April 2006
The month got off to a promising start with the first spring migrants arriving along the coast. At Skateraw, a couple of female Black Redstarts were feeding on the clouds of flies that were swarming over the decaying seaweed.
Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros) - Skateraw, Lothian
Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros) - Skateraw, Lothian
The few remaining Scandinavian Rock Pipits that had not yet departed for their breeding grounds were almost in full summer plumage, and some birds were starting to atain a faint pink wash to their throat and upper breasts.
Scandinavian Rock Pipit (Anthus petrosus littoralis) - Tynninghame, Lothian
Numerous Pied Wagtails and Meadow Pipits were also taking advantage of the abundant food supply...
male Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba yarrellii) - Skateraw, Lothian
female Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba yarrellii) - Skateraw, Lothian
Meadow Pipit (Anthus pratensis) - Skateraw, Lothian
Meadow Pipit (Anthus pratensis) - Skateraw, Lothian
The Meadow Pipit below was behaving quite oddly. It held this pose for about 10seconds without moving or making a sound. It almost looks like it was gaping to cool itself down...but since it was about 4°C with a 20mph westerly wind I don't think that is a particularly likely explaination!
Meadow Pipit (Anthus pratensis) - Skateraw, Lothian
Reed Bunting (Emberiza shoeniclus) - Barns Ness, Lothian
A small group of Whooper Swans that briefly visited the small boating pond at Musselburgh were probably just stopping for a rest on their northward migration.
Whooper Swans (Cygnus cygnus) - Musselburgh, Lothian
Whooper Swans (Cygnus cygnus) - Musselburgh, Lothian
The strong westerly winds probably slowed the migration down a bit, but by the end of the month most of the usual early migrants had started to arrive, and the Wheatear stopping off at Barns Ness were well into double figures.
Northern Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe) - Barns Ness, Lothian
Northern Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe) - Barns Ness, Lothian
Northern Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe) - Barns Ness, Lothian
Of course, you can't really pass by easter without taking at least a few pictures of cute easter bunnies...
young Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) - Barns Ness, Lothian
young Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) - Barns Ness, Lothian
young Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) - Barns Ness, Lothian
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