Dunfries and the Rinns of Galloway

Our first two days were spent at Loch Ken with the intention of watching the Pied Flycatchers,Willow Tits and Redstarts at the Ken-Dee marshes but as with a lot of my preplanned trips the weather was against us (non stop rain) however we managed to see a couple of Flycatchers and Willow Tits but no Redstarts,I did manage a quick shot of this Red Squirrel whilst sheltering in one of the hides.

It was them on to the Rinns of Galloway stopping off in a lay-by for a cuppa on the way, we watched wild Goats on the hillside and a nice Wheatear on a fence post. We stayed at various sites around Logan and Portpatrick area .The Black Guillemots in Portpatrick harbour were a real treat to watch although trying to get a shot so you could see the eye was more of a challenge.

Back on the site Hares were everywhere as were the Yellowhammers ,Wrens and Meadow Pipits but the last photo’s my favourite it just shows just how friendly these two are !!!!.  

The Dene this morning

A couple of hours down the Dene this morning with the intention of getting a few shots of the Whitethroats that I had spotted  on Tuesday.First up was a nice Stock Dove on the green at the start then down to the bridge where the Blackcap was singing in his usual tree (see previous post for pics) then down into the bottom to watch the Dipper on his usual stone in the burn,a nice surprise coming back up was a family of Longtailed Tits with about six youngsters being fed by the parents ( deep in the undergrowth )just caught this one poking his head out.Back on the Waggon way there was bird song a plenty with a cracking Song Thrush and a Wren making their presence felt,the Whitethroats were there but not up for any portraits however I did manage a nice Linnet to finish my trip off.

A true Natures Moment

A trip down the Dene this morning to take a few pics of the Blackcap that sits in the trees by the bridge. It was nice and bright and I did manage a couple of shots though he wasn't very cooperative at times but the real bonus came on my way home passing the horse field where a mare was just giving birth to a foal.This was a true natures moment and a real treat to see as it was up on its feet within five to ten minutes and had upwards of fifteen spectators by the end. Here's a few pics.

Godwits Galore !

A message from Tim Cleeves alerting me about the Black-Tailed Godwits on Holywell Pond saw me heading down with the camera,gloves,large coat with hood ,entering the public hide my assumption was correct (it was Baltic)the cold wind blowing straight into the hide the good news was the Godwits were still there 29 in all having a wash and brush up and all looking rather smart.

 

Nice surprise

I was greeted to a nice surprise this morning as I looked out of the back bedroom window onto the neighbouring horse field with a nice pair of Red-Legged Partridges pecking away in the short grass,a closer look through the bins caught site of three Roe deer in the bottom of the same field so a trip downstairs for the camera etc was the next move.I was too slow for the best shot of the deer as it jumped the fence (drat) here's a couple of pics.

Still here

My morning trip down the pond revealed the Brambling was still present at the field corner feeding station,I  briefly spotted it four days ago and managed a poorly lit shot this morning,I was greeted by two new kids on the block scampering about around the members hide, only managed a shot of one but its nest mate looks like it may have a touch of Mixy!opening the shutters revealed a rather naughty (farmyard Duck ?)enjoying herself with no less than three Mallard males" lucky girl" and just to finish off here's a couple of flyby's

 

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White-fronted

Its taken quite a few trips down to my local pond at Holywell in an attempt to get a few pics of the White-Fronted Goose that's been there for quite some time, I have seen it on many occasions but its always kept its distance until Thursday afternoon when I was least expecting it as I had seen a skein of about 40 flying away from the pond just twenty mins earlier but as I arrived at the public hide it was in with some Greylags that were having a wash and brush up in the afternoon sun and then came onto the land to the left of the hide,here's a few pics after some cropping.