Quickie

A quick run out to deliver a parcel paid dividends as I came across some of the raptors. First up was a White-tailed Eagle flying past as it got harassed by some of the local birds. Here is a view of two birds with white tails - one is the eagle but what is the other one?

The WT Eagle flew over the top eventually and revealed itself to be a four year old bird - full yellow bill, pale head and black tips to the tail feathers.

Another dull day meant high ISO settings and very little shutter speed but I couldn't resist pointing the camera at the stag.

Two female Hen Harriers quartering the same area was a nice sight but not that easy to get a shot of either of them.

At the same spot there was a Buzzard hanging in the wind, paying more attention to hunting than me, so I managed a few decent snaps as it peeled off.

How big is that bird?

Doc and I on the road again. We found an Iceland Gull among a few other gulls, Common and Herring, and you pick out the colour of the bird, long white primaries and the size compared to the other gulls. When a Barnacle Goose wandered across it gave a whole different size comparison. Big gull or small goose doesn't matter but there is only a couple of centimetres difference, in length, between the birds. 

If I'd said I had seen a gull that was as big as a goose, I'm fairly sure you would be thinking what gull is as big as a Greylag or Canada Goose! A bit further along the shore there were a couple of Goosander - lovely birds to see.

A Golden Eagle was found sitting on the top of a hill...

...while another was seen to fly along the ridge and out of sight. It didn't look like things would get any better until a change of location saw another Golden Eagle flying past but this time it was below the road!

It did hang around long enough to get a much better view.

A family of three Otters were seen but too far away for photos and invisible in the choppy water so it was nice to get one crossing the road as it headed up the hill.

Another two Golden Eagles flying past was a nice finish the day. Thanks, Doc:-)

I'll wish you all a Merry Christmas and a wildlife filled New Year - all the best!!

Clean up

A run out with Doc was fairly productive but hard work at times - maybe we ask too much! The sun was still casting a red glow across the bay as we made our first stop. The Common Seals were keen to keep an eye on proceedings.

A Hooded Crow was soaking up the early morning rays.

A Dipper was a nice find and reasonably obliging too.

A dead Mountain Hare was being attended to by a Buzzard and a couple of Raven - nice to see a clean up.

It took a while but we eventually found a family of three Otters.

There was plenty of social interaction going on...

...and plenty of spray...

...as they performed their own clean up.

We must have spent a good couple of hours with these three before they headed for the holt.