October 2005
There were a lot of good birds around Lothian this month, but a combination of skulking habits, poor light and some of them being inconsiderate enough to only be around midweek meant that I didn't get terribly good shots of most of them.
Paddyfield Warbler (Accrocephalus agricola)
Mainland Scotland's first Paddyfield Warbler at Torness Power Station was undoubtably the star bird of the month. It was extremely active and, as is typical of this species, it kept to the dense cover making it difficult to get a clear shot.
Paddyfield Warbler (Accrocephalus agricola)
Paddyfield Warbler (Accrocephalus agricola)
Also in the bushes at Torness Power Station were at least two Yellow-browed Warblers which were even more active than the Paddyfield Warbler!
Yellow-browed Warbler (Phylloscopus inornatus)
At Skateraw, whilst looking for more migrants up the raging torrent that is laughingly known as the 'dry burn', a Kestrel and a Buzzard provided some nice opportunities.
Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo)
female Eurasian Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus)
female Eurasian Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus)
The unseasonably warm weather meant there was still some reasonable insect activity even at the end of the month.
Bombus hortorum
 Bombus hortorum |
 Meta segmentata |
probably Cepaea nemoralis
It's much easier photographing snails than warblers!
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Common Storksbill (Erodium cicutarium)
It is easy to see how the Storksbill got its name when you see their seed pods.
Barns Ness Lighthouse
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