Commandants OK!!

Finally got permission from the commandant to visit the Ranges. And my first visit for 2015. First sighting of the year was a group of five Bearded Tits feeding in the reeds. 

Snow Creeper

I just couldn't resist the opportunity to photograph this Treecreeper whilst in Grantown on Spey. Especially as I had only ever seen them as there name suggest creeping up tree trunks.

Feeding me Tits off.

Although it was snowing and my feet had gone numb!. It didn't deter me from spending some time trying to Photograph the Crested Tits in Anagach woods, Grantown-on-spey. Thankfully they didn't want to move far from the feeders that the local wildlife club fill daily, this helped finding them and a few other Titmice species a lot easier in the harsh conditions.

Goodbye Grouse.

This was my first trip to Scotland. And how excited we were to be staying at the Grant Arms Hotel
 http://www.grantarmshotel.com. Our four day stay was made most comfortable and accommodating by all the staff. Although the snow had made driving very difficult, we still managed a trip out each day. And the Red Grouse could be seen quite easily along the snow covered verges as we travelled around.

River Dipping.

Keeping up with this Dipper as it feed in the fast flowing river wasn't that easy to photograph. But a lifer for me! this time i didn't dip out. And yet one still cant believe the characteristics of this species. I was defiantly fascinated with this little bird swimming on and under the fast bubbling water of the river.

A great laugh.

The rather familiar laughing call off a Green Woodpecker helped me locate this Levillant's Green Woodpecker whilst searching for Crossbills in the forest slopes of the mountains.This Endemic species is only found in the Atlas Mountain Range. We finally spotted the Crossbills but the photo opportunities wasn't great due to overcast conditions.

Midweek Morocco.

The wife and i decided on a short midweek break to Marrakesh in Morocco. So i took the chance to visit the High Atlas Mountains. After searching the Internet i found a guide for a days birding named Brahim Bakass his knowledge of the Mountains was first class.These photos are of a Horned Lark feeding amongst the melting snow.

Posing Parakeet.

Above photo is a juvenile Rose-ringed Parakeet.
 Below is the only picture i got of this very confiding Violet Turaco.

A record photo of a Senegal Parrot taken in Gambia 2012.

Local Residents

(Above) Local Avocets preparing to land as the tide drops.

Marsh Harrier (above) glides over the marsh.

A kestrel resting during a days hunting.

                                      And a resident Yellowhammer taking food to  the nest.  All photos taken during trips to my Local Patch during the year.

Monthly moments.

Above Curlew Sandpipers and below Little Stint.

(below) One of the 16 Whinchats found on the 7th Sept.

                             And around 40 Beard Tits (below) were counted on the 28th Sept.

Never knowing what might turn up on the M.o.D Ranges is what makes my Sunday mornings birding exciting, especially during Autumn migration. After searching through hundreds of waders roosting at high tide and hunting under bushes and reed beds these are my Favourite monthly moments.