding?
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpeqGgwBnYCKcTgdwrsKAjJWyI7LOqLTycQzDfYugsjBRAWHGuYxdE1La7VEsYbAZPyqhiT8SnwQJp9r03-SfX3J6p2ZdsrnvaKPx_o8IRxpMjGrrE1LmYYsApT_6_pNAh67-KJiA3FaM/s1600/Sprawk+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpeqGgwBnYCKcTgdwrsKAjJWyI7LOqLTycQzDfYugsjBRAWHGuYxdE1La7VEsYbAZPyqhiT8SnwQJp9r03-SfX3J6p2ZdsrnvaKPx_o8IRxpMjGrrE1LmYYsApT_6_pNAh67-KJiA3FaM/s400/Sprawk+003.JPG"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-S0CpPJENEvnh2Hr7vokfi-eP6c5MVGzMCDlZ6h0bbLoxvzVTtnxXf1dPBrbzi7HfKShxHMNFiC-rL2kKL106Bb-noj2s9MVLhQQsUeIW8_-pCfjexFxVMlCfUC2c5tMkqCvqNfEYgc4/s1600/Sprawk+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-S0CpPJENEvnh2Hr7vokfi-eP6c5MVGzMCDlZ6h0bbLoxvzVTtnxXf1dPBrbzi7HfKShxHMNFiC-rL2kKL106Bb-noj2s9MVLhQQsUeIW8_-pCfjexFxVMlCfUC2c5tMkqCvqNfEYgc4/s400/Sprawk+005.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7fc6m2SnwKsPhRpQ8U6uLwmJTV82FouWf6EFed3ywEcAcLz7BxFeB_Im-0X48LcQOK_HMdJ2JLuM7gCPsF0akGrTfP_zPrW4mnl4AsMeFNAC2vXSbBiZSWgU1TAZunlceBAQc9sFF8mU/s1600/Sprawk+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7fc6m2SnwKsPhRpQ8U6uLwmJTV82FouWf6EFed3ywEcAcLz7BxFeB_Im-0X48LcQOK_HMdJ2JLuM7gCPsF0akGrTfP_zPrW4mnl4AsMeFNAC2vXSbBiZSWgU1TAZunlceBAQc9sFF8mU/s400/Sprawk+006.JPG"></a></div>
<p>
17 October - good timing for once - arrived in kitchen clutching camera to take pics of a Tawny Owl recovered from A1 (per Murray) to see not one but two raptors on the patio - this juv male Sprawk very much alive and had just that instant taken a female House Sparrow, still struggling; stayed for 20 seconds, as soon as I twitched, to call my daughter to see it, it was off with its prey. Have been feeding up those sparrows for a couple of weeks now, another good breeding season for them here, also a new record of 7 Tree Sparrows seen buzz-calling over last weekend.
<p>
Both owls calling 15 October.
<p>
Barn Owl shriek 8 October.
<p>
Migrant thrushes over 7 October and Song Thrushes around gardens.
<p>
Starling doing fine Mistle Thrush song mimicry, as well as the usual Tawny Owl, Redshank, Lapwing, Curlew, etc. I think these birds know me now as have noted them doing the high descending whistle (that we often exchange) when they spot me, i.e. before I have done it now, but maybe just a coincidence?
<p>
Both owls calling 29-30 September.
<p>
Yapping calls of Barnacle Geese migrating on towards the Solway, 23:55hrs on 22 September. First Redwing call 00:20hrs 23 September.
<p>
Both owls calling 21 September.
<p>
Influx of Swallows in the haar on 17 September, 40+ over burn trees and later feeding low over playing fields, still c. 10 House Martin around. Haar continuing in the evening and frequent Golden Plover calls heard in evening into early hours.
<p>
2 Song Thrush 10 September, immigrants.
<p>
Tawny Owl roaming our part of the village and briefly kewick-ing from roof of our house, a welcome guest, 00:50hrs 3 September.
<p>
Still 1 Swift with 45+ House Martin evening 24 August.
<p>
Barn Owl call 21 August.
<p>
Stewart saw the Canada Geese again at 19:32hrs on 19 August and then c. 76 flew low west over our house at 20:04hrs on 20 August, whiffling/dropping over Fernyness Wood - clearly now a commute and perhaps feeding/roosting in Gosford Estate?
<p>
2 Swift 19 August.
<p>
Back up to 4 Swift 18 August, Sandwich Terns calling over village early evening.
<p>
98 Canada Geese low NE over 19:10hrs on 18 August - the Muss flock relocating to Gosford? [Third record for garden, second seen after 33 on 24/8/12]
<p>
First definite Sandwich Tern movement with bird calling over to south late on 17 August.
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivk0LcFRtWgj1ezip5bicrqwT39Sa76E307R5QsriLP-Gtu60j_QubWhlrr-2dshG81D5RSDHWghtw0d3lZjPH30hHeTidcA20Hjark_NroM0czGKfL8rMAwF20wm0gjn7hBMwGirMqRU/s1600/Wknd+9-10Aug14+(4).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivk0LcFRtWgj1ezip5bicrqwT39Sa76E307R5QsriLP-Gtu60j_QubWhlrr-2dshG81D5RSDHWghtw0d3lZjPH30hHeTidcA20Hjark_NroM0czGKfL8rMAwF20wm0gjn7hBMwGirMqRU/s400/Wknd+9-10Aug14+(4).JPG"></a></div>
<p>
Did <a href="http://www.bigbutterflycount.org/">big butterfly count</a> which included this Small Tort in front garden, a Hummingbird hawkmoth nearby at burn does not count! Swifts most days but just 2 on 12 August.
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLAKJPcSp_VMAVQ4Nw46t52KVfRqdBbn5P_nWM-3tC9dxXQacEoc5a41GDLIfEpDa0BdTF5b48GxsocCvKiLu4rCzB3z3qpujRYmbsyCRSO23ePc59vz6_XxKPeSvcqTjYTk1u9aKCG-M/s1600/Wknd+9-10Aug14+(7).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLAKJPcSp_VMAVQ4Nw46t52KVfRqdBbn5P_nWM-3tC9dxXQacEoc5a41GDLIfEpDa0BdTF5b48GxsocCvKiLu4rCzB3z3qpujRYmbsyCRSO23ePc59vz6_XxKPeSvcqTjYTk1u9aKCG-M/s320/Wknd+9-10Aug14+(7).JPG"></a></div>A Little Egret SW over Wemyss Road on 9 August, first for garden and <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);"><b>species 98</b></span>; two had been at Aberlady the previous day, but I only spotted one (inset) there on Saturday evening.
<p>
Rescued a baby hedgehog down the road, set it in motion again beside mum who had walked off in opposite direction:
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhucLm3djoaM3nMyeXDWGY7pt0uD8NoM0yb4eaMS1-01QejoIllySFbNs4mYapEYk1c4S5PwVyiPiNBbUjy-RyO48Q7ckF8-4x9V9AHaXNPZEn0oHoS5-WHxKZraO241CHhigt4vtBhyBo/s1600/Seton+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhucLm3djoaM3nMyeXDWGY7pt0uD8NoM0yb4eaMS1-01QejoIllySFbNs4mYapEYk1c4S5PwVyiPiNBbUjy-RyO48Q7ckF8-4x9V9AHaXNPZEn0oHoS5-WHxKZraO241CHhigt4vtBhyBo/s400/Seton+008.JPG"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR6_mZ_pn_ONezZTyTa1_zXgHZnz9ECPLcH_yzStFINuJF9Wr3b6mGgdBXIJVeG-SreFHts-kk15NOZgLCAZJIOXDpiaWsNuovkfzt2ymTmh-ftB0Cgrj_hKBcV56O1u_643v-cFdWQY8/s1600/Seton+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR6_mZ_pn_ONezZTyTa1_zXgHZnz9ECPLcH_yzStFINuJF9Wr3b6mGgdBXIJVeG-SreFHts-kk15NOZgLCAZJIOXDpiaWsNuovkfzt2ymTmh-ftB0Cgrj_hKBcV56O1u_643v-cFdWQY8/s400/Seton+009.JPG"></a></div>
<p>
Only 6 Swift on 7 August but back up to 23+ during rain on evening of 8 August.
<p>
A magical evening on 6 August with 27+ Swifts high over giving their occasional brief scream calls, as previously at this time of the year becoming more erratic but also more concentrated presumably coasting after dispersing breeding areas - at the same time the distant calls of massed Sandwich Terns wafting over from the coast, 600+m north.
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoYSRAtr0Jgtnl93Xwuszy17gQmj9o2eNtmW9W47stK1I1kbbxonzK98VqTJ7J7wpxkjI-xVFop61uoFq7LuEEhYyWjmZLgkr9Js9m9oJC5L_9w0wP5tntQP8DaunffT9B1PLgWgrr0wk/s1600/HoMa+002_small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoYSRAtr0Jgtnl93Xwuszy17gQmj9o2eNtmW9W47stK1I1kbbxonzK98VqTJ7J7wpxkjI-xVFop61uoFq7LuEEhYyWjmZLgkr9Js9m9oJC5L_9w0wP5tntQP8DaunffT9B1PLgWgrr0wk/s400/HoMa+002_small.jpg"></a></div>
<p>
House Martin summary - arrived 4 May, commenced nest 16 May, most complete by 19 May, 3 large juvs (pictured) 13 July, fledged probably 15 July; on 5 August 36 birds feeding over playing fields/Fernyness Wood, no other nests known in our road though so mainly immigrants.
<p>
Buzzard family (3) mewing while thermalling over Fernyness Wood on 5 August, juv hunger calling later, also both owls vocal on evening of 5 August with Barn Owl very near the house.
<p>
Sandwich Terns again in early hours on 2 August, seemed to retreat to coast.
<p>
Tree Sparrow again on 29 July, with a single Greylag towards Gosford at dusk on 30 July.
<p>
A Sandwich Tern heard 15:00hrs on 20 July. Second brood of Blackbirds out, whilst one of first brood was sunbathing in the garden:
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0BOucnRmeKbT2a-1A6-as7BHaJPg30j4NOJKKN-OJsjqVSojPyECKpFu0dVGkTLSb1hKW3lmtTTEz2y8IBywPG2tNsryu5luC-nr05tHJHS014pJys7afbK8uEEFvSLio-lHvhHX6xqQ/s1600/Blackbird+sunbathing+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0BOucnRmeKbT2a-1A6-as7BHaJPg30j4NOJKKN-OJsjqVSojPyECKpFu0dVGkTLSb1hKW3lmtTTEz2y8IBywPG2tNsryu5luC-nr05tHJHS014pJys7afbK8uEEFvSLio-lHvhHX6xqQ/s400/Blackbird+sunbathing+017.JPG"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD6DEFNu4qo9xGzlWBFGYet8rNkGoaBt4jUGZxqcNDEtxiMaAQei7w4kEPMTtvgkcfYNT1icqEg66N7fc9ygXSw7MYxpOd2tx9bqN9O9hXDt10rDSWL17zEKFljMaCIMnXyA9NkvpVsbI/s1600/Blackbird+sunbathing+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD6DEFNu4qo9xGzlWBFGYet8rNkGoaBt4jUGZxqcNDEtxiMaAQei7w4kEPMTtvgkcfYNT1icqEg66N7fc9ygXSw7MYxpOd2tx9bqN9O9hXDt10rDSWL17zEKFljMaCIMnXyA9NkvpVsbI/s400/Blackbird+sunbathing+021.JPG"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFESut5hTkbAjzHaOZ9JCKDy5ORwZMnTbKfMwF3X8GD3kBYjVkPrjFZh9Lsul9HFhuKelnM8i0mnSbWu3LoGtP_7PRahgp4LUe9mN50-EELJ5sL4ubv3MQTpF0u_IBfkWV4D2Lcm1Setg/s1600/Blackbird+sunbathing+027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFESut5hTkbAjzHaOZ9JCKDy5ORwZMnTbKfMwF3X8GD3kBYjVkPrjFZh9Lsul9HFhuKelnM8i0mnSbWu3LoGtP_7PRahgp4LUe9mN50-EELJ5sL4ubv3MQTpF0u_IBfkWV4D2Lcm1Setg/s400/Blackbird+sunbathing+027.JPG"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9eeiCAsE_a7mQhWW5RGDW2p44KzlEWky8IfdlwFLQjQpI84WU0g3WcyhjksNvvfjNs4RHbNWSXkZ8il2Y4jIwXZ7MkqsGP8nEhZZZNDkUmR1OVFoL_35qrJJmPSnGcRUhrspYkaC__DI/s1600/Blackbird+sunbathing+028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9eeiCAsE_a7mQhWW5RGDW2p44KzlEWky8IfdlwFLQjQpI84WU0g3WcyhjksNvvfjNs4RHbNWSXkZ8il2Y4jIwXZ7MkqsGP8nEhZZZNDkUmR1OVFoL_35qrJJmPSnGcRUhrspYkaC__DI/s400/Blackbird+sunbathing+028.JPG"></a></div>
<p>
A huge tit flock of c. 90 passed along the Braid Burn including a record (for me) 45+ Long-tailed Tits on 19 July.
<p>
Cock Pheasant heard calling mid-July was second record, not very exciting though!
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0PTLOwc3fH3dIMgWDidKWtFJr1-LF39u4TvhuRmN5ekK-SHNa8a8FUUNw7QrzYPgtKM5k2mTFJexYUYo21UKZmAHKXYcmDKqQ16c826elswSFdOHWbd6b8uGUpahzWZRdYLK7u3dyuhE/s1600/Bumblebees+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0PTLOwc3fH3dIMgWDidKWtFJr1-LF39u4TvhuRmN5ekK-SHNa8a8FUUNw7QrzYPgtKM5k2mTFJexYUYo21UKZmAHKXYcmDKqQ16c826elswSFdOHWbd6b8uGUpahzWZRdYLK7u3dyuhE/s400/Bumblebees+019.JPG"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6JdZnA4YCOWuYaRBb5O-fsroaWnE2m-tZMk8I8lgB9upaI4YOquhZrNId-d1FTfIEqGA5Kgg5FYym3keSeejaAjSqQG6A_09BgEYZOqMR4j6xe7nDYBCoSMljBL6H5l1364wJx1j384g/s1600/Bumblebees+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6JdZnA4YCOWuYaRBb5O-fsroaWnE2m-tZMk8I8lgB9upaI4YOquhZrNId-d1FTfIEqGA5Kgg5FYym3keSeejaAjSqQG6A_09BgEYZOqMR4j6xe7nDYBCoSMljBL6H5l1364wJx1j384g/s400/Bumblebees+020.JPG"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-bJAhr3Blm1GNRtiCTPBayokkZCPr3O5v5Pqtyb49IukPnffLlrxKMTQ3oGVyKmaZsAJqNFbHm4Q1acAIE-DSemfHd5pJQ4JCr6uLlL3J-i0gDsMHAWLwscm3-D_5r4ltzignkauPgE/s1600/Bumblebees+110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-bJAhr3Blm1GNRtiCTPBayokkZCPr3O5v5Pqtyb49IukPnffLlrxKMTQ3oGVyKmaZsAJqNFbHm4Q1acAIE-DSemfHd5pJQ4JCr6uLlL3J-i0gDsMHAWLwscm3-D_5r4ltzignkauPgE/s400/Bumblebees+110.JPG"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRjN0vNPKWKX7CLMsIIJ9pjBk1oAK7pBXopjLlftimzTpLTEXqpuHds374SRN62Fb1C0NtLe4mD0Cgl5FqR3h1NuTdWRau1oaFzDHU7ROQgNzjQj1fKpdGLjueEyIVKJC15LueANMW7vA/s1600/Bumblebees+152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRjN0vNPKWKX7CLMsIIJ9pjBk1oAK7pBXopjLlftimzTpLTEXqpuHds374SRN62Fb1C0NtLe4mD0Cgl5FqR3h1NuTdWRau1oaFzDHU7ROQgNzjQj1fKpdGLjueEyIVKJC15LueANMW7vA/s400/Bumblebees+152.JPG"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhprQncZLCze43_F24n6tX6LQetuVO53G6jBWcIUDSju_VC8sRYYqKXVceh6ID17bQAD1-gCIIukfWlOCJdhHzXcX3sV6lXpmTmeXvbPl1AI_HU84JEsp9OT44p4SkYZWAoFuQVvbjtwWM/s1600/Bumblebees+126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhprQncZLCze43_F24n6tX6LQetuVO53G6jBWcIUDSju_VC8sRYYqKXVceh6ID17bQAD1-gCIIukfWlOCJdhHzXcX3sV6lXpmTmeXvbPl1AI_HU84JEsp9OT44p4SkYZWAoFuQVvbjtwWM/s400/Bumblebees+126.JPG"></a></div>
<p>
June - and insects coming to the fore - not many butterflies, a few Red Admirals excepting, but our Orange ball bush (<i>Buddleja globosa</i>) covered in bumblebees now (above): White-tailed (<i>Bombus lucorum</i>) dominant with 50+ at one time, also a queen Buff-tailed (<i>B. terrestris</i>) and Small garden (<i>B. hortorum</i>), Early (<i>B. pratorum</i>), Common Carder (<i>B. pascuorum</i>) and Red-tailed (<i>B. lapidarius</i>); looking out now for Tree (<i>B. hypnorum</i>), <a href="http://www.bwars.com/index.php?q=content/bombus-hypnorum-mapping-project">spread to Scotland by last year</a>. Also a remarkable sight of an adult male House Sparrow tackling a grounded Cockchafer on our patio, despite its fearless pecking, the insect may have escaped to cover.
<p>
Besides the owls again, an intriguing wader call, a high "sweeep" at 23:00hrs 27 May, resemblance to Green Sandpiper but seems highly unlikely in late May, another option would be Little Ringed Plover, with a previous good candidate (10 May 2011). Hopefully some day I'll have the time to get into recording, the sonogram would have clinched it.
<p>
Wow, seen it, heard the Barn Owl again close, looked out to see it flying past between our house and neighbours, not 10 feet away! 00:49hrs 22 May.
<p>
Ocarina hoot of local Tawny 00:47hrs 20 May.
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZszxJf-aDOxIPvINfyee5Xx8KA1i-AqXriQk1VO3hQWfyAqqAkWGPlRAdmiL13gGjNWQgJr_gcEhLfH2T7iwaLJo1wKrRcrg2ZlTtDkomd3_4mSgfb0iKLq3NTu8EY-uL01bxGt5fE0Y/s1600/House+Martin+035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZszxJf-aDOxIPvINfyee5Xx8KA1i-AqXriQk1VO3hQWfyAqqAkWGPlRAdmiL13gGjNWQgJr_gcEhLfH2T7iwaLJo1wKrRcrg2ZlTtDkomd3_4mSgfb0iKLq3NTu8EY-uL01bxGt5fE0Y/s400/House+Martin+035.JPG"></a></div>
<p>
House Martins - 19 May, day three on the nest, fresh mud by 09:00hrs clearly visible, but seemed nearly completely finished by evening and both birds roosted in it, heard calling 23:30hrs. Day one was little more than a splodge of mud so most of it was done in two days, much faster than those cited in BWP - minimum 8 days for a new nest: "<i>9 pairs building new nests took mean 10·4 days (8–18), while 25 pairs repairing old nests took mean 3·5 days (1–9) (Lind 1960)</i>". However the final layers to the roof took a few more days, so probably comparable overall. Also individual pellet fixing took in excess of a minute here, BWP 30-60 seconds.
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGO9dBi1ODWMyz4GOJs_1jgQMfoze8vfUlgWVw9LDxk2RbTlu0EjwBQJY2LoxZ4trfhz56JJSHk2WXROMw8nji_MNsdaju4Aoo3u5VCUpg9T_OhmZX7qEebUJSxnKE5rwYzjMVW7DwLws/s1600/House+Martin+038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGO9dBi1ODWMyz4GOJs_1jgQMfoze8vfUlgWVw9LDxk2RbTlu0EjwBQJY2LoxZ4trfhz56JJSHk2WXROMw8nji_MNsdaju4Aoo3u5VCUpg9T_OhmZX7qEebUJSxnKE5rwYzjMVW7DwLws/s400/House+Martin+038.JPG"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpQ5Ix6P666OKEb3DnIP9Fcind43504Rn1R_DdRxVJdyiceoD2avqSrdymGdnwnUUTuzI3cWxdo-5bTORvyZo9o0XggtKVBIzL0RffEO20D8_zzIEVXQRdihjtHbv8znfpGvDX1I7AEo4/s1600/House+Martin+032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpQ5Ix6P666OKEb3DnIP9Fcind43504Rn1R_DdRxVJdyiceoD2avqSrdymGdnwnUUTuzI3cWxdo-5bTORvyZo9o0XggtKVBIzL0RffEO20D8_zzIEVXQRdihjtHbv8znfpGvDX1I7AEo4/s400/House+Martin+032.JPG"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYwpagTlDdJCo8GPDBBC1KWv7KVYgBHlAH7lgZwWQyYwzuGsKmRBcj0OQBbUmMihxQgV1-DPtKkemF_9KIYvRbDqzjaPDe2nlnseOpHZBw1G11iW1a_SAKgz7Zgufr-qMXt8_7Z0-lSlE/s1600/House+Martin+037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYwpagTlDdJCo8GPDBBC1KWv7KVYgBHlAH7lgZwWQyYwzuGsKmRBcj0OQBbUmMihxQgV1-DPtKkemF_9KIYvRbDqzjaPDe2nlnseOpHZBw1G11iW1a_SAKgz7Zgufr-qMXt8_7Z0-lSlE/s400/House+Martin+037.JPG"></a></div>
<p>
Common Sand again 23:10hrs 10 May, lots of calling again from Barn Owl.
<p>
Whimbrel calling while passing W in rain 00:24hrs on 7 May, interspersed with a Common Sandpiper.
<p>
2 Swift back over nests 7 May, 3 days later than last year.
<p>
Both owl sp. vocal at present with Barn screech from nearby in the village on 6 May, remarkable!
<p>
Redpolls in song over on 1 and 4 May, not an unusual date for here, I suspect these are tail end migrants from somewhere well north.
<p>
3 House Martins back descending to inspect nest on 27 April.
<p>
Barn Owl screech 23:55hrs 26 April, also Tawny very vocal for over an hour. Another screech 00:50hrs, triggering fresh Tawny calls. Earlier Buzzard thermalling over Fernyness Wood.
<p>
Tree Sparrow over house on 20 April was second breeding season record here, one on similar date in 2012; winter records since late October 2010 normally depart by mid-March.
<p>
Redwing call low over 01:15hrs 20 April, also Redshanks heard twice and Tawny Owl.
<p>
2 more Swallows on 16 April, then present 18 April, when finally joined by singing Willow Warbler. First baby Blackbirds out by the burn on latter date, also two other locations in village, one predated by Magpie.
<p>
Rather behind first reports, a Swallow W over into strong wind on Saturday 12 April was my first of the year.
<p>
Another nocturnal migrant Moorhen, calling loudly low over "krek-krek-krek-kwep", every 5-10 seconds, receding SW, 23:35hrs on 10 April (first heard here on 12 and 16 April 2007, annual in summer months since 2001).
<p>
pr Mallard flew in to stream (the tiny Braid Burn) from west 31 March, these appeared each spring 2009 to 2012 but not always easy to spot; limited breeding habitat for them here but suggests at near full capacity locally. Also Chiffchaff singing.
<p>
Sparrowhawk pair in full display flight over on 22 March.
<p>
Silent rather grey-brown Chiffchaff again on burn 15-16 March, perhaps still same bird as 1 March but equally likely an arrival.
<p>
Chiffchaff, silent, in the garden 13 March, considering ours is c. 10m square how many are covering the whole of the UK?! Also more Siskins, male in next door's garden which is a rare sight.
<p>
Heard very little Blackbird song yet this year but dusk song on 9 March suggests we've lost the territorial male of the previous 4 years - time to learn a new song!
<p>
A Jackdaw nearby at the end of Wemyss Road on 22 February had a pale neck mark <i>a la</i> "Nordic", my first in the village - though previously had not checked so thoroughly.
<p>
Approaching 10 years at this address now - and one species that's always around but never numerous is Carrion Crow - from weekly records peak count 5 seen in Aug 06, Jan/Sep 07 and May 11, 4 on 3 other dates - mainly families. Imagine my surprise when opening back curtains on Monday morning to see a gathering of 44 in the trees north of the Community Centre. Lots of typical corvid interaction and posturing, some dispersal and regathering and many birds apparently paired, all reminiscent of the Magpie "Ceremonial gathering" which per BWP is initiated by "<i>high-ranking birds ... flying into centre of established territories to provoke territorial response from owners. Noise and activity attracts all nearby breeders and non-breeders as spectators</i>." But there is no exact equivalent described for Carrion Crow, the closest is "Social gatherings" which can be pre-roost in April (up to 10 territorial birds) but "common late winter/early spring" (Goodwin), and any time of day in summer. However same gathering though slightly less was present again at dawn on Tue/Wed, none came to roost there at dusk on Wed evening and apparently none present Thu morning, so I suspect more likely this observation relates to a temporary roost. Up to 255 birds seen at pre-roost dusk by Gosford Bothy a couple of winters back so they must roost in some numbers not that far away. NB - a local brood of 3 last summer were distinct in their significant white wing markings, a single individual regular in the neighborhood since and one like it was present in this gathering.
<p>
<a href="https://www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch/">RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch</a> - kids submissions - 4 House Sparrow, 4 Dunnock, 3 Woodpigeon, 2 Blackbird, 2 Goldfinch, 1 Robin, 1 Starling, 1 Magpie, 1 Herring Gull (Michael, Saturday); 17 House Sparrow, 2 Blackbird, 2 Dunnock, 2 Woodpigeon, 1 Magpie, 1 Starling, 1 Robin (Joanne, Sunday). First Goldfinches since April 2012, took one look at our seed feeder and cleared off. Herring Gull on roof. Odd just to have the one Starling, 20-30 are on neighbours aerial daily, I whistle to them and they usually return my call. Also during wet windy weather Saturday morning a Redshank low over the house, can't count it though! Up to 15 Redshank, 20 Oycs and even a Curlew regular on school playing field in recent weeks, mainly after dark.
<p>
My BTO Early Bird results: Robin 07:58, Blackbird 08:02, Dunnock 08:04, House Sparrow 08:05, Starling 08:49, Woodpigeon 09:30hrs, light c. 08:00hrs; good to see 56 returns from Lothian are included in the <a href="http://blx1.bto.org/ebs/ebs-results.jsp">national results</a> (5 East, 7 Mid, 10 West, 34 Edinburgh); in fact rarely see the Dunnock on the feeder itself during the day, sparrows rule the roost unless the pigeons are clinging on - up to 4 now present and one or two loafing in the garden all day; courtship feeding seen last week, a Herring Gull targeted them and ended up with a beakful of pigeon feathers!
<p>
New Year's Day brought a Heron, first since 2012.
<p>
<b><u>2013</u></b>
<p>
[<i style="color: rgb(102, 255, 255);">Overview of the year 2013 </i></p><p style="color: rgb(102, 255, 255);"> <i>A low total of 65 species recorded, only garden list addition was the Fulmar on 15 May <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);"><b>species 97</b></span>. The most fascinating records of the year were the Barn Owl screeches on five dates in the summer, though I failed to track these down to a local breeding site - renewed presence here particularly welcome given latest estimates of <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/dec/14/barn-owls-threatened-freak-weather">a catastrophic reduction from c. 4k to perhaps less than 1k pairs surviving in the UK</a>, after several years of poor weather. All available evidence points to a similarly dramatic reduction locally. Yet another nocturnal migrant Coot was detected, late May, but not many waders logged in summer and for first time since we arrived in 2004 no nocturnal migrant terns recorded. The first Redpoll in the garden was nice.</i>]
<p>
<p>Another on cue, redpolls appeared on 14 December, flight only so far.
<p>For the fourth successive year Tree Sparrows have reappeared late autumn, two over on 12 November. A Peregrine was circling nearby over Fernyness wood on 15 November, striking fear into the resident corvids. Pinks continued to pass over SW every morning.
<p>A few Pinkfeet SW at dawn now, 300+ on 6 November and 200 on 7 November also including 2 Barnacle Geese; 500+ on 9 November, with a nice group of 16 Barnacles in one flock, 430 on 12 November with 14 Barnacles in one flock. Can't match the 7000 which went over at dawn on 8 November 2004!
<p>Still 2 House Martins feeding over on 17 October.
<p>28 House Martins over trees along burn on 27 September, perhaps boosted by latest to fledge or some migrants? My son Michael (aged 6 yrs) reported two white "Whooper Geese" with long necks flying east over house calling on afternoon of 26 September, along with another flock of geese further south, he counted carefully 24 - an intriguing report! [Postscript - have been informed 2 Whoopers seen Aberlady same day, also 42 back at Strathbeg during the week]
<p>Common Sandpiper calling over 00:05hrs 20 May; two screech calls from Barn Owl well off to east 01:15hrs, 4th record but all previous in July/August. Coot SW over 02:05hrs.
<p>A Fulmar low E over at 08:00hrs on 15 May, directly over the house, flapping a fair bit in no wind, was a first for the garden, <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);"><b>species 97</b></span>. Weather overcast but decent visibility and no precipitation - perhaps just going for a wander inland but interestingly when very calm.
<p>First Swift back was a migrant bombing over W on 4 May, also 13 migrant Swallows towards dusk on 6 May; House Martin numbers slowing increasing. Willow Warblers still lurking nearby at the burn, only a single snatch on song in two weeks though. Tawny Owl in good form with continuous hoots 23:57-00:13hrs, 00:25-00:35hrs into 7 May.
<p>2 Lesser Redpolls in our back garden rowan was a surprise on 17 April, second record in the garden after the February visit.
<p>Nuthatches (2) reported to be still visiting feeders at east end of Douglas Road so local breeding looks a possibility.
<p>Tawny Owl hooting from Fernyness Wood again on 9 April.
<p>I'm always curious to hear our Blackbird in spring to see if last year's male has survived; thought I'd heard the familiar phrases but then another evening careful listening for some time suggested a different bird - was puzzled - but then those unmistakable phrases came again but from 50m further west in trees over the burn. So it looks like our previous resident has shifted his territory slightly, not sure how common this is. This is his 4th season with us, recognised as same as previous in 2011, prior to that had a new bird in 2008. Nest building also underway late March.
<p>First Meadow Pipits over on 17 March, also Siskins prominent at present and a Great Spotted Woodpecker.
<p>95 coasting Redwing SW over dusk 12 March, return migration.
<p>Snow lying to a few inches dawn on 11 March again produced Skylarks low over, many more flying over fields further inland searching for somewhere to feed.
<p>23 Greylag E at dusk on 10 March, presumably to roost at Gosford. Around same time a pair of adult Great Blackbacks soaring over the village to N, a great display from this large gull which is quite rare over the garden except as an early morning commuter. On same date 2 Robins sharing garden the first such since last breeding season.
<p>Grey Wagtail around in first week March, scarce recently.
<p>A first - 6 Lesser Redpoll appeared at our seed feeder briefly on morning of 20 February, none previously in the garden in 9 years!
<p>Snow lying Saturday 19 January, 20 Skylark low over house early on - later 3 Fieldfare and a Cormorant over, female Sparrowhawk hunting in the snow.
<p>
<br /></p><p> <b><u>2012</u></b><br />
<p>
[<i style="color: rgb(102, 255, 255);">Overview of the year 2012 </i></p><p style="color: rgb(102, 255, 255);"> <i>Just one more than last year with 73 species recorded (down 4 on peak in 2010), only garden list addition was an Osprey SW over on 1 July <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);"><b>species 96</b></span>. A nocturnal migrant Quail calling loudly whilst circling over at 01:15hrs on 10 July was a second record but an amazing experience. 4 records of nocturnal migrant Sandwich Terns, mainly ad+juv, from 4 August to 11 September, but not many records of scarcer waders with records of nocturnal migrants: a Ringed Plover in March and 3 Common Sand, 2 Dunlins, 2 Redshank and 1 Whimbrel in late summer. The Barn Owl in July was the second record after July 2008. A good total of 150 migrant Barnacle Geese in first week October when nocturnal migrants also heard, also 10 Whoopers in first week November, these being first since 2007. Up to 16 Waxwings were present in 4 weeks towards the end of the year.</i>]
<p>At Christmas counted 595 Woodpigeons over garden one evening, presumably heading to roost at Gosford, many more would have been missed. Into the New Year and numbers of they clustered around our feeder doubled from 3 to 6, a new peak! This was not the desired effect of the new batch of seed from Mike McD.
<p>In colder weather birds emptying the garden feeder about once per day; stock it with a grain/sunflower seed mix mainly intended for the sparrows, which do appreciate it, but have also had up to 4 Coal Tits regularly; these waste a lot of seed, tossing out up to 10 grains before finding one they like (sunflower), then flying off to bury it and returning, all on a 20 second turnaround. The pigeons are worse, a few years ago they would only gather spilt seed from below feeder, now they cling on to gobble seed directly and exclude the smaller species :(
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwcxCqH0N23ZVu2Jt1ida-BntLSoaDeQKDLAw6kpHhxA8ZG7q0tZiJuIERTeuYWM5e0Y9Qb1eAhTL7VfJR9j7P-LZFif0s_x-KRwPQymTKFBD2KXBWdO-OJn_vpUuAdrasNAnCWzLDcTI/s1600/Wknd8-9Dec+057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwcxCqH0N23ZVu2Jt1ida-BntLSoaDeQKDLAw6kpHhxA8ZG7q0tZiJuIERTeuYWM5e0Y9Qb1eAhTL7VfJR9j7P-LZFif0s_x-KRwPQymTKFBD2KXBWdO-OJn_vpUuAdrasNAnCWzLDcTI/s400/Wknd8-9Dec+057.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd5Q1mHBGfNh3LQHVjoj3Vrin_3pn5KgtoQozhmqT7Ru_RKiVf8hPSv7erVKAT19UfL8BAsc7UEibBppgqwb5WmbhzTKhxBO4WBxTDc-yILjozm6aVhdiFb-nsbh2p9MJ8I0pATamL6jk/s1600/Wknd8-9Dec+055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd5Q1mHBGfNh3LQHVjoj3Vrin_3pn5KgtoQozhmqT7Ru_RKiVf8hPSv7erVKAT19UfL8BAsc7UEibBppgqwb5WmbhzTKhxBO4WBxTDc-yILjozm6aVhdiFb-nsbh2p9MJ8I0pATamL6jk/s400/Wknd8-9Dec+055.jpg"></a></div><p>On 16 December a social gathering ("council"?) of 15+Magpies in the tall fir on Gosford Road, biggest group from the house since 23 on 5 February 2005; local numbers strongly depressed in recent years by trapping and removal.
<p>Waxwings turned up in the neighbourhood on Friday 7 December and up to 18 were seen or heard most days in the following week (14 still present Saturday 15 December), often flying up/down Douglas Road; flight direction early morning was SW, perhaps they had roosted in Gosford estate woods?
<p>Regular Pinkfoot roost flights over garden in December, a minimum of 1395 went SW at dawn on 14 December; have seen some of these continuing SW at least as far as Inveresk, not sure where they are going to feed in that direction.
<p>Single Cormorant over on 9 December, also a Great Blackback.
<p>Spectacular display by Rooks on 8 December, 2 pairs in high display/chasing flight for 20 minutes. Flock occupying Fernyness Wood colony on two occasions last week.
<p>Yapping Barnacle Geese SW over just before midnight on 1 October.
<p>6 Lapwing high SE over on 29 September.
<p>House Martins still visiting apparently occupied nest until at least 20 September, 8 birds still around at end of month.
<p>Nocturnal migrant Sandwich Terns (ad+juv) SW over after rain 00:25hrs 11 September.
<p>House Martins still feeding young in nest on next door neighbour's house 9 September; 60 geese over 17:55hrs were mainly Canadas, these apparently now roosting at Gosford.
<p>45 each of Greylag and House Martin over on 30 August, latter is a record count for me in the village, perhaps boosted by latest fledglings?
<p>Greylags in the area late August, 60+ in stubble by Longniddry, some also over the house, going to roost 20:45-20:50hrs on 29 August. Still 35 House Martins feeding over on 29 August, this time without Swifts.
<p>Still 3 Swift feeding over house amongst House Martins on a muggy still evening on 27 August. 36 House Martins over the house a couple of weeks ago must have included birds from elsewhere in the village, seem to have done well this year and still entering nest on house opposite.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDpennY8qybC7sx-HCMlKIAObYUrlcLPCe6tuWaUlmQJqeJsOVxylMteXls3mc6SBc4_kj_PVzteRuNshOBKBhciAhBGuR3LgoG1aAwO48a72ywJ1W8qUfWWmEPiYmg-NAcr1BezfcqN4/s1600/Wknd25-26Aug+036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="266" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDpennY8qybC7sx-HCMlKIAObYUrlcLPCe6tuWaUlmQJqeJsOVxylMteXls3mc6SBc4_kj_PVzteRuNshOBKBhciAhBGuR3LgoG1aAwO48a72ywJ1W8qUfWWmEPiYmg-NAcr1BezfcqN4/s320/Wknd25-26Aug+036.jpg"></a></div>The scruffiest of scruffy young crows loitering in our area recently!
<p>33 Canada Geese low NE over the house 19:55hrs on 24 August, the first seen from the house; presumed same as were seen over a neighbours on 16 August, and also <a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lothianbirdnews/message/18733">reported from Aberlady</a> - so "locals" or moult migrants?
<p>Sandwich Terns (ad+juv) again calling over house late evening 23 August - more records than usual this year, but also the Forth seems to have a bumper gathering.
<p>Swifts still high over on 23 August.
<p>Blackbirds stripped 99% of berries off our rowan within a week; they do this every year in August and it seems unwise - don't they need those berries for mid-winter!?
<p>Sandwich Terns (ad+juv) calling over either side of midnight on 20 August.
<p>45 Swift SW over in rain on 19 August.
<p>4 Crossbill SW on 18 August.
<p>Common Sand and owls again in early hours of 17 August.
<p>Common Sand over (twice) on evening of 15 August, also lots of Tawny Owl activity most days at present, plus Greylag heard.
<p>Hedgehog in garden on 13 August, feeding after dark, very noisy eater!
<p>Another nocturnal migrant Coot was heard over in early hours of 12 August.
<p>Common Sand right over the house 23:22hrs 7 August, also Redshank.
<p>Terns again at 00:40hrs 6 August.
<p>Early August and mist/drizzle usually generates birds over the house at night - Dunlin, Common Sand and 2 Sandwich Terns over around midnight on 4 August, latter calling continuously until far to S, clearly migrants heading off overland.
<p>Sparrowhawk NE with prey on 20 July.
<p>Tawny and Dunlin calling over in early hours of 20 July, latter is third record.
<p>Crossbills W over on 18 & 20 July, 8 on latter date including obvious juvs.
<p>Coot - single "moo" call c. 00:05hrs on 13 July.
<p>
Beautiful rippling call of a Whimbrel 00:09hrs Tuesday 10 July; again 00:25hrs. Bar-tailed Godwit before and after, went over low SW, and Moorhen. Then at 01:15hrs calls of a nocturnal migrant Quail, "quic-ic-ic" repeated in pairs many times over duration of more than a minute, must have been circling over, eventually receding NE; so loud at one point I peeped out almost expecting I would be able to see it! 01:56hrs - Redshank and noisy Tawny Owl. Manic night, Barn Owl screech at 01:57hrs!!! Nothing further after 02:00hrs as light of dawn appeared.
<p>
Wow, Osprey at last!!! Just coming into our road on foot, a Herring Gull approaching from NE in drizzly wet conditions, another not far behind it ... hmmm ... odd looking Herring Gull, is it injured, or no, has fingers on the wings it's a Heron is it?, odd shaped rounded tail, what the heck?! - suddenly there it is very obvious, for once a large bird in the sky is not a gull but my very belated first Osprey in Lothian (<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);"><b>species 96</b></span> for garden)! Continued on a fairly hesitant path at perhaps 30m up, passing just S of the house and visible for another minute flying SW over Community Centre, got both children onto it ;) Not moving very fast in still conditions, indeed had <a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lothianbirdnews/message/18557">posted to LBN</a> when it was still just in sight!
<p>
Changing topic slightly, have never seen so many Bumblebees in garden, counted 30 on orange ball flowers of our <i>Buddleja globosa</i> (orange-ball-tree), of which I think majority are <i>Bombus terrestris</i> workers but also individuals of <i>Bombus pratorum</i> (orange tail) and <i>Bombus lapidarius</i> (red tail). Noticed that some roost on the flowers, moving very slowly at dusk. Inside the same bush a cheerful chorus of sparrows (in winter they roost in the house).
<p>
Indeed House Sparrows seem to have done really well despite the very wet spring with massed juvs boosting flock in our back gardens to 38+; annual peak counts since 2004 have been: 18, 18, 20, 27, 18, 22, 24, 34. Clearly winter hardship has had no impact, no wonder with so many young produced. One new threat is Swifts with both Swifts and House Sparrows entering crack at top of wall on neighbours house, Swifts usually win. Swifts were also seen investigating House Martin nests, repeatedly passing active nest on other neighbours houses then flying up to eaves at two of these but not entering nests. Can't find much comment on this behaviour in literature but evidence of it <a href="http://jonathanpomroy.wordpress.com/2011/06/30/screaming-swifts/">on another blog</a>, <a href="http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/Swallows-Martins-Swifts-Worldwide/message/11360">also comment that there is a video record</a> of one entering a House Martin nest and staying inside though I have not traced this.
<p>
Second batch of young Blackbird fledged 14 June, though last two did not make it beyond rim of nest then retreated:<p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjngouCDEAsHSiTPP9qW_oSIikNFAB242aD39NIbA5QqRjGQTvkodynDe44zkl4MIsp94_Llmd3aqmODm9r6EPO1ktczerHmcqahBsi1nzFTJBhd5Daf_PdfjTeGbZ20pgCYjj4EFfbNj0/s1600/Wknd16-17Jun+027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="292" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjngouCDEAsHSiTPP9qW_oSIikNFAB242aD39NIbA5QqRjGQTvkodynDe44zkl4MIsp94_Llmd3aqmODm9r6EPO1ktczerHmcqahBsi1nzFTJBhd5Daf_PdfjTeGbZ20pgCYjj4EFfbNj0/s400/Wknd16-17Jun+027.jpg"></a>
<p>
Second batch of young sparrows out in garden.<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ATKpVsM3CluUROk3Kr4aiZYrYN7Kef3ehlSyv-U87F8YZD6LtwQzKiKPbTdLqeIUBKoW6E2RVb5Je3CsrEJNkfqkjLSz9bUJoamTlr6Qgmlip1fChq332czCNricIfvZKD4JKIQhbAs/s1600/Wknd9-10Jun+020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ATKpVsM3CluUROk3Kr4aiZYrYN7Kef3ehlSyv-U87F8YZD6LtwQzKiKPbTdLqeIUBKoW6E2RVb5Je3CsrEJNkfqkjLSz9bUJoamTlr6Qgmlip1fChq332czCNricIfvZKD4JKIQhbAs/s400/Wknd9-10Jun+020.jpg"></a>
<p>Noisy Tawnys in Fernyness Wood 18-20 May, calling for up to and hour and a half in early hours. 8 Swifts briefly.
<p>With brighter weather (10C!) hirundine passage cranked up on 15 May, 24 Swallow, 2 House Martin and a Sand Martin down Douglas Road in an hour in the morning.
<p>Great to see our first local Swift back on Thursday 10 May, a bit late - appeared in a heavy downpour and was seen visiting eaves of neighbour's house where nested last year.
<p>pr noisy Tawnys calling in early hours of 4 May.
<p>Rare visit of hedgehog in garden on 2 May (submit local hedgehog records <a href="http://www.wildlifeinformation.co.uk/involved_hedgehogs.php">here</a>).
<p>pr Long-tailed Tits in garden on 29 April, Blackcap in song from burn; Siskins daily at present.
<p>First House Martin back over house 28 April.
<p>Have suspected breeding of Dunnock in area previously but this year no mistaking a brood in leylandii hedge at end of garden, first noticed 22 April; by 27 April very noisy, recorded parents feeding at 4 minute intervals on average. Sunday morning and a Magpie was being seen off from same hedge by Collared Dove, thereafter saw the Dunnocks doing a fantastic wing-flicking display and extended chase round garden but no sight or sound of young.
<p>First Swallow back on 21 April, feeding not a migrant.
<p>Unusual record of 4 ad GBB passing over early evening of 18 April.
<p>6 Crossbills SW over 08:15hrs on 16 April with Willow Warbler in song nearby (latter nearly annual in spring, records 05,07,08,09,11, none breeding nearby).<br /><p>A Coot flew over W calling at 21:50hrs on 9 April, dead calm; third record (all nocturnal migrants, previous being 21/4/11 & 7/8/10).<br /><p>2 prs Sparrowhawk displaying over on Easter Sunday (8 April); this implies male recently found dead nearby has already been replaced - there is a regular pair breeding in village and I suspect another in Fernyness Wood. Also a rare sight of Blue Tits mating in garden - elsewhere some have apparently already laid eggs (per nrsforum). The previous day a Mallard was heard in flight over during the night, also a Wren in full song at 02:45hrs!<br /><p>Not actually in the garden, but certainly within a stone's throw, we have the tiny Wemyss Burn nearby which has a source up near Elvingston and runs down through Redcoll and Longniddry Farm eventually crossing the golf course and entering bog at Longniddry c/p 2. Rubbish accumulates rapidly on the stretch past the community centre and I removed 2 black bags full a fortnight back. How pleasing to see today for the first time a Moorhen in the burn by the surgery on Forthview Road, joining the resident pair of Mallard first seen flying in on 13 March. If the former lingers till 1 April, or the latter breeds, we will have two new atlas records.<br /><p>2 Curlew high S over calling on 25 March, too fanciful to imagine they were <span style="font-style:italic;">en route</span> to breeding grounds up in the Lammermuirs?<br /><p>Greenfinch in display flight many days recently, a welcome sight after not seeing many in winter. Also Tree Sparrows remain, first time we've had them into breeding.<br /><p>2 Tree Sparrow over on 3 March. pr Robins mating in rowan tree, not sure if this implies a very early nest or just practice, <a href="http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=165166">others have discussed</a>.<br /><p>Nice to hear "our" Blackbird in song again, no doubt it's the same individual as last year with its rather monotonous turn of phrase, at least it has survived the winter. Also interesting to note Woodpigeon in nocturnal song, 04:20hrs on 2 March.<br /><p>Ringed Plover south over at c. 22:00hrs on 28 February was unusual. No Nuthatch heard yet but they are now resident at peanut feeders just down the end of our road! <br /><p>4 Buzzard in territorial encounter over Fernyness Wood on 24 February.<br /></p><p> <b><u>2011</u></b><br />
<p>
[<i style="color: rgb(102, 255, 255);">Overview of the year 2011 </i></p><p style="color: rgb(102, 255, 255);"> <i>Could not match last year with only 72 species recorded (down 5) but some real highlights with two Woodcock making a roding flight excursion well over the village and a Short-eared Owl over in the late October influx, obliging going straight overhead allowing species confirmation. These were the only species additions (total now 96). Other highlights were further nocturnal migrant Coot and Moorhen in spring, probably many more of these would be detected with better coverage, or even automated monitoring as per the <a href="http://www.oldbird.org/">Old Bird system</a>. The latter may also have permitted confirmation of the most intriguing record of the year with the clear descending "tseeooo" call matching LRP on 10 May.</i>]<br /><p>Dark and windy on Christmas day, the only birds of note were 70 Fieldfare SW over early afternoon. Merry Christmas to all readers!!!<br /><p>The morning gull commuters on 21 December contained a nice ad GBB, always a highlight for "the garden" though I guess could be found regularly and in some numbers if I scrutinised these birds on a daily basis.<br /><p>Waxwing flew low NE calling in drizzle 09:20hrs on 8 November - seems there's been a small arrival the last couple of days, mainly north Norfolk coast but also a couple of singles on Scottish east coast. [Postscript - apparently nothing new, one reported from Fairmilehead in Edinburgh on Monday, thought there might be others around!] <br /><p>Short-eared Owl high NE trailing corvids 09:42hrs on 26 October, first for the garden, (<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);"><b>species 95</b></span>). Was watching thrushes passing SW when picked it up distantly west, fortunately it flew directly over, though quite high, and in perfect autumn light - allowing clear view of wing tips to confirm ID. [PS - presumed same was apparently seen by a visiting birder from Longniddry Bents!] <a href="http://www.trektellen.nl/trektelling.asp?telpost=501&datum=20111026">Full counts</a>.<br /><p>A first - House Martin heard over c. 22:00hrs on 29 August, nearly 2 hrs after sunset; BWP has lots of interest on this, "aerial roosting not proven, but thought to occur during breeding season (Buxton 1975), and 2 reports provide circumstantial evidence" - also mentions late roosting in breeding season, which would seem more likely as any aerial roost should be a great height; later, 22:50hrs, first Sandwich Terns of the season, noisy ad and juv over the village, seemed to retreat back towards coast so perhaps an abortive expedition inland? Nothing more till a Ringed Plover 03:18hrs! <br /><p>Male Blackcap visited our rowan (which has already been stripped bare by Blackbird family) on 29 August, 2nd autumn record after one mid-Oct 2006; we've also had several spring records, but unlike many others none in winter.<br /><p>Migrant Bar-tailed Godwit calling over 01:02hrs 28 August (3rd record).<br /><p>Migrant Ringed Plover calling over 01:12hrs 22 August (4th record); 34+ House Sparrow sunbathing in Leylandii in our tiny garden, another good season for them - indeed this is a new record high.<br /><p>A juv Willow Warbler passed throo garden, lingering in rowan for just 5 seconds, on 21 August.<br /><p>10 Redshank came over from inland falling rapidly towards shore on evening of 18 August, an unusual sight by day (commonly heard over at night); last (?) Swift over the same evening.<br /><p>25 June - Woodpigeon building again in our Leylandii hedge; soon after saw it being pursued from the garden by a pr extremely agitated Blackbirds, who have recently been feeding second brood - not sure what it had done to annoy them. On small grassy area on Forthview Road remarkable 5 ad male Blackbirds gathering food and one singing above - can only think they have all survived the winter by garden feeding.<br /><p>Crossbill "passage" commenced with 12 low SW past on 17 June, another heard nearby on 23 June. Also a few Siskins moving, and others still around gardens, with juvs reported elsewhere in village and presumed local breeding. <br /><p>As is typical House Martin only starting to build on house opposite mid-June - witnessed a major conflict with House Sparrows this week with a 5 minute continuous exchange of occupation at their nest, and associated bickering. House Sparrows feeding fresh second broods and seem to have done well.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJie9lC11TOrYVW1xBlcydKrZw0TiQRF63E_KnE3vNchEyYTaqef5mUaeoJvJYtuwfW4zFAgYIeToRQYAFhyphenhyphengLFcyHhc5h4Xi6qshoeSIiBujskt03bxg9FPFCSAWvJWUJRu0mqsuWhfM/s1600/Jun11+051_small.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 305px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJie9lC11TOrYVW1xBlcydKrZw0TiQRF63E_KnE3vNchEyYTaqef5mUaeoJvJYtuwfW4zFAgYIeToRQYAFhyphenhyphengLFcyHhc5h4Xi6qshoeSIiBujskt03bxg9FPFCSAWvJWUJRu0mqsuWhfM/s320/Jun11+051_small.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622284014931712146"></a> <br /><p>Better news on Swifts into June with birds entering crack at top of wall under eaves of neighbour's house, the first such observation in 7 yrs here (further comments in <a href="http://sedgewarbler.blogspot.com/2011/06/wknd-18-19-june.html">blog post</a>).<br /><p>A first for me on Thursday - with Swifts back down around eaves of houses a Starling returning with food took exception to one and pursued it in "mobbing" flight until it was seen off. <br /><p>Moorhen calling NE over after rain 00:37hrs on 10 May. Later, and more remarkable, a clear descending "tseeooo" call twice 01:27hrs, then once 01:48hrs! Could not immediately place it though felt it was a wader call; later realised it fits very well to Little Ringed Plover, however will have to go down as unconfirmed (dubius?) as this is a local description species; also considered Snow Bunting, which does call on nocturnal migration but on reflection call had more substance to it than the sweet "deeuu" of that species which is so much more passerine-like.<br /><br /><p>2 drake Mallard over SW on 7 May, unremarkable elsewhere but a real rarity here, 5th record for garden in 7 yrs. Also first two Swifts here over SW. <br /><br />Better to follow later, with 2 roding Woodcock over the house 21:30hrs, a first for the garden (<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);"><b>species 94</b></span>)! Heard the call, thought "hang on!" and peeped throo blinds to see the two of them nearly directly overhead, heading south but veering back round east towards Fernyness Wood (which is c. 350m at closest); however many previous excursions have never produced roding birds over this wood either (this is a tetrad tick too) so they may have been on a longer transit from somewhere closer to Gosford House. <br /><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfgdGeb8iB5N__UboRH94kS7I0AEKA-Lg4XkDxInh9UP7d7paLA3BvBC1PGYtftNBeFw-kmQ4mKQPzH-elRVGcYRQO8uX-0BCYTWl9IQJ4TYHoBid5al7eKwtOfPklzh2y4ZHncKISAYQ/s1600/Wknd6-7May+024_small.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 323px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfgdGeb8iB5N__UboRH94kS7I0AEKA-Lg4XkDxInh9UP7d7paLA3BvBC1PGYtftNBeFw-kmQ4mKQPzH-elRVGcYRQO8uX-0BCYTWl9IQJ4TYHoBid5al7eKwtOfPklzh2y4ZHncKISAYQ/s400/Wknd6-7May+024_small.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655293132097463426"></a>This little chap appeared in garden on Saturday 6 May.<br /><p>Whimbrel calling over 23:32hrs 29 April. pr Tawnies distantly in Fernyness wood 23:40hrs, hooting and kewick. Golden Plover NE 23:49hrs.<br /><p>A distinctive white-headed Blackbird seen previously at gardens 50m west sneaked into the garden on 23 April; looked anxious when it heard the resident in song nearby but did not flee for 10 minutes - a bit cheeky!<br /><p>A nocturnal migrant Coot was calling going over W at 23:44hrs on 21 April, 2nd record! Same conditions, calm and misty, as first record on <a href="http://sedgewarbler.blogspot.com/2008/12/garden-bird-log-for-longniddry-lothian.html">7 August last year</a>. Seems these are the <a href="http://www.trektellen.nl/grafiek.asp?soort=128&telpostland=5&telpost=-1&Jaar=None&Jaar2=All&my=year&eerstemaand=3&au=num">only two migrant Coots so far logged in the UK</a>, though some sites in Netherlands have observed diurnal movements of <a href="http://www.trektellen.nl/dagrec.asp?telpostland=1&telpost=-1&soort=128&jaar=&mnd=">several hundred</a>. Other nocturnal migrant Coots have been noted in The Netherlands (<a href="http://www.home.zonnet.nl/myotis/owlcoot.htm">Coot v LEO debate</a>) and London (<a href="http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/londonbirders/message/6612">londonbirders discussion</a>).<br /><p>3rd week April treated to a trio of warblers in song, Blackcap (1 previous singing male, 2/5/05), Willow Warbler (singing birds 2/5/05, 27/4/07, 12/4/09) and Chiffchaff (regular in previous years). Also Redshank and Curlew over.<br /><p>Listening to "our" Blackbird, noted how it gets lazy with song in the afternoon - gap btwn phrases lengthens to up to 10s and repeats same basic song component several times in succession "woot'to-root-toot wee-gah ****", where **** is the final flourish - only the flourish differing from one to the next! In active dawn/dusk song is much more imaginative. <br /><p>15 Greylags high N over on morning of 9 April was a first, being possible wild birds - though local feral birds are not infrequently seen/heard.<br /><p>Garden deserted and small heap of sparrow feathers on 25 Feb suggests a Sprawk had been visiting. Earlier in week Mistle Thrush in song; also a good dawn chorus now and our Blackbird is apparently the same individual as last year, distinctive and familiar song phrase certainly suggests so.<br /><p>Slow start to the year - 2 Cormorants over early on, then a good flock of 30+ Greenfinch in last week Jan; Song Thrush in song from 17 Jan and a very rare visit of one actually into the garden; even rarer, second record, a Treecreeper doing its stuff on the garden shed on 11 February; previous record was 11/9/06.<br /><p></p><b><u>2010</u></b><br /><br />[<i style="color: rgb(102, 255, 255);">Overview of the year 2010 </i></p><p style="color: rgb(102, 255, 255);"> <i>Total 77 species is best yet, and pleased to get 8 additions in 7th year of recording here: Whitethroat, Canada Goose, Blackwit, Coot, Jay, Brambling, Tree Sparrow, Teal and Wigeon (and Hobby pending acceptance). Of these, the calls of nocturnal migrant Coot and Blackwit have to be the highlights, the vismig Jay was also a great surprise, and Tree Sparrows are now well and truly rooted in the area, peak count 4. Duck were hard weather movers. Also during year, Barnacle Goose record smashed with 310 on 3/10, same with Golden Plover, 800+ 31/10. 2 prs Buzzard together was a new peak too. A few Waxwings no great surprise. The only previously annual species not seen was Peregrine and probably for first time no nocturnal migrant Sandwich Terns logged.</i>]<br /><p><br />GSW bounding over in Christmas week; also small flock redpolls from house, same location as last year's Mealy but flew off before grilling.<br /></p><p>4 Tree Sparrows in neighbourhood 23 December, the highest count so far; snow on ground now for nearly a month and several days now with temperature not really getting above freezing, and down to c. -10C at night, so feeding plenty; Wren seen twice this week, also crow in the garden, very rare they are bold enough to descend; Robin extremely tame, coming within touching distance and perched on threshold of back door; adult abundance was reduced by 27% after last year's hard weather (<a href="http://www.bto.org/sites/default/files/u17/downloads/ringing-surveys/CES/ces_results.pdf">CES results</a>), those without access to food in gardens may already be perishing.<br /></p><p>350 Woodpigeons SW over on 20 December, with 1600 the previous day feeding in snow a mile south.<br /></p><p>20+25 Skylarks low south on 19 December.<br /></p><p>Less signs of movement on 3 December but a fine Tree Sparrow in the garden again; gone are the days when I could count the House Sparrows by brown silhouettes in the rosehip bush! A Buzzard went over SW pursued by crows (unusual) and a male Sprawk dashed throo NE, dispersing 50+ Starlings in the area.<br /></p><p>Unprecedented flocks of dabbling ducks totalling 81 birds NE over house c. 10:30hrs on 2 December, many were Mallard but 3 small ones must have been Teal (<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);"><b>species 92</b></span>) and Wigeon heard (<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);"><b>species 93</b></span>). Immediately before 4 Skylark flew SW and another Tree Sparrow was passing. Later, a male Brambling perched in our rowan, the first we've ever had in this garden!<br /></p><p>Long-tailed Tits (4) again in garden on 30 November, now deep snow.<br /></p><p>Long-tailed Tits on 26 November, first for a while, plus a Heron trying to descend towards gardens in Forthview Road - goldfish?<br /></p><p>13 Mallard (+ 6 duck sp.) over NE on 25 November, new record count.<br /></p><p>A juv GBB over with food, being chased, on 20 November.<br /></p><p>c. 1100 Pinks WSW over on 4 November, routine at this time of year but followed driving in to work; most disappeared in Cousland direction behind Falside Hill but one bunch persisted over Whitecraig, Millerhill, Danderhall and Drum, last seen 10 miles from start in time of 28 mins (minimum 21.4 mph, no significant head/tail-wind); I found no direct data on Pinkfoot flight speed in quick web search, <a href="http://beheco.oxfordjournals.org/content/20/3/560.full#xref-ref-14-1">Brent reported as 26 mph</a>.<br /></p><p>Redshank calling over late evening on 1 November.<br /></p><p>Lots seen late October, with several vismig counts posted to trektellen and a peak of 6470 Pinkfeet NE at dusk on <a href="http://www.trektellen.nl/trektelling.asp?telpost=501&datum=20101024">24 October</a> and close to a thousand Golden Plover over on the last day of the month. 30 October saw good counts of 175 Siskin, 35 Crossbill SW past (including some counted at Ferny Ness), also a calling Brambling (<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);"><b>species 90</b></span>) and a Tree Sparrow seen in flight, then doubling back and dropping (<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);"><b>species 91</b></span>) (<a href="http://www.trektellen.nl/trektelling.asp?telpost=501&site=0&land=5&taal=2&datum=20101030">full counts</a>); following day (31 October) Tree Sparrows heard, a couple calling in flight, but was still cautious about adding to garden list before actually seeing properly, House Sparrow can do a good imitation at times; then suddenly one alighted in the rose hip within 10 ft of kitchen window, and sat amongst its sibling species as if it were always there, but what a pleasant sight after watching only House Sparrows day-in day-out for getting on for seven years! Waxwing also heard from house and many other finches and thrushes over.<br /></p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1kuJEq6B9PRv3zjky7ct6BoWivp3dAi2YJq727uX9iv4EMjT1z2yo8STqspBrtk9P3KFKVVgMBjJTWU-gO6JdkeO8ZxCZHW-TzxSHkGgn-x0HjFkPRYEHLKybxmhtyd04jhg-W9fa8X8/s1600/040920104348.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1kuJEq6B9PRv3zjky7ct6BoWivp3dAi2YJq727uX9iv4EMjT1z2yo8STqspBrtk9P3KFKVVgMBjJTWU-gO6JdkeO8ZxCZHW-TzxSHkGgn-x0HjFkPRYEHLKybxmhtyd04jhg-W9fa8X8/s200/040920104348.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513136239375302322" border="0"></a><br />At 14:25hrs on 3 October and extended flock of 310 grey geese flew S other, nothing unusual there with hundreds of Pinks over many days at present, but these seemed to be Barnacles, far and away the highest total from the garden (134 on 8/10/07 from near home).<br /></p><p><br />Saturday 2 October produced a great finch passage early morning, including 15 <span style="font-weight: bold;">Crossbills</span>, also a f/imm sawbill, apparently <span style="font-weight: bold;">Goosander </span>(2nd record) and a <span style="font-weight: bold;">Jay </span>SW over, <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);"><b>species 89</b></span>! <a href="http://www.trektellen.nl/trektelling.asp?telpost=501&datum=20101002">Full count on trek</a>.<br /></p><p>First <span style="font-weight: bold;">Pinks </span>heard back over towards midnight on 16 September, and a group of 80 very high SW over on 18th.<br /></p><p>A racing pigeon dropped in on afternoon of 3 September, remarkably was still sitting at the very same spot mid-morning on Saturday! Did not try to read the ring as <a href="http://www.shuonline.co.uk/strays/index.php">SHU</a> do not accept reports unless bird is in your possession. In fact it's only about a month since the last lost individual hunched on road outside.<br /></p><p>Evening 3 September heard a flock of <span style="font-weight: bold;">Greylags</span>, presumed feeding in fields east of Fernyness Wood, in early hours. Also <span style="font-weight: bold;">Sandwich Terns</span> but none passing over house. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Tawnys </span>also very vocal into 1st wk September, often calling hours on end from Fernyness Wood (juv + ad).<br /></p><p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bar-tailed Godwit</span> flew over SW calling at 23:05hrs on 22 August.<br /></p>
<p>Interesting "tittering" calls heard over in early hours of 8 August, slightly reminiscent of Sparrowhawk, considered Whimbrel but did not fit - in retrospect think <b>very likely a Little Grebe</b>!
<p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Coot!</span> Amazing, yet another garden tick - unmistakable call of a <span style="font-weight: bold;">Coot </span>over at 01:13hrs, then immediately E of house at 01:15hrs, on 7 August. Dead calm, humid and misty. <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);"><b>Species 88</b></span> and a good one! Check <a href="http://www.home.zonnet.nl/myotis/owlcoot.htm">this link</a> for the fascinating debate over Coot v Long-eared Owl nocturnal calls in The Netherlands, thanks to Rombout de Wijs for this useful resource; the calls just heard here were very similar to those on this site, particularly those interspersed in <a href="http://www.home.zonnet.nl/myotis/koet5.mp3">call 5</a>, a sort of wavering or bleating drawn-out "mow, mowow", with distinctive tone of Coot. Perhaps also relevant is the <a href="http://sedgewarbler.blogspot.com/2010/07/change-of-seasons.html">increase and successful breeding of Coot at nearby Blindwells</a> (3km SW), and even nearer at Elvingston pond just 2km SSE (<a href="http://www.the-soc.org.uk/se-atlas/sesa2br/sesa2_breeding_0429_Common_Coot.html">map</a>). Calls of night flight Coots have also been noted in the London area (<a href="http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/londonbirders/message/6612">londonbirders link</a>). Another <span style="font-weight: bold;">Whimbrel </span>01:57hrs.<br /></p><p>13+ <span style="font-weight: bold;">Crossbill </span>low SW over house 13:10hrs on 6 August.<br /></p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfXPk9MCEksy4Ch4pkz0AsbDPQYEQ0Xtu8ewe18QWtE_5DIrypMuqfAAbsffzFxrWnsoFRpCpr2jG3Jkc4v45Nm6d3la_-KpIvPHn9rkbIyI6xCeIWamZWzKJRtzzt0Bepln8WXGHpcCo/s1600/040820103975.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 126px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfXPk9MCEksy4Ch4pkz0AsbDPQYEQ0Xtu8ewe18QWtE_5DIrypMuqfAAbsffzFxrWnsoFRpCpr2jG3Jkc4v45Nm6d3la_-KpIvPHn9rkbIyI6xCeIWamZWzKJRtzzt0Bepln8WXGHpcCo/s320/040820103975.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501711954613971794" border="0"></a>A <span style="font-weight: bold;">Hobby </span>went over SW, plunging into a back garden opposite, then rising into the tall fir trees on Gosford Road, 11:13hrs on 4 August; this is 2nd record after one SW over on 13 September 2008, but I don't include latter on garden list as I did not submit it, views too brief for any detailed description; will probably submit this one based on good view of upper parts. [Photo at dusk, Hobby tree second from left].<br /></p><p>More <span style="font-weight: bold;">Crossbills </span>with 6 SW over at 09:18hrs on 3 August, following 3 on 1 August.<br /></p><p>Dead calm and drizzle on evening 1 August looked good for wader passage - delivered with a <span style="font-weight: bold;">Whimbrel </span>SW over 23:12hrs and then a <span style="font-weight: bold;">Black-tailed Godwit</span> - 6 single "kvik" calls heard from bird moving SW over, a distinctive fairly soft/mellow call but almost with a ringing quality and vaguely reminiscent of sound from gentle push on a child's squeaky toy - <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);"><b>species 87</b></span> (<a href="http://www.box.net/shared/72x4v608ow">14th wader species</a>).<br /></p><p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Common Sand</span> calling over 22:47hrs on 30 July, nocturnal wader migration getting underway in earnest now.<br /></p><p>In rain on evening of 20 July terns were heard calling to north, probably <span style="font-weight: bold;">Common Tern</span>, but too early for any significant movement.<br /></p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF1SJnWjtKc7DPZ8-9GDjJ62Wq5Bp8PEO47fOutQfZFA_6aEfxggtMSfUyH71zUkitxC8QUeV2IjuoROdnwMTc2-RvFaoUfExVeZNQMR-JTV_ksacHXXe4wgeqU4fOAttFqh0W-z21XnA/s1600/020720103614.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 254px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF1SJnWjtKc7DPZ8-9GDjJ62Wq5Bp8PEO47fOutQfZFA_6aEfxggtMSfUyH71zUkitxC8QUeV2IjuoROdnwMTc2-RvFaoUfExVeZNQMR-JTV_ksacHXXe4wgeqU4fOAttFqh0W-z21XnA/s320/020720103614.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496151487533120290" border="0"></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Blackbirds </span>bringing food to a second brood from 19 June, this one right outside kitchen window in the 6-inch gap below a plastic roof over a heap of logs. As found <a href="http://btoringing.blogspot.com/2010/06/filling-in-nest-records-cards-keeps.html">by various studies</a>, nests in proximity to humans can benefit this species by deterring mammalian predators. Curiously we had a visit from a hedgehog the night of 20 June, sure it would have had the eggs if it could have found them! Young fledged while we were on Islay, also second broods of <span style="font-weight: bold;">House Sparrows</span> out.<br /></p><p>In rain on evening of 5 June, at 23:38hrs, a flock of <span style="font-weight: bold;">Canada Geese</span> passed over in a generally northward direction, another garden tick <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);"><b>species 86</b></span> (and 2nd on my original <a href="http://sedgewarbler.blogspot.com/2009/07/garden-target-lists.html">targets list</a>)! These will have been moult migrants <span style="font-style: italic;">en route</span> to the Beauly Firth, and part of a much wider passage reported throo Lothian and Borders reported in last few days.<br /></p><p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mistle Thrush</span> has always been scarce with just a few records annually but this year one singing regularly from late April, daily in early June (presumably having fledged a first brood, indeed young seen at various places in west of village/Longniddry Bents); another sings at Fernyness Wood so species seems to be doing well locally, <a href="http://www.the-soc.org.uk/se-atlas/sesa2br/sesa2_breeding_1202_Mistle_Thrush.html">latest map</a>.<br /></p><p>A female <span style="font-weight: bold;">Whitethroat </span>in our rowan for 1 second on 8 May was the first garden tick since summer 2008, <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);"><b>species 85</b></span>, recalling my only previous garden Whitethroat, in Banchory in August 1986. Also another <span style="font-weight: bold;">Cormorant </span>over. Caught the<span style="font-weight: bold;"> Wood Mouse</span> in a trap baited with cheese and translocated it to the bottom of Longniddry Dean, for an owl to catch; overnight it found celery to its liking!<br /></p><p>pr <span style="font-weight: bold;">Mallard </span>west over on 29 April.<br /></p><p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Chiffchaff</span> in rowan on 22 April first record of this species actually in the garden! Same day managed to digiscope the mouse which regularly visits our bird feeding area, this little chap with beady eyes, right, is clearly a <a href="http://www.the-piedpiper.co.uk/th1g.htm">Wood Mouse</a>.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2bHhHRoERll4zVCe_jhqY5EVrS7ERQPBykqOY4moj1zx0N8w36xcXVL0aDVS-ed9sbcu61e7gsc0zXHQxgquu3bOhd5Tc-lHoAiNdvenBVSxQxAyoSuzmPCy2pLsKoPrkacUpI8RkFeQ/s1600/220420102893.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2bHhHRoERll4zVCe_jhqY5EVrS7ERQPBykqOY4moj1zx0N8w36xcXVL0aDVS-ed9sbcu61e7gsc0zXHQxgquu3bOhd5Tc-lHoAiNdvenBVSxQxAyoSuzmPCy2pLsKoPrkacUpI8RkFeQ/s320/220420102893.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463472714624302210" border="0"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipxfBhjRaTM3Jhv1rd9a4Vgbt877RQnzarqSFVOhcfT1yCeUxu_hVuXsdzs1Tsb8on3CrGhd5slpVdw9oAVOOaO67D3lOpCjqvC0qAoEM6n5Fqe1B3_pvxaIlOxoZq7gqh8fF5m5c0HIw/s1600/220420102889.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 206px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipxfBhjRaTM3Jhv1rd9a4Vgbt877RQnzarqSFVOhcfT1yCeUxu_hVuXsdzs1Tsb8on3CrGhd5slpVdw9oAVOOaO67D3lOpCjqvC0qAoEM6n5Fqe1B3_pvxaIlOxoZq7gqh8fF5m5c0HIw/s320/220420102889.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463472709852843186" border="0"></a><br /></p><p>Drake <span style="font-weight: bold;">Mallard </span>over house on 20 April is third record, following pairs this time last year and late Feb 07. Also first <span style="font-weight: bold;">Swallow </span>back here today.<br /></p><p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mute Swan </span>N right over house on 18 April, in perfect timing for spring swan census!<br /></p><p>Four <span style="font-weight: bold;">Buzzard </span>thermalling over NE of village and Fernyness Wood on 11 April was a new peak count, presumably there are two pairs resident in this area.<br /></p><p>Impressive roller-coaster display of <span style="font-weight: bold;">Buzzards </span>over Fernyness Wood on 2 April then a kettle of 3 over house; 2 <span style="font-weight: bold;">Cormorants </span>flying over inland the previous day was first multiple record of this species (1-2 records per year since 2004).<br /></p><p>With fine conditions again on 5 March noticed several finch flocks over SW and heard a <span style="font-weight: bold;">Crossbill </span>going the same way first thing in the morning; a <span style="font-weight: bold;">Song Thrush</span> singing from wood by Community Centre is quite a scarcity here, with no local breeders and the nearest singing birds usually pretty distant!<br /></p><p>3 <span style="font-weight: bold;">Greylags </span>over on 4 January, would be Gosford birds. 3 with <span style="font-weight: bold;">Pinks </span>at Redcoll later in month.<br /></p><p>After the first year with no records (below) a <span style="font-weight: bold;">Kestrel </span>over on New Year's Day (and beyond the garden, <a href="http://sedgewarbler.blogspot.com/2010/01/new-year.html">the same with Short-eared Owl</a>!).<br /></p><p> <b><u>2009</u></b><br />[<i style="color: rgb(102, 255, 255);">Overview of the year 2009 </i></p><p style="color: rgb(102, 255, 255);"> <i> An unremarkable year, with no new species added and equal lowest total with 2008 of 62 species (max was 2006 with 69). Highlights were second record of <span style="font-weight: bold;">Barn Owl</span> and up to 10 <span style="font-weight: bold;">Barnacle Geese</span> over on several occasions mid-November. Obvious omissions included <span style="font-weight: bold;">Goldcrest </span>and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Kestrel</span>, both previously annual or better since 2004.</i>]<br /></p><p>A flock of <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=027022" target="_blank">Greylags</a> flew over NE at c. 22:00hrs on New Year's Eve, heading for Gosford - perhaps frozen out from elsewhere, disturbed by revellers or just feeding late? Also recently many winter thrushes, <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=130288" target="_blank">Fieldfares</a> frequently dropping out of sky upon spying local berry bushes - plenty food still to be had, but <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=130292">Mistle Thrushes</a> have also moved into area - unprecedented in our 5 years here as all previous records have been distant/flying; resident nearby in Gosford Road/golf course area, but this species is often incredibly sedentary.<br /></p><p>A rare visit of an adult <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=061024" target="_blank">Great Blackback</a> right over house on morning of 9 December, followed by 6 <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=161114" target="_blank">Bullfinches</a> going over SW - first <a href="http://www.trektellen.nl/trektelling.asp?telpost=501&site=0&land=5&taal=2&datum=20091209">vismig</a> record of this species here and also highest count.<br /></p><p>Imm m <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=032060" target="_blank">Peregrine</a> NE over on morning of 22 November, and 7+3 <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=027029">Barnacle Geese</a> SW.<br /></p><p>3 <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=027029">Barnacle Geese</a> SW on 21 November.<br /></p><p>Single flock of 10 <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=027029">Barnacle Geese</a> SW, +1 more with Pinks, plus 280 <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=032060" target="_blank">Golden Plover</a> SW and 70 <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=056001" target="_blank">Lapwings</a> E, on morning of 20 November.<br /></p><p>2 <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=027029">Barnacle Geese</a> amongst 1200 <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=027019">Pinks</a> over SW at dawn on 11 November.<br /></p><p>Large flock of <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=027019">Pinks</a> over at dawn and dusk on 9 November with c. 3700 found inland in stubble btwn Hoprig and Greendykes, including at least 9 <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=027029">Barnacles</a>. Also at dawn, 4 duck sp. over inland, most likely Mallard.<br /></p><p>A party of <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=161107" target="_blank">Crossbills</a> over SW at dawn on 28 October.<br /></p><p><a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=73093" target="_blank">Tawny Owl</a>(s) vocal evening of 26 October.<br /></p><p><a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=057015" target="_blank">Redshank</a> calling over during night of 23 October.<br /></p><p><a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=130277" target="_blank">Blackbird</a> again in song 07:15-07:25hrs on 19 October (no wind, drizzle, 8C); not subsong, but rather subdued compared to full summer song, and many phrases rather short.<br /></p><p>Our <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=130277" target="_blank">Blackbird</a> in full autumn song 19:10hrs this evening, with <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=130289">Redwing</a> seeping overhead.<br /></p><p>Various brief <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=130289">Redwings</a> heard from 1st wk Oct but flood gates opening on 13th with minimum 190 in 10 minutes (<a href="http://www.trektellen.nl/trektelling.asp?telpost=501&site=0&land=5&taal=2&datum=20091013">trek entry</a>), quickly seen off by local <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=130292">Mistle Thrush</a> and continuing SW. Also 20 <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=032060" target="_blank">Golden Plover</a> over.<br /></p><p><a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=73093" target="_blank">Tawny Owl</a> hooting in early hours and 4 <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=117040" target="_blank">Swallows</a> over on 9 October.<br /></p><p>Second wave <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=161107" target="_blank">Crossbills</a> now appearing with 8 SW over on 8 October.<br /></p><p>On 5 October, a visit from old "white wing", our male House Sparrow with single all-white tertial present since autumn 2006, photo.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQRnfs-nvm6_XeoWeDL2UFdgpahJvrWp-h9Rgs1bda5jjn_LnQ8S5H6o6FBON8ob8FzGUtSVh3k11U0dVXwuzxVKPxB7AMK0sQtQ8B6cq7FFH4TpzYtOH9Ns8n0qVQLvhb0e6KrNEkcwM/s1600-h/9Oct09+001.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQRnfs-nvm6_XeoWeDL2UFdgpahJvrWp-h9Rgs1bda5jjn_LnQ8S5H6o6FBON8ob8FzGUtSVh3k11U0dVXwuzxVKPxB7AMK0sQtQ8B6cq7FFH4TpzYtOH9Ns8n0qVQLvhb0e6KrNEkcwM/s200/9Oct09+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392570042015981858" border="0"></a> <br /></p><p><a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=117040" target="_blank">Swallow</a> over SW on 4 October, some lingering locally.<br /></p><p>Geese on the move SW over on evening of 30 September, a full moon and fairly clear, including at least two groups of <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=027029">Barnacles</a> in the 3 hrs either side of midnight (turns out these were part of a massive movement which came down from Spitzbergen and over the North Sea the previous day, many of which are <a href="http://www.wwt.org.uk/our-work/wetland-wildlife/lightbellied-brent-geese">now back at Caerlaverock</a>).<br /></p><p><a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=057010" target="_blank">Curlew</a> high SW over at lunchtime.<br /></p><p>In calm conditions on 13 September <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=061085">Sandwich Terns</a> (ad + juv) calling loudly over the house heading SW inland, 21:30hrs.<br /></p><p>6 <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=032060" target="_blank">Golden Plover</a> very high S, veering SE, over at 18:30hrs on 10 September.<br /></p><p>A juv male <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=032060" target="_blank">Peregrine</a> whizzed S over the Community Centre at 09:20hrs on 9 September, from over the house but not seen from garden.<br /></p><p>A <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=057017">Greenshank</a> calling over 23:18hrs on 1 September.<br /></p><p>Surprised by a <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=072002">Barn Owl</a> screech on 31 August; also, several waders including more <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=056025">Golden Plover</a>.<br /></p><p><a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=118031">Meadow Pipits</a> over on 30 August first of the autumn (though moving at Elie Ness for a while and <a href="http://www.trektellen.nl/trektelling.asp?telpost=201&land=5&site=0&taal=2">366 in 90 mins today</a>).<br /></p><p>A <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=056030">Ringed Plover</a> calling over 00:20hrs 26 August (3rd record).<br /></p><p>First <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=061085">Sandwich Terns</a> heard on evening of 18 August, but could not confirm they were going inland.<br /></p><p>Two high thrush calls over in early hours of 12 August a surprise, not unlike <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=130289">Redwing</a> but short and far more likely just <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=130290">Song Thrushes</a>.<br /></p><p>Waders moving again early hours of 11 August, including <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=057010" target="_blank">Curlew</a>.<br /></p><p><a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=161107" target="_blank">Crossbills</a> again 2 August.<br /></p><p> <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=057010" target="_blank">Curlew</a> over on 25 July.</p><p>Good <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=079085" target="_blank">Swift</a> movement on 24 July with 110 past in 15 mins from 18:30hrs, just as a band of rain was moving N. <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=161107" target="_blank">Common Crossbill</a> SW over in the morning.<br /></p><p> First <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=079085" target="_blank">Swift</a> back late on 9 May. </p><p> At 11:49hrs on 2 May a lanky large falcon sp. flew over SW, banking to reveal brown upperparts; possibly just a large f juv <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=032060" target="_blank">Peregrine</a>; no local reports of Saker (national records Yorks mid-Apr and Wigton D&G 10 May). </p><p> pr <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=027083" target="_blank">Mallard</a> rose from nearby (but tiny) Wemyss burn at dusk on 13 April, 2nd record. </p><p> <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=136286" target="_blank">Willow Warbler</a> in song from Wemyss burn area 11 April. </p><p> 2 <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=117070" target="_blank">House Martins</a> back on 9 April. </p><p> First <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=117040" target="_blank">Swallow</a> SW over on 5 April. </p><p> <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=020003" target="_blank">Grey Heron</a> dodging pursuing gulls and crows, weaving between houses on 7 February. </p><p> <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=144001" target="_blank">Long-tailed Tits</a> briefly at feeder 3rd wk Jan. </p><p> <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=061024" target="_blank">Great Blackback</a> over with morning gull passage 2nd wk Jan.</p><p><b><u>2008</u></b> </p><p> 7 <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=124001" target="_blank">Waxwings</a> low SW over on 19 November, with many on the move at present. </p><p> A <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=117040" target="_blank">Swallow</a> feeding over on 2 November followed a local report of 3 on 31 October. Seen later nearby over Longniddry Bents - ad f + 2 juv on 14 November, but not subsequently. </p><p> <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=032060" target="_blank">Peregrine</a> S over early on 30 October. </p><p>Several missed opportunities early Oct - white goose/swan very high S over on 3rd, flock c. 40 duck sp. (Mallard/Wigeon?) over to N on 9th and a wader sp. with erratic flight over SW on 11th, perhaps Snipe - all naked eye views. </p><p> A <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=161107" target="_blank">Common Crossbill</a> SW over on 4 October, with noisy <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=073093" target="_blank">Tawny Owl</a> on 9 October. </p><p> 2 <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=061085" target="_blank">Sandwich Tern</a> over at 21:25hrs on 14 September. </p><p>[A probable <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=032043" target="_blank">Hobby</a> cruised over SW at 15:45hrs on 13 September - chose not to submit this as view too brief, so not included on official list]. </p><p> A <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=161107" target="_blank">Common Crossbill</a> went SW over on 27 August. </p><p> First signs of <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=061085" target="_blank">Sandwich Tern</a> movement at 22:25hrs on 13 August; also a movement of 40+ Swifts SW at 18:42hrs same evening, before a shower, with some returning NE later. </p><p> Ragged <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=030181" target="_blank">Buzzard</a> over on 8 August. </p><p> <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=057015" target="_blank">Redshank</a> over 02:44hrs on 28 July. </p><p> Early morning on 27 July, a Helmetted Guineafowl was heard calling from the area of Forthview Road; one (pied variety) had been seen the previous day in Kitchener Crescent, a presumed escape from Longniddry Farm on the other side of the railway line. Another party of <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=161107" target="_blank">Common Crossbills</a> went over very high SW at midday. </p><p> In early hours of 27 July - waders moving during the night, including <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=057026" target="_blank">Common Sandpiper</a>; a noisy family of <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=073093" target="_blank">Tawny Owls</a> moved through the neighbourhood; best of all, the screeching call of a <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=072002" target="_blank">Barn Owl</a> was heard nearby at 02:08hrs, <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);"><b>species 84</b></span>. At 200m from the edge of the village (golf course to N) this was a little surprising, but have suspected this species previously. </p><p> <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=099101" target="_blank">Great Spotted Woodpecker</a> on 22 and 26 July. </p><p> 4 <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=027022" target="_blank">Greylag Geese</a> low NE at 19:00hrs on 16 July. </p><p> First <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=056025" target="_blank">Golden Plover</a> back on 12 July, just after midnight. </p><p> <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=161066" target="_blank">Redpoll</a> in song over on 3 July. </p><p> A dark long-tailed falcon sp. cruised over NE on evening of 15 May, one that got away! 8 <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=079085" target="_blank">Swifts</a> feeding over the same evening was the biggest gathering this spring. </p><p> Pr <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=161068" target="_blank">Linnet</a> fed on weeds at end of drive, 14 May. </p><p> Noisy <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=073093" target="_blank">Tawny Owl</a> nearby on 10 May. </p><p> A <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=057080" target="_blank">Dunlin</a> was heard moving NE over at 23:15hrs on damp evening of 7 May. </p><p> First juv <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=130277" target="_blank">Blackbird</a> just fledged on 7 May, a couple of weeks latter than usual. </p><p> A pair of <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=136291" target="_blank">Wood Warblers</a> were found 400m west on 4 May, just out of ear shot for the garden list; they'd gone the following day, to be replaced by a <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=136343" target="_blank">Garden Warbler</a>. </p><p> <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=117070" target="_blank">House Martins</a> back late on 28 April, visiting last year's nest the next day. </p><p> Jan-Mar highlight was again wonderful morning display flights from male <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=030129" target="_blank">Sparrowhawk</a>. Our male <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=130277" target="_blank">Blackbird</a> is new this year, with an unusual song. </p><p> <b><u>2007</u></b> </p><p> A small duck was seen over E on 22 December, and a <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=017004" target="_blank">Cormorant</a> W the next day. </p><p> A single <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=161107" target="_blank">Common Crossbill</a> flew over low SW on 28 November, with a <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=073093" target="_blank">Tawny Owl</a> hooting nearby in the evening. </p><p> 2 <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=057015" target="_blank">Redshank</a> over c. 23:00hrs on 20 November. </p><p> Pair <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=030129" target="_blank">Sparrowhawk</a> over 18 November. </p><p> 4 <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=027013" target="_blank">Whooper Swans</a> flew over ENE on 10 October (<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);"><b>species 83</b></span>); later, 16 adults were found at East Fenton, about 5 miles E. </p><p> In drizzle on evening of 9 October, a good passage of <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=130289" target="_blank">Redwings</a> was heard between 21:30 and 01:30hrs, 19 singles/groups, peaking after midnight when call frequency was less than 10 minutes. Also, <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=056025" target="_blank">Golden Plovers</a>.</p><p> <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=130289" target="_blank">Redwing</a> over on evening of 27 September, 2 weeks earlier than last year (but 1000's on the move in northern England). </p><p> Male <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=030129" target="_blank">Sparrowhawk</a> in full display flight overhead on mild morning of 24 September. </p><p>Female <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/html/species/species.asp?sp=136342" target="_blank">Blackcap</a> in hedge 16 September, some rowan berries remaining, first "autumn" record.</p><p> Geese heard over in early hours of 13 September may have been returning <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=027019" target="_blank">Pinkfeet</a> but sounded more like <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=027028" target="_blank">Canada Goose</a>. </p><p> <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=056025" target="_blank">Golden Plovers</a> over 00:00hrs, 00:25hrs on 12 September. </p><p> On 10 September a <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=146043" target="_blank">Blue Tit</a> flew, alone, to roost into a crack behind vertically-hanging slates adjacent to our bathroom window at 19:15hrs - 30 mins to sunset on a warm evening. Have noticed this roost in use previously, but it is a winter roost type - summer roosts are in foliage. </p><p> Viewing with scope throo a small gap which had opened in the trees to N (heavy apples), had brief view of passing <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=016001" target="_blank">Gannet</a> on 1 September (not added to list, as a bit of a cheat). </p><p> First <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=118031" target="_blank">Mipit</a> S on 26 August. </p><p> Rare sighting of a <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=032028" target="_blank">Kestrel</a> on 25 August, 8th record. </p><p> Up to 3 <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=073093" target="_blank">Tawny Owls</a> very vocal week of 19 August, including juv hunger calling. </p><p> <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=057026" target="_blank">Common Sandpiper</a> over at 21:50hrs on 19 August. Have now uploaded a <a href="http://www.geocities.com/steve_extra/Nocturnal.xls">summary spreadsheet</a> on nocturnal migrant records over the garden (2004 to date). </p><p> A probable <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=027028" target="_blank">Canada Goose</a> heard at midnight on 18 August. Also various other calls, including distant <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=061085" target="_blank">Sandwich Tern</a> and <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=073093" target="_blank">Tawny</a> hooting. </p><p> A good day on 14 August, with 51 <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=079085" target="_blank">Swifts</a> high over in the morning, <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=117070" target="_blank">House Martins</a> attending nest in Douglas Crescent after colony apparently deserted earlier, and 1500 mainly small gulls N over to coast before heavy rain late afternoon - an ad-win <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=061024" target="_blank">Mediterranean Gull</a> with them would have been a garden tick; however, that came later with a <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=057007" target="_blank">Whimbrel</a> calling over in continuing rain at 23:32hrs, followed by a <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=057026" target="_blank">Common Sandpiper</a> at 23:44hrs! (<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);"><b>species 80 & 81</b></span>). By midnight, two more noisy <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=057007" target="_blank">Whimbrel</a>, including one low over the house, and <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=056030" target="_blank">Ringed Plover</a>, amongst other waders. <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=057003" target="_blank">Bar-tailed Godwit</a> followed at 00:20hrs (<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);"><b>species 82</b></span>). Another <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=057026" target="_blank">Common Sandpiper</a> followed at 01:13hrs, circling. </p><p> At dawn on 11 August <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=061085" target="_blank">Sandwich Tern</a> and <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=057010" target="_blank">Curlew</a> calling over. </p><p> First proper autumn wader was a (probable!) <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=057015" target="_blank">Redshank</a> over 02:00hrs on 10 August. <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=079085" target="_blank">Swifts</a> still lingering and a pair of <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=161114" target="_blank">Bullfinch</a> present daily for over a month now (only 3 records in previous 3 years!) </p><p> A <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=161107" target="_blank">Common Crossbill</a> SW over on 14 July. </p><p> <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=073093" target="_blank">Tawny</a> hooting extensively on evening of 13 July. </p><p> 2 <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=057010" target="_blank">Curlew</a> high SW early evening 4 July. </p><p> On 3 July female <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=030129" target="_blank">Sparrowhawk</a> took a young <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=130277" target="_blank">Blackbird</a> in the garden hedge and a male of the latter species included clear <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=073093" target="_blank">Tawny</a> "kewick kewick" mimicry in full song, 08:45hrs. </p><p> On 2 July <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=065057" target="_blank">Collared Dove</a> feeding two young juvs in eucalyptus. </p><p> Dispersal movement of 315 <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=164078" target="_blank">Starlings</a> over SW in 4 flocks 20:30-21:00hrs on 20 June. </p><p> At 00:47hrs on 1 June a rather liquid and rapid "quic-ic-ic-ic-ic", repeated at 2-3s intervals, with quality of a <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=035117" target="_blank">Quail</a>; much later got confirmation this is the flight call of migrant Quail, hence finally accepted this as <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);"><b>species 79</b></span>. </p><p> <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=065057" target="_blank">Collared Doves</a> mating on garden fence, 24 May. </p><p> One or more <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=056030" target="_blank">Ringed Plover</a> clearly heard calling over to the north at 23:55hrs on 14 May <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);"><b>species 78</b></span>. </p><p> <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=061085" target="_blank">Sandwich Tern</a> heard 11 May. </p><p> Very intriguing harsh call low over just after midnight on 5 May - a "dag-a-da dak, kak-kak, kak-kak"; reminiscent of a young <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=020003" target="_blank">Grey Heron</a> in tone but not really matching in structure. </p><p> <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=073093" target="_blank">Tawnys</a> hooting daily into first wk May, from two directions. </p><p> <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=117070" target="_blank">House Martins</a> back over colony 26 April, 3 days later than last year (though two "probables" very high over last wknd). </p><p> <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=136286" target="_blank">Willow Warbler</a> in song 26-27 April. </p><p> First hirundines back on 21 April, with at least 5 over, all seen well being <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=117040" target="_blank">Swallow</a> SW. Small parties of finches SW included <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=161046" target="_blank">Siskin</a> and <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=161046" target="_blank">Goldfinch</a>, also 3 Mipits. <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=057010" target="_blank">Curlew</a> high N in the evening probably local. </p><p> A similar pattern on 16 April, <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=057015" target="_blank">Redshank</a> 21:20hrs, <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=056025" target="_blank">Golden Plover</a> at 22:20hrs; later, at 00:40hrs, two reedy calls "kip-a-kip, kip-a-kip", low over but from a bird clearly moving N, surely another <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=042108" target="_blank">Moorhen</a>! Final <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=057015" target="_blank">Redshank</a> 01:40hrs. </p><p> <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=057015" target="_blank">Redshank</a> calling over, 21:30hrs, and <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=056025" target="_blank">Golden Plover</a> at 23:30hrs on 15 April; a high-pitched thin "seeee" call, not <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=130289" target="_blank">Redwing</a>, at 00:12hrs might have been a <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=057026" target="_blank">Common Sandpiper</a>. An individual of the latter was seen the next day at Blindwells a couple of miles west, not present on 15 April. </p><p> A good migrant night on evening of 12 April with 4 common waders calling again, and two different calls, a metallic "dzzip" and a reedy "kwep-kwep, kip-a-kip-a-kip-a, kip-a-kip-a-kip-a" at 01:50hrs, latter a presumed <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=042108" target="_blank">Moorhen</a>, <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);"><b>species 77</b></span>! <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=073093" target="_blank">Tawny Owl</a> hooting earlier. </p><p> <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=057015" target="_blank">Redshank</a> calling over 21:30hrs and later on 11 April. </p><p> 2 <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=027022" target="_blank">Greylags</a> NE and <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=116075" target="_blank">Skylark</a> low SW on 7 April. </p><p> 3 <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=030181" target="_blank">Buzzard</a> (pair and single) and both breeding <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=030129" target="_blank">Sparrowhawks</a> up thermalling a lot on 3 April. </p><p> <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=057010" target="_blank">Curlew</a> low over on evening of 2 April, with nocturnal call of <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=057015" target="_blank">Redshank</a> 22:50hrs. </p><p> <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=118031" target="_blank">Mipits</a> moving at last on 1 April. </p><p> Some movement on 10 March, including 5 <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=161046" target="_blank">Siskin</a> SW. </p><p> <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=056025" target="_blank">Golden Plover</a> over NE at 23:00hrs on 7 March. </p><p> 180+ <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=061024" target="_blank">Herring Gull</a> SW and 120+ <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=065009" target="_blank">Wood Pigeon</a> and one <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=030181" target="_blank">Buzzard</a> over SW on morning commute on 6 March - in the half hour before sunrise. Dead juv male <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=030129" target="_blank">Sparrowhawk</a> found on the lawn at dawn - presumed window strike. </p><p> Extended display by <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=030129" target="_blank">Sparrowhawk</a> pair again on 5 March. </p><p> First <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=061018" target="_blank">Lesser Blackback</a> back over on 4 March. <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=173061" target="_blank">Magpie</a> active at nest just feet from the <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=065009" target="_blank">Wood Pigeon</a> nest (still sitting). </p><p> 4 adult <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=027010" target="_blank">Mute Swans</a> over W at 09:45hrs 3 March. Still need <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=027013" target="_blank">Whooper Swan</a> for the garden! <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=173061" target="_blank">Magpie</a> nest-building and <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=032028" target="_blank">Kestrel</a> over (7th record). Steady stream of <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=061024" target="_blank">Herring Gull</a> W all day - presumed returning migrants. </p><p> pr <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=027083" target="_blank">Mallard</a> over NE at dusk on 25 February, <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);"><b>species 76</b></span>. </p><p> 2 <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=030181" target="_blank">Buzzard</a> over were a fine sight, mobbed by crows, and the pigeon was seen going back onto its nest, 4 February. 6 grey geese NE presumably returning <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=027019" target="_blank">Pinkfeet</a>. </p><p> <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=065009" target="_blank">Wood Pigeon</a> back on nest high in eucalyptus on 3 February, and 15 <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=056001" target="_blank">Lapwing</a> over S. </p><p> A male <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=030129" target="_blank">Sparrowhawk</a> in display flight again on 27 January and 2 February - high in the sky in buoyant flight like a dove, then plunging and slow-flapping. </p><p> On 22 January observed an interesting <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=030129" target="_blank">Sparrowhawk</a> social interaction, a pair "patrolling" in level steady flapping, one behind the other, with a further female bird in "slow-flapping" flight nearby and a bit higher. Latter is a distinctive flight action reminiscent of a <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=056001" target="_blank">Lapwing</a>. </p><p> Winter peak of 27 <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=163023" target="_blank">House Sparrows</a> at mixed seed 13 January - targeted by female <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=030129" target="_blank">Sparrowhawk</a> which plunged into hedge, clambered up inside hedge, then darted out lightening fast when they flushed; did not see if it got one, but hope it did - have been fattening them up all winter! Same morning 500+ <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=061024" target="_blank">Herring Gull</a> over SW on their commute from coastal roost to urban Edinburgh, accompanied by at least 2 ad <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=061024" target="_blank">Great Blackback</a>. </p><p> A fine female <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=032060" target="_blank">Peregrine</a> drifted NE over on 6 January (5th record, and 3rd this winter!) </p><p> <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=161066" target="_blank">Redpolls</a> back on New Year's day, 5 of each sort - a joy to watch from the kitchen window! </p><p> <b><u>2006</u></b> </p><p> [<i style="color: rgb(102, 255, 255);">Overview of the year 2006:</i></p><p style="color: rgb(102, 255, 255);"> <i>A total of 71 species were logged*, including 8 wader species, with peak weekly count 38 species from 15/10; a good series of <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=061057" target="_blank">Common Tern</a> and <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=061085" target="_blank">Sandwich Tern</a> records, with both detected commencing southward overland migration early autumn; reeling <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=136074" target="_blank">Grasshopper Warbler</a> audible in spring; significant decline in local breeding <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=117070" target="_blank">House Martins</a> (peaks 35, 19 and 10 over last 3 years), though they prospected our house; <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=163023" target="_blank">House Sparrow</a> stable with autumn peak again around 20; <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=065009" target="_blank">Wood Pigeon</a> successfully reared young </i><span style="color: rgb(51, 255, 255);">in<i> garden and nesting into October. <b>Hummingbird Hawkmoth</b> the non-avian highlight, closely followed by <b>Roe Deer</b>, <b>Hedgehog</b> and dragonflies. * missed only Pheasant, Grey Plover, Waxwing, Willow Warbler and Crossbill</i></span>] </p><p> Redpoll sp. again on last day of the year. </p><p> 35 <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=056025" target="_blank">Golden Plover</a> high S at dusk on 30 December. </p><p> Another good day on 29 December with a sawbill duck high S in the morning (probably a Goosander, <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);"><b>species 75</b></span>) and a male <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=032060" target="_blank">Peregrine</a> scuttling past SW in the afternoon. </p><p> On 28 December big flappy birds in the morning - <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=020003" target="_blank">Grey Heron</a>, pr ad <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=061024" target="_blank">Great Blackback</a> NW over and 6 <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=056001" target="_blank">Lapwings</a> NE over. Later spotted a flock of 20+ <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=161066" target="_blank">redpolls</a> in nearby birch, mainly Mealies (<span style="color:BLACK;"><b><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);">species 74</span></b></span>), but also 4+ Lessers. </p><p> <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=130277" target="_blank">Blackbird</a> in full song early hours of 24 December. </p><p> A desperate <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=020003" target="_blank">Grey Heron</a> attempting to land nearby chased off by a <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=061024" target="_blank">Herring Gull</a>. </p><p> <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=130277" target="_blank">Blackbird</a> in full song 01:45hrs on 19 December. </p><p> <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=130019" target="_blank">Robin</a> in song from 01:52hrs (5C) on 16 December. </p><p> The <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=130292" target="_blank">Mistle Thrush</a> which appeared mid-Oct has taken a liking to the area and was in song on 6 December (formerly scarce visitor, single record in 2005). </p><p> First <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=130288" target="_blank">Fieldfares</a> of autumn were 25 SW on 1 November, rather late. </p><p> At 06:05hrs on 30 October some <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=057015" target="_blank">Redshanks</a> went over calling - before dawn and 2 hrs to high tide - presumably a feeding movement. </p><p> <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=099101" target="_blank">Great Spotted Woodpecker</a> again on 29 October but very little moving in a couple of hours vis mig in clear weather; a paltry 680 <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=027019" target="_blank">Pinkfeet</a> over NE at dusk again included <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=027029" target="_blank">Barnacle Goose</a>. </p><p> c. 4k <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=027019" target="_blank">Pinkfeet</a> SW over on morning of 28 October included at least 2 <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=027029" target="_blank">Barnacle Geese</a>. Also picked up a group of 320 <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=056025" target="_blank">Golden Plover</a> high above the geese flying NE. </p><p> Finch and <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=065009" target="_blank">Wood Pigeon</a> movement finally under way on 27 October. </p><p> Magnificent sight of 2 <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=027010" target="_blank">Mute Swans</a> (ad + juv) over W at 17:00hrs on 22 October - a year to the day after first record! 2hrs vis mig (11-13:00hrs) produced virtually no movement in bright calm conditions. </p><p> Two hours vis mig on 21 October (9-11:00hrs) failed to produce incoming <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=027013" target="_blank">Whoopers</a>, or any buntings, just 50 <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=130289" target="_blank">Redwing</a>, 10 <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=130290" target="_blank">Song Thrush</a>, 9 <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=116075" target="_blank">Sky Larks</a> and a sprinkling of finches all SW, plus <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=099101" target="_blank">Great Spotted Woodpecker</a> and <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=130292" target="_blank">Mistle Thrush</a> down in the gardens. A single ensemble of c. 3800 <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=027019" target="_blank">Pinkfeet</a> went over NE to roost in the evening. </p><p> At 00:10hrs on 21 October, in steady rain, a <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=057080" target="_blank">Dunlin</a> was heard calling over to the north - a long expected addition and <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);"><b>species 73</b></span>. </p><p> <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=130289" target="_blank">Redwing</a> passage continued on 19-20 October and single <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=161114" target="_blank">Bullfinch</a> and <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=161046" target="_blank">Siskin</a> were logged. </p><p> Another hour vis mig on 17 October produced more of the same. More unusual, a f/imm <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/html/species/species.asp?sp=136342" target="_blank">Blackcap</a> appeared momentarily in the garden, snatching a rowan berry. </p><p> On 15 October an hour's vis mig watching produced the usual suspects: <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=130289" target="_blank">Redwing</a>, <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=130290" target="_blank">Song Thrush</a>, <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=116075" target="_blank">Sky Larks</a> (5N!) plus a single <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=161066" target="_blank">Lesser Redpoll</a> SW. </p><p> Finally! <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=130290" target="_blank">Song Thrush</a> and <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=130289" target="_blank">Redwing</a> back at 23:30hrs on 11 October. </p><p> Further small groups of <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=027029" target="_blank">Barnacle Geese</a> flew over 22:35-22:45hrs on 10 October - moonlit at the time but generally damp and overcast. </p><p> <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=057015" target="_blank">Redshank</a> calling yet again over at 01:35hrs on 10 October. </p><p> On 8 October <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=116075" target="_blank">Sky Larks</a> were moving SW over, as was a <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=099101" target="_blank">Great Spotted Woodpecker</a>. At 14:20hrs watched a <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=008004" target="_blank">Great Northern Diver</a> flying high along the coast to the north of our house! Unfortunately we were out, in neighbouring Port Seton, but it would surely have been visible from home. In the evening another <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=057015" target="_blank">Redshank</a> called flying over. </p><p> <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=056025" target="_blank">Golden Plover</a> over at 05:15hrs on 2 October. </p><p> Both <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=027019" target="_blank">Pinkfeet</a> and <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=027029" target="_blank">Barnacle Geese</a> were heard over in early hours of 1 October, latter a small group NE at 01:00hrs followed by a bigger group SW at 02:35hrs. <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=073093" target="_blank">Tawny Owl</a> very vocal now with "kewick" calls. </p><p> A fantastic <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=032060" target="_blank">Peregrine</a> today, 30 September, spotted approaching well west at 13:50hrs and just cruised past directly overhead - 4th record. More mundanely, a <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=065009" target="_blank">Wood Pigeon</a> was sitting on a nest in eucalyptus outside kitchen window! </p><p> A couple of <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=061085" target="_blank">Sandwich Tern</a> (ad + juv) went over SW at 00:50hrs on 30 September. </p><p> Early on 29 September 150 <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=027019" target="_blank">Pinkfeet</a> flew over SW and a group of <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=057015" target="_blank">Redshank</a> were calling over at 21:25hrs (high tide 18:39hrs). </p><p> A <b style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);">Grey Squirrel</b> in garden on 28 September was our first record. </p><p> A couple of <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=061085" target="_blank">Sandwich Tern</a> (ad + juv) went over NE in the early hours of 25 September. A pair of <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=073093" target="_blank">Tawny Owl</a>s were calling. </p><p> The <b style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);">Hummingbird Hawkmoth</b> was back on 24-25 September. </p><p> The twittering calls of <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=161066" target="_blank">Lesser Redpoll</a> were heard twice on morning of 23 September, the first not seen but the second a bird high SW. </p><p> 2 presumed <b style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);">Common Sympetrum</b> over on 22 September were first dragonfly record. </p><p> In extremely mild conditions on 21 September migrant <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=056025" target="_blank">Golden Plover</a> (12) and <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=117040" target="_blank">Barn Swallow</a> (22) were seen SW over by day, and more of the former heard again at night. </p><p> Late evening of 16 September <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=061085" target="_blank">Sandwich Tern</a> and <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=061057" target="_blank">Common Tern</a> were heard again distantly, perhaps moving along the coast. </p><p> Whilst talking to our neighbour a <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=148001" target="_blank">Treecreeper</a> flitted over my head and landed on the ornamental tree in our tiny front garden on 11 September -<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);"> </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);"><b>species 72</b></span>. </p><p> A <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=136287" target="_blank">Chiffchaff</a> was calling in back gardens on 10 September. </p><p> Nocturnal calls of <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=057015" target="_blank">Redshank</a>, <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=057010" target="_blank">Curlew</a> and <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=073093" target="_blank">Tawny Owl</a> (hooting) were all heard again in week of 3 September. </p><p> An honorary bird, a <b style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);">Hummingbird Hawkmoth</b>, appeared in the garden from the south, alighted on our honeysuckle, and within a couple of seconds whizzed off again north, at about 17:00hrs on 2 September - <span style="color:BLACK;"><b><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);">1st record</span>!</b></span> </p><p> <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=061057" target="_blank">Common Terns</a> were heard again on 3 occasions 22:30-00:00hrs on the calm and relatively clear evening of 1 September; the last of these was of two or more birds clearly moving south (not heard returning!). </p><p> A couple of <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=056025" target="_blank">Golden Plovers</a> were heard again at 05:05hrs on the morning of 29 August (high tide at 05:27hrs). Another <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=057010" target="_blank">Curlew</a> flew over a few minutes later. A distant call earlier in the night was probably another <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=061057" target="_blank">Common Tern</a>. </p><p> Two <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=061057" target="_blank">Common Terns</a> were heard again at 22:00hrs on the clear evening of 26 August, probably S. </p><p> <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=073093" target="_blank">Tawny Owl</a> hooting 22:00hrs on 25 August and a single "tuhuhuhu" was heard over from a presumed migrant <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=057010" target="_blank">Curlew</a> later at 01:30hrs. </p><p> Several <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=061057" target="_blank">Common Terns</a> were heard over on calm overcast evening of 23 August (<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);"><b>species 71</b></span>); this included 2+ birds which could be tracked moving due S at 22:30hrs, one with a call descending deeper than the other (individual variation, or an adult and juv?). But 25 minutes later a couple of birds went north, perhaps they had lost their nerve in darkness inland, or it was just an exploratory flight? </p><p> <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=057010" target="_blank">Curlews</a> were amongst waders heard moving at dusk on 22 August. </p><p> Several <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=056025" target="_blank">Golden Plover</a> over again at 22:00hrs on evening of 21 August. </p><p> At 00:39hrs on 21 August (10 minutes before high tide) a possible <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=057065" target="_blank">Sanderling</a> was heard flying over south-west; given the challenge of identification with short calls, and the retrospective recognition of the significant potential for confusion with House Martin, which I have heard nocturnally (perhaps disturbed from nests, or even roosting on wing) I no longer include this on species list. </p><p> A couple of <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=061085" target="_blank">Sandwich Terns</a> went over on afternoon of 20 August, unusually not at night, though weather pretty grey. </p><p> 4 <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=057015" target="_blank">Redshank</a> over SW around high tide (23:43hrs) on 19 August, with adult <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=073093" target="_blank">Tawny Owl</a> hooting again. </p><p> Another <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=057017" target="_blank">Greenshank</a> over SW at 23:20hrs on 18 August, 3rd record of this species. </p><p> On 17 August the mournful call of a <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=056025" target="_blank">Golden Plover</a> was heard again after dark. </p><p> A <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=065006" target="_blank">Stock Dove</a> over SW on 12 August (<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);"><b>species 70</b></span>). </p><p> More waders and juv <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=073093" target="_blank">Tawny Owl</a> calling early hours of 12 August. </p><p> <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=057015" target="_blank">Redshank</a> again just after midnight on 5 August, as the Hedgehog snuffled in the garden. 4 Silver Y moths on honeysuckle today. </p><p> More waders over on evening of 3 August included <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=057015" target="_blank">Redshank</a>, <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=056025" target="_blank">Golden Plover</a> and a higher-pitched call, probably a sandpiper. A <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=073093" target="_blank">Tawny Owl</a> was hooting. </p><p>A Roe Deer running down the road at 09:15hrs on 3 August, a good few hundred metres from nearest suitable habitat on the golf course, was a mammal tick. A hedgehog is also resident in our garden. </p><p> A <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=057017" target="_blank">Greenshank</a> was calling as it flew over SW at 22:35hrs on 2 August. </p><p> Silver Y moth in the garden/house 30-31 July. </p><p> The <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=136074" target="_blank">Grasshopper Warbler</a> singing continuously whenever listened for up to 11 June. </p><p> In still conditions on evening of 3 June the <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=136074" target="_blank">Grasshopper Warbler</a> could be heard reeling from scrub next to the coast road east of Longniddry c/p 2 (450m NW from our house, first heard there on 19 May, <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);"><b>species 69</b></span>) and <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=073093" target="_blank">Tawny Owl</a> was heard hooting from the Clubhouse (c. 700m W). Regarding the former, it is interesting to note that BWP describes the carrying power of the reeling as "variable: up to 250 or 550 m (Witherby et al. 1938b; Hulten 1959), even c. 1 km in still conditions (Naumann 1897)". </p><p> Breeding developments in May included a pair of <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=065009" target="_blank">Wood Pigeon</a> which laid two eggs and fledged at least one young from cypress hedge at bottom of garden (within 10m of house) and <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=117070" target="_blank">House Martins</a> making a half-hearted attempt at building a nest under our eaves. A <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=118004" target="_blank">Grey Wagtail</a> flew over uttering a rich chattering song on 21 May. </p><p> <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=117070" target="_blank">House Martins</a> arrived back at their colony on 23 April. Pairs of both <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=030129" target="_blank">Sparrowhawk</a> and <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=030181" target="_blank">Common Buzzard</a> were seen displaying overhead during the weekend. </p><p> A good series of records over Easter weekend, with first <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=117040" target="_blank">Swallow</a> on 14 April, followed by 4 <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=117031" target="_blank">Sand Martins</a> (<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);"><b>species 67</b></span>) through the next day; also <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=017004" target="_blank">Cormorant</a> over, first <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=136287" target="_blank">Chiffchaff</a> back in song and a <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=161066" target="_blank">Lesser Redpoll</a> in song flight (<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);"><b>species 68</b></span>). </p><p> An adult <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=061018" target="_blank">Lesser Blackback</a> with panel of pure white feathers on both upper-wings (all the greater primary coverts), also a single white secondary, overhead on 27 March. Quite a distinctive bird - thought at first it was wing-tagged! </p><p> On 5 March, a <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=144001" target="_blank">Long-tailed Tit</a> on a fat ball in our garden was a first, as was a <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=020003" target="_blank">Grey Heron</a> coming down to the small stream just east of our house. Unusually, a <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=130290" target="_blank">Song Thrush</a> was also resident in the (tiny) garden over the weekend, taking seeds and pecking at a banana! </p><p> Flock of <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=027019" target="_blank">Pinkfeet</a> over at 01:30hrs on 2 March - unusual on dark moonless nights. </p><p> A <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=057010" target="_blank">Curlew</a> over on 11 February. </p><p> <b><u>2005</u></b> </p><p> 3 <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=027010" target="_blank">Mute Swans</a> directly over W at dawn on 13 December were the second record. </p><p> A <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=017004" target="_blank">Cormorant</a> over inland at dawn on 3 December was the second record following a couple heading to the coast at dusk one day last December. </p><p> Confined to the house with flu logged 100+ <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=065009" target="_blank">Wood Pigeons</a> over NE on the traditional evening roost flight on 26 November. Bird number 66 was followed by an odd-looking individual which suddenly accelerated and made a lunge at it - a hungry <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=032060" target="_blank">Peregrine</a>! </p><p> <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=027019" target="_blank">Pinkfeet</a> over at 22:30hrs on 25 November - perhaps fleeing the cold weather? </p><p> Hundreds of birds moving over on morning of 29 October, including many <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=161046" target="_blank">Siskin</a>, <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=161001" target="_blank">Chaffinch</a>, <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=130289" target="_blank">Redwing</a> and <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=065009" target="_blank">Wood Pigeon</a>, some <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=116075" target="_blank">Skylark</a> and <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=118031" target="_blank">Meadow Pipit</a>. 4 <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=027029" target="_blank">Barnacle Geese</a> tagged on the end of a line of <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=027019" target="_blank">Pinkfoot</a> were new for the garden, <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);"><b>species 66</b></span>. Amongst nearly 1000 of the latter was a single leucistic bird, which had my heart beating faster briefly as a juv <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=027024" target="_blank">Snow Goose</a> had been reported in East Lothian last week. 7 <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=030129" target="_blank">Sparrowhawk</a> sightings during the day - perhaps a few recirculating but nearly all were E so possibly some migrants? </p><p> 5 <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=027010" target="_blank">Mute Swans</a> (1 juv) high over E at 11:15hrs on 22 October were <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);"><b>species 65</b></span>. An adult <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=061024" target="_blank">Great Blackback</a> heading off inland was only the second record. </p><p> <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=073093" target="_blank">Tawny Owls</a> vocal on evening of 16 October. </p><p> Sky full of <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=130289" target="_blank">Redwings</a> in drizzly dawn of 13 October - 215+ over in less than 5 minutes. </p><p> 5 <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=161107" target="_blank">Common Crossbill</a> low SW at on 9 October were<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);"> </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);"><b>species 64</b></span>. </p><p> Passerine passage continued on weekend of 1-2 October with <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=118031" target="_blank">Meadow Pipits</a> and <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=116075" target="_blank">Skylarks</a> both days, including 24 of the latter on the Sunday morning. </p><p> A few <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=027019" target="_blank">Pinkfoot</a> over E in the moonlight early hours of 17 September were the first logged here, though they returned early this year to nearby Aberlady (8/9). </p><p> At 03:42hrs on 5 September the clear wolf-whistle call of a <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=056028" target="_blank">Grey Plover</a> was heard over, apparently moving S, in fog. This is <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);"><b>species 63</b></span>, now equalling total for <a href="http://www.geocities.com/steve_extra/glist_kincards2.html">Kincardineshire garden</a> - and reminiscent of the <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=056025" target="_blank">Golden Plover</a> record <a href="http://www.geocities.com/steve_extra/garden_log2.html">from the latter on 3/10/88</a>, also in fog. </p><p> 3 September saw first <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=118031" target="_blank">Meadow Pipits</a> over (8E) and a couple of <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=057010" target="_blank">Curlew</a>. A <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=136287" target="_blank">Chiffchaff</a> calling persistently nearby and later flying to trees over stream was <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);"><b>species 62</b></span>. </p><p> A <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=136286" target="_blank">Willow Warbler</a> on 29 August was the first sign of passerine movement. </p><p> More <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=061085" target="_blank">Sandwich Terns</a> were heard overhead in rain at 22:50hrs on 13 August, heading off S inland. </p><p> On the evening high tide on 30 July the unmistakable sounds of a feeding flock of <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=061085" target="_blank">Sandwich Terns</a> were carrying over from the shore, along with <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=057010" target="_blank">Curlew</a>. 30 of the former were found feeding at Ferny Ness (nearly 1km due N) a few minutes later -<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);"> </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);"><b>species 61</b></span>. </p><p> 4 <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=057010" target="_blank">Curlew</a> low over on 29 July in rain/fog. </p><p> A <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=032028" target="_blank">Kestrel</a> and a <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=020003" target="_blank">Grey Heron</a> flew over on 17 July, the latter being <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);"><b>species 60</b></span>. </p><p> In the dawn chorus on 2 May heard a singing <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=136286" target="_blank">Willow Warbler</a>, a singing <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/html/species/species.asp?sp=136342" target="_blank">Blackcap</a> and a cock <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=035191" target="_blank">Pheasant</a> calling distantly (latter pair being <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);"><b>species 58 and 59</b></span>). </p><p> A <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=116075" target="_blank">Skylark</a> in song high over on 24 April was <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);"><b>species 57</b></span>. A couple of <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=117040" target="_blank">Swallows</a> were back the same day and <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=117070" target="_blank">House Martins</a> arrived back at their colony in the last week of the month with 9 on 27 April. </p><p> First young <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=130277" target="_blank">Blackbirds</a> at large in the garden on 20 April. </p><p> 25 <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=027022" target="_blank">Greylags</a> N on 11 April were <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);"><b>species 56</b></span> for the garden. </p><p> A <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=057036" target="_blank">Woodcock</a> was spotted flying out of Gosford Estate and along Gosford Road on 26 March. Had we been at home we might have added this to our garden list! </p><p> On 24 March a hirundine over rapidly W was probably a <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=117031" target="_blank">Sand Martin</a>. </p><p> Plenty of activity over 19-20 March with several <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=118031" target="_blank">Meadow Pipits</a> over and first <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=161114" target="_blank">Bullfinches</a> and <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=099101" target="_blank">Great Spotted Woodpecker</a> for the garden - taking <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);"><b>total number of species recorded to 55</b></span>. </p><p> Bright sunny day on 6 March saw 8 <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=057010" target="_blank">Curlew</a>, <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);"><b>species 53</b></span>, and 14 <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=056001" target="_blank">Lapwings</a> going high N. </p><p> First <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=161046" target="_blank">Siskin</a> on the nut feeder on 27 February, <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);"><b>species 52</b></span>. </p><p> <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=146043" target="_blank">Blue Tit</a> numbers peaked in mid February with up to 14 together around our feeder. </p><p> A <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=073093" target="_blank">Tawny Owl</a> on 19 February was new for the list, <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);"><b>species 51</b></span>. </p><p> Another, or the same, <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=032060" target="_blank">Peregrine</a> over on 11 January. </p><p> <b><u>2004</u></b> </p><p> A <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=032060" target="_blank">Peregrine</a> was spotted by my daughter, aged 15 months, on Christmas Day - directly overhead as we came in through the front door for Christmas dinner. This took the new garden list to <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);"><b>50 species</b></span>. </p><p> <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=124001" target="_blank">Waxwings</a> were heard overhead on 15 November and 3 individuals glimpsed as they disappeared from view. </p><p> On 9 October a female <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=030129" target="_blank">Sparrowhawk</a> caught and ate a <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=130277" target="_blank">Blackbird</a> in our tiny back-garden. </p><p> During first few weeks in new <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=117070" target="_blank">House Martins</a> have logged <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);"><b>over 40 species</b></span> with regular <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=118004" target="_blank">Grey Wagtail</a>, <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=161068" target="_blank">Linnet</a>, <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=030129" target="_blank">Sparrowhawk</a> and <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=030181" target="_blank">Common Buzzard</a>. A family of <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=136286" target="_blank">Willow Warblers</a> passed through with a tit flock on 11 September.</p><p> Total numbers of birds can also be high at times, with a total of 7000 <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=027019" target="_blank">Pinkfoot</a> over at dawn on 7 November and gull and corvid numbers often well into 3 figures.<br /></p>
<p>
<br />Full records: <a href="http://www.box.net/shared/72x4v608ow">Excel s/s</a> (updated 1/1/23).</p>welchshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00378942325088808236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2376184590270819842.post-53795448523977390712023-07-29T15:32:00.014+01:002023-09-05T03:20:08.319+01:00What is a "local bird recorder"?I'm fortunate to have been in the role of "local bird recorder" for <a href="https://www.the-soc.org.uk/bird-recording/local-recorders-network/areas/lothian">Lothian SOC </a>since 1 January 2011. Many people could probably imagine some of the duties that entails, but I do also come across some misapprehensions so I thought may be useful to make a few comments on the role itself. I'm distinguishing this from the sporadic comments I make covering advice to those submitting records (<a href="https://twitter.com/lothianrecorder/status/1351736837677658112?s=20">e.g. 2020 data</a>), <a href="https://twitter.com/lothianrecorder/status/1109789359191060481?s=20">care over rare breeders</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/lothianrecorder/status/1411271885128716289?s=20">sensitive species</a>, etc.
<p>
The duties of a bird recorder mainly concern custodianship of bird record data, compiled into a database from diverse sources and accessed for the purposes of compiling the annual local bird report and to feed into national recording schemes such as the <a href="https://rbbp.org.uk/">Rare Breeding Birds report</a>. We are currently receiving around 250k records per annum, dominated by BirdTrack and eBird data, and the Lothian SOC database now greatly exceeds 1 million records. The Scottish <a href="https://www.the-soc.org.uk/bird-recording/overview">local recorder network</a> constitutes our part of the *primary* bird recording framework operating in Great Britain (while <a href="https://www.rspb.org.uk/">RSPB</a>, <a href="https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/">Wildlife Trusts</a> and many other organisations maintain their own record archives) and in parallel there are many independent recording schemes (e.g. BTO <a href="https://www.bto.org/our-science/projects/birdtrack">BirdTrack</a>, Cornell's <a href="https://ebird.org/">eBird</a>, <a href="https://irecord.org.uk/">iRecord</a>, etc.). The distinction is that none of the others aim to consolidate all regional records into a comprehensive local database, with appropriate provision for rarities and sensitive species. Hence our aspiration is to provide the most comprehensive body of bird record data, maintained in full compliance with agreed recording protocols for all species, and to make it (or summaries) accessible via reports and in response to data requests. Bird recorders may also undertake fieldwork for gathering new data themselves, but in comparison with some other species groups this will inevitably be a much smaller subset of the data in most regions.
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxKZb_mzbPhjO3ckxMYTY7jbUGmODGmuXg2DcxSWMr0dE4QV6GxHVaLvPy-a7I4gjAncmWjxsy9Ou-YTWGN0cXMb4GEmZI3QsmIteAq2dTDG5U5ThQGyNcKmn5Zdwsp5QzWB9GuGKgw15uUyASCtabuVftsH1LjfUlAaELgna5vGE1Sfb0E7CyqlWQKXg/s871/Lothian%20SOC%20records%20breakdown%20to%202022.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="871" data-original-width="724" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxKZb_mzbPhjO3ckxMYTY7jbUGmODGmuXg2DcxSWMr0dE4QV6GxHVaLvPy-a7I4gjAncmWjxsy9Ou-YTWGN0cXMb4GEmZI3QsmIteAq2dTDG5U5ThQGyNcKmn5Zdwsp5QzWB9GuGKgw15uUyASCtabuVftsH1LjfUlAaELgna5vGE1Sfb0E7CyqlWQKXg/s320/Lothian%20SOC%20records%20breakdown%20to%202022.jpg"/></a></div>In terms of time for processing, the fact that BirdTrack and eBird each have a common format greatly reduces the workload of handling records, though both sets of downloads need work to remove extralimital records and on "validation", i.e. querying unusual records and screening out errors. We also have 5-10k records per annum coming in from each of <a href="https://bto.org/our-science/projects/wetland-bird-survey">BTO WeBS</a>, <a href="https://www.eastlothian.gov.uk/info/210569/countryside_and_wildlife/12069/countryside_ranger_service">ELCRS</a> and <a href="https://irecord.org.uk/">iRecord</a> which are fairly easy to integrate once naming conventions have been addressed.
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifQaqhKZqcz-0GbO0uoz_OBLet3a6Lu7kqjSEGvYBQAJMv2tVBZXr_QHb47bXq1GTt6ornftw7hiMvLelHrQoD3fYQuueQnZ9ouBjm9xLgS2Bv79YbVOjNHEkAAj7ZjHCelThW-MufWacj7zSKlnhWCFPv6XZ_wPyR-M1vUF8WarqE11yDe6BGZ-msIEs/s1280/To%20Do%20%28lothianrecorder%29%20-%20blurred.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifQaqhKZqcz-0GbO0uoz_OBLet3a6Lu7kqjSEGvYBQAJMv2tVBZXr_QHb47bXq1GTt6ornftw7hiMvLelHrQoD3fYQuueQnZ9ouBjm9xLgS2Bv79YbVOjNHEkAAj7ZjHCelThW-MufWacj7zSKlnhWCFPv6XZ_wPyR-M1vUF8WarqE11yDe6BGZ-msIEs/s320/To%20Do%20%28lothianrecorder%29%20-%20blurred.jpg"/></a></div>The workload is significant and must be juggled with a full time job and family commitments (two teenagers at time of posting, as well as now one elderly parent needing more assistance with IT tasks, etc.). As of end July 2023 I am struggling a bit and well have over 150 items on my birds "To do" list, though some of those are fairly easy jobs or annual tasks, but including 10+ jobs in the 10+ hours category and 20+ in the 1-10 hours category. New tasks keep appearing. Of course some of these are personal choices, like logging ring reads from gulls, doing my BBS plot or responding to ID queries on facebook groups (I now seem to be the main person answering queries on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/socbirdwatchingforbeginners">SOC Birdwatching for Beginners</a> which is a national level group?), but they are what I currently have on my plate. I manage to reply to most emails and queries on ID forums fairly promptly, but certainly not all, and some may wonder why I fail to respond in a timely manner and I appreciate the frustration caused by delays. I will eventually get to things but some I have to "park" so as to systematically work down a list of priorities. Because of this I freely admit I am very poor at open-ended tasks with no rigid deadline, i.e. "when you can"; before working on any task I need to decide "is it absoultely essential to do this today?" as there will be other things that are already critical, and I have a parallel set for work, which is unremitting.
<p>
Due to lack of time and for environmental reasons I now do essentially all birding locally, by bike or en route on local travel. Since atlas fieldwork 2007-13 my only other birding trips are either for monthly WeBS in East Lothian or annual BBS at Whitekirk, e.g. I last got to Musselburgh lagoons in 2010 and "down the coast" to Barns Ness in 2009. I don't travel to see rare birds. There is no truth in the statement I have seen made on occasion: "the only (other) people to see the bird were the county recorder and his mates". In reality I have only been getting out one day in two, post COVID, invariably at dusk after work commitments (hence much reduced in winter) and I mainly target gulls (and terns in season) gathering to roost. Despite constraints, in conjunction with Billy (who is normally out daily, weather permitting), we have logged over 5k ring reads on patch, spanning terns (2.5k+), gulls (1.5k+, of which nearly 500 Norwegian), Shags (700+) and a few others including swans and waders, over the last decade or so. Managing these submissions can also be time-consuming, though some like Norwegian gulls and Netherlands terns have online reporting mechanisms which are very efficient and welcome. We are still hoping the promised colour-ring reporting portal for UK schemes will become available, which may reduce the need for lots of individual emails.
<p>
I hope to get more on top of things soon, meanwhile I sincerely thank those who assist me in the role by supplying data of various sorts, particularly those who take the initiative to log their description species without the need for me to chase up...
<p>
Pic: Med Gull white-32A4 as of August 2012 when still a youngster: <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF9mRERGFFq_7ls80nwrCn95ChekruexSNxSD99OZIeB-Li9QIp0NbvKh1EZtj0RjbRVamq7-8zno_s6P3bugmGvkuRXl5e2dNtM3MMAM5-lhynZcKVVXxghPJdEwqW82-XzhU8JJ4klHu1xObGUfeAoDOA2RLKSZiPzxxWENzGTdgE2KCjZjVzMpAHf4/s1126/Wknd11-12Aug%20056.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="1126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF9mRERGFFq_7ls80nwrCn95ChekruexSNxSD99OZIeB-Li9QIp0NbvKh1EZtj0RjbRVamq7-8zno_s6P3bugmGvkuRXl5e2dNtM3MMAM5-lhynZcKVVXxghPJdEwqW82-XzhU8JJ4klHu1xObGUfeAoDOA2RLKSZiPzxxWENzGTdgE2KCjZjVzMpAHf4/s400/Wknd11-12Aug%20056.jpg"/></a></div>welchshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00378942325088808236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2376184590270819842.post-11689755434687086492023-01-08T02:33:00.028+00:002023-01-21T00:51:15.845+00:00Candidate 3cy American Herring Gull, Seton<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzR65v47lsX_Ctl4bGxiNsMqiabR8x1ub2h6p0VdISnHbNUlCYWNcVrLjQjVzgrgwxK896G7vwkdI15v7wvNJQvoZp5ZTrPrzfbaVYRdkIvhTdNtQ0jjV7LUbPTTiB4nWtYwSFVPkSbSPLM6XJuGYOp2iXuH-UfUq9tPINJnQIM_KAyfjVjS5HrciV/s1471/VID_20221203_153145_Moment.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="1017" data-original-width="1471" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzR65v47lsX_Ctl4bGxiNsMqiabR8x1ub2h6p0VdISnHbNUlCYWNcVrLjQjVzgrgwxK896G7vwkdI15v7wvNJQvoZp5ZTrPrzfbaVYRdkIvhTdNtQ0jjV7LUbPTTiB4nWtYwSFVPkSbSPLM6XJuGYOp2iXuH-UfUq9tPINJnQIM_KAyfjVjS5HrciV/s400/VID_20221203_153145_Moment.jpg"/></a></div>
This strikingly marked imm “Herring Gull” leapt out at me on the Seton Burn, 15:28hrs on 3/12/22. Mantle a shade lighter than neighbours, with a hint of pastel blue, but massively contrasting heavy nape and flank streaking extending to the belly. These are all good initial clues to identification of an American Herring Gull, but given the variability in so many aspects of immature gull plumages a careful analysis is needed to establish the required suite of features to confirm ID. Fortunately with 90s of video recorded, as well as 40+ photos, many features could be checked, though views of the inner wing were limited to when it was partially open for preening (viewing from side and rear), while the tail was seen well but not fully spread.
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUc9oCf7fasklY-jPnkHJNyehAIi2v6EwpURy7Y3vFCqJGROrfClNksQQZAkuI0rdAqxLO3-eRQUel7aJVPW0zW7i9dlu1ZLeMyLU11OMhjz8r6UrUV3xHjNypIWjEBcT3QG-0NuybQeaPkQY6CzXns2fCvmlfXZ75orXlNkwJD-JIaiyS3xXzuKRo/s1405/Primaries.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="1025" data-original-width="1405" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUc9oCf7fasklY-jPnkHJNyehAIi2v6EwpURy7Y3vFCqJGROrfClNksQQZAkuI0rdAqxLO3-eRQUel7aJVPW0zW7i9dlu1ZLeMyLU11OMhjz8r6UrUV3xHjNypIWjEBcT3QG-0NuybQeaPkQY6CzXns2fCvmlfXZ75orXlNkwJD-JIaiyS3xXzuKRo/s400/Primaries.png"/></a></div>
<p>
The first essential step is to establish the age. Though nearly all plumage features, and bare parts, might give clues to age, the critical ones are the primary pattern, in particular whether the feathers have been replaced with third cycle feathers which are pale grey (not mixed with brownish) in the inner primaries and, critically, showing proper white “tips” to the feathers (big in inner wing and progressively smaller to outermost). While the image quality is not great, there is no doubt that these features can be seen – careful scrolling through the video enabled to establish that the feather with the dark subterminal mark is P4, thus P5 has a big white tip (also just visible in closed wing), P6 a quite small one and then tiny tips out to both P9 and P10. This is a typical pattern for 3cy American (European Herrings are essentially the same but tend to have more extensive white tips in outer primaries, especially in <i>argentatus</i>). Further support for the age is seen in terms of the moult step and greyer replaced primary (3) and secondary (1) greater coverts, as well the mainly white under/upper tail coverts, rump and vent, the white underwing and the good overall progression of moult with the scapulars completely replaced in pale grey, along with the upper tertials, though apart from coverts moult none of the latter on their own are definitive (but also American Herrings, especially from the East coast, tend to be more retarded in appearance compared to European, i.e. having on average more brown feathers in the scapulars).
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjWuqdVEsUd8aDs2LnlRDj6BuJU9IkVlVuKykNEyxdEzhPts_e0psbjuAc4DCO6BUBK0hb2ua2tFnaKbb60E4tLwLq2kd6qVzPM7Xnp_VpyxNfy-CEdhqwT2a9Sha5RIEA9fELAMdjES7PDuXMGQNnVQm3B6XHYjko-Z2NNgoppfrUa_v1YZqHoGQu/s1554/Tail.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="1034" data-original-width="1554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjWuqdVEsUd8aDs2LnlRDj6BuJU9IkVlVuKykNEyxdEzhPts_e0psbjuAc4DCO6BUBK0hb2ua2tFnaKbb60E4tLwLq2kd6qVzPM7Xnp_VpyxNfy-CEdhqwT2a9Sha5RIEA9fELAMdjES7PDuXMGQNnVQm3B6XHYjko-Z2NNgoppfrUa_v1YZqHoGQu/s400/Tail.png"/></a></div>
<p>
Now coming to the identification, the critical features are the black or very dark brown colours in the tail, the secondary bar and the bases of the tertials. The tail is certainly quite striking, appearing entirely a solid black colour, save for a faint white subterminal band (which is expected, even in birds with otherwise solidly black tails). Careful analysis of all the footage, including the video, shows that it is otherwise certainly entirely black, even in T6 up to the position where the retrices disappear into the tail coverts, with no sign of the white in the base of the tail edge (which would be expected even in a 2cy Herring Gull). In addition the secondary bar also is consistently blackish (visible in rear views below the coverts when wing drops while preening, and even in the underwing when wing raised while preening), and the bases of the unmoulted tertials also appear as either blackish or very dark brown, depending on the angle. A good supporting feature is the contrasting dark brown greater coverts bar (with one replaced greyer feather as noted) which is also typical for 3cy American.
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDmdyluOirnC-Bq34PMaRElz8qE5RcOcr7CyCChbmJa8Bbr_k8fva4xipADsoR-OuhlE5c3fUV_v_9QFjUrL9NQtVP20eVsQDGs-2OjIHzcuG0_NSfuQLknJ311vNAHbZIUEv1wTmostfnxUbWFk9CdF7nN7riGLt9GO5YUSsKfbyCOlOWuVAaYpcD/s1414/Tertials.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="1028" data-original-width="1414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDmdyluOirnC-Bq34PMaRElz8qE5RcOcr7CyCChbmJa8Bbr_k8fva4xipADsoR-OuhlE5c3fUV_v_9QFjUrL9NQtVP20eVsQDGs-2OjIHzcuG0_NSfuQLknJ311vNAHbZIUEv1wTmostfnxUbWFk9CdF7nN7riGLt9GO5YUSsKfbyCOlOWuVAaYpcD/s400/Tertials.png"/></a></div>
<p>
Further reflecting on this proposed identification and information in the literature, it is known that an all dark tail is characteristic of American and these critical features of dark blackish markings in tail, secondaries and tertials, when viewed in conjunction with the heavy nape and flank marking and strong contrast in the mantle, therefore all point towards identification as American. In their <a href="http://gull-research.org/smithsonianus/1cyoct.html">seminal identification paper</a>, Lonergan & Mullarney (2004) highlight the significance of tail pattern in particular:</br>
<i>"While there is extensive overlap in the tail patterns of second-winter <i>smithsonianus</i> and European Herring Gulls, it seems that even the most extreme examples of the latter usually show a narrow wedge (widest at the base) or ‘sliver’ of white along the outer edge to the tail (shown by some <i>smithsonianus</i> too but a definite lack of white edges may be significant).</i>
<p>
This example of a 2cy European Herring with an unusually black tail still shows obvious white in the edge of closed tail: <a href="https://chrisgibbins-gullsbirds.blogspot.com/2011/03/herring-gulls-variability-in-first-and.html">https://chrisgibbins-gullsbirds.blogspot.com/2011/03/herring-gulls-variability-in-first-and.html</a>. The same is true for this example for a 3cy with an unusually dark tail: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/johnswildlifephotos/24854194186">https://www.flickr.com/photos/johnswildlifephotos/24854194186</a>
<p>
In fact by 3cy most European birds have much less black, quite often just faint residual marks (e.g. <a href="http://www.gull-research.org/hg/hg3cy/3cynov06.html">http://www.gull-research.org/hg/hg3cy/3cynov06.html</a>), while American can retain a nearly entirely black tail (e.g. <a href="http://gull-research.org/smithsonianus/smith3cy/3cydec002.html">http://gull-research.org/smithsonianus/smith3cy/3cydec002.html</a>, <a href="http://gull-research.org/smithsonianus/smith3cy/3cynov02.html">http://gull-research.org/smithsonianus/smith3cy/3cynov02.html</a>). Immature gulls are of course hugely variable in appearance, but while it is very true that some immature American Herring Gulls can therefore not be definitively identified, extensive dark in the tail at 3cy age should be diagnostic.
<p>
Next, on tertials, Lonergan & Mullarney (2004) state:</br>
<i>"Many show extensive, sharply defined, solid-black/blackish-brown markings towards the bases of some tertials, usually, the middle and/or outer feathers. Such definite, blackish markings as in the best-marked <i>smithsonianus</i> are seldom, if ever matched by European Herring Gulls.</i>
<p>
Finally, for the body, Lonergan & Mullarney (2004) state:</br>
<i>"The dark head, neck and breast-markings of third-winter types average heavier and more blotchy than in European Herring Gulls, especially <i>argentatus</i>, on which these markings tend to be paler and less extensive. On the most heavily marked birds, the density of dark spotting, especially on the hindneck and breast, is strikingly different from anything usually seen in Europe but a few ‘dark’ sub-adult <i>argenteus</i> can be similar".</i>
<p>
To conclude, while the resolution in the images obtained falls a way short of what would be ideal, I believe it is sufficient to see key features on this individual which should permit an indicative identification. Indeed had it been lacking in some of those features, in particular the very heavily marked nape and flanks, there is a good chance I would never have noticed it in the first place. Looking ahead, such an individual should remain pretty distinctive in appearence at least while aged 4cy, and probably beyond, so the hope now is that it can be seen again – a main purpose of this short account is to alert people to be on the lookout for further sightings, whether here or further afield…
<p>
<u>References</u>
<ul><li>Adriaens, P. & Mactavish, B. (2004) “Identification of adult American Herring Gull”, Dutch Birding 26: 151-179
</li><li>
Dubois, P.J. (1997) “Identification of North American Herring Gull”, Brit. Birds 90:314-324
</li><li>
Howell, S.N.G. & Dunn, J. (2007) “Gulls of the Americas”, ch. 25, Peterson Reference Guides, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
</li><li>
Lonergan, P. & Mullarney, K. (2004) “Identification of American Herring Gull in a western European context”, Dutch Birding 26: 1-35 [Presented and illustrated on the Gull Research Organisation website: <a href="http://gull-research.org/smithsonianus/1cyoct.html">http://gull-research.org/smithsonianus/1cyoct.html</a>]
</li><li>
Mullarney, K. (1990) “American Herring Gulls in Ireland”, Birding World 3:96-100
</li><li>
Olsen, K.M. & Larsson, H. (2004) “Gulls of Europe, Asia and North America”, Helm
</li><li>
Van Duivendijk, N. (2010) “Advanced Bird ID guide, The Western Palearctic”, New Holland
</li></ul>welchshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00378942325088808236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2376184590270819842.post-51704429003057918132023-01-06T17:46:00.048+00:002023-05-15T01:59:33.252+01:00Seton/Gosford patch and ring reading 2022<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVKXdm7_HuLIrDTVd_cVrh4faPzIYedYIwaWrk_tqYUaUCRGFeNs5TMQAuqL6_HW2-YgcMK41hWw0Lq6svcUisRsucF8U-OV3y_O_mYKFp1dS9WGIFKsApOMdqDBNM-eJcLlPXKuoPWy64Yz8dfkTfJLW5g3A1I_0KMhyr0C7SYGYWXClE6cLAqnD3/s1600/CommonGull.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="1150" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVKXdm7_HuLIrDTVd_cVrh4faPzIYedYIwaWrk_tqYUaUCRGFeNs5TMQAuqL6_HW2-YgcMK41hWw0Lq6svcUisRsucF8U-OV3y_O_mYKFp1dS9WGIFKsApOMdqDBNM-eJcLlPXKuoPWy64Yz8dfkTfJLW5g3A1I_0KMhyr0C7SYGYWXClE6cLAqnD3/s400/CommonGull.jpg"/></a></div>
More patch stats and brief ring reading summary. Altogether rather fewer excursions and fewer records submitted for patch this year but these mainly due to more time in work early and late in the year when too dark to get out when home – overall total of birds counted was actually higher than last year at 244k. This was influenced in part by substantially more Sandwich Terns with an earlier arrival, though that in turn perhaps as breeding colonies were abandoned due to HPAI bird flu. Otherwise totals for most species were rather down in line with reduced visits, though Shag were also significantly increased (and a new day record of 395 on 28/11 was both remarkable and rather concerning – previous high count here was 40 back in Aug-Sep 2012!). 148 species recorded for 3rd year running, glass ceiling?
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh57cokLecZPGtHeGb0o5y4NZ3i_pEaiiCqxYAXxVZO-b4tqHJlAOK4PI6zKOJT8rE5WhEHfhKd7mVTQrdN0hodHy4SPECjitXViEhOSAgOxIs6EpKnp-4wcMnGgPbot_uSFvDNLG8Vt7WRI4Ttzm9Dj3x_tOz0H5YTM6NYFqYpisRsOrQx0sFecnEs/s1000/2022%20common%20totals.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="555" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh57cokLecZPGtHeGb0o5y4NZ3i_pEaiiCqxYAXxVZO-b4tqHJlAOK4PI6zKOJT8rE5WhEHfhKd7mVTQrdN0hodHy4SPECjitXViEhOSAgOxIs6EpKnp-4wcMnGgPbot_uSFvDNLG8Vt7WRI4Ttzm9Dj3x_tOz0H5YTM6NYFqYpisRsOrQx0sFecnEs/s320/2022%20common%20totals.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Nevertheless 5 more (potential) bird additions to my patch list, though 2 (American Golden Plover and Pallid Swift) were found by others and another 2 are/would be subject to acceptance by rarities committees (Caspian Gull, American Herring Gull, see below).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Great to get a set of 7 species of tern including the <a href="https://twitter.com/lothianrecorder/status/1527050136689459201?s=20&t=wQb9OBaG3YNySVgtl5rkrA">second
Gull-billed Tern for the patch</a> (<a href="https://twitter.com/lothianrecorder/status/1527378421847932928?s=20&t=wQb9OBaG3YNySVgtl5rkrA">video</a>) (after first <a href="https://twitter.com/birdinglothian/status/742093829428379648?s=20&t=wQb9OBaG3YNySVgtl5rkrA">on Seton Burn on 12 June 2016</a>, BBRC accepted) – and also only the second record for Lothian if accepted.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzK3ldH4uRf9mAhy__L2gfGeZFyLxrQcJGOh1wNE86FTGzUxnHDlL3ALSzBkfxzN3dSpPkZdVhELHZ-IRl5u2eV1Z8Diflv-qRj4JrTJ4b2PkPEb7A5L_ycUxMrMlJbJWOW5kQlNZUag32yCikO--wRHqQxJ3FQUxO8KIUJ3T4beyPEYsXoPLM9n4N/s1437/2022%20scarce%20totals.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="803" data-original-width="1437" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzK3ldH4uRf9mAhy__L2gfGeZFyLxrQcJGOh1wNE86FTGzUxnHDlL3ALSzBkfxzN3dSpPkZdVhELHZ-IRl5u2eV1Z8Diflv-qRj4JrTJ4b2PkPEb7A5L_ycUxMrMlJbJWOW5kQlNZUag32yCikO--wRHqQxJ3FQUxO8KIUJ3T4beyPEYsXoPLM9n4N/w400-h224/2022%20scarce%20totals.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><p></p>
<p></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal">Also very pleasing to finally get <a href="https://twitter.com/lothianrecorder/status/1525517920587157504?s=20&t=wQb9OBaG3YNySVgtl5rkrA">a confirmed Wood Sandpiper</a> which flew up from the west ponds on Seton golf course on morning of 14 May, only seen in flight but I happened to have my voice recorder on, so calls were recorded confirming ID.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Early the same morning a Tree Pipit W calling and a lovely view of a Cuckoo in flight along the beach made it one of the best spring vismig days on patch (<a href="https://www.trektellen.org/count/view/501/20220514?sc=1">counts</a>) and lucky I could get out early.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another personal favourite was the 1<sup>st</sup>-sum Little Gull, “Patch”, which was seen irregularly from mid June to early September, <a href="https://twitter.com/lothianrecorder/status/1548101516212326410?s=20&t=wQb9OBaG3YNySVgtl5rkrA">once on the upper beach with the BHGs at dusk feeding on sand hoppers</a>.
</p><p class="MsoNormal">Some bird pics, large gulls, small gulls, other birds!
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxSprMEG_lYDbnsTQ9UaUKu-FvegHfWa5dTliOf6d37UANfSELImDeY0kTXKKAv8KdW6QIojN5ZRGVObvBYiJ_BVJshcX0zQ8RqZPs9iRRamP9dMAPp14md5NnNPiUK60u_ODJn-fcD3dNx6g60xg1LJdfTO3Zrcs5t-KEYGJfc6DYptHkh_E6HGwH/s3322/IMG_20220801_173312.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="2729" data-original-width="3322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxSprMEG_lYDbnsTQ9UaUKu-FvegHfWa5dTliOf6d37UANfSELImDeY0kTXKKAv8KdW6QIojN5ZRGVObvBYiJ_BVJshcX0zQ8RqZPs9iRRamP9dMAPp14md5NnNPiUK60u_ODJn-fcD3dNx6g60xg1LJdfTO3Zrcs5t-KEYGJfc6DYptHkh_E6HGwH/s400/IMG_20220801_173312.jpg"/></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgqpLxkm4dyE7BTuHQ10cp3jpyRZIEjJueNAjrmiFXX0ft-PsQpxgWXa4DGuYgWAGJPGlO0zQLuRNhx-cI_omlXHzQbw8cKnBAcc-T-IbMmvJfufyImXn8bUY6nE6u1aP1Azo2zbETUFkPTFEIjUD6Je0Ee9DkrPWYG09UY1JCI_ZEP9vPQ2th1nW3/s4000/IMG_20220712_220118.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgqpLxkm4dyE7BTuHQ10cp3jpyRZIEjJueNAjrmiFXX0ft-PsQpxgWXa4DGuYgWAGJPGlO0zQLuRNhx-cI_omlXHzQbw8cKnBAcc-T-IbMmvJfufyImXn8bUY6nE6u1aP1Azo2zbETUFkPTFEIjUD6Je0Ee9DkrPWYG09UY1JCI_ZEP9vPQ2th1nW3/s400/IMG_20220712_220118.jpg"/></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEKV0pcQaK12OzEfplKwZmForZcfLfWN5hVOPFp0Qv-HSMPeHVQPiyC_5ZsB_BnmA5MvxVSXR4e0pM1cdsbT5bW-fNjdVQJFYPbXlj6sjMZcdd-fpUJh4ac74UqmJUHUrU50XThkHFK9QPkofC8ysl4g_lwrhl3fpOUpf-g2qnxqi2KHZ1oNh-3AWh/s3326/IMG_20220801_175518.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="2378" data-original-width="3326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEKV0pcQaK12OzEfplKwZmForZcfLfWN5hVOPFp0Qv-HSMPeHVQPiyC_5ZsB_BnmA5MvxVSXR4e0pM1cdsbT5bW-fNjdVQJFYPbXlj6sjMZcdd-fpUJh4ac74UqmJUHUrU50XThkHFK9QPkofC8ysl4g_lwrhl3fpOUpf-g2qnxqi2KHZ1oNh-3AWh/s400/IMG_20220801_175518.jpg"/></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMajb0rqRJXii34dExG59B6Y4D2tGQccriwrfRL83pmw1rSciK-4E8bxBtJmbg5pTJQGOTZAcV3aZLei3q3PEiFUksvHu6Djs2CtKAlx3vYRt89xnWfe55dHQoTP9d9XV7AzRnF0j9Jzcx42mkEZtJmBekOGi-s1uirMTIC6V6HTTk0nv2-zjH2L6V/s3723/IMG_20220804_191939.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="2810" data-original-width="3723" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMajb0rqRJXii34dExG59B6Y4D2tGQccriwrfRL83pmw1rSciK-4E8bxBtJmbg5pTJQGOTZAcV3aZLei3q3PEiFUksvHu6Djs2CtKAlx3vYRt89xnWfe55dHQoTP9d9XV7AzRnF0j9Jzcx42mkEZtJmBekOGi-s1uirMTIC6V6HTTk0nv2-zjH2L6V/s400/IMG_20220804_191939.jpg"/></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJgyklY1ALOXAQzz4xpOTWS-SYb8ZCMnik8J5qb8BIoltudTn3_O2Bnk9uVyBeJF1eIoYAw-BVvgptmbN7SS0Cqcpc6WPpsDZuybKWwlzHSdE4dVN2wviZ3Yxh0R0MVxjZvEqRz0KDRJHyIHNBvL1MoOG2oVYa69MjRXW_weAZXxx-kLFHUzyS6Lx7/s3619/IMG_20221211_144232.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="2750" data-original-width="3619" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJgyklY1ALOXAQzz4xpOTWS-SYb8ZCMnik8J5qb8BIoltudTn3_O2Bnk9uVyBeJF1eIoYAw-BVvgptmbN7SS0Cqcpc6WPpsDZuybKWwlzHSdE4dVN2wviZ3Yxh0R0MVxjZvEqRz0KDRJHyIHNBvL1MoOG2oVYa69MjRXW_weAZXxx-kLFHUzyS6Lx7/s400/IMG_20221211_144232.jpg"/></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo1IeQXNAGKezphhM0sUNC-922UeS6TTOmJ1zkOUaEtffIc6FpcKVkjM-z2N-UrZIhUx7K2xljEc7PZQIzncg4kqdpa73FGGTBCkQ-e1NPi7Y23hloCq6s5BBA2JNs6f1luD9qyYwxvtMPdFjgpznqBotB1TL8WRwdq9JmOHipYVz6RpLEcGAxlVvY/s3056/IMG_20220802_175809_crop.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="2230" data-original-width="3056" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo1IeQXNAGKezphhM0sUNC-922UeS6TTOmJ1zkOUaEtffIc6FpcKVkjM-z2N-UrZIhUx7K2xljEc7PZQIzncg4kqdpa73FGGTBCkQ-e1NPi7Y23hloCq6s5BBA2JNs6f1luD9qyYwxvtMPdFjgpznqBotB1TL8WRwdq9JmOHipYVz6RpLEcGAxlVvY/s400/IMG_20220802_175809_crop.jpg"/></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdv6VDm9V-rpZERzMhWGFxYHnT4YE_V4sx4ttxNywAnJRMxyfkhLaFmRAzd1rlYVGWDo7SD8wOAOIXtkF_SNI3OekpEC4jGojHw5_p6aNFbB1xuYWDCNNrNzc4cVMbfh6ed4Z00ri7hqwnM3ijiBTVPwZhMe6PBPLuh8MAvWl15y-OBU2dtkopoAsO/s1200/VID_20220321_182944_Moment2.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdv6VDm9V-rpZERzMhWGFxYHnT4YE_V4sx4ttxNywAnJRMxyfkhLaFmRAzd1rlYVGWDo7SD8wOAOIXtkF_SNI3OekpEC4jGojHw5_p6aNFbB1xuYWDCNNrNzc4cVMbfh6ed4Z00ri7hqwnM3ijiBTVPwZhMe6PBPLuh8MAvWl15y-OBU2dtkopoAsO/s400/VID_20220321_182944_Moment2.jpg"/></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOEoBiAPwvsoDkfzmIRyfwEQqCmNT8rCErC84GCpFb3wttaxv8OWNehGgzh_-jfVm5144qx4zs76gbY6JGqtP7HXXpB_nWQdqYR0DA-3Ex3-r9jdbiBhT4pte03K3tgAf82P2XTS9hQD5vh7dLAXp-skoPZTEl4qw9YUKFTUY9_CKMe-hq2lz1J22b/s3129/IMG_20220324_185413_crop.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="2905" data-original-width="3129" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOEoBiAPwvsoDkfzmIRyfwEQqCmNT8rCErC84GCpFb3wttaxv8OWNehGgzh_-jfVm5144qx4zs76gbY6JGqtP7HXXpB_nWQdqYR0DA-3Ex3-r9jdbiBhT4pte03K3tgAf82P2XTS9hQD5vh7dLAXp-skoPZTEl4qw9YUKFTUY9_CKMe-hq2lz1J22b/s400/IMG_20220324_185413_crop.jpg"/></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbDMzunSvw79F64QVKREXAC25DlZ6GDol5wDNRRbtZYIYyA2An67akzhFcMGAssBQUuDspUelRTe8D_a3wVpJZtRqDnB11TeT6P6ufrzqtqi6vfpFkYHgm1e2uBoQVhdney-mBijTP6m4l1siVKGDl6CKo0ixKRWhaxb2PI1tBYNsHhgAiAWb6qDW8/s4582/IMG_20220325_190142.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="3048" data-original-width="4582" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbDMzunSvw79F64QVKREXAC25DlZ6GDol5wDNRRbtZYIYyA2An67akzhFcMGAssBQUuDspUelRTe8D_a3wVpJZtRqDnB11TeT6P6ufrzqtqi6vfpFkYHgm1e2uBoQVhdney-mBijTP6m4l1siVKGDl6CKo0ixKRWhaxb2PI1tBYNsHhgAiAWb6qDW8/s400/IMG_20220325_190142.jpg"/></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglSKT1b4U290Ppj_LB8zz9WaePIaNKxilx7jk_SG2vzzMkt5-shBWPkdGWcaHXkLCigNBrY19NTaFKJchaMiE_Go5bBdXpcA-rgdJ6Bg75od2RxBU7cDI1j5obx00ZElosvTDuPfBIlc6yqFujtpHmKmUE8TOMbv9KUR9F66bIgjR2I89Y4VEycwNk/s6119/IMG_20220324_190206.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="4589" data-original-width="6119" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglSKT1b4U290Ppj_LB8zz9WaePIaNKxilx7jk_SG2vzzMkt5-shBWPkdGWcaHXkLCigNBrY19NTaFKJchaMiE_Go5bBdXpcA-rgdJ6Bg75od2RxBU7cDI1j5obx00ZElosvTDuPfBIlc6yqFujtpHmKmUE8TOMbv9KUR9F66bIgjR2I89Y4VEycwNk/s400/IMG_20220324_190206.jpg"/></a></div>
</p><p class="MsoNormal">On mammals, the remarkable occurrence of two presumed Sowerby’s Beaked Whale in Gosford shallows on 26 July, but as a deep water squid-feeding species it did not look good and as I rather feared news then followed of a live stranding <a href="https://twitter.com/Seasaver/status/1557412430979948545?s=20&t=DRHHVW7zjj5fllPYH56SfA">with one that died on the Moray Firth on 10 August</a>. Remarkably the species is named after James Sowerby, an English naturalist and artist, who first described them from a skull obtained from a male that had stranded in the Moray Firth in 1800. Sightings from land remain extremely rare but there have now been a number of strandings in East Lothian over the last few years (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/WildlifeToursandEducation/posts/pfbid08CiJou515K69TjtzGKMNdipRnWp2yM1CSwdGhUvtKg37MCPVpKH3owXGhEyTbKeTl">Gullane
2019</a>, <a href="https://www.eastlothiancourier.com/news/18803427.two-rare-sowerbys-beaked-whales-wash-die-two-beaches-east-lothian/?fbclid=IwAR1zbCJgcgDoJU7Qps2tNHW3MHCpYGlAqIRsgjo_2dn_XTsGj7fcDYVD-HU">Brunstane
& Gosford 2020</a>, <a href="https://www.eastlothiancourier.com/news/19588336.dead-whale-washes-beach-near-port-seton/">Port
Seton 2021</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">).</span></p><p></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal">Highlights over the garden were two Green Sands (including first diurnal migrant), another nocturnal calling Quail, another migrant Tree Pipit and several more gallinules and waders, plus Barn Owl and Whooper Swan (<a href="https://sedgewarbler.blogspot.com/2009/07/garden-birds.html">garden blog</a>). Wall butterfly was new for the garden, along with the first Hummingbird Hawkmoth *in the house*!</p>
<p></p><p>
c. 8k bits of litter cleared again, mostly chucked from car windows - c. 30% cans, 30% plastic bottles, 10% disposable cups, 30% other stuff, with upsurge in Nitrous Oxide usage with new trend for big aluminium cylinders which are soda cream rechargers along with the little canisters; £35 a shot, good that some have escaped the credit crunch:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRd0wjlxgrX_FAVlm0drXFwOKcT0hgujLDrnwfqeLWBPX5-YPZTMuArdP-XLxp4ApADk0e5a1B7Xgbg1ZUonNegpWYYY7refPxBAurt_yrMmpPnOJYYqX0jPovuk6RvI9Lr88S6aGJpgEBTcXEIoGodnmse_CHfCCrHZLtNc2lOnIuLaIql6VwU0IK/s7968/IMG_20220511_085725.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="5251" data-original-width="7968" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRd0wjlxgrX_FAVlm0drXFwOKcT0hgujLDrnwfqeLWBPX5-YPZTMuArdP-XLxp4ApADk0e5a1B7Xgbg1ZUonNegpWYYY7refPxBAurt_yrMmpPnOJYYqX0jPovuk6RvI9Lr88S6aGJpgEBTcXEIoGodnmse_CHfCCrHZLtNc2lOnIuLaIql6VwU0IK/w400-h264/IMG_20220511_085725.jpg" width="400" /></a></p>
<p>
Also increasing numbers of so called "disposable" vapes, all leaking battery waste and potentially some nicotine into the environment, I would like to know who decided these would be branded "disposable" and why our politicians did not/have not intervened to do something about it, believed now to be 1.3M "thrown away" each week (<a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-63037553">BBC news article</a>). A welcome <a href="https://twitter.com/GreenAllianceUK/status/1595701704607121410">campaign on this by @GreenAlliance</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/LessWasteLaura/status/1612116489716244480?s=20&t=PZ9MiCeVDNX_xQbfHwmw4g">some impressive work by @LessWasteLaura in Dundee</a>, also some <a href="https://www.iema.net/articles/disposable-vapes-a-challenge-to-the-recycling-sector">useful commentary on the current issues for recycling</a>, but here East Lothian Council does not collect them for recycling (<a href="https://www.eastlothian.gov.uk/info/210561/bins_and_recycling/11998/waste_and_recycling_services_for_households/6">assuming they are "electrical items"</a>), so even if I dismantle them it seems they would not take the batteries? This is just crazy and something needs to be done! [PS - <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-64336216">welcome update</a>]
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEYkxto7qlIDytFer98_GJcfb_TlFELtK3yJv3Zd_psTEyULDImMmM8D4RVuP7xvT0-Pyk5fmNWo-xqyK6U6c-GWAIOjlJ4vPka2_TU_WvmoO_el77SG3EAYYXCOzEo3gqhxtkbyhN-MebdwG6yUeKYf_ECS931K-AmTMv0_RiBi39autcqHI2sVfy/s3521/IMG_20230108_144510.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="2100" data-original-width="3521" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEYkxto7qlIDytFer98_GJcfb_TlFELtK3yJv3Zd_psTEyULDImMmM8D4RVuP7xvT0-Pyk5fmNWo-xqyK6U6c-GWAIOjlJ4vPka2_TU_WvmoO_el77SG3EAYYXCOzEo3gqhxtkbyhN-MebdwG6yUeKYf_ECS931K-AmTMv0_RiBi39autcqHI2sVfy/s400/IMG_20230108_144510.jpg"/></a></div><p>
Having put a lot of commentary on last year’s patch blog (and 2021 ring reading blog) I thought I would just add a few comments on three different topics here, bird flu, disturbance and rare bird recording:
</p><p>
<u>HPAI (Bird flu)</u> </p>
<p>
This is a great tragedy and the impact on local breeding seabirds has been nothing short of catastrophe. But surprisingly it has not yet led to significant decreases in birds recorded locally, indeed counts of some were significantly increased, albeit for unwelcome reasons. Of particular interest were the Sandwich Terns which apparently arrived earlier and in bigger numbers than usual, see comparison chart for last three years: </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjepaqg2EYjY1ppwAQ6xxnAONAGoWu8L-h4DL6lZGwU9wq1myw40Huiy9X_XxZm3RCkJ3EbBe2YTBdtaGtUlsWyftfqC2jCfkMhtlyfyUQIctJH4wCZczrkpVWP5yy4-rSRn3-ASR7xLlVa9I-v5DQr8N3Rtu9mx3GJaAkTs1Tq2JUYblVVHOUzV7bl/s846/Sandwich%20Tern%20roost%20Gosford%20Snds%202020-22.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="604" data-original-width="846" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjepaqg2EYjY1ppwAQ6xxnAONAGoWu8L-h4DL6lZGwU9wq1myw40Huiy9X_XxZm3RCkJ3EbBe2YTBdtaGtUlsWyftfqC2jCfkMhtlyfyUQIctJH4wCZczrkpVWP5yy4-rSRn3-ASR7xLlVa9I-v5DQr8N3Rtu9mx3GJaAkTs1Tq2JUYblVVHOUzV7bl/w640-h456/Sandwich%20Tern%20roost%20Gosford%20Sands%202020-22.jpg" width="520" /></a></div>
<p>
Oddly, I can trace no info on the historical status of this important tern roost at Gosford Sands – no records in our local recorder database and having consulted with both previous wardens of Aberlady Bay, who had counted terns “round the corner” in the Bay, neither were aware of it. I find it hard to believe it had not existed and must confess that I had also overlooked it until COVID struck, forcing me to get onto my bike and go out on a more regular basis.
</p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal">We also expected a spate of ring recoveries from dead terns but after an initial recovery of Blackness-ringed Sandwich Tern white-E63 at Alnmouth (<a href="https://app.bto.org/ringingteam/ring-print-generated/print.jsp?a=DD34901&b=35581530&c=22062022&d=32244585&e=">link</a>) the next reports were all positive for live birds, with red-UVK reaching Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, within 50 days of leaving here, and having been seen at Rhyl along the way (<a href="https://twitter.com/lothianrecorder/status/1590123305738338305?s=20&t=wQb9OBaG3YNySVgtl5rkrA">link</a>).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p><p></p><p><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8opExwAZiI8N1fVJbo7DqaX6YNa268ILnK5i-fezRdHOLSDYJBgxmtPxtsxbh9hG8Mq8ondtMF3xB7ZMZYFL4liVcbmaG-TNkp2t4MdFMhTRCS_FBABmNmjwChoXauo9QIVKMf_pC_9rgGrC_b-mMs_i7wezhlYztPy4CMYeHyL3tocZy99CN4Osg/s4534/Sandwich%20red-UVK%20DSCN3089_crop.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2904" data-original-width="4534" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8opExwAZiI8N1fVJbo7DqaX6YNa268ILnK5i-fezRdHOLSDYJBgxmtPxtsxbh9hG8Mq8ondtMF3xB7ZMZYFL4liVcbmaG-TNkp2t4MdFMhTRCS_FBABmNmjwChoXauo9QIVKMf_pC_9rgGrC_b-mMs_i7wezhlYztPy4CMYeHyL3tocZy99CN4Osg/w400-h256/Sandwich%20red-UVK%20DSCN3089_crop.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal">We also had a remarkable series of new records from colonies in the north of Ireland, with 3 out of 4 being first summers (having previously had only one such in 1400 ring reads from east coast colonies (<a href="https://twitter.com/lothianrecorder/status/1564304522096177155?s=20&t=wQb9OBaG3YNySVgtl5rkrA">link</a>).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First summers normally remain south in the wintering range but perhaps there are regional differences with this, not yet clear if it is a known phenomenon.</p>
<p></p><p>
One of those from Donegal was blue-631, ringed on a nest there on 4/6/22 – after being seen here at Port Seton at 13:34hrs on 9 August it was logged at Rhos Point, North Wales at 07:30hrs on 10 August – 162 miles in 18 hours! </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQa_Vzbk__MKHAuj8Bs_JIjBEbKyL3eWDFRRnbIRfDK6XtI5pUwnFYgdUivdacAXCs61nVfhxs0FuYJAZmijmUOCROFPvQ_0eE7n0YxZEcRs9z3HTbUbhZUkZRwitDyd97NaLOZ_edhUqD4Rzmo8IdnVN1LnLLstzfmP5YPjcTWTkHBBitMP7eXJQy/s4000/FZwgV8XX0AEfPt1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQa_Vzbk__MKHAuj8Bs_JIjBEbKyL3eWDFRRnbIRfDK6XtI5pUwnFYgdUivdacAXCs61nVfhxs0FuYJAZmijmUOCROFPvQ_0eE7n0YxZEcRs9z3HTbUbhZUkZRwitDyd97NaLOZ_edhUqD4Rzmo8IdnVN1LnLLstzfmP5YPjcTWTkHBBitMP7eXJQy/w400-h300/FZwgV8XX0AEfPt1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjavAITD9Mg-yu-uDdIp7F0h9fwWa1wIkyh2sWiQLquorWrOocHVHG3ud6L96FdBJEKBL_lVzkmfDDxqueD6Yiu4GIGweDpXs71YE6pHs5Yl4sZJplG99hVgXk7JSuTurdErOW8sLVVwylsgLKb7_RUVPesQlR23cCrUhlcUMQzMWL214zPx2XNylsN/s423/blue-631%20overnight.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="393" data-original-width="423" height="371" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjavAITD9Mg-yu-uDdIp7F0h9fwWa1wIkyh2sWiQLquorWrOocHVHG3ud6L96FdBJEKBL_lVzkmfDDxqueD6Yiu4GIGweDpXs71YE6pHs5Yl4sZJplG99hVgXk7JSuTurdErOW8sLVVwylsgLKb7_RUVPesQlR23cCrUhlcUMQzMWL214zPx2XNylsN/w400-h371/blue-631%20overnight.png" width="400" /></a></div>
To conclude, a few shots of the Gosford tern roost, viewing from the upper shore at low tide at dusk on 26 & 27 September, the last few birds gathered pre-migration, first photo 19:20hrs, rest 19:30-19:35hrs (sunset 19:01hrs): <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGipWi13tSG2BoDuvWtLjm1xPGoPuX9T5-cBNsuc-2FuFTDV7ONvhNbQPPQBatsR87ulqOEE0pUeFZnOq8-Q04Du6DVg1XQjCDRUwcmRNs_mwsA5Yc2diMGpIUD9MPkx1Fl4-P5O6txzfiuaytavaXkN__NpzQXmViA-CAX0syha9byEaFbrnpT8XD/s4000/IMG_20220926_192001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGipWi13tSG2BoDuvWtLjm1xPGoPuX9T5-cBNsuc-2FuFTDV7ONvhNbQPPQBatsR87ulqOEE0pUeFZnOq8-Q04Du6DVg1XQjCDRUwcmRNs_mwsA5Yc2diMGpIUD9MPkx1Fl4-P5O6txzfiuaytavaXkN__NpzQXmViA-CAX0syha9byEaFbrnpT8XD/w400-h300/IMG_20220926_192001.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQrFYJ3elZtnEuY17NDbt6BS3DzlEUIp1zQAJr5w1J4WlhAVMc39RLO_msuVpNpwMgNMdg3RcL3QT1iRVCHTnT3jCroXsu88g4fUDE_YNJR24Jw0znMTDZsxQQvENVKQTIjgBwBTCgNNB0ff33aLipIu_TSwef8nBc7t03-67iANmdB6738X2MO527/s3264/IMG_20220926_193040.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQrFYJ3elZtnEuY17NDbt6BS3DzlEUIp1zQAJr5w1J4WlhAVMc39RLO_msuVpNpwMgNMdg3RcL3QT1iRVCHTnT3jCroXsu88g4fUDE_YNJR24Jw0znMTDZsxQQvENVKQTIjgBwBTCgNNB0ff33aLipIu_TSwef8nBc7t03-67iANmdB6738X2MO527/w400-h300/IMG_20220926_193040.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE-nNpKyBCNKp6KS33lfvFAS8HLo8wossTvSpVKEQ5YRhMtgfifeaGqdWCBx_kV9ZQaLetXB1ymCikj1Em1gBRlkXAoGE46DU4FkRijRODaptVWqNwTdLZs0sjDq3ZDoq-woQ4JlkMwvcfefUm-tt8QEMhFwy4a9iurEDLAr_98ZS4r3Ukm1sJgRbc/s3471/IMG_20220926_193005_crop.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2327" data-original-width="3471" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE-nNpKyBCNKp6KS33lfvFAS8HLo8wossTvSpVKEQ5YRhMtgfifeaGqdWCBx_kV9ZQaLetXB1ymCikj1Em1gBRlkXAoGE46DU4FkRijRODaptVWqNwTdLZs0sjDq3ZDoq-woQ4JlkMwvcfefUm-tt8QEMhFwy4a9iurEDLAr_98ZS4r3Ukm1sJgRbc/w400-h269/IMG_20220926_193005_crop.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZWkz5TrkgXqvWG_naF3NkiYGgOPu3XcZ3i2znVyApGJWs6Fq7Ii5fI8WDKEDZbS4M5a1G8YKGKvD7yPrbBIq6C9yRIgW7IUg0UOJJQL1fccwGxH4mlNdWP7d2FGSAr7mQ9FllLhGhihyMgSw3bj9ns9EOnEXwOfQ6TL-DjxADGDyyThAd_iBdF7D6/s4000/IMG_20220927_192923.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZWkz5TrkgXqvWG_naF3NkiYGgOPu3XcZ3i2znVyApGJWs6Fq7Ii5fI8WDKEDZbS4M5a1G8YKGKvD7yPrbBIq6C9yRIgW7IUg0UOJJQL1fccwGxH4mlNdWP7d2FGSAr7mQ9FllLhGhihyMgSw3bj9ns9EOnEXwOfQ6TL-DjxADGDyyThAd_iBdF7D6/w400-h300/IMG_20220927_192923.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs4gLRfbBQ5lsNAJK4IyVGXMeKH9R5yWzdkkS9DH9Abli-B9eY7G_zpJNJHMFBfxUxKlJCzV4vXW-TCr6umBwXyO1wIBR4GGP-n382DMpRjzJk-IwDewPg9K1e7M7HqOMD3R_vSBoelE0J4LkTDj4dF9r_CPvnBKLRNF0YTA-BfJWrml8XCLT0DuUS/s4000/IMG_20220927_192945.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs4gLRfbBQ5lsNAJK4IyVGXMeKH9R5yWzdkkS9DH9Abli-B9eY7G_zpJNJHMFBfxUxKlJCzV4vXW-TCr6umBwXyO1wIBR4GGP-n382DMpRjzJk-IwDewPg9K1e7M7HqOMD3R_vSBoelE0J4LkTDj4dF9r_CPvnBKLRNF0YTA-BfJWrml8XCLT0DuUS/w400-h300/IMG_20220927_192945.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><p></p><p>
</p><p>
<u>Dog walker disturbance </u></p><p></p>
<p>
After <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/298148814658927/posts/828612354945901/">some rather heated exchanges</a> about disturbance by dogs on Lothian Birdwatch I made more of an effort to engage with locals on this topic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have a sign at the “Red Burn” bridge (aka the “Seton Burn” to birders) which politely requests locals to keep dogs under control on parts of the shore</span><span style="font-size: small;">: </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2mfgrxEZc3Qv6A8090yUpx-_kQMq9gZZez7GESgk8PqNHFuoUHJeOtF_l76nUysa23LA4QseFyaIMaVJkLUuTWlGV_8XFld6UkTRer6xhy5gX8wJpHJ-NJAQ_sF7gYZydPIDd1V0AFh4mAG7aY0Cy0_QYP07hadhXi0Ho1Dcn_HNvNsYmw3QxzgFR/s5346/IMG_20220115_165201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5346" data-original-width="4700" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2mfgrxEZc3Qv6A8090yUpx-_kQMq9gZZez7GESgk8PqNHFuoUHJeOtF_l76nUysa23LA4QseFyaIMaVJkLUuTWlGV_8XFld6UkTRer6xhy5gX8wJpHJ-NJAQ_sF7gYZydPIDd1V0AFh4mAG7aY0Cy0_QYP07hadhXi0Ho1Dcn_HNvNsYmw3QxzgFR/w351-h400/IMG_20220115_165201.jpg" width="351" /></a></div><p></p><p>
This particularly highlights the zone at Long Craigs where the swans hang out, as they are fed. Problem is, birds don’t respect these boundaries – the traditional roost site for Curlew when tide is out is by the pipe between the bridge and Seton Sands – and if undisturbed small gulls often gather on the Sands in large numbers (up to several thousand, also peak of 4100 Herring Gulls by Burn on 14/9/21). But for some the gathering of birds there is too much to resist and they make a beeline for them and sometimes encourage their dogs to chase them (see photos in thread linked above). </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBXr3Fey0G7CMoSFVuyZ0bRTIttyMxt1XYftsYoogKATkJ67TEwoBYzUaKsTCtX9F3SXT3Qel_VjKMKSb3SqpTT7OmDE8be3xnlGgyifDdeseXgbRCh5GjbQ06cJGWudTGZr_YoxUw-0FloS3EnyhrNM_ZKUksivixeUQsD3r4rZg402wV9oifHZw0/s4000/IMG_20221002_183657.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2719" data-original-width="4000" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBXr3Fey0G7CMoSFVuyZ0bRTIttyMxt1XYftsYoogKATkJ67TEwoBYzUaKsTCtX9F3SXT3Qel_VjKMKSb3SqpTT7OmDE8be3xnlGgyifDdeseXgbRCh5GjbQ06cJGWudTGZr_YoxUw-0FloS3EnyhrNM_ZKUksivixeUQsD3r4rZg402wV9oifHZw0/w400-h272/IMG_20221002_183657.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
I had an interesting exchange with a local on 22 December – there were 49 Curlew roosting by the pipe that day along with 4 feeding Bar-tailed Godwits and many small gulls on the Sands (including Med Gulls red-PKT5 and yellow-AS.AT) (<a href="https://app.bto.org/birdtrack/pubcon/shared?subId=SUB46323488">complete list</a>) and tide was fairly well in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As owner passed I asked politely “excuse me, did you see the sign at the bridge?” – owner blanked me and took his dog straight out to water line where I watching him encouraging it to run at the gulls:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqwLQ3whEGL8hPKo4tWRMiA-CbuKbJkxpky21K59LyU-zAYYdgCFjgK6kMybTmF4bbbWC7g4daX1qo_44Kow3T68unEVaGh0lItXYfb8XRSOlKtYDWNTpcKuvjlzbC23P8nQLKhtzQtzO2u4ujn1vALcpAOq8s2Mi3dSOarN3Uz5tQagIedNWGjKu8/s1190/VID_20221222_153300_Moment.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="787" data-original-width="1190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqwLQ3whEGL8hPKo4tWRMiA-CbuKbJkxpky21K59LyU-zAYYdgCFjgK6kMybTmF4bbbWC7g4daX1qo_44Kow3T68unEVaGh0lItXYfb8XRSOlKtYDWNTpcKuvjlzbC23P8nQLKhtzQtzO2u4ujn1vALcpAOq8s2Mi3dSOarN3Uz5tQagIedNWGjKu8/s400/VID_20221222_153300_Moment.jpg"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmP94hm2c7meyHgGyd3Vm5AgFkDPUCczUSIXDCQNYj5s5HriUuU7SOFI53DFeFqanQ3cG6qdgzRwyD-OOPsMR-meYWexm2HO0nIXeTJRXliSPuSmhcpaNlW2iN-r2In4BCjo7-yYV_t64Vm1rScTxD8AXQZeeUd-svX6LiiTLckbRvsejgzoSK8zOc/s1810/VID_20221222_153300_Moment2.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="1810" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmP94hm2c7meyHgGyd3Vm5AgFkDPUCczUSIXDCQNYj5s5HriUuU7SOFI53DFeFqanQ3cG6qdgzRwyD-OOPsMR-meYWexm2HO0nIXeTJRXliSPuSmhcpaNlW2iN-r2In4BCjo7-yYV_t64Vm1rScTxD8AXQZeeUd-svX6LiiTLckbRvsejgzoSK8zOc/s400/VID_20221222_153300_Moment2.jpg"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhstu0TscYFbq0vrVqWwdsh_rVSLHobGlLFOXPdxI1vc30RQnk8WN-aUfEchUDxuKqBEt1m2HUS4_fp1s_4vCS7FRWUyrIhMHd93N6Oty-y2FrhP2juWllJHGdDppD-wKrXuVbR-fnj_2KX6ut0RSXrWk46eyOK6UDrLjUGdEHNk5IVevh1ODKjwR7t/s1790/VID_20221222_153300_Moment3.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="811" data-original-width="1790" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhstu0TscYFbq0vrVqWwdsh_rVSLHobGlLFOXPdxI1vc30RQnk8WN-aUfEchUDxuKqBEt1m2HUS4_fp1s_4vCS7FRWUyrIhMHd93N6Oty-y2FrhP2juWllJHGdDppD-wKrXuVbR-fnj_2KX6ut0RSXrWk46eyOK6UDrLjUGdEHNk5IVevh1ODKjwR7t/s400/VID_20221222_153300_Moment3.jpg"/></a></div>
I presumed that was in response to my query. So on his return I said “I only asked a polite question” – he said he had not been able to hear me but after I explained again he said, yes he sees the sign every day, but it is only a recommendation, not a requirement, and that the beach is a public space and his dog is big and needs exercise! I do sympathise with the dog needing exercise and in that case I can understand why he does not want it on a lead, but there must be other ways of doing that other than encouraging it to chase birds?
<p>
<u>Rarity claims</u>
<p>
On another topic entirely, I thought I would put down some thoughts on the minefield of rare bird claims, having struggled with a couple this year (and also had one submission rejected). I must admit that 20 years ago I was pretty naïve on this and made a couple of mistakes in making hasty claims that I still regret (including <a href="https://sedgewarbler.blogspot.com/2009/10/false-alarm.html">not a Ring-billed Gull</a>) – not that I had any intention of making a false claim but just that at the time of disseminating the “news” I had not established sufficient proof in support of the claim (in any case none were ever submitted).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having been lucky enough to find a few slightly rarer birds in the last few years (but nearly all at sunset in fading light!) I have had some fresh perspectives on this “problem”.</p>
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheYVQebnCjegSZ770kSHZOzPCyK-3RiSEaLCBBByr6jueRCzEBH8Mx7HHEXZUPlUqXE2eYwBmWO0u9BLQFIuXQMn2qTpbL0HiHHi3WHub7ooYBkz8jkENX53lJD1oFvavpjhqndN8qrMJpQc9RqXY9be0LYFaSQQFmVBHAwyBmbQJE2wIDq4sHiPfp/s1280/VID_20220519_210126_Trim_Moment.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheYVQebnCjegSZ770kSHZOzPCyK-3RiSEaLCBBByr6jueRCzEBH8Mx7HHEXZUPlUqXE2eYwBmWO0u9BLQFIuXQMn2qTpbL0HiHHi3WHub7ooYBkz8jkENX53lJD1oFvavpjhqndN8qrMJpQc9RqXY9be0LYFaSQQFmVBHAwyBmbQJE2wIDq4sHiPfp/s400/VID_20220519_210126_Trim_Moment.jpg"/></a></div>Case in point, the Gull-billed Tern found at 20:55hrs on 17 May – pretty distant and sunset approaching 21:22hrs (image above); to me I felt I had been able to discern all the key features and personally I had absolutely no doubt what it must be – but was there enough evidence in the poor images if it had not appeared again? I thought about alerting locals but it is a tricky one – you make a claim, even with provisos, and then cannot back it up, which can be awkward. Having pondered it overnight and carefully assessed the images my confidence had increased, so I decided to put out the news as “interesting tern” so that others could then be alert to check. There is always a risk that people might interpret the disseminated message as “you found a bird which you are not certain about and/or trying to string into a rarity with insufficient evidence?!” Fortunately in this case the problem was quickly resolved (though subject to approval by BBRC) when the bird duly reappeared at same time the following day, and again the day after that (with 2 twitchers!) – but had it not done so I very much doubt whether they would have accepted it on the basis on my poor distant images, even though they at least hinted at the key features. This would have been a really messy one in making a claim of such a rarity (potential second for Lothian), only for it to be rejected.
</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiciL3tb3QCTDG9yGKiqQL_N0_i24Z6C0Qd2idXByjpSPupW_fSoBRBp9Z9XNmuGac8Bdx8dQ53p2ynXPWXXV2Jyz8Nh68845eDNWQKR8xOWJ0uxInlpW7bIsonHT9vPjKAVNfEST96hoevBK7fbYswABYRU0yu0DfI0twnj3PiaZDQ1AHnF3HWjllY/s3471/IMG_20221012_182810_crop.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="2421" data-original-width="3471" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiciL3tb3QCTDG9yGKiqQL_N0_i24Z6C0Qd2idXByjpSPupW_fSoBRBp9Z9XNmuGac8Bdx8dQ53p2ynXPWXXV2Jyz8Nh68845eDNWQKR8xOWJ0uxInlpW7bIsonHT9vPjKAVNfEST96hoevBK7fbYswABYRU0yu0DfI0twnj3PiaZDQ1AHnF3HWjllY/s400/IMG_20221012_182810_crop.jpg"/></a></div>The next one was actually found after sunset, on 12 October, but a bird which I locked on to as a Caspian Gull from the instant I saw it – my social media feed being stuffed with them. But then you immediately start thinking “can you really prove it is not some kind of an aberrant, or even an odd looking Yellow-legged”, etc., all as you are battling to get sufficient images in fading light (bird on shore for 22 minutes before flying to roost, but often partially obscured behind other birds). This one was less stressful as I was confident to put it straight onto Twitter as “interesting LWHG” and within minutes there was support flowing in for ID as Caspian (also subject to approval by SBRC).
</p><p style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Zk6gSzZh7CDc7Na1PKVUtoAcCMA_jcKdzuBLnAZeUd6wwsvWdjvdhKucq05P2p6---mWaPMX6DJa-JsVApBmRW6IJT_iibVi_Db9unnl5CiZi6sWPfMZNChgVXH8cDijNest6Tc0H2-F5TsYFwR24p9pVyBw8xMoUuO94on6fL53mvfAku9emINf/s1471/VID_20221203_153145_Moment.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="1017" data-original-width="1471" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Zk6gSzZh7CDc7Na1PKVUtoAcCMA_jcKdzuBLnAZeUd6wwsvWdjvdhKucq05P2p6---mWaPMX6DJa-JsVApBmRW6IJT_iibVi_Db9unnl5CiZi6sWPfMZNChgVXH8cDijNest6Tc0H2-F5TsYFwR24p9pVyBw8xMoUuO94on6fL53mvfAku9emINf/s400/VID_20221203_153145_Moment.jpg"/></a></div>
The biggest one remains outstanding and in principle a more difficult ID, but after careful research I believe that this bird on the Burn at sunset on 3 December shows all the required features needed for 3cy American Herring Gull, which I felt it looked like when watching it. In this case feedback was <a href="https://twitter.com/lothianrecorder/status/1599359406646255617?s=20&t=M0rRARCJIfe-ju2U_N2V5w">virtually absent</a> and news services understandably ignored it; unlike the various rarities mentioned above, for this species it is widely acknowledged that not all individuals may be identified conclusively to species, given the overlap with (European) Herring Gull particularly beyond 1st and 2nd-winter (e.g. Lonergan & Mullarney, 2004). Confidence in identification all depends on the particular features shown, and general scepticism is to be expected, particularly with such an extreme rarity (2 accepted east coast records, in Norfolk and Suffolk, both found by same gull man, Pete Wilson). Moreover, even with birds seen well in Iceland questions of purity may arise, and the views of current would probably not be sufficient to exclude any possibility of hybrid influence, though there is nothing to particularly suggest that. Nevertheless, as a potentially significant record I have analysed and documented it in detail (40+ photos and 90 seconds of video in seven chunks all with clues to the critical features, full details of primary tips, tertial pattern, tail markings, etc) as well as doing extensive research in the relevant literature. There are no obvious counter features and everything examined has only solidified my view that the original ID must indeed have been correct - hence have also done <a href="https://sedgewarbler.blogspot.com/2023/01/candidate-3cy-american-herring-gull.html">a separate blog outlining the key features in the identification</a> so others can be alert - and of course feedback comments welcome. And who knows, it may be back?
</p><p style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ-pfgOYIiPLUIglZ0TLrZOl9pI1mm9Jeg78yxhGtCUnIn0NfSR2i-lt-6XzpFb0hysVbM_dgl3WfLNA0KuTyjRFcCkXsLfmH-fdJN2QMRKevSIs35f7QUytKMyDXTdMtxHI8xGOBIgDyhpOTNu7fz5viGpjnyODV6J5bvzzVgfaOsgTBwHpNzYD7h/s5603/IMG_20210417_100009_crop.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="3085" data-original-width="5603" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ-pfgOYIiPLUIglZ0TLrZOl9pI1mm9Jeg78yxhGtCUnIn0NfSR2i-lt-6XzpFb0hysVbM_dgl3WfLNA0KuTyjRFcCkXsLfmH-fdJN2QMRKevSIs35f7QUytKMyDXTdMtxHI8xGOBIgDyhpOTNu7fz5viGpjnyODV6J5bvzzVgfaOsgTBwHpNzYD7h/s400/IMG_20210417_100009_crop.jpg"/></a></div>This brings me to my final comments on the deceptively simple question of “when (not) to submit?”; I certainly wrestled with submitting my claimed White-billed Diver of 17 April 2021, well aware I had far from any proof in the images alone for acceptance (just a dot slightly right of centre in the clear sea above) and bird was a great range (but not beyond the distance at which we routinely record common species on the sea in good visibility) – hence potentially putting the committee “in an awkward position” (a phrase I have often heard). I fully accepted the outcome which was understandable given the range, and may well have voted against it myself, had I been on the other side of the fence (and I do recall reading case of a committee member voting again their own record mentioned on the BRFC (Bird Records Committee Forum), the US local recorders list, so that idea is not unheard of!).
</p><p style="text-align: left;">
But should I therefore have submitted it, given this was the likely outcome and what I was fully expecting? I can understand that some would think not, and it would have saved everyone a lot of precious time, but on the other hand while acknowledging that it would be unreasonable to deny I could ever have been mistaken, based on my live observation I did have a very strong internal confidence that it was one, i.e. the stated ID was correct, and the logical consequence of that to me is that it should correctly be documented as such. If it stands on the record as “not proven” then to me, so be it, arguably this might be rather better than giving the impression that “a claim was made but the observer later had doubts” or even “a speculative claim was made”. Though in some contexts, e.g. after researching literature, grounds might come to light as a basis for doubts (e.g. GND can have extremely pale bills and sometimes hold them angled upwards) – when I also think an honest commentary should be given. In the current instance it so happened that a Great Northern was present off same site the following morning and briefly claimed (by a third party) as same before being withdrawn, showing how tricky this pair might be for the unwary and the importance of being strictly objective.
</p><p style="text-align: left;">
Looking back on my 2009 “not a Ring-billed Gull” I can now see that (at the least the bird I managed to photograph!) it is 100% a Common Gull, albeit with some slight variations in appearance on the typical, and I’m happy to now say that and learn from those features.
To conclude, initial qualified claims and considered rarity committee submissions are rather different things. I certainly don’t believe submissions should be made “on spec” and I respect the position held by many who would, I know, never submit without anticipating that acceptance would be a formality. But personally I tend towards an alternative view that, while fully recognising your own limits and the often non-negligible uncertainties in identification from multiple sources, if you nevertheless have sufficient personal confidence in a record, and have been cautiously self critical, it is not a bad thing to submit it as such and let the committee decide on outcome for the formal record…
</p><p style="text-align: left;">
Assorted patch photos to conclude:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRwn5B1hZ4NHe7XZ59-2vaj2IH_AEeodLrRKJzq40kWSWfC7zGT0_dWeRLE_X48dt2DwcJV-ltd8Y1MTHZTm9tV-s2vsHDTSiPnkNsPTNhZjReDShNnIf4eWMBGHoUB8so5taWXAVwDzDKb6nGtOJRAAnViji00CJg1og3tnyc4KQ2-_knonInb6Nj/s8000/IMG_20220514_085837.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="5623" data-original-width="8000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRwn5B1hZ4NHe7XZ59-2vaj2IH_AEeodLrRKJzq40kWSWfC7zGT0_dWeRLE_X48dt2DwcJV-ltd8Y1MTHZTm9tV-s2vsHDTSiPnkNsPTNhZjReDShNnIf4eWMBGHoUB8so5taWXAVwDzDKb6nGtOJRAAnViji00CJg1og3tnyc4KQ2-_knonInb6Nj/s400/IMG_20220514_085837.jpg"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuUMLAL_w1hSFZC7jOeTmgjG8PtpZQqEnNTJVRBBe8XlU3dKut5ab-a8mAQY-NA2F_-1Ip3R6ptj9byqkmalFxPhkafjxunQYl6edyQIMmJRPcSw-1WWRwZWq0htOpdzXbEHgz2p-DVcgA_Rfo39yYuMQok8R5wPms4KgyEAaUmins1EJEh_o8FgSp/s8000/IMG_20220617_214214.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="5701" data-original-width="8000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuUMLAL_w1hSFZC7jOeTmgjG8PtpZQqEnNTJVRBBe8XlU3dKut5ab-a8mAQY-NA2F_-1Ip3R6ptj9byqkmalFxPhkafjxunQYl6edyQIMmJRPcSw-1WWRwZWq0htOpdzXbEHgz2p-DVcgA_Rfo39yYuMQok8R5wPms4KgyEAaUmins1EJEh_o8FgSp/s400/IMG_20220617_214214.jpg"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipgxJym1YbekfsQl-UrFWCcpdtDegQ3uxjPkNhPURrNsGj49Z1BwcCTNJEJ7BeIoZDROobrNK8XpFcUXWh7Q1Qh4WComseiIcrfUj9itCPLOcK5XB7ExqGc1XNZ8dquFfS7kmw9N9OPq6RCcn97Pv6IabWiIqzSa7UH4xcMaFcrRmtbhfKa5ravoS1/s8000/IMG_20220603_213508.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="8000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipgxJym1YbekfsQl-UrFWCcpdtDegQ3uxjPkNhPURrNsGj49Z1BwcCTNJEJ7BeIoZDROobrNK8XpFcUXWh7Q1Qh4WComseiIcrfUj9itCPLOcK5XB7ExqGc1XNZ8dquFfS7kmw9N9OPq6RCcn97Pv6IabWiIqzSa7UH4xcMaFcrRmtbhfKa5ravoS1/s400/IMG_20220603_213508.jpg"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO4LB5SiajALLeKdQy20I7GFUbI1ljAiZt27tBGauVeiCfe_bDXEP6Z1sCGVJ7YT9xRf3OLrYJA5rolOE5YzUjQRVmBus7vhXNsSr1u83JZz6UYpjzb_nVw99KB4pGvtnaTkHhmyGyMWueq-gShP_sOQhLfEZrUoGs3fStEPg_qUTuuD_RhjUES5ig/s7969/IMG_20220617_222342.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="5872" data-original-width="7969" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO4LB5SiajALLeKdQy20I7GFUbI1ljAiZt27tBGauVeiCfe_bDXEP6Z1sCGVJ7YT9xRf3OLrYJA5rolOE5YzUjQRVmBus7vhXNsSr1u83JZz6UYpjzb_nVw99KB4pGvtnaTkHhmyGyMWueq-gShP_sOQhLfEZrUoGs3fStEPg_qUTuuD_RhjUES5ig/s400/IMG_20220617_222342.jpg"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYWvSksUwtX1kp_3dvWFJyrhxAAbwrNQC51DS5SeabwDsa3Ao3TfKH3ChE5HMVVjN6PeBeIK3JOUV2W9y16tcdMgSx7m2B5ttFzTtQCj6yY5P_rQ0o0B79M7rmbHmiBYqYrmrwYSR2yOxDnzzD52k3IZTQoWgd2RTaxnyoZ7ZlJh2vYj07k7JsfcXX/s8000/IMG_20220715_213428.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="8000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYWvSksUwtX1kp_3dvWFJyrhxAAbwrNQC51DS5SeabwDsa3Ao3TfKH3ChE5HMVVjN6PeBeIK3JOUV2W9y16tcdMgSx7m2B5ttFzTtQCj6yY5P_rQ0o0B79M7rmbHmiBYqYrmrwYSR2yOxDnzzD52k3IZTQoWgd2RTaxnyoZ7ZlJh2vYj07k7JsfcXX/s400/IMG_20220715_213428.jpg"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYBt_A-u5HMoJdpahUfmvlIIg4UZNJOsTcSEYk4Y0xgPUl37ILbgSMzAuZ1qV62qm0lhT7hHJrpdRWtiQKI2DM_Y8XZVD45wm4w7pWIDbE7jJBGYbdpbx1sv2-ZQLFD5opNiPaSH2kdRm4T8zx8Vll1uHZKM4X1YvtwO6v-VrSq9WveQtZwXr7sypC/s7900/IMG_20220720_214455.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="5968" data-original-width="7900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYBt_A-u5HMoJdpahUfmvlIIg4UZNJOsTcSEYk4Y0xgPUl37ILbgSMzAuZ1qV62qm0lhT7hHJrpdRWtiQKI2DM_Y8XZVD45wm4w7pWIDbE7jJBGYbdpbx1sv2-ZQLFD5opNiPaSH2kdRm4T8zx8Vll1uHZKM4X1YvtwO6v-VrSq9WveQtZwXr7sypC/s400/IMG_20220720_214455.jpg"/></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeuPuPlcmV6jD4-FByYjEJgYlF_uKgbnBdiwYUBZLnQZ3eg3qvzDjqnhWrii375ptHbvqjoH-Z1Esqq8N_WUaQpjp95M7Y7oLYsueSeZJTrh7uQpIAV0wCQURyeqATpKlZWqN-WyY5f1pmho--SQbMVTuqX5z7m-we4z4jLq1-ST45HXCrFnUt-OK3/s3978/IMG_20220221_172810.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="2580" data-original-width="3978" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeuPuPlcmV6jD4-FByYjEJgYlF_uKgbnBdiwYUBZLnQZ3eg3qvzDjqnhWrii375ptHbvqjoH-Z1Esqq8N_WUaQpjp95M7Y7oLYsueSeZJTrh7uQpIAV0wCQURyeqATpKlZWqN-WyY5f1pmho--SQbMVTuqX5z7m-we4z4jLq1-ST45HXCrFnUt-OK3/s400/IMG_20220221_172810.jpg"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJm-ZHRY86KCI5U7LqGKxNwEwON8S-l64QeX3P38jvBfZB_ksp1YlqwGo4WdxVks0z4arF2ncOh-qR9M-Y5ECHUJTqkHIw2tlt0cmJH-TN6-kWFus3H6irTmIJ_-yU12WzjV2YiexCuo5n4lLPNoNhPNETDEMj1xsu29cNCRtmJcMghJTAFWjC7y9s/s3512/IMG_20220524_085804.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="2096" data-original-width="3512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJm-ZHRY86KCI5U7LqGKxNwEwON8S-l64QeX3P38jvBfZB_ksp1YlqwGo4WdxVks0z4arF2ncOh-qR9M-Y5ECHUJTqkHIw2tlt0cmJH-TN6-kWFus3H6irTmIJ_-yU12WzjV2YiexCuo5n4lLPNoNhPNETDEMj1xsu29cNCRtmJcMghJTAFWjC7y9s/s400/IMG_20220524_085804.jpg"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilbwwZo_i_NZXxlLsWA-d1Y4PYaHhv7ftXsn1K4G7J0f5Vu0B2hINOpUrCWfxNSgid2a0xdTBa_TlB_IwBOUWzKygzMuQrnZ2FgROinHnNchtg7Wmbj7S75ouMSRpXwj6bm47Ldj7bWqa-tWFn2chO0fuH3DfPhl3I__Z74ZQ8vnECAoIO1ycQbz2p/s4791/IMG_20220603_211507.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="4744" data-original-width="4791" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilbwwZo_i_NZXxlLsWA-d1Y4PYaHhv7ftXsn1K4G7J0f5Vu0B2hINOpUrCWfxNSgid2a0xdTBa_TlB_IwBOUWzKygzMuQrnZ2FgROinHnNchtg7Wmbj7S75ouMSRpXwj6bm47Ldj7bWqa-tWFn2chO0fuH3DfPhl3I__Z74ZQ8vnECAoIO1ycQbz2p/s400/IMG_20220603_211507.jpg"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTTFPfMTQLFp8jKdWoRcdPBPhkV71Hh336hmq1dI4gL-sWKMQ73-GS6pcCIBteILCLYC_B6LuBXsEBkTyNubgVZwBx3KZzHbfNOyB7fhG1I1zuRLYBIIMNpby2cmq-XHNpm-biI6lyx60y_tUiWR-WuwqmkidDsl-cY1OVW6whlXYrMjRVRFE8D1XE/s8000/IMG_20220606_220035.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="8000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTTFPfMTQLFp8jKdWoRcdPBPhkV71Hh336hmq1dI4gL-sWKMQ73-GS6pcCIBteILCLYC_B6LuBXsEBkTyNubgVZwBx3KZzHbfNOyB7fhG1I1zuRLYBIIMNpby2cmq-XHNpm-biI6lyx60y_tUiWR-WuwqmkidDsl-cY1OVW6whlXYrMjRVRFE8D1XE/s400/IMG_20220606_220035.jpg"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilGjaJIV7DecdWCiB1CtJCELYASMvswwLZidT1J2gEX4TcxmeHi3U2Wx86deyquz-36r9lY9ILz1Px6cM9jnZF16Hp4KQ1Fu8wf0b_wgUYW8kb6ZbwsMTCrsuvr6vanT5dKbtelu8AHr5U10tw_aHQ8cHZ4KtqLqPxj9q3PXriMh_LTKX6P4yipb66/s8000/IMG_20220617_221404.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="400" data-original-height="8000" data-original-width="6000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilGjaJIV7DecdWCiB1CtJCELYASMvswwLZidT1J2gEX4TcxmeHi3U2Wx86deyquz-36r9lY9ILz1Px6cM9jnZF16Hp4KQ1Fu8wf0b_wgUYW8kb6ZbwsMTCrsuvr6vanT5dKbtelu8AHr5U10tw_aHQ8cHZ4KtqLqPxj9q3PXriMh_LTKX6P4yipb66/s400/IMG_20220617_221404.jpg"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3lOwyfEp8sTeK587VVoA2RKUozn7q5S8n8NITadKG0TvVaw3akw8K5zV6Juy4wPMbMyspdhY_XxAKujaLhyiAXCNIYpboZhTMaxzn8Yx9rrqKPqIy2W3zFCgzs8QHotC_Bk-FN9PjK8Y_MZcKlQTnQV7XJPA7Q4jMRtdNJaFi4xAY89CzV-YugJI-/s7584/IMG_20220720_213711.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="5714" data-original-width="7584" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3lOwyfEp8sTeK587VVoA2RKUozn7q5S8n8NITadKG0TvVaw3akw8K5zV6Juy4wPMbMyspdhY_XxAKujaLhyiAXCNIYpboZhTMaxzn8Yx9rrqKPqIy2W3zFCgzs8QHotC_Bk-FN9PjK8Y_MZcKlQTnQV7XJPA7Q4jMRtdNJaFi4xAY89CzV-YugJI-/s400/IMG_20220720_213711.jpg"/></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_OnsYUG6GmC6KpCy7kzR1C5cygFrrCXptcsoXzOdxtyzMiagsn4-lXFuQxczdnamCdD72Ntwx9JHqMgt3UtJrSlOHmuRapSD2dfuhl65POaKEoB5NDprKMziNUvO5NOgRovHrOdKonzTGvA9hbCv9kbSmwBXL_aQISyPi3PsuXK1Y_QlYnv4FXrR4/s8000/IMG_20220601_213804.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="8000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_OnsYUG6GmC6KpCy7kzR1C5cygFrrCXptcsoXzOdxtyzMiagsn4-lXFuQxczdnamCdD72Ntwx9JHqMgt3UtJrSlOHmuRapSD2dfuhl65POaKEoB5NDprKMziNUvO5NOgRovHrOdKonzTGvA9hbCv9kbSmwBXL_aQISyPi3PsuXK1Y_QlYnv4FXrR4/s400/IMG_20220601_213804.jpg"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIqVf1dxdllTHrw_q2EZgF7-TJlXZHT--mTjFPlNcY4rqvb8XAbfUZKna5kXzrkl0hjHA6puqiAZn-ZeuqGSZQozbMsQM21qEj1ABWxK1Qe7BJHhwozsBOLXKaa3dO1yguzOHjfVTFBGgA5q_zM4MRQWIjmUa3abJCMW79UJ8Juq8i7HuESNnCDQVG/s7722/IMG_20220601_213811.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="5262" data-original-width="7722" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIqVf1dxdllTHrw_q2EZgF7-TJlXZHT--mTjFPlNcY4rqvb8XAbfUZKna5kXzrkl0hjHA6puqiAZn-ZeuqGSZQozbMsQM21qEj1ABWxK1Qe7BJHhwozsBOLXKaa3dO1yguzOHjfVTFBGgA5q_zM4MRQWIjmUa3abJCMW79UJ8Juq8i7HuESNnCDQVG/s400/IMG_20220601_213811.jpg"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhabBRc4R_JtGvYTYkmoPBrMMf2Q8NLtKZ4ACKsZnu3u-crekOB69G22pcHCxwk73yGv8rGZ3sK7abZqb5-rBC3ODRyuUs_t33C8vHSXyyfoTSJVgRvWzS9F2STc1E_8hF_An8Ak5o2qKTacXV7rC_w1giy8Kb_3LdiKsUwj2LPCnNMk9taW-oRAVYo/s8000/IMG_20220601_214223.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="8000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhabBRc4R_JtGvYTYkmoPBrMMf2Q8NLtKZ4ACKsZnu3u-crekOB69G22pcHCxwk73yGv8rGZ3sK7abZqb5-rBC3ODRyuUs_t33C8vHSXyyfoTSJVgRvWzS9F2STc1E_8hF_An8Ak5o2qKTacXV7rC_w1giy8Kb_3LdiKsUwj2LPCnNMk9taW-oRAVYo/s400/IMG_20220601_214223.jpg"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-GsJG6ISAmqTfwBJmMOEsI7ejYxTa8iTMAd6LX7prUuicMN_Vzr0WAv4Y1wzOtH8c8YNmha7Q7RyGBNuMbWnkOUqxMFszAtDF1Ts8ueU3WXZK4_dPN36XcB2vMcndipMVENGnbvChL7jtMmnTBy1yMMJ0cQGszJfTkIqyWZr1QM7sM337KlfZ8Wez/s7797/IMG_20220601_214231.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="5495" data-original-width="7797" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-GsJG6ISAmqTfwBJmMOEsI7ejYxTa8iTMAd6LX7prUuicMN_Vzr0WAv4Y1wzOtH8c8YNmha7Q7RyGBNuMbWnkOUqxMFszAtDF1Ts8ueU3WXZK4_dPN36XcB2vMcndipMVENGnbvChL7jtMmnTBy1yMMJ0cQGszJfTkIqyWZr1QM7sM337KlfZ8Wez/s400/IMG_20220601_214231.jpg"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqqDLY9G5sO55QbNRvZzXG2S0jksM8o00zyVDrljElP7d4PhvE90ktZQfJfDLcLlITIg6jrCVvmF0m_eFcTOJowFsrYYy4AqzgMjtOfDUFRGwHUyDSgTcqSpoam8SYpPracAU3Br97miu7m47_VkQmE9V6CRGqrYWTS8gz1IT-4edQFJEoWIhtN8Cf/s3909/IMG_20220630_220218.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="2933" data-original-width="3909" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqqDLY9G5sO55QbNRvZzXG2S0jksM8o00zyVDrljElP7d4PhvE90ktZQfJfDLcLlITIg6jrCVvmF0m_eFcTOJowFsrYYy4AqzgMjtOfDUFRGwHUyDSgTcqSpoam8SYpPracAU3Br97miu7m47_VkQmE9V6CRGqrYWTS8gz1IT-4edQFJEoWIhtN8Cf/s400/IMG_20220630_220218.jpg"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuWSrE62bzqWf5UKRkMbyjymXk75Taf9apSAk723JaS-_uhlwb1v5hLqFeWiV5QrT_ZJsnNQBnp0geILXIg8ddeg9xkYDN8WYdQu-0vl0sNePkozQu4gfjDArVAHJ9vkUzIS_TBhukb2mRgHGnArBaycGEYvMbpFKT5KzaZ1wih6pCnQC5nxSwI9ye/s4000/IMG_20220630_221125.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuWSrE62bzqWf5UKRkMbyjymXk75Taf9apSAk723JaS-_uhlwb1v5hLqFeWiV5QrT_ZJsnNQBnp0geILXIg8ddeg9xkYDN8WYdQu-0vl0sNePkozQu4gfjDArVAHJ9vkUzIS_TBhukb2mRgHGnArBaycGEYvMbpFKT5KzaZ1wih6pCnQC5nxSwI9ye/s400/IMG_20220630_221125.jpg"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjasRpjPth_yoSFxhDLQPTp8PlUltuXmgvsM4i_ly5qGfbqaVTMyFS3cJfgMi4RHzBAtyApaZvXcjegcHij8TrjHk-UDoZJvI3tq0qe2iK3P_mvKNXAYiiogHDrIDlojlBCp1TF-B_xY5X0IESmZVOcolLkjb8rM_5wXucE2fnjRRWpcJrVgRM6Wgd/s3264/IMG_20220630_222540.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjasRpjPth_yoSFxhDLQPTp8PlUltuXmgvsM4i_ly5qGfbqaVTMyFS3cJfgMi4RHzBAtyApaZvXcjegcHij8TrjHk-UDoZJvI3tq0qe2iK3P_mvKNXAYiiogHDrIDlojlBCp1TF-B_xY5X0IESmZVOcolLkjb8rM_5wXucE2fnjRRWpcJrVgRM6Wgd/s400/IMG_20220630_222540.jpg"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMjL3RBejuYBxnYz7KHL6kfgxJ8pOiPLJYDO1lRvKZQkCJpVLKbUmUrzLjI2sqfFdGHqzOwhu7uS6vOLe-x7-hSFh5Jfy1uuHbDTLUi7g_gZ2dZyWXAmiZUCWOIaXHu6Lz3jaOvwHPVVjOM6Qg5XJdpo02jIagQ9fnGZy7lRfw0Zo8HRcMIlHflLN0/s8000/IMG_20220715_214131.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="8000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMjL3RBejuYBxnYz7KHL6kfgxJ8pOiPLJYDO1lRvKZQkCJpVLKbUmUrzLjI2sqfFdGHqzOwhu7uS6vOLe-x7-hSFh5Jfy1uuHbDTLUi7g_gZ2dZyWXAmiZUCWOIaXHu6Lz3jaOvwHPVVjOM6Qg5XJdpo02jIagQ9fnGZy7lRfw0Zo8HRcMIlHflLN0/s400/IMG_20220715_214131.jpg"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwDZ9YoOI8CvmgdMZdMbSyZV0rDftgwpukMa3JxyrWlHlfPIJP-gt2AKpo-itOc_n4DJvk5gZfaZNzZPn0OT06H0-vXAHJjkWGfD39NqyMHZxlT4IKz-bPUscj0egYJVyVn9R9JHQkeKTVEsOjPpuGbbwN3N68xuy4kL4T7Jm3yLXPaI-6prKzej3w/s8000/IMG_20220720_222456.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="8000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwDZ9YoOI8CvmgdMZdMbSyZV0rDftgwpukMa3JxyrWlHlfPIJP-gt2AKpo-itOc_n4DJvk5gZfaZNzZPn0OT06H0-vXAHJjkWGfD39NqyMHZxlT4IKz-bPUscj0egYJVyVn9R9JHQkeKTVEsOjPpuGbbwN3N68xuy4kL4T7Jm3yLXPaI-6prKzej3w/s400/IMG_20220720_222456.jpg"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEwCtRo-ecodssmnEtEjX7rbE3c4A8Ulx-_AOSruUCu4wv8MaBcfWetdhFIlfBb6snxjQAHoGSjPTnEENhwZnVJ6amDqpF818k6ajghlp0Nq_eGcHe2UvkPNTbJyGRUEDcikXpe5LqUqdHVA1NHjfMBzvQbvIJY5P4DBWKgE8vkWyu2afCBle_P_TV/s8000/IMG_20220730_211629.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="5140" data-original-width="8000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEwCtRo-ecodssmnEtEjX7rbE3c4A8Ulx-_AOSruUCu4wv8MaBcfWetdhFIlfBb6snxjQAHoGSjPTnEENhwZnVJ6amDqpF818k6ajghlp0Nq_eGcHe2UvkPNTbJyGRUEDcikXpe5LqUqdHVA1NHjfMBzvQbvIJY5P4DBWKgE8vkWyu2afCBle_P_TV/s400/IMG_20220730_211629.jpg"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8k6HwYFFO7VGDMCwvsYb3aY7zfqKMzkVyMoUuFs2fLosFNNyllg3n3lk1y-ryqycfUQ8Wnh-BSLNoCSb4L_2SMGWhhom3HGj2oOV156eNy1TEFOzWuTt31hVoX57oHoALhLooyxwi4LdKVNDPIRkr3aaXxcDpd7XmLYcgmsBCnoqIAAlTvUIV7dr4/s8000/IMG_20220730_213400.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="8000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8k6HwYFFO7VGDMCwvsYb3aY7zfqKMzkVyMoUuFs2fLosFNNyllg3n3lk1y-ryqycfUQ8Wnh-BSLNoCSb4L_2SMGWhhom3HGj2oOV156eNy1TEFOzWuTt31hVoX57oHoALhLooyxwi4LdKVNDPIRkr3aaXxcDpd7XmLYcgmsBCnoqIAAlTvUIV7dr4/s400/IMG_20220730_213400.jpg"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8iRlie4Y716MIriHPzJfBTlBLN0N7aCNQ9odbuxOz0lyfL-g6VHR3g1zJwX4lRq2_v-BOzRrB7tdZYpgfRFUy_mdp-I8HmNuxjsS7zm1uEA3BV9-sjqS1GOm67T6YkmU1-9fo1WKMdV4RTvjRP9E1coDlYog9ZBpRYlMiqrV2HkfXCY_LKBM_a6bw/s3897/IMG_20220730_214006.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="2923" data-original-width="3897" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8iRlie4Y716MIriHPzJfBTlBLN0N7aCNQ9odbuxOz0lyfL-g6VHR3g1zJwX4lRq2_v-BOzRrB7tdZYpgfRFUy_mdp-I8HmNuxjsS7zm1uEA3BV9-sjqS1GOm67T6YkmU1-9fo1WKMdV4RTvjRP9E1coDlYog9ZBpRYlMiqrV2HkfXCY_LKBM_a6bw/s400/IMG_20220730_214006.jpg"/></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdwaFjo_0KAI_OOEYG1X-TiUxp6tgn4HsgdfhmPJ1yS59Pd_9L4nWFErwRWGxbNZH9swOMntABQwFn1t8RYDQsv-lKeXrOeCxay1ZnAc2G1tstVj9OnmxHSM41z1QQ8jITYxuGKw288e8t0zLtDgojuVhR_NrJKoyrSVSp43CNJT6KVSx-indm7Xkw/s3264/IMG_20220630_223457.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdwaFjo_0KAI_OOEYG1X-TiUxp6tgn4HsgdfhmPJ1yS59Pd_9L4nWFErwRWGxbNZH9swOMntABQwFn1t8RYDQsv-lKeXrOeCxay1ZnAc2G1tstVj9OnmxHSM41z1QQ8jITYxuGKw288e8t0zLtDgojuVhR_NrJKoyrSVSp43CNJT6KVSx-indm7Xkw/s400/IMG_20220630_223457.jpg"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjHx4_FbqUmMvlYero6kNK8b09FroldrNzQhbsr9ILOJRXuW2ITzoY8ll8RryHtDdpDaNheizz19vkqH0gCwI_RDLLa69jYGisz8Gmufk0jauUffiGfN6_R5nuN4fFgJM1_TSfaJq33j70c1AvLJlRUWq939CnFi5dA8dZW6MQ8AJhuuFtAjhzW2g0/s3191/IMG_20220630_223940.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="2393" data-original-width="3191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjHx4_FbqUmMvlYero6kNK8b09FroldrNzQhbsr9ILOJRXuW2ITzoY8ll8RryHtDdpDaNheizz19vkqH0gCwI_RDLLa69jYGisz8Gmufk0jauUffiGfN6_R5nuN4fFgJM1_TSfaJq33j70c1AvLJlRUWq939CnFi5dA8dZW6MQ8AJhuuFtAjhzW2g0/s400/IMG_20220630_223940.jpg"/></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcDVTlqtBkxZ-EB7NQTLY6T2zTDCngKaASxPZ8pWVMXcUcbXjRdQ9DZpQgnqoq5TsSxywBlHrw4jS0f5K1W1oNQVLfn1vKoPxswPW1YXOWy8fObvwnK7y8QoUqn7N244iQT2LTm-qw5ZyljTrMlCdnhwj-UNfyenrTWwoQ6NnrIXESulJeZTisIUUf/s1600/Gosford%205Sep22jpg.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="1097" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcDVTlqtBkxZ-EB7NQTLY6T2zTDCngKaASxPZ8pWVMXcUcbXjRdQ9DZpQgnqoq5TsSxywBlHrw4jS0f5K1W1oNQVLfn1vKoPxswPW1YXOWy8fObvwnK7y8QoUqn7N244iQT2LTm-qw5ZyljTrMlCdnhwj-UNfyenrTWwoQ6NnrIXESulJeZTisIUUf/s400/Gosford%205Sep22jpg.jpg"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWBwkUyyaa0M6eroV1uezxJnFez7pjDiHRSC5qWQZvrnmLhjunCKRuyaq66ReIHyc4UiuhUkvF_aO17A1gKNeI4JTc7F-rNfJQXdZhgppCtgZZENJeY-ZOHOSIMCAsTqcl4CXwQD3JG7IEa8zb7FCHJAHUsdcyTBtD5Y0INuWi1tFKnwnHCcPjPtV9/s4142/IMG_20220218_173823.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="3615" data-original-width="4142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWBwkUyyaa0M6eroV1uezxJnFez7pjDiHRSC5qWQZvrnmLhjunCKRuyaq66ReIHyc4UiuhUkvF_aO17A1gKNeI4JTc7F-rNfJQXdZhgppCtgZZENJeY-ZOHOSIMCAsTqcl4CXwQD3JG7IEa8zb7FCHJAHUsdcyTBtD5Y0INuWi1tFKnwnHCcPjPtV9/s400/IMG_20220218_173823.jpg"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXeAq6xipCcSlmzVayHyNCQDUQrvR9fdJVxCTzi9emGJqsDnuAZMd2lesGuXO5nFv6mPQFWypb9Duxup-897zryUXWUXQ6fHvCvNcBFqCYRtYjCQ9BSnFVrdESfFiYpDL6hOFJH5L1fhpnwKruyO9h7L5LsF4MnkGYNPyusXaeSH5PTBjDCgLhlUCP/s7793/IMG_20220221_174751.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="5435" data-original-width="7793" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXeAq6xipCcSlmzVayHyNCQDUQrvR9fdJVxCTzi9emGJqsDnuAZMd2lesGuXO5nFv6mPQFWypb9Duxup-897zryUXWUXQ6fHvCvNcBFqCYRtYjCQ9BSnFVrdESfFiYpDL6hOFJH5L1fhpnwKruyO9h7L5LsF4MnkGYNPyusXaeSH5PTBjDCgLhlUCP/s400/IMG_20220221_174751.jpg"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIo2gGxo7ub9U74VY0-VUpi0e-DQV_MFLMWFvKObvzUS_DogGIk0dPP1ib3tA7ovhVhD8Bu65qtEwusW4th_I9p2yhe_t2j-fNKFQsc6naWIKdGOMrkopGhzq-szf4jNjv2joPYYGeeV6p6_TGlzqZyTUpcivGCCgTthX8O7icBK2LvlZYLXcJIzKE/s8000/IMG_20220316_182207.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="8000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIo2gGxo7ub9U74VY0-VUpi0e-DQV_MFLMWFvKObvzUS_DogGIk0dPP1ib3tA7ovhVhD8Bu65qtEwusW4th_I9p2yhe_t2j-fNKFQsc6naWIKdGOMrkopGhzq-szf4jNjv2joPYYGeeV6p6_TGlzqZyTUpcivGCCgTthX8O7icBK2LvlZYLXcJIzKE/s400/IMG_20220316_182207.jpg"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsrZuf5dG5RGNUSp82NR1svdiJEKNmnyQqfj6oLRCBQGsAsUQRsZtqTjdZcx-_qstFqQ0dQZ11dC33z5ERFB4U1eRBQb9Dxaeel4OYRa54IJKY6a4eX5C6-xwvIcOLT1rPFqDYWQmAUqZjeK2cgU4taoSg2LNVo8YkggaBJpZ6GZKbp5jlTozX61Lk/s3799/IMG_20220420_201401.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="2440" data-original-width="3799" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsrZuf5dG5RGNUSp82NR1svdiJEKNmnyQqfj6oLRCBQGsAsUQRsZtqTjdZcx-_qstFqQ0dQZ11dC33z5ERFB4U1eRBQb9Dxaeel4OYRa54IJKY6a4eX5C6-xwvIcOLT1rPFqDYWQmAUqZjeK2cgU4taoSg2LNVo8YkggaBJpZ6GZKbp5jlTozX61Lk/s400/IMG_20220420_201401.jpg"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW8g0BQGwA8OLZSchzGIl5WBQzck3L6hqo5Sko4FAcOGo9uUWmwq0SXE4vOeXckKE9WFQTW6oqkJitjd4Q17v4u0lYr-Q7BWJFbD5LchOODiDSvbNLpnW1wFqyshKQbjIRIjUqdbYeMNrVChBPUhVOe7qX2ytXYjIZcSHGvgA5l0t55MomDxX5rTWs/s5132/IMG_20220420_201417.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="4531" data-original-width="5132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW8g0BQGwA8OLZSchzGIl5WBQzck3L6hqo5Sko4FAcOGo9uUWmwq0SXE4vOeXckKE9WFQTW6oqkJitjd4Q17v4u0lYr-Q7BWJFbD5LchOODiDSvbNLpnW1wFqyshKQbjIRIjUqdbYeMNrVChBPUhVOe7qX2ytXYjIZcSHGvgA5l0t55MomDxX5rTWs/s400/IMG_20220420_201417.jpg"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTojvBqY_z4w1CFRIZhTfLmmEoYYQCwFhQj_cPaCvgGvnJ36D4kgwqQKCyIBJia8CwDH9tdb53KrlfdpEAUCsOVzONXHnEJh9irs7iAg9fEQfi56rtsMt6iRWwiZ3n9gNoDye2DFppMnSMtw01o6sDaStUrzfbSkTFAa3VLrq_PddTx_eXVxka8MI3/s7792/IMG_20220713_220101.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="5614" data-original-width="7792" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTojvBqY_z4w1CFRIZhTfLmmEoYYQCwFhQj_cPaCvgGvnJ36D4kgwqQKCyIBJia8CwDH9tdb53KrlfdpEAUCsOVzONXHnEJh9irs7iAg9fEQfi56rtsMt6iRWwiZ3n9gNoDye2DFppMnSMtw01o6sDaStUrzfbSkTFAa3VLrq_PddTx_eXVxka8MI3/s400/IMG_20220713_220101.jpg"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1eX3qnPg_Gy3Z44gW53kNLK6hVIWOjmxFk7HDf3zYY4eILGBueoXR2mpXQ0lfbOEIforq2Usg4JfUYOZ632k44T7W2wbWUupM8z6MYmKac8nxofnEPY5aMWJWfrO7q_2WihYNMP-j3EU57V51RJtTOGugf8T3A0tua7ZqtbnFuK5BITSm9FKrhF3v/s4000/IMG_20220823_212347.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1eX3qnPg_Gy3Z44gW53kNLK6hVIWOjmxFk7HDf3zYY4eILGBueoXR2mpXQ0lfbOEIforq2Usg4JfUYOZ632k44T7W2wbWUupM8z6MYmKac8nxofnEPY5aMWJWfrO7q_2WihYNMP-j3EU57V51RJtTOGugf8T3A0tua7ZqtbnFuK5BITSm9FKrhF3v/s400/IMG_20220823_212347.jpg"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAx8ZllWyHT3ZYL4SH1hDiwFkxegwUXUPcpGv3OaYXyrMm-B6fTafPPaM7IW_eo1rivL0amk-ZkabHk5ljXxVWbx_g4SNxaM4G2fDi2JkmsOniVha2uFDrtWO20j5rhI5ohIUlKR723u1GmRC5NbfymuX9nToGrD37Fr8XMnoNiKnIHU-QsTZrpYh3/s4250/IMG_20220713_221410.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="4218" data-original-width="4250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAx8ZllWyHT3ZYL4SH1hDiwFkxegwUXUPcpGv3OaYXyrMm-B6fTafPPaM7IW_eo1rivL0amk-ZkabHk5ljXxVWbx_g4SNxaM4G2fDi2JkmsOniVha2uFDrtWO20j5rhI5ohIUlKR723u1GmRC5NbfymuX9nToGrD37Fr8XMnoNiKnIHU-QsTZrpYh3/s400/IMG_20220713_221410.jpg"/></a></div>welchshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00378942325088808236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2376184590270819842.post-72332421319777793602022-11-26T14:00:00.006+00:002024-01-29T20:50:52.678+00:00Garden bird log for Banchory, Kincardineshire<a nblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCvfcwIBh_0C_TTyPMCMUkP3jM09pbyKJ8ASHoevbIdRdcjPx3SPG5C81Rt3D2-eOdPZqB6PNjfwjcwdI5m1n1jdMPgZOLqoyZB6HSgYIQnDEYHFeyX4Nt4fXEIW3H3gEd59U0Yxn2zzA/s1600-h/kincards_garden_winter.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 227px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCvfcwIBh_0C_TTyPMCMUkP3jM09pbyKJ8ASHoevbIdRdcjPx3SPG5C81Rt3D2-eOdPZqB6PNjfwjcwdI5m1n1jdMPgZOLqoyZB6HSgYIQnDEYHFeyX4Nt4fXEIW3H3gEd59U0Yxn2zzA/s400/kincards_garden_winter.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369005707459801202"></a>This is a log of the more interesting species seen and heard in, and flying over, a suburban garden on Woodside Road, Banchory, Kincardineshire, Scotland (<a href="http://www.multimap.com/p/browse.cgi?pc=AB315XL" target="_blank">map</a>). The garden is in an area of detached housing adjacent to terraced council housing. At the time of most of the records listed the nearest open farmland was about 100m to the north-west (but it has since receded to over 1km), and the nearest "wood" was a conifer plantation only just beyond that. The nearest open water is at the Loch of Leys and the River Dee, approximately 1 mile to the north and half a mile to the south respectively.<p> <a href="http://sedgewarbler.blogspot.com/2009/07/annotated-garden-bird-list-for-banchory.html">Annotated species list</a>
<p><a href="http://www.box.net/shared/72x4v608ow">Detailed records (Excel spreadsheet)</a>
<p><b><u>2024</u></b>
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRGP9uFEb1i0c_e8DLa-bPyqd_RMIqRIqfscqbd8AaD3TK3Eav2UhbBgGgYxSlKcmN6K95SUfVlNHNfcr3ifpnD_a-qSGw06MRuuM3mWMiES0_BrZCzgqj4bRWntQAmS0S7_Ldn74nr5qSbTDszgIePD4kO5aMbWyS1Is_gtleHDbdKSQaIsLthGtBWf0/s2873/20240128_112535c.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="2873" data-original-width="1868" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRGP9uFEb1i0c_e8DLa-bPyqd_RMIqRIqfscqbd8AaD3TK3Eav2UhbBgGgYxSlKcmN6K95SUfVlNHNfcr3ifpnD_a-qSGw06MRuuM3mWMiES0_BrZCzgqj4bRWntQAmS0S7_Ldn74nr5qSbTDszgIePD4kO5aMbWyS1Is_gtleHDbdKSQaIsLthGtBWf0/s320/20240128_112535c.jpg"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgafer5cl_OsXc7e2rB3Bh3GAm62OxJ7m5wIRSKymGuSDxeiuyIM40ovzOAP9IKti2rEY_8GnESOmj2hXbGuWNk1z-NuOK8bj4Bjm0yNRciCjmUrSo98nP2QRe_oonSxpXSw7QRWiSAa1CVBrlAwnx2hrX5IZaCZDvA-m3I2R75sPpljNhinwD8NJgKRWE/s1878/20240128_112559c.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="1165" data-original-width="1878" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgafer5cl_OsXc7e2rB3Bh3GAm62OxJ7m5wIRSKymGuSDxeiuyIM40ovzOAP9IKti2rEY_8GnESOmj2hXbGuWNk1z-NuOK8bj4Bjm0yNRciCjmUrSo98nP2QRe_oonSxpXSw7QRWiSAa1CVBrlAwnx2hrX5IZaCZDvA-m3I2R75sPpljNhinwD8NJgKRWE/s320/20240128_112559c.jpg"/></a></div>More Red Kite sightings, this one was soaring over Woodside Terrace on 28 January, attracted limited interest from gulls and corvids which are presumably very familiar with it. Such a delight to see there, a 6 kite weekend.
<p>
<p><b><u>2023</u></b>
<p>Another year another Waxwing, one flew while I was working in the garden on 11 November.
<p>Red Admirals feeding on falled pears, 12 October, many of them over recent days.
<p>Red Kite now regular over garden, seen by father, 12 April, and now "often daily".
<p><b><u>2022</u></b><p>7 Waxwings in flight low over on afternoon 26 November, while helping parents with a bonfire, quite likely more in area as not seen perched, Fieldfare also present at apple trees. Happy memories of seeing Waxwings regularly in years gone by (<a href="http://sedgewarbler.blogspot.com/2009/07/waxwings-in-banchory-area-some.html">1985-95 blog</a>). From kitchen window view of an old Magpie nest (this species recorded only once in 1980s, still scarce 1990s, now resident and common).<p>
<p><b><u>2021</u></b><p>Tree Sparrows still resident, 5 May, a new colonist in recent years - no records by me anywhere in neighbourhood when resident c. 1980-1990.<p>
<p><b><u>2020</u></b><p>Red Kite - third for garden, circling high over on 12 January.<p>
<p><b><u>2019</u></b><p>Red Kite - second for garden, circling low over on 16 January.<p>
<p><b><u>2018</u></b><p>Tree Sparrows in garden 18 August - first recorded occurence.<p>
<p><b><u>2015</u></b><p>Red-letter day for parents with a Red Kite thermalling over, 29 March (first record in 48 years!) <b style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);">species number 64</b>.<p><b><u>2010</u></b> <p>First update for this garden for a while - Waxwing on bird table today (25/2), though looked in poor shape - presumably struggling to find food after arriving in the last month or so as part of the small late winter influx right down the east coast. Photos:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYd2_l_nasNlP332qSBVEc8Pb40hd5-9QB98dCwqjgsIzmb4b1iFLyUZaLvDTcSxa_B2CdB2VZHzahQTldrYUquPb9uybCH_YwMRKJGYXDuVMHFPvwJroGmqdCi3MmM2e3p9pCKiOkKDI/s1600-h/Waxy1_crop.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYd2_l_nasNlP332qSBVEc8Pb40hd5-9QB98dCwqjgsIzmb4b1iFLyUZaLvDTcSxa_B2CdB2VZHzahQTldrYUquPb9uybCH_YwMRKJGYXDuVMHFPvwJroGmqdCi3MmM2e3p9pCKiOkKDI/s400/Waxy1_crop.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442303367304808994"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9rJVdL55h5JOOHgyfaXxh2vQyeF-_DQQlVPTO7hA-A74faNn9obhOYFnpbKY6xczhYslqYpRQePnJhJqZSIJjWAsFahMmUHFKPpaC9nVke1szSPoHum3UpW7GX3Xfosim68aFSWWvI78/s1600-h/Waxy2_crop.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 282px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9rJVdL55h5JOOHgyfaXxh2vQyeF-_DQQlVPTO7hA-A74faNn9obhOYFnpbKY6xczhYslqYpRQePnJhJqZSIJjWAsFahMmUHFKPpaC9nVke1szSPoHum3UpW7GX3Xfosim68aFSWWvI78/s400/Waxy2_crop.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442303369785994754"></a>Another bird in a garden elsewhere in Grampian is known from colour rings to be a returning bird, as reported on the BTO demog blog, <a href="http://btoringing.blogspot.com/2010/02/waxwing-returns-to-scottish-garden.html">here</a>.</br></br>Another change from earlier years is that Magpie is now regular in the garden.</br><p> <b><u>2005</u></b> <p> 50 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=124001">Waxwings</a> were again present on 28 March. <p> In week of 27 February all four thrushes were feeding in the garden (<a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=130289" target="_blank">Redwing</a>, <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=130288" target="_blank">Fieldfare</a>, <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=130290" target="_blank">Song Thrush</a> & <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=130277" target="_blank">Blackbird</a>). The <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=130288" target="_blank">Fieldfare</a> was coming to bread on a daily basis and was seen on the bird table on 2 March when snow was heaviest. It is much more able to hold its own with the resident <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=130277" target="_blank">Blackbirds</a> which are vigorously defending "their" food source, and probably pretty annoyed about these various intruders. The <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=130289" target="_blank">Redwing</a>, apparently shyer, spent more time skulking under the hedge, perhaps hoping to pick up scraps left by the larger thrushes. <p> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=124001">Waxwings</a> were back at the end of February, with 20+ seen 25-27 February, but a second-hand report of "200" up the road. <p> On 23 February a <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=130289" target="_blank">Redwing</a> was present in the garden squabbling with <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=130289" target="_blank">Blackbird</a> for scraps of bread under the bird table and in flight (and coming off worst). Snow was lying at the time. This behaviour may be unusual in the UK, though it seems to be perfectly normal for Iceland. <p> 36 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=124001">Waxwings</a> showed up in the last week of January, including eight colour-ringed birds - all ringed locally by the Grampian Ringing Group, in Aberdeen (4), Aboyne (3) and Inverurie (1). All of the Aberdeen-ringed birds had also been seen subsequently in other places on Deeside, i.e. Aboyne (3) and Westhill (1). All but the Inverurie bird had been ringed on or after 24 December 2004. <p> <i><b><u>Note on local Waxwings</u></b> </i><p> <i>These records prompted me to make a <a href="http://sedgewarbler.blogspot.com/2009/07/waxwings-in-banchory-area-some.html">review</a> of our <a target="_blank" href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=124001">Waxwing</a> records in NE Banchory between 1985 and 2005 (birds also occurred in earlier years but I made no systematic records). A total of over 500 birds-days were recorded distributed over 14 out of the 21 years. </i><p> <i>Strong regional correlation is shown with over 10 birds logged in Banchory in every year when peak flock size exceeded 100 in the North-East Scotland Bird Report (NESBR) region whilst in every year with regional peak flock size was below 10 no birds were seen. In the other years (10-100 peak flock size regionally) normally 1-10 birds were seen in Banchory. The ratio of local to regional peak flock size is fairly consistent at around 15%.<br /></i></p><p><i>Most birds have occurred in Banchory in December with a linear decrease through to April (latest record 23 April 1985). No birds have been seen in October whilst birds arrived in November for the first time in 2004. </i><br /><p> <i>Birds have most often been found feeding on cotoneaster berries (frequency 65%), with gean, rowan, apples, hawthorn and rosehip visited in decreasing frequency. Rowan may actually be preferred but berries tend to be exhausted by the time the birds arrive, as are geans (cherries). Amongst the cotoneaster varieties, <i>Cot. bullatus</i> seems to be most favoured, followed by the taller <i>Cot. simondsii</i> and the hedge-forming <i>Cot. horizontalis</i>. The latter is the most common in the area, mainly on Raemoir Road, and has normally been the major food source exploited. </i><p> <i>Study data is summarised in this <a target="_blank" href="http://www.box.net/shared/xc33lucn87">linked spreadsheet</a>.</i> <p> <b><u>2004</u></b> </p><p> <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=173061" target="_blank">Herring Gulls</a>, which in earlier years were an abundant visitor passing overhead to the local refuse dump, are now much reduced in numbers. An analysis of records from 1984 to date has shown a reduction to less than a quarter of the former population. </p><p> <b><u>2003</u></b> </p><p> <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=173061" target="_blank">Magpie</a> again on 24 December. 2 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=027083">Mallard</a> over the same day. </p><p> <b><u>2002</u></b> </p><p> A <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=173061" target="_blank">Magpie</a> was present during week of 17 November - confirming increased presence. </p><p> A couple of <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=148001" target="_blank">Treecreepers</a> on our ancient pear tree on 17 September. </p><p> <b><u>2001</u></b> </p><p> <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=173098" target="_blank">Hooded Crow</a> (or close lookalike) nearby on 22 December. </p><p> <b><u>2000</u></b> </p><p> 4 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=124001">Waxwings</a> on 27 December. </p><p> <b><u>1999</u></b> </p><p> Male <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=161001" target="_blank">Chaffinch</a> observed tapping for long periods on house/garage windows from early March through into May, presumably in aggression towards its reflection. Placement of a Snowy Owl picture in the relevant window detered it for 4 days, but tapping subsequently resumed at a reduced intensity. </p><p> <b><u>1998</u></b> </p><p> 2 late <a target="_blank" href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=079085">Swifts</a> in last week of August. </p><p> <b><u>1997</u></b> </p><p> 2 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=124001">Waxwings</a> late March/early April. </p><p> <b><u>1996</u></b> </p><p> A <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=173061" target="_blank">Magpie</a> was seen again at Christmas (all sightings up to this point being 23/12/84, 22/12/90, 23/12/93, 28/12/94, 26/12/96) </p><p> A female <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=136342" target="_blank">Blackcap</a> was present end of March/early April. <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=030181" target="_blank">Common Buzzards</a> were seen regularly soaring to the north in early April. A pair of <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=027140" target="_blank">Goosander</a> flew N on 6 April (3rd record). </p><p> <b><u>1995</u></b> </p><p> Male <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=136342" target="_blank">Blackcap</a> and 30 <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=130288" target="_blank">Fieldfare</a> were present in late December. </p><p> <b><u>1994</u></b> </p><p> <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=173098" target="_blank">Hooded Crow</a> recorded again on 26 December. </p><p> A male <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=136342" target="_blank">Blackcap</a> was present in February. </p><p> <b><u>1993</u></b> </p><p> <b style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);">First record</b> of <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=173098" target="_blank">Hooded Crow</a> for the garden with a single S on 27 December - <b style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);">species number 63</b> [PS - hybrid not excluded, but an obvious bird]. </p><p> <b><u>1992</u></b> </p><p> Five years after the breeding record, a <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=136361" target="_blank">Goldcrest</a> was singing in the sitka spruce again on 19 April. </p><p> <b><u>1991</u></b> </p><p> <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=144001" target="_blank">Long-tailed Tits</a> and <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=124001" target="_blank">Waxwings</a> (17) were again present in December </p><p> A <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=073093" target="_blank">Tawny Owl</a> was heard on 27 March - <b style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);">species number 62</b>. </p><p> <b><u>1990</u></b> </p><p> Over 100 <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=118063" target="_blank">Pied Wagtails</a> were seen circling over a presumed roost site. </p><p> The second <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=137026" target="_blank">Spotted Flycatcher</a> for the garden was present on 4 September, just 2 calendar days later than first sighting in 1987. </p><p> A <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=030181" target="_blank">Common Buzzard</a> was seen on 28 March - <b style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);">first for garden, species number 61</b> - and three were seen displaying on 5 April. A pair of <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=161066" target="_blank">Lesser Redpolls</a> were also present end of March/early April. <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=030181" target="_blank">Buzzards</a> and <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=161066" target="_blank">Lesser Redpolls</a> were still present in July. </p><p> <b><u>1989</u></b> </p><p> <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=144001" target="_blank">Long-tailed Tits</a> were seen in December and 300 thrushes (<a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=130288" target="_blank">Fieldfare</a> and <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=130289" target="_blank">Redwing</a>) passed over on 18 December. </p><p> 2 <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=027140" target="_blank">Goosanders</a> overhead on 6 October (2nd record). </p><p> Male <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=161066" target="_blank">Lesser Redpoll</a> in song during July - <b style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);">first record, species number 60</b>. </p><p> 3 <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=155040" target="_blank">Reed Buntings</a> present end of March/early April <b style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);">first record, species number 59</b>. </p><p> 1700 <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=173088" target="_blank">Rooks</a> and <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=173074" target="_blank">Jackdaws</a> were seen in a roost flock during January. </p><p> <b><u>1988</u></b> </p><p> <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=056025" target="_blank">Golden Plovers</a> were heard calling overhead during the night on 3 October (the day before I left to start university) <b style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);">first record, species number 58</b>. </p><p> 2 <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=027140" target="_blank">Goosanders</a> circled over the garden on 5 September <b style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);">first record, species number 57</b>. </p><p> Migrant <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=118031" target="_blank">Meadow Pipits</a> were seen on 12 occasions between 24 July and 21 September. </p><p> A male <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=161003" target="_blank">Brambling</a> was seen on 22 March, <b style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);">first record, species number 56</b>, and <a href="http://www.birdguides.cohttp//www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=057010" target="_blank">Curlews</a> were seen flying N on 24 March. </p><p> <b><u>1987</u></b> </p><p> A <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=137<br />026" target="_blank">Spotted Flycatcher</a> was present on 2 September <b style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);">first record, species number 55</b>. </p><p> Migrant <a href="http://www.birdguides.cohttp//www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=057010" target="_blank">Curlews</a> were sighted high overhead in July and both male and female <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=136344" target="_blank">Common Whitethroat</a> in August. </p><p> A <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=155004" target="_blank">Yellowhammer</a> was perched in our birch tree on 4 May - <b style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);">first record, species number 54</b>. </p><p> <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=136361" target="_blank">Goldcrests</a> bred in a tall Sitka Spruce tree in our neighbour's garden, being seen first on 26 February and last on 20 July. These were the first individuals of this species ever seen in the garden! </p><p> A <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=056001" target="_blank">Lapwing</a> flew N on 14 March and <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=124001" target="_blank">Waxwings</a> were present on 20 March. </p><p> A male <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=136342" target="_blank">Blackcap</a> was seen in January, February and March. </p><p> <b><u>1986</u></b> </p><p> Between October and December 8 flocks of <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=027022" target="_blank">Greylag</a> or <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=027019" target="_blank">Pinkfoot</a> geese were sighted. </p><p> Migrant <a href="http://www.birdguides.cohttp//www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=057010" target="_blank">Curlews</a> were seen moving south high overhead, the first being 11 birds on 28 June. </p><p> <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=117040" target="_blank">Swallows</a> bred in a neighbour's porch and despite attentions of local cats a single bird fledged on 20 July. <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=136286" target="_blank">Willow Warblers</a> were seen regularly with up to 8 birds in the garden on 7 August, when a <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=136344" target="_blank">Common Whitethroat</a> was also present. 3 broods of young <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=163023" target="_blank">House Sparrows</a> fledged as last year (c. 15 May, 27 June and 6 August). </p><p> Adult <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=071014" target="_blank">Cuckoo</a> seen on 27 June. </p><p> A lost female <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=035191" target="_blank">Pheasant</a> was observed walking down the road behind the house on 23 March. </p><p> Up to 8 <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=124001" target="_blank">Waxwings</a> were present in January, February and March and on 15 March we watched them drinking from gutter above our back door while eating breakfast. </p><p> <b><u>1985</u></b> </p><p> A party of up to 15 <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=144001" target="_blank">Long-tailed Tits</a> visited the garden at end of November and twice in early December. </p><p> 30 <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=161046" target="_blank">Siskin</a> were present on 18 September. </p><p> <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=163023" target="_blank">House Sparrows</a> had a good breeding season with 3 broods fledged (c. 27 May, 12 July, 18 August). <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=130277" target="_blank">Blackbirds</a> were also very successful with up to 35 individuals in the garden. Up to three <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=136286" target="_blank">Willow Warblers</a> were also seen in early August. </p><p> Single <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=124001" target="_blank">Waxwing</a> seen on 15 January and 1st year male <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=136342" target="_blank">Blackcap</a> on 2 February. </p><p> <b><u>1984</u></b> </p><p> <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=173061" target="_blank">Magpie</a> S on 23 December - the only individual seen during 1980's though birds present on farmland c. 1 mile to N. </p><p> <b><u>1978</u></b> </p><p> Active <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=130277" target="_blank">Blackbird</a> nest in quince bush beside our front door, 13 May.</p><p> <b><u>1976</u></b> </p><p> Active <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=130292" target="_blank">Mistle Thrush</a> nest in pear tree outside my bedroom window, 9 May.<p>
[1967 - parents moved to house on Woodside Road.]welchshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00378942325088808236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2376184590270819842.post-16392572285427835672022-01-02T00:02:00.026+00:002022-01-29T01:04:48.913+00:00Seton/Gosford patch 2021<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPNxwnZRlGZT-1LRXL0maPYDiicrTmCUNdTU4k6CdsBgicMvZg2ScEQECl8DKWUuMXc8XNmwWGvwsRdJ-70_EN5MMt7KjSFRtRzafmaLYGlTZRiBOrGAML-Aw0_u_qp0wgSiQfs-H-YWp_LPvwCXZNt10At6AXc_FNO2_lB2XU1p7MhQlbN7KclGB7=s4812" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2696" data-original-width="4812" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPNxwnZRlGZT-1LRXL0maPYDiicrTmCUNdTU4k6CdsBgicMvZg2ScEQECl8DKWUuMXc8XNmwWGvwsRdJ-70_EN5MMt7KjSFRtRzafmaLYGlTZRiBOrGAML-Aw0_u_qp0wgSiQfs-H-YWp_LPvwCXZNt10At6AXc_FNO2_lB2XU1p7MhQlbN7KclGB7=s600" width="600" /></a></div>
Posted a <a href="https://twitter.com/lothianrecorder/status/1477030187145609219?s=20">Twitter thread</a> summarising patch birding for 2021, expanding with some further comments here. Usual annual analysis of bird records - to identify trends and points of (local!) interest; 11,768 patch #BirdTrack records of 148 species on 361 lists (286 Seton, 75 Gosford, 232 “complete”) 237k birds counted, c. 400k birds checked, top 20 sum totals in table (omitting the common gulls and some other common species which were not always counted):
<p>
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEifxCVpanGMNAJLuwzO5QOPrea24Jp_QCWxpFaqZVy5mNUygZSF41wU7Ad91qaKfQxf5nfLmSN6i_J-q8maqQTOYvY9-bzyO4n_uhIPPQEQ-xMnlpYHgN730GA8oVyteb1z-nKPnZsWGHI7bXCpNSiUb2Xlu0cR0UvJ2hXuhPgEYwUBs8vChytwDQaU=s654" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="366" data-original-width="654" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEifxCVpanGMNAJLuwzO5QOPrea24Jp_QCWxpFaqZVy5mNUygZSF41wU7Ad91qaKfQxf5nfLmSN6i_J-q8maqQTOYvY9-bzyO4n_uhIPPQEQ-xMnlpYHgN730GA8oVyteb1z-nKPnZsWGHI7bXCpNSiUb2Xlu0cR0UvJ2hXuhPgEYwUBs8vChytwDQaU=w320-h179" width="320" /></a></div>
<p>
Some huge differences from <a href="https://twitter.com/lothianrecorder/status/1344756443547840514?s=20">2020 totals</a>, with Pinks down by an order of magnitude, which is probably just be a consequence of their feeding area habits this year, with daily commutes not taking most of them over our house! Sandwich and Arctic Terns did not appear in such large numbers, though 2020 was fairly exceptional. New on the leaderboard are auks, but probably for the wrong reasons - Guillemots in fact first appeared in abnormal numbers from mid June, with 297 on 20/6 being 3 times my previous peak June count (from 2020); only 20-odd Razorbills in June and they peaked later with 740 on 14/9/21, my only comparable count being c. 500 on 24/8/20; interestingly, small numbers persisted feeding offshore until the year end and checking records (value of systematic data!) found I had no previous records in fourth quarter of the year for this species (since 2004), but quite a few for Guillemot. Of course, the malaise affecting them this year has been <a href="https://www.birdguides.com/news/investigation-launched-as-auk-crisis-worsens/">much speculated on, and possibly associated with algal blooms</a>, but this local data indicates displacement of feeding over a very long duration, but also evidence that some birds have survived OK to the year end in unfamiliar locations.
</p><p>
Totals for some scarcer species of interest here - new annual peaks for 6 species incl Mediterranean Gull (up from 216 in 2020) and Roseate Tern (far above any previous); two patch ticks in red.
</p><p>
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhTGktK9aV88Wfz_OD2YIaNUMgfr1iXz2RuBDQZUa8GWQ8EVsAUYYokvlvQiVVc9A4C7CadqLAFRMITMwjmR0GxKJtyHHYL3vhkRfNlJsX7xQG2rvFZqtHS8qhqPt2cnqGPcy8raRHgQiirBthYV1Gcx1kQxnziZ2egDb8mnk8Tb0XrPL3lTC0HCSdu=s647" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="464" data-original-width="647" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhTGktK9aV88Wfz_OD2YIaNUMgfr1iXz2RuBDQZUa8GWQ8EVsAUYYokvlvQiVVc9A4C7CadqLAFRMITMwjmR0GxKJtyHHYL3vhkRfNlJsX7xQG2rvFZqtHS8qhqPt2cnqGPcy8raRHgQiirBthYV1Gcx1kQxnziZ2egDb8mnk8Tb0XrPL3lTC0HCSdu=w320-h229" width="320" /></a></div>
<p>
<b>Omissions from 2020</b> include Water Rail, Snipe, Black Tern and Yellowhammer, plus scarcities. <b>Additions to 2020</b> included Woodcock, Blackwit, Little Auk and Wheatear, plus scarcities. In addition to the 148 species, a migrant eared owl distantly offshore would have been 149 if confirmed and hybrid Hooded Crow is another half species (plus hybrid LBB x Herring and BHG x Med, see <a href="https://sedgewarbler.blogspot.com/2022/01/ring-reading-2021.html">2021 ring reading</a>). Some omissions could certainly be found with dedicated effort, e.g. with the demise of the main pond I have not be going to Blindwells which used to hold Yellowhammer regularly, but as per below I'm not really "year listing" per se, just adding up what has been encountered in purposeful bird recording.
</p><p>
Pics of the two patch ticks with Ring-billed Gull (26/3 & 8/4) and King Eider (26/10), both presumed same as elsewhere in Lothian both before and after but both are new birds for Port Seton; gull first found while out at pipe reading Common Gull rings.
</p><p>
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgZXAki0YxokQb-kkiwDuXpOzxc1EUTQRaMLK8iifHWCC9BhgjAhuYUlkKapKDUOyMNAAWVgRGSVnTaZJV0c1ZZPytUnJOLayb-PWoNL-65viecO2vZ5fXXg2gCF2lhu0Vz7RiAag8JzL-pNCn7YnrCkDlfMxw2Tde7-3ytTLOqB-x0wnXWvzBfwJJF=s1002" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="611" data-original-width="1002" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgZXAki0YxokQb-kkiwDuXpOzxc1EUTQRaMLK8iifHWCC9BhgjAhuYUlkKapKDUOyMNAAWVgRGSVnTaZJV0c1ZZPytUnJOLayb-PWoNL-65viecO2vZ5fXXg2gCF2lhu0Vz7RiAag8JzL-pNCn7YnrCkDlfMxw2Tde7-3ytTLOqB-x0wnXWvzBfwJJF=w400-h244" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXg5bwbMJKwWxY-dJVWpMdv52r99hk9Tfa8f83iJjd52kpibrI48NS_GxfoUgMsJcaxoRR7Jtt09BUCfi_1s5OaaKHbLr8MWHkZ3EmDqTm9qrw5SECKS5dbRPHR5nqOTfouc74yy9IwTdz18uumNK5FMhbLa9-YsQqrxSssfE7kcBDPMOWFsbYRXrT=s1129" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="686" data-original-width="1129" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXg5bwbMJKwWxY-dJVWpMdv52r99hk9Tfa8f83iJjd52kpibrI48NS_GxfoUgMsJcaxoRR7Jtt09BUCfi_1s5OaaKHbLr8MWHkZ3EmDqTm9qrw5SECKS5dbRPHR5nqOTfouc74yy9IwTdz18uumNK5FMhbLa9-YsQqrxSssfE7kcBDPMOWFsbYRXrT=w400-h243" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEicHjaEgXQPUzsSI4xKqvPB50xtU4NiJV3kd5QJNA1r80J_Of6mVjmN9fEg6mEcSQS9IipWUzpi9jSWECUviGPEYEitxn3dXfbSsRAkMlnDFpjUUVDSMaIQWis2N15PyF_IU0cnVUp3a9zxFZTJXE7dDFkkHWepQSSGBaXMzpnVv_QnXjXK-0Kbtcvj=s1159" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="610" data-original-width="1159" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEicHjaEgXQPUzsSI4xKqvPB50xtU4NiJV3kd5QJNA1r80J_Of6mVjmN9fEg6mEcSQS9IipWUzpi9jSWECUviGPEYEitxn3dXfbSsRAkMlnDFpjUUVDSMaIQWis2N15PyF_IU0cnVUp3a9zxFZTJXE7dDFkkHWepQSSGBaXMzpnVv_QnXjXK-0Kbtcvj=w400-h210" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJDcAhdazZuaam1TqDFyxdxF3ydBYUwCWooAW00Bs_Fg7QjALhdXPz_OOKHRnhpa8Erm6NdPXDa8AI-A1LLIvnJJyfT92d7Li8Eq-tRPa1ULzJ1JCLRkq_S-VuRcunSCoTjkDuB5awbDT2BtJQyLJGTb9B5QdqiYZ0Cd8-AYgoibo9xocYhF-GDUyS=s1280" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJDcAhdazZuaam1TqDFyxdxF3ydBYUwCWooAW00Bs_Fg7QjALhdXPz_OOKHRnhpa8Erm6NdPXDa8AI-A1LLIvnJJyfT92d7Li8Eq-tRPa1ULzJ1JCLRkq_S-VuRcunSCoTjkDuB5awbDT2BtJQyLJGTb9B5QdqiYZ0Cd8-AYgoibo9xocYhF-GDUyS=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></div>
<p>
Checking back it seems my previous additions to Seton/Gosford bird list were Leach's Petrel (2012), Gull-billed Tern (2016) and Hobby (2020). Others may be Sabine's Gull (2011), Garganey (2014), Water Pipits (joint find, 2018) and first accepted Reed Warbler (2015, but first report was 2013); also Black Swan (2010) [category E].
</p><p>
My overall patch total now 183 species, but includes 4 rarities found by others (Marsh Warbler, Rose-coloured Starling, Avocet and Smew), so 179 self-found. Outstanding patch targets seen here by others include Redstart, Raven, Red Kite, Hawfinch, Twite and Hen Harrier. Historical rarities include Bridled Tern (9/7/14), Storm Petrel (14/11/04, 30/8/96 & 5/12/67), Western Sandpiper (24/8/97), American Wigeon (Jan, Mar 1996), Black Scoter (1/12/87-1/1/88, 14/3/89) and Black Stork (29/5/46), while now lost are Corn Bunting (last 1987) and Turtle Dove (prs 1955-57, bred 1958, 1960, 1964-66 and during 1968-72 Atlas). 200 species would be an ambitious long term patch target.
</p><p>
2021 obs benefitted from more flexibility in mainly home working, with 104 bike excursions mainly at dusk, and obs via car almost entirely en route on other necessary journeys, mainly family transport locally, i.e. my own “green rules”; only proper car trips for WeBS, BBS and WWT Goose Census. Hard to eliminate the car, but birding is far better by bike anyway, if it's feasible.
</p><p>
Being constrained to visit patch at certain times of day (many years during athletics, football and rugby training) is not always ideal, though the evening ones may sometimes usefully coincide with gull roosts :) There are so many other things to juggle to really make patch birding effective - also the condition of the tide, wind direction, visibility and often most critically, the potential for human disturbance (dog walkers, wind surfers, etc). Thankfully the long running problem of disturbance at Seton during swan feeding at dusk has been much reduced this year - swans still fed but not at same place/time - though it has kind of been replaced by cars with "banger" exhausts cruising the coast road and flushing all shorebirds on far too many occasions. Considering also the potential for ring reading (see <a href="https://sedgewarbler.blogspot.com/2022/01/ring-reading-2021.html">separate blog</a>) I know that Billy will be covering the high tides at Port Seton so to split our coverage I have tended to head more to Gosford (pics here), which can be excellent for gulls and terns (see <a href="https://sedgewarbler.blogspot.com/2020/07/gosford-sands.html">2020 blog</a>) but very much dependent on state of tide and disturbance - with the tide out there is no hope of reading any rings and even ID can become a challenge, while if the tide is fully in it only takes one walker to clear the whole shore.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgvpu64n8k8tzqa0ebr1BiyCN2EzIMqqmH5vgSvvAZcJVM4eGDUq9Gyk_siwU42tNZNFsIkBPDbQuj-w4MqNMFXYIFbM_IaVsBsbd1MI-PZj0hPsVCge3uK_BPw5s2h5zSok_qz-7Gjs4KqZK_yvSu7SL8COD4l2JTz34sBrlpWVGen70sYzGdKbYkR=s7791" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="5843" data-original-width="7791" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgvpu64n8k8tzqa0ebr1BiyCN2EzIMqqmH5vgSvvAZcJVM4eGDUq9Gyk_siwU42tNZNFsIkBPDbQuj-w4MqNMFXYIFbM_IaVsBsbd1MI-PZj0hPsVCge3uK_BPw5s2h5zSok_qz-7Gjs4KqZK_yvSu7SL8COD4l2JTz34sBrlpWVGen70sYzGdKbYkR=s320"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUwhtzTmKc8j6aV4qihXES0aOMzZCUHn9D3thuNdggzenSpQrWjak4tHMixoVZnIaMmKu7iXUtHFCUfRvK2XvMcieaAlqSRezyU2MdPkQX_MAfOjF-7WixpBTnFLgFxrLe2vFyFa0GfYg8qSBnneUN8GJ2SMYhugdklRAN2cYGpvrSDxS_m4my0Z-l=s8000" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="8000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUwhtzTmKc8j6aV4qihXES0aOMzZCUHn9D3thuNdggzenSpQrWjak4tHMixoVZnIaMmKu7iXUtHFCUfRvK2XvMcieaAlqSRezyU2MdPkQX_MAfOjF-7WixpBTnFLgFxrLe2vFyFa0GfYg8qSBnneUN8GJ2SMYhugdklRAN2cYGpvrSDxS_m4my0Z-l=s320"/></a></div>
</p><p>
Anyway, while most birders favour dawn for outings, and I've done some of that for vismig in the past, with constraints of family and work this is often impractical and I have tried to turn this to an advantage in observing roosting behaviours! Many birds just slip away at the end of the day but beyond gulls & terns there's potentially much of interest in roosting behaviour of other species. I've previously found Redwings roosting in small numbers in thick cover in Fernyness Wood but never traced our Fieldfares, though had noted them heading off inland at dusk since at least Dec-16. Finally found this communal roost in a deciduous shelter belt at Hoprig, adjacent to the abandoned go-kart track, with at least 700 arriving from different directions and dropping in on 28 January, quite a spectacle. Lothian Bird Reports and database suggest we have only a couple of previous records of Fieldfare roosts - natually some info for Aberlady/Gullane (where they stay put) and a small roost at Tailend Moss throughout March 1993. A rather different example, Red-necked Grebes were observed at dusk on many dates roosting on the sea off Longniddry Bents, 2 birds present many days between 9 June and 7 August; there seems to be very little literature on the roosting habits of this species, hence perhaps of interest to note very faithful to small area on sea NW off c/p 2 - <a href="https://twitter.com/lothianrecorder/status/1409125737727156231?s=20">once seen flying in from Gosford</a> just before sunset; normally tucking heads in around 15 mins after sunset but often waking to preen a little more. Pics below, the pair in second image and just one bird central in third image:
</p><p>
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhcdXchUYWg8TKDoTMLRNMfA73BYcpETx5p7mV0vVili-hVbAG-pEzUQKumtA_k-Epf1ijBy7p_zyNQA_71-ABeGf-9d97oZFdi197I-UapZDm-3QZGM_S3FCEOyY9lRqMUEpxt6aX3v8XXUIppL6c50c8Sa1UaybPudwHa5Db-95R9XNXmlU_M-k7j=s5969" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="3771" data-original-width="5969" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhcdXchUYWg8TKDoTMLRNMfA73BYcpETx5p7mV0vVili-hVbAG-pEzUQKumtA_k-Epf1ijBy7p_zyNQA_71-ABeGf-9d97oZFdi197I-UapZDm-3QZGM_S3FCEOyY9lRqMUEpxt6aX3v8XXUIppL6c50c8Sa1UaybPudwHa5Db-95R9XNXmlU_M-k7j=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhDg-lNZremrSj-NcdcCPVbGYhIwoQPE2BFZaR4SPAot4qr9zTyuxt3aDzQcwsGYZwEbthLjssOUztqzzMW3xKREzDIYIGyKedO1JfNVo6zoeAVTcRa5Tf3I1FqfybPRKM4H6AHUcXtbaEJD-UkYG_tkCUybnVEGZg9DJpto2W9wYmACnTX4NAKZzmD=s4064" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2358" data-original-width="4064" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhDg-lNZremrSj-NcdcCPVbGYhIwoQPE2BFZaR4SPAot4qr9zTyuxt3aDzQcwsGYZwEbthLjssOUztqzzMW3xKREzDIYIGyKedO1JfNVo6zoeAVTcRa5Tf3I1FqfybPRKM4H6AHUcXtbaEJD-UkYG_tkCUybnVEGZg9DJpto2W9wYmACnTX4NAKZzmD=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgVD96pz2kP1oKO26pk0HqgXzNjXc94OtD_Gt7ZY2_vVAPORQz-01iIT5_aKJvoQL9jBGLsMryM_fKsAc8724MYUy3pAOAtUl2w0VAJNAGlF_fGqa_nf92I66Vcx5kHJRYaB1WDtyDIYMRa0n952MxdTlCBXNw6pPVQFiCIlU3maJRproXa7fWg5oKL=s892" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="538" data-original-width="892" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgVD96pz2kP1oKO26pk0HqgXzNjXc94OtD_Gt7ZY2_vVAPORQz-01iIT5_aKJvoQL9jBGLsMryM_fKsAc8724MYUy3pAOAtUl2w0VAJNAGlF_fGqa_nf92I66Vcx5kHJRYaB1WDtyDIYMRa0n952MxdTlCBXNw6pPVQFiCIlU3maJRproXa7fWg5oKL=s320" width="320" /></a></div>
<p>
Another roosting behaviour observed since at least 2012 is the gathering of Red-breasted Mergansers off Seton Sands at dusk; these also are sometimes seen flying in, normally from the north-east, and often congregate on calmer waters sheltered inside the line of rocks from Long Craigs (depending on tide and wind). Peak count was 56 on 30/9/20 but numbers more typically 10-30. Both species of scoter, particularly Velvets, sometimes also alight on the sea just off the burn, though more typically they head west at dusk, presumably to Musslburgh area.
</p><p>
An apparently new roosting trend is Golden Plover coming in off sea from the north-east to roost at the Long Craigs rocks, presumably from feeding in the Aberlady or inland somewhere east. Noted on 6 dates since 13/12/21 including 305 on 1/1/22. By constrast at other times they can be seen flying inland at dusk - noted this year in August and last year during the Golden Plover survey on 17 October - progressive departure inland until 18:40hrs (34 mins after sunset, which on a gloomy day meant impossible to see if any remained on the shore). These dusk departures presumbly for feeding inland - which seems the opposite of this December's observation - perhaps the birds see the Long Craigs rocks as a safer roost than other coastal sites, or farmland? This behaviour likely overlooked in the past, timing being typically 30 mins after sunset when most normal birders have gone home!
</p><p>
15 species of mammal logged, highlight being lifer Sei Whale blowing on horizon on an excursion from Fife, lowlight being <a href="https://www.eastlothiancourier.com/news/19588336.dead-whale-washes-beach-near-port-seton/%20">Sowerby’s Beaked Whale dead on the beach entangled in rope</a>; with aid of new bat detector have found Soprano and Common Pipistrelle well distributed around the village, with both species together at the clubhouse. The NBN Atlas maps (<a href="https://species.nbnatlas.org/species/NBNSYS0100004720">Soprano</a>, <a href="https://species.nbnatlas.org/species/NHMSYS0020001355">Common</a>) suggest the former is marginally more common in the central belt (7:5 ratio) but are data deficient for Longniddry - all my records submitted with pinpoints in BirdTrack so will hopefully appear in due course!
</p><p>
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhu7pwEgDnbLdGfqhD1VFf00RVDPL4dO55oxjRNzVLWmYOMj3wSo3fChRfub7ZGrXE2Qzpboaap7MoLwxJsh9iZCp0kDr38SyPxpIDc40FhkLUvhurNXjqHzzXbsshtt377Pjr7_w_frPZnh8aG4sP2ye882dR5P4D6QjSk2JOQBMHqjh9PQxHVe0sS=s8000" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="8000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhu7pwEgDnbLdGfqhD1VFf00RVDPL4dO55oxjRNzVLWmYOMj3wSo3fChRfub7ZGrXE2Qzpboaap7MoLwxJsh9iZCp0kDr38SyPxpIDc40FhkLUvhurNXjqHzzXbsshtt377Pjr7_w_frPZnh8aG4sP2ye882dR5P4D6QjSk2JOQBMHqjh9PQxHVe0sS=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEigscHwZT3zqS0Fd-HoJUWb3OZ-YCp6ADRcBdWZLGk6bYD7GdoiC3sXXv8BxYcSPVZBQG4zFTh9UXF-9OmofGUUGhs_v_OY7W9tCDM1zNv-l2E2AiQt91u4ZBQAVYMRCfBzcUGPoNQyDm5xJBDbeILgX2gveKmiLZ73SLJVi8BS5KTahpFxo7QD3UhY=s8000" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="8000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEigscHwZT3zqS0Fd-HoJUWb3OZ-YCp6ADRcBdWZLGk6bYD7GdoiC3sXXv8BxYcSPVZBQG4zFTh9UXF-9OmofGUUGhs_v_OY7W9tCDM1zNv-l2E2AiQt91u4ZBQAVYMRCfBzcUGPoNQyDm5xJBDbeILgX2gveKmiLZ73SLJVi8BS5KTahpFxo7QD3UhY=s320" width="320" /></a></div>Finally, the old bugbear of rubbish; nothing new, continues to accumulate along roads and footpaths on a daily basis; my observations suggests ~10 items are appearing per km per day, based on traffic rates on B1348, if the average trip is 10 km (out from Edinburgh) then something like 2% of drivers are disposing of waste from their car windows, cans and bottles and fish and chips packaging from Alandas (who provide bins and support volunteer litter pickers). I tend to collect a bag of rubbish per bike trip out, sometimes more, think I'm probably clearing 5-10k items per annum, minimum. Incidentally, I do not agree with local residents who put up laminated signs in c/p 1 demanding more bins, as some evidence from elsewhere in UK has been that they can be counter productive (<a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-58307325?fbclid=IwAR3ro2CZMPyqSrW-iLldP03VTnRTee8yJd4TlxMS8kzFe-1Q3B5EL8hjFJg">link</a>); we must at least acknowledge that this is a topic which should be discussed, chronic and long-standing issues need careful thought, not what would seem to be simple knee jerk responses, and I particularly did not like the presumption on those signs that they reflected a local consensus, they were signed "Longniddry residents" yet no formal local consultation had been done (and I had posted my views to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/longniddrycommunitycouncil/posts/1687371901449251">discussion post</a> on Longniddry Community Council). The oldest item found this year, a Monster Munch packet, best before 4 September 1993, still quite intact:
<p>
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjlbSS-e--s-K8mkeF7wfpe08_mcGfi-dnnFKumz_HgN8jjFb8NzQeavMT2NoxGmYkQEyZjQM7o4JPUPztc44MZ4woFUHbE2NrtWozo2K2FRYanA2VoeWbBzHh8DgoPzR0eniLEQoE967Gq9zyDV1F8HwkpQjMoXyBdU1Jo4VHwApeHBmtLkm1--nuM=s2185" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1502" data-original-width="2185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjlbSS-e--s-K8mkeF7wfpe08_mcGfi-dnnFKumz_HgN8jjFb8NzQeavMT2NoxGmYkQEyZjQM7o4JPUPztc44MZ4woFUHbE2NrtWozo2K2FRYanA2VoeWbBzHh8DgoPzR0eniLEQoE967Gq9zyDV1F8HwkpQjMoXyBdU1Jo4VHwApeHBmtLkm1--nuM=s320" width="320" /></a></div>
<p>
Only did one Bents party clearance this year, 4 April mid-Bents, several hundred items (pics after some already removed), fire had also spread to surrounding area, leading to fire service call out.
</p><p>
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjc6qUQQSkYBtJRw_hut2Y0yyB_djwwZ3cgrsjKGap1Vc1-l7yoTdnqlm_qSLmTUjIsIdqVZ7Lwrf4gYSdJpWBUTLXG0tuESmNBr31o0OvGp9fTWGp1FjHCi4TJlXzoF2mjgieL3V-bs68BxOvzR1R4f5_V8D8kmfF_wCGVCTZIDhIVdvaMqgjTAIRr=s4000" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjc6qUQQSkYBtJRw_hut2Y0yyB_djwwZ3cgrsjKGap1Vc1-l7yoTdnqlm_qSLmTUjIsIdqVZ7Lwrf4gYSdJpWBUTLXG0tuESmNBr31o0OvGp9fTWGp1FjHCi4TJlXzoF2mjgieL3V-bs68BxOvzR1R4f5_V8D8kmfF_wCGVCTZIDhIVdvaMqgjTAIRr=s320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjm26gMrhAr7OJJb-3JSBrbr1dPm2GkNH6KtOx5ZARXInKobdD36a9maELbV3fBWgXjUi8hHCdOEYP0G4aFw5ookKkTsaWhQ8VnpKIlToG6O6ce3Sh4sC4dQFGXOkdGd9eViA2zSpZF4BbfosrPPfDT7eyNblL8FE5Swasw2e0j5iA8nnJmyw9DR1Yy=s7131" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="5035" data-original-width="7131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjm26gMrhAr7OJJb-3JSBrbr1dPm2GkNH6KtOx5ZARXInKobdD36a9maELbV3fBWgXjUi8hHCdOEYP0G4aFw5ookKkTsaWhQ8VnpKIlToG6O6ce3Sh4sC4dQFGXOkdGd9eViA2zSpZF4BbfosrPPfDT7eyNblL8FE5Swasw2e0j5iA8nnJmyw9DR1Yy=s320" width="320" /></a></div>
<p>
Actually, there is one thing much worse than casual litter - bagged dog waste. One enthusiast religiously deposits a bag per day by the memorial benches at the east end of the Sands, sometimes hanging it in the buckthorn nearby (I'll spare you the photos). Let's try a thought experiment, assuming these people are capable of rational thought - 10 of you dump a bag per day, in plastic which does not breakdown, in 10 years we'll have nearly 40,000 bags there by the memorial benches. Is that pleasant or reasonable, or do you think it is someone else's job to go there on a daily basis to clear up after you? It's pretty sad to see how selfish some people are, and thank goodness for birds and wildlife to cheer us up :)
</p><p>
Far too many photos to share, the set below all from evening 28 June, flat calm with 590 Eider offshore and Red-necked Grebes already in situ at 22:00hrs (sunset 22:02hrs), soon after that they tucked in heads, still preening occasionally to 22:25hrs (same pair of birds as per header photo above <a href="https://twitter.com/lothianrecorder/status/1409125222914088964?s=20">taken the previous day nearby at Seton Sands shallows</a>).
</p><p>
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjjgSZhOVRE48wPzHdMuTAlsFKU0GQnbtdNODNwlc-xLLiciIuT1j5bxfm3BBhRuWsTQGNynUUzT6VUvuxRBmy8sjhS0CIzj-Ws-I5lglZPsaK7VjIDRWxdDUAmrrR5RMWlY0X04RFdAM8UPSKDk3xM66fNcl48gWEesx0g6LDvfRYwWoQ-OePCbOY4=s7819" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5865" data-original-width="7819" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjjgSZhOVRE48wPzHdMuTAlsFKU0GQnbtdNODNwlc-xLLiciIuT1j5bxfm3BBhRuWsTQGNynUUzT6VUvuxRBmy8sjhS0CIzj-Ws-I5lglZPsaK7VjIDRWxdDUAmrrR5RMWlY0X04RFdAM8UPSKDk3xM66fNcl48gWEesx0g6LDvfRYwWoQ-OePCbOY4=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjnByuHV1OqGUsnP5OcT2xMgu32WGrUZ8otWzkyQoX-98uSgtjgvSlKGPoS-AbENvXbh502sBlfaeLBiN-peTnhAOqbFJL0FGjXxf7wAMpB12w7jp7f4M0TYQ6KclvDK4O_-RlBZx0zcLNhZ0b759WM3XtvitXulqWOFc1ROSlcQ_3jtd6-3ttmMFvV=s7725" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5793" data-original-width="7725" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjnByuHV1OqGUsnP5OcT2xMgu32WGrUZ8otWzkyQoX-98uSgtjgvSlKGPoS-AbENvXbh502sBlfaeLBiN-peTnhAOqbFJL0FGjXxf7wAMpB12w7jp7f4M0TYQ6KclvDK4O_-RlBZx0zcLNhZ0b759WM3XtvitXulqWOFc1ROSlcQ_3jtd6-3ttmMFvV=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0pjesVh24revPHoyxgv5I82rkeREQA3BKlyywMMF-RhNmfEkAMCFyaUZ4NBnxzGM9UJAH-MlhkxhZbhkIAkqTAv2kyUviPgOeNYrNyAwbOF1KAWdAwj6ae6yLM0q3urtl5b2dS4bW4m99qAeORaP6FuqbJe3ChVtUR47cuZDw_wQXqgfuq1pDAao0=s8000" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="8000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0pjesVh24revPHoyxgv5I82rkeREQA3BKlyywMMF-RhNmfEkAMCFyaUZ4NBnxzGM9UJAH-MlhkxhZbhkIAkqTAv2kyUviPgOeNYrNyAwbOF1KAWdAwj6ae6yLM0q3urtl5b2dS4bW4m99qAeORaP6FuqbJe3ChVtUR47cuZDw_wQXqgfuq1pDAao0=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtVdye1DxIQkRPAmBW3PD1zBlGOeISJjzX02z3tIGPPXVTUWbh0JOFbBW__3gePstEt9_vkgySkmzMnZ8DumSXZ3qOzGXHDUHzM7Yy50b0hW8qHptGpplz6Rzd6Q_xRNvL8H8m17AlKYnBivmgHwuD_lwyVf-4JqExLsd56M07LJIzdcKsO6JJy4Cp=s7819" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5865" data-original-width="7819" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtVdye1DxIQkRPAmBW3PD1zBlGOeISJjzX02z3tIGPPXVTUWbh0JOFbBW__3gePstEt9_vkgySkmzMnZ8DumSXZ3qOzGXHDUHzM7Yy50b0hW8qHptGpplz6Rzd6Q_xRNvL8H8m17AlKYnBivmgHwuD_lwyVf-4JqExLsd56M07LJIzdcKsO6JJy4Cp=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiI_Q4HrMZqm8rUgNPvG7phlvnL1JY59eHu2ei2X1TnVCx5GkC6RgnRkx3xsLBV7BFOKegmZsa59NmFZCOXBIP0dvtajfeS6B-crNQLJI2pxVjent0dKj2b88KRynWgPQkdY3OAVrPsUKXJs6kE831TSIdxmcadHMUDk9P6HuIsr0I6OsKqmfDw388-=s8000" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="8000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiI_Q4HrMZqm8rUgNPvG7phlvnL1JY59eHu2ei2X1TnVCx5GkC6RgnRkx3xsLBV7BFOKegmZsa59NmFZCOXBIP0dvtajfeS6B-crNQLJI2pxVjent0dKj2b88KRynWgPQkdY3OAVrPsUKXJs6kE831TSIdxmcadHMUDk9P6HuIsr0I6OsKqmfDw388-=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgqb3mO6_9f3vwodFARyEJIVLbd52TCbHXpAFDqOD9WZFvPSyLFmB43mZSG-omiOTSv1SJVLdbi79BzoNGDD6COG-T6cCcv8pwYPmks1YYm-QuJR9wrN6ldgQPYPyupsEit9vcllUBILAOg2ywROgaGs9h68GfraG2NSvnbDtji2I3htvPVZJynzSYI=s8000" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="8000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgqb3mO6_9f3vwodFARyEJIVLbd52TCbHXpAFDqOD9WZFvPSyLFmB43mZSG-omiOTSv1SJVLdbi79BzoNGDD6COG-T6cCcv8pwYPmks1YYm-QuJR9wrN6ldgQPYPyupsEit9vcllUBILAOg2ywROgaGs9h68GfraG2NSvnbDtji2I3htvPVZJynzSYI=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjgJAoBmFQkhkxsAREHB2b9Lrtl_EFjv8VFsvUEJT12vRVgWV98EqNgk-9k2nAeOpQ7P_m49J4cM3pki1od_N46IRr_f9eiSP0Wjh3zG-Vx8oddy0kxE5PEad-Txq-EX02UvyQvIIr82GGH5m6EFVtyt-vuX7BborH6Gj1UT3r4mQeafuwM__PHMXpx=s8000" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="8000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjgJAoBmFQkhkxsAREHB2b9Lrtl_EFjv8VFsvUEJT12vRVgWV98EqNgk-9k2nAeOpQ7P_m49J4cM3pki1od_N46IRr_f9eiSP0Wjh3zG-Vx8oddy0kxE5PEad-Txq-EX02UvyQvIIr82GGH5m6EFVtyt-vuX7BborH6Gj1UT3r4mQeafuwM__PHMXpx=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgt-sCtUED4EA07WzRvDKdUr5PPhITLsMwkrCjGb7nD7yOIc7S80puCxEHMZxYHqsHDjpEI4ilDogRk0Y31O7EBvXtb-snnxz11w85Cab35wvssWRKk60JewFlJyPGULeJHgfNhx4ulpGLGokeHdhiDyMLKT1iX9cJum7pGDtYZzwpqYDy2Ae7ioqlp=s8000" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="8000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgt-sCtUED4EA07WzRvDKdUr5PPhITLsMwkrCjGb7nD7yOIc7S80puCxEHMZxYHqsHDjpEI4ilDogRk0Y31O7EBvXtb-snnxz11w85Cab35wvssWRKk60JewFlJyPGULeJHgfNhx4ulpGLGokeHdhiDyMLKT1iX9cJum7pGDtYZzwpqYDy2Ae7ioqlp=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjgl3Sxr0H_y3oMSywGA-wwWr4M0KfaZ4OsXyHWKIz4YfOd54ZMTImx8B0zyaq_dQ-LT66ius3bLS4S8et0kFS0Uej6dqQ5dUlkVfhBDAS7nLqCxb6yA-0S0WtzGjWO26QqekMqFOJd1Mkd5sr_CGFr2YEQiTq4qLnSfKXkQGCoYNP5ZNsgJ0NfToj8=s8000" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="8000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjgl3Sxr0H_y3oMSywGA-wwWr4M0KfaZ4OsXyHWKIz4YfOd54ZMTImx8B0zyaq_dQ-LT66ius3bLS4S8et0kFS0Uej6dqQ5dUlkVfhBDAS7nLqCxb6yA-0S0WtzGjWO26QqekMqFOJd1Mkd5sr_CGFr2YEQiTq4qLnSfKXkQGCoYNP5ZNsgJ0NfToj8=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiyPNc0m3m7hm_RTscXkrJrujWYTiBwEo7rcMQMAEuVcW6YjlexfuYFB8Tzx7KWSBp2-lyE3wXzdzSqFQ1RryYInMKYiL3Dk0b1lENBntjc0MUHzHzOkSk0PM3380EFgd7wudoNeuOy26_3CUqAioB9oVTNy5NGm9fUQncvdCAzw2Qhmf4YASGqGDjJ=s8000" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="8000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiyPNc0m3m7hm_RTscXkrJrujWYTiBwEo7rcMQMAEuVcW6YjlexfuYFB8Tzx7KWSBp2-lyE3wXzdzSqFQ1RryYInMKYiL3Dk0b1lENBntjc0MUHzHzOkSk0PM3380EFgd7wudoNeuOy26_3CUqAioB9oVTNy5NGm9fUQncvdCAzw2Qhmf4YASGqGDjJ=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjG5J_wGxHWU4A_e3BgrIcsn8ULBG_YHJj0ko8owW6_BXb1Y-7vAAnP1r36bJlVVczvhHL9CoxyskmiFrgk3VUh58PgifTW2Yf_GtF5tsa04IhE_8Hc9DXe4TCtA9iUADpCM-pIpmCpi7LotXVD0z9FT71BkaaZxyiSmvd_Xf8YyqWdZQ5IuJ8BC7xG=s8000" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="8000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjG5J_wGxHWU4A_e3BgrIcsn8ULBG_YHJj0ko8owW6_BXb1Y-7vAAnP1r36bJlVVczvhHL9CoxyskmiFrgk3VUh58PgifTW2Yf_GtF5tsa04IhE_8Hc9DXe4TCtA9iUADpCM-pIpmCpi7LotXVD0z9FT71BkaaZxyiSmvd_Xf8YyqWdZQ5IuJ8BC7xG=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEigz0d6bTmJ23stiaXBI4CAMcp7QBkBxUszrca_r6gJUwaZVqkZHZ9e7JygKjUCbyjEmsA6EZiZOj0m9bFvA4ao_1DkdZ2p6wX00ZrfUAc0Bfi36ZEA8Hq7fcrh4y9Hg63VG0ipeuQU_mSuTswAOU27yOAyv2ldTzWE8d4a6QOhm09iTgYvlessvO2W=s8000" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="8000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEigz0d6bTmJ23stiaXBI4CAMcp7QBkBxUszrca_r6gJUwaZVqkZHZ9e7JygKjUCbyjEmsA6EZiZOj0m9bFvA4ao_1DkdZ2p6wX00ZrfUAc0Bfi36ZEA8Hq7fcrh4y9Hg63VG0ipeuQU_mSuTswAOU27yOAyv2ldTzWE8d4a6QOhm09iTgYvlessvO2W=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiZoi2DNWI3YZnjx5tcgPdBZZeLKIpXOdiUTZ-6H8MjL191-U9d9tImljiqXPRkW2Dl8QCHOZ3WS7WRjbRdKoap5mHBZmyiPbHJES0N1DIupn2qvWtdZIpKffIgLyw90nFFxupMfmM80j17JE1bPUnaFixQ-tbUEr2OlXC5fgurd7RdDPZMedJ1fGUD=s4431" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2915" data-original-width="4431" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiZoi2DNWI3YZnjx5tcgPdBZZeLKIpXOdiUTZ-6H8MjL191-U9d9tImljiqXPRkW2Dl8QCHOZ3WS7WRjbRdKoap5mHBZmyiPbHJES0N1DIupn2qvWtdZIpKffIgLyw90nFFxupMfmM80j17JE1bPUnaFixQ-tbUEr2OlXC5fgurd7RdDPZMedJ1fGUD=w400-h264" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjM4xxO3LCc12CGcFM6TlRZ1S9PXvhG1qNDHg1hqQAtaeMYvsGcF1QPjyiB1ijHC8ekP3SZxO_6gCo6o8rYPOVvo9XMbfFFoCOkgKdcSBEa6CfL8Z-_MxTEWxk8WImVNgAOhxgL31PvBfd0PAupm9FKQHeHY3-N03DmKaH6BIbRFRjTYtDc_VPV0Cfc=s8000" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="8000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjM4xxO3LCc12CGcFM6TlRZ1S9PXvhG1qNDHg1hqQAtaeMYvsGcF1QPjyiB1ijHC8ekP3SZxO_6gCo6o8rYPOVvo9XMbfFFoCOkgKdcSBEa6CfL8Z-_MxTEWxk8WImVNgAOhxgL31PvBfd0PAupm9FKQHeHY3-N03DmKaH6BIbRFRjTYtDc_VPV0Cfc=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0mnX6KphnNlGiTr2ECh29SaxpdZBgfXmyUA8zcj-eGwAaAwbWBxONgtzAetAoWFWhTemaQQnZJdBt151Be5jYVCKFYToj05tUYfGAT3Ye5Dff2jhIaYUt0ZVyDBueagB6Iya9Wn5mG0YzmXTfWpuQIRwXPKDUvWdNe8WJJXMmzntlBMdD3wMqa3gs=s7887" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5673" data-original-width="7887" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0mnX6KphnNlGiTr2ECh29SaxpdZBgfXmyUA8zcj-eGwAaAwbWBxONgtzAetAoWFWhTemaQQnZJdBt151Be5jYVCKFYToj05tUYfGAT3Ye5Dff2jhIaYUt0ZVyDBueagB6Iya9Wn5mG0YzmXTfWpuQIRwXPKDUvWdNe8WJJXMmzntlBMdD3wMqa3gs=w400-h288" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgL4wLr9_pFXqAU1k_A9_xln61X8CblbDsnLbYCuuRAaVsOpqwrEC8BfvKPjwLRz-y90nlfLAgU5dxCTjfQGT9q87wHaGDeljXrQcCfVuF15suuu2lBRysW7-ncu3kp3vlKS2imSguPTTIFsKQGJvN-cuRgn6TdLXDkjL62MgWm79CfU1qrjU7nPkgb=s7791" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5843" data-original-width="7791" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgL4wLr9_pFXqAU1k_A9_xln61X8CblbDsnLbYCuuRAaVsOpqwrEC8BfvKPjwLRz-y90nlfLAgU5dxCTjfQGT9q87wHaGDeljXrQcCfVuF15suuu2lBRysW7-ncu3kp3vlKS2imSguPTTIFsKQGJvN-cuRgn6TdLXDkjL62MgWm79CfU1qrjU7nPkgb=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p>welchshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00378942325088808236noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2376184590270819842.post-32856999361479473412022-01-01T00:21:00.025+00:002022-08-25T01:58:06.411+01:00Ring reading 2021<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEijjxLJmbhXifY0zS5n3eU5XogC9Yp1fD-feNLwnZJgND-t4EP3yYa4KGZ_Ign9inIWXBmbbPyYSw-uHd7EPqQzNl266fLAd-fpHlbnQARX_TXy0gxDS28QE-pO-icYPwS2zxuvh6G2T1-wIoyclw-kfcEU3xTmM32ASnsmju-G5W65DqrKk6fAbdsx=s4096" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="3049" data-original-width="4096" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEijjxLJmbhXifY0zS5n3eU5XogC9Yp1fD-feNLwnZJgND-t4EP3yYa4KGZ_Ign9inIWXBmbbPyYSw-uHd7EPqQzNl266fLAd-fpHlbnQARX_TXy0gxDS28QE-pO-icYPwS2zxuvh6G2T1-wIoyclw-kfcEU3xTmM32ASnsmju-G5W65DqrKk6fAbdsx=s400"/></a></div>Posted a <a href="https://twitter.com/lothianrecorder/status/1477036848837017616?s=20">Twitter thread</a> summarising some local ring reading highlights from 2021, expanding with some further comments here.
<p>
Up until fairly recently I attempted to disseminate interesting ring reads with photos and histories where possible, but with the volume of information coming in it has recently proved impractical to do that; but there is now getting to be enough info to begin to look at more general abstractions of data rather than individual life histories, though of course latter remain of much interest. 10-20 years ago I was not really keyed in to systematic searching for darvic rings and probably only logging a handful per year as incidental observations, many being Mediterranean Gulls, commencing with red-7P8 back in 2004 (last seen Feb-2015, 83 resightings). And while the gull numbers could be observed to ebb and flow with the seasons we really had very little idea of turnover rates or where they were coming from or going to! How things have changed, and with hundreds of ring reads we can begin to get a feel for the dynamics and also the habits of some faithful individuals resighted on many separate occasions (a number of birds now quickly recognisable before ring details read).
<p>
So a summary on the gulls data (terns to follow as not all processed yet!): a new annual peak with 301 “reads” (136 BHG, 101 Common Gull, 37 Med Gull, 16 GBB, 6 Herring and 5 LBB) (totals corrected from Tweet as had omitted some metal only reads, 9 of these in total!), with many more part reads or unconfirmed. NB - Billy and <a href="https://twitter.com/scottblack72">Scott</a> will have many to add to this, obviously with many overlaps, all has already been submitted to ringers so is available for analysis.
<p>
Mediterranean Gulls featured strongly as usual, in fact a new record total of 334 "bird days" for me, with peak counts of 14 along coast or 10 in a flock (though still no comparison with Fife!). These spanned 8 different ringed birds, led by old faithful Dutch white-32A4 (11th return, <a href="https://twitter.com/lothianrecorder/status/1417928707914846213?s=20%20">now 111 resightings</a>*, of which 4 have been during breeding season in Belgium and the Netherlands) (pic 1 below), also white-30NN, white-3VR6 (1st win), metal-3.730.492 (pic 2), metal-3.742.693; Polish red-PRK8 again (pic top); <a href="https://twitter.com/lothianrecorder/status/1477038182717968388?s=20">Coquet-hatched yellow-2X7R</a> (pic 3, sadly with leg caught up in some cord) and German yellow-AS.AT (from 14/10, intermittently to year end, pic 4 taken at dusk on New Year's Eve - the only Med Gull present that day).<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg53Pba8aayoHxtvDBq3o5YX3UXqYmxLKroDsLSpc9bMlVZJiFd3h3SDCDPzweyXSuOdpmjaL3_mbd7YsjQ6wR-h_CI3-vBr6XHeCWtze1Fd2bDNHAHCx-_5xd6HJA3GpUfu7yJqSnpyj3BXrAIkzmkd9w8WYDUN_sI5yLblzmvezZc1OghAV6ugduc=s3905" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="2613" data-original-width="3905" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg53Pba8aayoHxtvDBq3o5YX3UXqYmxLKroDsLSpc9bMlVZJiFd3h3SDCDPzweyXSuOdpmjaL3_mbd7YsjQ6wR-h_CI3-vBr6XHeCWtze1Fd2bDNHAHCx-_5xd6HJA3GpUfu7yJqSnpyj3BXrAIkzmkd9w8WYDUN_sI5yLblzmvezZc1OghAV6ugduc=s320"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQb8QO_rT4H9jIz3GyBBK_1mGBZ3yKDDPZ10EjmxJQrtwykvhF-pr5d7xl5BITGmFneaRa7nWgtCYEe4RHZ2xJ5eHhAz9QVIHL7hU6-5xyD16WGa-XU6c6txT4C-uSyeNO91diFl46mgr3WDxPZdob33T2gJX682Ta4fBQgb6AsFoLJSj2DXrSjitc=s3565" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="2358" data-original-width="3565" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQb8QO_rT4H9jIz3GyBBK_1mGBZ3yKDDPZ10EjmxJQrtwykvhF-pr5d7xl5BITGmFneaRa7nWgtCYEe4RHZ2xJ5eHhAz9QVIHL7hU6-5xyD16WGa-XU6c6txT4C-uSyeNO91diFl46mgr3WDxPZdob33T2gJX682Ta4fBQgb6AsFoLJSj2DXrSjitc=s320"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiR19wfc5l-0PVCJnyqyvwWJvuzUeaUNa4d8YznmiWJZ6rv5yzZZoDxyO_UTJwzTl03huQWd80EoC_ztxD4WtHYIqKxby0wrqubjV8rqXIpndpEwGIobBSnAN_Z6-VuYccNNGA9KD-AzFZdhywWKfpLlouiYnZnz-Ah0mlIYSX19TAjrxvbUbcwpQtE=s3298" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="2182" data-original-width="3298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiR19wfc5l-0PVCJnyqyvwWJvuzUeaUNa4d8YznmiWJZ6rv5yzZZoDxyO_UTJwzTl03huQWd80EoC_ztxD4WtHYIqKxby0wrqubjV8rqXIpndpEwGIobBSnAN_Z6-VuYccNNGA9KD-AzFZdhywWKfpLlouiYnZnz-Ah0mlIYSX19TAjrxvbUbcwpQtE=s320"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjD96Gt_GigOpkRElHeVDEAIzNdpaJD8hqDFcVDnW5FjjUy-jnNO3kONCN_BkG6LVKieTmKyqRV2r0V45hHv21N55UUh_nBJclLzRX4jlvwzthwe_jWotwpRsxFFXwTojRWffLOcrcJGpvughTAn-oq_2A1M-NMvCSZUYH0Ikc7jTBvDJ5rQgPwxCtl=s4289" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="2764" data-original-width="4289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjD96Gt_GigOpkRElHeVDEAIzNdpaJD8hqDFcVDnW5FjjUy-jnNO3kONCN_BkG6LVKieTmKyqRV2r0V45hHv21N55UUh_nBJclLzRX4jlvwzthwe_jWotwpRsxFFXwTojRWffLOcrcJGpvughTAn-oq_2A1M-NMvCSZUYH0Ikc7jTBvDJ5rQgPwxCtl=s320"/></a></div>
<p>
Also an interesting update on white-JA605 logged previously crossing the North Sea with fascinating pattern of exchanges Norway, Scotland, NE England since 2016 (when ringed as 3cy) and in Norway every April, <a href="https://twitter.com/lothianrecorder/status/1387320791637839872?s=20">logged on 26/4/21 in Holmesø colony, Copenhagen, 1st visit to Denmark, now identified as female from observed pair behaviour</a>.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgIs6-Fqu-qoK0PFkG64633WIEkutUk2ownw5fCZPK4ansosUpvhnq76KewIExR7J6Dz7CS5RPUpMFnmQLIipIcdPMJ-G-9t_Ie6EWbu13T2_X_OBlcW149YdW69MwKA6e5OnsNskZeqCzP-wKDy2-TVmv2HfJqo1H5GD_75fQ2gQGAOpoEI5r6AmS3=s1386" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="1003" data-original-width="1386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgIs6-Fqu-qoK0PFkG64633WIEkutUk2ownw5fCZPK4ansosUpvhnq76KewIExR7J6Dz7CS5RPUpMFnmQLIipIcdPMJ-G-9t_Ie6EWbu13T2_X_OBlcW149YdW69MwKA6e5OnsNskZeqCzP-wKDy2-TVmv2HfJqo1H5GD_75fQ2gQGAOpoEI5r6AmS3=s320"/></a></div>
<p>
Black-headed Gulls were numerous, with 136 ring reads, breakdown being 48 Norwegian (just 10 birds, many regular at site), 33 Moorfoots (14 birds, again some being resident), 33 Clyde-ringed, including some from Blackness (26 birds), 15 NE Scotland (3 birds) and 10 English (4 birds) - the latter including 2 juvs from North Yorks (<a href="https://twitter.com/EDRInging/status/1438949777912311822">black-21NV</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/EDRInging/status/1449050378805432327">black-21JK</a>), <a href="https://twitter.com/RingersWm/status/1444917685649870851">1 juv West Midlands</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/LloydPark3/status/1002650725128835075">1 3cy Rutland</a>. These northward dispersals are particularly interesting, something seen last year also with yellow-2C07 a 1st-sum which had been ringed at Fisher's Green, Herts, and returned this year (<a href="http://www.southern-colour-ringing-group.org.uk/index.php/recoveries/black-headed-gull/bird/GBT-EZ70129">link</a>, click on crosses to expand sightings). The exchanges with Norway are also fascinating, and 6 birds seen here in spring were all logged back in the Oslo area, with a total of at least 33 resightings there in the May to July period - the quickest returns being 9 and 11 days! One of them, white-JMA2 here on 6/3/12, has been logged 75 times in Norway never more than 3km from ringing site in Oslo, and nowhere else, while another, white-JMK6, with 68 resightings in same area then was at Dunbar on 5/3/21 and then at Seton 20/9-20/10/21. Then post breeding they can show up again here as early as July, old faithful green-J6H6 being back this year on 30/7 having still been in Oslo on 20/6, though most do not arrive until early autumn.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMpoqkCQuS5P2Ye09xG2l0dbybrxz3pKS6V7AHyqQz8KN7eSLzugcljwYw65gocSSu-oHXD_C5g6IKbfsDwvhp233W2kdvd0uywO-yORtG5Z-_ypfHfte4Yq9bfxaHG1ZT4GkItmzPeamcUEw_OGyNqzJ045zsP3UNpDk-ARa1dWn2DNl_woSJC9gg=s1261" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="838" data-original-width="1261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMpoqkCQuS5P2Ye09xG2l0dbybrxz3pKS6V7AHyqQz8KN7eSLzugcljwYw65gocSSu-oHXD_C5g6IKbfsDwvhp233W2kdvd0uywO-yORtG5Z-_ypfHfte4Yq9bfxaHG1ZT4GkItmzPeamcUEw_OGyNqzJ045zsP3UNpDk-ARa1dWn2DNl_woSJC9gg=s320"/></a></div>
<p>
Common Gulls: most of these are Norwegians, 89 ring reads spanning 24 birds (white-J0MA, J4EA, J6XT, JA0L, JA035, JA800, JC334, JC413, JE860, JE958, JH004, JH176, JH541, JH811, JH887, JJ718, JJ811, JL273, JN117, JP032, JP329, JP359, JP503, JP514), also 12 orange rings from NE Scotland (5 birds); many fascinating histories here, have previously posted Tweets about birds from the far north, as far as Vardø (<a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%40Lothianrecorder%20vardo&src=typed_query&f=top">2 of 24 birds ringed seen in Lothian</a>); another, <a href="https://twitter.com/lothianrecorder/status/1244076366976421889?s=20">white-J6XT</a>, was ringed as a chick in Tromsø in 2012, now logged here 32 times, pic and map below.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtNgjFrxL0YA7KkJOlJqCakX7zWH0t1uc1-fQANUw8IBkkx33MqQaDdsU-sqwGA5J1lVx_cWwd8OsiT2BCM9GmXNu78GNIcYy_v0g3b_tHmTjVEREcefaRU1fmEvglpPxxyDvGKJUtgv8URS5E4m-SZrHwW4jWYy8f2mwhIPg23jk59-XCDbiuH-kj=s2797" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="1835" data-original-width="2797" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtNgjFrxL0YA7KkJOlJqCakX7zWH0t1uc1-fQANUw8IBkkx33MqQaDdsU-sqwGA5J1lVx_cWwd8OsiT2BCM9GmXNu78GNIcYy_v0g3b_tHmTjVEREcefaRU1fmEvglpPxxyDvGKJUtgv8URS5E4m-SZrHwW4jWYy8f2mwhIPg23jk59-XCDbiuH-kj=s320"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg79eNG3aN6Q41Pjtwt1tS59WqKhdQQ2WaiU3GiXr-A2B0og4ZYOB-XAhEATkZCjU0PDbJhISze5nMiy1datDdcn_ngDplIeYBUw4KZPB1rDPD9sOjmolnjheOkRqUEjLcp5ck53snazLSRSHUpo5_DvOnzPzmzvKlNx5p1KXI4Y3syxI2elYn7GGnX=s640" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="543" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg79eNG3aN6Q41Pjtwt1tS59WqKhdQQ2WaiU3GiXr-A2B0og4ZYOB-XAhEATkZCjU0PDbJhISze5nMiy1datDdcn_ngDplIeYBUw4KZPB1rDPD9sOjmolnjheOkRqUEjLcp5ck53snazLSRSHUpo5_DvOnzPzmzvKlNx5p1KXI4Y3syxI2elYn7GGnX=s320"/></a></div>
<p>
Great Black-backed Gulls: 8 different birds from the Isle of May (now 24 individuals logged), including <a href="https://twitter.com/lothianrecorder/status/1432613759168696322?s=20">yellow-151:M</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/lothianrecorder/status/1409984344878419968?s=20">yellow-T:048</a>, but best came last with returning Danish-ringed black-JYK05 Seton harbour 18/12.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_C6IRqJ8dyFwERfCuuclZUv9L9HUMwpGlR8WHA-CVswlFoB0IvuJ2CV8ZvLwU731NbVq6k6aDirfOVF2E_8hvK4ph1VzPFxAJ6-Fu_dSjb7Ou7iEIhq_SGdaLYY55AGVRiMJqrAHwGMTtYSTiqD3YnN7Lx-aA4ZIunOLxCbqUX_nrIa7duajOr4hM=s3736" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="2847" data-original-width="3736" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_C6IRqJ8dyFwERfCuuclZUv9L9HUMwpGlR8WHA-CVswlFoB0IvuJ2CV8ZvLwU731NbVq6k6aDirfOVF2E_8hvK4ph1VzPFxAJ6-Fu_dSjb7Ou7iEIhq_SGdaLYY55AGVRiMJqrAHwGMTtYSTiqD3YnN7Lx-aA4ZIunOLxCbqUX_nrIa7duajOr4hM=s320"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgp1_rMxgd5hoYMkb5Wm8iZFteLod9BgDMNGBzzot8R8oeRdJxqrLUZDXL1Ev0w9s3qhjuGhlj-L8KWX75BUQn-IJrxLUmcuzPKvbikB9QTrPSDsgnfPv5ZH1uCtS9c6qdtPv9qx48IXTTArz72XBAZHWHy0TvAsSsDIk_1DmnMMWdfJe54UipgatQe=s875" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="875" data-original-width="725" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgp1_rMxgd5hoYMkb5Wm8iZFteLod9BgDMNGBzzot8R8oeRdJxqrLUZDXL1Ev0w9s3qhjuGhlj-L8KWX75BUQn-IJrxLUmcuzPKvbikB9QTrPSDsgnfPv5ZH1uCtS9c6qdtPv9qx48IXTTArz72XBAZHWHy0TvAsSsDIk_1DmnMMWdfJe54UipgatQe=s320"/></a></div>
<p>
Lesser Black-backed Gulls were all locals, and again included sat tagged bird yellow-T32:W from BTO tracking project, photo from last year.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgEJ6wghMCmD6sZtot5XM_IQ2ckqY4pCQQvc6pl5MJ8PkVIQtXD9sbjZCotGvRwvZMbRSLtCi59f1IN7ObMFLrQNgoL3E-iMHmEJZlU8ij7tR5qjuW1Dzbx77eOU5kG24eHOfuyBFx29YuA3954khhIU8wjIxWMweZrFnL5lEErSRgvVaNRl-2D8Fuy=s2488" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="1758" data-original-width="2488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgEJ6wghMCmD6sZtot5XM_IQ2ckqY4pCQQvc6pl5MJ8PkVIQtXD9sbjZCotGvRwvZMbRSLtCi59f1IN7ObMFLrQNgoL3E-iMHmEJZlU8ij7tR5qjuW1Dzbx77eOU5kG24eHOfuyBFx29YuA3954khhIU8wjIxWMweZrFnL5lEErSRgvVaNRl-2D8Fuy=s320"/></a></div>
<p>
Herring Gulls were also all UK, now around 30 overall, and mainly from the Isle of May but also now 8 ringed in North Yorks at Harewood Whin/Rufforth (yellow-Y140, Y773, YA76, YC67, YH16, YH20, YH21, YK83), but included further sightings of white-OE6:C Clyde ringed Pladda, Arran 4/7/16, apparently now summering in the Forth; bird limping heavily, hope it remains healthy! [It did, seen again in 2022, tough old things, gulls!]<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgMOUWlhNjrkFqPmN8QuUqMlfvYGlD9ubWUxCJZT4PEBf9zz_AMfDzWW0dVwPICPXGMKgt5r5q9u3Q2y9zLa8zsP43_PHEgYcFGX3tvKMWfWY5C0NpyZR5Y9i6JtUmYtTtNnzyJ70DvL9apsZvLMjhFaN0X21mTpBnLzyTIDEpnVUW2hC_4FzuAxB4g=s2742" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="1756" data-original-width="2742" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgMOUWlhNjrkFqPmN8QuUqMlfvYGlD9ubWUxCJZT4PEBf9zz_AMfDzWW0dVwPICPXGMKgt5r5q9u3Q2y9zLa8zsP43_PHEgYcFGX3tvKMWfWY5C0NpyZR5Y9i6JtUmYtTtNnzyJ70DvL9apsZvLMjhFaN0X21mTpBnLzyTIDEpnVUW2hC_4FzuAxB4g=s320"/></a></div>
<p>
Concluding on ringed gulls it is now very apparent that the vast bulk of the birds we see here originate fairly locally, particularly the large gulls, or from directly over the sea, including many of the small gulls; perhaps Med Gull excepted, there is a dearth of origins beyond those areas, though even Meds are mainly from the Near Continent. Reflecting back on <a href="http://sedgewarbler.blogspot.com/2009/10/darvic-rainbow.html">fluked record of Spanish ringed BHG in 2009</a>, that one now seems very much an outlier - indeed that may be <a href="http://sedgewarbler.blogspot.com/2009/10/wknd-10-11-october.html">the only non-breeding exchange between Spain and Scotland</a> (still true for Lothian at least, <a href="https://app.bto.org/ring/countyrec/resultsall/recGBLRall.htm">ringing report</a>). Of course there is significant bias here with so many Norwegian birds being colour ringed, and Johan Bos' <a href="https://www.let.rug.nl/bos/pubs/Bos2004LBB.pdf">earlier work on metal rings in Edinburgh</a> revealed a greater range of origins around the Baltic. But the point remains, generally there are very few wanderers from the south.
<p>
Not ringed, but sometimes also "known" individuals - hybrid gulls again included several presumed LBB x HG and this presumed BHG x Med Gull on 14/10, which would be a first in Lothian (previously a 1st-sum in Forth at Levenmouth 1 & 5 July 1998, and <a href="https://twitter.com/AndyRussOrnitho/status/1389278066535550983">an ad this summer in Clyde</a>).<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9mko0-rKVdC9-R6WqdX2c5RwtuZvIFX_KYcWh1WnIizlgLPh1__-2qCvqBKg8vGzeGnabBK15F7qOCjG9l2V50Z_UDEzDpClxxIwJ8jpVKAjkWfbU74hAnlmRkDeemQOQmmqrXD7xyoZPD3ZEbTxBk8RfjBw5y22wilm60XIJq_DAQKx4pRUOiI94=s1920" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="920" data-original-width="1920" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9mko0-rKVdC9-R6WqdX2c5RwtuZvIFX_KYcWh1WnIizlgLPh1__-2qCvqBKg8vGzeGnabBK15F7qOCjG9l2V50Z_UDEzDpClxxIwJ8jpVKAjkWfbU74hAnlmRkDeemQOQmmqrXD7xyoZPD3ZEbTxBk8RfjBw5y22wilm60XIJq_DAQKx4pRUOiI94=s320"/></a></div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw4PWZFUEWQda-j90cXZw3FldJ3Nf_JQCSpL_cnj8kxkcK-1ZTe31yfmTCKJPZX5K4kWtajqFBrTSKSs7XqeQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>
<p>
Finally waders, very few ringed birds seen as usual, but our young Norwegian Curlew returned for a second summer, shown here at the wader roost at the east end of the prom - a rare capture as very often disturbed here!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQYy2bSnV4eQU-VPtcAGLn0mKZkpYv9osw_jFNsxU9hl12nP86YU1HZ3zhZfz_D8yn6NJtr8RMJlEWrUCl3sj11x4HFxMLRJpY3VvFyoWExW8G7Zln3z_5k1MQ84yJx5UZ8iXAteqD2l_5oxWNa8od2Z5PFuIK6Q4AJ67xTpVa1jgZt9URA720M-Gy=s2934" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="1860" data-original-width="2934" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQYy2bSnV4eQU-VPtcAGLn0mKZkpYv9osw_jFNsxU9hl12nP86YU1HZ3zhZfz_D8yn6NJtr8RMJlEWrUCl3sj11x4HFxMLRJpY3VvFyoWExW8G7Zln3z_5k1MQ84yJx5UZ8iXAteqD2l_5oxWNa8od2Z5PFuIK6Q4AJ67xTpVa1jgZt9URA720M-Gy=s320"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUgLW8YJZr0n0QoYTqq4eNzONAu8Rw9yBLf4M_LjUDopShRlTEhzmb2B4P2kUl9v4n88h3Rf1Cmg5X5DgOtH-k0uJwHUJfbvgbQUzjP7FjwZI7TpxMegLXR8HaBsYJPENw6PA_Tmj5e7Ff8dRZ6JhkR8FI5bu4-hNofpiMlceXZgnx9Q6YiW9g8-iI=s3612" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="2504" data-original-width="3612" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUgLW8YJZr0n0QoYTqq4eNzONAu8Rw9yBLf4M_LjUDopShRlTEhzmb2B4P2kUl9v4n88h3Rf1Cmg5X5DgOtH-k0uJwHUJfbvgbQUzjP7FjwZI7TpxMegLXR8HaBsYJPENw6PA_Tmj5e7Ff8dRZ6JhkR8FI5bu4-hNofpiMlceXZgnx9Q6YiW9g8-iI=s320"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgqPiLIQAF3uMIym2qy1L0cEZD8J7_AQLpTNd7WyGSE-7MEUFKZsek1TAkf-lrXPT39G_zeoyNbjRdVqs6ZkMMiY8h9l65Vcq6oKmLaj5FlzVGuwVkebnOw-t0ZqncvV_MfKTyflETX9IJrthKpIt4J2jO7iIa_U2qwrHWsX379eyzBUDHmiDbPQXi6=s2444" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="1721" data-original-width="2444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgqPiLIQAF3uMIym2qy1L0cEZD8J7_AQLpTNd7WyGSE-7MEUFKZsek1TAkf-lrXPT39G_zeoyNbjRdVqs6ZkMMiY8h9l65Vcq6oKmLaj5FlzVGuwVkebnOw-t0ZqncvV_MfKTyflETX9IJrthKpIt4J2jO7iIa_U2qwrHWsX379eyzBUDHmiDbPQXi6=s320"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi7ObTAQC7qUCO1Gt5Gi2wsGGNHUnHWX2aK_37xzTecDKLMbpgcnRPjPyvOEtznm89qH-sR4tK52Ub0FuMrN4wYagHIbGZK9RIU5JtFAzRsHT-SipRs-AdW0y7JDUBn-foxM2Ao5Btoh2hzvjg_X5dObJrWBJxxC4R5DEdp7z2s9c2eKpHw3QslGKaa=s1157" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="866" data-original-width="1157" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi7ObTAQC7qUCO1Gt5Gi2wsGGNHUnHWX2aK_37xzTecDKLMbpgcnRPjPyvOEtznm89qH-sR4tK52Ub0FuMrN4wYagHIbGZK9RIU5JtFAzRsHT-SipRs-AdW0y7JDUBn-foxM2Ao5Btoh2hzvjg_X5dObJrWBJxxC4R5DEdp7z2s9c2eKpHw3QslGKaa=s320"/></a></div>
<p>
PS - I will try to update this page with further info in due course and welcome any queries/feedback. 2022 update - 18 further small gull rings in first two weeks of 2022, benefitting from favourable tides.
welchshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00378942325088808236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2376184590270819842.post-43151263804737866142020-07-24T03:03:00.025+01:002022-01-02T00:47:13.710+00:00Gosford Sands<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii49E1INFRXR1in1VXfvz-IEhWk2c04NLk8toZ4pt_XPVEp25FXFzfZ_q0P7cC6ldDu9rjsuYejuEWW4L9DeLUYakmPJFhsrVzUvlfL34D7NHXZ5QRX-ONaI41AcKzBnaof0WMuAshZXM/s1600/IMG_20200723_213324.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii49E1INFRXR1in1VXfvz-IEhWk2c04NLk8toZ4pt_XPVEp25FXFzfZ_q0P7cC6ldDu9rjsuYejuEWW4L9DeLUYakmPJFhsrVzUvlfL34D7NHXZ5QRX-ONaI41AcKzBnaof0WMuAshZXM/s640/IMG_20200723_213324.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<p>
As the seasons change and returning waders, terns and gulls ramp up it's probably time for a new blog post. I've been going to Gosford for my daily circuit, trying to read gull and tern rings - too many darvics to include full details (~50 Sandwich Terns so far, most c/o Billy at Port Seton) but will mention a few, adult Mediterranean Gull white-32A4 here which has returned for 10th year running, ringed as a chick at Ijsselmeer in June 2010 and <a href="https://twitter.com/lothianrecorder/status/1161776004026773506">seen many times since</a>, including twice in a gull colony at Antwerp. One of five adult Med Gulls on shore on 23 July.
</p><p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkq83ee0YjxZKbCc4K_3DvruQkXyfw-N-ls8WUYup8XsXmRW_uHAv0Sd_tJtmBQy54ECuSiA9FMk416FZS2eoCogbB2q6KXhSm7YShywrypCXcbjastzQMY1NKHyI4piK0Ph55CHKBFb8/s1600/IMG_20200723_210343.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1138" data-original-width="1600" height="455" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkq83ee0YjxZKbCc4K_3DvruQkXyfw-N-ls8WUYup8XsXmRW_uHAv0Sd_tJtmBQy54ECuSiA9FMk416FZS2eoCogbB2q6KXhSm7YShywrypCXcbjastzQMY1NKHyI4piK0Ph55CHKBFb8/s640/IMG_20200723_210343.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4-olEF_udzamZ2eAgmO_vyCcRbJ2K8KpW_3BGBmmOnN3_sjFLi-E42wpzcCIMmfuaaH3trA9lDBtbWgi0uEVFi1ui9lONTYDtFNXq5Z0mjZKrnZZy_ML-dSPmLxZXO1wI235JX_e3aTQ/s1600/IMG_20200723_201835.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1105" data-original-width="1600" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4-olEF_udzamZ2eAgmO_vyCcRbJ2K8KpW_3BGBmmOnN3_sjFLi-E42wpzcCIMmfuaaH3trA9lDBtbWgi0uEVFi1ui9lONTYDtFNXq5Z0mjZKrnZZy_ML-dSPmLxZXO1wI235JX_e3aTQ/s640/IMG_20200723_201835.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh486zMb5Rf7L4p7bNo3TEjmfZd28n5Bl8vp4iw_7lmlrB_eigKhZse_1NezKPtDldakFvLVZLJOfFWP5T8fvxLozrHoCWdBH5uJz89QUlbmBgoAK7wibbsLS_shYMluBPYpnEm8vFNi0s/s1600/IMG_20200723_211044.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1234" data-original-width="1600" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh486zMb5Rf7L4p7bNo3TEjmfZd28n5Bl8vp4iw_7lmlrB_eigKhZse_1NezKPtDldakFvLVZLJOfFWP5T8fvxLozrHoCWdBH5uJz89QUlbmBgoAK7wibbsLS_shYMluBPYpnEm8vFNi0s/s640/IMG_20200723_211044.jpg" width="640" /></a>
</p><p>
Very different weather the previous evening the first juv Med Gull bore a left-leg yellow darvic, from plumage match seems this is saem as yellow-2X7R seen at Seton 7 & 24 August, per Billy & Scott - in order to try to read it I ventured out onto the sand for this photo and found it quite disorientating, also if you stop moving you begin to slowly sink.
</p><p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkSicMCKDE7bsrQA7MHATiXchVMyedpSINYOsufU-4lbq8QbNbKauc_I8Vv2R5KcTX-cD84MPDKfLW6HzTnKHDVx36oplReXgADnO0zWEzQtoUMfLDhny1ln7-gdVW-xDKZaKbyLchU4I/s1600/IMG_20200722_210846.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1022" data-original-width="1600" height="409" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkSicMCKDE7bsrQA7MHATiXchVMyedpSINYOsufU-4lbq8QbNbKauc_I8Vv2R5KcTX-cD84MPDKfLW6HzTnKHDVx36oplReXgADnO0zWEzQtoUMfLDhny1ln7-gdVW-xDKZaKbyLchU4I/s640/IMG_20200722_210846.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi47loePvA2BSjT98qAxbzB1YnTybTVwQUoZICnat7spWhLKLIRj_HTE9fY1XzgOgB8q-ATfuWDdCo0GK9P5DubmQYyNPF6DrzBkb4fDE4hfYrNnZJvT05xwpv4NIbrG9eYzSfzW6LLWno/s1600/IMG_20200722_214908.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi47loePvA2BSjT98qAxbzB1YnTybTVwQUoZICnat7spWhLKLIRj_HTE9fY1XzgOgB8q-ATfuWDdCo0GK9P5DubmQYyNPF6DrzBkb4fDE4hfYrNnZJvT05xwpv4NIbrG9eYzSfzW6LLWno/s640/IMG_20200722_214908.jpg" width="640" /></a>
</p><p>
Also BHG darvic yellow-2C07, from NTGG (ringed as a chick at Fishers Green, Lee Valley and spent it's first winter in Portugal, down at the Gulf of Cadiz: <a href="http://www.southern-colour-ringing-group.org.uk/index.php/recoveries/black-headed-gull/bird/GBT-EZ70129">http://www.southern-colour-ringing-group.org.uk/index.php/recoveries/black-headed-gull/bird/GBT-EZ70129</a>) - same was still here on 27/7 but has since reappeared in London 22/8!
</p><p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRs3gFtgOnt7AHZ1g2DOL-_fvQ8RFJPiecN6UQRliPxCH4WKyqp0ZZl4hJyNlqmoViCRNISzBHL1y3-2tHZJJPWRno6mkkZuZsUcUXB9WOwMSDt17SePl0mE0ebLu-KGQxQqiTQxx9x3g/s1600/IMG_20200711_185804.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1074" data-original-width="1600" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRs3gFtgOnt7AHZ1g2DOL-_fvQ8RFJPiecN6UQRliPxCH4WKyqp0ZZl4hJyNlqmoViCRNISzBHL1y3-2tHZJJPWRno6mkkZuZsUcUXB9WOwMSDt17SePl0mE0ebLu-KGQxQqiTQxx9x3g/s640/IMG_20200711_185804.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaWWlSHlevqNfaZL8c63XDCg5AUU_qdl7cBfbUM1puPLlbiwgVD_lWYZ7c2VXR481mfnYUKGF8XXjPxekLS6F57R0ypXo7HM2LL_KvYKTtGpCIJhLAzEbqCi4fb4vn_R0Mjl6xXsT21B8/s1600/IMG_20200711_185943_1.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="814" data-original-width="1600" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaWWlSHlevqNfaZL8c63XDCg5AUU_qdl7cBfbUM1puPLlbiwgVD_lWYZ7c2VXR481mfnYUKGF8XXjPxekLS6F57R0ypXo7HM2LL_KvYKTtGpCIJhLAzEbqCi4fb4vn_R0Mjl6xXsT21B8/s640/IMG_20200711_185943_1.jpg" width="640" /></a>
</p><p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvtOENHcPbUizwv7B2sTkbAMaT6J9t1uuMT_11LzvzFMx5AN2RLYLbNxn0SWgag6P2ZWsGNCwp-nzRgYCOPAnvLmmoo6wQU4u_csE4KPJfVAgdaicb-bNjsCQ2pU1fMzJNDzlsaLyL-k/s1600/IMG_20200723_210819.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1532" data-original-width="1600" height="613" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvtOENHcPbUizwv7B2sTkbAMaT6J9t1uuMT_11LzvzFMx5AN2RLYLbNxn0SWgag6P2ZWsGNCwp-nzRgYCOPAnvLmmoo6wQU4u_csE4KPJfVAgdaicb-bNjsCQ2pU1fMzJNDzlsaLyL-k/s640/IMG_20200723_210819.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-0e6eMsOxs49JGD5At4fsMF5OxaBxEZlUp4BYiM7MJbEZjZnMXXWHVecYbrBzlaoPVsydvCUqNLA19qfx7zTxRYUDxDX9YSW7F6POxBxTDSCKKw-NvuHXIT_qTEcv2VyUMYcn-a4Gej0/s1600/IMG_20200723_204135.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1296" data-original-width="1600" height="518" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-0e6eMsOxs49JGD5At4fsMF5OxaBxEZlUp4BYiM7MJbEZjZnMXXWHVecYbrBzlaoPVsydvCUqNLA19qfx7zTxRYUDxDX9YSW7F6POxBxTDSCKKw-NvuHXIT_qTEcv2VyUMYcn-a4Gej0/s640/IMG_20200723_204135.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuiub5SAuMnnfZQuh6T7819E-hjmAIk_tBm_WAITuNMqyC8DL0OEdYmRX6EzW2j4AImj9KikCkmZiIqyczcb3ZI27GC9WFZ1Z_FToD1AGk-gyeoPqLSJcv6mA2rRZR4Ihh1rwlsPLDEOw/s1600/IMG_20200723_214240.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuiub5SAuMnnfZQuh6T7819E-hjmAIk_tBm_WAITuNMqyC8DL0OEdYmRX6EzW2j4AImj9KikCkmZiIqyczcb3ZI27GC9WFZ1Z_FToD1AGk-gyeoPqLSJcv6mA2rRZR4Ihh1rwlsPLDEOw/s640/IMG_20200723_214240.jpg" width="640" /></a>
</p><p>
High tide on 8 August saw ~600 small gulls on the shore - 3 darvics: yellow-2ER6 shown below (ringed as a chick on the Ythan in 2017, and likely now a Caithness breeder), white-2BCB (ringed as a chick in the Moorfoots on 17/06/2017, and now resighted ~10 times here) and yellow-2BRT (another from North Thames Gull Group); a total of 6 Med Gulls, 5 ads (1 possible sub-ad with hint of faint band near end of primaries, dull leg colour, shown below with a comparable ad) and a 1st-sum, and 2 more juv Sandwich Terns with Dutch rings (white-VUF, white-VRM, photos below latter begging for food), as well as a few locals.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCUAVXk_KdRpVzQbm38xo58m4epUnDpYo_67zDCiyRpDRV9cMEClNvXsyUWmWSCjYTFWpP8VnRR-5KeY8QfxC5MjnBd2XWBUD2EyARurU8Y4KMQAAxa6GtyC4iWpPITejIz7mGFn6d_2A/s2048/IMG_20200808_184507.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1798" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCUAVXk_KdRpVzQbm38xo58m4epUnDpYo_67zDCiyRpDRV9cMEClNvXsyUWmWSCjYTFWpP8VnRR-5KeY8QfxC5MjnBd2XWBUD2EyARurU8Y4KMQAAxa6GtyC4iWpPITejIz7mGFn6d_2A/s640/IMG_20200808_184507.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJx7aGbMd6WrivRb1WM0hHGG12dsyinwhhh-fKxxkcGO7lAV-6LNLeE3E2A1PCH0_xSyuHXl6Ohw4lMlvxKfQW2ADf2_lCTBJhoXawwHIcw8VonLTIkIaIKXyzwnThVgIh2P03VWlEe1s/s2048/IMG_20200808_184520.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1515" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJx7aGbMd6WrivRb1WM0hHGG12dsyinwhhh-fKxxkcGO7lAV-6LNLeE3E2A1PCH0_xSyuHXl6Ohw4lMlvxKfQW2ADf2_lCTBJhoXawwHIcw8VonLTIkIaIKXyzwnThVgIh2P03VWlEe1s/s640/IMG_20200808_184520.jpg" width="640" /></a>
</p><p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUYFvIdUMMtiPo5z2hWCBi3hM5zjUtZpfkD7BkhrLy5DMbCBboNbahfQlzKosbaK5Zmsa_BlFnBpe323Zje4y1VmhXTxrM93BRnzQYKfhH6ibLZYy6GWyiDVPYO7UkH3Pn_pnAG-9jpZc/s2048/IMG_20200808_175912_crop.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1231" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUYFvIdUMMtiPo5z2hWCBi3hM5zjUtZpfkD7BkhrLy5DMbCBboNbahfQlzKosbaK5Zmsa_BlFnBpe323Zje4y1VmhXTxrM93BRnzQYKfhH6ibLZYy6GWyiDVPYO7UkH3Pn_pnAG-9jpZc/s640/IMG_20200808_175912_crop.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPa79DRAE9lbxRxPVexG_0apAkXI1k8qAv5YNGdchqOgGo5vGOPF6Y4w-laf3U4M4z1cjESwLgEF0j4LAiAtMYoFAZ_tIqmipalbF61A85ucuEzd6NfQW8770iQBuD5sWOHchGy1X3AF4/s2048/IMG_20200808_180621.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1496" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPa79DRAE9lbxRxPVexG_0apAkXI1k8qAv5YNGdchqOgGo5vGOPF6Y4w-laf3U4M4z1cjESwLgEF0j4LAiAtMYoFAZ_tIqmipalbF61A85ucuEzd6NfQW8770iQBuD5sWOHchGy1X3AF4/s640/IMG_20200808_180621.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirrR17LxuzzjVQM0Ml_8WkeM6brBG8h2BwNQOWz84q6hrNBbbh6LQU3E0MEOlLbuRPt9HkwRwM1MpGk6PjS9xjpQh1RRdbC82Ax9kjm5IVCsVyKC83iavwzC5HPAy0si0Jn0yL9hGm0pY/s2048/white-VUF+IMG_20200808_190205.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1337" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirrR17LxuzzjVQM0Ml_8WkeM6brBG8h2BwNQOWz84q6hrNBbbh6LQU3E0MEOlLbuRPt9HkwRwM1MpGk6PjS9xjpQh1RRdbC82Ax9kjm5IVCsVyKC83iavwzC5HPAy0si0Jn0yL9hGm0pY/s640/white-VUF+IMG_20200808_190205.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih2T-f5x-QeXwujo4gnF45LMLVVL_YrcpnIJoBLc0mezkO5KbJ_OrknQAvobbZ6AkROLZqc5Cog_ErmX47gi1vxn199VloqqX5G06_vkJyL6FqqVxBIrgxKiJgb6UNrkPraQa7uoFK8_Q/s2048/white-VRM+IMG_20200808_190931.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1373" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih2T-f5x-QeXwujo4gnF45LMLVVL_YrcpnIJoBLc0mezkO5KbJ_OrknQAvobbZ6AkROLZqc5Cog_ErmX47gi1vxn199VloqqX5G06_vkJyL6FqqVxBIrgxKiJgb6UNrkPraQa7uoFK8_Q/s640/white-VRM+IMG_20200808_190931.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div>
<p>
Short of time for further visits, but in late August another surge of terns with 1,980 Sandwich on 29 August with perhaps 100 Common Tern, then a new high of 2,420 Sandwich to roost on 30 August (possible Lothian second highest total, peak remains 3k Musselburgh 18/8/99, other site records seem to be 2,400 W in 2hrs at Gosford on 31/7/84 and 2,300 dusk Aberlady 8/8/00; also noteworthy 2,200 Muss 21-22/8/97), then a drop to 850 on 31 August but with a Black Tern amongst them; a new spectacle at dusk on 3 September when found a huge influx of Arctic Tern, c. 560, with a juv Black Tern in their midst and 700+ Sandwich; on the falling tide, parts of the flock repeatedly flew out over shallows but returned, then at 20:32hrs (35 mins after sunset) the first batch left to the west flying low over the sea into a strong W4 wind, two further batches left in next 10 mins but 1200+ terns remained on shore an hour after sunset. Checking database it seems this may be the second highest Lothian count, after the massive one day total of 3000 at Aberlady on 23/8/12 (had dropped to 400 by 25/8/12). Some short videos (expand to fullscreen):
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='640' height='532' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxd55Ikv4jwmzoCd5qttQaJ9ObJ5OHJMdKVzla4DNvJ9lC0toNQynBm-4XVaQt7CXgKwKHBnQl_Otq0SCRnTA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='640' height='532' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwV7dOpNbUjxDGwBo0UeL1Sg64nlinPadbUrejp_wZ3DU0b3Gl4EwjNCTWzLiuWS8p3yBvUzQR5OOxwVZ71ww' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='640' height='532' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxTY5HAj4q8N2CxLMiqB_nDLihq64fDh2jst9O5pFxU0H66sEH42vbQtTfaFxKS29PtSROay4FC8y85ZVh2nA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<p></p>
<p>
Black Terns appeared from 31 August on with a peak of 5 juvs in the roost on 11 September and an ad Roseate on 13 September, ad+juv on 16 September:
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEg50Xwd7i5urbsVfB5thmYIjR6DyqgaxBP9eMmdcZX8_qfpgnt-HqVCfekoJmzCnQbNUz2CBcDkA6WLjPLj9u6gIC3LhQr5NHttF_3Gqm3SlrLfJfFgmSrYwM-Ai6HeVcl2Q7rQj9RXo/s2041/IMG_20200911_193051.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="600" data-original-height="1452" data-original-width="2041" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEg50Xwd7i5urbsVfB5thmYIjR6DyqgaxBP9eMmdcZX8_qfpgnt-HqVCfekoJmzCnQbNUz2CBcDkA6WLjPLj9u6gIC3LhQr5NHttF_3Gqm3SlrLfJfFgmSrYwM-Ai6HeVcl2Q7rQj9RXo/s600/IMG_20200911_193051.jpg"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaKsL3_yiReDysTvjDfwAuB8aU5AO86Hk821k1v0Wc7kFayEQ309RUOJDlRTqn5U436SZpmUCNeGEYP67hZXETLqoSL5uX4vuq-t9k1ewYVSkT-6hGg4OMsmmGSEgoHBExo54n466hXhk/s2048/IMG_20200911_193558.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="600" data-original-height="1376" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaKsL3_yiReDysTvjDfwAuB8aU5AO86Hk821k1v0Wc7kFayEQ309RUOJDlRTqn5U436SZpmUCNeGEYP67hZXETLqoSL5uX4vuq-t9k1ewYVSkT-6hGg4OMsmmGSEgoHBExo54n466hXhk/s600/IMG_20200911_193558.jpg"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOaB873srg78iVDirzXlnXS5u5omaq7M7olOBVr-3SonE8RRLLidL7YNzBmhWqzqRxhojCfNxDrvYhX3IuPpLH2OZmBSaLpDs-SVPzLCm9Co8hwhUdCDpDH5sLW-qYnKeV-PkplqZyckg/s2048/IMG_20200911_192625.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="600" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOaB873srg78iVDirzXlnXS5u5omaq7M7olOBVr-3SonE8RRLLidL7YNzBmhWqzqRxhojCfNxDrvYhX3IuPpLH2OZmBSaLpDs-SVPzLCm9Co8hwhUdCDpDH5sLW-qYnKeV-PkplqZyckg/s600/IMG_20200911_192625.jpg"/></a></div>
<p>
The scene on 17 September was simply magical, with 3k birds on the sea and around 5k on the sands, including 1k terns, thousands of gulls, hundreds of waders and a group of Greylags, Heron fishing as usual in the shallows:
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjul3P9tI66F-FfTcS5_KeZWiCFQX_0BuVSW7i55Y15LxRB8W4Ynz_0iVdnYTcXpPeLqrX6SRErobsN3coU0mMcECsAFTqXkyjZexpC1qOY2YNbW13sSRbzUtW6-6tmX8SuUm8NkKN1C3c/s2048/IMG_20200917_194244_crop.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="600" data-original-height="1162" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjul3P9tI66F-FfTcS5_KeZWiCFQX_0BuVSW7i55Y15LxRB8W4Ynz_0iVdnYTcXpPeLqrX6SRErobsN3coU0mMcECsAFTqXkyjZexpC1qOY2YNbW13sSRbzUtW6-6tmX8SuUm8NkKN1C3c/s600/IMG_20200917_194244_crop.jpg"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQhPHAbPso5YZzMmCtbpHULLBrgZcFNETZqYAvyBuFLPkLKQKWpk8wZYRwvDUjryqsndkThCloftfu1qCNGZ4yz3Zi5_WlP449LaAHOIdfLRIPZKqTOHqJ3RjE3QSAN37-f9h2ntZd9xQ/s2048/IMG_20200917_195547_crop.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="600" data-original-height="1841" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQhPHAbPso5YZzMmCtbpHULLBrgZcFNETZqYAvyBuFLPkLKQKWpk8wZYRwvDUjryqsndkThCloftfu1qCNGZ4yz3Zi5_WlP449LaAHOIdfLRIPZKqTOHqJ3RjE3QSAN37-f9h2ntZd9xQ/s600/IMG_20200917_195547_crop.jpg"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeYrAyntfDU9ynU3Pm6jzQD_ER4TvhJya1ugYnj2ZwUsWKgkX5f8lXsUV-C9BSiCHj0JcSR8fSiG806YxzdyY5dvaC8Rk2HB5pr8MOdzoE5BQUaDwf4pveAX3esWwukyGtN3jvH1prUGE/s2048/IMG_20200917_195748_crop.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="600" data-original-height="1910" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeYrAyntfDU9ynU3Pm6jzQD_ER4TvhJya1ugYnj2ZwUsWKgkX5f8lXsUV-C9BSiCHj0JcSR8fSiG806YxzdyY5dvaC8Rk2HB5pr8MOdzoE5BQUaDwf4pveAX3esWwukyGtN3jvH1prUGE/s600/IMG_20200917_195748_crop.jpg"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfkBbiV51uw2jDz6gWVHB0jUYesytTA-8RU2eFccdShZNxgfbuPzzc-tOfcp3n6q7Lxx_Rrpi_dNidzzoqiUSKJNrNcORBWFyKrFTL36LGGOP3OwgVct1pOZ3s4TTz-CT0MFddO83YHV8/s2048/IMG_20200917_200651_crop.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="600" data-original-height="1557" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfkBbiV51uw2jDz6gWVHB0jUYesytTA-8RU2eFccdShZNxgfbuPzzc-tOfcp3n6q7Lxx_Rrpi_dNidzzoqiUSKJNrNcORBWFyKrFTL36LGGOP3OwgVct1pOZ3s4TTz-CT0MFddO83YHV8/s600/IMG_20200917_200651_crop.jpg"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBQWs-aKm6-WjKyOtgBXxj38S-OOzS_L7lkIjXuAIgifNNMVVVyPoxkxSOIZvJN7Neq8zeZ95W6l8VNkH2D8YjU14r3H3sCATad57Hzigs180T3MRdunowFxKrldQ7slOfL2ewXL802SQ/s2048/IMG_20200917_200713.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="600" data-original-height="1427" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBQWs-aKm6-WjKyOtgBXxj38S-OOzS_L7lkIjXuAIgifNNMVVVyPoxkxSOIZvJN7Neq8zeZ95W6l8VNkH2D8YjU14r3H3sCATad57Hzigs180T3MRdunowFxKrldQ7slOfL2ewXL802SQ/s600/IMG_20200917_200713.jpg"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3cbtq2qz_GH9tyWM6A0dX4NpjSFWoj_u7ozDgsBFILemLl6K16iOq-jZCETgi-1PC_-ryzR33wwCWaobU_emua1FoRgNtCRRcUPOQjE4lRbQXTSPBS8z3mgqBuY_atNwCwcfWP9AHZw4/s2048/IMG_20200917_200902.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="600" data-original-height="1339" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3cbtq2qz_GH9tyWM6A0dX4NpjSFWoj_u7ozDgsBFILemLl6K16iOq-jZCETgi-1PC_-ryzR33wwCWaobU_emua1FoRgNtCRRcUPOQjE4lRbQXTSPBS8z3mgqBuY_atNwCwcfWP9AHZw4/s600/IMG_20200917_200902.jpg"/></a></div>
<p>
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='600' height='498' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy-2wOHhKfGHZmZ-c_R7-_Mmpkj4NRoSJa4eHTSjrE8ydnoIRilIeQTBuEleUUiWWZNTXDxYb3rFTy7xedVgA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>
Just one week later on 22 September there were no terns at all at high tide, and only c. 40 at Seton, a huge clear out in a week!welchshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00378942325088808236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2376184590270819842.post-89254422481991475452020-05-04T02:30:00.044+01:002021-03-10T01:07:45.164+00:00Longniddry Bents<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb7P9YrUBhu4JtvuLk_wXNZO5RewwRcBHLENJbUhdFPR4GhQMglLDfn6Npk4bG8Wn4qDDzWWzpFLu5sDY8ldR6f8k8z5DbAtIRGR4LnZp6u0xq1MKLbaZsQ6MvFxKhT8C146hagZE6wa8/s1600/IMG_20200328_183702.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb7P9YrUBhu4JtvuLk_wXNZO5RewwRcBHLENJbUhdFPR4GhQMglLDfn6Npk4bG8Wn4qDDzWWzpFLu5sDY8ldR6f8k8z5DbAtIRGR4LnZp6u0xq1MKLbaZsQ6MvFxKhT8C146hagZE6wa8/s640/IMG_20200328_183702.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<br />
<div>
We are fortunate to live close to the East Lothian coast in the Firth of Forth. This is a brief account and collection of photos all taken during the COVID19 lockdown in 19 weeks from 22 March 2020, during "daily exercise", spanning the stretch of coast near Longniddry - a journey from Gosford Sands and Gosford Bay to the north-east, via Ferny Ness, the Old Coast Road, the Bents themselves which eventually merge into Seton Sands, terminating at Port Seton. This is my new "local patch" and during the period complete species lists were gathered for each daily visit, allowing tracking of the seasonal changes, and all logged on <a href="https://www.bto.org/our-science/projects/birdtrack">BTO's BirdTrack</a>. Route shown here, mainly off-road, by bike:
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS8Cgc63u7-pTjiP8EjS6bs1RHmPH6BQjTr-DP5yX5pq86majlsYzh5fveVUz5Fr51y14eOdiNcx7i7EryQsMzntUCcGfWF2383NmsVxhW9-SH7VHTlXbMDlzrmg3pW_Lp-S_yJf4LpF4/s1448/BirdTrack+route.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="841" data-original-width="1448" height="373" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_MCfN4FBEN09p0H3Y-GNcllcnJ1XN-bFRf29ga4mZmjkfQr1ggcO4gT5yqeAkxdVjOlNFbWh73Z_cH0s1trWBud3E1JUPStJjAS-TvAquTd27xbBArhmrJtYhSmq_GAIdrTz3QD7_YqI/w640-h373/BirdTrack+route.jpg" width="640" /></a>
</div>
#lockdownbirds analysis to 13/7 - 135 BirdTrack lists (116 complete) with 4,973 records, total 56,722 birds counted, of 129 species (+8 more from garden only, mainly nocturnals), 62 species with breeding codes of which 32 confirmed breeding and 21 probable breeding (expect to confirm ~12 more!). This Excel file for 16 May includes graphs for Gadwall, seaduck (e.g. Velvet Scoter trend below), waders departure (Bar-tailed Godwit below) and warblers arrival - <a href="https://app.box.com/s/xp5t5phwhxc05t5qkf0yw6ea9xmaa1za">link</a>; also 10 species of mammal, including Pygmy Shrew and breeding Red Fox.
<p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsGivzVR0RQ9PvCPwJsNpSXd_iNnEbHqQjdyGoitNGAUrYE1opXtOfcL2KqvdnbNmP8cWe8KJU2SmO5foS8XYCL0rpTDfNxfs3bLq8d-beL_SI4UwTEZshZyMsxdKv0aaOJeWjlXnvlpw/s1600/Gosford+Bay+Velvet+Scoter+-+lockdown.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="754" data-original-width="1478" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsGivzVR0RQ9PvCPwJsNpSXd_iNnEbHqQjdyGoitNGAUrYE1opXtOfcL2KqvdnbNmP8cWe8KJU2SmO5foS8XYCL0rpTDfNxfs3bLq8d-beL_SI4UwTEZshZyMsxdKv0aaOJeWjlXnvlpw/s640/Gosford+Bay+Velvet+Scoter+-+lockdown.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXejiAEA6KndWeBe8RQ9xNAhDEXXm21ZJjoHtvjEQjWCWMeu7dwGt8xJ_58KK9k-5R3mW__8RbKlkRfanGHTtwijWAoAWCBDygcPlHz1LdhvViHiSJ5FFe5HRjKqatBljdBvM3tVWoCRU/s1600/Gosford+Bay+Barwit+-+lockdown.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="691" data-original-width="1302" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXejiAEA6KndWeBe8RQ9xNAhDEXXm21ZJjoHtvjEQjWCWMeu7dwGt8xJ_58KK9k-5R3mW__8RbKlkRfanGHTtwijWAoAWCBDygcPlHz1LdhvViHiSJ5FFe5HRjKqatBljdBvM3tVWoCRU/s640/Gosford+Bay+Barwit+-+lockdown.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<br />
The characteristic species inhabitating the buckthorn on the Bents include a number of warbler species, easily detectable by their frequent song (particularly after first arrival in spring) including <a href="https://www.xeno-canto.org/555115">Willow Warbler</a>, Chiffchaff, Blackcap and Whitethroat:
<br />
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN3hyphenhyphenzk7NGiJQQ1rj8Hi1pHYZSKxV6Abn6HWLaZ0ruGVj3L_XQ1qwgLi0G6ScsC4uE6XTFCtP4uiXtWkBDpKytNwjXR3lSw8qaAYJr3J2ADfhBwBoalsNgojmLR9m14Cmal2Nso7wH0os/s1600/Longniddry+Bents+common+warblers.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="592" data-original-width="1600" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN3hyphenhyphenzk7NGiJQQ1rj8Hi1pHYZSKxV6Abn6HWLaZ0ruGVj3L_XQ1qwgLi0G6ScsC4uE6XTFCtP4uiXtWkBDpKytNwjXR3lSw8qaAYJr3J2ADfhBwBoalsNgojmLR9m14Cmal2Nso7wH0os/s640/Longniddry+Bents+common+warblers.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo1p4HlIr-HEyIQp0aYsURFEMdMYLfrwadinVpOPBz_iuk8w7dp3RzJ6Suexp_xexje9BGSwEPAv5305r7PBi4Shwk9FlLxpyngrEH3wCVfCCSwyN0j6rXnE7_xfOIBWzDJS8TmQr2guc/s1600/IMG_20200505_201009.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1093" data-original-width="1600" height="437" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo1p4HlIr-HEyIQp0aYsURFEMdMYLfrwadinVpOPBz_iuk8w7dp3RzJ6Suexp_xexje9BGSwEPAv5305r7PBi4Shwk9FlLxpyngrEH3wCVfCCSwyN0j6rXnE7_xfOIBWzDJS8TmQr2guc/s640/IMG_20200505_201009.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
Also several seed-eaters including Linnet (male above), Tree Sparrow, Bullfinch, Goldfinch and Reed Bunting, the tit family including Long-tailed Tits; Nuthatch, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Sparrowhawk in Fernyness Wood, and many others.
<p>With a telescope Velvet and Common Scoter can normally be seen offshore, along with Eider (<a href="https://twitter.com/lothianrecorder/status/1268133302243938304">duckings seen</a>), Long-tailed Duck, Red-breasted Merganser and Red-throated Diver, and seabirds like Gannet and Fulmar, and the auks (Puffins are very regular offshore, hurrying back to colony with food in summer months) while many species of wader and <a href="https://twitter.com/James_K_Boyle/status/1246726328923062272">Grey Heron</a> feed on the shore, with terns in season, mainly concentrated at Port Seton (<a href="https://sedgewarbler.blogspot.com/2014/08/sandwich-terns-port-seton.html">previous blog</a>) - where Gadwall can now reliably be seen on the burn:<br />
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio9yIYCWXoCml5TseSrR5JpzpPuWC01hsqFOvDM-IVwIrSojrvLTeBtgeuKzoI6TOFW2B9E6_ntvaLGWgtueYvG16mozkd4aBEF85giAK5p0LXnmnXQWQAuw1DpDiGXHBJQOOmT8CuKu0/s849/Seton+Burn+Gadwall+-+lockdown2.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="581" data-original-width="849" height="429" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio9yIYCWXoCml5TseSrR5JpzpPuWC01hsqFOvDM-IVwIrSojrvLTeBtgeuKzoI6TOFW2B9E6_ntvaLGWgtueYvG16mozkd4aBEF85giAK5p0LXnmnXQWQAuw1DpDiGXHBJQOOmT8CuKu0/w625-h429/Seton+Burn+Gadwall+-+lockdown2.jpg" width="625" /></a>
</div>
Counts of birds seen passing offshore can be found on the <a href="https://www.trektellen.org/count/view/501/">trektellen website</a>.
<p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjei93KUCQecZtdAB2d8XmVG3yj-164N_aZ7tzWcL7G9zR618FiFuRbAOPIEEK1kmehGQKf6VOAo6iC40bxwFAzW6Rb3GdbkuqKGC1uJoN5cZWlHn-kivytC_wEgeMaj-61Ps_e_NpPsU0/s4777/IMG_20200611_193731.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="3662" data-original-width="4777" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjei93KUCQecZtdAB2d8XmVG3yj-164N_aZ7tzWcL7G9zR618FiFuRbAOPIEEK1kmehGQKf6VOAo6iC40bxwFAzW6Rb3GdbkuqKGC1uJoN5cZWlHn-kivytC_wEgeMaj-61Ps_e_NpPsU0/w640-h490/IMG_20200611_193731.jpg" width="640" /></a>
</p><p>
Scarcer species noted during the period included <a href="https://twitter.com/KGbirder/status/1268616295244632065">[White-billed Diver]</a>, Little Egret; <a href="https://twitter.com/James_K_Boyle/status/1256259104970027010">Red-necked</a>, Slavonian & Great Crested Grebes; Whooper Swan, Brent Goose (pale-bellied) & Surf Scoter; a pair of breeding plumage Goosander in May; <a href="https://twitter.com/lothianrecorder/status/1277324768648269827">Hobby</a>; <a href="https://twitter.com/lothianrecorder/status/1270117180835758082">Quail</a>; Grey Plover, Purple Sandpiper, Whimbrel & Snipe; several Mediterranean Gulls (1st-sum, 2nd-sum & ads); Little & Arctic Terns; Whinchat & Stonechat; [the famous Rose-coloured Starling]; and Grasshopper, Sedge & Garden Warblers, and <a href="https://twitter.com/James_K_Boyle/status/1256555140632494080">Lesser Whitethroat</a> (<a href="https://www.xeno-canto.org/555118">song</a>), [plus a one-day visit by a rare Marsh Warbler (4th for Lothian if accepted)], []=found by others - also a pair of Garganey, Red Kite, Roseate Terns, a Cuckoo (heard), singing Reed Warbler and two Redstarts which I missed; some species seemed to be exploiting the generally reduced disturbance from the lockdown, including <a href="https://twitter.com/lothianrecorder/status/1249102213529522187">Grey Partridge</a>, Stock Dove and Skylark on/over the golf course, and a pair of Shelduck frequented Longniddry shore and Gosford Sands - drake in first image below, fresh from attacking some unsuspecting drake Eiders, the lady bird next near her nest burrow - down and egg shells were found on 11 June confirming Shelduck had indeed bred here, probably for the first time since at least 1991!
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijEV3wiI90MIZXNHCStBkrvlDIKZEy6O3cty0dgcJCyHWj-NtzcgufxQ3tfN_aR7lgVYYtmn98JQxtHz2QSE6CPSaCTT-HrOWz6e-75YnO8YBmMhcWTLKgiEohci8RVUckodvHZ2EhFi8/s1600/IMG_20200510_070440_crop.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1113" height="589" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijEV3wiI90MIZXNHCStBkrvlDIKZEy6O3cty0dgcJCyHWj-NtzcgufxQ3tfN_aR7lgVYYtmn98JQxtHz2QSE6CPSaCTT-HrOWz6e-75YnO8YBmMhcWTLKgiEohci8RVUckodvHZ2EhFi8/s640/IMG_20200510_070440_crop.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Y5x51pD2_ZKN44NgWnN2ZRodNohV7F2xVxt8fBwaQG9q4VNvU0ErQ7NZSHYxusGKi9aFaswM990KwUtgJjqBDBzP1OFYrVjU_y5-MXXp5vElwdmQ6E2omMauNLeo688_5_gQhcPO9Ps/s1600/IMG_20200525_124536.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1359" data-original-width="1600" height="544" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Y5x51pD2_ZKN44NgWnN2ZRodNohV7F2xVxt8fBwaQG9q4VNvU0ErQ7NZSHYxusGKi9aFaswM990KwUtgJjqBDBzP1OFYrVjU_y5-MXXp5vElwdmQ6E2omMauNLeo688_5_gQhcPO9Ps/s640/IMG_20200525_124536.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpTuCHH2aYA3Tnqh6nC7-Xm_8D8-jhVOi1o9sPSgvVrQ28OWOA8FsxbNW1Ou1cAMDsAmB5zsxSqwV0cvZOzh7EmreMmP-pbliUbonvusQM1kHtJutVF9KtZr8Xo5PIaNp_4WyCF1il2Lg/s1024/IMG_20200613_134636.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="855" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpTuCHH2aYA3Tnqh6nC7-Xm_8D8-jhVOi1o9sPSgvVrQ28OWOA8FsxbNW1Ou1cAMDsAmB5zsxSqwV0cvZOzh7EmreMmP-pbliUbonvusQM1kHtJutVF9KtZr8Xo5PIaNp_4WyCF1il2Lg/w480-h640/IMG_20200613_134636.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvXfXB9YJqwlmeT3Y35wf_MHD74nqWMg-HW7EeRfPIW2Xkcqir6cRHIHn5BRvTYUoF9GPZ_SJJyt_WkwW8UHAWpYfB01pEeUtH-mtUkqJiTzK2saevIk3Gr9Gj2dacTYQJXt8khj91nu8/s1600/IMG_20200611_211633_crop.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="735" data-original-width="843" height="558" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvXfXB9YJqwlmeT3Y35wf_MHD74nqWMg-HW7EeRfPIW2Xkcqir6cRHIHn5BRvTYUoF9GPZ_SJJyt_WkwW8UHAWpYfB01pEeUtH-mtUkqJiTzK2saevIk3Gr9Gj2dacTYQJXt8khj91nu8/s640/IMG_20200611_211633_crop.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<br />
Other breeding confirmations included Herring Gull on two roofs at Port Seton shops, Treecreeper with a family huddled in a tree fork, Long-tailed Tits, Tree Sparrow and Bullfinch, Sparrowhawks were regularly seen taking prey into a nesting area and also Kestrel; juvenile Tawny Owls were located at both ends of the village and Great Spotted Woodpecker was seen taking food to Fernyness Wood. Hopefully a good number more species will still be confirmed once juveniles start to roam.
</p><p>
Mammals are mainly rabbits, grey squirrels are fairly scarce but pipistrelle bats are widespread at dusk; there's a fox den at the Seton Burn and one was hurrying over the golf course early in #lockdown; with a telescope you can see the Common Seals which often haul out at Craigielaw, 18 in photo below, and a Grey Seal has a favourite rock to haul out at Seton Sands.
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdGs2rDtmRoGzSBht4dIKiEV9vHbQAGDymapxBHnwraPFRYfiYWch3Bl3o2x4FgyK4Aw1rdBvqRUsRElSBOLiRh7B1vRiupmDj71CVKXresjPjkyDFbmxgnMG5KUUgyf_jLfNVpPqKxGI/s1600/IMG_20200513_200117.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1179" data-original-width="1600" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdGs2rDtmRoGzSBht4dIKiEV9vHbQAGDymapxBHnwraPFRYfiYWch3Bl3o2x4FgyK4Aw1rdBvqRUsRElSBOLiRh7B1vRiupmDj71CVKXresjPjkyDFbmxgnMG5KUUgyf_jLfNVpPqKxGI/s640/IMG_20200513_200117.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyr0Wb1E0nk10fenpZIHrgQU8ro7AK2HdNSapCGbjslHgGJ874eOFcfUyBv67NjWe6hGotdKJ-dFahk8EAPqVDPWYb519-x0azF7X7DizMHXw8s6yPiYq5XRPWVu2RlLSsWr959HSNBuc/s1600/IMG_20200517_163257.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1194" data-original-width="1600" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyr0Wb1E0nk10fenpZIHrgQU8ro7AK2HdNSapCGbjslHgGJ874eOFcfUyBv67NjWe6hGotdKJ-dFahk8EAPqVDPWYb519-x0azF7X7DizMHXw8s6yPiYq5XRPWVu2RlLSsWr959HSNBuc/s640/IMG_20200517_163257.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<br />
In the course of same visits a huge amount of litter was also cleared from the Bents and verges, 2-3 bags per day, so over 200 altogether (~10,000 individual items), spanning bagged dog waste (many hundreds), cans and drinks bottles, increasing amounts of wet wipes, gloves and face masks, and polystyrene fast food boxes, the older ones of which are now breaking down (<a href="https://twitter.com/lothianrecorder/status/1257069327351795713">Tweet</a>); example of litter *just from the verge* and *just for one day* between Seton Sands and Longniddry Bents (less than a mile) is shown below:
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZg-ECEaKn3Gt6ozEEJWt_hTbiJR5oHrQMNkEAxnxh7501ubbNxm___sp_RhINt1Z_1w_J5ZEhtHazDdiiIi4lvhSAh7KAz6arpdikZIi54L9aOGggrU8kh8uQG3kj8Cb7ujy7U0HmXZM/s1600/IMG_20200514_204534_crop.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1272" data-original-width="1600" height="509" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZg-ECEaKn3Gt6ozEEJWt_hTbiJR5oHrQMNkEAxnxh7501ubbNxm___sp_RhINt1Z_1w_J5ZEhtHazDdiiIi4lvhSAh7KAz6arpdikZIi54L9aOGggrU8kh8uQG3kj8Cb7ujy7U0HmXZM/s640/IMG_20200514_204534_crop.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<br />The oldest verified item found was a packet of Monster Munch with expiry date on 4 Sept 1993 - complete with a little story about fishing a packet out of the sea - this one barely decayed in 27 years out in the Bents, the date had rubbed off on some older ones. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3gte4uORAp93MLUm75zM0Sn9nIz6OmLmf-N1F8wJKjNQ-paiaAOep1YSxMsol0XncNVvAyifBh1aiHTLaYi4Ijd29TgN1XPO0XsjMOc_Om1u83I_SFUWtJstcnGvZJcOf6S6tjbL7doM/s1506/IMG_20210308_121939_small.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="1208" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3gte4uORAp93MLUm75zM0Sn9nIz6OmLmf-N1F8wJKjNQ-paiaAOep1YSxMsol0XncNVvAyifBh1aiHTLaYi4Ijd29TgN1XPO0XsjMOc_Om1u83I_SFUWtJstcnGvZJcOf6S6tjbL7doM/s320/IMG_20210308_121939_small.jpg" /></a></div><p></p><p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWtL-ktmqL1JTwS13EXIHsp2gdCWSvbNax_4k7CtAnx2o4rVllBYPXTXMNgdwa2jl47Hez5Fif2jFvgpC3o0elkQfj8tnxYoyWCP8JWdV7e3K4pG6xmZ2PF7duvwT8XqXfTmi-23CgVcI/s1577/IMG_20210308_121952_small.jpg" style="clear: right; display: block; float: right; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1577" data-original-width="1268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWtL-ktmqL1JTwS13EXIHsp2gdCWSvbNax_4k7CtAnx2o4rVllBYPXTXMNgdwa2jl47Hez5Fif2jFvgpC3o0elkQfj8tnxYoyWCP8JWdV7e3K4pG6xmZ2PF7duvwT8XqXfTmi-23CgVcI/s320/IMG_20210308_121952_small.jpg" /></a></p><p> <br /></p>
<p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <br /></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Here's a Herring Gull tackling a KFC cup which it believes should be edible:<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='640' height='532' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwQOPvy2icNx3Ni4xDLstwqQVhiqRJp4nwwRgC782EFmrLjfP84d2KMtKqxeMrqtdhwnuAdZrvI-zKTjGvJdw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe> <br /></p>
<p>
No response from the company to <a href="https://twitter.com/lothianrecorder/status/1262157880960090113">being tagged in the Tweet</a>. Others have proposed <a href="https://twitter.com/Farmer_Tom_UK/status/1197426923107958784">a great idea to resolve this</a>, printing car registration numbers on take away packaging - some obvious snags though it may make some difference, but it seems there is no appetite for it from the big multinationals which exploit us and our environment, McDonalds, KFC and the rest. Seems odd to me - every single day they have a direct negative impact on my life, as I clear the waste they generate which spoils our coast and environment, knowing they could take simple steps to start to address it, but they choose not to. Clearly they cater for a customer base who generally could not care less and thus feel no obligation to do anything :(
</p><p>
Parking tickets were commonly found, as shown top left, some motorists seem to believe that because the car parks are shut they can legitimately park on the double yellows, or in the layby by c/p 2, wardens don't agree (<a href="https://www.eastlothiancourier.com/news/18503842.rogue-parkers-targeted-county-crackdown/">211 parking notices issued wknd 30-31 May</a>). Another notable feature is that a lot of items are half drunk/eaten - the Lucozade bottles above were nearly full many of the fish & chips the same, clearly even in the economic crisis post-COVID there are still many who are so well off they can chuck away most of what they buy. The Courier featured <a href="https://www.eastlothiancourier.com/news/18539163.laughing-gas-canisters-found-discarded-longniddry-bents/">"533 laughing gas canisters" and "hundreds of empty alcohol bottles"</a> but failed to mention that these were all new, the previous batches had already been cleared by stretched rangers and council workers, plus volunteers. Another shocking find by the caravan park <a href="https://twitter.com/lothianrecorder/status/1257069327351795713/photo/3">this photo</a> - what kind of person spends a week at a holiday camp and when leaving goes to the local beach, straight past the signs about plastic waste by the community picnic tables, and stuffs a huge black bag of rotting food waste behind the bushes - which by following day has already been ripped by scavengers and dispersed by the wind? Do they really have no bins or recycling in caravan parks? Clearly another who has plenty to spare, half eaten fast food, dozens of fizzy drink tins, cigarette packets, dog food tins and cleaning equipment. And this is what you may encounter after a "party" gathering, several hundred bottles and cans in one small part of the beach:
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU5Ls55-jzcNp9x-eryTXhIuoD_6ttGoYwFDW0rqjltZCyNl8xBtxUijQgx8tocU6PRAWNJo-2F1KQa8AiNGlEZJfRcnhyphenhyphenXXiZiD1vm6EX_cBao7BmDJRqsIaFIIeVc-7LK7myvrB4VQ4/s1600/IMG_20200530_092953_crop.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="918" data-original-width="1280" height="459" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU5Ls55-jzcNp9x-eryTXhIuoD_6ttGoYwFDW0rqjltZCyNl8xBtxUijQgx8tocU6PRAWNJo-2F1KQa8AiNGlEZJfRcnhyphenhyphenXXiZiD1vm6EX_cBao7BmDJRqsIaFIIeVc-7LK7myvrB4VQ4/s640/IMG_20200530_092953_crop.jpg" width="640" /></a>
A final warning on traffic and road safety - those of us who live in the village are familiar with the sound of motorbikes and souped-up cars using the coast road as a race track but this makes crossing the main road to the beach pretty hazardous, especially for those with children - and there have been two fatalities at Seton Sands in recent years - this problem has been even worse during lockdown though police have stepped up patrols.
<br />
Here's the rest of the landscape photos taken in many different weather conditions, mostly in evenings, following a progression east to west:
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg90moGlSX_3om7GjM5IiDI4j8IYgu-6FqZBW8lcl0NyVO5oT-1CIxvuBB7R07BRv4RH39DCKtdBWokqLky-hoRG09CDBAIoaXwJtfAmgyJDRjNo4aLX52kk8VASPJAl1lOX8SaX9rUJQw/s1600/IMG_20200419_141518.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1407" height="728" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg90moGlSX_3om7GjM5IiDI4j8IYgu-6FqZBW8lcl0NyVO5oT-1CIxvuBB7R07BRv4RH39DCKtdBWokqLky-hoRG09CDBAIoaXwJtfAmgyJDRjNo4aLX52kk8VASPJAl1lOX8SaX9rUJQw/s640/IMG_20200419_141518.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7mrCfDdTvl4CPjPNsVThw7KP9y5LNt0SBOa0H7GmrDOuTWLNb3cTVRYOTUkb_CtdEBoF_NxN2swh6HpxA0b9060r-zVjViCyv14YdmkrznZe_1sZq6jBqXnik6ta14xsHbxiIk3JAI8g/s1280/IMG_20200711_190258.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="925" data-original-width="1280" height="451" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7mrCfDdTvl4CPjPNsVThw7KP9y5LNt0SBOa0H7GmrDOuTWLNb3cTVRYOTUkb_CtdEBoF_NxN2swh6HpxA0b9060r-zVjViCyv14YdmkrznZe_1sZq6jBqXnik6ta14xsHbxiIk3JAI8g/w625-h451/IMG_20200711_190258.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDCT2dk7p_JhU2nQ-9yf1XvBKS7q4Xmc0AMImd4mF0x96j6ZJ6EQWtVp0bhojyjMXCUox07sma6T08lSpVcJXyGEe5VLUn0Shm-U1cBCkjWht0mhHCieUIbdqHMbjs1nN5SXWWdWtO5as/s1280/IMG_20200711_190308.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="959" data-original-width="1280" height="469" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDCT2dk7p_JhU2nQ-9yf1XvBKS7q4Xmc0AMImd4mF0x96j6ZJ6EQWtVp0bhojyjMXCUox07sma6T08lSpVcJXyGEe5VLUn0Shm-U1cBCkjWht0mhHCieUIbdqHMbjs1nN5SXWWdWtO5as/w625-h469/IMG_20200711_190308.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcjAFNUQytlXZB6VG3DXAhYoaoQbc7W47asx985LJ4rkXEbeSswcqHZgJH-3COfF2XUxiv3apmp7FREgQf0acEFYbFDhUS2L21q3MP6XP7lLR9yiwRIaP84YGRcFh3MdkZvDIy9sdwpTE/s1600/IMG_20200419_143829.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="959" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcjAFNUQytlXZB6VG3DXAhYoaoQbc7W47asx985LJ4rkXEbeSswcqHZgJH-3COfF2XUxiv3apmp7FREgQf0acEFYbFDhUS2L21q3MP6XP7lLR9yiwRIaP84YGRcFh3MdkZvDIy9sdwpTE/s640/IMG_20200419_143829.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXjYxskFwidnjHmS-7CE9UrMYCM1LxyUt15vJTiG-Wu-hwU06R0yEZ9YG-bJZmOmWgA7wg50_Mlv6b1dptPNZCnIw9A6Qmytfl4am6l73U8ExuIOm1LwAFEsAV7BEg29h6gfKvzur-g4U/s1600/IMG_20200502_101347.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXjYxskFwidnjHmS-7CE9UrMYCM1LxyUt15vJTiG-Wu-hwU06R0yEZ9YG-bJZmOmWgA7wg50_Mlv6b1dptPNZCnIw9A6Qmytfl4am6l73U8ExuIOm1LwAFEsAV7BEg29h6gfKvzur-g4U/s640/IMG_20200502_101347.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRVsfnfhvXmDVFDU7oBRuJmUgd631QDhadsNM3SdaB5f5WUQG71GX809a3lW-KJNBNBfTIt8vJh6JSuloeTjv2YPpJvOzbgVwVR6NEAjvFHbGy-mxSy_sg8EyeWWTMYd-BAOPVi27ljpM/s1600/IMG_20200502_101506.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRVsfnfhvXmDVFDU7oBRuJmUgd631QDhadsNM3SdaB5f5WUQG71GX809a3lW-KJNBNBfTIt8vJh6JSuloeTjv2YPpJvOzbgVwVR6NEAjvFHbGy-mxSy_sg8EyeWWTMYd-BAOPVi27ljpM/s640/IMG_20200502_101506.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYpJDwVORsmgLqxbyfSEBX_lMRetHCSnPlOYB5Al1xLIsrxVN9NqpuOWa4rjMGjK9khgLSLy5xAqagN9O9HHlZQPFk62CKhNz1whHFVzfaFF6-5lCBNBzZqbapLNZGT4bkdGDtWZn8bHo/s1600/IMG_20200502_101722.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYpJDwVORsmgLqxbyfSEBX_lMRetHCSnPlOYB5Al1xLIsrxVN9NqpuOWa4rjMGjK9khgLSLy5xAqagN9O9HHlZQPFk62CKhNz1whHFVzfaFF6-5lCBNBzZqbapLNZGT4bkdGDtWZn8bHo/s640/IMG_20200502_101722.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj37qrnV0a8yyp45yVld0WEomjxiOFYgVv6mwY6RL6fBqC50gfwODMyAdRaFW6ic_ULP0UQ7Ao8BfVNljp5sB65lFKPYCduAd7GF61YRDM9ALD-su9Ks6QYpOUaWj6P24thmm0pBN6F15s/s1600/IMG_20200502_101817.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj37qrnV0a8yyp45yVld0WEomjxiOFYgVv6mwY6RL6fBqC50gfwODMyAdRaFW6ic_ULP0UQ7Ao8BfVNljp5sB65lFKPYCduAd7GF61YRDM9ALD-su9Ks6QYpOUaWj6P24thmm0pBN6F15s/s640/IMG_20200502_101817.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2tFVBCx_xkLSpwQtN6NVAM-2QiIPHEL4TMXS1Dfi9O3dYhR9RT12BD7rHSxIrsMIdDqZ4Es0Eh15RbN9-48qPLe0tyJGgeYfxQaTc6eKbZMvfttsfSPWjLBGCO73VgoMOYQhYWdTxP9Q/s1600/IMG_20200502_101936.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2tFVBCx_xkLSpwQtN6NVAM-2QiIPHEL4TMXS1Dfi9O3dYhR9RT12BD7rHSxIrsMIdDqZ4Es0Eh15RbN9-48qPLe0tyJGgeYfxQaTc6eKbZMvfttsfSPWjLBGCO73VgoMOYQhYWdTxP9Q/s640/IMG_20200502_101936.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-EfBDryjRy-C0eRtNOMP6bEML-e8OZzEEJPs6-fGWaJr9Mxh1N-jK2pXC9SmWxfCTSIOjBMy8QpihzxFd8oMPErVXf8wWsstY0LCOFehlNh3XKmkoq3TxlkjxQhAt0BSohprLFj9JGBs/s1600/IMG_20200502_103150.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-EfBDryjRy-C0eRtNOMP6bEML-e8OZzEEJPs6-fGWaJr9Mxh1N-jK2pXC9SmWxfCTSIOjBMy8QpihzxFd8oMPErVXf8wWsstY0LCOFehlNh3XKmkoq3TxlkjxQhAt0BSohprLFj9JGBs/s640/IMG_20200502_103150.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg80FtMC6dApkI-HH1CgQ938pK4tYLHIGmj0YOr5mWuqAxifVauskSyvwXki21sz5ej6MU2zipwdGSRL3_PpF-PNuCCcUSh9w52u8xLC_fy4s9Scjljgqbz4XuvjPVAoNDFVM0y_N-GMrc/s1600/IMG_20200504_200106.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="890" data-original-width="1238" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg80FtMC6dApkI-HH1CgQ938pK4tYLHIGmj0YOr5mWuqAxifVauskSyvwXki21sz5ej6MU2zipwdGSRL3_PpF-PNuCCcUSh9w52u8xLC_fy4s9Scjljgqbz4XuvjPVAoNDFVM0y_N-GMrc/s640/IMG_20200504_200106.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiMcVNGwBio_QgrDVXmhG7gRhGIlcLU7saVn0dD-ieZ0OLE5vAU9y-I-j9SeGvkXgYp2OsM9QuZ1cS0ThBPsInNuPK82EB_MeOjVwEqPIRKYLvA42n9qhx0oQzW_OZX95IsVEBkkhzHp4/s1600/IMG_20200504_200535.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiMcVNGwBio_QgrDVXmhG7gRhGIlcLU7saVn0dD-ieZ0OLE5vAU9y-I-j9SeGvkXgYp2OsM9QuZ1cS0ThBPsInNuPK82EB_MeOjVwEqPIRKYLvA42n9qhx0oQzW_OZX95IsVEBkkhzHp4/s640/IMG_20200504_200535.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRucLHHstf3bxZZ8MwaaHYr76HZv-gin6MM_-7r199og2g8mkKVXk5xVDQSlvGPY7i155mBaT6KD-15cuAZHV_qL3y5byKuVhnCHo9JD9YcoiX4gJzcG2qbu2weh40N_cJI_jdZtfW8oA/s1600/IMG_20200508_200833.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="767" height="854" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRucLHHstf3bxZZ8MwaaHYr76HZv-gin6MM_-7r199og2g8mkKVXk5xVDQSlvGPY7i155mBaT6KD-15cuAZHV_qL3y5byKuVhnCHo9JD9YcoiX4gJzcG2qbu2weh40N_cJI_jdZtfW8oA/s640/IMG_20200508_200833.jpg" width="639" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgexBEfM1MUASC_DuENx9uuUYLKhLauCqYOEsrNBcIfrAAsATQJl-nhmwejxI2s1_wJcwY5N2pC-OWwqm5L_ZkSFjSNvBaCK5XFEWYc2kfeGXivDqSkVAH90nIulqgW_FE4ZzTul5l8Hxk/s1600/IMG_20200417_191314.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="949" data-original-width="1280" height="475" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgexBEfM1MUASC_DuENx9uuUYLKhLauCqYOEsrNBcIfrAAsATQJl-nhmwejxI2s1_wJcwY5N2pC-OWwqm5L_ZkSFjSNvBaCK5XFEWYc2kfeGXivDqSkVAH90nIulqgW_FE4ZzTul5l8Hxk/s640/IMG_20200417_191314.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLjaSnQA90EKafcIlqVjzwqagca-0KcH1zY8HjZG383r00zp12GUC7q_SbdQMkmeClRvr3mtuOkEUnngin6wTVD4nqrBxXFaX90D6kAJNmP84uKCTIE6IavPRvhgiSySKk-osr7TKnj8Y/s1600/IMG_20200418_193837.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLjaSnQA90EKafcIlqVjzwqagca-0KcH1zY8HjZG383r00zp12GUC7q_SbdQMkmeClRvr3mtuOkEUnngin6wTVD4nqrBxXFaX90D6kAJNmP84uKCTIE6IavPRvhgiSySKk-osr7TKnj8Y/s640/IMG_20200418_193837.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyY8RmNqv_tjiNYt4AhQrXnReynlIQYKP-aeYhkPOZksjemXeIvwkYCm19u2s-QjgXMfn0YytWeo_UjNxInHPBE_CIc3S0VKqeX1ogQO3kCBcK-VfSIKpR0gQEa3-AKKMMUwSSdXHVkUs/s1600/IMG_20200505_195739.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="916" data-original-width="1280" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyY8RmNqv_tjiNYt4AhQrXnReynlIQYKP-aeYhkPOZksjemXeIvwkYCm19u2s-QjgXMfn0YytWeo_UjNxInHPBE_CIc3S0VKqeX1ogQO3kCBcK-VfSIKpR0gQEa3-AKKMMUwSSdXHVkUs/s640/IMG_20200505_195739.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK3IecWGHVgGD5plwDxkv1D-2_c0WdBiO2cjCN7iMC2H56Rn-konQjH4YOiXKh5lWlGEeyQvlG9NaDnHCLjivFcL_YEOFuW2tRJlxVf-VbOBqyVWh-O2MHdm3r6J7M1pIaz4GRwxQRh90/s1600/IMG_20200504_195711.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="918" data-original-width="1267" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK3IecWGHVgGD5plwDxkv1D-2_c0WdBiO2cjCN7iMC2H56Rn-konQjH4YOiXKh5lWlGEeyQvlG9NaDnHCLjivFcL_YEOFuW2tRJlxVf-VbOBqyVWh-O2MHdm3r6J7M1pIaz4GRwxQRh90/s640/IMG_20200504_195711.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib-9dHr0vg-t-AoUCwkL1k7IsT6GPZVdiR4PVO07n_UEgG0CN3d165PLt62RU5aaQIftRejpETZiglFdRPrd4y1ekNO9HIcigQnVPwM66FZq8QEpl08ZX6BsykkCiMkdZVQn-tQszk67Q/s1600/IMG_20200504_195753.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="999" data-original-width="767" height="832" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib-9dHr0vg-t-AoUCwkL1k7IsT6GPZVdiR4PVO07n_UEgG0CN3d165PLt62RU5aaQIftRejpETZiglFdRPrd4y1ekNO9HIcigQnVPwM66FZq8QEpl08ZX6BsykkCiMkdZVQn-tQszk67Q/s640/IMG_20200504_195753.jpg" width="638" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgQwHc4kn_9NZD921u4K7EKJiAu9L7R9xwrx492LZc8LSTeN4zo5EAv0ORGk70c-o4v3G7s2913169LMd1bumAAfrs_DXr-I7pdqhu755ARykl5_GlO6WUZ2CivLS_GiScYm226KEYyvU/s1600/IMG_20200508_200257.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgQwHc4kn_9NZD921u4K7EKJiAu9L7R9xwrx492LZc8LSTeN4zo5EAv0ORGk70c-o4v3G7s2913169LMd1bumAAfrs_DXr-I7pdqhu755ARykl5_GlO6WUZ2CivLS_GiScYm226KEYyvU/s640/IMG_20200508_200257.jpg" width="638" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLNItIYckaXqz4YItP-dc8w3I62Uo8WDvAShflRBMSHkYiEPTRDdI37K5SVupkRGTeLvy8m1ek7evaIZIHuqWWN8F5jSQaSeYy2dcauORIEeENVboBIeTtvHkM3Kv4dtLqIXUU7MeP8eU/s1600/IMG_20200524_215031.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLNItIYckaXqz4YItP-dc8w3I62Uo8WDvAShflRBMSHkYiEPTRDdI37K5SVupkRGTeLvy8m1ek7evaIZIHuqWWN8F5jSQaSeYy2dcauORIEeENVboBIeTtvHkM3Kv4dtLqIXUU7MeP8eU/s640/IMG_20200524_215031.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKXCPnIK2G7pu42t09OB_VzkPSQnsZcxwm4950mwq4-OLsSfC6iak0FiuWDlBG0-CYt0cpUx6MMEkU4_MoTiBCmG-WhXuolDqs_Zmnc27CkyuYyyxGsS3DDJUhSkmde9msf-A_yq4KY2s/s1600/IMG_20200524_220513.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1600" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKXCPnIK2G7pu42t09OB_VzkPSQnsZcxwm4950mwq4-OLsSfC6iak0FiuWDlBG0-CYt0cpUx6MMEkU4_MoTiBCmG-WhXuolDqs_Zmnc27CkyuYyyxGsS3DDJUhSkmde9msf-A_yq4KY2s/s640/IMG_20200524_220513.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWG5GuAdMeRCNMDxEPCbbzQr9gQrh6tHfI9akLT3138eyVl6FDvfoJ5fCSnwsxCxctH7Jwn-ZrtCHXv0U40cHWo5jahVy7mSXanMxvGu282DpPdwFBGNvKgbwjAEj0-eLm3jgWBgFnPjA/s1600/IMG_20200524_221904.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWG5GuAdMeRCNMDxEPCbbzQr9gQrh6tHfI9akLT3138eyVl6FDvfoJ5fCSnwsxCxctH7Jwn-ZrtCHXv0U40cHWo5jahVy7mSXanMxvGu282DpPdwFBGNvKgbwjAEj0-eLm3jgWBgFnPjA/s640/IMG_20200524_221904.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8lp4uRaMJmc4TEgxaMCgL_RJ9Rdj5qlWTh-tRwSAGT8jXRcq8JCDivpAgN2UzLPV1uML-Io9JBSlKD35qKeBGFX4NAgHgM_YQgW2YZCsnBSUbiZpuWO6UTu8Az5NvSzd-LHtwX5EwFU0/s1600/IMG_20200524_222012.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8lp4uRaMJmc4TEgxaMCgL_RJ9Rdj5qlWTh-tRwSAGT8jXRcq8JCDivpAgN2UzLPV1uML-Io9JBSlKD35qKeBGFX4NAgHgM_YQgW2YZCsnBSUbiZpuWO6UTu8Az5NvSzd-LHtwX5EwFU0/s640/IMG_20200524_222012.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxu92NibjzbZMILM2wwmpTBCmVSBQDEQEE4Oc_ZSfVgI8qLedzZS2swZ6lrWceb3e08dvh4v97R7U5rEInZjkOes8Wmr8K92fouuGZLyazOi3j9HuokF4pax81YCAxARiwoOeoTV6CL1Q/s1600/IMG_20200503_172209.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1577" height="650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxu92NibjzbZMILM2wwmpTBCmVSBQDEQEE4Oc_ZSfVgI8qLedzZS2swZ6lrWceb3e08dvh4v97R7U5rEInZjkOes8Wmr8K92fouuGZLyazOi3j9HuokF4pax81YCAxARiwoOeoTV6CL1Q/s640/IMG_20200503_172209.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUSUJVildcPKwWkz1mnHb6KvNCc_-wBbnEzbTBsQPyop5uShHKGQ7_t3kSiq00nW75caNLQlOaogSsOAjNQw5-O7qMUf8shPC9YAvh0AS4o8c9zWJDMivUMUyYUKz8bjCx7tdhv4TmH_E/s1600/IMG_20200503_173311_crop.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1525" height="672" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUSUJVildcPKwWkz1mnHb6KvNCc_-wBbnEzbTBsQPyop5uShHKGQ7_t3kSiq00nW75caNLQlOaogSsOAjNQw5-O7qMUf8shPC9YAvh0AS4o8c9zWJDMivUMUyYUKz8bjCx7tdhv4TmH_E/s640/IMG_20200503_173311_crop.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5CassKy9SCQCVMuQ3emyXpepym95DFvglE0ZaakxL4I-YTpkSiWoINB7uApxsf7uIdzwIl2IDeRE0GnFiItJzeyN_QL-4Xz6OhYMfPlKx-w6X3Nt1r-CD0ZBXVuMARk9QBWwSW9_jASw/s1600/IMG_20200502_103846.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1188" data-original-width="1600" height="475" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5CassKy9SCQCVMuQ3emyXpepym95DFvglE0ZaakxL4I-YTpkSiWoINB7uApxsf7uIdzwIl2IDeRE0GnFiItJzeyN_QL-4Xz6OhYMfPlKx-w6X3Nt1r-CD0ZBXVuMARk9QBWwSW9_jASw/s640/IMG_20200502_103846.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkxvWQQi40p52Z5nToLR_q8OJFYD1yX5v3x_R-w5RkGOwtHR4-u4yK8mhWyHoON8dCYXoNuCDMh-hI9xVI58zD64JP4_yKQpU05pIyFoAC4bvH3LnKwpw3QQ_Ewf_15pPa03IgfB-08dg/s1600/IMG_20200502_104650.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1297" data-original-width="1600" height="519" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkxvWQQi40p52Z5nToLR_q8OJFYD1yX5v3x_R-w5RkGOwtHR4-u4yK8mhWyHoON8dCYXoNuCDMh-hI9xVI58zD64JP4_yKQpU05pIyFoAC4bvH3LnKwpw3QQ_Ewf_15pPa03IgfB-08dg/s640/IMG_20200502_104650.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYtGohewJ8S5oWjWW27WqJymhcqXLLnavzd0aKR4v-unksSHawzDAwk_xNIikP_AFGXgu9yNeCQjSQGoWHZf4Ccc9r1a7Rq0sSN-bX9juJgwOiuxh7b6JPhoJHRDyyLVO4nbZxOqjwK9U/s1600/IMG_20200425_190448.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1041" data-original-width="1600" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYtGohewJ8S5oWjWW27WqJymhcqXLLnavzd0aKR4v-unksSHawzDAwk_xNIikP_AFGXgu9yNeCQjSQGoWHZf4Ccc9r1a7Rq0sSN-bX9juJgwOiuxh7b6JPhoJHRDyyLVO4nbZxOqjwK9U/s640/IMG_20200425_190448.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq_gsFOtwaDzMKHCSDt3PwQoxxx8WbNHAvVMFhTZnHAeTjiS5ZPHgZ70adDfMSfzsnyM1DCG49Ye_YWde-1oytrPZ1xj5Ue2WBQVa5TcsYzmv5otfBcyFdOVvE-LTo0wQ4JN-3gnu2BOc/s1600/IMG_20200425_190812.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="772" data-original-width="1244" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq_gsFOtwaDzMKHCSDt3PwQoxxx8WbNHAvVMFhTZnHAeTjiS5ZPHgZ70adDfMSfzsnyM1DCG49Ye_YWde-1oytrPZ1xj5Ue2WBQVa5TcsYzmv5otfBcyFdOVvE-LTo0wQ4JN-3gnu2BOc/s640/IMG_20200425_190812.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqrP7MfNridW5E7Bh6S5ZrGVPweawZv7cf0LZl8EcVbHzYeD01YOuBU7-9tvSMQJ1MT2u0MDeWMl_yXS4Eq6MRoxIv1rxiOIR5fHWJLxrIF0J6JEkoZQ8IeeZG4dnSKH4aZky0fqaadI0/s1600/IMG_20200426_191518.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="846" data-original-width="1213" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqrP7MfNridW5E7Bh6S5ZrGVPweawZv7cf0LZl8EcVbHzYeD01YOuBU7-9tvSMQJ1MT2u0MDeWMl_yXS4Eq6MRoxIv1rxiOIR5fHWJLxrIF0J6JEkoZQ8IeeZG4dnSKH4aZky0fqaadI0/s640/IMG_20200426_191518.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieeOmxl_hyphenhyphenzvuMAd-jMDOyyly5MWnf0yykRjsixZVrHvAGwenlG63KzyivPoLOhqA6AGtFCPRH2qo7llcvyXstf7arRExVEcD6Am66oNVtV1C1gl8EFQUqx72RbIv4Bnn6b460lOaKXZ8/s1600/IMG_20200426_191522.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="888" data-original-width="1280" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieeOmxl_hyphenhyphenzvuMAd-jMDOyyly5MWnf0yykRjsixZVrHvAGwenlG63KzyivPoLOhqA6AGtFCPRH2qo7llcvyXstf7arRExVEcD6Am66oNVtV1C1gl8EFQUqx72RbIv4Bnn6b460lOaKXZ8/s640/IMG_20200426_191522.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBx2O9KCCnZiUM3v3b2FdN_Q0nbqJeMSGMQ07dVC9m2objTeDN1d9-MN7XEs9KXsvoNFmip8ze3gE8-Uejtz20XTID7RT-XPIEckV7ui608H3bheR8L6x-kQEogVQjRXJsSB106NsqEJQ/s1600/IMG_20200508_203704.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBx2O9KCCnZiUM3v3b2FdN_Q0nbqJeMSGMQ07dVC9m2objTeDN1d9-MN7XEs9KXsvoNFmip8ze3gE8-Uejtz20XTID7RT-XPIEckV7ui608H3bheR8L6x-kQEogVQjRXJsSB106NsqEJQ/s640/IMG_20200508_203704.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK_oxPd_cUpUGSXob4wHmD8QLhLUon2IuUHVABcfKGskB9slBUHj6JHb5m35fIv8zzxwAsLvwJoL1_O-p-9JH9wyQNLaB5lEL8JV0ESpc5OrmZuOGvLVlV_-Q-q25Zoahj6vuhSzPd1Iw/s1600/IMG_20200502_110331.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="817" data-original-width="1280" height="409" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK_oxPd_cUpUGSXob4wHmD8QLhLUon2IuUHVABcfKGskB9slBUHj6JHb5m35fIv8zzxwAsLvwJoL1_O-p-9JH9wyQNLaB5lEL8JV0ESpc5OrmZuOGvLVlV_-Q-q25Zoahj6vuhSzPd1Iw/s640/IMG_20200502_110331.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLkFd1cgiShq1c3Lm463s8kxuLHabcY-F59KpCWvRVsCrOsIiXm0GL-qlxA4_eARbXLwASV1drX_kw7WfM6ghEGFmuupjunJQSNz88QyRNXm4qcTzHDLL-h1EMdi1C3gpBEEpwLt-Axrw/s1600/IMG_20200505_203351_crop.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="706" data-original-width="1280" height="353" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLkFd1cgiShq1c3Lm463s8kxuLHabcY-F59KpCWvRVsCrOsIiXm0GL-qlxA4_eARbXLwASV1drX_kw7WfM6ghEGFmuupjunJQSNz88QyRNXm4qcTzHDLL-h1EMdi1C3gpBEEpwLt-Axrw/s640/IMG_20200505_203351_crop.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX-S8ADfh4F6kzqn-0u5s-QzEOzyjqwvPTTDD5IU4qqcoCsFgtzxbi5MA8y9q_bQkMRoT9R44wDqVC3xNzZtF6GAMrzRlpdndMRjh60lDexweKJAeDbjmSSATxvJ0PZI6egeICs2S4gW0/s3985/IMG_20200626_212807_crop.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2617" data-original-width="3985" height="411" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX-S8ADfh4F6kzqn-0u5s-QzEOzyjqwvPTTDD5IU4qqcoCsFgtzxbi5MA8y9q_bQkMRoT9R44wDqVC3xNzZtF6GAMrzRlpdndMRjh60lDexweKJAeDbjmSSATxvJ0PZI6egeICs2S4gW0/w625-h411/IMG_20200626_212807_crop.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvz6UUis9Fi4za2CfaDw3iUwGRPuhqtuBCg0KSacjTlEDJBUQqSjNwhuJO9-z5uaf0lnl2bjMPNZwpEHasUg4LwitilZyn_lkJY9jlSbS7v2oqkKEFHjPUImaBY_lo_Fw0BtYBNXKwlsw/s1600/IMG_20200414_204214.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvz6UUis9Fi4za2CfaDw3iUwGRPuhqtuBCg0KSacjTlEDJBUQqSjNwhuJO9-z5uaf0lnl2bjMPNZwpEHasUg4LwitilZyn_lkJY9jlSbS7v2oqkKEFHjPUImaBY_lo_Fw0BtYBNXKwlsw/s640/IMG_20200414_204214.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2jnUv8zBs51Xg5iUuM5pzRp5nguwTZGs6nI7A24Tz_S4yDkWmeg9mQg3decRApItb0oK-9gwwnDB5BA9_hIHj4zSSplThJBGFYm_qUz-1uAjMknd_uzOJS5t0iFlZf9jl1uenAjKPeGk/s1600/IMG_20200425_191406.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2jnUv8zBs51Xg5iUuM5pzRp5nguwTZGs6nI7A24Tz_S4yDkWmeg9mQg3decRApItb0oK-9gwwnDB5BA9_hIHj4zSSplThJBGFYm_qUz-1uAjMknd_uzOJS5t0iFlZf9jl1uenAjKPeGk/s640/IMG_20200425_191406.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMuPPTkrk4Nlpto9SdaO2E-AoSf6ScxJNnJ5wwbMWndoIZc6V_lzXsfWauCNuzHJF7kMSkRI8hR5-orG17c49rWGy1JglnVuSHU8tfdu9RdWPwiDNkRV12JiDssvnebt-bxgHt11e9JSk/s1600/IMG_20200428_193100.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMuPPTkrk4Nlpto9SdaO2E-AoSf6ScxJNnJ5wwbMWndoIZc6V_lzXsfWauCNuzHJF7kMSkRI8hR5-orG17c49rWGy1JglnVuSHU8tfdu9RdWPwiDNkRV12JiDssvnebt-bxgHt11e9JSk/s640/IMG_20200428_193100.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic3OvoUG1UpgQ4IshDBsx7UT0wd6bvSFYV8DHn0fToanoZ1OAea5D0sPOrq6eCxpNXBum0WVl7dZ7HHwwt4RRn62ANNZU0lyiKgGGm_1ZU57Z6PCvCkd4HRi6jumpwupn4ycoPDiSMoBI/s1600/IMG_20200503_174604.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic3OvoUG1UpgQ4IshDBsx7UT0wd6bvSFYV8DHn0fToanoZ1OAea5D0sPOrq6eCxpNXBum0WVl7dZ7HHwwt4RRn62ANNZU0lyiKgGGm_1ZU57Z6PCvCkd4HRi6jumpwupn4ycoPDiSMoBI/s640/IMG_20200503_174604.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHSSSrj49hEvq8-fUuhqmrKe4Zcy5WWRDoOcvlTdgAoB24FMMaK8AK6qeNIbXc8ols9x-Wxb6bZd8NU5k0XY2Ti9uua0RGw5dxw0yOd94M98weZySX1rivKYhgQxxS8u_AsNVx6zsWFJs/s1600/IMG_20200516_210157+-+small.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="809" data-original-width="1280" height="405" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHSSSrj49hEvq8-fUuhqmrKe4Zcy5WWRDoOcvlTdgAoB24FMMaK8AK6qeNIbXc8ols9x-Wxb6bZd8NU5k0XY2Ti9uua0RGw5dxw0yOd94M98weZySX1rivKYhgQxxS8u_AsNVx6zsWFJs/s640/IMG_20200516_210157+-+small.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2VmQ07MfAQd994v3sXXqGAmMeGYlJHuyNVqaoO7rhW3F9aYPCxlxAiGXDRMVvF_Qyd5uhIhwjqJsJUrTrtAtSqzyKwJj5OXsoxbDFVtaLeBj2InkCsWK5Ihaoqqyomot3HyLgALb-FTA/s1600/IMG_20200406_202516.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="939" data-original-width="1251" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2VmQ07MfAQd994v3sXXqGAmMeGYlJHuyNVqaoO7rhW3F9aYPCxlxAiGXDRMVvF_Qyd5uhIhwjqJsJUrTrtAtSqzyKwJj5OXsoxbDFVtaLeBj2InkCsWK5Ihaoqqyomot3HyLgALb-FTA/s640/IMG_20200406_202516.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkUHcvFEY0PH7DKM4vugFSwSHZ47TSfQuam7pTTktQyx7ijG9Bfw_C9mzOTVJiK9OpO-B9-yIElc6lLDc2h5e8Czhb0tczG0YiN2r3JUdtpXGuLstF5Pn0G_tbZ9e0oBG4ourzHQT1Esk/s1600/IMG_20200407_202716_crop.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1104" data-original-width="1600" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkUHcvFEY0PH7DKM4vugFSwSHZ47TSfQuam7pTTktQyx7ijG9Bfw_C9mzOTVJiK9OpO-B9-yIElc6lLDc2h5e8Czhb0tczG0YiN2r3JUdtpXGuLstF5Pn0G_tbZ9e0oBG4ourzHQT1Esk/s640/IMG_20200407_202716_crop.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKvRrO0xYdHvzXGj36LZm3u7EmIdmiZohF7F-UMVJMnpiqiXSoMhoEyy1oj8_nHXRN-52lRWHq0pt0fqMJRU-MIPKNYoBZEBRfaVGqJl7D7jAs6wfGX3s9O8oGtpRcFuAQC0R9Hc1WB5Q/s1600/IMG_20200414_204023.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKvRrO0xYdHvzXGj36LZm3u7EmIdmiZohF7F-UMVJMnpiqiXSoMhoEyy1oj8_nHXRN-52lRWHq0pt0fqMJRU-MIPKNYoBZEBRfaVGqJl7D7jAs6wfGX3s9O8oGtpRcFuAQC0R9Hc1WB5Q/s640/IMG_20200414_204023.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx83iorXQlR7rqCjskyOScYOQHqXvGGZThkKMusxL58UIRyRKDno_ZEEqy0fSXRjX0bCwfJVy29NC-Quw64n1Xd4eGmby1ur_xiprqZCZASo66f24y89KjNag2JHj3WoslNF3F7mfMfaY/s1600/IMG_20200508_204704.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx83iorXQlR7rqCjskyOScYOQHqXvGGZThkKMusxL58UIRyRKDno_ZEEqy0fSXRjX0bCwfJVy29NC-Quw64n1Xd4eGmby1ur_xiprqZCZASo66f24y89KjNag2JHj3WoslNF3F7mfMfaY/s640/IMG_20200508_204704.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUVfQp6ffw4S-jc_s4UvJFe126dBhBWgVvk09jZ6mn7ER0nr8S7vHgLRaGh0RngcoBagxl2rADlWfhLIftZfTuy6OoMJhm798wGRJCuv_FykGgN84XQJ576BgICtXhFosjhaJpRRx-Yso/s1600/IMG_20200508_205040_crop.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="881" data-original-width="1280" height="441" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUVfQp6ffw4S-jc_s4UvJFe126dBhBWgVvk09jZ6mn7ER0nr8S7vHgLRaGh0RngcoBagxl2rADlWfhLIftZfTuy6OoMJhm798wGRJCuv_FykGgN84XQJ576BgICtXhFosjhaJpRRx-Yso/s640/IMG_20200508_205040_crop.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWVXg2ojmcH8TcabKW0FBhXaVQD1VOU1U_jtTJAAPtkWTCHZ-NMDPHGhcGpzJ-iXjFjhsQhvu93f2l17wmyNeGRwdb4gT6Rk8x7oN5PiRm9EOI377emzdXhebI5p84NNJGlq3PBCeK8J0/s1600/IMG_20200501_195155.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWVXg2ojmcH8TcabKW0FBhXaVQD1VOU1U_jtTJAAPtkWTCHZ-NMDPHGhcGpzJ-iXjFjhsQhvu93f2l17wmyNeGRwdb4gT6Rk8x7oN5PiRm9EOI377emzdXhebI5p84NNJGlq3PBCeK8J0/s640/IMG_20200501_195155.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIAzTSqKqMnOxFV_bxkZGz-I3Fq7EWhM5uiTyXVZUY98NzoBhbqna4XQikBsExto0ALRWPeX1XeRyAHmoubZmZPafTWnE2JLgyHPgSeaI11HOLicVmLdiD9Zvxt-7WpYL1aMcQnCUzznA/s1600/IMG_20200501_193548_crop.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1018" data-original-width="1600" height="407" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIAzTSqKqMnOxFV_bxkZGz-I3Fq7EWhM5uiTyXVZUY98NzoBhbqna4XQikBsExto0ALRWPeX1XeRyAHmoubZmZPafTWnE2JLgyHPgSeaI11HOLicVmLdiD9Zvxt-7WpYL1aMcQnCUzznA/s640/IMG_20200501_193548_crop.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZudET2dKTqnED6OC5orxU3hPbUdMFQWyGlJ0ziVXrs5eDA821PKqqKAhyphenhyphenaPqCPLNSZ4GHsCjL-hKQw8aJxrBhqXkL3_Vz2iAuHujs5x2KWZYvxKOaePUoHdJ1Fed6XStDHuC7rzLgKpY/s1600/IMG_20200415_215308.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZudET2dKTqnED6OC5orxU3hPbUdMFQWyGlJ0ziVXrs5eDA821PKqqKAhyphenhyphenaPqCPLNSZ4GHsCjL-hKQw8aJxrBhqXkL3_Vz2iAuHujs5x2KWZYvxKOaePUoHdJ1Fed6XStDHuC7rzLgKpY/s640/IMG_20200415_215308.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmMHZvKZvQ105nRriW0YonYvGBgifQOTinigoWtV3yT5kT2TOm1agbfBQGtOLDzyafIZcS2-faAxijf_24Ua8EqRPITchxpVTY0HYYloNKX62fgOyQRm-gc5jL2G6lFeX6ncYemkRl-Hs/s1600/IMG_20200415_215432.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmMHZvKZvQ105nRriW0YonYvGBgifQOTinigoWtV3yT5kT2TOm1agbfBQGtOLDzyafIZcS2-faAxijf_24Ua8EqRPITchxpVTY0HYYloNKX62fgOyQRm-gc5jL2G6lFeX6ncYemkRl-Hs/s640/IMG_20200415_215432.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBnprxfEPA9FOstu5T9c2FRoN-GZG63se-XQum-0YEN8MrfYI4zAH7CYwltTunzH8Jx1ScQybdMsbaojeVa7uwKo104M3tTxyEaojgHWcMvEpoMfd51PYuKRZ-Z1ZrO1hhvBFLF_u7BPI/s1600/IMG_20200415_215526.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBnprxfEPA9FOstu5T9c2FRoN-GZG63se-XQum-0YEN8MrfYI4zAH7CYwltTunzH8Jx1ScQybdMsbaojeVa7uwKo104M3tTxyEaojgHWcMvEpoMfd51PYuKRZ-Z1ZrO1hhvBFLF_u7BPI/s640/IMG_20200415_215526.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBD8KtEw02sSVzhJW0V3wOpXGWc-n-vRAXcOHTbj2fipxaFGmpG_AOvWIweEsZ8hfWVH0e7HqPjUZvNwKBK0mp377xxfYPSXw3KbWN0INESo3umv9mqo9aQuoQNDzvOCpEmzJ5xcFouc/s1600/IMG_20200415_215811.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1015" data-original-width="1600" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBD8KtEw02sSVzhJW0V3wOpXGWc-n-vRAXcOHTbj2fipxaFGmpG_AOvWIweEsZ8hfWVH0e7HqPjUZvNwKBK0mp377xxfYPSXw3KbWN0INESo3umv9mqo9aQuoQNDzvOCpEmzJ5xcFouc/s640/IMG_20200415_215811.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH5hU-nkcs6svXmsffLOv6FIhIcU_h4HtwGSLlxF0zfIyfX4h0inKvi-YD6dFoQwev7yZoCmFwasRJHbk6uHEadt3J9Ri_iwUWRwwf0x9BylE079Gxc_ThryxIG4b2YkC85pJkrlBKS24/s1600/IMG_20200411_185512.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH5hU-nkcs6svXmsffLOv6FIhIcU_h4HtwGSLlxF0zfIyfX4h0inKvi-YD6dFoQwev7yZoCmFwasRJHbk6uHEadt3J9Ri_iwUWRwwf0x9BylE079Gxc_ThryxIG4b2YkC85pJkrlBKS24/s640/IMG_20200411_185512.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3wIJhnnCTKnz4r3wYmkIDhGxGW2uqKbLJFquZRSASM21nnNw49ddvntmh6CNLLsuJGNBhCyKzKKTtYLQRtmAraoU-R2-sVOPsa11v8tufgn_pmftJMt1Gry9INcWDSlcdxpuINP-uBwo/s1600/IMG_20200420_195037.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3wIJhnnCTKnz4r3wYmkIDhGxGW2uqKbLJFquZRSASM21nnNw49ddvntmh6CNLLsuJGNBhCyKzKKTtYLQRtmAraoU-R2-sVOPsa11v8tufgn_pmftJMt1Gry9INcWDSlcdxpuINP-uBwo/s640/IMG_20200420_195037.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm_g8KeQtwh3tH2TimmZpTleeN7lYBYQDBeFsPUVoklg_gre73D7ngZEe3_9smsPuXjPr_-YqXjInLztTXkziM1ZFi4ewlDORTIBbOFzlFxBG8BAftWslDikiB-u_2VZb-s2AfPLvgAoQ/s1600/IMG_20200510_205603.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1280" height="389" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm_g8KeQtwh3tH2TimmZpTleeN7lYBYQDBeFsPUVoklg_gre73D7ngZEe3_9smsPuXjPr_-YqXjInLztTXkziM1ZFi4ewlDORTIBbOFzlFxBG8BAftWslDikiB-u_2VZb-s2AfPLvgAoQ/s640/IMG_20200510_205603.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPUSSbUuE5b__a6amcxGmxcOC4dy7elme9uptTZQNhmqF5kYjCO949T-Gc3iMxclzbhJQpUEApp1GT1wQ_VDFmViQY-jPafuUXV6w3A6gCEbGzOn5H8oz4KW5RAWMVqvbReWLH9IrswKs/s1600/IMG_20200423_193126.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPUSSbUuE5b__a6amcxGmxcOC4dy7elme9uptTZQNhmqF5kYjCO949T-Gc3iMxclzbhJQpUEApp1GT1wQ_VDFmViQY-jPafuUXV6w3A6gCEbGzOn5H8oz4KW5RAWMVqvbReWLH9IrswKs/s640/IMG_20200423_193126.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt6ppL21GeSA57yvOuW26iStpO1r_R9LJ0OSmU1f6goM93yOcVGzqr05Wh347BbHiZPk8E4mTdJPc884tWJNdbh7HGZoMVShHueFvp4x4K8fo_-RwDSfVUR9C3ZfECQSfzf4KJAgE3spk/s1600/IMG_20200423_193129.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt6ppL21GeSA57yvOuW26iStpO1r_R9LJ0OSmU1f6goM93yOcVGzqr05Wh347BbHiZPk8E4mTdJPc884tWJNdbh7HGZoMVShHueFvp4x4K8fo_-RwDSfVUR9C3ZfECQSfzf4KJAgE3spk/s640/IMG_20200423_193129.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw2XiiAIltCUpiH4t0PNZdzOKjs0EoE45RjPnEsYwAINmTJQVVGMQR0TND2QGJGVCABxUfxMqj4awv6hNHnTS3Oyu1PZWXS4R4kz5wyTD-oz68x36SX27RTw1BORAqnzeCu6rt8QlSv-w/s1600/IMG_20200424_200220.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="927" data-original-width="1600" height="371" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw2XiiAIltCUpiH4t0PNZdzOKjs0EoE45RjPnEsYwAINmTJQVVGMQR0TND2QGJGVCABxUfxMqj4awv6hNHnTS3Oyu1PZWXS4R4kz5wyTD-oz68x36SX27RTw1BORAqnzeCu6rt8QlSv-w/s640/IMG_20200424_200220.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrBkgQdZW3t9Dzj0-cveuUfAIl0yx8C2T6ZdYc5THeBdTZGh82KKTAH2qt-6lPBngvstVPSmxVDWBE7mgY8fRS6MANu0XIo-9ygk8rFUnpJL5eJeIUPkoEDJstPqdpk1JFDp6RCxEjczE/s1600/IMG_20200428_195822.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrBkgQdZW3t9Dzj0-cveuUfAIl0yx8C2T6ZdYc5THeBdTZGh82KKTAH2qt-6lPBngvstVPSmxVDWBE7mgY8fRS6MANu0XIo-9ygk8rFUnpJL5eJeIUPkoEDJstPqdpk1JFDp6RCxEjczE/s640/IMG_20200428_195822.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Vx3EYHi-NQ5ukuLqgEezo8rYOIiNPc70BTqEZEJ7pb39yH3g8sx9G_8t6l1lnXXb94riM28ugHnS0NcEemHh_wYWr2cr3LMasoocGLtJu99Ni9syMPeoTXJD6mFEA9Io3xq7Eq4fnKA/s1600/IMG_20200428_200103.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Vx3EYHi-NQ5ukuLqgEezo8rYOIiNPc70BTqEZEJ7pb39yH3g8sx9G_8t6l1lnXXb94riM28ugHnS0NcEemHh_wYWr2cr3LMasoocGLtJu99Ni9syMPeoTXJD6mFEA9Io3xq7Eq4fnKA/s640/IMG_20200428_200103.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpagL9nv3YRgHbbjs-8uX-1CWCUm9ccatKToYTwUQuzzvhC-H95WnwvquPuh_imZmiQ-KvheOlrIAcISM3ZChXYd-gRLB5ee7X664zSkBqgE1oNX2Owud3PiU8m2VSsEkDK2G4j1d-1Ek/s1600/IMG_20200516_210838.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpagL9nv3YRgHbbjs-8uX-1CWCUm9ccatKToYTwUQuzzvhC-H95WnwvquPuh_imZmiQ-KvheOlrIAcISM3ZChXYd-gRLB5ee7X664zSkBqgE1oNX2Owud3PiU8m2VSsEkDK2G4j1d-1Ek/s640/IMG_20200516_210838.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh311C7pWJA7f_v0wEQMXRh1jkTR9pRrbfLAh5W_orJp2FH2dEEus0ZZ4npCAgH3cvbwWsJNvTTb8JrhMHDC3Dvpbjm6A7LYwUZrWcTanjCjNQzZDs3z9ZZmlIfZbqD9v-YjKxPswS5dMU/s1600/IMG_20200613_141405.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh311C7pWJA7f_v0wEQMXRh1jkTR9pRrbfLAh5W_orJp2FH2dEEus0ZZ4npCAgH3cvbwWsJNvTTb8JrhMHDC3Dvpbjm6A7LYwUZrWcTanjCjNQzZDs3z9ZZmlIfZbqD9v-YjKxPswS5dMU/s640/IMG_20200613_141405.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfHiGrhiFvG30VZNvNDW-HjONh23cMWw4RiuOLfaf4J842oXXVkEzfusX_F4ET_NePzneRwWEQdqMlQ5XdfBtdb7m2-puHFuK_jRIj-Cxn8-wKPdjuroDq7nDMg80E5OO8JEJnEKc1qdY/s1600/IMG_20200522_083228.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfHiGrhiFvG30VZNvNDW-HjONh23cMWw4RiuOLfaf4J842oXXVkEzfusX_F4ET_NePzneRwWEQdqMlQ5XdfBtdb7m2-puHFuK_jRIj-Cxn8-wKPdjuroDq7nDMg80E5OO8JEJnEKc1qdY/s640/IMG_20200522_083228.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfhKpr5161KbMWy5F4TmMpYTJLur9hZBncyumbyvPcrciXUXeGTRddxgOl8M4OTZY_xKPB_hiMIbh7p2ko1QArMI8mDVJw_Si5w5QveefYbSviJFb4OUs-YKgwK8lDsFiNYoz0emmhkcs/s1600/IMG_20200508_205751.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="787" data-original-width="765" height="661" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfhKpr5161KbMWy5F4TmMpYTJLur9hZBncyumbyvPcrciXUXeGTRddxgOl8M4OTZY_xKPB_hiMIbh7p2ko1QArMI8mDVJw_Si5w5QveefYbSviJFb4OUs-YKgwK8lDsFiNYoz0emmhkcs/s640/IMG_20200508_205751.jpg" width="641" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXdKE3ywZFxFyOmGPSMyiamWxsD1Cfm6JTylInI0tStbzDzjXwWR7VWeZ8bOYuzuH5p7lpNwQY6099F8cYxiMMWo_K3fElzh8D6B1d6w4X02In9sVnU2uw6_pjV94vp0ivlNC-ABg2Fsc/s1600/IMG_20200419_201603.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXdKE3ywZFxFyOmGPSMyiamWxsD1Cfm6JTylInI0tStbzDzjXwWR7VWeZ8bOYuzuH5p7lpNwQY6099F8cYxiMMWo_K3fElzh8D6B1d6w4X02In9sVnU2uw6_pjV94vp0ivlNC-ABg2Fsc/s640/IMG_20200419_201603.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvgaaVqoDWM6Gtg4SySlt9Jga9O9aoFq6Ere4fTxeW0rMb2SRmMCNi-gTUacA5axiAamjoWseasqRLnHEToLpU-6Jl8c9y9WeTDrF64cSQgzzrUlxffdUzNf-wlv0OKzUvLDejGVBT69U/s1600/IMG_20200504_203343.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="932" data-original-width="1251" height="477" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvgaaVqoDWM6Gtg4SySlt9Jga9O9aoFq6Ere4fTxeW0rMb2SRmMCNi-gTUacA5axiAamjoWseasqRLnHEToLpU-6Jl8c9y9WeTDrF64cSQgzzrUlxffdUzNf-wlv0OKzUvLDejGVBT69U/s640/IMG_20200504_203343.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP1YlPGLMR6TAAhrXq6jLJWPaLAkEX9Y17thMscUbBEoPK1mVeiiDxDjxiSZHzPHJroAfUinLShkLO4o4H7Go4CNcxpddf_2u_OQkkWgUJFhqj2T67gVDWtkNpYlmmCbR2MMQLzZ9yzuA/s1600/IMG_20200511_210303.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP1YlPGLMR6TAAhrXq6jLJWPaLAkEX9Y17thMscUbBEoPK1mVeiiDxDjxiSZHzPHJroAfUinLShkLO4o4H7Go4CNcxpddf_2u_OQkkWgUJFhqj2T67gVDWtkNpYlmmCbR2MMQLzZ9yzuA/s640/IMG_20200511_210303.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLwX52aHyVxprbPn2Ary0g13BPm16TlB3JcULIFlCsSp3DgXjrqCU-g-dX965TvkUl4MvLORMEk_MN-8CwhWZ7xZEzwS4HeA-jU3i11TBZD754OXQ5Kl6sfsxGnr3mobgxc1MUPVA2Z2c/s1600/IMG_20200510_210602.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLwX52aHyVxprbPn2Ary0g13BPm16TlB3JcULIFlCsSp3DgXjrqCU-g-dX965TvkUl4MvLORMEk_MN-8CwhWZ7xZEzwS4HeA-jU3i11TBZD754OXQ5Kl6sfsxGnr3mobgxc1MUPVA2Z2c/s640/IMG_20200510_210602.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir849DYCAsahO3pjoKMOyRCv_8B-RC6hcfaMlhrScqxFNZjHB4gQ4tO49yxNI5wMQ9mCrwrCXDIuYbO0sCqmnnf7_1-2sRv0r3Mcgo80hdAN0GA7MUzRBs2R3HZue4V8OwdKJJBuwpFTw/s1600/IMG_20200515_203519.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir849DYCAsahO3pjoKMOyRCv_8B-RC6hcfaMlhrScqxFNZjHB4gQ4tO49yxNI5wMQ9mCrwrCXDIuYbO0sCqmnnf7_1-2sRv0r3Mcgo80hdAN0GA7MUzRBs2R3HZue4V8OwdKJJBuwpFTw/s640/IMG_20200515_203519.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDKpRabnGTnsIkSAHoN-UbR3Ql6Nr0IOsxZzqgSTXZoGdlJiLi62MxZ4EEwXyiFlWEO4U3qLYXPcPp6ueatFMzhLAWfnL9kWx4rPobPle6JGCz0UZJkzW09V_S1fpWHHMudJ_jtdTl0v8/s1600/IMG_20200504_204134.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="811" data-original-width="1250" height="415" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDKpRabnGTnsIkSAHoN-UbR3Ql6Nr0IOsxZzqgSTXZoGdlJiLi62MxZ4EEwXyiFlWEO4U3qLYXPcPp6ueatFMzhLAWfnL9kWx4rPobPle6JGCz0UZJkzW09V_S1fpWHHMudJ_jtdTl0v8/s640/IMG_20200504_204134.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrYCLw_pvLA9l3xkrYixNBbvYvbqWRZZC8IIa1QYECLblKTwD2YevnbLjSQ-u-XOD49JIWkw5lnO9A4IlIwJDW5fmd5QbUGFiy6x9RgWlhPemMjVV5TRnmq3EQ9d-Ncr-g3NxzHJY_WEg/s1600/IMG_20200513_204712.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="868" data-original-width="1280" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrYCLw_pvLA9l3xkrYixNBbvYvbqWRZZC8IIa1QYECLblKTwD2YevnbLjSQ-u-XOD49JIWkw5lnO9A4IlIwJDW5fmd5QbUGFiy6x9RgWlhPemMjVV5TRnmq3EQ9d-Ncr-g3NxzHJY_WEg/s640/IMG_20200513_204712.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3LcPUL69R1Kwci2xKUwx3eY7sjzehAQjZ_sN4HDsNlpB3eGtUzlQjBt7o23mwFt2FBaAaKlO4DhyDKt8QimqbKlMK5PB-Dm5m_XmNS1ZZ8Zl45YUkKAMs2jsGHRSd7JSRsCAl-Xz1zWk/s1600/IMG_20200425_195128.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="939" data-original-width="1251" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3LcPUL69R1Kwci2xKUwx3eY7sjzehAQjZ_sN4HDsNlpB3eGtUzlQjBt7o23mwFt2FBaAaKlO4DhyDKt8QimqbKlMK5PB-Dm5m_XmNS1ZZ8Zl45YUkKAMs2jsGHRSd7JSRsCAl-Xz1zWk/s640/IMG_20200425_195128.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwgocbCENUHQ495Ko6olH6iXrfhQf27xDmp1jOoPc_Z4zRAnLPlzvcwriRkkPMvFeh3x8k1c5gMc58og6L8LTIrPXIBPqurK9tYPgQFT2hlI_i_tULwyJdBz0P5SxCT9IYIJYwAJUoBPI/s1600/IMG_20200425_195139.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwgocbCENUHQ495Ko6olH6iXrfhQf27xDmp1jOoPc_Z4zRAnLPlzvcwriRkkPMvFeh3x8k1c5gMc58og6L8LTIrPXIBPqurK9tYPgQFT2hlI_i_tULwyJdBz0P5SxCT9IYIJYwAJUoBPI/s640/IMG_20200425_195139.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW3u-Rl1Nsf1RqGWDPA1pSUpHsky5j4YiVnNgAjEbg1sFBpssfVmPI4OjzJxa5KxQTsdfa1FViFVcld0Ciqy2tt31cABm8EZ1XvHSoUlPRRycv51ZLogFXrQoFTo_EoqkrhWO5S5Yt84g/s1600/IMG_20200508_211248_crop.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW3u-Rl1Nsf1RqGWDPA1pSUpHsky5j4YiVnNgAjEbg1sFBpssfVmPI4OjzJxa5KxQTsdfa1FViFVcld0Ciqy2tt31cABm8EZ1XvHSoUlPRRycv51ZLogFXrQoFTo_EoqkrhWO5S5Yt84g/s640/IMG_20200508_211248_crop.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRelJbXdYJUWbV-z1V7tILmSR08jHYhaeDWAg6LYCHqA5blEvYME8jlxJv5BuDkPQJkqIG1IDTzUVZ2heCUi7pbj9s0bPJdM-9IxLv8u95DuZCULIQFZQ7l17ozOghYDo6xQtEjlYMt9Y/s1600/IMG_20200426_210711.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRelJbXdYJUWbV-z1V7tILmSR08jHYhaeDWAg6LYCHqA5blEvYME8jlxJv5BuDkPQJkqIG1IDTzUVZ2heCUi7pbj9s0bPJdM-9IxLv8u95DuZCULIQFZQ7l17ozOghYDo6xQtEjlYMt9Y/s640/IMG_20200426_210711.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYI-EncwlzlgRfHxAh6P0_PwOIwNis42cwVJoRuz-fZk3NhwkF9paXnSH24ehWYfbv8VN0-vTgtyY8_PiK84l2kzujFhvjlbfkOF7i77rDif3SoJ7Qadw6Sa3ludybVrqsfiJcQAifMao/s1600/IMG_20200425_195642.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYI-EncwlzlgRfHxAh6P0_PwOIwNis42cwVJoRuz-fZk3NhwkF9paXnSH24ehWYfbv8VN0-vTgtyY8_PiK84l2kzujFhvjlbfkOF7i77rDif3SoJ7Qadw6Sa3ludybVrqsfiJcQAifMao/s640/IMG_20200425_195642.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPz7lah7Za_m8GofzYN6Sh_fO9KnCTNDp_zBMNItYKO-G8Xn7WHcib9dxTu4A8D36f2fHRuxqTyICceOLgX5VmOIbiS5xJ-JDHZm4nSG_26-KeELfrlDtZgfKfgvSul1SYpVC6Q5UZs1w/s1600/IMG_20200430_194907.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPz7lah7Za_m8GofzYN6Sh_fO9KnCTNDp_zBMNItYKO-G8Xn7WHcib9dxTu4A8D36f2fHRuxqTyICceOLgX5VmOIbiS5xJ-JDHZm4nSG_26-KeELfrlDtZgfKfgvSul1SYpVC6Q5UZs1w/s640/IMG_20200430_194907.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfFeA96AvT45ZC-TDwNdMRFR6jIc1x1Pl7PRIJxWIA9zpFv9YkFMAtzSnG7f8HkQG7nzx5n4RJdCSapi5NA6AaYeOnLZVZTUH9u_ljTm7RIUPcLGYNtZxrcDoeempjSe8MBovktCgvkiQ/s1600/IMG_20200503_183651.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfFeA96AvT45ZC-TDwNdMRFR6jIc1x1Pl7PRIJxWIA9zpFv9YkFMAtzSnG7f8HkQG7nzx5n4RJdCSapi5NA6AaYeOnLZVZTUH9u_ljTm7RIUPcLGYNtZxrcDoeempjSe8MBovktCgvkiQ/s640/IMG_20200503_183651.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFRZxugwE4QmwDGir8odfT2eOagA5hSLlhP7szrdcfdknPeDZB_ZLjx-feJspvbi2EBOcNaVTDUC7hZkNuaDUlz-xpWVRTWBjUvuDSF7hyY5tMFUXcznvWELM9m82vrwEXSvKDPEpLbHk/s1600/IMG_20200503_183926_crop.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="905" height="565" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFRZxugwE4QmwDGir8odfT2eOagA5hSLlhP7szrdcfdknPeDZB_ZLjx-feJspvbi2EBOcNaVTDUC7hZkNuaDUlz-xpWVRTWBjUvuDSF7hyY5tMFUXcznvWELM9m82vrwEXSvKDPEpLbHk/s640/IMG_20200503_183926_crop.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq8xDEDe7iS7kGuAjhl3vZd8pRsYvG14JKzbApSl72jEPhUp4xRV21_ezVwA0GWO4e3GcfGpPu1OUW8-TI06xaqLARMjLAa0Ef-oYhb-cKS7zo1j5_JpP7LmZMPdxroVEFmBSEuFnA8bg/s1600/IMG_20200503_183942.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="935" data-original-width="1280" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq8xDEDe7iS7kGuAjhl3vZd8pRsYvG14JKzbApSl72jEPhUp4xRV21_ezVwA0GWO4e3GcfGpPu1OUW8-TI06xaqLARMjLAa0Ef-oYhb-cKS7zo1j5_JpP7LmZMPdxroVEFmBSEuFnA8bg/s640/IMG_20200503_183942.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWLjwXQfko0Qq2WM9dFMlRKtw0QuRGEq_ETFgvi6YjTn_QqStChSDB_V-C6f7vTjUj9hyphenhyphenvAG4jUGyysUny-WYoJEbQJJCTK0a3ZNHdWFoHxUuFdbbRfojr_FcCD3Gz7QDasJHWhFXmPMk/s1600/IMG_20200504_204320.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="848" data-original-width="1275" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWLjwXQfko0Qq2WM9dFMlRKtw0QuRGEq_ETFgvi6YjTn_QqStChSDB_V-C6f7vTjUj9hyphenhyphenvAG4jUGyysUny-WYoJEbQJJCTK0a3ZNHdWFoHxUuFdbbRfojr_FcCD3Gz7QDasJHWhFXmPMk/s640/IMG_20200504_204320.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRQVKOemq1mNOLtdywYOyZ8pFc1Q1alZTFf2J66dJiuWHbE0ZueRBZYytfY0eM2nyDHWarSjWBsYgDb4jrW-VJudoxY9ZRgnSZVa098FvvE3mDi-V_h-xHHkwvFokwxPCqgU5oWHo1BXE/s1600/IMG_20200428_203720.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1254" data-original-width="1600" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRQVKOemq1mNOLtdywYOyZ8pFc1Q1alZTFf2J66dJiuWHbE0ZueRBZYytfY0eM2nyDHWarSjWBsYgDb4jrW-VJudoxY9ZRgnSZVa098FvvE3mDi-V_h-xHHkwvFokwxPCqgU5oWHo1BXE/s640/IMG_20200428_203720.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiRo-PNS0j9OaQSlN5Oa-06zdzua83uC3e316VAtRGmsm5g9a-bYn5OhhrjXXz3oY3rvL3t3vBsh__XqDMo1ZKAYf7kOvUl-KSkDHtc5Q8rz-4KQoOG1jFUM71Zl8SECkmZ2dzq_YLDL4/s1600/IMG_20200406_201703.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiRo-PNS0j9OaQSlN5Oa-06zdzua83uC3e316VAtRGmsm5g9a-bYn5OhhrjXXz3oY3rvL3t3vBsh__XqDMo1ZKAYf7kOvUl-KSkDHtc5Q8rz-4KQoOG1jFUM71Zl8SECkmZ2dzq_YLDL4/s640/IMG_20200406_201703.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizq9FJI1AKtNea07Li2s4HdhEETZx1JyEnwK3KZfd-F9KmCEjtVcty8eZADNAnPtz56JKa90dpvk4jEZo4OkyZmkQ9WP8aEUG6vW_GdEOpcR5vFYXTh0yG5TS-xcRIqVCmUvyB76XzoOU/s1600/IMG_20200406_201707.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizq9FJI1AKtNea07Li2s4HdhEETZx1JyEnwK3KZfd-F9KmCEjtVcty8eZADNAnPtz56JKa90dpvk4jEZo4OkyZmkQ9WP8aEUG6vW_GdEOpcR5vFYXTh0yG5TS-xcRIqVCmUvyB76XzoOU/s640/IMG_20200406_201707.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDDrd0TsVcPKx4tfux-cgdzDFVCfUi04kpp3rZ1Zb0ZzT5vTzzj3oTW57rW-WTGt2Cu7-w84FQHDwdnSvOR4vS2rKq8Z7e5vCsOauWc111DHuhHqAfEooA3LEx8e1CqcbBhFx-n5Q8FBs/s1600/IMG_20200423_204837.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDDrd0TsVcPKx4tfux-cgdzDFVCfUi04kpp3rZ1Zb0ZzT5vTzzj3oTW57rW-WTGt2Cu7-w84FQHDwdnSvOR4vS2rKq8Z7e5vCsOauWc111DHuhHqAfEooA3LEx8e1CqcbBhFx-n5Q8FBs/s640/IMG_20200423_204837.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtlgi55nYxJp7sP-K55V8IT_S2_GXVDQI3UMsoV8CBNAOStY_WRcAHm0cliYJ27fkNz-RY0Q8TM4gBfYjJtVm9v74iJaG0Ebi5Iv4sjLGfLDrOSYeAxHh5DmRusNSOQRaD3oDi3jqQiLI/s1600/IMG_20200423_205621.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtlgi55nYxJp7sP-K55V8IT_S2_GXVDQI3UMsoV8CBNAOStY_WRcAHm0cliYJ27fkNz-RY0Q8TM4gBfYjJtVm9v74iJaG0Ebi5Iv4sjLGfLDrOSYeAxHh5DmRusNSOQRaD3oDi3jqQiLI/s640/IMG_20200423_205621.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8icNZxXIQ5BcI2QR_dNBcFwwkndTqtSOFNBkkWCYqj4n_tzmcSKjG-MWYNnLjaXrdzga7LP5irB12BQCGbMZBtUnPkPPGbi0Xn0gNhw0upwBqNrkAsOgkPenVdZ_1ql31btiS5evdck0/s1600/IMG_20200423_205625.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8icNZxXIQ5BcI2QR_dNBcFwwkndTqtSOFNBkkWCYqj4n_tzmcSKjG-MWYNnLjaXrdzga7LP5irB12BQCGbMZBtUnPkPPGbi0Xn0gNhw0upwBqNrkAsOgkPenVdZ_1ql31btiS5evdck0/s640/IMG_20200423_205625.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh311EqyfeUWYCT3CAIXGmmIzP-kf-oVeUniRd-v0H4Ax-JbMlldjCFBd78BQNova0BvST5yrZ4oOXSJmvTRtdQBPnVp_ZQJUhaIl-NY9gvFcudyvvkPeDFkJpoO8QDKkAyLj1X4pT9dzk/s1600/Seton+Sands+sunset+20Jun20.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh311EqyfeUWYCT3CAIXGmmIzP-kf-oVeUniRd-v0H4Ax-JbMlldjCFBd78BQNova0BvST5yrZ4oOXSJmvTRtdQBPnVp_ZQJUhaIl-NY9gvFcudyvvkPeDFkJpoO8QDKkAyLj1X4pT9dzk/s640/Seton+Sands+sunset+20Jun20.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSZ8LwbF_GpQZEYwvyhD79muv5WaBt0RtSz30b1ruX2S1W7AOKz1ZXn1A-XSFc5TFep6Ini_9JqYdLE9oRROQxQYSXMACZ6sZP9XRHfUtAQgFignuUZ_Uo9-7c7A40WuTklhQQKALr4bE/s1600/IMG_20200423_205741.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSZ8LwbF_GpQZEYwvyhD79muv5WaBt0RtSz30b1ruX2S1W7AOKz1ZXn1A-XSFc5TFep6Ini_9JqYdLE9oRROQxQYSXMACZ6sZP9XRHfUtAQgFignuUZ_Uo9-7c7A40WuTklhQQKALr4bE/s640/IMG_20200423_205741.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU3Sd_AZ5DiJpF-KzOlvBXFScjUiM50rRUvzcvyCzDw0Q7UQeYy_SK5Wpxqh17p8UFCUGyhztAJq-p49BYjhyphenhyphenuI1sznSAGFxLDn4sRqhM4yrgPdP1SKxcZEj-g-0UQ6aGZa_BT1XqmPww/s1600/IMG_20200425_200951.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU3Sd_AZ5DiJpF-KzOlvBXFScjUiM50rRUvzcvyCzDw0Q7UQeYy_SK5Wpxqh17p8UFCUGyhztAJq-p49BYjhyphenhyphenuI1sznSAGFxLDn4sRqhM4yrgPdP1SKxcZEj-g-0UQ6aGZa_BT1XqmPww/s640/IMG_20200425_200951.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwCEfXHniXOY2Zq4AwkNg6rrZ1Q3t3BSdox-k_7ip-CDTF8xl_-Pj9V7olQuSw8qVOa0TXdKoBtipZ1tRyE4jH_bv6KxYg8Amf9wOg-6G_BnQHh2iYMoV_SwycSCFsNgaMbPyhwrayULg/s1600/IMG_20200611_203219+-+small.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="959" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwCEfXHniXOY2Zq4AwkNg6rrZ1Q3t3BSdox-k_7ip-CDTF8xl_-Pj9V7olQuSw8qVOa0TXdKoBtipZ1tRyE4jH_bv6KxYg8Amf9wOg-6G_BnQHh2iYMoV_SwycSCFsNgaMbPyhwrayULg/s640/IMG_20200611_203219+-+small.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKMydh60GnJZPpCjUenprIlwbR9HBOKGEeWi3wI8AE8BBLw6_KFv8AAMPSlThbqzY1Xh3EdDWxmL4PGbqem2tf67ysLepWS_w6JM_1i6cD7evfkTE9o-8YMcxQoy8cLteTUizldhX1kgg/s1600/IMG_20200530_202059+-+small.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1108" height="591" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKMydh60GnJZPpCjUenprIlwbR9HBOKGEeWi3wI8AE8BBLw6_KFv8AAMPSlThbqzY1Xh3EdDWxmL4PGbqem2tf67ysLepWS_w6JM_1i6cD7evfkTE9o-8YMcxQoy8cLteTUizldhX1kgg/s640/IMG_20200530_202059+-+small.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5SfG_JRfsw6rtfJ1h3hkpFRQgONFZmwVM1enLxa5D7o6Xo0U9NxgcYXRCNhv0H24343f65lNYEiP_h4juUgyKkJCU6Qn1LBnS3xuhUWnat21QbqX656Yl8-g6MbsjPHPUyejPkdbvLak/s1280/IMG_20200711_204927.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="967" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5SfG_JRfsw6rtfJ1h3hkpFRQgONFZmwVM1enLxa5D7o6Xo0U9NxgcYXRCNhv0H24343f65lNYEiP_h4juUgyKkJCU6Qn1LBnS3xuhUWnat21QbqX656Yl8-g6MbsjPHPUyejPkdbvLak/s320/IMG_20200711_204927.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLxj5NYis1vLtGRTwLXYSqEVPKH8rKi2D7A7A_nWPTHpPX09RwfsnDsDnzDTbTc4d8F-nJiJevSoDUaEx66m-tTfTieWeC1AJyYfe1XRkT5-qNZzZzlxCf275CVqxfTprAeVF83lUONz4/s1600/IMG_20200503_184805_crop.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1533" data-original-width="1600" height="613" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLxj5NYis1vLtGRTwLXYSqEVPKH8rKi2D7A7A_nWPTHpPX09RwfsnDsDnzDTbTc4d8F-nJiJevSoDUaEx66m-tTfTieWeC1AJyYfe1XRkT5-qNZzZzlxCf275CVqxfTprAeVF83lUONz4/s640/IMG_20200503_184805_crop.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMq9_UNLkHrpSLG3wHwDK2yuu9Enf_cR6Ajl20_L1ZNQ1Gy-u33stY2wS5kjbcYw0X3nr-RswFEPFruthmqRBywNAMe3C3rVpUAuaaZwNiWmp21E4W2p-QYunJpFz_C5SgFR7XSI-tWhg/s1600/IMG_20200415_201602.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="959" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMq9_UNLkHrpSLG3wHwDK2yuu9Enf_cR6Ajl20_L1ZNQ1Gy-u33stY2wS5kjbcYw0X3nr-RswFEPFruthmqRBywNAMe3C3rVpUAuaaZwNiWmp21E4W2p-QYunJpFz_C5SgFR7XSI-tWhg/s640/IMG_20200415_201602.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAGrmpxqlO1NIYZ7U8XaoKkpek_y5G60u7PoU8JuZmeyuOYEmOHZn-11AtK6SmlrR485efp-EwbBlzEwEFRPP9cRMKQEMK8KuKq3W7mBuWESMbpn6Ybq9KF4hb3LdmRrXtOaQLOhrpmz0/s1600/IMG_20200420_202248.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAGrmpxqlO1NIYZ7U8XaoKkpek_y5G60u7PoU8JuZmeyuOYEmOHZn-11AtK6SmlrR485efp-EwbBlzEwEFRPP9cRMKQEMK8KuKq3W7mBuWESMbpn6Ybq9KF4hb3LdmRrXtOaQLOhrpmz0/s640/IMG_20200420_202248.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOR-9THOsJrwREtASPy_JdtVN0F3q34TLS609Xq9ex2JBfOIDvNg8LQhevZ4EaH4LHW1BqBhEY3XnmwFXMq3g6w8IODjn87UbuOX0ZlgTiDxGRrkzsQm09JbAILlgp_lGh68sTsob-g00/s1600/IMG_20200703_222457.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1044" data-original-width="1600" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOR-9THOsJrwREtASPy_JdtVN0F3q34TLS609Xq9ex2JBfOIDvNg8LQhevZ4EaH4LHW1BqBhEY3XnmwFXMq3g6w8IODjn87UbuOX0ZlgTiDxGRrkzsQm09JbAILlgp_lGh68sTsob-g00/s640/IMG_20200703_222457.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMATwLYXSBhheN7N3MVrcHcuaXdop5Zxa-lQ2spFCoGLjPnQd7jDBaAI-PpIaoMtnR9FVDJIKN3juBA9W8YQRG3_Qq9sB24v6dFS2LonR_VkUflMFruoluDNzpli-cdRgvC-TFdvuKTK0/s1600/IMG_20200429_155648.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1358" height="755" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMATwLYXSBhheN7N3MVrcHcuaXdop5Zxa-lQ2spFCoGLjPnQd7jDBaAI-PpIaoMtnR9FVDJIKN3juBA9W8YQRG3_Qq9sB24v6dFS2LonR_VkUflMFruoluDNzpli-cdRgvC-TFdvuKTK0/s640/IMG_20200429_155648.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis2WdLsBVoiYBQ5E4HwhwKWja4jsIeeuCPhyPkJzmQ8bSwOmO4j2avPFo0B5R5pzd15qu60DhPLTYlmgtv3y_9SLdbi-oinCwrBg_licUwy-I6_FqsJdqCrQj_6SWxRfugJMbX4CcRk54/s1600/IMG_20200330_191316_crop.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1109" data-original-width="1600" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis2WdLsBVoiYBQ5E4HwhwKWja4jsIeeuCPhyPkJzmQ8bSwOmO4j2avPFo0B5R5pzd15qu60DhPLTYlmgtv3y_9SLdbi-oinCwrBg_licUwy-I6_FqsJdqCrQj_6SWxRfugJMbX4CcRk54/s640/IMG_20200330_191316_crop.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp68aLUUQeU8cqEVJgSQb0ZJioojgMR1Ntr3C8POhbLvyc5qGdPWZtaOabFkts_BoF-su6o45AmhzZ0hiB9nQH1zY2D4-_anvz2_6R6fGyaXJ4AlWm5H9u5AH9EPzLacoMR3owiJ1C5lk/s1600/IMG_20200330_191359_crop.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1597" data-original-width="1600" height="639" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp68aLUUQeU8cqEVJgSQb0ZJioojgMR1Ntr3C8POhbLvyc5qGdPWZtaOabFkts_BoF-su6o45AmhzZ0hiB9nQH1zY2D4-_anvz2_6R6fGyaXJ4AlWm5H9u5AH9EPzLacoMR3owiJ1C5lk/s640/IMG_20200330_191359_crop.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiljTHkG6UoV80L8zKlt4qy43cFifLmEDLznpwEyRzRyqY-bm3P4qP8_Vf-oEhRg0Ua3CyNqe4eBKMAl2LyHckocg4giryyQlvA9ltWsBa7DyGaKX1GIj06l7Po3GLARAwsW2fqzz56wtk/s1600/IMG_20200402_192931_crop.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1104" data-original-width="1600" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiljTHkG6UoV80L8zKlt4qy43cFifLmEDLznpwEyRzRyqY-bm3P4qP8_Vf-oEhRg0Ua3CyNqe4eBKMAl2LyHckocg4giryyQlvA9ltWsBa7DyGaKX1GIj06l7Po3GLARAwsW2fqzz56wtk/s640/IMG_20200402_192931_crop.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJqcw860kQqMwl1EOZTWUj6nVNashTZzees1XbnPhVzOcrCFWgYb-_MiRxVs5dsgXeeJ-BU-8g-Cp17B56hRZvGMHkQpI6ii9oUOMorucA06tqKD-RF3irxy1k8s3ffAXNeoI3f2iQcNo/s1600/IMG_20200501_191904_crop2.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1096" data-original-width="1600" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJqcw860kQqMwl1EOZTWUj6nVNashTZzees1XbnPhVzOcrCFWgYb-_MiRxVs5dsgXeeJ-BU-8g-Cp17B56hRZvGMHkQpI6ii9oUOMorucA06tqKD-RF3irxy1k8s3ffAXNeoI3f2iQcNo/s640/IMG_20200501_191904_crop2.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIs_uxA7hX23aN1Ki-xU2wLAb8CI2lUAqcSXhsvstp9MGjCyKcwxi9GRlQ0av62-O65sGBWfKBMLl7P5egy_byJcM-85un5fNDo1Rw0Leyj6aZaWz1hJpAxZxRT5ZUK1CldZY-EafiaI0/s1600/IMG_20200427_185656_crop.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="1600" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIs_uxA7hX23aN1Ki-xU2wLAb8CI2lUAqcSXhsvstp9MGjCyKcwxi9GRlQ0av62-O65sGBWfKBMLl7P5egy_byJcM-85un5fNDo1Rw0Leyj6aZaWz1hJpAxZxRT5ZUK1CldZY-EafiaI0/s640/IMG_20200427_185656_crop.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghnv1wYqo0XL1kF6qSWbsYai9MjKUHhyphenhyphensJ8gEvyDaNhCMIMIrV-5nbPOkpAGAONZQhNv-3S2EjrwicnyCBAT6T2YNgAXheepRRjr-KfeDTMLqO6f0whSOAj1RGytQXbWx8bpfZQ_7twNQ/s1600/IMG_20200430_202653.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghnv1wYqo0XL1kF6qSWbsYai9MjKUHhyphenhyphensJ8gEvyDaNhCMIMIrV-5nbPOkpAGAONZQhNv-3S2EjrwicnyCBAT6T2YNgAXheepRRjr-KfeDTMLqO6f0whSOAj1RGytQXbWx8bpfZQ_7twNQ/s640/IMG_20200430_202653.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5WGZATZPJeOArhL4WaPE8XEGvd5hoPRWzlRqK0_sh6uKND06H6U6aa5zzUqCEp1-gEGTfyW6JqwgH3FtIeomhx63Vqs4rDsZCNlltFqwuNaPDX1N6XK4005Nqip6Wee2Uex_noZfy6MQ/s1280/IMG_20200707_151125.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="858" data-original-width="1280" height="419" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5WGZATZPJeOArhL4WaPE8XEGvd5hoPRWzlRqK0_sh6uKND06H6U6aa5zzUqCEp1-gEGTfyW6JqwgH3FtIeomhx63Vqs4rDsZCNlltFqwuNaPDX1N6XK4005Nqip6Wee2Uex_noZfy6MQ/w625-h419/IMG_20200707_151125.jpg" width="625" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1dwOe8Kh1pFFtTqZQMo9vkWhmPCZxAYECyzfeprF9wkozRegwnfcVauREZ3XKAz4WYQyNX7MeC0ZHA8rx39MQkMs8cJbvdcTxKQiDxEpUGHi0KaqMO48TCKXea6vVZgBBllayJ0jwP1k/s1600/IMG_20200329_184205_crop.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="961" height="1067" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1dwOe8Kh1pFFtTqZQMo9vkWhmPCZxAYECyzfeprF9wkozRegwnfcVauREZ3XKAz4WYQyNX7MeC0ZHA8rx39MQkMs8cJbvdcTxKQiDxEpUGHi0KaqMO48TCKXea6vVZgBBllayJ0jwP1k/s640/IMG_20200329_184205_crop.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1EeuQURi1HXTTarb7Hx8kNHjnPW7begYljgInj5EYLZDhVXqk1pFZpx-7Y30BK4rhUmgy-D5jlJUdVoC_EZ7_XgpWmXdZ8i00dWvtym2ZeBP927fG9BMai4_ZZMuhmWYWs83GQ9Cr1MI/s1600/IMG_20200328_184010_crop.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1397" data-original-width="1600" height="559" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1EeuQURi1HXTTarb7Hx8kNHjnPW7begYljgInj5EYLZDhVXqk1pFZpx-7Y30BK4rhUmgy-D5jlJUdVoC_EZ7_XgpWmXdZ8i00dWvtym2ZeBP927fG9BMai4_ZZMuhmWYWs83GQ9Cr1MI/s640/IMG_20200328_184010_crop.jpg" width="640" /></a>
</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p>welchshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00378942325088808236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2376184590270819842.post-40901649171252489652020-04-19T23:59:00.044+01:002024-01-03T00:31:55.044+00:00Annotated garden bird list for Longniddry, Lothian<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuML3HBB1IKc8lTXqsxJWMIJWuC0gHz8NdtBYDDYcuaRPB8N6vholhWNZPAP3gJMBn8g8tZ7fP8dSztiXyu2dkUVvVI9-4_pHljn1O5H9AGUjOChNi1UqWb3RMC9Ii61oNInxnaRkkPWo/s1600-h/lothian_garden.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuML3HBB1IKc8lTXqsxJWMIJWuC0gHz8NdtBYDDYcuaRPB8N6vholhWNZPAP3gJMBn8g8tZ7fP8dSztiXyu2dkUVvVI9-4_pHljn1O5H9AGUjOChNi1UqWb3RMC9Ii61oNInxnaRkkPWo/s320/lothian_garden.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362907039776649922" border="0"></a><br /><p><br /></p><p> This is a list of the species seen in, and flying over, a small garden on Douglas Road, Longniddry, Lothian, Scotland (<a href="http://binged.it/1O4njQp">map</a>) since August 2004. Longniddry has about 2500 inhabitants and is situated on the coast about a mile south of Gosford Bay. Unfortunately there is no proper view out beyond the immediate neighbourhood - in particular, no view of the sea, so a good proportion of the birds on the garden list have been recorded in flight overhead only. </p><p>The percentage of weeks that the regular visitors were recorded during 2005 is included in brackets following the species name as an indicative measure of each species abundance; species which were only seen overhead are marked with an asterisk * and those only heard overhead by a +.</p><p> </p>
<ol><li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/red-throated-diver" target="_blank">Red-throated Diver <i>(Gavia stellata)</i></a> * - single NW over 07:30hrs 30 October 2017 </li></ol>
<ul><li><a href=" https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/little-grebe" target="_blank">Little Grebe <i>(Tachybaptus ruficollis)</i></a> * - tittering calls in early hours of 8 August 2010 likely this species (considered Whimbrel at the time but it did not fit) </li></ul>
<ol start=2><li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/fulmar" target="_blank">Fulmar <i>(Fulmarus glacialis)</i></a> * - single E over 08:00hrs 15 May 2013, another due S over on evening of 22 August 2020 </li>
<li><a href=" https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/gannet" target="_blank">Gannet <i>(Sula bassana)</i></a> * - a few over sea (viewed through small gap in trees) April 2020</li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/cormorant" target="_blank">Cormorant <i>(Phalacrocorax carbo)</i></a> * - occasionally seen passing overhead, mainly in winter; usually birds going inland at dawn or returning to coast at dusk </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/grey-heron" target="_blank">Grey Heron <i>(Ardea cinerea)</i></a> - occasionally seen passing overhead, less frequently attempting to come down in neighbourhood, to burn or garden ponds; 4 records of nocturnal calls: 23/6 & 16/9/16, 15/7/19, 6/5/20</li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/little-egret" target="_blank">Little Egret <i>(Egretta garzetta)</i></a> - single SW over 10:45hrs 9 August 2014, presumably from Aberlady; another low SW down Douglas Road on 30 October 2017 </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/mute-swan" target="_blank">Mute Swan <i>(Cygnus olor)</i></a> * - a group of 5 birds over mid-Oct 2005, 2 in Oct 2006, 3+2 when cold weather hit late Nov 2010 </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/whooper-swan" target="_blank">Whooper Swan <i>(Cygnus cygnus)</i></a> * - a group of 4 flew over 10/10/07, 2+ heard 23/11/14, 6 (4 juv) 29/10/17, 30 low SW over 18:20hrs 13/10/20, 5+ SW 26/11/20, 2+ heard 4/11/21 </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/pink-footed-goose" target="_blank">Pinkfoot <i>(Anser brachyrhynchus)</i></a> (10%) * - regular visitor in autumn, with large flocks sometimes seen <i>en route</i> between nearby roost at Aberlady and feeding grounds (peak count 7000 over at dawn on 8/11/04 in six flocks); often heard over during the night too; leucistic (all-white) bird seen on 29/10/05 </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/greylag-goose" target="_blank">Greylag Goose <i>(Anser anser)</i></a> * - regular in small flocks over, to and from nearby Gosford Estate, especially late summer/early autumn when feeding in nearby stubble; peak count of c. 400 on 20 September 2023 </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/canada-goose" target="_blank">Canada Goose <i>(Branta canadensis)</i></a> * - a flock of moult migrants N over at night on 5/6/10; 33 ENE on 24/8/12; 8 NE over 16/9/17; 20 SW over 11/8/19; calls of a flock heard evening 23/8/20 and flock 10 heading towards Gosford along Longniddry shore evening 24/8/20; becoming more regular in 2023 with regular flocks commuting along coast </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/barnacle-goose" target="_blank">Barnacle Goose <i>(Branta leucopsis)</i></a> * - four birds over in a flock of Pinkfeet on 29/10/05, several autumn records in 2006, including overnight passage; large numbers of migrants, peak 310, autumn 2010; nocturnal flock again on 23/9/19 </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/wigeon" target="_blank">Wigeon <i>(Anas penelope)</i></a> * - one heard calling amongst loose flocks of 81 duck sp NE over on 2/12/10, hard weather; calls heard over 16:45hrs 30/12/21, when 350 grazing on Seton golf course earlier same day</li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/teal" target="_blank">Teal <i>(Anas crecca)</i></a> * - 3 over with loose flocks totalling 81 duck sp 2/12/10 with deep snow and sub-zero daytime temperature </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/mallard" target="_blank">Mallard <i>(Anas platyrhyncos)</i></a> * - pr over on 25/02/07, and rising from tiny burn west on 13/04/09; group 13+ on 25/11/10; many amongst 81 duck sp over in hard weather on 2/12/10 </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/eider" target="_blank">Eider <i>(Somateria mollissima)</i></a> * - a few over sea (viewed through small gap in trees) April 2020</li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/common-scoter" target="_blank">Common Scoter <i>(Melanitta nigra)</i></a> * - at least one calling over, possibly N, 23:59hrs 14 May 2020, calls faint but very distinctive </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/velvet-scoter" target="_blank">Velvet Scoter <i>(Melanitta fusca)</i></a> * - 3 W over sea (viewed through small gap in trees) 1 January 2024</li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/goosander" target="_blank">Goosander <i>(Mergus merganser)</i></a> * - single sawbill duck S over on 29/12/06 probably this species; redhead SW over on 2/10/10 </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/osprey" target="_blank">Osprey <i>(Pandion haliaetus)</i></a> - single SW over on 1/7/12 in drizzle</li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/sparrowhawk" target="_blank">Sparrowhawk <i>(Accipiter nisus)</i></a> (39%) - regular visitor, with up to 7 individual sightings in one day, and birds seen displaying overhead regularly in spring; a presumed captive bird heard as of summer 2006, eliciting calling responses from passing wild individuals </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/common-buzzard" target="_blank">Common Buzzard <i>(Buteo buteo)</i></a> (8%) * - occasionally seen thermalling overhead, up to 4 together </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/red-kite" target="_blank">Red Kite <i>(Milvus milvus)</i></a> * - first seen thermalling high over on afternoon of 20 August 2023, following other sightings by locals since 2020 </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/marsh-harrier" target="_blank">Marsh Harrier <i>(Circus aeruginosus)</i></a> * - f/imm SW over on 1 September 2019; confirmed later from careful analysis of <a href="https://x.com/lothianrecorder/status/1168208230130098177?s=20">photos</a> and <a href="https://app.box.com/s/tofc9snuepika1e5rfru67lpv1d84a20">video</a> obtained at the time </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/kestrel" target="_blank">Kestrel <i>(Falco tinnunculus)</i></a> * - fairly scarce, missed only in 2011/12/14/16 but often just one or two records per year, often flying over or hunting over golf course to north</li></ol>
<ul><li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/hobby" target="_blank">Hobby <i>(Falco subbuteo)</i></a> - singles low over on 13/9/08 and 4/8/10 [neither accepted by LBRC, so not included in species total!], a further probable chasing hirundines over golf course on 4/9/18, certainly this species on jizz and behaviour but no detailed view of plumage; excellent view of one heading S directly over house on 17/6/23 (subject to acceptance by LBRC)</li></ul>
<ol start=26><li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/peregrine" target="_blank">Peregrine <i>(Falco peregrinus)</i></a> * - less than annual: Christmas Day 2004, one chasing Wood Pigeons Nov 2005, then Sept 06, Dec 06, Jan 07, Oct 08, Feb 09, Nov 13, Mar 18, Feb 19, Mar 20; also large falcon sp. May 09, Oct 14</li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/quail" target="_blank">Quail <i>(Coturnix coturnix)</i></a> + - 5 records: a presumed migrant heard calling over at 00:47hrs on 1 June 2007; loud calls from a migrant circling low over 01:15hrs 10 July 2012; a clear set of 3 quic-ic-ic 02:19hrs 9 June 2017; calling bird moving NE on 22 May 2019; nocturnal migrant heading NW 23:57hrs 25 June 2022 </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/pheasant" target="_blank">Pheasant <i>(Phasianus colchicus)</i></a> - a male heard calling in May 2005, the another mid-July 2014, latest calls dawn on 9 May 2016, then 29 March 2020 (pr resident on golf course) </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/grey-partridge" target="_blank">Grey Partridge <i>(Perdix perdix)</i></a> - pr low SE over houses then pitching down in Wemyss Road, call, last seen flying SW towards school, 16:00hrs 1 March 2023 </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/water-rail" target="_blank">Water Rail<i>(Rallus aquaticus)</i></a> + - three clear "trill" calls of one heading W 23:51hrs 9 April 2020; remarkably another giving a "squeal" call at 21:54hrs on 15 April 2020; yet another, even closer, giving "trill" call and clearly heading NE, 00:59hrs 6 May; squeal calls 00:20hrs 21 May, trill call 00:12hrs 4 June, bird moving NE.
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/moorhen" target="_blank">Moorhen <i>(Gallinula chloropus)</i></a> + - nocturnal calls heard on two nights mid-April 2007, annual since 2011 (overall: 10 in April, 5 May, 2 in June, 2 July, 1 Sept); heard nearly daily in April 2020, including 2 birds calling to each other, it is now apparent that these must be some kind of territorial flight of local birds</li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/coot" target="_blank">Coot <i>(Gallinula chloropus)</i></a> + - nocturnal calls heard on 7/8/10, 21/4/11, then four records 2012 (9 & 15/4, 13/7, 12/8), 20/5/13, 21/5/15, 26/5/17, 8/7/17, 9/5/18, 26/2/19, 1,3,11 & 15/4/20, 5/5/20, 9/4/21, 19/4/21, 16/4/22 (interacting with Moorhen), 19/3/23 (heard earlier same evening over Dean Wood, c/o James) - the frequency of records in spring 2020 suggesting these may be a territorial flight by local bird(s) not genuine migrants</li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/oystercatcher" target="_blank">Oystercatcher <i>(Haematopus ostralegus)</i></a> (41%) * - observed (and heard) overhead daily throughout the year, but particularly in winter </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/golden-plover" target="_blank">Golden Plover <i>(Pluvialis apricaria)</i></a> * - heard passing overhead at night particularly in August and flocks, sometimes very large, occasionally seen over in winter </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/grey-plover" target="_blank">Grey Plover <i>(Pluvialis squatarola)</i></a> + - single nocturnal migrant over in fog 5/9/05 </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/ringed-plover" target="_blank">Ringed Plover <i>(Charadrius hiaticula)</i></a> + - nocturnal migrants over in May & Aug 2007, Aug 2009, Aug 2011 (2), one flying inland Feb 2012, Aug 2015, May & Aug 2016 (2) and Aug 2019 </li></ol>
<ul><li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/little-ringed-plover" target="_blank">Little Ringed Plover <i>(Charadrius hiaticula)</i></a> + - nocturnal migrant over, calling repeatedly "sweeooooo" on 10/5/11 [presumed this species - not included in totals as local rarity needing accepted description]</li></ul>
<ol start=37><li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/lapwing" target="_blank">Lapwing <i>(Vanellus vanellus)</i></a> * - occasional flocks over in winter, peak 135 in December 2004; nocturnal calls 30/6/11, 4/8/12, 3/9/15 and 3/6/20 </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/black-tailed-godwit" target="_blank">Black-tailed Godwit <i>(Limosa limosa)</i></a> + - nocturnal migrant over on 2 August 2010 </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/bar-tailed-godwit" target="_blank">Bar-tailed Godwit <i>(Limosa lapponica)</i></a> + - nocturnal migrant in rain on 14/8/07, another 29/8/11; unexpected spring record 23:32hrs on 1 May 2021 </li><li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/whimbrel" target="_blank">Whimbrel <i>(Numenius phaeopus)</i></a> + - 3 nocturnal migrants in rain on 14/8/07, 2 1/8/10, 1 29/4/11, 2 10/7/12, 1 20/7/14, 1 15/8/15, 1 27/7/16, 1 5/5/18, 1 4/5/20, 1 24/7/20, 13 over high SW calling 17:17hrs on 31/7/20, 10/7/21, 4/8/22, 24/6/23</li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/curlew" target="_blank">Curlew <i>(Numenius arquata)</i></a> * - small numbers over at various times in the year, typically nocturnal but also dawn and dusk, i.e. feeding movements; also audible on the coast 750m N in certain conditions </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/common-sandpiper" target="_blank">Common Sandpiper <i>(Actitis hypoleucos)</i></a> + - two nocturnal migrants in rain on 14/8/07, then 19/8/07, 27/7/08, 30/7/10, two Jul/Aug 2011, 4,7,15,16/8/12, 20/5/13, 25/8/13, 28/4/14, 10/5/14, 12/5/15, 23/8/15, 20/7/16, 26/7/16, 14/5/18, 7/8/18 (am+pm), 16/8/18, 26/7/19, 6/5/20, 13/6/21, 1,3/8/21, 6/5/22, 18/7/23</li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/green-sandpiper" target="_blank">Green Sandpiper <i>(Tringa ochropus)</i></a> + - a "clear repeated 'cooee hwee-wee', receding, 23:15hrs on 19/9/15; nocturnal migrant SW directly over house 01:28hrs 3/8/18; one calling directly over 21:05hrs 7/9/21 (<a href="https://twitter.com/lothianrecorder/status/1025207774765035521">recorded</a>); 4/9/22 (diurnal, 11:05hrs) and 11/10/22</li></ol>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/wood-sandpiper" target="_blank">Wood Sandpiper <i>(Tringa ochropus)</i></a> + - clear sandpiper call "k-SEE-soo...kw-see-see-see-soo" over 01:44hrs 15/7/18 [presumably this species, not high pitched like Common, nor any hint of disyllabic tlooit in Green]</li>
</ul>
<ol start=44>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/snipe" target="_blank">Snipe<i> (Gallinago gallinago)</i></a> - first record low NE over in severe weather on 1 March 2018 </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/woodcock" target="_blank">Woodcock <i>(Scolopax rusticola)</i></a> * - only breeding season record was two in roding flight excursion on 8/5/11, apparently formerly regular over Longniddry; a winter record on 28 January 2023, bird flying along Douglas Road, presumably having emerged from Fernyness Wood</li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/redshank" target="_blank">Redshank <i>(Tringa totanus)</i></a> - fairly regularly heard over at night, with a peak in August; commonly feeds inland in the village if ground unfrozen in winter </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/greenshank" target="_blank">Greenshank <i>(Tringa nebularia)</i></a> + - three August records, one in early October, all nocturnal calls </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/dunlin" target="_blank">Dunlin <i>(Calidris alpina)</i></a> + - single nocturnal migrant in rain at 00:10hrs on 21/10/06, another in early May 2008, then 20/7/12, 4/8/12, 12,18,19/8/15, 20/7/16, 6/8/16, 24/7/17, 10/817, 9/8/18, 23/7/19, 7,15/5/20, 15/8/20, 7/8/21</li></ol>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/arctic-skua" target="_blank">Skua sp. <i>(Stercorarius sp.)</i></a> one flew W over on 19 October 2023, when Storm Babet was incoming, dark and slim, likely an Arctic (and a juv on sea at Seton 30 mins later), but could not confirm to species</li>
</ul>
<ol start=49>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/little-gull" target="_blank">Little Gull <i>(Larus minutus)</i></a> first record, an ad amongst anting gull flock on 10 August 2023, part of a local influx (<a href="https://twitter.com/lothianrecorder/status/1689452783668236288?s=20">thread</a>) </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/black-headed-gull" target="_blank">Black-headed Gull <i>(Larus ridibundus)</i></a> (73%) - regular non-breeding visitor, common over throughout the year but a lull in late spring; occasionally over at night in summer </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/mediterranean-gull" target="_blank">Mediterranean Gull <i>(Ichthyaetus melanocephalus)</i></a> - adult over c. 100m west on 7 August 2015, on a daily commute inland with other small gulls; one directly overhead feeding on flying ants on 25 August 2019 (<a href="https://twitter.com/lothianrecorder/status/1165678818524323842?s=20">video</a>); an ad anting on 6 August 2023, another S over with BHG on 10 August</li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/common-gull" target="_blank">Common Gull <i>(Larus canus)</i></a> (24%) - regular winter visitor, not seen in spring and early summer </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/herring-gull" target="_blank">Herring Gull <i>(Larus argentatus)</i></a> (97%) - present throughout the year with tens or hundreds passing overhead on some days en route to/from coastal roosts; frequently over at night in summer </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/lesser-black-backed-gull" target="_blank">Lesser Blackback <i>(Larus fuscus)</i></a> (39%) - common summer visitor </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/great-black-backed-gull" target="_blank">Great Blackback <i>(Larus marinus)</i></a> - rarely seen, but probably regular over in the morning commute of large gulls from roosts to urban Edinburgh in winter months, occasional at other times </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/common-tern" target="_blank">Common Tern <i>(Sterna hirundo)</i></a> + - several were heard over on three nights in August 2006, including some definitely moving S, but perhaps returning N later; studies of this species on Teeside have indicated a SW departure at dusk taking birds over to Liverpool Bay (Ward, R.M., Ringing & Migration, 20, 19, 2000); 2+ calling over the golf course 00:50hrs on 19 May 2020 (<a href="https://www.xeno-canto.org/559961" >recording</a>); one calling over in drizzle 00:30-43hrs 18 August 2020 (<a href="https://www.xeno-canto.org/583352" >recording)</li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/sandwich-tern" target="_blank">Sandwich Tern <i>(Sterna sandvicensis)</i></a> * - small group of birds heard moving S overhead at night in rain on 13/8/04; again over in mid-August 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009, late August 2011, several occasions 2012; typically adult and juv; can also be heard from the coast in the right conditions </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/feral-pigeon" target="_blank">Feral Pigeon <i>(Columba livia)</i></a> (31%) - erratic visitor, year-round; many racing pigeons fly along the coast on certain weekends </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/stock-dove" target="_blank">Stock Dove <i>(Columba oenas)</i></a> * - a single in August 2006, then 2 on 3 July 2015 </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/woodpigeon" target="_blank">Wood Pigeon <i>(Columba palumbus)</i></a> (98%) - very common local resident, which breeds abundantly in the village from at least Feb to Nov, and has successfully reared young in cypress hedge in our tiny garden; nocturnal song heard once, in early June 2015 </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/collared-dove" target="_blank">Collared Dove <i>(Streptopelia decaocto)</i></a> (55%) - somewhat irregular visitor throughout the year; successful local breeding; resident in 2011, 2014-15; nocturnal song heard 01:40hrs 14/7/15 </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/cuckoo" target="_blank">Cuckoo <i>(Cuculus canorus)</i></a> * - single in flight W directly over house on 30 April 2023 </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/barn-owl" target="_blank">Barn Owl <i>(Tyto alba)</i></a> - screech call heard in early hours of 27/7/08, 31/8/09, 10/7/12 and 20/5/13; regular (daily) in summer 2014 with one seen flying between houses over our garage, just feet from my window; reduced in 2015, but heard April and July; as we are 200m from the edge of the village (golf course) this makes this a truly suburban owl; also, reportedly regular visitor in King's Park area of Longniddry </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/tawny-owl" target="_blank">Tawny Owl <i>(Strix aluco)</i></a> - frequently heard calling at night from Gosford Estate woods; regular in August 2006 with a juvenile bird heard; heard daily again through summer 2007; juvs found in Fernyness Wood summer 2009; regular calls summer 2012 </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/short-eared-owl" target="_blank">Short-eared Owl <i>(Asio flammeus)</i></a> - single NE over on 26/10/11, a bumper arrival from Scandinavia this autumn with many others seen locally</li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/common-swift" target="_blank">Common Swift <i>(Apus apus)</i></a> (25%) - common summer visitor, (May to August); up to 10 birds regularly, now breeding in neighbour's house, and many more in occasional coasting "movements", including pre-departure gathering, e.g. 50 high over on 14 August 2007 </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/great-spotted-woodpecker" target="_blank">Great Spotted Woodpecker <i>(Dendrocopos major)</i></a> - irregular, annual (except 2007); breeds in Fernyness Wood to NE </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/skylark" target="_blank">Skylark <i>(Alauda arvensis)</i></a> (6%) * - regular overhead passage migrant, largest flock 25 in October 2005; occasionally heard in breeding season when singing birds drift over the village </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/sand-martin" target="_blank">Sand Martin <i>(Riparia riparia)</i></a> * - 4W 15/4/06, 3W 3/4/11, 1W 15/5/12, 2W 18/4/15 </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/swallow" target="_blank">Swallow <i>(Hirundo rustica)</i></a> (24%) - regular summer visitor (mid-April to mid-September); unprecedented spring flock of c. 170 low SW over house at dusk on 10/5/15, perhaps from a pre-roost; single very late record early Nov 2008 </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/house-martin" target="_blank">House Martin <i>(Delichon urbica)</i></a> (37%) - common summer visitor (April to September); breeds locally (and had attempted to build on our house); post-breeding gathering numbered 35 birds in 2004, but has dropped to less than 10 in 2006 and remained low, though plenty in other parts of Longniddry; once heard at night </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/meadow-pipit" target="_blank">Meadow Pipit <i>(Anthus pratensis)</i></a> (12%) - regular overhead passage migrant </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/tree-pipit" target="_blank">Tree Pipit <i>(Anthus trivialis)</i></a> - one low N over garden 07:33hrs 21 April 2020 </li></ol>
<ul><li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/rock-pipit" target="_blank">Pipit sp.<i>(Anthus sp.)</i></a> - 2 low S over on 4/11/18 were not Meadow Pipits, based on single "ppzzzz" call most likely Water Pipit, but Rock also possible</li></ul>
<ol start=74><li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/pied-wagtail" target="_blank">Pied Wagtail <i>(Motacilla alba yarrelli)</i></a> (10%) - irregular visitor throughout the year </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/grey-wagtail" target="_blank">Grey Wagtail <i>(Motacilla cinerea)</i></a> (8%) - irregular visitor throughout the year </li></ol>
<ul><li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/yellow-wagtail" target="_blank">Yellow Wagtail <i>(Motacilla flava)</i></a> - two clear calls over 07:55hrs 18 May 2021, but bird not seen </li></ul>
<ol start=76><li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/waxwing" target="_blank">Waxwing <i>(Bombycilla garrulus)</i></a> - recorded in mid-November 2004, max 17 winter 08/09 when a group often around the village as part of a large influx; again recorded autumn 2010, March & Nov 2011, max 18 in Dec 2012 and up to 13 on several dates in winter 16/17; 1 on 28/10/18, 2 on 9/12/18, 1 on 2/1/19; several records winter 23/24 with peak of 70 low SW on 18/11 </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/wren" target="_blank">Wren <i>(Troglodytes troglodytes)</i></a> (35%) - irregular visitor throughout the year, less common in winter; more often heard than seen, nocturnal song heard once </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/dunnock" target="_blank">Dunnock <i>(Prunella modularis)</i></a> (82%) - common resident, present in garden in small numbers throughout the year </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/robin" target="_blank">Robin <i>(Erithacus rubecula)</i></a> (92%) - common resident, apparently absent in mid-summer </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/wheatear" target="_blank">Wheatear <i>(Oenanthe oenanthe)</i></a> - migrant ad f perched on neighbour's roof 16 August 2016 </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/blackbird" target="_blank">Blackbird <i>(Turdus merula)</i></a> (90%) - common resident </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/fieldfare" target="_blank">Fieldfare <i>(Turdus pilaris)</i></a> (8%) - uncommon winter visitor </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/song-thrush" target="_blank">Song Thrush <i>(Turdus philomelos)</i></a> (37%) - regularly heard in song in spring/summer; rare at other times of the year though a few in autumn passage </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/redwing" target="_blank">Redwing <i>(Turdus iliacus)</i></a> (10%) - autumn passage migrant (peak 220 birds in 15 minutes, September 2005), and winter visitor </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/mistle-thrush" target="_blank">Mistle Thrush <i>(Turdus viscivorus)</i></a> - formerly very rare visitor with only 5 records in 2 years, but more recently heard/seen daily at times, particularly spring and autumn </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/grasshopper-warbler" target="_blank">Grasshopper Warbler <i>(Locustella naevia)</i></a> - a territorial bird could be heard regularly in song from a location about 450m WNW of the house in mid-May 2006 </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/sedge-warbler" target="_blank">Sedge Warbler <i>(Acrocephalus schoenobaenus)</i></a> - a singing bird at Longniddry c/p 2 bog reedbed barely audible at about 440m WNW of the house, mid-May 2018 </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/blackcap" target="_blank">Blackcap <i>(Sylvia atricapilla)</i></a> (4%) - heard in song from community centre area most springs, autumn/winter records: f/imm 16/9/07, m 29/8/11, m 19/10/13, m 4/10/15, 2 m + 1 f/imm 25/11/16, m 14/10/17, wintering f 27/1/18 - 1/3/18</li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/common-whitethroat" target="_blank">Whitethroat <i>(Sylvia communis)</i></a> - first record a female in rowan in back garden on 8 May 2010; juv with sparrows in buddleja and in rowan on 4-5 August 2023 </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/lesser-whitethroat" target="_blank">Lesser Whitethroat <i>(Curruca curruca)</i></a> - first record a male in song in gardens to north 5 June 2021 (one had been singing at Old Coast Road, 3-5 June, c. 350m north) </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/chiffchaff" target="_blank">Chiffchaff <i>(Phylloscopus collybita)</i></a> - now very regular in song every spring and a few on autumn passage </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/willow-warbler" target="_blank">Willow Warbler <i>(Phylloscopus trochilus)</i></a> - regular singing in spring, recorded every year except 2006 and 2010, until 2021; also recorded on autumn passage </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/goldcrest" target="_blank">Goldcrest <i>(Regulus regulus)</i></a> (4%) - formerly rare visitor, but much more regular in recent years ( </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/long-tailed-tit" target="_blank">Long-tailed Tit <i>(Aegithalos caudatus)</i></a> (14%) - irregular visitor, often in company of other tits and normally associated with hard weather; visited fat ball in garden March 2006 and January 2009 </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/coal-tit" target="_blank">Coal Tit <i>(Parus ater)</i></a> (31%) - regular visitor throughout the year, but more in winter and less in summer </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/blue-tit" target="_blank">Blue Tit <i>(Parus caeruleus)</i></a> (80%) - common visitor throughout the year, especially winter when up to 14 attracted to peanut feeders, but no more than a handful in recent years (sparrows dominate seed feeder) </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/great-tit" target="_blank">Great Tit <i>(Parus major)</i></a> (59%) - regular visitor in small numbers throughout the year </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/nuthatch" target="_blank">Nuthatch <i>(Sitta europaea)</i></a> - resident in Fernyness Wood (~500m NE), a bout of calls heard distantly from there at dawn on 20 July 2016; a closer rolling call heard last week Jan 2018, and again "song" from gardens in Gosford Road on 22 April 2020; several records since </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/treecreeper" target="_blank">Treecreeper <i>(Certhia familiaris)</i></a> - first record on 11/9/06 on ornamental tree in tiny front garden, second on 11/2/11 creeping up garden shed at back </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/magpie" target="_blank">Magpie <i>(Pica pica)</i></a> (92%) - normally present daily in the neighbourhood, with one January council/social gathering of 23 birds in tree outside house (and 47 on one roof reported by a friend in another part of Longniddry); much reduced around 2013-14 due to removal by a neighbour, via a Larsen trap </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/jay" target="_blank">Jay <i>(Garrulus glandarius)</i></a> - first record an apparent acorn-gatherer SW over on fine morning of 2/10/10, though followed reports of irruption out of Scandinavia; further records on 23 and 29/10/14, probably both also after acorns (2014 was <a href="https://www.trektellen.org/species/trend/5/0/387/-2/0/1990/2019/?g=&l=&k=&">the big year for movement in UK</a>)</li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/jackdaw" target="_blank">Jackdaw <i>(Corvus monedula)</i></a> (96%) - regularly observed on aerials, throughout the year; peaks of up to 150 birds; breeds and roosts nearby with Rooks </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/rook" target="_blank">Rook <i>(Corvus frugilegus)</i></a> (35%) - regular visitor throughout the year; breeds and roosts nearby at the station and Longniddry farm, hundreds sometimes pass over and occasionally comes to bird table </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/carrion-crow" target="_blank">Carrion Crow <i>(Corvus corone)</i></a> (92%) - normally present daily in the neighbourhood, and breeds nearby </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/starling" target="_blank">Starling <i>(Sturnus vulgaris)</i></a> (100%) - ever-present resident, breeding in many local roofs, though normally a lull during post breeding, and some bigger flocks in autumn/winter, peak count 470 </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/house-sparrow" target="_blank">House Sparrow <i>(Passer domesticus)</i></a> (100%) - common resident and local breeder logged daily in garden, with numbers of up to 20 by the end of the breeding season; apparently stable </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/tree-sparrow" target="_blank">Tree Sparrow <i>(Passer montanus)</i></a> - first records on last two days of October 2010, with more regular occurrence in following winters, often in the garden with House Sparrows; in recent years steady increase in breeding season records now regular (recored 13 wks Mar-Jul in 2020) </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/chaffinch" target="_blank">Chaffinch <i>(Fringilla coelebs)</i></a> (63%) - regular resident throughout the year, often in song nearby, but very rare in garden </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/brambling" target="_blank">Brambling <i>(Fringilla montifringilla)</i></a> - only record from dawn vismig on 30/10/10, call heard </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/greenfinch" target="_blank">Greenfinch <i>(Carduelis chloris)</i></a> (73%) - regular visitor throughout the year, regular spring territory every year and still small flocks autumn/winter </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/goldfinch" target="_blank">Goldfinch <i>(Carduelis carduelis)</i></a> (33%) - regular visitor throughout the year, always in small numbers </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/siskin" target="_blank">Siskin <i>(Carduelis spinus)</i></a> (8%) - irregular visitor, mainly in spring/autumn (peak 55 birds, 29/10/05); once on nut-feeder in spring (27/2/05) </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/linnet" target="_blank">Linnet <i>(Carduelis cannabina)</i></a> (20%) - regularly overhead, and not infrequently descending to feed in the area, once on the road outside; flock of c. 60 in birch on 3/2/20 was exceptional </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/lesser-redpoll" target="_blank">Lesser Redpoll <i>(Carduelis flammea)</i></a> - regular in small numbers, mainly migrants, a few with 20+ redpolls feeding on birch catkins on 28/12/06 </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/common-redpoll" target="_blank">Common Redpoll <i>(Carduelis flammea)</i></a> - at least 12, probably 16, with 20+ redpolls feeding on birch catkins on 28/12/06 [accepted by LBRC] </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/common-crossbill" target="_blank">Crossbill <i>(Loxia curvirostra)</i></a> * - regular post-breeding in summer, then again sometimes in autumn; first small flock over in early October 2005; also again during dispersal in July 07, July 08 and July/August 09; large numbers in second wave in 2010 (e.g. 35 on 30/10); recorded 6 wks 2011, flocks 13, 11, 8; 3 wks 2012, 6 wks 2015<br /></li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/bullfinch" target="_blank">Bullfinch <i>(Pyrrhula pyrrhula)</i></a> (4%) - irregular visitor, typically pairs in winter but resident for a few weeks in summer 2007 and again late summer 2009; generally much more regular in recent years </li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/reed-bunting" target="_blank">Reed Bunting <i>(Emberiza schoeniclus)</i></a> one calling over, snow lying, 30 November 2021 (probable also heard 28 September 2020)</li>
<li><a href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/yellowhammer" target="_blank">Yellowhammer <i>(Emberiza citrinella)</i></a> single record, one high SW over calling on 12 December 2016 </li></ol>
<p> <u> Escape </u> </p>
<ol><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Numida" target="_blank">Helmeted Guineafowl <i>(Numida meleagris)</i></a> - single heard calling 27 July 2008; traced to local farm</li></ol>
<p>
[Plus 7 additional but not (yet) confirmed (1 LBRC submission TBC, 2+ species groups, and 4 "probables" listed above); finally a sat-tagged White-tailed Eagle G542 from the Isle of Wight was tracked heading NW directly over the village on 17 April 2022 en route north, per <a href="https://www.roydennis.org/category/sea-eagle/isle-of-wight-sea-eagles/">https://www.roydennis.org/category/sea-eagle/isle-of-wight-sea-eagles/</a>]
welchshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00378942325088808236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2376184590270819842.post-1676136479568314372018-04-07T13:47:00.001+01:002018-08-24T12:42:16.188+01:00Sunset on BlindwellsLate March 2018 and the next phase of <a href="http://www.eastlothian.gov.uk/info/207/planning-policies/302/development_frameworks/5">Blindwells development</a> is suddenly underway, with clearance of all scrub from NW end of the site, including the willow "mangroves" at either end of the main pond and the wood between pond and railway. <a href="https://www.hargreavesland.com/project/blindwells/">Hargreaves plan</a>. Access is discouraged due to machinery for moving the timber etc, but a few shots here (some poor quality, as could only get in at dusk). [NB see <a href="http://sedgewarbler.blogspot.co.uk/2015/08/blindwells.html">previous blog</a> for details and photos from previous years, there are a range of breeding birds on the site, including some very rare in SE Scotland.]
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM0pG_cSVAf1xxT71U-jdPaAf8K59DFL7Z4QDvzVhyphenhyphenwk_MED8o_XO2IWh0_rJcKhsIYEBIVYvbQYHbfEy8jDAfgtWm4SR9eLh8wsd9TDT3g3okszxUPYa0Te3MGF5CKzTPZD4ys5ozZh0/s1600/DSCN1293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM0pG_cSVAf1xxT71U-jdPaAf8K59DFL7Z4QDvzVhyphenhyphenwk_MED8o_XO2IWh0_rJcKhsIYEBIVYvbQYHbfEy8jDAfgtWm4SR9eLh8wsd9TDT3g3okszxUPYa0Te3MGF5CKzTPZD4ys5ozZh0/s400/DSCN1293.JPG" width="400" height="250" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="999" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE_nxh0C0Xti6A6Pnh-tsQJXc-TS3APDSVMOosv5fLnwvwmU5Pgr0Awpjp1I0VpeUEN4uq7-ptfsDjsto7kI2Anu1ULl3PD7FjecnkPBwAzkTV-j6uLVR4bfyUMJLqVLjMTohGmnIqmkI/s1600/DSCN1288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE_nxh0C0Xti6A6Pnh-tsQJXc-TS3APDSVMOosv5fLnwvwmU5Pgr0Awpjp1I0VpeUEN4uq7-ptfsDjsto7kI2Anu1ULl3PD7FjecnkPBwAzkTV-j6uLVR4bfyUMJLqVLjMTohGmnIqmkI/s400/DSCN1288.JPG" width="400" height="284" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1134" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuv8CrcM8h4hCm7MhgzzK6tH6CzUfAaKoh8F6HJmIHj1KBxXYHiWqvFizEoBzzT96dqUQijUP9t0l51pl7z5N7o3_JHDc7wbyJOGCc1gm05tCZRsMefx-4zwvepwzNqv_ZkMoVtuH6q0w/s1600/DSCN1296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuv8CrcM8h4hCm7MhgzzK6tH6CzUfAaKoh8F6HJmIHj1KBxXYHiWqvFizEoBzzT96dqUQijUP9t0l51pl7z5N7o3_JHDc7wbyJOGCc1gm05tCZRsMefx-4zwvepwzNqv_ZkMoVtuH6q0w/s400/DSCN1296.JPG" width="400" height="248" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="991" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl9u2EjlpNDKsHcHevtU4LIJKPHxHtFo4ni6FjAGL5jUpY42DkIxwOpeIi2SfKG_dGQuokJIlUDVjAxLMqfWKROtMoW8yZqoOVPxqRmOpMwVzM-9GpSBRMQcrCE1-0OUqRQII2mUypl7s/s1600/20180403_195214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl9u2EjlpNDKsHcHevtU4LIJKPHxHtFo4ni6FjAGL5jUpY42DkIxwOpeIi2SfKG_dGQuokJIlUDVjAxLMqfWKROtMoW8yZqoOVPxqRmOpMwVzM-9GpSBRMQcrCE1-0OUqRQII2mUypl7s/s400/20180403_195214.jpg" width="400" height="241" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="965" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdoh_sA6VMlrnAWbR8dGRcixdtReNXAFXSMGaAE_Rv1MID5cdHaifLoYZTog4p-WibGU9hWu7ue66y_4uSf1J0poIYI3rpqjGbhLF7HFjx7_4TC8f5vaRM14vF0G47MRtqjMICwHP7LOU/s1600/20180403_195606.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdoh_sA6VMlrnAWbR8dGRcixdtReNXAFXSMGaAE_Rv1MID5cdHaifLoYZTog4p-WibGU9hWu7ue66y_4uSf1J0poIYI3rpqjGbhLF7HFjx7_4TC8f5vaRM14vF0G47MRtqjMICwHP7LOU/s400/20180403_195606.jpg" width="258" height="400" data-original-width="1030" data-original-height="1600" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbMWaFASBo-B8vIRSUutgVls7waqQClO1kLWvebgp9D4pqIcCiV1rG-lDsfENZX-8QJT6hrUl5z4Sm84x7u-cwFIAauANNBXt4X2DmHV-OBkL4ojGjLd6nb3VeaEEOb_JZORNwOyqIFto/s1600/20180403_195617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbMWaFASBo-B8vIRSUutgVls7waqQClO1kLWvebgp9D4pqIcCiV1rG-lDsfENZX-8QJT6hrUl5z4Sm84x7u-cwFIAauANNBXt4X2DmHV-OBkL4ojGjLd6nb3VeaEEOb_JZORNwOyqIFto/s400/20180403_195617.jpg" width="400" height="240" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="961" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifjTrtyLP6ciJbHZWytk4bsLS2lXQijCMNdTlFrWHtEB_piwc7fnIWf6rUercRIKiEvHayYAIz9AV7c0b_y3wn4710gttI5RSQBPuYu8zMx2uTvBclRDDe-3Hnrn0ZSzhoz33KVofEpTk/s1600/DSCN1291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifjTrtyLP6ciJbHZWytk4bsLS2lXQijCMNdTlFrWHtEB_piwc7fnIWf6rUercRIKiEvHayYAIz9AV7c0b_y3wn4710gttI5RSQBPuYu8zMx2uTvBclRDDe-3Hnrn0ZSzhoz33KVofEpTk/s400/DSCN1291.JPG" width="400" height="232" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="928" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGaS5W3ZqiPxQ3ryFxcDvJdcGnbFXTtBEKUMSDunmDsLnLRRnxj7l73POmrDWlIC_taeuM1F_e34ixd0XY9mIgMVxPtD3O420JZAuRPcDxe_miomVpr5i4wH0RE5AZA7nr58QPnHhf3rE/s1600/DSCN1299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGaS5W3ZqiPxQ3ryFxcDvJdcGnbFXTtBEKUMSDunmDsLnLRRnxj7l73POmrDWlIC_taeuM1F_e34ixd0XY9mIgMVxPtD3O420JZAuRPcDxe_miomVpr5i4wH0RE5AZA7nr58QPnHhf3rE/s400/DSCN1299.JPG" width="400" height="285" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1139" /></a></div>
<p>
No idea on purpose of this bird scarer, the main users of the open area are Curlew (22 on 6 April) and corvids, not sure what threat they are perceived to be!
<p>
Updated shots from Minewater treatment scheme (MTS) below, some recent harvesting of reeds, nicer diversity of habitats in the three tanks with bits of open water and some denser reeds - Mute Swans look set to breed again, also with some other waterfowl. 120 Pied Wags were roosting in the top tank reed bed, site of a large Swallow roost last two years. These will hopefully continue, though increased disturbance round the MTS once houses on site will likely impact on some of the other breeding bird there, including ducks.
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF-tGuXRKU6GkOGfO7pUr6GO2fM5h6oZDpPkLchoRmM8ahMd8pTuqe-AM0C236x-w_H7qcbb0tG0J5yWVgHw-Lipv_Vjqj7oGpPat7Cfp0EQX9zuJTZTQEDd9jDVFXHK3MpORDgAYeOq4/s1600/DSCN1276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF-tGuXRKU6GkOGfO7pUr6GO2fM5h6oZDpPkLchoRmM8ahMd8pTuqe-AM0C236x-w_H7qcbb0tG0J5yWVgHw-Lipv_Vjqj7oGpPat7Cfp0EQX9zuJTZTQEDd9jDVFXHK3MpORDgAYeOq4/s400/DSCN1276.JPG" width="400" height="304" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1214" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirGBgXkiWHqxR2v1ji0DXGHt-T2ZebtOVDMERdLFuG_BPni3SEj7xzK4Q77oPpcwTOCZ5Vorvm6D2MoZwx7uz8IqEG-kiNJENI_eMVqmSWxCyZxG6y_TVO1UGd4whZO0f8WwdhVQ7T5xo/s1600/DSCN1275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirGBgXkiWHqxR2v1ji0DXGHt-T2ZebtOVDMERdLFuG_BPni3SEj7xzK4Q77oPpcwTOCZ5Vorvm6D2MoZwx7uz8IqEG-kiNJENI_eMVqmSWxCyZxG6y_TVO1UGd4whZO0f8WwdhVQ7T5xo/s400/DSCN1275.JPG" width="400" height="290" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1159" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqb2Efxeqi-uJH6N_alQKP6NM2MdXw6WK9ftqvmja9KK_2xu_XbWu7Fi0VxVSylB7Dzc3exUvN4Hm_uhwKfB0UhGzsx2s1d2518fp1nI3IpEBkK4JqJDoA0ZV4JBaVl64RaUNdZBnZHSE/s1600/DSCN1287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqb2Efxeqi-uJH6N_alQKP6NM2MdXw6WK9ftqvmja9KK_2xu_XbWu7Fi0VxVSylB7Dzc3exUvN4Hm_uhwKfB0UhGzsx2s1d2518fp1nI3IpEBkK4JqJDoA0ZV4JBaVl64RaUNdZBnZHSE/s400/DSCN1287.JPG" width="400" height="309" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1237" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-rZhYkXd-EF4X5K4KAsIOoLZSq0DnSuiulE-6ypCYIAzs0vQjcyyiKxCs_tDex_CUufFRSjzz2KR_PapkJG-w1XFTJrcy78gKn3hb9_12xqMmeAnschRYFi0ueG3rYT1nwpsGhGbfKN0/s1600/DSCN1303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-rZhYkXd-EF4X5K4KAsIOoLZSq0DnSuiulE-6ypCYIAzs0vQjcyyiKxCs_tDex_CUufFRSjzz2KR_PapkJG-w1XFTJrcy78gKn3hb9_12xqMmeAnschRYFi0ueG3rYT1nwpsGhGbfKN0/s400/DSCN1303.JPG" width="400" height="291" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1165" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjsr4RhgP3Blw-wgvxi0ci0jfNTryT09Cm9P4H1sAjnCBIinnz6pY-E16xnLD1-k1e3oMci9IEf8xuUERqBo37JSPiMic36XXsUDkPiuArASV6Gn-0JPSTj01aKwpLoCph6yq4P5ueuOU/s1600/DSCN1283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjsr4RhgP3Blw-wgvxi0ci0jfNTryT09Cm9P4H1sAjnCBIinnz6pY-E16xnLD1-k1e3oMci9IEf8xuUERqBo37JSPiMic36XXsUDkPiuArASV6Gn-0JPSTj01aKwpLoCph6yq4P5ueuOU/s400/DSCN1283.JPG" width="400" height="282" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1127" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyrol-ehrw2kcb1QaJzDbmRSc11KaRX6djL1p_lS9gvaGKbUzt9dV7sPxt9ElQ7crLnkseoKxrj3PdbJPFDDI0anYdR7X6pO06SLxGQwRth_f-AkVwwYFp7DH1NtwUAt0XyeX-ce6ndHQ/s1600/DSCN1290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyrol-ehrw2kcb1QaJzDbmRSc11KaRX6djL1p_lS9gvaGKbUzt9dV7sPxt9ElQ7crLnkseoKxrj3PdbJPFDDI0anYdR7X6pO06SLxGQwRth_f-AkVwwYFp7DH1NtwUAt0XyeX-ce6ndHQ/s400/DSCN1290.JPG" width="400" height="270" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1079" /></a></div>
<p>
I'm now in contact with Stuart MacPherson, Biodiversity Officer at East Lothian Council, and have agreed to supply full bird data (<a href="https://www.the-soc.org.uk/birds-in-south-east-scotland-2007-13">#sescotatlas breeding birds</a>, WeBS counts, etc.) - no requests have been received by me from developers; Bryan Hickman has also provided the following list of odonata (dragon/damselflies) at the main pond, where <a href="http://www.wildlifeinformation.co.uk/recording_events_blindwells_20090829.php">TWIC also had a recording day</a> which we attended in 2009. An important colony of Grayling butterflies is also located in same area.
<p>
<i><b>Emerald Damselfly ( Lestes sponsa )</b><br>
Common breeding species every year.
<p>
<b>Large Red Damselfly ( Pyrrhosoma nymphula )</b><br>
Scarce breeding species not recorded every year but has been seen
ovipositing.
<p>
<b>Azure Damselfly ( Coenagrion puella )</b><br>
Common breeding species every year.
<p>
<b>Common Blue Damselfly ( Enallagma cyathigerum )</b><br>
Common breeding species every year.
<p>
<b>Blue-tailed Damselfly ( Ischnura elegans )</b><br>
Common breeding species every year.
<p>
<b>Common Hawker ( Aeshna juncea )</b><br>
Small numbers breed each year.
<p>
<b>Four-spotted Chaser ( Libellula quadrimaculata )</b><br>
Small numbers breed each year.
<p>
<b>Common Darter ( Sympetrum striolatum )</b><br>
Large numbers breed every year.
<p>
<b>Red-veined Darter ( Sympetrum fonscolombii )</b><br>
Single record of this migrant species and the second for Lothian.
<p>
<b>Black Darter ( Sympetrum danae )</b><br>
Adults recorded one year only with a pair in tandem.
<p>
A number of southern species are moving north and with suitable
management this area could be important in the future.</i>
<p>
Concluding with some sunset shots from the top of the site at dusk on 4 April, stunning views looking out over the Forth, <a href="https://app.box.com/s/ybssawvy42me9sjxivngknjvi5iapgef">small video (MP4)</a>.
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Qrl8GQ9ghUtqi5NYectcvTF4LeukqxHMC1OtpebIdCkm5D0F18c4p0L9ceEyBihgJVMQkW156pw3dEN5wCAWm7akUsFCZgbZYHxlKxqRVc7v5VD4q1ZOKljn_2l1ey6i-BtB73nAoAk/s1600/DSCN1260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Qrl8GQ9ghUtqi5NYectcvTF4LeukqxHMC1OtpebIdCkm5D0F18c4p0L9ceEyBihgJVMQkW156pw3dEN5wCAWm7akUsFCZgbZYHxlKxqRVc7v5VD4q1ZOKljn_2l1ey6i-BtB73nAoAk/s400/DSCN1260.JPG" width="400" height="288" data-original-width="1229" data-original-height="884" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilIUPtltrlH0pcCrk8I7YTibWb2RbG9zVYBziK6Bs34oDhVE2g45JCyVUA3ZITXovOXqpW32bSnAemDoZUBDRGBYiXj1qNVJnOEj2nmHWLwePSpl-iB3XKB27vPIcmu6lpC-Qthnditxg/s1600/DSCN1254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilIUPtltrlH0pcCrk8I7YTibWb2RbG9zVYBziK6Bs34oDhVE2g45JCyVUA3ZITXovOXqpW32bSnAemDoZUBDRGBYiXj1qNVJnOEj2nmHWLwePSpl-iB3XKB27vPIcmu6lpC-Qthnditxg/s400/DSCN1254.JPG" width="400" height="251" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1004" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuBBYm2bXy1O_kmkA8HGsVgqdQIZ6Qxonu3XBmOsFY2JJppcKC6L133wcUMGUK8OXberlMANHsYyVnkoF3z61XNzfo81fmyQSlSkt9LlIk9Ih3QWhlBr9r6Pmi0MqA5rtpmhL15n4NRtI/s1600/DSCN1253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuBBYm2bXy1O_kmkA8HGsVgqdQIZ6Qxonu3XBmOsFY2JJppcKC6L133wcUMGUK8OXberlMANHsYyVnkoF3z61XNzfo81fmyQSlSkt9LlIk9Ih3QWhlBr9r6Pmi0MqA5rtpmhL15n4NRtI/s400/DSCN1253.JPG" width="400" height="300" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" /></a></div>
<p>
Postscript - it's all over, <a href="https://www.hargreavesland.com/news/earthworks-underway-at-hargreaves-lands-blindwells-site-in-east-lothian/">earthworks commenced mid-July 2018</a> and the main pond was filled in during fourth week of August, the end of an era for a great site for wildlife :(welchshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00378942325088808236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2376184590270819842.post-60280113484380033562017-03-13T01:07:00.003+00:002023-01-10T10:26:52.060+00:00Regenerating Scots pine in Glen Lui<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9jXpE-oRjInieYB1S3kpL88vP9ILV66hXeYb3DpzGINgae66l4IfhSCyYo_x9W3629bU4dw27_ZwSmaOfmb9Ai1gRadpRTnJ9cYN88VQr9q3lfaTwsTMRnPyENss26qPC4iPyxeAGFAg/s1600/20170311_133533_001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9jXpE-oRjInieYB1S3kpL88vP9ILV66hXeYb3DpzGINgae66l4IfhSCyYo_x9W3629bU4dw27_ZwSmaOfmb9Ai1gRadpRTnJ9cYN88VQr9q3lfaTwsTMRnPyENss26qPC4iPyxeAGFAg/s400/20170311_133533_001.jpg" width="400" height="225" /></a></div>
<p>
Saturday 12 March took Michael and I to Glen Lui on the Mar Lodge Estate to do an outstanding pine seedling count on a plot my father can no longer get to. The trek in to the site takes you past a landscape of the ancient pines many of which are now on their last legs and the interest is in the rate of regeneration, starting with seedlings such as the one above. We also passed a team of workers doing "ring barking" in an adjacent plantation, a practice designed to thin the forest and thereby promote the growth and health of the remaining trees (as described in <a href="https://birdingwithgus.wordpress.com/2016/05/14/one-of-the-best-places-ive-ever-been/">Gus's blog</a>, and on the <a href="https://www.sruc.ac.uk/news/article/1613/sruc_aberdeen_students_learn_from_conservation_field_trip_to_mar_lodge_estate">SRUC conservation field trip</a> from last year).
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHV4ZL6A2ZUXsFoX1XBEgieVHgbXQpJOiwJimMQ-1YIh09N_fKqaVanoPUJ8wptnn8mVUbwhn54xb5rk9eMTrq0A0Pj3duBOb8rEPhUfgjWv-EzdQq4wo_m5PmxEfFhLvnD88YE9hy-rE/s1600/20170311_141906.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHV4ZL6A2ZUXsFoX1XBEgieVHgbXQpJOiwJimMQ-1YIh09N_fKqaVanoPUJ8wptnn8mVUbwhn54xb5rk9eMTrq0A0Pj3duBOb8rEPhUfgjWv-EzdQq4wo_m5PmxEfFhLvnD88YE9hy-rE/s400/20170311_141906.jpg" width="400" height="246" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8N7hU7maNv_W4vR4Vz6fs9cxnGdIq6hdki6z-ObVfeMJV0bY1J4l8TZHSKmclQc2aYaT6akqUVMfKArbjHDVVwYov1eRmMe15-dJ30P4PslCbeiOziF9usOzsSSI4u_cmdvY-RfLkrfs/s1600/20170311_115122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8N7hU7maNv_W4vR4Vz6fs9cxnGdIq6hdki6z-ObVfeMJV0bY1J4l8TZHSKmclQc2aYaT6akqUVMfKArbjHDVVwYov1eRmMe15-dJ30P4PslCbeiOziF9usOzsSSI4u_cmdvY-RfLkrfs/s400/20170311_115122.jpg" width="225" height="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRUg1I3GtOzK_wdIeqDV8Cntg_rzYHN35n7Se-fc4q_6otoxICitLyZJcNBFeinCjcWSYqxk2y0ux8ixJNAFdKFMxbkksr9nFYvl_c6VUU424zY_tuhzS3QoWu48yKwHakku-NHKcusno/s1600/20170311_142525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRUg1I3GtOzK_wdIeqDV8Cntg_rzYHN35n7Se-fc4q_6otoxICitLyZJcNBFeinCjcWSYqxk2y0ux8ixJNAFdKFMxbkksr9nFYvl_c6VUU424zY_tuhzS3QoWu48yKwHakku-NHKcusno/s400/20170311_142525.jpg" width="225" height="400" /></a></div>
<p>
Arriving at the plot we were thankful for GPS or we would have been struggling to find the remains of the pegs. Two Blackcock were flushed and flew to the adjacent wood, and droppings on the plot itself suggested they had been there and may have even been grazing on seedlings, though we could not prove either point. With young helper we counted a minimum of 285 Scots pine seedlings and 8 larch on the 4x15m plot, pro rata that is 5 million pine seedlings per 1km square, or 500 million per hectad - they are regenerating for sure! But the tallest was only 47cm, some may have been grazed.
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP_B_rkcIw_0DI5rXcuByoQAgYV1WIiIDF4SXIZALbOhRsMs8DG3UX3iWzjaIHvuclEJaaUE5_wks3TjenFjoO3xkF-8ojFxe6qId0AiPuXEGl2IGMD4V7pjfzxJ5KSy8JbDm_JOf8AgA/s1600/20170311_131402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP_B_rkcIw_0DI5rXcuByoQAgYV1WIiIDF4SXIZALbOhRsMs8DG3UX3iWzjaIHvuclEJaaUE5_wks3TjenFjoO3xkF-8ojFxe6qId0AiPuXEGl2IGMD4V7pjfzxJ5KSy8JbDm_JOf8AgA/s400/20170311_131402.jpg" width="225" height="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn0XygoGm7ztYso5UX1TSdhN4AfNBkU3OYZSeaRjy7w0exJQmNHmIrCNekEiFEW3D2iq6yk3sYzj4Zi7TXo4rE_ggK2kwjhjsdirBezS-3zHor8iX66ckFhPcdl1GKithoFcOrax4JrcU/s1600/20170311_132929.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn0XygoGm7ztYso5UX1TSdhN4AfNBkU3OYZSeaRjy7w0exJQmNHmIrCNekEiFEW3D2iq6yk3sYzj4Zi7TXo4rE_ggK2kwjhjsdirBezS-3zHor8iX66ckFhPcdl1GKithoFcOrax4JrcU/s400/20170311_132929.jpg" width="277" height="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijqdqNBEhRqvxG5mN6679ijV90YLO0Q-0oUqMwrDDRRDlgtS3X_-Av2TL8oVRGhxPfzzFnP5tj_8gORSppZrlhm8ircdpE6pugzGaQrTy2awBLvILL0o-x2m10VDVw1boMcJNX-5JcMM4/s1600/20170311_133752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijqdqNBEhRqvxG5mN6679ijV90YLO0Q-0oUqMwrDDRRDlgtS3X_-Av2TL8oVRGhxPfzzFnP5tj_8gORSppZrlhm8ircdpE6pugzGaQrTy2awBLvILL0o-x2m10VDVw1boMcJNX-5JcMM4/s400/20170311_133752.jpg" width="400" height="225" /></a></div>
<p>
No raptors were spotted and indeed the only other large birds on the BirdTrack list were a pair of Mallard, though we had seen flocks of Curlew, Oycs and the odd Lapwing on our way up through Glen Clunie. Most pleasing was the sighting of a Great Spotted Woodpecker flying across open moorland heading for the wood where the ring barking had been done, in fulfilment of Gus's prediction last year!
<p>
My father has handed over the further monitoring of sites in this valley to SNH, after 40 years of study so far, so in theory we won't need to go back. The long term study will now be written up, with the benefit of one final data point for the last site. On related topics, and perhaps of interest for any botanist readers, he has two recent publications on the impact of <a href="http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1179/2042349713Y.0000000032">grazing</a> and <a href="http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/20423489.2016.1178061">lack of burning (for 50 years)</a> on the evolution of moorland vegetational composition, from a set of seven sites (on Deeside and in Glen Clunie) that I am very familiar with, having often accompanied him to them in earlier years, recording birds along the way. Note, only abstracts of these papers may be available outside institutional subscriptions.
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglAfaVb0HQfN6rzjljqfnjQ2MZSzIA92rXIhUgyFGT-Yvbdw8f_6sTvrmtzlhwoki7ogpeJ1i_1UC3LUyQNcBc-e4fJrkjs-OzgvexoOUXTRv06lICPNQjwrFZ1RGl6Xr3nQTJchKD2lw/s1600/20170311_164520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglAfaVb0HQfN6rzjljqfnjQ2MZSzIA92rXIhUgyFGT-Yvbdw8f_6sTvrmtzlhwoki7ogpeJ1i_1UC3LUyQNcBc-e4fJrkjs-OzgvexoOUXTRv06lICPNQjwrFZ1RGl6Xr3nQTJchKD2lw/s400/20170311_164520.jpg" width="400" height="225" /></a></div>
<p>
[Photos (except 3rd last) copyright Michael C. Welch, aged 10 yrs]welchshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00378942325088808236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2376184590270819842.post-52440933446130873242017-01-01T02:39:00.000+00:002017-01-02T11:07:49.890+00:00Patchwork<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJjbtiFKP-Rq4dk6HMhWnyF0KszKqF32m9N5CgLgOyWxoTqCXShj0nm4XGmtbDlObzxisCeqHpJIS88PW12N4xHy7X-EeKKazrxBPR52g-mojn8ArkyKJc7tqNJ7398TYD3czDg0oadO4/s1600/Longniddry+Bents+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJjbtiFKP-Rq4dk6HMhWnyF0KszKqF32m9N5CgLgOyWxoTqCXShj0nm4XGmtbDlObzxisCeqHpJIS88PW12N4xHy7X-EeKKazrxBPR52g-mojn8ArkyKJc7tqNJ7398TYD3czDg0oadO4/s400/Longniddry+Bents+007.JPG" width="400" height="300" /></a></div>
1/1/17: Another year completed, and not much to add to last year's "patchwork" report below - after an excellent start to the year in January 2016, with some wind in the Forth, the year ended in a similar fashion to most, with December being only blank month, annual totals hardly changing: 2016 140sp/178 pts; 2015 142sp/175pts; 2014 140sp/174pts; 2012 139sp/180pts.
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir2n9onNuZqs91BS2OTtV4MPy27IRXXi-aM5cOojFIWGPJgMPEtxyyOEjSdPwhoKyEoWuf3O2MrPvEW4gYXv8xb5YTEfdRohqCn9u0W9xNB6Ary7eDZb7aCj9rhqeLrmptvvV6kDFEVSE/s1600/Gadwalls+Blindwells+23Jun16+075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir2n9onNuZqs91BS2OTtV4MPy27IRXXi-aM5cOojFIWGPJgMPEtxyyOEjSdPwhoKyEoWuf3O2MrPvEW4gYXv8xb5YTEfdRohqCn9u0W9xNB6Ary7eDZb7aCj9rhqeLrmptvvV6kDFEVSE/s400/Gadwalls+Blindwells+23Jun16+075.JPG" width="400" height="257" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfev3sNsY2UEb8oc9-eZrtF8mh1aqvZDl2a74ZX7DjLehumQ2B-1ioN8aQTxY_4qeVYMN8Er6tC29oWQhEQj2DiZ_xcjKDo4Cm8p45Ng0SpoCduy0c0g9hidHp8fsgrI1Nqc3TAH7_g0I/s1600/Terns+14Jul16+050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfev3sNsY2UEb8oc9-eZrtF8mh1aqvZDl2a74ZX7DjLehumQ2B-1ioN8aQTxY_4qeVYMN8Er6tC29oWQhEQj2DiZ_xcjKDo4Cm8p45Ng0SpoCduy0c0g9hidHp8fsgrI1Nqc3TAH7_g0I/s400/Terns+14Jul16+050.JPG" width="400" height="267" /></a></div>
<p>
Some nice breeding birds, with multiples of Reed Warbler and Gadwall, and plenty of rings read (180+ Sandwich Tern codes, gulls of 6 species, Shags). But after last year's speculation actually failed to add any species, Gull-billed Tern being someone else's find. Particularly regret failing to find what would have been my first mainland YBW, being able to afford time for just a few cursory trips round the Bents when they seemed to be being found all over the country ;( Always bad timing with start of teaching semester. Also missed Pom Skua, Jay and Woodcock, suspect latter not in normal haunts due to mild weather, Poms are often distant here and it needs lots of time to get them close enough to confirm. Fell even further behind adjacent patch at Aberlady, credit to Mike for turning up even more goodies there, and others on coast here have been <a href="http://patchworkchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/coastal%20scotland">in a different league</a> in terms of rare birds. Will keep up local BirdTrack logs, when I can, and ring-reading, but suspect effort to squeeze out a few more species from patch is not really justified so will give patchwork a miss this year.
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-7sK6M_P3fvaPzr9GW-2C4Af34mrQil_vyZUse2yNmTAzaJjnAKnaL2BnmtnI3maBJpbRiXUpSkFl1EVK_Hx7SCjucID_55EFgCMommwEU1j615jpOH-yunqL8GP5kNDBPl99WFEI5mU/s1600/MedGulls+30Jul16+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-7sK6M_P3fvaPzr9GW-2C4Af34mrQil_vyZUse2yNmTAzaJjnAKnaL2BnmtnI3maBJpbRiXUpSkFl1EVK_Hx7SCjucID_55EFgCMommwEU1j615jpOH-yunqL8GP5kNDBPl99WFEI5mU/s400/MedGulls+30Jul16+008.JPG" width="400" height="300" /></a></div>
<p>
4/1/16: Not managed to post much of late, but time for a quick year end review and look ahead. Due to various constraints, and WeBS excepted, nearly all my "birding" is now done locally along Seton, Longniddry and Gosford shore, with regular <a href="http://sedgewarbler.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/blindwells.html">Blindwells visits as blogged here for 2015</a>. Having gone over fully to <a href="http://www.bto.org/birdtrack">BirdTrack</a> I can now extract some stats on records logged, just for this patch in 2015: 2854 records totalling 41164 birds of 135 species over 148 lists; subset at Blindwells was 1054 records totalling 6712 birds of 81 species over 44 lists. 7 more species recorded but not in BirdTrack (offshore/flyovers and the owls), so patchwork total 142 species. Whatever, it is small beer compared to many of the top BirdTrack-ers and patch listers but probably more than I had time for as it stands! Considering I tend not to log roost counts it tells me that altogether I must have seen/scanned through well into the 100,000+ birds here during the year. BirdTrack also gives you a graph of species accumulation for selected sites and species per month, a rather slow start! Added graphs for Eider, Velvet Scoter, Oyc and Med Gull:
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6jzfBinWygvEACy8KfGmU_7lpvYOh_VmGdBvg1QHOFHkC5k9-u_98tzgc4vcilTc9U1AaMpN9f_JxjhPMsCSAPAo3X3l1r1051G5aNFLIPHz-Gr5d8iJhAB1tV4joldb1n6RPMCAYDs4/s1600/Species_accumulation_2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6jzfBinWygvEACy8KfGmU_7lpvYOh_VmGdBvg1QHOFHkC5k9-u_98tzgc4vcilTc9U1AaMpN9f_JxjhPMsCSAPAo3X3l1r1051G5aNFLIPHz-Gr5d8iJhAB1tV4joldb1n6RPMCAYDs4/s400/Species_accumulation_2015.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3aXzr7O1X_3xUB95uQoDgvWSblOzER8hxFX27tqR-eMxranBF1Xkno6CEab-f7M8eoJerUSblmS7OAAbM29EbWJMecC3r1KcMq0-9YVDxvXS5HAjFlRnKIDlev-Rm-MgZYDMc2notv4o/s1600/Species_monthly_2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3aXzr7O1X_3xUB95uQoDgvWSblOzER8hxFX27tqR-eMxranBF1Xkno6CEab-f7M8eoJerUSblmS7OAAbM29EbWJMecC3r1KcMq0-9YVDxvXS5HAjFlRnKIDlev-Rm-MgZYDMc2notv4o/s400/Species_monthly_2015.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinKJyn2TE-e2SmnrlCi0F2EssSDM4jT_xNI2PBTL7f-TWO9Br-dfTR7SL7K7z_NLnUv2wYdcapeQgF-v6pS4x6cM678B3mQyKXX-zwfv4Bu9j4YU1IJbNvBh2q8dghyphenhyphen3_XbDwe0fxoISY/s1600/Eider+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinKJyn2TE-e2SmnrlCi0F2EssSDM4jT_xNI2PBTL7f-TWO9Br-dfTR7SL7K7z_NLnUv2wYdcapeQgF-v6pS4x6cM678B3mQyKXX-zwfv4Bu9j4YU1IJbNvBh2q8dghyphenhyphen3_XbDwe0fxoISY/s400/Eider+2015.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijJYEPYR5TD_MFvue5geCRRObiIZCPkOk4rO4jCIfbi6LvCR8RPgXMGXQn8zqy8_VOujshO8b51qDiJe5D6fCc4i2QYPfSdcg-pBtJa9-TdM1rddh2edi8XflN3_gXl9qxPJK06itFJLs/s1600/VelvetScoter+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijJYEPYR5TD_MFvue5geCRRObiIZCPkOk4rO4jCIfbi6LvCR8RPgXMGXQn8zqy8_VOujshO8b51qDiJe5D6fCc4i2QYPfSdcg-pBtJa9-TdM1rddh2edi8XflN3_gXl9qxPJK06itFJLs/s400/VelvetScoter+2015.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG9VTQSN6mXU6IQCZn7da8H0j4k65-RL2tWZgk8C1QVBW0bQjW7hCj89BAT7C2JZCqbbU7fSgoD7lQS-O2Xz5wKZm8IU1nyDjR2zez64LQu7-ds0I52P_C8u1T31zJgLTy1YyBuSO9lwg/s1600/Oycs+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG9VTQSN6mXU6IQCZn7da8H0j4k65-RL2tWZgk8C1QVBW0bQjW7hCj89BAT7C2JZCqbbU7fSgoD7lQS-O2Xz5wKZm8IU1nyDjR2zez64LQu7-ds0I52P_C8u1T31zJgLTy1YyBuSO9lwg/s400/Oycs+2015.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZpCWsjqIlOibe4a4GstjFCQqc9TtNY89DquhHKR4ANuU8IesMcwMQOmEUmczONe0XOUFqEgw_pWkrNxePjdjJoHtdEO0M9SyAKh0PQEvF76gKHk6kl7Sf0ZlNvU99CW7iTO5xn84YUpw/s1600/MedGull+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZpCWsjqIlOibe4a4GstjFCQqc9TtNY89DquhHKR4ANuU8IesMcwMQOmEUmczONe0XOUFqEgw_pWkrNxePjdjJoHtdEO0M9SyAKh0PQEvF76gKHk6kl7Sf0ZlNvU99CW7iTO5xn84YUpw/s400/MedGull+2015.jpg"></a></div>
<p>
Competing in the "<a href="http://patchworkchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/">patchwork challenge</a>" has been an eye opener in many respects, even when "streamed" by removal of the best hot spots to a dedicated "<a href="http://patchworkchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/islands">islands league</a>" it is very hard to keep up! In fact it was only the comparative league (handicapped based on previous years) that I was any good at, and unfortunately mainly because I was busy with atlas in 2013 so had a poor list then hence an advantageous handicap. This is obvious from the final annual totals of species/points: 2015 142sp/175pts; 2014 140sp/174pts; 2013 123sp/149pts; 2012 139sp/180pts (having just added Feral Pigeon, previously overlooked, to all these lists!!!). So 2015 was a new best total for species, but could not match 2012 points. I am aware of two species seen by others on the patch in 2015 that I missed, Willie's Quail at Blindwells, and Lesser Whitethroat at same location and per Jim at Longniddry Bents. I narrowly missed Cuckoo which was seen flying along the A1 just off patch and was disappointed also to fail on Pomarine Skua, not enough time in November :(
<p>
Particularly interesting this year with <a href="https://twitter.com/michaeldhodgkin">Mike Hodgkin</a> competing on the neighbouring patch at Aberlady (I had to borrow his Peregrine for my own list for much of the year!) - I think he found 20 species which I missed, including 6 I have <u>never</u> seen on my patch (Pintail, <u>Hen Harrier</u>, Water Rail, <u>American Golden Plover</u>, <u>Curlew Sandpiper</u>, <u>Little Stint</u>, Greenshank, Roseate Tern, Little Tern, Black Tern, <u>LEO</u>, SEO, Kingfisher, Tree Pipit, Stonechat, Lesser Whitethroat, Spotted Flycatcher, Mealy Redpoll, <u>Twite</u>, Lapland Bunting); visiting Aberlady on Christmas Day and seeing the array of 250+ Shelduck floating in the inner bay, a species I would be delighted to see a mile west, reminded me it can indeed be a magical spot!
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDTZ807L3dVuBXnFvwuojfgzWEDBxhuV2LPMNyMVEo-0hNuruYSb42mjJqJL7cMPd4eihfGqoLAs2KbALLh8FF9FVygWBlqb3lV6_YCK_CbmIp76fHgso3BbJZTqk4bt1MCW8M_nf7ZZg/s1600/Species_accumulation_all_years.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDTZ807L3dVuBXnFvwuojfgzWEDBxhuV2LPMNyMVEo-0hNuruYSb42mjJqJL7cMPd4eihfGqoLAs2KbALLh8FF9FVygWBlqb3lV6_YCK_CbmIp76fHgso3BbJZTqk4bt1MCW8M_nf7ZZg/s400/Species_accumulation_all_years.jpg"></a></div>
<p>
With now 11 complete year lists for this patch it is also interesting to look at a yearly species accumulation list. It was good to add five new species this year (LRP, Green Sand, Ruff, Jack Snipe and breeding Reed Warbler) though it has to be said that three of those were probably a consequence of the main gate at Blindwells being closed in late spring so that disturbance from dogs at the main pond was diminished, something which is unlikely to apply in future, indeed the whole area may become a building site! So have now recorded 177 species here and inevitably it will be increasingly hard to add any new ones. What might they be? Having dug into <a href="http://www.the-soc.org.uk/sbr.php">local records</a> I note the following 20 species which have occurred historically (last/only dates):
<p>
<ol>
<li><b>White-billed Diver</b> (31/7/91)
<li><b>Black Stork</b> (29/5-2/6/46)
<li>White Stork (8/4/96; 12/4/03)
<li>Crane (23/4/00)
<li>Storm Petrel (30/8/93; 14/11/04)
<li>Bean Goose (15/2/03)
<li>American Wigeon (17/12/95-18/3/96)
<li>Hen Harrier (18/11/14)
<li><b>Pallas's Sandgrouse</b> (June 1863) "A small number settled in some fields near Longniddry … remained there 2-3 weeks"
<li><b>Western Sandpiper</b> (24/8/97)
<li>Spotted Redshank (15/10/95)
<li>Wood Sandpiper (20/5/14)
<li><b>Forster's Tern</b> (21/2-10/4/95)
<li>Turtle Dove (20/5/92, but former breeder)
<li>Long-eared Owl (26/6/11)
<li>Common Redstart (25/4/08)
<li>Icterine Warbler (5/7/95)
<li>Rose-coloured Starling (5/7/95)
<li>Twite (regular!)
<li>Corn Bunting (8/3/96, but former breeder)
</ol>
<p>
In addition there are several others that I am aware have been reported but not yet with accepted records: Balearic Shearwater, Red Kite, Hobby and Water Pipit. I'm not sure if a King Eider has ever been seen between Aberlady and Musselburgh, but must now be a possibility, with other potential candidates being Snow Goose, Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Grey Phalarope, Yellow-legged Gull, Caspian Gull and Raven. So, looks like more of the same is needed, peering at those Seton gulls may still be my best bet, though after 11+ years of regular weekly visits, or more, and so far only a single Iceland and Glaucous to show for it, I suspect it will be hard work...
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYW2kTPpG8ooWL4erGLzv6F5KEYjL9JKQTMK-KroCA3C6ZyqGJowxDqsvtQGqIHc7iMzmJ-q0wvALAI5jBPQRiEFiAoR7F-k7z7PKI9i67VqZgc7oV4GSajzW2nF_ch0PvpR9i4TQro4o/s1600/Wknd17-18Sep+060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYW2kTPpG8ooWL4erGLzv6F5KEYjL9JKQTMK-KroCA3C6ZyqGJowxDqsvtQGqIHc7iMzmJ-q0wvALAI5jBPQRiEFiAoR7F-k7z7PKI9i67VqZgc7oV4GSajzW2nF_ch0PvpR9i4TQro4o/s400/Wknd17-18Sep+060.jpg"></a></div>welchshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00378942325088808236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2376184590270819842.post-74582339712363161312016-07-15T23:17:00.000+01:002017-01-01T22:45:46.391+00:002016 breeding season<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR4oihPZCueONW7HhAY5eukgtdQoYQfTRy384n4sox8e-TO9HK9UnUfXo6ieEdABV-yxdY-oEaKFybzDbauqKKnSB_nmcnSDDU0IxY2h_A3tVmcX8OgD3iLuPE6scpcCOb5q0GpQbKB8s/s1600/Mute+Swan+family+Blindwells+MTS+10Jun16+038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR4oihPZCueONW7HhAY5eukgtdQoYQfTRy384n4sox8e-TO9HK9UnUfXo6ieEdABV-yxdY-oEaKFybzDbauqKKnSB_nmcnSDDU0IxY2h_A3tVmcX8OgD3iLuPE6scpcCOb5q0GpQbKB8s/s400/Mute+Swan+family+Blindwells+MTS+10Jun16+038.JPG" /></a></div>
<p>
Have been too busy to maintain this blog, and all recent birding very local, even struggling to do my WeBS sites these days - but a brief update with local 2016 breeders. Swans successful again from Blindwells minewater treatment scheme top tank, these photos from the middle tank. The <a href="https://app.box.com/s/11igmixbavdbgo6zd2z2km1yucf9nh2p">soundtrack</a>.
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-qT_zuFBOMFa1kZfBIhMfKsdltNYGDM6HeoSf8xBEJsnR2SEH-PnB2VizUaWJJ486nfqMgfCgtgfa_V74qsMGc_CdKerGosleeksczSApCV2L5cWNKYMeKV4-Gs1zNO63yj6KuNVvhAQ/s1600/Mute+Swan+family+Blindwells+MTS+10Jun16+035_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-qT_zuFBOMFa1kZfBIhMfKsdltNYGDM6HeoSf8xBEJsnR2SEH-PnB2VizUaWJJ486nfqMgfCgtgfa_V74qsMGc_CdKerGosleeksczSApCV2L5cWNKYMeKV4-Gs1zNO63yj6KuNVvhAQ/s400/Mute+Swan+family+Blindwells+MTS+10Jun16+035_crop.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdFPhbca9YvmlaAtW3aQpVDY5ILDYxBmPm9AFtI_zK1JM9S3smcT5sxXSR-MfT7zPusId7NjVOY2tUy8AMiRMRS786o87qC_T1eHqqPsivkS3K1NQCMrcBJ9VP07cUnYQjCt5WZN2oAJQ/s1600/Mute+Swan+family+Blindwells+MTS+10Jun16+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdFPhbca9YvmlaAtW3aQpVDY5ILDYxBmPm9AFtI_zK1JM9S3smcT5sxXSR-MfT7zPusId7NjVOY2tUy8AMiRMRS786o87qC_T1eHqqPsivkS3K1NQCMrcBJ9VP07cUnYQjCt5WZN2oAJQ/s400/Mute+Swan+family+Blindwells+MTS+10Jun16+006.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDYrMhxZjYKGoaVsIRIL0dup-tp1XdVMqKxV8wmkQW0qOqdWV0Z2F2RWGzznmtJ3Nok6mYQrOF14xIhuAjd5D9Yhs463ZGIyND3p_AgRis5qJHN-_KeGHDmOGI5CilLAV920vrEezZZEg/s1600/Mute+Swan+family+Blindwells+MTS+10Jun16+036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDYrMhxZjYKGoaVsIRIL0dup-tp1XdVMqKxV8wmkQW0qOqdWV0Z2F2RWGzznmtJ3Nok6mYQrOF14xIhuAjd5D9Yhs463ZGIyND3p_AgRis5qJHN-_KeGHDmOGI5CilLAV920vrEezZZEg/s400/Mute+Swan+family+Blindwells+MTS+10Jun16+036.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig5eczcIYggiKfULhOk7cnt0rViyVv14uLlVcTHIh7Xv41DoDYclzjxazPVgWarWKJAmRcKmbbvEbupsMey4UIXyuTvXpVQJN1kSlUKRW-M_Lkp5a9DIZXpQoD1ZppXFXvZ7vjq2UCQtI/s1600/Mute+Swan+family+Blindwells+MTS+10Jun16+039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig5eczcIYggiKfULhOk7cnt0rViyVv14uLlVcTHIh7Xv41DoDYclzjxazPVgWarWKJAmRcKmbbvEbupsMey4UIXyuTvXpVQJN1kSlUKRW-M_Lkp5a9DIZXpQoD1ZppXFXvZ7vjq2UCQtI/s400/Mute+Swan+family+Blindwells+MTS+10Jun16+039.JPG" /></a></div>
<p>
The cob:
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwP2nf2ijNDHMwRsop3LRxODCS-GgcDl3Wm6XDUsxLiMeDkecbvfmNqHK_6MRl3KW_dI8LdwmTabQLQj0CiFb2prnJkytHptNjOpXMmHRWK6TUD7GxplZJF6lp55KTU_jaHZprmC1pE_A/s1600/Mute+Swan+family+Blindwells+MTS+10Jun16+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwP2nf2ijNDHMwRsop3LRxODCS-GgcDl3Wm6XDUsxLiMeDkecbvfmNqHK_6MRl3KW_dI8LdwmTabQLQj0CiFb2prnJkytHptNjOpXMmHRWK6TUD7GxplZJF6lp55KTU_jaHZprmC1pE_A/s400/Mute+Swan+family+Blindwells+MTS+10Jun16+025.JPG" /></a></div>
<p>
Little Grebe, Coot, Moorhen and Mallard all fledged young here. Encouragingly, two pairs of Grey Partridge present on one date, another pair regular over the road in market garden fields around Seton East farm shop - just clinging on in these parts.
<p>
Seton shore - more unusual visitors in early June were Gull-billed Tern (right), 5 Greylags and pr Shelduck. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWw6I9VF5aohf-RxUcJD-Phd8m6RC3DmVCtNpcafewlmyum05RFSW9W8U3jT0sjTPIUXSoJu-cx1mKVA1KGTalZj5fChA-axuWBLVKLGz7MKc2ZopBv59YdghP9D8btx4M5HTGSPm0wXY/s1600/Tern+Seton+002_crop2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWw6I9VF5aohf-RxUcJD-Phd8m6RC3DmVCtNpcafewlmyum05RFSW9W8U3jT0sjTPIUXSoJu-cx1mKVA1KGTalZj5fChA-axuWBLVKLGz7MKc2ZopBv59YdghP9D8btx4M5HTGSPm0wXY/s320/Tern+Seton+002_crop2.jpg" /></a></div> Gosford Sands has been hosting up to 20 common seals, and peak of 145 Sandwich Terns there on 4 June, but was devoid of waders on that date. By 12 June 32 Knot, 11 Barwit and 4 Dunlin had appeared, with Knot increasing to 49 by 14 June. On latter date, unusual sight of 2 ad-sum grebes well offshore from Craigielaw initially thought to be Slavs but 2 Red-necked Grebes much closer in on Sunday evening; also 2 Great Crested Grebes on same dates. Sandwich Terns continue, many mating or pairs courtship feeding, similar to previous years but every year there seem to be more - quite strange considering there are no significant colonies for many miles up the east coast, nothing I'm aware of between Farnes and Forvie (Isle of May <a href="https://isleofmaynnr.wordpress.com/2016/06/06/conservation-in-action/">just recolonised</a>, by one pair, this year). One Sandwich in full winter plumage, black just at lower fringe of cap.welchshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00378942325088808236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2376184590270819842.post-49443868468082678432016-07-01T00:46:00.009+01:002021-12-05T18:58:59.830+00:00Garden target lists<h2>Lothian</h2> After a year at the new house in Lothian the garden list reached 61 species (6/8/05); a neighbour had reached 83 so there are still some to get, including one or two easy ones; the following is a list of 25 possible species which would be needed to catch up, let's see if any are accurate predictions: <p> </p><ol>
<li><i>(<b><u>Mallard</u></b> - Should be easy!)</i> <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51); font-weight: bold;">- </span><span style="color:Black;"><b><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);">a pair NE over east of village on 25 February 2007</span></b></span> </li>
<li><i>(<b><u>Canada Goose</u></b> - Another likely suspect </i><span style="color:Black;"><b> <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);">- small flock of moult migrants N over on 5 June 2010</span></b></span> </li>
<li><i>(<b><u>Barnacle Goose</u></b> - Moves around with local Pinkfeet)</i><span style="color:Black;"><b> <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);">- 4 over on 29 October 2005</span></b></span> </li>
<li><i>(<b><u>Common Crossbill</u></b> - Got this in Herts in the 2002 breakout - surely a likely candidate here near the coast)</i><span style="color:Black;"><b> <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);">- 5 over on 9 October 2005</span></b></span> </li>
<li><i>(<b><u>Common Chiffchaff</u></b> - Likely in spring/autumn)</i><span style="color:Black;"><b> <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);">- first to fall, calling bird on 3 September 2005</span></b></span> </li>
<li><i>(<b><u>Sand Martin</u></b> - A probable over spring 2005)</i><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);" ><b> - 4 over W on 15 April 2006</b></span> </li>
<li><i>(<b><u>Stock Dove</u></b> - Regular nearby)</i><span style="color:Black;"><b> <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);">- 1 over on 12 August 2006</span></b></span> </li>
<li><i>(<b><u>Jay</u></b> - Possible in autumn)</i><span style="color:Black;"><b> <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);">- 1 over on 2 October 2010</span></b></span> </li>
<li><i>(<b><u>Mute Swan</u></b> - Must fly over from time to time)</i><span style="color:Black;"><b> <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);">- 5 over on 22 October 2005</span></b></span> </li>
<li><i>(<b><u>Teal</u></b> - fairly common in the area)</i><span style="color:Black;"><b> <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);">- 3 over on 2 December 2010</span></b></span> </li>
<li><i>(<b><u>Reed Bunting</u></b> - Possible in winter or on passage</i><span style="color:Black;"><b> <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);">- 1 calling over, snow lying, 30 November 2021</span></b></span></li>
<li><i>(<b><u>Brambling</u></b> - Perhaps in winter or on passage) </i><span style="color:Black;"><b> <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);">- 1 over calling on vismig 30 October 2010</span></b></span> </li>
<li><i>(<b><u>Lesser Redpoll</u></b> - Possible over)</i><span style="color:Black;"><b> <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);">- single in song over on 15 April 2006</span></b></span> </li>
<li><i>(<b><u>Common Tern</u></b> - Regular at coast nearby)</i><span style="color:Black;"><b> <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);">- several over after dark on 24 August 2006, and other dates thereafter</span></b></span> </li>
<li><i>(<b><u>Dunlin</u></b> - Must fly over from time to time)</i><span style="color:Black;"><b> <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);">- one over in rain just after midnight on 21 October 2006</span></b></span> </li>
<li><i>(<b><u>Common Snipe</u></b> - Must pass over now and again) </i><span style="color:Black;"><b> <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);">- one in hard weather January 2018, seen twice on second occasion looking as if going to land in garden; deep snow lying</span></b></span> </li>
<li><i>(<b><u>Common Sandpiper</u></b> - Possible over)</i><span style="color:Black;"><b> <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);">- heard over in rain at 23:44hrs 14 August 2007</span></b></span> </li>
<li><i>(<b><u>Whimbrel</u></b> - Possible over)</i><span style="color:Black;"><b> <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);">- heard over in rain at 23:32hrs 14 August 2007</span></b></span> </li>
<li><i>(<b><u>Common Whitethroat</u></b> - Common in surrounding countryside</i><span style="color:Black;"><b> <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);">- female in garden on 8 May 2010</span></b></span> </li>
<li><i>(<b><u>Treecreeper</u></b> - May pass through with tit flocks)</i><span style="color:Black;"><b> <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);">- single alighted in tiny front garden on 11 September 2006</span></b></span> </li>
<li><b><u>Spotted Flycatcher</u></b> - Seen nearby outside the village </li>
<li><b><u>Garden Warbler</u></b> - Seen in another garden in the village </li>
<li><i>(<b><u>Wigeon</u></b> - Moves along coast)</i><span style="color:Black;"><b> <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);">- 1+ over on 2 December 2010</span></b></span> </li>
<li><b><u>Gannet</u></b> - Ought to be visible occasionally throo telescope high over sea 1km N </li>
<li><i>(<b><u>Tree Pipit</u></b> - Several heard over on migration on nearby coast)</i><span style="color:Black;"><b> <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);">- 1 N over 21 April 2020</span></b></span></li>
<li><b><u>Yellow Wagtail</u></b> - not infrequent as a migrant in the area</li></ol>
Species added to the list which were not envisaged are: <p> </p>
<ol><li><i><b><u>Grey Plover </u></b></i><b style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);"> - single over at night on 5 September 2005</b> </li>
<li><i><b><u>Grasshopper Warbler</u></b></i><b><span style="color:Black;"> <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);">- reeling bird audible in May-June 2006</span></span></b> </li>
<li><i><b><u>Common Redpoll</u></b></i><b><span style="color:Black;"> <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);">- a small flock present over New Year 2007</span></span></b> </li>
<li><i><b><u>Ringed Plover </u></b></i><b style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);"> - heard over to north at 23:55hrs on 14 May 2007; plenty on the coast at this time of year so should have been no surprise</b> </li>
<li><i><b><u>Quail</u></b></i><span style="color:Black;"><b> <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);">- nocturnal migrant on 1 June 2007</span></b></span> </li>
<li><i><b><u>Bar-tailed Godwit</u></b></i><b><span style="color:Black;"> <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);">- heard over in rain at 00:20hrs 15 August 2007</span></span></b> </li>
<li><i><b><u>Barn Owl</u></b></i><b><span style="color:Black;"> <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);">- screech heard 02:08hrs 27 July 2008, quite a surprise within the village but also heard summer 2008 and since then sometimes daily, even seen flying over the garage!</span></span></b> </li>
<li><i><b><u>Black-tailed Godwit</u></b></i><b><span style="color:Black;"> <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);">- heard over in rain at 00:18hrs 2 August 2010</span></span></b> </li>
<li><i><b><u>Coot</u></b></i><b><span style="color:Black;"> <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);">- heard over in mist at 01:13hrs 7 August 2010</span></span></b></li> </li>
<li><i><b><u>Tree Sparrow</u></b></i><b><span style="color:Black;"> <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);">- a couple on 30 October 2010 and several dates into winter, subsequently has become a regular in this part of the village</span></span></b></li>
<li><i><b><u>Woodcock</u></b></i><b><span style="color:Black;"> <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);">- 2 over in roding flight excursion on 8 May 2011; had thought more likely to get this species in autumn/winter as nearest regular breeding/roding area is a couple of miles NE</span></span></b></li>
<li><i><b><u>Short-eared Owl</u></b></i><b><span style="color:Black;"> <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);">- one during the bumper arrival in autumn 2011</span></span></b></li>
<li><i><b><u>Osprey</u></b></i><b><span style="color:Black;"> <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);">- holy grail finally on 1 July 2012, drizzle</span></span></b></li>
<li><i><b><u>Fulmar</u></b></i><b><span style="color:Black;"> <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);">- a long shot, given declined inland breeders, but one on 15 May 2013</span></span></b></li>
<li><i><b><u>Little Egret</u></b></i><b><span style="color:Black;"> <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);">- another unthinkable a few years ago but expanding so rapidly, finally seen on 9 August 2014</span></span></b></li>
<li><i><b><u>Mediterranean Gull</u></b></i><b><span style="color:Black;"> <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);">- a lot of effort expended looking for this predictable species, regular on coast and commuting to feed inland - finally added on 7 August 2015</span></span></b></li>
<li><i><b><u>Nuthatch</u></b></i><b><span style="color:Black;"> <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);">- when we moved here in 2004 this was still a rarity in Lothian, but has seen a huge expansion since including throughout the neighbouring Gosford Estate, and being seen on feeders regularly at the east end of the village - calls finally heard on 20 July 2016, species 100!</span></span></b> </li>
<li><i><b><u>Yellowhammer</u></b></i><b><span style="color:Black;"> <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);">- common locally, but high sedentary, a presumed field hopping local migrant high SW on 12 December 2016, 1C</span></span></b></li>
<li><i><b><u>Sedge Warbler</u></b></i><b><span style="color:Black;"> <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);">- distant bird in song at coast, straining my ears, mid-May 2018</span></span></b></li>
<li><i><b><u>Green Sandpiper</u></b></i><b><span style="color:Black;"> <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);">- nocturnal migrant early August 2018</span></span></b></li>
<li><i><b><u>Water Rail</u></b></i><b><span style="color:Black;"> <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);">- 5 records of nocturnal migrants 9 April to 21 May 2020</span></span></b></li>
<li><i><b><u>Common Scoter</u></b></i><b><span style="color:Black;"> <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);">- nocturnal migrant 14 May 2020</span></span></b></li>
<li><i><b><u>Lesser Whitethroat</u></b></i><b><span style="color:Black;"> <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);">- singing bird in gardens north 5 June 2021</span></span></b></li>
</ol> <p> </p>
<p>
Remaining <a href="https://sedgewarbler.blogspot.com/2009/07/garden-target-lists.html">targets</a> seen locally: Raven, Red Kite, Merlin, Marsh Harrier; Yellow Wagtail (one heard, unconfirmed), Green Woodpecker, Twite, Snow Bunting...
<p>
<h2>Kincards</h2> Visits home now very infrequent, but most obvious omissions are: <p> </p><ol><li><b><u>Linnet</u></b> - overhead </li><li><b><u>Teal</u></b> - most fly over occasionally </li><li><b><u>Common Snipe</u></b> - must fly over occasionally </li><li><b><u>Chiffchaff</u></b> - not common in the area though </li><li><b><u>Hen Harrier</u></b> - a probable once eluded me, seen nearby </li></ol>welchshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00378942325088808236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2376184590270819842.post-63867099747472925902015-08-31T01:03:00.000+01:002017-03-29T23:47:15.066+01:00Blindwells<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLrjxTEW60SeVFeZ2WgsYK73dtipZJN-a-JmDwNjfJ8OySdw8xlGSTM2lKpEsyIoLcacgMfFGJ3t5BkTZaDlfLlp43F_nIBZ4ynEXWv4A0RGK4nAVR35dNbcAdrH7sGdvaOml90DjSDuI/s1600/Blindwells+entrance+Apr-15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLrjxTEW60SeVFeZ2WgsYK73dtipZJN-a-JmDwNjfJ8OySdw8xlGSTM2lKpEsyIoLcacgMfFGJ3t5BkTZaDlfLlp43F_nIBZ4ynEXWv4A0RGK4nAVR35dNbcAdrH7sGdvaOml90DjSDuI/s400/Blindwells+entrance+Apr-15.JPG"></a></div>
<p>
<b>[NOW UPDATED at end for JUL-AUG]</b>
<p>
Just a few images to document the evolution of the Blindwells site, part of my extended local patch for <a href="http://patchworkchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/">PWC2015</a>. Sometimes <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blindwells#/media/File:Blindwells.jpg">bleak</a>, but a dawn visit in spring can give more attractive impressions at this <a href="http://www.edinburghgeolsoc.org/BillHarperCollection/Excursion%20to%20Blindwells%20Opencast%20Coal%20Mine,%2012%20June%201982/index.html">former open cast coal mine</a>, the entrance area shown above with some regenerating birch. This area typically supports multiple territories of at least six species of warbler (2015 arrival dates): Grasshopper (23/4), Sedge (30/4), Willow (16/4), Chiffchaff (12/3), Blackcap (24/4) and Whitethroat (26/4), occasional visits of others (Garden Warbler - silent migrant 3/5/15, only previous was Apr-May 2009, and Lesser Whitethroat - 23/5/04, 2/5/09, 19/6/10, 17/5/13); many inhabit the abundant rosebay willowherb (<i>Chamerion angustifolium</i>), e.g. on the west bank, and hawthorn scrub along the north bordering the main east coast railway line.
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5wA3LamGxPXW3zXJEO-RxZNcsn-2CghpSDPp6qDKOC-8OIt2bYwYq2Cpd3xHqowhDCUGkfMLj-o31WLfGhEOTtr0Kl4UIe1pz8RGk8hQZjblNId8Ul80i6MOklrQCl3Rv_61k5Cqlxe4/s1600/Blindwells+28-29May15+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5wA3LamGxPXW3zXJEO-RxZNcsn-2CghpSDPp6qDKOC-8OIt2bYwYq2Cpd3xHqowhDCUGkfMLj-o31WLfGhEOTtr0Kl4UIe1pz8RGk8hQZjblNId8Ul80i6MOklrQCl3Rv_61k5Cqlxe4/s400/Blindwells+28-29May15+001.JPG"></a></div>
<p>
The reedbeds at the minewater treatment scheme (MWTS) have also developed nicely in the four years since they were established, with the first reed harvest on the top tank in March 2015:
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh0VTStDrHQmYbIys0kMYo-vLslI8y4mYFy4K0EEXd28Saep43AHK-abHWrSmI5p4FwY8ecJS1PWYb1yLLjVIc6cp-jhpguSHI5bmzHu3hE0_w5HxjSsMEwBpOEiBVaToI-4sWX5JHD8Q/s1600/Blindwells+MWTS+tank+3+reed+cut+Mar-15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh0VTStDrHQmYbIys0kMYo-vLslI8y4mYFy4K0EEXd28Saep43AHK-abHWrSmI5p4FwY8ecJS1PWYb1yLLjVIc6cp-jhpguSHI5bmzHu3hE0_w5HxjSsMEwBpOEiBVaToI-4sWX5JHD8Q/s400/Blindwells+MWTS+tank+3+reed+cut+Mar-15.JPG"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgx8cxIDwtKLssv3GdhvB3RekN35UydF-oB2CsW0JNe_JIfZ5gVA6LUJzSJmj-QeCtmOOeN3Uj9hbx8vYauU8bNihUoUZKwOalRg8gb42ivw4Spe1BJLnw9b6kTSawBA621nprd3-uRPo/s1600/Blindwells+MWTS+tank+3+reed+cut+to+S+Mar-15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgx8cxIDwtKLssv3GdhvB3RekN35UydF-oB2CsW0JNe_JIfZ5gVA6LUJzSJmj-QeCtmOOeN3Uj9hbx8vYauU8bNihUoUZKwOalRg8gb42ivw4Spe1BJLnw9b6kTSawBA621nprd3-uRPo/s400/Blindwells+MWTS+tank+3+reed+cut+to+S+Mar-15.JPG"></a></div>
<p>
Now providing a little open water again:
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglGMvpZFmNptwGQ7aP-aPZ5OrtyDiW_n0LgIWItfZeu-53QGkz26Ds7rssu4UA1jbRylrf7eEGXfliN0avVB-fKeJnk5Mg0zFhF1WybhTltSLXucjPw_dm3G239nqwCpxlsxmtZZKe1Yc/s1600/Blindwells+MWTS+tank+3+reed+cut+Apr-15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglGMvpZFmNptwGQ7aP-aPZ5OrtyDiW_n0LgIWItfZeu-53QGkz26Ds7rssu4UA1jbRylrf7eEGXfliN0avVB-fKeJnk5Mg0zFhF1WybhTltSLXucjPw_dm3G239nqwCpxlsxmtZZKe1Yc/s400/Blindwells+MWTS+tank+3+reed+cut+Apr-15.JPG"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-QKHVRTtT-6_ZjRB-b_U9-xb_c3t0nnELkD5RlTsVxQ0bLRd8g8fzSUo8ztKMv54Av3zncC4p_QV8nsfBKQsNAN3mqw1VpqPfZV7TyW5FYIbry-cC-85JqLSA9gJ-W44Wu58L6I3rZe0/s1600/Mute+ON+Blindwells+MWTS+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-QKHVRTtT-6_ZjRB-b_U9-xb_c3t0nnELkD5RlTsVxQ0bLRd8g8fzSUo8ztKMv54Av3zncC4p_QV8nsfBKQsNAN3mqw1VpqPfZV7TyW5FYIbry-cC-85JqLSA9gJ-W44Wu58L6I3rZe0/s400/Mute+ON+Blindwells+MWTS+008.JPG"></a></div>
<p>
Fortunately the harvesting activity did not approach the active swan nest on the margin of open water at the further east end of the site (easily overlooked), pen sitting tight on 26 April.
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv_qJkg2z7RHslEuhDp5N46_SFPHDz0Kepxo-JCp__3utC-F7sIlSCKd1G-4aKb3u0EAWMwQWfoSOM5ZXfA5iqGkvQm9iKFTkVErkg-Mixt7rFYK2hwOdSyAKOWGjYNntBcw39bPPIRsY/s1600/Mute+ON+Blindwells+MWTS+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv_qJkg2z7RHslEuhDp5N46_SFPHDz0Kepxo-JCp__3utC-F7sIlSCKd1G-4aKb3u0EAWMwQWfoSOM5ZXfA5iqGkvQm9iKFTkVErkg-Mixt7rFYK2hwOdSyAKOWGjYNntBcw39bPPIRsY/s400/Mute+ON+Blindwells+MWTS+004.JPG"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ11w4Ktfumj_-9PsNvkW3Mii2nAc4rU9n8bowEPHVgnPYDPeob_NwoA5VSrF1vrPk3ASsQSZjcggKWfM2i1iP5KianRLHrrRdZQEbjnVHLsnRW2i-WxZgCumIMhImQPxRaIM2KKVBjiU/s1600/Mute+ON+Blindwells+MWTS+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ11w4Ktfumj_-9PsNvkW3Mii2nAc4rU9n8bowEPHVgnPYDPeob_NwoA5VSrF1vrPk3ASsQSZjcggKWfM2i1iP5KianRLHrrRdZQEbjnVHLsnRW2i-WxZgCumIMhImQPxRaIM2KKVBjiU/s400/Mute+ON+Blindwells+MWTS+006.JPG"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRDAUFVA-6Mz6BJDlNwRjLQ1g_UIwdqzSq3mgegJ8_0xPT8sWMr3GCQAJz9DW-S9K53Yv8IaMS1DV3QwnkCccVzmc6n9N1CKiQ9h0xaiQh95j8maxTm5DEvpopI3ZnGd_KBUjpP0DtYFM/s1600/Mute+ON+Blindwells+MWTS+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRDAUFVA-6Mz6BJDlNwRjLQ1g_UIwdqzSq3mgegJ8_0xPT8sWMr3GCQAJz9DW-S9K53Yv8IaMS1DV3QwnkCccVzmc6n9N1CKiQ9h0xaiQh95j8maxTm5DEvpopI3ZnGd_KBUjpP0DtYFM/s400/Mute+ON+Blindwells+MWTS+005.JPG"></a></div>
<p>
Young had appeared by 20 June, young taken to the middle tank which has more vegetation and learnt to feed by dunking heads below water:
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvZKRaCY3XQw2_ExC2JPUTjGuwl-w4Hdwuy0ywdoKsR6oIUu3HjXBbTF5-s8B1McjPKCh536ShMLitLsnzFU8fAx-vIU8tPhmUg2LNBnbDhpLK50Rp7fOWiNrq5Ak9Jevaes0VuPE0zfM/s1600/Mutes+Blindwells+MWTS+030+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvZKRaCY3XQw2_ExC2JPUTjGuwl-w4Hdwuy0ywdoKsR6oIUu3HjXBbTF5-s8B1McjPKCh536ShMLitLsnzFU8fAx-vIU8tPhmUg2LNBnbDhpLK50Rp7fOWiNrq5Ak9Jevaes0VuPE0zfM/s400/Mutes+Blindwells+MWTS+030+-+Copy.JPG"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKcrfMDf9SrKCB2zOJKh06_KYSpCc0wt8jPO3w_LHgwC5283Mwd9iFje63WZdpE_pwvrO-iDpsxlNQWJ7s3flOD-srX7P2phDXZaDqEV80j0aiOrMKfgeCKe0_8wC-eFbFLjJefpp_6aA/s1600/Mutes+Blindwells+MWTS+039+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKcrfMDf9SrKCB2zOJKh06_KYSpCc0wt8jPO3w_LHgwC5283Mwd9iFje63WZdpE_pwvrO-iDpsxlNQWJ7s3flOD-srX7P2phDXZaDqEV80j0aiOrMKfgeCKe0_8wC-eFbFLjJefpp_6aA/s400/Mutes+Blindwells+MWTS+039+-+Copy.JPG"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNuSadyRXReoVFjoiayP2tk12ze6k2sVj4kZDMyNTs7zqNAgf9ETJwOBxyE0_pogINxqEWsqmdfALtezQYUVIr2PN7VCMkvLyV6JeLLwr5Mk4q88guwWQnF1zQ0SbI9Wq1MMWBnBMlD8g/s1600/Mutes+Blindwells+MWTS+034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNuSadyRXReoVFjoiayP2tk12ze6k2sVj4kZDMyNTs7zqNAgf9ETJwOBxyE0_pogINxqEWsqmdfALtezQYUVIr2PN7VCMkvLyV6JeLLwr5Mk4q88guwWQnF1zQ0SbI9Wq1MMWBnBMlD8g/s400/Mutes+Blindwells+MWTS+034.JPG"></a></div>
<p>
Next four pics are the middle tank, in March and April, and looking north and south, respectively:
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMH6Xh3hRyj9v3uU9hKYURyoQGJeIdl8hI-wQk3PoKfSFlSvt36lLTi3pG5JcO8ptYFoE2NVDs2GrozYamjRPZvrDY5N3wcj3EkK0YoJ7a3_CTvPh6bbhdDSYISgaK8OfcY1OyfuxmYCo/s1600/Blindwells+MWTS+tank+2+Mar-15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMH6Xh3hRyj9v3uU9hKYURyoQGJeIdl8hI-wQk3PoKfSFlSvt36lLTi3pG5JcO8ptYFoE2NVDs2GrozYamjRPZvrDY5N3wcj3EkK0YoJ7a3_CTvPh6bbhdDSYISgaK8OfcY1OyfuxmYCo/s400/Blindwells+MWTS+tank+2+Mar-15.JPG"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBp48KtqM4e4oaapIqFUQTqhNhuqw9GDyK8Yz99fUtYtHp8d0128OZUvwr4IhtMsDjOhYRamBRx_XquJ791rbPL9TDGHGr64zgVlN8dcRFGXguGuHy_dQm383Ai2zlsLm7Kefb9LN4y30/s1600/Blindwells+MWTS+tank+2+Apr-15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBp48KtqM4e4oaapIqFUQTqhNhuqw9GDyK8Yz99fUtYtHp8d0128OZUvwr4IhtMsDjOhYRamBRx_XquJ791rbPL9TDGHGr64zgVlN8dcRFGXguGuHy_dQm383Ai2zlsLm7Kefb9LN4y30/s400/Blindwells+MWTS+tank+2+Apr-15.JPG"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7eYrpHdWlsTW3M863UKyAxx_ZySPLcAA_WbRHs6PjPZgnptuxPB8MY4jrBvv4gBjtgcVlkO9cpfLZIXRBAl32KScXXql7jis1CsPtQV3xNVZyHPGrjBE7WN4MRju60-Qm923iWxyP2PM/s1600/Blindwells+MWTS+tank+2+to+S+Mar-15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7eYrpHdWlsTW3M863UKyAxx_ZySPLcAA_WbRHs6PjPZgnptuxPB8MY4jrBvv4gBjtgcVlkO9cpfLZIXRBAl32KScXXql7jis1CsPtQV3xNVZyHPGrjBE7WN4MRju60-Qm923iWxyP2PM/s400/Blindwells+MWTS+tank+2+to+S+Mar-15.JPG"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRwCx68ljuBgM5RjU0tlEolu4Z40m9eazTcMgfXw3_gKQhGwLvetuqnpPqFvUlPo8V9VNRgggbdMLnlriYQn6rrUG1LHUYsXqeywqourcnnQ7mTl5PLJL0wLSoM8LUZeAa8oaY1szoTYs/s1600/Blindwells+MWTS+tank+2+to+S+Apr-15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRwCx68ljuBgM5RjU0tlEolu4Z40m9eazTcMgfXw3_gKQhGwLvetuqnpPqFvUlPo8V9VNRgggbdMLnlriYQn6rrUG1LHUYsXqeywqourcnnQ7mTl5PLJL0wLSoM8LUZeAa8oaY1szoTYs/s400/Blindwells+MWTS+tank+2+to+S+Apr-15.JPG"></a></div>
<p>
Finally the bottom tank at the west end:
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhw9VPqANIxABRwfdEMNWFbxM_qEmptogONKoBttjB0zKWzmFH4WOUIbCwSvfGfMMcZZ_dH91H9kFGnskVyjvupEaf7i0dbw74kmK8ia6rmYb_g1Vd73fPcvG-sx7I51M15fOudW47os0/s1600/Blindwells+MWTS+tank+1+Apr-15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhw9VPqANIxABRwfdEMNWFbxM_qEmptogONKoBttjB0zKWzmFH4WOUIbCwSvfGfMMcZZ_dH91H9kFGnskVyjvupEaf7i0dbw74kmK8ia6rmYb_g1Vd73fPcvG-sx7I51M15fOudW47os0/s400/Blindwells+MWTS+tank+1+Apr-15.JPG"></a></div>
<p>
Reminder of the views of open water back in April 2011:
<p>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJENEAlCfFjWT8VgzIwfjKtZE8iTcspEKy2roa4Xygzi2YjD9nwv9JX2w9WViqBg-7DBRfGGvZCBmxGlHsDibn1rHXCxWjl4-dAKZqmbS5bChJeuAXGp_F-C9BdRhCZ6s7qJ_vPperqY/s1600/Wknd2-3Apr+025.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 164px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJENEAlCfFjWT8VgzIwfjKtZE8iTcspEKy2roa4Xygzi2YjD9nwv9JX2w9WViqBg-7DBRfGGvZCBmxGlHsDibn1rHXCxWjl4-dAKZqmbS5bChJeuAXGp_F-C9BdRhCZ6s7qJ_vPperqY/s400/Wknd2-3Apr+025.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591474790705433986"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Em_Uy8aa__aLZmF9vj75K5FsgAw7sMpk313wuAnPudYvBLEpS5Y8GDGLVkZFdmBRHkW_0LPsBgCNEuVDczfysjvo6qVeoUaJ8Pm-1BTbVp9Jw5Jz4e3Y0OH3Qx6s9_EVZWuHak0cVF8/s1600/Wknd2-3Apr+020.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Em_Uy8aa__aLZmF9vj75K5FsgAw7sMpk313wuAnPudYvBLEpS5Y8GDGLVkZFdmBRHkW_0LPsBgCNEuVDczfysjvo6qVeoUaJ8Pm-1BTbVp9Jw5Jz4e3Y0OH3Qx6s9_EVZWuHak0cVF8/s400/Wknd2-3Apr+020.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591473613895472658"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf5pQc271XslqpTODpTeywrDS8QIca8FCxlyQ4rwlBO7hNgC1boK6CyR7TXP4vsgVMgz9JazwkR-RUoQUvL2SyQjvPjurTs2oJ2Kjx9VBsPKNpnjyQ8HiTW69GWXD3WWHyb5btGvgJF5k/s1600/Wknd2-3Apr+011.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf5pQc271XslqpTODpTeywrDS8QIca8FCxlyQ4rwlBO7hNgC1boK6CyR7TXP4vsgVMgz9JazwkR-RUoQUvL2SyQjvPjurTs2oJ2Kjx9VBsPKNpnjyQ8HiTW69GWXD3WWHyb5btGvgJF5k/s400/Wknd2-3Apr+011.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591473612952021362"></a>
<p>
Overall a very welcome creation of new habitat, albeit subject to future harvesting etc, and I suspect already an important breeding area for a number of species. And how could I forget <a href="http://sedgewarbler.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/the-seton-dipper.html">the young Dipper which wandered here far from its natal area in summer 2013</a>?! There are also important <a href="http://wildlifeinformation.co.uk/recording_events_blindwells_20090829.php">odonata and botanical interests</a> around the site, newts are abundant on pond margins. On birds, I have picked up most of my expected summer migrants for the patch as usual, including a remarkable 13+ Common Sandpipers together on 24 April, all but one feeding along the south shore margin and particularly amongst the boulder piles there and into the adjacent short grass. Decreased to 7 on 26 April, down to 1 on 2-3 May and none left on 6 May. I'd had only one previous multiple count on 24 April 2010, but aware others have had up to five in the last 15 years or so. With water levels dropping again may hopefully still bring in one or two other species, missed Wood Sandpiper here last year though that seems a bit optimistic!
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4xqlnk3JtLxTybNO7Lp3EK47BdrWCPEviuWbCK5fvziTowFj3PYA7uh21BbD7bLcXpbFZYhqJrOqLVM5v7bcwyKMTvbboE84tqkijj-lqq5mEvDGYfTcb8hRgHhtHWxu_eVzn9aacYm0/s1600/Blindwells+28-29May15+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4xqlnk3JtLxTybNO7Lp3EK47BdrWCPEviuWbCK5fvziTowFj3PYA7uh21BbD7bLcXpbFZYhqJrOqLVM5v7bcwyKMTvbboE84tqkijj-lqq5mEvDGYfTcb8hRgHhtHWxu_eVzn9aacYm0/s400/Blindwells+28-29May15+026.JPG"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQffnHuMWpyn1QRUoDt3bdC4ZQOMB7SlqiYucjKmRkhFrPcd8va16jUM34SqKyFPLi_UhXC-ERJ1acgQWVpCWKxLB1I1pBWP1AdXAK4WBbHly3r88BqKm3JX7IoGdU03gk9DQ0qKdZbN4/s1600/Blindwells+28-29May15+031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQffnHuMWpyn1QRUoDt3bdC4ZQOMB7SlqiYucjKmRkhFrPcd8va16jUM34SqKyFPLi_UhXC-ERJ1acgQWVpCWKxLB1I1pBWP1AdXAK4WBbHly3r88BqKm3JX7IoGdU03gk9DQ0qKdZbN4/s400/Blindwells+28-29May15+031.JPG"></a></div>
<p>
Other late spring sightings were pr Shelduck on 28 April & 14 May, regular White Wagtails and Wheatears, a fine ad m Yellow Wagtail on evening of 30 April (seemed to vanish though just as I was getting out my camera!), a Cuckoo heading W along the A1 at Bankton just off site on 12 May, a couple of Little Egrets flying low SW over the open area on 27 May, a young Black-tailed Godwit feeding voraciously at the west end on 29 May (above, demonstrating its flexible bill), Coots ON 12-27 May with 3 chicks on 31 May (with a second brood on top tank early July), and 65 Canada Geese resting on the south bank on 1 June, presumed moult migrants.
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrAeBfw9bhFPQGwEhB__lK8d9EWzdrBMGJIx7cBf8EO6ldwNHcVqDw9kO4vaB6it2g16I49mIttAC_Jk7C079tnfWdW-CA1l9AUC0P0UT0mW_COXntKXvVopHc1Zr7ziXCxhMyzYxAIKw/s1600/Blindwells+28-29May15+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrAeBfw9bhFPQGwEhB__lK8d9EWzdrBMGJIx7cBf8EO6ldwNHcVqDw9kO4vaB6it2g16I49mIttAC_Jk7C079tnfWdW-CA1l9AUC0P0UT0mW_COXntKXvVopHc1Zr7ziXCxhMyzYxAIKw/s400/Blindwells+28-29May15+002.JPG"></a></div>
<p>
Despite all the interesting sightings the site does always leave you with mixed feelings - so much potential but it unfortunately suffers a lot from disturbance, a constant stream of people walking the path past the south of the pond which usually flushes many of the wildfowl and any waders if present, but probably of more concern is the impact of their dogs on potentially breeding birds, several wildfowl must nest in the vicinity of the main pond. The site is also regularly used by scrambler bikes, which do not stay only on the mounds/circuits but roam over the whole area even including the muddy shore of the main pond. But all of this is probably irrelevant in the longer term as it is expected that the designated new settlement will eventually get under-way (<a href="http://www.eastlothiancourier.com/news/roundup/articles/2014/10/30/514291-6000plus-homes-could-be-built-at-blindwells/">up to 6000 houses are envisioned</a>!) and there will then be no hope of protecting the rarer breeding birds and the special open area inhabitants (Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Reed Bunting, Grey Partridge, Kestrel, Buzzard, Barn Owl, etc) will all lose their favoured breeding and feeding areas.
<p>
I ceased regular visits in June as the west end was taken over for the latest settlement tests, new earth banks being created, unfortunately eliminating the area with resident and presumed breeding Grasshopper Warbler. By July the main pond was very close to drying out, Swan family and Coot on a second nest in remaining area of water:
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmY5BjRPh-uJO3HkqA5YUFPiUG1F9qeevXZl3-TtJchhYpBZP4RogZ28GTk-jQ5fqutxZqygtppz1gDdJQTJ-FFvg89MlbGe5KaPFIh8N0TZVaDBl6LYkb9LATf1jcpahwhmZSQMM9QJ8/s1600/Blindwells+5Jul15+054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmY5BjRPh-uJO3HkqA5YUFPiUG1F9qeevXZl3-TtJchhYpBZP4RogZ28GTk-jQ5fqutxZqygtppz1gDdJQTJ-FFvg89MlbGe5KaPFIh8N0TZVaDBl6LYkb9LATf1jcpahwhmZSQMM9QJ8/s400/Blindwells+5Jul15+054.jpg"></a></div>
<p>
Into August and water level dropped further, down to c. 10% of original area, though some flood pools appeared after rain:
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHKX25a2CMqN7Loypk_mmDad_yNsV9ZmdQ8Mfq22e7quBRvvLbFhbplGj_vlsotDd7tLN9CeO-h3744Bpvd7sc7L_bxUl196RmTPHof_YdSkFKRMbmsQWn5TmTVbDIP9HMFdcT74fEEHQ/s1600/Blindwells+23-24Aug15+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHKX25a2CMqN7Loypk_mmDad_yNsV9ZmdQ8Mfq22e7quBRvvLbFhbplGj_vlsotDd7tLN9CeO-h3744Bpvd7sc7L_bxUl196RmTPHof_YdSkFKRMbmsQWn5TmTVbDIP9HMFdcT74fEEHQ/s400/Blindwells+23-24Aug15+%25281%2529.JPG"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcgqFutSknnxqU_nQG9IG3OdBhUg9qmH4IEfymsvJ7ENsCqXiiYxrfzt5kRnb8sdaGQNBj-n_4gN9-VlfeKiWk0SnQqrPsLYn86bA9MieuxxzpdHqY9lYwY5KTse2Z321I4ZruNxGb5RU/s1600/Blindwells+23-24Aug15+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcgqFutSknnxqU_nQG9IG3OdBhUg9qmH4IEfymsvJ7ENsCqXiiYxrfzt5kRnb8sdaGQNBj-n_4gN9-VlfeKiWk0SnQqrPsLYn86bA9MieuxxzpdHqY9lYwY5KTse2Z321I4ZruNxGb5RU/s400/Blindwells+23-24Aug15+%25282%2529.JPG"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQFN1vfOm6LVkClo4YdTWSddIuWi9kMFcBwDaYBH_mSbSEN7rTZNmpoKpNsnm_skA5bcKSrHJqmotiepdf_dv6G9hemhlcXhJPHLAhbO27h1ji0dl0HIS-JgAdJZhpct5dYp4AlHDtsuc/s1600/Blindwells+23-24Aug15+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQFN1vfOm6LVkClo4YdTWSddIuWi9kMFcBwDaYBH_mSbSEN7rTZNmpoKpNsnm_skA5bcKSrHJqmotiepdf_dv6G9hemhlcXhJPHLAhbO27h1ji0dl0HIS-JgAdJZhpct5dYp4AlHDtsuc/s400/Blindwells+23-24Aug15+%25283%2529.JPG"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcBfs43qMs8VtpzRIgIYqjedmRNzTq3yfcsDfeU66JTnq8Lez2ucc0hgwUaGeNn-mLbc2H_PazMMtcbDYt_Hza2Ep1yIiLuF0QoPfKGygQhrA4V8ruCKGK0rPODLSY5JjlfAYwrvhWnpU/s1600/Blindwells+23-24Aug15+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcBfs43qMs8VtpzRIgIYqjedmRNzTq3yfcsDfeU66JTnq8Lez2ucc0hgwUaGeNn-mLbc2H_PazMMtcbDYt_Hza2Ep1yIiLuF0QoPfKGygQhrA4V8ruCKGK0rPODLSY5JjlfAYwrvhWnpU/s400/Blindwells+23-24Aug15+%25284%2529.JPG"></a></div>
<p>
I resumed regular visits in hope of a few crumbs falling off nearby Musselburgh's table (where daily reports of a multitude of wader species, including some rare ones and extended stay of 2 juv LRPs and a bunch of Ruff) - both finally materialised (2 juv LRP on 1/8, 1 juv m Ruff on 23/8) along with a couple of fly-over Green Sandpipers (also 23/8), latter a good record for the site with only previous apparently the one on 3-13 August 2002. Also with the routine disturbance of dog walkers substantially diminished, a flock of Lapwings took up residence, some present for over a month and 40 peeling off a flock of 180W coming down to bathe and preen. No joy on Wood Sand though despite the widespread UK influx!
<p>
Less good for the breeding wildfowl, the swans losing their brood one by one until all had gone at the end of the month - presumed fox predation with insufficient water for safety, and Coots down to b2. The swans had earlier tried to walk out to St Germains, but left only flattened vegetation and many feathers at the eastern perimeter fence, before briefly visiting the MTS tanks where hatched, the first 2 cygnets vanished at this stage, then for some reason returning to remains of main pond. Just one brood of Mallard and Moorhen also at MTS, total failure of wildfowl at main pond likely due to spring disturbance, including scrambler bikes, churned up mud visible in above photos. A more worrying issue is the impact of the drying out on the population of amphibians - 30 newts under one small board in May (below). An adult Grey Heron has also been resident for a month or so, compounding their problems! It would be nice to see a better water management scheme here, as the nearby MTS stream has often been in spate but is all channelled away down to the sea via the Seton Burn.
<p>
Apart from the pond other local breeders worth a mention are hirundines, with a Sparrowhawk bringing out 60+ Swallows from St Germains, and 40+ over Seton East including many juveniles (though farm shop owner reported a dead one in July), then on 1 September a large movement of Swallows with a long stream totally 365+ passing NE in 40 minutes just as a rain storm came in, in the middle of which a brown type Merlin appeared, buzzed the ponds back and forth, then chased a few Swallows over the open area (possibly a juv male), only my second record there after another f/imm bathing and resting on bales on 26 July 2008.
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPZ1HiQyFCFgKZgksqyupFIZhzzZlEmpPwSeurFCYEUmy96tB2qr9rQQAshPYansfDskUnNG9rfJiPgWkMC2TNnQPSjC4KC8YbAPXUJfZADIC0KyEMpSq_WaPKsWB4rnK1nqQEC83AJyo/s1600/Wknd+16-17May+%252836%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPZ1HiQyFCFgKZgksqyupFIZhzzZlEmpPwSeurFCYEUmy96tB2qr9rQQAshPYansfDskUnNG9rfJiPgWkMC2TNnQPSjC4KC8YbAPXUJfZADIC0KyEMpSq_WaPKsWB4rnK1nqQEC83AJyo/s400/Wknd+16-17May+%252836%2529.JPG"></a></div>
<p>
One more encouraging fact to conclude, with confirmed breeding of Reed Warblers in the MTS reed bed - despite regular checks (after one reported in May 2013) a single bird first spotted on the margin only on 13 July, and song was heard briefly only on that date, when a bird with food and two juveniles were also seen. These have since proved to be extremely elusive, with brief glimpses on only two more dates despite lots of effort, though the reed bed is fairly big. Though the Reed Warbler are mentioned in William Turnbull's 'Birds of East Lothian' (1863 & 1867) as being "present" in West Lothian bogs these old records seem very doubtful, presumably a mis-identification for Sedge Warbler, and conflict with the picture of spread north as far as Yorkshire only by the end of the 19th century (Holloway, <i>The Historical Atlas</i>). Despite a recent increase in records of singing birds (territorial bird(s) at Seafield pond/Tyninghame in 2010 and isolated records from Aberlady in 2012 & 2013) there has been no previous confirmed breeding in Lothian up to 2014.
<p>
PS - 2016 proved much better for breeding birds with up to 3 pairs of Reed Warblers with young fledged again and an upturn for breeding waterfowl, following less disturbance at main pond, <a href="http://sedgewarbler.blogspot.co.uk/2016/06/2016-breeding-season.html">some info in a new post</a>.welchshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00378942325088808236noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2376184590270819842.post-13964481577964764212015-07-26T13:03:00.000+01:002015-07-27T01:26:43.848+01:00Gosford Sands<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPOKr6Cwo_jzuAkQwhrVt6acCUrIi8yu4KyyN9YaEoX8FMvdAAIxLl7pXFi6WMDdTd17RYxeoYQPKyiHGf2z9tVvgQRGFrIK1Wti1eWUataPi8osoQ6rXvPWz5IBHfusRqhUDQ0jjlz5w/s1600/Gosford+Sands+3Jul15+064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPOKr6Cwo_jzuAkQwhrVt6acCUrIi8yu4KyyN9YaEoX8FMvdAAIxLl7pXFi6WMDdTd17RYxeoYQPKyiHGf2z9tVvgQRGFrIK1Wti1eWUataPi8osoQ6rXvPWz5IBHfusRqhUDQ0jjlz5w/s400/Gosford+Sands+3Jul15+064.JPG" /></a></div>
<p>
With Blindwells harder to get into have been visiting Gosford Bay more, counting waders, etc. We get very slim pickings on northbound waders in comparison with Tyninghame (where hundreds of Ringed Plover and Dunlin late May), my paltry few were just 5 Dunlin on 16 May and 5 Sanderling 31 May; a couple of Grey Plover remained throughout the summer, non-breeding plumage so presumably first summer, joined by 4 smart adults on 26 July. Barwits dropped to 11 on 30 May, 8 on 13 June but started rising again with 21 on 26 June, 57 on 3 July, 67 on 4 July (at least 4 in red-brick breeding plumage, 8 others orange), 78 on 10 July, 114 on 16 July. 12 Dunlin back on 3 July, followed by 46 Knot on 18 July, 50 Sanderling on 26 July. Sandwich Terns suddenly picked up at the end of the month with 12 on 26 June, 37 on 30 June, 114 on 3 July; other terns very scarce just a couple of Arctic's on 8 June and a couple of Common's at Port Seton.
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHQRRJooYLw-Ue4fTbh9lETLFbe-UadUiXpR2CNPnM3_xGost4_MsaLo5c9IiuOzREDYpZyif4xKv9183JwDErZ6kdtVEvYrgAe2-SdKsAHmiSXAJpNFQd1N6b-tjf-OUjqlYr3XZpSXk/s1600/Ferny+Ness+30Jun15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHQRRJooYLw-Ue4fTbh9lETLFbe-UadUiXpR2CNPnM3_xGost4_MsaLo5c9IiuOzREDYpZyif4xKv9183JwDErZ6kdtVEvYrgAe2-SdKsAHmiSXAJpNFQd1N6b-tjf-OUjqlYr3XZpSXk/s400/Ferny+Ness+30Jun15.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>
Up to 32 f/imm Goosander have been swarming along the shallows off Ferny Ness (above) and Long Craigs rocks, occasionally mixing with a few residual RBM's, but quite distinctive even by their behaviour. Offshore Eider numbers have been low, but 1600 apparently east of Gullane; likewise for scoter, with a massive moult flock of Common Scoter resident well offshore to the east, creating a great spectacle of perhaps 2k birds swirling in a single flock over the sea, viewed from Port Seton on 8 June. Only managed a photo of a splinter group which flew west:
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb_81NNurxjmgTdoLMu5epIFp3ds0ND6C0PZqv8kshXc3Da7Kffe2YdR2sRw6PIDsulcUfeHT3lM6jg92uFIW8B2aYTWfmLo20VnYD5gU2lPW1h6ppQ1enzYPSklJ4GuCWBBkjDYc5xQs/s1600/Scoter+Gosford+022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb_81NNurxjmgTdoLMu5epIFp3ds0ND6C0PZqv8kshXc3Da7Kffe2YdR2sRw6PIDsulcUfeHT3lM6jg92uFIW8B2aYTWfmLo20VnYD5gU2lPW1h6ppQ1enzYPSklJ4GuCWBBkjDYc5xQs/s400/Scoter+Gosford+022.JPG" /></a></div>
<p>
A single Red-necked Grebe on 13 June had found a friend by the end of the month and was feeding within 50m of the point at Ferny Ness; 5 ad-sum just off Longniddry Bents c/p 2 on 10 July. First couple of Teal back on 12 July. Plenty of Puffins and other auks offshore, and the odd Manx Shearwater especially in poorer weather. Some views out to Inchkeith in the Forth here from the Seton Burn, often scenic.
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiESmrsCtRlf5LSpUxF3m5FgHdi5zsZp6VCfV9JieLHTPWyRvnRnfMPaHOfYXG59hGx8ZVzs_DzWD5PBcB5w4moSo7YMKV8K_kzvo1JVsdgy5aOrPbPdwNhISSEQouMS2YA7nTwo8uhwNA/s1600/Scoter+Gosford+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiESmrsCtRlf5LSpUxF3m5FgHdi5zsZp6VCfV9JieLHTPWyRvnRnfMPaHOfYXG59hGx8ZVzs_DzWD5PBcB5w4moSo7YMKV8K_kzvo1JVsdgy5aOrPbPdwNhISSEQouMS2YA7nTwo8uhwNA/s400/Scoter+Gosford+012.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXxvGw2pz-I4x2c3SxEQ0NjOYJz1pUL6kUO26U512Z92ITA9CljKbvLWAJBgDVYeolm4k24odb7_WPOhL7HIQJU-d6OXPun81gKxIw_Vn8KRZpsbDbPYr4ODoLw5bmsskb1w2gw_jRr44/s1600/Wknd+25-26Jul+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXxvGw2pz-I4x2c3SxEQ0NjOYJz1pUL6kUO26U512Z92ITA9CljKbvLWAJBgDVYeolm4k24odb7_WPOhL7HIQJU-d6OXPun81gKxIw_Vn8KRZpsbDbPYr4ODoLw5bmsskb1w2gw_jRr44/s400/Wknd+25-26Jul+009.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOY47u2LEs63rlzx-PQhLPEriyO9zFo1yqjKNnlKsKWXIAf8c2IhwIyzSm_CROr-wJ5QR8Qk-7t18Ku6utBXLC8eAspOTTrKEJbqWEjpB5s-F8QZtMliBf6jGlc-LBOC0njfkITmsOHjs/s1600/Wknd+25-26Jul+052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOY47u2LEs63rlzx-PQhLPEriyO9zFo1yqjKNnlKsKWXIAf8c2IhwIyzSm_CROr-wJ5QR8Qk-7t18Ku6utBXLC8eAspOTTrKEJbqWEjpB5s-F8QZtMliBf6jGlc-LBOC0njfkITmsOHjs/s400/Wknd+25-26Jul+052.JPG" /></a></div>
<p>
A few more, first over Seton golf course top pond:
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUeCNDcYb5mjVqof99iPAG1kp5nanZF0KQaI5-6HwTV2VurwsdA6t1IcesLqr7G5gkDkl6Unf2_JWgV7-yQ71x2_AO3osSo8ulL2H-CB9StM13bTiGRyzPmB37F1uz1Ju4NiPxcZoLvzU/s1600/Blindwells+5Jul15+029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUeCNDcYb5mjVqof99iPAG1kp5nanZF0KQaI5-6HwTV2VurwsdA6t1IcesLqr7G5gkDkl6Unf2_JWgV7-yQ71x2_AO3osSo8ulL2H-CB9StM13bTiGRyzPmB37F1uz1Ju4NiPxcZoLvzU/s400/Blindwells+5Jul15+029.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitnrJGkYuHvGM17C7uZuywQAowVc25-HNVG0fp1QHcIkV8fVE3UT9mbVYM2DFrOM3NlG1uOlQx-YH8HIQDqAdCYkvEL0O3BWsdd0hPzgesw0kSkZ4ZbC5QaapgN8cTGNfLJW6BalODhyI/s1600/Wknd+16-17May+%252851%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitnrJGkYuHvGM17C7uZuywQAowVc25-HNVG0fp1QHcIkV8fVE3UT9mbVYM2DFrOM3NlG1uOlQx-YH8HIQDqAdCYkvEL0O3BWsdd0hPzgesw0kSkZ4ZbC5QaapgN8cTGNfLJW6BalODhyI/s400/Wknd+16-17May+%252851%2529.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYHt8DeGDYGQGzyKtwVQbMJ3ytWUUxurR2H0iPjt_t_JSMhZUqewONJBeebNnhDQgjcACX3Rai5X4HIE2R7w7nvO5kXRUVr-lhfV2-28mNFNTqvpRHRcLB6-Ch55NoC_i9uF0eFxT4pUI/s1600/Wknd+16-17May+%252855%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYHt8DeGDYGQGzyKtwVQbMJ3ytWUUxurR2H0iPjt_t_JSMhZUqewONJBeebNnhDQgjcACX3Rai5X4HIE2R7w7nvO5kXRUVr-lhfV2-28mNFNTqvpRHRcLB6-Ch55NoC_i9uF0eFxT4pUI/s400/Wknd+16-17May+%252855%2529.JPG" /></a></div>
<p>
Some amazing sunsets at Gosford too, sometimes combining nicely with the rippled sands and attracting photographers to the Ferny Ness c/p (where a £2 day charge commences this month!).
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiRZPybmhbTfjrVGw7tBbhGEx80lSzESUg0lLJsLL6AJja9FqkUvAt49NSTfF15a9Y3u7EAHC-YYspG7o0K1KStETeSP_XjiJrBuyinwuDdybEto-3bIsizMilx1Y8uX6HAXz4axJ7P4s/s1600/Gosford+Sands+3Jul15+062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiRZPybmhbTfjrVGw7tBbhGEx80lSzESUg0lLJsLL6AJja9FqkUvAt49NSTfF15a9Y3u7EAHC-YYspG7o0K1KStETeSP_XjiJrBuyinwuDdybEto-3bIsizMilx1Y8uX6HAXz4axJ7P4s/s400/Gosford+Sands+3Jul15+062.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlTW15dOqUdjN-TFWEUN0c5WnHp54MbBFC8Xpx_IGgQRSQPoyBxDwwjwYObWLDq-4hPLjB6qAgxuIMs4qMoY1P9k0eCqHguyEtfepiMDe9cwPsLoiOix_tq7kzEUuT1TRZlfXAjjCABbA/s1600/Gosford+Sands+3Jul15+042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlTW15dOqUdjN-TFWEUN0c5WnHp54MbBFC8Xpx_IGgQRSQPoyBxDwwjwYObWLDq-4hPLjB6qAgxuIMs4qMoY1P9k0eCqHguyEtfepiMDe9cwPsLoiOix_tq7kzEUuT1TRZlfXAjjCABbA/s400/Gosford+Sands+3Jul15+042.JPG" /></a></div>
<p>
Also, a sign of things to come - at least no charge for dawn/dusk in summer which will include most of my vismig visits:
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtXZotQ8lqHn2aLWKeBistbl9tFm3jRAxO4RuI-FqMTG7ZtypUiLctIS5SMritNgeaDd3a6R9Lvl-e_dkvf9sSUzzUIBSLB7A6eS_90EXdF__r44oLztaZObhBZkMrz-t817Ym53Yr0DI/s1600/Wknd+18-19Jul+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtXZotQ8lqHn2aLWKeBistbl9tFm3jRAxO4RuI-FqMTG7ZtypUiLctIS5SMritNgeaDd3a6R9Lvl-e_dkvf9sSUzzUIBSLB7A6eS_90EXdF__r44oLztaZObhBZkMrz-t817Ym53Yr0DI/s400/Wknd+18-19Jul+013.JPG" /></a></div>
<p>
Plenty of complaints all over about the parking charge, but what about all the anti-social behaviour and litter spread by visitors? Visit Ferny Ness first thing and there are mounds of chip packets, polystyrene plastic, cans and bottles, tents on occasion too, complete with all the contents which their owners have kindly left for someone else to deal with. I'm rarely out in East Lothian without coming home with a collection of plastic drinks bottles and cans. Last week 3 black sacks of beer cans and bottles, some smashed, down St Germains track to Blindwells, complete with a homemade CD of "Glen's music" and receipt from Port Seton co-op where they had bought some of it for cash served by Fiona at till 3 at 14:45hrs on 10 July! Personally I'd be glad to see the back of many local visitors who turn out their cars of takeaway trash along the main road as they head back to Edinburgh - if it keeps some of them away price worth paying IMHO...welchshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00378942325088808236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2376184590270819842.post-76346899433251409292015-07-20T01:28:00.000+01:002015-07-26T22:10:17.942+01:00Wknd 18-19 July<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq6XQGD69kQWeVfLNt1O43pH92bryGomY0ygFGqxgUBeeUS03YTnHePN0XLfAPN__uYGbjMpuf2_wJMEiMW1Iict1HkPIzAM4qTdxm2P2m9i4N_AlXpT73QX505ObgSSQPA7SSNb5fyqw/s1600/Wknd+18-19Jul+047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq6XQGD69kQWeVfLNt1O43pH92bryGomY0ygFGqxgUBeeUS03YTnHePN0XLfAPN__uYGbjMpuf2_wJMEiMW1Iict1HkPIzAM4qTdxm2P2m9i4N_AlXpT73QX505ObgSSQPA7SSNb5fyqw/s400/Wknd+18-19Jul+047.JPG" /></a></div>
<p>
As usual, Blindwells grassland is thick with Ringlets and burnet moths, the latter are mainly <a href="http://ukmoths.org.uk/show.php?id=825"> Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnet <i>Zygaena lonicerae</i></a> which are increasing in southern Scotland but replaced by the Six-spot further north.
<p>
On mid-summer swan census and WeBS the main species apparent was Lapwing, with 240 milling over Drem then west, 45 at East Fortune, 20 at Chapel and 14 at Blindwells. The only other waders were a couple of Common Sandpipers at Chapel. Mute Swans were just a pair at Chapel and the Blindwells brood now reduced from five to four, though a further batch of Coots have hatched there (3rd brood of 3). Another notable success was 3 Tufted ducklings at Chapel Farm resr, remarkable considering it has next to no vegetation and the first breeding in NT58F, 3 more on East Fortune main pond.
<p>
Down at the coast 46 Knot were new on Saturday and a few Red-necked Grebes still present, no big numbers yet. On Sunday evening the lighting over Edinburgh and the Forth was amazing, photos don't really do justice to the atmosphere - of course accompanied by the noise of the terns and gulls.
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgurS68nPbubgT5Ccrps8504pYt2gbx4xWw7nmf798otlEvt4gQG1BPKcysGO-xgZdeskUAjkxERjaQqDoRIQIEhmoDRMIy64NOBHHIC_24IUSQruidQNWc6RMkr34uA2dNGEZO1ItrECI/s1600/FernyNess+19Jul15+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgurS68nPbubgT5Ccrps8504pYt2gbx4xWw7nmf798otlEvt4gQG1BPKcysGO-xgZdeskUAjkxERjaQqDoRIQIEhmoDRMIy64NOBHHIC_24IUSQruidQNWc6RMkr34uA2dNGEZO1ItrECI/s400/FernyNess+19Jul15+009.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0QSIAYFVGl3Vx-HiWFspRqMClAFeRUCtLaLaifbTLnwaw7fu_aUjjsn1e9N5PgAxnIuYV9fBijA9QXsGO48u3532ajZl0tBh2Ocu3WkR4UsdeXsKfrvTtRBl4DDTkhEr7v-sHSJTmTzE/s1600/FernyNess+19Jul15+042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0QSIAYFVGl3Vx-HiWFspRqMClAFeRUCtLaLaifbTLnwaw7fu_aUjjsn1e9N5PgAxnIuYV9fBijA9QXsGO48u3532ajZl0tBh2Ocu3WkR4UsdeXsKfrvTtRBl4DDTkhEr7v-sHSJTmTzE/s400/FernyNess+19Jul15+042.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5DDWYamZ1M6AZ0YV1mh0RiR9s3euj85SwX3W95klfP7KJ4eoFNf2ynagEcqAic3mr2_6rZTWwE8OuhmSmGIyZUj9s7uoANccyPwmc2CFjCE0tKXqahKX5ECQEDzD-ypxqnak8qSBrXTk/s1600/FernyNess+19Jul15+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5DDWYamZ1M6AZ0YV1mh0RiR9s3euj85SwX3W95klfP7KJ4eoFNf2ynagEcqAic3mr2_6rZTWwE8OuhmSmGIyZUj9s7uoANccyPwmc2CFjCE0tKXqahKX5ECQEDzD-ypxqnak8qSBrXTk/s400/FernyNess+19Jul15+015.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTCrpLeZJx_kvoM1jBLobrwYBuveDiT75dThgmzNa-mwHjwlffWSPW6khuCL7YjBgPvcCNyQUOlbJprRcSdDSF0W4-25WstaU10VQuIhncIGDqpqkVXrGC4ilzYiLCLTOmLr8om3vYC2E/s1600/FernyNess+19Jul15+035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTCrpLeZJx_kvoM1jBLobrwYBuveDiT75dThgmzNa-mwHjwlffWSPW6khuCL7YjBgPvcCNyQUOlbJprRcSdDSF0W4-25WstaU10VQuIhncIGDqpqkVXrGC4ilzYiLCLTOmLr8om3vYC2E/s400/FernyNess+19Jul15+035.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwxnE-aXH3cnX8TDEiYukFBUVpkg6ngzFZhomFHpxriTP3ik0at0bhLhNyVCwsUR9EBuuSHep-4nngP4U0Y7Cry7SPDGhqPT1JtbWWsPTg1iI5WtznWnrf8LDA7HNQaFkGK7oPEEXUzzI/s1600/FernyNess+19Jul15+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwxnE-aXH3cnX8TDEiYukFBUVpkg6ngzFZhomFHpxriTP3ik0at0bhLhNyVCwsUR9EBuuSHep-4nngP4U0Y7Cry7SPDGhqPT1JtbWWsPTg1iI5WtznWnrf8LDA7HNQaFkGK7oPEEXUzzI/s400/FernyNess+19Jul15+033.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKlUVvo2ZwR6ip0rCbN7b0mU5CQ4Ok1AKoHUzQ2pF1fVQGD9wNuQ3ZIPEA__hyxs4ffHbXUKku9F5F38eM_uK-P7QYKebkuo89u21gTq2_Di5P0IBE2xzkFs2i4ZT5e8-XAXUBuKiQo68/s1600/FernyNess+19Jul15+029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKlUVvo2ZwR6ip0rCbN7b0mU5CQ4Ok1AKoHUzQ2pF1fVQGD9wNuQ3ZIPEA__hyxs4ffHbXUKku9F5F38eM_uK-P7QYKebkuo89u21gTq2_Di5P0IBE2xzkFs2i4ZT5e8-XAXUBuKiQo68/s400/FernyNess+19Jul15+029.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGCky7JmX6J9SRMSHD_-b4OuCSbIEccqPLLwPtLt5yFhpHuyNR6_fAE-H0PnbueIv94NPvYuHabg2C00ZcphAAwRvJYdzWNO0J1x2F93Wze4zSjoHkWv3tW5pSYmsDEi4YlPicqCYuyLs/s1600/FernyNess+19Jul15+031_crop.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGCky7JmX6J9SRMSHD_-b4OuCSbIEccqPLLwPtLt5yFhpHuyNR6_fAE-H0PnbueIv94NPvYuHabg2C00ZcphAAwRvJYdzWNO0J1x2F93Wze4zSjoHkWv3tW5pSYmsDEi4YlPicqCYuyLs/s400/FernyNess+19Jul15+031_crop.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA9u4D5RFbubO48sjnIXJz0HU1JiJGzIo99HlARndZYNfx77PFY2FB3g4jfpbsBpAK3Gg4IGvppEDYXxr3mcfSdrfh9dSiKZlod0gHPcD7dYpOXMez9fw4cREiBVhpnCxOFPJdR2KsT8w/s1600/FernyNess+19Jul15+031_crop2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA9u4D5RFbubO48sjnIXJz0HU1JiJGzIo99HlARndZYNfx77PFY2FB3g4jfpbsBpAK3Gg4IGvppEDYXxr3mcfSdrfh9dSiKZlod0gHPcD7dYpOXMez9fw4cREiBVhpnCxOFPJdR2KsT8w/s400/FernyNess+19Jul15+031_crop2.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTlZroR2IAvYUK4S6E4EAoMIWnlbgiomERiC62bpWTmm8IPJwFuMyvHDJWvFuQkm3q5BVMdctNJZNNefD-5qAhr5ctAabWFiBWTEzBHCdosnPtXWv_uzrpPfhmpoDg014BmI-KdtRwwrg/s1600/FernyNess+19Jul15+028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTlZroR2IAvYUK4S6E4EAoMIWnlbgiomERiC62bpWTmm8IPJwFuMyvHDJWvFuQkm3q5BVMdctNJZNNefD-5qAhr5ctAabWFiBWTEzBHCdosnPtXWv_uzrpPfhmpoDg014BmI-KdtRwwrg/s400/FernyNess+19Jul15+028.JPG" /></a></div>
welchshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00378942325088808236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2376184590270819842.post-67894348660968413302015-03-30T00:46:00.002+01:002015-04-01T22:57:34.822+01:00Wknd 28-29 March<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi32sEA1tVmb0F_qHVsGfD_piCXCsV9CLgKKl-NPDgxhx55u5vK3MDygphCc9PVrC4fFdEQAspfWOjzlR3Aa36awHv5TFjFv-EcGpSYqKv3fFl1Vao7Rnz5ETo5Ajfcj6NI123MDdU2sJ0/s1600/Wknd+28-29Mar+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi32sEA1tVmb0F_qHVsGfD_piCXCsV9CLgKKl-NPDgxhx55u5vK3MDygphCc9PVrC4fFdEQAspfWOjzlR3Aa36awHv5TFjFv-EcGpSYqKv3fFl1Vao7Rnz5ETo5Ajfcj6NI123MDdU2sJ0/s400/Wknd+28-29Mar+015.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_7Bc5ElYMfiZWl-UEAwPz_l_g-2c5LfhoP07f5exaKYHC1eVYkv_P9wb7XDi6EehmT1JEWW8z_xx3C-ykS4A7pvMGRLbq36gX3-QknA1m8_UgNC4nYYTA6ycqPppsbf2wi51KKWZkc2k/s1600/Wknd+28-29Mar+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_7Bc5ElYMfiZWl-UEAwPz_l_g-2c5LfhoP07f5exaKYHC1eVYkv_P9wb7XDi6EehmT1JEWW8z_xx3C-ykS4A7pvMGRLbq36gX3-QknA1m8_UgNC4nYYTA6ycqPppsbf2wi51KKWZkc2k/s400/Wknd+28-29Mar+025.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhayn0i6wlE3fBnWP2gtmMG5G6mpNqI4akrmYEmAxopfCDaAoU86w6ycRKv8C9sMqNZZL_S_3gvIADxviR5LbZQyCCly-NCAofBi3XBbWo6B1aAPk4IiBn-mA2qc01TYKV6nVM6ZhapI74/s1600/Wknd+28-29Mar+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhayn0i6wlE3fBnWP2gtmMG5G6mpNqI4akrmYEmAxopfCDaAoU86w6ycRKv8C9sMqNZZL_S_3gvIADxviR5LbZQyCCly-NCAofBi3XBbWo6B1aAPk4IiBn-mA2qc01TYKV6nVM6ZhapI74/s400/Wknd+28-29Mar+026.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPfyAvGr7tLS-k_ZGOEIVKhjAFbg-COs1_ExilLeSCjyv8TuQFqfjww0IJ_DEUS89injFpRdpSg9ul67IHjKbTtrtfJY1F_NPEd1FDg0_-DKmgljuNkyFQm8_v3-LpjDY0leeiT2vU6Uc/s1600/Wknd+28-29Mar+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPfyAvGr7tLS-k_ZGOEIVKhjAFbg-COs1_ExilLeSCjyv8TuQFqfjww0IJ_DEUS89injFpRdpSg9ul67IHjKbTtrtfJY1F_NPEd1FDg0_-DKmgljuNkyFQm8_v3-LpjDY0leeiT2vU6Uc/s400/Wknd+28-29Mar+018.JPG" /></a></div>
<p>
Some better pics of the Fenton Barns hybrid gull, presumed LBB x HG, first seen there <a href="http://sedgewarbler.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/wknd-19-20-april.html">last April</a> but likely same as per other sightings in the area since 2009. For first time, long call was observed, with head vertically down initially coming up to 45 degrees during the brief (truncated) call, followed by mate behind; thus in contrast to the vertical upward angle shown by YLG and LBB. Red gonys spot clearly confined to lower mandible, also contra YLG. However the orbital is pretty reddish, thus closer to LBB. Probably not of direct relevance here, but this is <a href="http://2birdtheory.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/why-i-really-went-to-finland.html">an interesting blog</a> on the yellow-legged LWHG in Finland - I think I would've overlooked the majority of the 1st-wins though, given their already huge variability.
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW8wcSkKaQT91o7Wctpjs1qgjwgZZccFjr6YZn3bigZljgxI0CW9mPV_NQUworxM8cl2Lqr5f1l7xTZ5dRjf2VrjugYUtQ2-thfDPryA0qkJ5Na0Q92QNAw1Gsm3fFWNgKFlMv1KOslhU/s1600/Wknd+28-29Mar+030.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW8wcSkKaQT91o7Wctpjs1qgjwgZZccFjr6YZn3bigZljgxI0CW9mPV_NQUworxM8cl2Lqr5f1l7xTZ5dRjf2VrjugYUtQ2-thfDPryA0qkJ5Na0Q92QNAw1Gsm3fFWNgKFlMv1KOslhU/s400/Wknd+28-29Mar+030.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi30vsOoybI8EreJDiwQNgFhCmu2CMQVGIXu8o6voXI8l10QX2a96Glb9dRdNnNQHr2-6PHTe2qbrwvAVguBWlm3bqn-JyaiXyvPSSg6-xQZyX-jE7OJKGRFKlAmNDWW7lkGjscwyGS_ZA/s1600/Wknd+28-29Mar+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi30vsOoybI8EreJDiwQNgFhCmu2CMQVGIXu8o6voXI8l10QX2a96Glb9dRdNnNQHr2-6PHTe2qbrwvAVguBWlm3bqn-JyaiXyvPSSg6-xQZyX-jE7OJKGRFKlAmNDWW7lkGjscwyGS_ZA/s400/Wknd+28-29Mar+033.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_sKKLxa6V7ptAgGqX5TLRhqFyRPgNFPRzK4vm19Ore0RSX8Zya0JT9FaED93giQ1GXfSVZgMtTbhn9Two-NsE15XVKViuBUSQpsZOplLE0sxLPByqIWsfyP7tOvl-tjmfhiu2IWBxLpQ/s1600/Wknd+28-29Mar+039.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_sKKLxa6V7ptAgGqX5TLRhqFyRPgNFPRzK4vm19Ore0RSX8Zya0JT9FaED93giQ1GXfSVZgMtTbhn9Two-NsE15XVKViuBUSQpsZOplLE0sxLPByqIWsfyP7tOvl-tjmfhiu2IWBxLpQ/s400/Wknd+28-29Mar+039.JPG" /></a></div>
<p>
Nearby at Kingston, another old friend, a leucistic Woodpigeon - perhaps the same as first seen near Waughton in May 2010, at East Fortune in May 2011 and more recently at Brownrigg; watched the bird feeding in crop for 5 minutes before it was flushed by a cyclist and alighted in trees at Kingston House 600m east; I then drove south to look at Whoopers and was amazed to again see a leucistic Woodpigeon perched on the railway lines at Betony Hill, presumably the same bird but it had flown 2.5km due south as I was driving down past Congalton! It then flew north to feed in the valley west of COngalton Gardens.
<p>
On swans, Whoopers cleared out as expected, with just 35 remaining, of which 20 juvs, these typically slowest to depart. So counts have declined as follows 256 (50+ juv) 28/12/14, 212 (44 juv) 2/1/15, 177 (37 juv) 17/1, 165 (40 juv) 1/2, 160 (29 juv) 8/3, 131 (17+ juv) 15/3, 80 22/3, 35 29/3. Soon the last will be gone.
<p>
On owls, yet another Barn Owl dead on A1 at Macmerry, the 14th since mid-Jan, yet there had been only two previous cases since last June, a bit of a puzzle though clearly the recent spate is evidence of many of last year's young dispersing (6-7 post mortems expected); Mike McD recovered an LEO beneath powerlines at Gifford, I may do a post on sex/age but this looks like a juv m to me.
<p>
On gulls, a big movement of BHG with 6k at Seton on 14/3 now much reduced, 480 on 21/3, 430 22/3, 200 28/3, 225 29/3, with 90% of those remaining being immatures, i.e. mainly 1st winters. The odd rosy pink individual as usual. Common Gull more stable with 1300 14/3, 1400 21/3, 1900 22/3, 1300 28/3, 1500 29/3. All numbers estimates, as per usual at gull roosts. Windy this weekend with birds sheltering behind pipe and remaining on shore long after sunset, typically they begin flying onto the sea around then. Despite the apparent spring movement, no other species of gull drawn in and last two Med Gulls were on 14/3.
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkiPK3LhRVCyZcOhj3CA_6ec5xWIBvNdy26FZ7Ry00dMl7KFPWkDu2oauKXuCtO-b4i5gSzEGv4RKi1PyTJFkpbB0q4oSHW7Z4YqbTE6gmdGH9_dp0fSRcglJGNMJexceuKl7KLTLVL6s/s1600/Bronze+Jackdaw_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkiPK3LhRVCyZcOhj3CA_6ec5xWIBvNdy26FZ7Ry00dMl7KFPWkDu2oauKXuCtO-b4i5gSzEGv4RKi1PyTJFkpbB0q4oSHW7Z4YqbTE6gmdGH9_dp0fSRcglJGNMJexceuKl7KLTLVL6s/s400/Bronze+Jackdaw_crop.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>
Previous week - this beautiful Jackdaw with "brown" plumage aberration looking bronze, at Niddrie.welchshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00378942325088808236noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2376184590270819842.post-42053510863828813612015-01-06T02:11:00.000+00:002017-08-10T22:41:44.358+01:00Christmas and New Year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU9Cw2KiC0hXO4PAif2pbZA5gFdquUGmz2XS_0mqRuF-8ekB-X6FOsHnO8HSr2gF1Hcy-kIez0S8Y7B5e6qpnmYkyAv9r9k_88a2-waW9FbgJyBwjT7oU57dGKd2FjQ1GnvFYCGmgWQPI/s1600/Photo0426_small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU9Cw2KiC0hXO4PAif2pbZA5gFdquUGmz2XS_0mqRuF-8ekB-X6FOsHnO8HSr2gF1Hcy-kIez0S8Y7B5e6qpnmYkyAv9r9k_88a2-waW9FbgJyBwjT7oU57dGKd2FjQ1GnvFYCGmgWQPI/s400/Photo0426_small.jpg"></a></div>
Geese in flight over Redhouse above, where up to 2600 seen daily from 30 December to 4 January, though often flushed and also making use of fields along B1377 all the way from Longniddry to Drem. Views at Harelaw in good light on 29 December allowed us to spot 4 tundra Beans in their midst, with also two European White-fronts, 4 Barnacle Geese and now a dark-bellied Brent also being seen in these same flocks with c. 4k reported to be roosting at Aberlady. My own photos rather poor but record shots below of a Bean and a Whitefront.
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Vw2DEMDXRHVHV1lim9SDDUoRl7c7LOnAzbdKpb8H_0vKiWu-LvAgHEfcaPl_nZxqOSaBHicWxUIFYCRTA7AwcJuWM8vvkHLAoQDPtooIWaXHOdPcal9QoW9UmfloG-5qPAfolVArSQk/s1600/Photo0418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Vw2DEMDXRHVHV1lim9SDDUoRl7c7LOnAzbdKpb8H_0vKiWu-LvAgHEfcaPl_nZxqOSaBHicWxUIFYCRTA7AwcJuWM8vvkHLAoQDPtooIWaXHOdPcal9QoW9UmfloG-5qPAfolVArSQk/s320/Photo0418.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie7_FruC9eXrPmBp-kLYT_2UEjEHefoaV44zPJCBbmlo7US6r_i2QcW4gAVNzLpEHW6PKbRPOK3gUMXWVbfeWAMbfzK7cavn_XNg28QfLBhERyR3XVJ4Rs81-KwmWgfVZORQ7hX22NjRo/s1600/Photo0404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie7_FruC9eXrPmBp-kLYT_2UEjEHefoaV44zPJCBbmlo7US6r_i2QcW4gAVNzLpEHW6PKbRPOK3gUMXWVbfeWAMbfzK7cavn_XNg28QfLBhERyR3XVJ4Rs81-KwmWgfVZORQ7hX22NjRo/s320/Photo0404.jpg"></a></div>
<p>
Bean Geese of the tundra (rossicus) race were <a href="http://www.the-soc.org.uk/sbr.php">first definitively identified in Lothian in 1996</a>, based on two birds in an influx of 8 to 23 Bean Geese, though all of them likely to have been tundra given a wider invasion along the east coast. Thereafter there were 2 at Skateraw in Jan-Feb 2006, a single at the same place in Feb 2009, a single at Tyninghame and Redhouse in Apr 2010 and zeros every other year with the exception of the huge influx in winter 11/12 with 86+ birds minimum, of which the largest flock (59+) was in the very same field at Harelaw in late December. So overall that is only 5 previous winters and clearly a hugely erratic visitor to us with wild fluctuations in numbers. The way we are heading perhaps this will prove to be the second best year for this species here?
<p>
Swans are the other staple of this time of year and after a poor start with only 155 present in early December a fresh influx had arrived by the 28th with 256 at Prora. The latter is a new peak wintering count here, though we have had more during influxes in early November (peak 340 in 2007) they have not stayed to winter. Nevertheless we have dropped back again from the threshold of 270 birds averaged over 5 years that is required to meet the criteria of an internationally important site, having briefly attained that at the lower threshold of 210 birds in 09/10, see graph:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXIPSVUr-4nc-U-26vGsLysZLwLc3eFTYUX15RmsBbGGWWUCNGKRUCrPrGxsdnFaZLI5W-L2NS0u0Iu7-TCqAhblh6xNvWEQONzvvdwHHBufsvUO3wkFfx1XbTrFlHAjbY8q4NE3sJ8MQ/s1600/Whooper+Swans+trends+-+western+East+Lothian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXIPSVUr-4nc-U-26vGsLysZLwLc3eFTYUX15RmsBbGGWWUCNGKRUCrPrGxsdnFaZLI5W-L2NS0u0Iu7-TCqAhblh6xNvWEQONzvvdwHHBufsvUO3wkFfx1XbTrFlHAjbY8q4NE3sJ8MQ/s400/Whooper+Swans+trends+-+western+East+Lothian.jpg"></a></div>
<p>
This all assumes that the "western" East Lothian (Drem area) flock is a discrete unit, while we do know from ring reading that there can be some exchange with the other main concentration at Tyninghame just 10km east. This year's flock are now feeding in oilseed rape so ring-reading is a challenge, but we do have back for a fourth year running yellow-46I which formerly had spent 3 winters on the Blackwater in southern Ireland (Co Waterford/Cork), and ringed in Iceland in 2003. Two new birds yellow-G5F and G5J likely from Martin Mere. Juvs ratio is very close to 20%, with 8 broods in 102 birds probably b5, b4, 3xb3, 2xb2.
<p>
On owls, recovered a Barn Owl from the A1 at Greendykes in December, but this was just the third of the year, continuing a trend of decline in such as per graph below. 2010 in fact was marginally the worst calendar year (21, versus 20 in 2005 and 2006) with a spate of casualties in cold weather at each end of the year, but I believe this plot commencing post-breeding (i.e. September) is a better picture of annual variation, as most casualties are young(er) birds moving in winter. I do now wonder whether the excessive numbers in 2005 and 2006 were do to ongoing colonisation, whereas more birds in our area are now settled? 20 years ago at the time of the last local atlas there were only <a href="http://www.the-soc.org.uk/se-atlas/sesa1/sesa1_0735_Barn_Owl.html">a handful of sightings in East Lothian</a>, the only confirmed breeders were at the head of the Tyne valley, the expansion here has occurred since that date.
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeSWSvV1UUYp1T4rW347-1ebxfxUg8fEst7isuprd25m5LwIucHSmMNNa4GDdWtqEgTFKkB3lcPwLe2icP6itBHuVWkhgXQEsaa-VNxEGxk3S3yqapor6xqtrCKGsdJ6Hlsxw7tdlwNHk/s1600/Barn+Owl+annual+variation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeSWSvV1UUYp1T4rW347-1ebxfxUg8fEst7isuprd25m5LwIucHSmMNNa4GDdWtqEgTFKkB3lcPwLe2icP6itBHuVWkhgXQEsaa-VNxEGxk3S3yqapor6xqtrCKGsdJ6Hlsxw7tdlwNHk/s400/Barn+Owl+annual+variation.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbyl3omXmeely-qvR_er7AIi5p8jxUJ0t871WhhWr9xRsq1ReSCgU92wnw9y2KqphtofsQAAnLQOGg0jTG2HP5y2NsrxuX24j8y2ksdVNnJ-nanlsHhS6kesNme-OB37ko0Co8oLs3Dsg/s1600/Barn+Owl+seasonal+variation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbyl3omXmeely-qvR_er7AIi5p8jxUJ0t871WhhWr9xRsq1ReSCgU92wnw9y2KqphtofsQAAnLQOGg0jTG2HP5y2NsrxuX24j8y2ksdVNnJ-nanlsHhS6kesNme-OB37ko0Co8oLs3Dsg/s400/Barn+Owl+seasonal+variation.jpg"></a></div>
<p>
More positively on owls it was apparently a great year for local breeders - with 12 broods of Long-eared Owl, the most for many a year. Poses many Qs about where they were all hiding last year when we made special efforts to find them as the local atlas concluded! Presumably also due to vole abundance, this summer was also great for local Barn Owls - out looking for Quail by bike I came across one and very fortuitously had it carrying off a rodent within a few seconds; this was followed by pleasant late summer evenings watching this and others hunting local meadows and attending a nest at a natural site, though a presumed second site eluded me. Encouraged by this I returned to another local site where I'd seen prey being delivered in 2012, but had failed to find a nest - as I arrived there and was peddling along a track on the edge of some rough ground a bird immediately appeared and came to investigate me, circled and peered down at me from c. 10 directly above me, perhaps thinking "wot, you again, where've you been all this time?!" Similar questions to LEO though, with two terrible winters 09/10, 10/11, then terrible breeding in 2013, with dire predictions of how many remained in the UK a year ago, how have so many survived to breed this year?
<p>
Not much news on gulls, though old friend Mediterranean Gull <a href="http://www.let.rug.nl/bos/medgulls/RED7P8.html">red-7P8</a> was still roosting at Seton at the end of the year, and a Black-headed Gull there (white-2ALV) had been ringed as a chick on the Moorfoots in June 2013. The odd Shag ring read at Seton rocks but so many now I tend to make less effort!
<p>
The last few months have been very busy, with Christina doing her pharmacy pre-reg year and lots of kids activities also spilling into weekends, plus increasing demands at work, such that my only dedicated birding time tends to be late Sunday afternoons, with anything else as a bonus and often squeezed into required trips to other places. So this blog has as a result rather lapsed and I now tend just to post news snippets on twitter (which have already covered much of above). In addition there is the bird recorder work which is a significant task, e.g. with last year's archive of records reaching nearly 60k, and already nearly 50k for 2014 from BirdTrack alone, an escalating trend (see graph), plus dealing with rarities, enquiries, etc, and the ongoing local atlas write-up.
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbaBDEMrSZpKZ48lCfmxSNsNhqMvaNfJf9WQkawXHqmGBCORBlCQMfgWENLiF8NKBBJh45cUlsobWlI4lUbZ2ETIs5KeaXr5jsArMe1FrUOMz9nIa1tSCOzP65sH1zJDQx5snvWoUEYJ4/s1600/Lothian+SOC+BirdTrack+records.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbaBDEMrSZpKZ48lCfmxSNsNhqMvaNfJf9WQkawXHqmGBCORBlCQMfgWENLiF8NKBBJh45cUlsobWlI4lUbZ2ETIs5KeaXr5jsArMe1FrUOMz9nIa1tSCOzP65sH1zJDQx5snvWoUEYJ4/s400/Lothian+SOC+BirdTrack+records.jpg"></a></div>
<p>
NB - I still spend a lot of time manually editing records, as any decent database requires things to be sortable on a EURING (or similar) code and thus everything must pass through standard names, plus needs a standard set of fields which in different sources can get lumped and separated in different ways (the BirdTrack download has 30 fields!). I'm happy to supply my latest Excel sheet to anyone still making direct submissions, though for 2013 there were only 13 people supplying more than 100 bird records in this manner, the rest coming via BirdTrack (mainly), WeBS, Atlas, birdinglothian, lothianbirdnews, Aberlady LNR (and other ELCRS), Forth Seabird Group and various local CBC type surveys. In the ideal world there would be one fixed set of common bird names, and formats thereof for races, hybrids etc, and a single fixed taxonomic sequence and the bird recorder's life would be much simpler! On taxonomics I do not dispute the need to update orders but personally I'd like to see a "traditional" sequence established and optional at least in systems like BirdTrack, it is so hard having to keep rearranging the sequence in your brain - and indeed for recorder work I do everything locally in EURING.
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMUbhqKL2yNaN6X_L0FcUwHFYUtREnrpQrG1xCUYG39qjZ9Gyp-0ChHFPw17MV-T8bEGjJv4u9DVE0XZKsvMmaiiyhUNBSlxexzliLAQ0k0dPpnvkD_VtfXIA8IKW3GyP97-NwMzUj43I/s1600/Seton+shore.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMUbhqKL2yNaN6X_L0FcUwHFYUtREnrpQrG1xCUYG39qjZ9Gyp-0ChHFPw17MV-T8bEGjJv4u9DVE0XZKsvMmaiiyhUNBSlxexzliLAQ0k0dPpnvkD_VtfXIA8IKW3GyP97-NwMzUj43I/s320/Seton+shore.JPG"></a></div>
<p>
Constrained to be even more locally focused I again had a bash at the <a href="http://patchworkchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/">Patchwork challenge</a> contest, for my "Gosford Bay" patch (3km2 map above) entered in the Coastal Scotland league, achieving 138 species/172 points, which was 1 more species and 2 less points than in 2012 (2013 was dented badly by atlas). These totals were dwarfed by some <a href="http://patchworkchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/coastal-scotland-minileague-november.html">others in the same league</a> who were heading up towards 200 species/400 points, swamped by great lists of fantastically rare birds, many of which have never been seen here and even with 24hrs/day coverage would surely never have been reached - so it is somewhat a relief that islands will be separated out into their own league this year, which will hopefully make things look slightly less out of balance!
<p>
No time for a real "review of the year" but highlights on patch were the November eclipse drake Garganey (8th Nov record in Scotland), lingering female Marsh Harrier in summer, migrant juvenile Yellow Wagtail, winter Black Guillemot, Little Auk and Pom Skua, and patch ticks of Green Woodpecker, Little Tern and Little Egret, the latter also a garden tick. A <a href="http://sedgewarbler.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/sandwich-terns-port-seton.html">massive influx of terns</a>, mainly Sandwich but including Roseates, will live long in the memory (ring resightings still coming in) whilst two species missed on patch were also terns, Black and ... Bridled! Other species I'm aware that I missed were Osprey and Wood Sandpiper, the latter at Blindwells particularly galling as it would also have been a patch tick, and I did make several visits around that date - maybe next year? Overall, now at least 155 species seen in this 3km2 patch, so more could certainly be achieved if I could find the time.
<p>
Will close this post with a few shots from Aberlady and Gosford early Nov, camera now defunct, Santa hasn't supplied a new one...
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF57p3kpsevOR-X2CZOE8trwr7On94GqJCadiu6wrpRd7rzIAx5_DLUJL5ZclDzZPZdVzca8X5lNo8yU7gRkol62mITdgP1N660MZEXfXPB5HPnsB6DpTWmPgj40FlvhH9z-wHTa80M0w/s1600/Wknd+8-9Nov+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF57p3kpsevOR-X2CZOE8trwr7On94GqJCadiu6wrpRd7rzIAx5_DLUJL5ZclDzZPZdVzca8X5lNo8yU7gRkol62mITdgP1N660MZEXfXPB5HPnsB6DpTWmPgj40FlvhH9z-wHTa80M0w/s400/Wknd+8-9Nov+011.JPG"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguCdXXjnrYPur1opJFh9U_D5vkeGbGkdV_uAxtYim6iNqBFTm64UPUGXP7h7xOugLRDsCabv1yMvPM9O3OKOJ0e8oteufZPp40Hfc3cPLSvpcu0r47VS0Fk-v3ZfiMEtF5mcgjWBprO10/s1600/Wknd+8-9Nov+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguCdXXjnrYPur1opJFh9U_D5vkeGbGkdV_uAxtYim6iNqBFTm64UPUGXP7h7xOugLRDsCabv1yMvPM9O3OKOJ0e8oteufZPp40Hfc3cPLSvpcu0r47VS0Fk-v3ZfiMEtF5mcgjWBprO10/s400/Wknd+8-9Nov+012.JPG"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq8GEf7PKJqmjW4uGO9WEXFHCXq3GGOL73s3nzYVadmDmI2Aw3zm_UDp9jVH0484hF7llWm0bZHFkR7LSNJMoqoY6UmEKqfSxLSbUujjMEteHgeC8r7SJwKlZgTZfrZAl7y0gtj6A1aq8/s1600/Wknd+8-9Nov+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq8GEf7PKJqmjW4uGO9WEXFHCXq3GGOL73s3nzYVadmDmI2Aw3zm_UDp9jVH0484hF7llWm0bZHFkR7LSNJMoqoY6UmEKqfSxLSbUujjMEteHgeC8r7SJwKlZgTZfrZAl7y0gtj6A1aq8/s400/Wknd+8-9Nov+015.JPG"></a></div>
welchshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00378942325088808236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2376184590270819842.post-85218474404502981892014-10-05T22:49:00.000+01:002017-08-10T22:40:36.834+01:00Wknd 4-5 October<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGBCt8tF9pbzYCtIIxw2YuqNJT2kwOhnylljsOVvER6MGZXAZeIMRISPTmHyMe8DFB_hrRYEBR92voBumkF19p7KKdrqS_M_MVCSFk9OWMwA0YVz3w_iV92budlj_nZZ9ASUbnBZBlLqg/s1600/Wknd+27-28Sep14+033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGBCt8tF9pbzYCtIIxw2YuqNJT2kwOhnylljsOVvER6MGZXAZeIMRISPTmHyMe8DFB_hrRYEBR92voBumkF19p7KKdrqS_M_MVCSFk9OWMwA0YVz3w_iV92budlj_nZZ9ASUbnBZBlLqg/s400/Wknd+27-28Sep14+033.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>
9 Whoopers, including a family of 4 juvs fresh in from their first trip over the Atlantic, in stubble N of Muirton late Sunday; on floods there 98 Lapwing and 10 Teal.
<p>
Earlier in the Forth, in one scan at 16:30hrs: 146 juvs and 24 ads/sub-ads Gannets, 3 ad Little Gulls W, dark skua W (probably Arctic), many auks, mainly Razorbill; on the Seton Burn, ad Med Gull red-7P8, Greenshank, 62+ Wigeon and still 13 Sandwich Tern; Gosford Sands: 96 Grey Plover, 52 Dunlin, 14 Sanderling and the leucistic Bar-tailed Godwit.
<p>
In Longniddry - Chiffs calling most days, Grey Wagtail very prominent of late, both owls heard, and mewing Buzzards enjoying the Indian summer weather.
<p>
Blog neglected of late - just too busy these days!
welchshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00378942325088808236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2376184590270819842.post-5293479353119964402014-08-19T02:18:00.002+01:002019-07-17T13:27:39.804+01:00Sandwich Terns, Port Seton<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGpC-yccc1kkzEDPEeBF-jihdpIlOcJeiNe2-IEiTc1lmqTQysWQ86HLV2uo2Wq_eFDCvz0PHji_FAo5w9l1a6K1-E1UR2_sNFepXL9zfeGF3W7MwpBFrXiXdRPtP5B4jHASit2PFlo4o/s1600/1+Port+Seton+Aug14+085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGpC-yccc1kkzEDPEeBF-jihdpIlOcJeiNe2-IEiTc1lmqTQysWQ86HLV2uo2Wq_eFDCvz0PHji_FAo5w9l1a6K1-E1UR2_sNFepXL9zfeGF3W7MwpBFrXiXdRPtP5B4jHASit2PFlo4o/s400/1+Port+Seton+Aug14+085.JPG" /></a></div>
<p>
A busy summer with a Sandwich Tern influx on the Forth coast, many ringed with 3 character coloured darvic rings - too great an opportunity to miss and I managed to stop off near high tide most days to read rings; the terns also brought a few Roseates with them which attracted skilled observers with high power scopes (mine is just 27x!) which added to the haul. On average c. 1 in 20 birds had darvics and by 19 August we had recorded 144 codes of which 114 were unique, the 30 others were re-reads [162 codes, 125 unique by 4/9]. c. 25% of the birds were juveniles, apparently resulting from a bumper breeding season on the east coast, and many of these had been ringed, just over 50% of darvics being on juvenile birds. Some details here derived from histories returned by the ringers (usually same day!), along with a selection of photos.
<p>
First batch here are the general aspect of terns on the rocks at Wrecked Craigs, on the day of the highest count - 1400 on 7 August (following a roost count of 2000 at Aberlady the previous day, by far the biggest count here for 10 years), and ring-readers in action on 8 August (with Andrew Barker, Dave Allan and Billy Barber, who found the Bridled Tern at same spot in July, photo (c) Michael Welch). Best views are on the rising tide which brings them in very close to the prom wall and on the highest tides eventually flushes them all off, whence they often commence fishing; on windy days and with lower tides they tend to remain further east at Long Craigs rocks and spread along the coast.
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcGYPOdCRLTCr2wU8rAWxvAncuRFx_1XwaL8lyUKvRirSAYHMhWs5G2hV4uEem1udJf_aTKSbIRkRoAC5HwwfH0ldJooDhi8BPE950dmWGB6u0gxNBE-3OKdoahoiSLgQo6wShXQcP3O0/s1600/2+DSCF5281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcGYPOdCRLTCr2wU8rAWxvAncuRFx_1XwaL8lyUKvRirSAYHMhWs5G2hV4uEem1udJf_aTKSbIRkRoAC5HwwfH0ldJooDhi8BPE950dmWGB6u0gxNBE-3OKdoahoiSLgQo6wShXQcP3O0/s400/2+DSCF5281.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvY_25yT36KJRDA7aR1LqHWQfUAxZ8YFMvQODWv3P86Fo6L_oDP6KySWM7FSfGaeafJtCX4W28eV2FMpPh4BY9tyVWBs6jesOWgeSBbGEX0xgJn-TGrC_62koWCqyQdmrVRUAfWLFoUdU/s1600/3+DSCF5279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvY_25yT36KJRDA7aR1LqHWQfUAxZ8YFMvQODWv3P86Fo6L_oDP6KySWM7FSfGaeafJtCX4W28eV2FMpPh4BY9tyVWBs6jesOWgeSBbGEX0xgJn-TGrC_62koWCqyQdmrVRUAfWLFoUdU/s400/3+DSCF5279.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgrc1-a42V6PxjzuBzPfEYSau2vPKwedLNZ8gwST1gnINKh1Nq9gsdRtxSZ-1VAzVoJsF-YlWTBf_tBCVHunqbAdeX7lwJBs7INtR9S6nKigWEyE21Ka3x_Bl5KfGrEm6w4t41Lh4YU2o/s1600/4+DSCF5278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgrc1-a42V6PxjzuBzPfEYSau2vPKwedLNZ8gwST1gnINKh1Nq9gsdRtxSZ-1VAzVoJsF-YlWTBf_tBCVHunqbAdeX7lwJBs7INtR9S6nKigWEyE21Ka3x_Bl5KfGrEm6w4t41Lh4YU2o/s400/4+DSCF5278.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiReTcHxZfVor_B768UQd9FMoWpchef8XmrcYbRU6ePnXBIR8192ZV0xDUmi6-0kAf85MIgbe-Dj4H8YGRF1LHUlk9TiCvYiDeIoRSR5PKEVFDb0OZmz_WHOYmguoxy1kXIAeIWtb4QAuA/s1600/DSCF5397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiReTcHxZfVor_B768UQd9FMoWpchef8XmrcYbRU6ePnXBIR8192ZV0xDUmi6-0kAf85MIgbe-Dj4H8YGRF1LHUlk9TiCvYiDeIoRSR5PKEVFDb0OZmz_WHOYmguoxy1kXIAeIWtb4QAuA/s400/DSCF5397.JPG" /></a></div>
<p>
They flush quite often but usually resettle nearby as there is virtually no other dry ground between Musselburgh and Craigielaw Point at high tide.
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggSyxrvVVKK3vQt7_zFi88giWOUhXl7MjRBeozPvTeO1ThuvQNDUnhqI1G-Cd96kZWjE3SHkI6XsNc97s_toCN517TK6DcA-suimUlHla22Q_AdwLvYNg_mdC1doOPvFC4N8_ITVfhCZU/s1600/5+DSCF5275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggSyxrvVVKK3vQt7_zFi88giWOUhXl7MjRBeozPvTeO1ThuvQNDUnhqI1G-Cd96kZWjE3SHkI6XsNc97s_toCN517TK6DcA-suimUlHla22Q_AdwLvYNg_mdC1doOPvFC4N8_ITVfhCZU/s400/5+DSCF5275.JPG" /></a></div>
<p>
Rings come in various colours (red, dark blue, green, white, yellow and light green), in first below is a light-green darvic (NCV, central) on a juvenile ringed this year in the Netherlands:
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuke8-Yutfsp6-WWThBgi9kQigifLmwt3sB5kW2asbP0nA2phlhfbkVCc0px1YZrxO5gTTs6uVG2M7YvwEdzv0xNAfGtJTWEd61GEmzqcS2R-sWzGcODwRSU5s77KhIBH_sCOA4v85m4s/s1600/6+ST+11Aug14+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuke8-Yutfsp6-WWThBgi9kQigifLmwt3sB5kW2asbP0nA2phlhfbkVCc0px1YZrxO5gTTs6uVG2M7YvwEdzv0xNAfGtJTWEd61GEmzqcS2R-sWzGcODwRSU5s77KhIBH_sCOA4v85m4s/s400/6+ST+11Aug14+007.JPG" /></a></div>
<p>
In fact four Dutch-hatched juvs were seen up to 18 August, when NA7 was present:
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLLKN2yfgf6wA6h44mIJ8Hay2AAqr8NWVyzQ4ii6FZ1fyP2IBkjiB_jG_thHqZA2bSBQ3ZAjM3NyAGderk5tQXacQBLT1eWKoN-1dkmMMysaDxafeKP9SiVY4_xOzRrU_M8XW6W-XoMWM/s1600/9+ST+18Aug14+020+lime-NA7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLLKN2yfgf6wA6h44mIJ8Hay2AAqr8NWVyzQ4ii6FZ1fyP2IBkjiB_jG_thHqZA2bSBQ3ZAjM3NyAGderk5tQXacQBLT1eWKoN-1dkmMMysaDxafeKP9SiVY4_xOzRrU_M8XW6W-XoMWM/s400/9+ST+18Aug14+020+lime-NA7.JPG" /></a></div>
<p>
One adult bird from Netherlands was also present on several dates, initially causing confusion by its symmetrical dark markings; this turned out to be blue-NFA which had been dyed yellow (picric acid) to facilitate local tracking in its colony:
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW-vPbfH1ftA16RGHegqSp6IupAumtrlhSS6oTHdlw87dafdOBjr6P-iNb53xjDdlepGJU4DF9zPTeMo3A85E8kV3r871fj3tq6_G0i0_PA2qBVNm7t-8eOuvN_ehi10W9EZfHjURu3Qc/s1600/14+ST+13Aug14+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW-vPbfH1ftA16RGHegqSp6IupAumtrlhSS6oTHdlw87dafdOBjr6P-iNb53xjDdlepGJU4DF9zPTeMo3A85E8kV3r871fj3tq6_G0i0_PA2qBVNm7t-8eOuvN_ehi10W9EZfHjURu3Qc/s400/14+ST+13Aug14+020.JPG" /></a></div>
<p>
Overall c. 60% of the birds were originally colour-ringed at Forvie in NE Scotland with rings starting "E", in five colours, though these did include a few which had previous to that been ringed as chicks in Northumbs. Green and blue rings had been used at Forvie for 2014, just 11 of these were seen, e.g. green-ETP:
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPY3d6ehP9I7rTsCNprqFuyQwMnldN-qiVF9AfgQGuGI33HD_bHuiZVOv4bu5ImiQkXPfhvBPJlNK9M_iKvZgnXGE3eXCdv-ZQdOUpExI97hk1vxnaniAF-K3D5kA2C4whcVmZixE9wNc/s1600/10+ST+green-ETP.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPY3d6ehP9I7rTsCNprqFuyQwMnldN-qiVF9AfgQGuGI33HD_bHuiZVOv4bu5ImiQkXPfhvBPJlNK9M_iKvZgnXGE3eXCdv-ZQdOUpExI97hk1vxnaniAF-K3D5kA2C4whcVmZixE9wNc/s400/10+ST+green-ETP.JPG" /></a></div>
<p>
The quickest arrival of such was in three days, green-EHS present here on 8 August having been on the Ythan on the 5th.
<p>
Most juveniles were however from Northumbs colonies, 40 birds with blue or red rings starting "U", for example blue-UAV, blue-UVL, red-UCJ and red-USS below. Photos such as these are being gathered for analysis of progression of moult on birds of known age.
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg222XYIFRrDzQIKivl2lHzwEuuJ6lkQqIA43QjzIayJCha521PCP-wt8QwOPJ5JKJktw4YF7_zfwO7FuA0NaljqQyRZTeLp_OeFuIb-r9b8_czeRFZkvcPt1c2LA2mQr3pCAXKxqvuDBA/s1600/11+ST+13Aug14+015+blue-UAV.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg222XYIFRrDzQIKivl2lHzwEuuJ6lkQqIA43QjzIayJCha521PCP-wt8QwOPJ5JKJktw4YF7_zfwO7FuA0NaljqQyRZTeLp_OeFuIb-r9b8_czeRFZkvcPt1c2LA2mQr3pCAXKxqvuDBA/s400/11+ST+13Aug14+015+blue-UAV.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcwzwwJA3k9AYUSGC8gEHFH6L0pA1KFgIY-Slns1l-zVdXFrcGUiqVAUXgSPUFVHiB3GLGUS6f1KiQE34MH5L77qiUpftTup_VR_i_vPMwYULr0vBD9qAIofyn52BVEsN0IfKJuC69xMs/s1600/11+DSCF5362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcwzwwJA3k9AYUSGC8gEHFH6L0pA1KFgIY-Slns1l-zVdXFrcGUiqVAUXgSPUFVHiB3GLGUS6f1KiQE34MH5L77qiUpftTup_VR_i_vPMwYULr0vBD9qAIofyn52BVEsN0IfKJuC69xMs/s400/11+DSCF5362.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Zo34ia30GOjeRXwvRw5nTa8JU2E4W2ITgKvBBSMZRUBvW2EQJ7dUo47jeA6PzR4fB3kQj2IS1Ye6nwPUms-PgThDrHyxR6jzAkLQaCwMv2epos6kqXbzAN11SrYpwW_UO3DGN_-3GLk/s1600/12+ST+13Aug14+035+red-UCJ.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Zo34ia30GOjeRXwvRw5nTa8JU2E4W2ITgKvBBSMZRUBvW2EQJ7dUo47jeA6PzR4fB3kQj2IS1Ye6nwPUms-PgThDrHyxR6jzAkLQaCwMv2epos6kqXbzAN11SrYpwW_UO3DGN_-3GLk/s400/12+ST+13Aug14+035+red-UCJ.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0fzL1buf9EbsW2Db1MvJl8WZjRZinlVuQzVZcTIkn-4ZSfmd8duTXpCYQ0OBES9gHsTfXzroQr8MhzUZQZtXiV6bPg11lbBD8Aq6dKwXUavi92gsdIkRuMg2QDYKYLqZylm_jPbjC4rs/s1600/13+ST+14Aug14+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0fzL1buf9EbsW2Db1MvJl8WZjRZinlVuQzVZcTIkn-4ZSfmd8duTXpCYQ0OBES9gHsTfXzroQr8MhzUZQZtXiV6bPg11lbBD8Aq6dKwXUavi92gsdIkRuMg2QDYKYLqZylm_jPbjC4rs/s400/13+ST+14Aug14+025.JPG" /></a></div>
<p>
Northwards dispersal is typical from these colonies, as it is in NE Scotland (to the Moray Firth), an example being blue-UZS, ringed Coquet 12 July, here at Seton on 31 August but at Findhorn on 23 September. This year there were 181 and 105 chicks ringed on Farnes and Coquet, so we had here 17.1 and 8.6% of all those ringed, respectively. Calculations based on resighting rates suggest that the minimum number of birds in the area was approximately 5 times the observed totals, thus getting on for half of the Northumbs birds have perhaps come into the Forth this year. Worth comparing with Roseates too, which have also done well on Coquet, 93 juvs ringed, if they behave in a similar manner we're expect to have seen 8 of them in the Forth - birds have indeed been seen on several occasions, including up to 3 together, as per Sandwich Terns it seems likely the total number of birds involved will have been many more than those seen at any one time.
<p>
The Forvie-ringed adults have much more complex histories, with 12 (35%) now breeding in Northumbs and two seen this year in the Dutch colonies and another in the German part of the Waddensee. This means that overall 55% of birds have arrived from Northumbs colonies. For example white-EFN and white-EKN, together below, were ringed at Forvie in 2010 and bred this year on Coquet and Inner Farne, respectively:
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1HsFJV3UYI7IGZ_YIOHyFqFf1YMDJx-WoMHJOqLkq39cMO-zN6un-Gvp7WbtFQb5BAoQA9fNssNAH20XCwz7Lg6qGS9z1HEjVv23tlo9k51kmalkQulLmWklZrE0b9nMJBqMuBWXC08o/s1600/16+ST+11Aug14+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1HsFJV3UYI7IGZ_YIOHyFqFf1YMDJx-WoMHJOqLkq39cMO-zN6un-Gvp7WbtFQb5BAoQA9fNssNAH20XCwz7Lg6qGS9z1HEjVv23tlo9k51kmalkQulLmWklZrE0b9nMJBqMuBWXC08o/s400/16+ST+11Aug14+009.JPG" /></a></div>
<p>
The oldest few were ringed as chicks 13-14 yrs ago and some have been sighted at many locations over the years. White-EAP below, present on 18 August, was ringed as an adult on the Ythan in 2010, and present there in 2011 and 2012, but in between seen in Namibia on 2 March 2012, 13 March 2013 and 23 February 2014.
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbKUbHDWFJIPLO7bsmwffhoPLZ8-0K_77p-I63uMupfmt1itrrmDXDd-0WVVEmosNtz69oWsmeVsmYOrDoO9QV3MI05WUCOZqYP2k8U4kRhSvETpGKKzexjDDnIly7zqdhAaRk4dCAHh8/s1600/9+ST+18Aug14+030+white+EAP.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbKUbHDWFJIPLO7bsmwffhoPLZ8-0K_77p-I63uMupfmt1itrrmDXDd-0WVVEmosNtz69oWsmeVsmYOrDoO9QV3MI05WUCOZqYP2k8U4kRhSvETpGKKzexjDDnIly7zqdhAaRk4dCAHh8/s400/9+ST+18Aug14+030+white+EAP.JPG" /></a></div>
<p>
Initial northwards dispersal is typical of many birds from Forvie too, though clearly some come south with their young; more complex patterns can occur too, e.g. blue-EDB at Forvie on 18 June, then here on 8 August but was back round at Findhorn by 17 August; by contrast white-EZH, a 2008 chick which breeds at Forvie was at Findhorn from 27 July to 9 August but appeared here on 19 August.
<p>
In addition to the above, three 2014 juveniles from the huge colony at Blakeney Point in Norfolk were seen (blue-KF3, blue-KF4 and blue-K3D), <a href="http://norfolkcoastnationaltrust.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/press-release-sandwich-sightings-needed.html">50 had been ringed in 2013</a>.
<p>
What does all of this tell us? Overall there have been over 1500 resightings of the Forvie darvic ringed birds which for low cost will give good insights into the dispersal and migration strategy of this species. Though many travel huge distances over the whole course of the migration they clearly set off in different directions, and an interesting question is whether those initially heading north use a route overland, e.g. Forvie birds which go round to the Moray Firth then proceed down the Great Glen, or eventually return south down the east coast. Here in the Forth we get nocturnal migrant Sandwich Terns annually, e.g. over Longniddry from early August to late September it is common to hear an apparent south/south-west departure, often on generally damp days or during light rain; sometimes single birds but more usually ad+juv calling to each other, or sometimes small flocks. This year there have been far more than normal (11/9: 1 heard 23:10hrs; 10/9: 3+ ad, juv S 21:00hrs; recent showers, last calls well S; 6/9: 4+, at least 2 sets ad+juv SW 22:17hrs, heavy showers earlier, full moon now through clouds; 1/9: c. 10 group ads/juvs SW 21:50hrs roughly over club house; 17/8: 1+ SW 23:10hrs 17/8 some distance W, last call well S; 2/8: 2+ S 00:15hrs probably retreated; 2/7: 2+ heard 23:00hrs over Gosford saw mill). Common Terns occasionally do the same. Overland dispersal of these species has been studied between Teesmouth and Merseyside (<a href="http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/03078698.2000.9674223">paper</a>), it is likely something similar happens from the Forth and probably further north. The results from Namibia show that some at least travel right to the South Atlantic, but small numbers also winter in northern France and Ireland, and indeed this year we had one in the Forth in January, so there is interest there too.
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil0NcgKDmdRiZkjizqubSzjW2OQWQvhDbDm-AW5NasMl7zxzKP5gxgh-raHWns7HZzY-2w4D74r5EcID7IEW8Cqx5S1YFK1Ao7Zu3mUr4xsuawH593odfdNRsNLrVIHdTPJmLWzEG2TBU/s1600/Forvie+cohorts.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil0NcgKDmdRiZkjizqubSzjW2OQWQvhDbDm-AW5NasMl7zxzKP5gxgh-raHWns7HZzY-2w4D74r5EcID7IEW8Cqx5S1YFK1Ao7Zu3mUr4xsuawH593odfdNRsNLrVIHdTPJmLWzEG2TBU/s320/Forvie+cohorts.png" width="241" height="320" data-original-width="258" data-original-height="342" /></a></div>Finally it is worth mentioning the "cohort" colour-ringed birds from Forvie, a study that ran for 53 year until 2013, c/o Alistair Smith. These are simple colour band combinations, e.g. red over blue below, indicating the year of ringing. A bare minimum of 8 of these birds were logged, two just with single bands remaining, but without unique identification (short of capturing them!) no individual histories are available - they do tell us something about longevity (a lime over dark green bird recorded in 2018 was the first resighting here from the 2002 cohort!).
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0s9_hCOe-OsGgNKdx3LqbuowkXiol4lLy0TC79hbNjIer55NcPKE766EY-38oEs8RdblQaJy2EXXGLSsgM7D_oDW8TMJWhAC-hco6NW9tAkdavt6xvcyf0bTJ9Q2NOut0mDAL4gX44hk/s1600/15+ST+14Aug14+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0s9_hCOe-OsGgNKdx3LqbuowkXiol4lLy0TC79hbNjIer55NcPKE766EY-38oEs8RdblQaJy2EXXGLSsgM7D_oDW8TMJWhAC-hco6NW9tAkdavt6xvcyf0bTJ9Q2NOut0mDAL4gX44hk/s400/15+ST+14Aug14+014.JPG" /></a></div>
<p>
Other darvic birds logged in the period were a Whimbrel (yellow-A39) ringed on passage in Wales (on 24 April 2012, at Llanon between Aberystwyth and Aberaeron, one of <a href="http://midwalesringers.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/about-time-too.html">very few sightings so far on this scheme</a>), and this immature Great Blackback yellow-T:32E from NE Scotland:
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgbhXBHgN8RSLQyAIo0LTyvsn_Trmt5P6l4K8PsouPUVct3Ev7zhnDcb07cTGXVrnQzksrNUK0sMkIbPs2_CSpB3ocyVuDPjcd_28C9JnreUQ75QJ4Qyvl_xpcWjMd8LhSjPPbWZDo3_c/s1600/17+GBB+yellow+T32E.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgbhXBHgN8RSLQyAIo0LTyvsn_Trmt5P6l4K8PsouPUVct3Ev7zhnDcb07cTGXVrnQzksrNUK0sMkIbPs2_CSpB3ocyVuDPjcd_28C9JnreUQ75QJ4Qyvl_xpcWjMd8LhSjPPbWZDo3_c/s400/17+GBB+yellow+T32E.JPG" /></a></div>
<p>
As posted on <a href="https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/lothianbirdnews/conversations/messages/21543">LBN</a> a couple of Peregrines disturbed the terns but put on a stunning display in pursuit of a Turnstone on 16 August. Many waders use the same rocks giving great views, including this Knot with fading breeding plumage:
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqE5xW2GbO56tG93uWtwoHVZMQGeMhCFq49r-8leLEQBsGtwT_1wixOwcvGMZM9ifjFDu4yt_7g0JApyGMACWp0YjMZ1N646IHyQiiqYJcwvd-vIEjR7iY9bPlHg_d7WmCWmsmwywFwrw/s1600/18+Port+Seton+Knot.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqE5xW2GbO56tG93uWtwoHVZMQGeMhCFq49r-8leLEQBsGtwT_1wixOwcvGMZM9ifjFDu4yt_7g0JApyGMACWp0YjMZ1N646IHyQiiqYJcwvd-vIEjR7iY9bPlHg_d7WmCWmsmwywFwrw/s400/18+Port+Seton+Knot.JPG" /></a></div>
<p>
Other birds logged for the patch were two Greenshank on the shore and an adult Little Gull W past in stormy weather on 17 August, and earlier on last day of July a patch tick Yellow Wagtail (a juvenile based on paler chest, prominent malar stripe, tips on median coverts faded to white):
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH3ybTbLSlfY4aaGZ0_2ziQp3uWQwZUFUQPZHW88XQJOzLuk8gwfngIaFH1plMBY_YJE4FNDDr469SNUcWGeV7zrt7EANfJsLt_ge2rvNuyzEx2LbldOxvl2HfI_Rc-4ncAr3v8Phx5K4/s1600/19+Port+Seton+Yellow+Wag.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH3ybTbLSlfY4aaGZ0_2ziQp3uWQwZUFUQPZHW88XQJOzLuk8gwfngIaFH1plMBY_YJE4FNDDr469SNUcWGeV7zrt7EANfJsLt_ge2rvNuyzEx2LbldOxvl2HfI_Rc-4ncAr3v8Phx5K4/s400/19+Port+Seton+Yellow+Wag.JPG" /></a></div>
<p>
First Wheatear, a juv, on Saturday 16 August:
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAvh2EAwAfr5uZNJ71r3kJFHrYghazo0N0uKUidR77E8SUwuz1X5bkfQ67Y6NaMlqoD5Ix_jkqaVE0UcyS4QahTywhe_YQoSsML_H7l5VChK7vHL4YPY-vwuHUoYbZ_s83GJUiZa4SDW4/s1600/ST+16Aug14+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAvh2EAwAfr5uZNJ71r3kJFHrYghazo0N0uKUidR77E8SUwuz1X5bkfQ67Y6NaMlqoD5Ix_jkqaVE0UcyS4QahTywhe_YQoSsML_H7l5VChK7vHL4YPY-vwuHUoYbZ_s83GJUiZa4SDW4/s400/ST+16Aug14+007.JPG" /></a></div>
<p>
Final shots below of terns feeding over the Forth, a misty Inchkeith in the background, and the Seton shore at dusk:
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR-d-bDRO4WagmS1L51jnF5avnAUY-vYUQw9bDI4K_fAxuyNLoIy2X6w3YOeJ_QIKt2A06unZlqugcxGxd7uS4SfXtY4eXCmM240KrnkIivsvy68lI1vMBtWG4quS403hf4L84r50HXag/s1600/20+DSCF5269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR-d-bDRO4WagmS1L51jnF5avnAUY-vYUQw9bDI4K_fAxuyNLoIy2X6w3YOeJ_QIKt2A06unZlqugcxGxd7uS4SfXtY4eXCmM240KrnkIivsvy68lI1vMBtWG4quS403hf4L84r50HXag/s400/20+DSCF5269.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeyGyqvMDqlKOKNEh8bDkKG04rYPQu0uXuT6-URGxm_VmI-8KtkCqThU2PEwjLYRhL04WOlaYPa-7-jU-uok8fpNoxUihoNOHjBv2zvoo8RawUZ6UJN56ft3fgqEP00kaXD7c-Fgpesvk/s1600/21+DSCF5271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeyGyqvMDqlKOKNEh8bDkKG04rYPQu0uXuT6-URGxm_VmI-8KtkCqThU2PEwjLYRhL04WOlaYPa-7-jU-uok8fpNoxUihoNOHjBv2zvoo8RawUZ6UJN56ft3fgqEP00kaXD7c-Fgpesvk/s400/21+DSCF5271.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKaqmEZCMnp4COIhdigCGj6N9gXJUKXyc-hW0UW-H2YrTISZIRUvxsgyTeEbDyE5qJztb-YZMH6PylB0Mn1ID3zZjNMHcd9b03ecIcR61fqoyWIxb1gUI0tFvFPfIxSqajQClVbxBx8vU/s1600/22+Port+Seton+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKaqmEZCMnp4COIhdigCGj6N9gXJUKXyc-hW0UW-H2YrTISZIRUvxsgyTeEbDyE5qJztb-YZMH6PylB0Mn1ID3zZjNMHcd9b03ecIcR61fqoyWIxb1gUI0tFvFPfIxSqajQClVbxBx8vU/s400/22+Port+Seton+001.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglKf_hfv649e8sWLwzN5wWIG1QGYyKTbmEb2sWZN8rowovWTyVmlPf9gLwGty5O-kJ46JMWcTtQ2OpZoV6fJ6iTf2Xzf7ulUGEdwAz7uKVorROWQkw-ESwHEVEgaCaG801ss5zMIT1Oy4/s1600/23+Port+Seton+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglKf_hfv649e8sWLwzN5wWIG1QGYyKTbmEb2sWZN8rowovWTyVmlPf9gLwGty5O-kJ46JMWcTtQ2OpZoV6fJ6iTf2Xzf7ulUGEdwAz7uKVorROWQkw-ESwHEVEgaCaG801ss5zMIT1Oy4/s400/23+Port+Seton+004.JPG" /></a></div>
welchshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00378942325088808236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2376184590270819842.post-55303612319224809452014-06-22T23:27:00.002+01:002014-06-25T17:32:57.952+01:00Wknd 21-22 June<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv5-heerIGbTcOS3rayDfVJ84YLFTU45dD5YeI9jS6oFBUEiWMJjSeLSVLGRVNRyR_YTeF1UbWbeq2R4iDwmaRuYAf7UJ-RShdqhs2HcmwD_x37uADMlavn0wUpB1cP-EpFGJpYzF1KRY/s1600/Mandarin+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv5-heerIGbTcOS3rayDfVJ84YLFTU45dD5YeI9jS6oFBUEiWMJjSeLSVLGRVNRyR_YTeF1UbWbeq2R4iDwmaRuYAf7UJ-RShdqhs2HcmwD_x37uADMlavn0wUpB1cP-EpFGJpYzF1KRY/s400/Mandarin+008.JPG" /></a></div>
<p>
WeBS ponds largely deserted on Sunday but old friend the drake Mandarin showed up again at East Fortune ponds a couple of years absence (previous records 18/7/10, 17/7+16/8/11). Wonder where it's been hanging out since? Seems there have been none in Lothian since late 2011 in Edinburgh, possibly same bird, with one in March 2010 at Haddington also possibly same? Gladhouse birds not reported since a pair in 2008, and female in 2009, perhaps they did not survive there beyond that date?
<p>
On owls it seems this is a bumper year for breeding locally and Long-eareds in particular seem to have produced lots of young. With thanks to various correspondents who have made efforts to look we've had birds at 10 sites in Lothian within last couple of weeks, of which now all 10 have had hunger-calling chicks with brood size up to 5! On Friday, after detecting 3 young birds in pines in hills near Edinburgh, Harry Dott and I were fortunate to watch a couple of young hunting over heather at c. 22:30hrs, remarkably still persistently hunger-calling while doing so. Also a Cuckoo dashing round the same site. Locally I've also had a couple of Barn Owls taking prey to young, and young Tawnys this week at Gosford north wood and Redcoll. However despite it apparently being a good Quail year, with lots of reports particularly in Scotland, some further north than usual, I have failed to find any in the hinterland behind Longniddry, locations I found them in both 2009 and 2011, still time yet though.
<p>
On the coast, not many gulls around but the black darvic young Danish GBB was again at Port Seton on Saturday. A ringed Kittiwake stood by the Seton Burn. Many auks feeding out in the Forth, 140+ Guillemot in Gosford Bay Sunday, with Razorbills and 2 Puffins, a Puffin setting off with fish offshore from Prestonpans last week, a long journey to the colonies from there. Also 70 Velvet Scoter and 100+ Common Scoter well out in Gosford Bay Sunday. Nice also to see first returning Goosander, 8 f/imm along the shore, fishing in shallows as they do in characteristic "head in the water" fashion. Also at Seton, 4 Turnstone at dusk on the longest day, which are either very early returning or young birds which never went north. Possibly the latter as none were in bright adult breeding plumage and post-breeding moult is supposed to start late June, and also per BWP "Age of first breeding, Finland, 2 years (Bergman 1946), but (circumstantially) 4 years, USSR (Bianki 1967)". Lots of Common Tern along the coast feeding, courtship feeding and heading west with fish, also 4 Sandwich Tern at Aberlady during the week. [Monday - 130 Common Scoter in bay and 2 Great Crested Grebe at Ferny Ness, also first juvenile Guillemot with parent].
<p>
Was also up at Pishwanton on Saturday where pleasing sight of a Spotted Flycatcher FF with large insect prey. Blindwells Mute Swans have 4 smallish cygnets. Finally, not a bird, but my first rabbit in Longniddry, a juvenile behind the play group hut outside the church, a long way - 300+m each way - from safety.
<p>
Not current, but of note, Shag red-TSZ here <a href="http://sedgewarbler.blogspot.co.uk/2009/08/late-summer-port-seton.html">as a juvenile in 2009</a> subsequently seen in Norfolk (<a href="javascript:popWin('http://maps.google.com/maps/api/staticmap?size=640x640&maptype=terrain&markers=color:blue|label:R|56.067,-2.717&markers=color:green|label:1|55.967,-2.967&path=color:0xff000055|weight:3|56.067,-2.717|55.967,-2.967&markers=color:green|label:2|52.783,0.4&path=color:0xff000055|weight:3|55.967,-2.967|52.783,0.4&visible=58,-2|50,-4&sensor=false','help',645,640,'yes')">map</a>).
welchshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00378942325088808236noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2376184590270819842.post-58496481998974608762014-06-15T19:01:00.000+01:002017-06-12T00:15:39.730+01:00Wknd 14-15 June<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj3mIkfwC9q5RmSSosLsEsYZGCM9HRcawEfX06pUXMi0I07HpQ0-uHkjelN88jmZXo87lccL_rS6tW2br43wl0pkugkSACgwtAfIYrYeNJCGY4JX11gCh3KoJfFHHo3SxLXMkv-FbLP54/s1600/Eider+020_small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj3mIkfwC9q5RmSSosLsEsYZGCM9HRcawEfX06pUXMi0I07HpQ0-uHkjelN88jmZXo87lccL_rS6tW2br43wl0pkugkSACgwtAfIYrYeNJCGY4JX11gCh3KoJfFHHo3SxLXMkv-FbLP54/s400/Eider+020_small.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>
Eider duckling at Port Seton, Wrecked Craigs, my first ever (small one) there though I don't look that often in summer. Aberlady would be the nearest possible source, but breeding is now erratic there. Inchkeith is another possible source, since ducklings are often seen at Musselburgh but have not nested there for many years it is believed that those birds have crossed the sea - approx distances for closest crossings are 3 miles to Leith shore, but 6 miles direct to Musselburgh and 8 miles to Port Seton - quite a journey for a duckling! Presumably the sole survivor from a larger brood and looking pretty vulnerable with large gulls all around, protective mum saw off a second female Eider which was showing an interest, though "aunties" often have a role in caring for creches in this species.
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgplZnyb0ib7JUTqNV4ZCcgTJnI6NaRNM8lwbzgcPOoEDT6HPydOwOYE4VIojlLS9N9KFLw5_meI9sOxK_G8mz7NkuvQRgiOV9_CdMQKFah-tZXTeUFzrIZpWeibI6Lln-LYik8_LYJfSQ/s1600/Eider+011_small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgplZnyb0ib7JUTqNV4ZCcgTJnI6NaRNM8lwbzgcPOoEDT6HPydOwOYE4VIojlLS9N9KFLw5_meI9sOxK_G8mz7NkuvQRgiOV9_CdMQKFah-tZXTeUFzrIZpWeibI6Lln-LYik8_LYJfSQ/s400/Eider+011_small.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>
Otherwise - just 137 Eider there, 7 females; sea duck well down overall, a real summer lull with just 35 Common Scoter, 14 Velvet Scoter and 10 Red-breasted Merganser in Gosford Bay/shore, a mere 22 Barwits along the sands.
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1yvPEa46OxbbYps1HEQo0QyYRy9fuaDVxQ4TBxtnUTBZNtg9NB4hNMn2n3P9cxgmTdWydFQdwZu-L2z2leVFtMYR4oKQnKt1FphDE54UQFkDenMmEDG7ZoIq7RXQkaj7D_X0kdWWD-Kk/s1600/Eider+008_small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1yvPEa46OxbbYps1HEQo0QyYRy9fuaDVxQ4TBxtnUTBZNtg9NB4hNMn2n3P9cxgmTdWydFQdwZu-L2z2leVFtMYR4oKQnKt1FphDE54UQFkDenMmEDG7ZoIq7RXQkaj7D_X0kdWWD-Kk/s400/Eider+008_small.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>
This might be the answer - 5 Eider ducklings at Kilspindie, Aberlady, Wednesday evening, so looks like they have indeed had success there this year, though no ducklings apparent (yet?) amongst 85+ Shelduck on the salt marsh. I've also been sent a photo of juvenile Woodcocks hiding on the edge of the salt marsh, but from where?! [Postscript - ID error, they were Lapwing!]
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Xez0nHVt4IcwxgGZImQ-FkpNDl0T-Fnyws9yLhBdvtUuFBO4V6HQa4Rqj3FgBxO876J6U_Mt9c53yW9cf-kINqj6PRzxDQGu9Fzb3vcYCtAs0HPT_Qb8gZpCr3qwXxomptCO9FKymkc/s1600/Kilspindie+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Xez0nHVt4IcwxgGZImQ-FkpNDl0T-Fnyws9yLhBdvtUuFBO4V6HQa4Rqj3FgBxO876J6U_Mt9c53yW9cf-kINqj6PRzxDQGu9Fzb3vcYCtAs0HPT_Qb8gZpCr3qwXxomptCO9FKymkc/s400/Kilspindie+002.JPG" /></a></div>
<p>
Checking historical records it seems that 80-85 Eider nests were typical early 1980's with up to 600 pairs at Aberlady, but significant declines since with many years of poor breeding producing just a handful of young and evidence of failures, e.g. 14 young but 47 eggs predated in 1996, though some years bucking the trend with still 57 young in 1997 and 40 young as recently as 2006. I expect crow predation is a big factor as their numbers can be very high in the area.
<p>
Thursday - just two Eider ducklings diving round towards Greencraigs bay; later at dusk hunger calls of a juvenile Tawny Owl in Gosford Estate wood audible from the A198.welchshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00378942325088808236noreply@blogger.com0