Musselburgh Magic

Although this is mainly a blog about wildlife sightings in Greater Glasgow, regular readers will know that I do travel to other parts of Scotland! And as this is a good time to start birding in the 'east coast', I paid two visits to Musselburgh during the week. I was rewarded with some superb individual sightings and also the spectacle of seeing thousands of birds in one location.

All in all, I saw just over 60 bird species, a few butterflies and a mammal or two, without really trying -  a few photos follow (also remember, for better resolution, you can click on a photo and create a slide-show):-

Two of three Roe Deer - 5 August 2014

Distant record shot of Red-necked Grebe - 5 August 2014

Escaped Budgerigar - 5 August 2014

Black-headed Gull - 5 August 2014

Wall Brown - 5 August 2014

Lapwing - 5 August 2014

Common Sandpiper - 5 August 2014

 

Having enjoyed Tuesday (5th) so much, I returned on Friday (8th), the only down-side being the heavy cloud then rain that appeared around mid-afternoon.

 

A few waders - 8 August 2014

Spot the Whimbrel (one of two birds) - 8 August 2014

The second Whimbrel - 8 August 2014

Young Stonechat - 8 August 2014

Male Stonechat - 8 August 2014

Ruddy Turnstone - 8 August 2014

Female moulting Eider - 8 August 2014

Male moulting Eider - 8 August 2014

Goosander - 8 August 2014

 

So hopefully, that gives you an idea of why Musselburgh is a great place to visit, particularly at this time of the year.

 

You can join me on Wednesday 10 September 2014 when I shall be leading a walk for the RSPB Glasgow Local Group from 10.30am; meet at the boating pond/wader scrapes car park - more information will appear at  www.rspb.co.uk/groups/Glasgow