Said I'd be back didn't I? Actually, one daft reason I don't come here more often is the road. The single track U road around Loch of Lintrathen on the eastern side is getting really chewed up and if you meet a logging truck!!! Well...... :)
However, I sometimes say what the ..... and head up here, there are certain birds I always see up here and very few people around.
There's a lay-by I always stop in and check around, I'll come back to that later but today, that's exactly what I did, stopped, had a look around, not a lot, drive on. :)
Up to the new forestry clearing and stop by Quharity Burn, see what's to be seen.
Mistle Thrush
There was a pair of Mistle Thrush across the burn in the field, looks like they'd paired up and were being shadowed by a third Mistle Thrush, just out of my shot.
Bridge over Quharity Burn
I think I took that shot through the car window, look at the blob just above that digger! There's a lovely walk up the lane past the big house there, up Glen Quharity.
The field on the left often has Oystercatcher and Lapwing in it at the right time of year.
Lapwing
Sure enough, there was one, that I could see, gorgeous colours in their feathers. I jumped in the car again, they're very flighty birds but if I drive by slowly, I might get a better shot?
Lapwing rear
Lapwing right
Lapwing left
Looking back
Plume raised
I slowly stopped the car right behind it and slipped out quietly, leaving the door open. It was obviously aware of me, as you can see but it stayed fairly still and allowed a nice set of shots. I don't get or take the opportunity often enough. They're amazing flyers, rolling, diving and pretending to be injured to lure you away from any young.
I got back into the car and started moving again, only to glance right at a pair of Pied Wagtails sitting on the wire watching me. There were actually three but one flew off.
I usually park at the crossroads next to the bridge over the Burn of dairy, then walk either up towards Glen Quharity or Balintore castle.
Mistle Thrush in a tree
As I crossed the bridge and started up the hill, I caught a glimpse of a bird of prey hovering.
Kestrel?
I think I've said before, I often grab a shot or two for the record and to examine in detail later, there are all sorts of birds up here, hence this distant grab shot of what I think is a Kestrel
I only got the two shots so the last one is just cropped to get a better view, pretty sure it's a Kestrel.
I don't think I moved from that spot, just turned to my right ...
There are quite a lot of Red Kites up here, I often see them hanging around over the hillsides near the castle.
As I was getting these last few shots, I was also noting the sky, getting dark and angry, time to leave maybe?
I did stop at the crossroads for one shot ....
A beautiful old Edward 7th post box, probably be gone one day.
