Buzzard Bonanza

On our Dumfries & Galloway adventure, exploring the coastline, we stopped at Port William for provisions. Having driven this coastal road before we recalled observing birds soaring above the escarpment. Heading northwards on the A747, seawards we spotted Shellduck, Oystercatchers, Turnstones & Gulls & sure enough above the highland we caught sight of 2 Buzzards. That was pretty exciting, we're used to seeing the Red Kites around Leeds, so it was great to see the how different they are in terms of shape and in flight.

On another occasion, leaving New Abbey, approaching the bridge, a Buzzard descended onto the bridge side, just 3 metres from the car, obviously that was the one moment I didn't have my camera within reach. Anyway it flew off to sit in a nearby tree.

And no sooner had it settled, it was off.

On the way to Auchtenbrain 2 Buzzards perched on telephone posts, and once they spotted us they didn't hang around for long.

Our final Buzzard sighting on the way out of Rockcliffe, as the light was failing.

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Galloway Goose Chase

Earlier in the week we spent a few days up in Galloway, South West Scotland. We stayed in a lovely B&B near Wigtown, Croft House, & despite a bad cold and camera malfunctions we made the best of fine weather to explore the beautiful coastline & observe the wildlife on the way. Huge numbers of geese overwinter in the area. Our first port of call was the hide at Wigtown Nature Reserve, an estuary with large areas of saltmarsh and mudflats where we saw 250+ geese, Barnacles & Pink Footed on the marshland, gradually moving in flocks to settle in neighbouring fields.

Later in the week, near to Mersehead RSPB we spotted over 500+ geese on the banks of the estuary, it was a misty morning so its not too clear but the area of dots between the waterline & treetops is in fact 150+ geese.
At the RSPB centre, flocks of geese take to the sky.