"Oot and Aboot" with Ian D at Big Waters 29 Feb 16

Arrived at Big Waters on Sunday to find out Alan J had headed off to warmer pastures so only Ian D and I started our leisurely walk chatting about Birds, Movies, TV Series and anything that took our fancy.  The highlight of the day was the returning Female Smew which seems to have done the rounds to a few other Reservies also.  Graeme B joined us about two thirds into the walk so as most of you know the pace then picked up but eventually the pace slackened as slight hints were passed that it was a walk not a run so Graeme kindly slowed down for us gentleman who have been around a few more years so we could look at things as well as suck in copious amounts of Oxygen.  (Thanks Graeme).  There were a couple of small flocks of Fieldfare on our walk and also a few Lapwing taking residence in their regular field as well as the regular ducks on the pond, which included a few Goldeneye plus a couple of Shovellers.  A few Siskin were observed also in the feeding station and a few on the walk along with a small number of Meadow Pipits.  Mick M was once again putting pen to paper in the hide and we think he has also been designated as Bolt Checker in Alan J's absence (Stirling Work Mick).  Anyway, I didn't take a lot of pics or do more than a couple of vids (Hooray I hear) so here is what I managed to produce.

Big Waters most recognisable shot

 Still a fair bit of Ice around

 Plenty of Geese

 One of my favourite views on the walk (added a couple of anonymous chaps for scale purposes)

Wanted to join them (but Graeme said keep walking (just kidding)) 

 A Hercules taking off from the Airport

 Still plenty of Wigeon around

 Siskin

 Reed Bunting (Male)

 Obligatory Robin

Distant Smew 

A short video of a few things I saw during the walk

Now I know that a lot of people do not mention Gardens in their blogs but Our Garden is a big thing in our lives as it is where we Birdwatch most days of our lives and just recently I have been attempting to tidy it up so am even seeing more so here are a couple of short videos of 2 recent days of things we saw within a few minutes plus a couple of pics.

I popped down to Howdon for a couple of hours on Thursday morning, not expecting to see much as it was a couple of hours after high tide and a bit of a wind seemed to be picking up.  Quite a lot of small birds around including a few Greenfinch which seem to be becoming quite scarce although I have been getting a male and a couple of females in the garden recently.  About a dozen Grey Herons seemed to be glue to the trees as none of them moved whilst I was there.  Curlews, Redshanks, Teal, Shelduck, a couple of Gadwall, a pair of Mute Swans and lots of Jackdaws and Magpies were the main birds on display.