Oh well, as there's been a slight relaxation of the lockdown rules, and all the more slight here in Scotland, I did have the option of more than one walk per day. So, mid afternoon, I pottered around the usual kirk loop, wrapped up against the wintry wind, and then after our evening meal, I went round again with Our Lass.
In a field beside the Tieve Road, three Brown Hares were sat. After watching their behaviour for a while, I realised that the one on the right was a female, the centre one was a male and her prospective mate, whilst the one on the left was another male, an interloper.
There was plenty of mate-guarding happening, and for good reason!
Down by the shore, a pair of Hooded Crows were trying to break open shellfish. I'm afraid my film of their antics is very unsteady and blustery, but here's a short clip, followed by stills from a different part of the video.
In the bay, there was a pair of terns, but they were some way off and sat with their backs to me, so I couldn't ID them beyond 'terns'.
Flying along the strand line, hoovering up insects above the piles of seaweed was a small flock of hirundines. They were mostly Swallows, but I managed to spot at least one Sand Martin, my first of the year.
Over in the pastures, the usual suspects were foraging, and I couldn't resist yet more photos of Wheatear and Lapwing.
Then, later in the evening, during the walk with Our Lass, the hares by the Tieve Road were sat in some lovely light, and a bit nearer too. Yay!
4 comments:
Seems a lot of drama is going on all around you! Lapwings seem such exotic birds.
'Exotic' is the word. Up close, their plumage has so much more variety and depth than just the black and white seen when they're on the wing. Though their flight antics and calls are a whole other level of interesting. I suspect that the first chicks will have hatched by now, and are hopefully ensconced in the longer vegetation away from the prying eyes of predators.
Mr Tense, not wanting to appear rude dropping on your exquisite blogs - poemblog21.blogspot.com has just gone live. Because we haven't been up to the Motherland for over four months now, much of the content is inspired by the Lincolnshire countryside. Thought you might appreciate some of them. Sincere best wishes, Marky.
Hi Mark, not a problem, anything to help you overcome cabin fever. County fever? Country fever?? Or at least 'Not being up a mountain in cycling apparel' fever. I'll pop on over to '21' when I get the chance.
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