Ruff Images

The flocks of Ruff, at time up to 50 birds, continue to inhabit the local pools . The Black-tailed Godwit numbers are dropping gradually , but the flock over the weekend at times was in excess of 70. Dunlin, Greenshank and Redshank have all featured as well.
A female Merlin was also on the backroad at the weekend, another Marsh Harrier being sighted at Cotehill previous to that.

Below a selection of Ruff and other images.

Collieston Waderworld

The continuing, tropical like, downpours of the the last weeks have continued. These have produced a network of pools in the fields around Collieston and Slains. High tide on the Ythan especially results in good numbers of visiting waders just now, with a selection of images below.
Top count that I've had in the patch area is of 48 Black-tailed Godwit in the last few days, the highest total I can recall for the Collieston environs.
The Ythan itself is pulling in impressive numbers of a range of species, though Lapwing and Dunlin seem particularly healthy.

When the sun comes out raptors have been busy chasing the waders, or being mobbed, with Peregrine, Merlin, Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard, Kestrel, Osprey and Marsh Harrier all being seen in a 24 hour period coming through the patch over the weekend.

Black-tailed Godwits, Cotehill

Dunlin, Meikle area

Ruff and Redshank

Red Squirrel at Cotehill

Although they have been recorded before, I'm not sure when the last red squirrel occurred in the village.  But this incredibly cute individual turned up in the garden at Cotehill this morning.  Hopefully it will stay for a while.