20-JAN-2018
Buzzard, (juvenile)
Headed down to Buckhaven this morning to look at the large flock of fieldfares that have moved in to feed on the pyracantha trees, loads of berries for them to feast on but I was more surprised to see this buzzard sitting on the hedge across from the new school, I became less surprised when I noticed it was a juvenile, hunched against the cold and obviously struggling to cope with the recent very cold weather, mortality is very high in young raptors after leaving their home range and coping for themselves. If they survive their first winter they are more likely to have a longer life. It was sitting by a rape seed crop eyeing the many wood pigeons feeding there, I wished it well.
13-Jan-2018
Iceland gull.
I thought it would be good to start this Blog with a first for my "home patch" on the Wemyss estate here in Fife, Scotland. I've been bird watching here for nigh on sixty years and still get a thrill when a new species comes along, Iceland gulls are more regular on the west coast of Scotland, some years better than others.The bird shown is a first year bird probably drifted down from its more northerly climes by the recent strong winds from that quarter. unfortunately it didn't hang around and was last seen heading in an easterly direction.