Sorry, still October 31st for me
This is it though, last set.
I set off back along the road to home at a good pace, it's a long-ish, flat straight so I can whizz back, only .... oooooh Birds!
A Red Kite drifted my way for a quick look
Hmmmmmm, nothing to eat here
I'm offski.
Then, Michael Pheasant showing off his moves in a field.
Check this out darlin'
So, whit dae ye think?
And off they slipped, into the hedgerow
And so, I could now whizz along the road, well at least to our lane, got to check out the Mill Pond, nothing to see here, on by to the grassy lane up the hill.
Probably a good mile without a photo!!!!! Oooh. Whatsat?
Looks like a female Yellowhammer, way up the lane. This wee lane is kept clear by the farmer and leads up from the road to the three ponds, down the hill on the other side, but don't tell everyone
The wee Yellowhammer was in that shrub near the top.
As ever, I worked my way closer, grabbing a shot every so often.
Something overhead?
Spotted! But still she sat.
Before diving into the hedge. I love these hedges too, Hazel, Thorn, Rose.....
There's a gap in the hedge near the top of the hill that gives you a view over the ponds and our lane, over between the tree on the right. My walk would take me down into the burn in the far left corner, where the Beaver lurk, still not seen them but lots of their handy work visible.
There looked to be a bit of a ruckus over the other side, a group of/ family of Buzzards being harassed by Corvids, I kept an eye on them and walked on down to the burn.
I spotted a bird, or two? flitting over the hedge top but couldn't see enough to ID until ...
A beautiful Stonechat female dropped onto a stem right across from me. Perfect light and location, I was in the shadow of the hedge now.
The male was around as well, I could hear him and now and again, he'd appear but stayed hidden.
Once again, a happy chappy, I hadn't seen Stonechat here before.
She eventually flitted off along the burn and I carried on to the corner and across the wee dodgy looking old bridge!
I could still see and hear a bit of a ruckus going on up the hill above the trees, there has to be a family of Buzzards that nest nearby, they're always flying together over there.
There were a few Corvids around at the time, then this happened.
Looks like a Jackdaw having a go at one of the Buzzards.
There was a whole group of them after one particular Buzzard!
I couldn't see anything in its claws ...
Then they just left!
Maybe they were playing dares?
Didn't see a great deal else as I headed back to our lane through the trees, then the slog up the hill.
I think I've mentioned the hundreds of 'gulls that pass over here every morning then evening again
I've never really taken. the time to look closely and ID them, mixed flocks I think?
Oooh. Kite!
Red Kites strike me as inquisitive birds.
This one certainly was, it passed over me three times....
Maybe a Nikon fan?
The final stretch, it had been a great walk.
There's a sign just here that names the farmland states "No Through Road". a couple of SatNavs show a road passing through the farm and over the burn to a caravan park on the other side. That road hasn't existed in many, many moons. I've spoken to a lady and her family, in their car in the filed behind our house, trying to work out where the road goes. There isn't one! The clue might have been you are in the middle of a field!
Bizarre.
One last visit before the house.
Still there
And so endeth the walk.
Thank you for bearing with it and all comments
Until the next one
Lots of nice views around you Scozmos, I particularly like the lane above with the autumn colours. Great to see a yellowhammer, I haven't had any luck finding one . As you say the red kites do seem inquisitive and will often fly directly over you. Great ending seeing the barn owl.
Okay...am jealous. Nowt else tae say
(Pardon the Scottish Accent)
What a picturesque walk Scozmos and not only the sightings of a beautiful red kite and buzzard but gorgeous Yellowhammer and Stonechats ... and flock of gulls and corvids. Corvids always harass raptors and although the raptor could slap a wing down on them they don't seem to bother with using up the energy. I guess the corvids don't forgive them for taking their chicks/eggs and have associated them with their predatorily behaviour. Great pics, thanks for your efforts to post up.
_____________________________________
Regards, Hazel
Love the great photos of the red kites Scozmos and the stonechats, Its always nice to see a yellow hammer thanks for sharing your lovely photos
Lovely Scozmos, lots of birdies to see on your walk, I love the 2nd last photo, the colours and setting, it would look lovely in a frame or on a canvas
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Sorry all, I've just noticed all these comments on here, I went over to Gourock for a few days, maybe that was it (it was ultra dreich but got a great walk in) A
Anyway, thanks all, we're very lucky in where we live and appreciate it every day, even the dreich ones, like today again!
It's only weather right?
Thank you all _
Scozmos said:Still there
I think that Barn Owl is just a photo in the box ... or a stuffed un ...
I'll go scare it out for ye Actually, the farmer is working over there so it might be out already. Only ever seen it twice at night out and about
A great walk and lovely Pics.