Bohemian like me

In case you didn't know, the title is a song by The Dandy Warhols, but the only bohemian thing about my morning was a single Bohemian Waxwing I stumbled across in the freezing fog on the way to work. Fortunately because of their distinctive call they're easy to locate if your ears are working OK.

I also managed to come across Bullfinches gorging themselves on emerging buds again this morning, but sadly though I had the camera I didn't have the wonderful sunshine I saw them in a couple of days ago. One day all these planets will align and a good shot will be had.Also saw a Song Thrush heading into some trees with a snail. I could hear it breaking the snail on the anvil but I was disappointed not to be able to see it.

Probably added a few more or less inconsequential ticks to some OS squares, but I haven't swung by Birdtrack yet this morning.

VERY foggy morning (& cold)

A single Waxwing - odd sight this winter

Confiding but quick - LT Tit

Look at me!

Nom nom nom nom

Mouthful

Duloch Park bike "transect"

Beath 80

Stepped out of the house this morning to the silvery twitterings of a flock of Waxwing - 43 I make it from the photo. They were a bit flighty and it was still dull and snowing a bit. But this is still the biggest "Waxwing event" I remember in the local area. The third flock that has been seen here in 2013, there's a fair chance that all of these are different birds, with a lot of mobility around the UK and even Europe evidenced from recent colour ringing in Aberdeen.

But the bigger (yes, even bigger!) news of the morning was the arrival of 20 Teal on the Keirsbeath drainage pond, meaning that I have already met my target of lifting the Hill of Beath list to 80 before even the end of February. Who knows what the end result of this will be. The year list also goes to 56 and makes the target of 70 look fairly pessimistic. Based on the fact that both Inverkeithing and Cullaloe, which are quite known quantities, are both on 54% of target this means that the year total could end up more like 100. If that does prove to be the case then some very interesting records are in store!

Teal finally show to make 80 for the Hill

Do they ever get boring? Not for me

The M90 northbound

Part of a flock of c.170

Tufties 13 at Dalbeath Marsh: making some interesting sounds

Bread. Give me bread now!

Not a flycatcher

Hill of Beath's Big Day

Hill of Heath's big day continued as this morning's bumper crop of new year ticks was closely followed by a flock of Waxwings through the middle of the village, choosing a tree across from the football ground. No game was on though, so they didn't hang around long. Lucky I was on my way out or I might have missed the whole thing.

To continue the theme of looking up at birds in trees a late afternoon visit to the local reserve rounded out the day with another singing Song Thrush joining the first.

New kid on the block

The original and probably in the best territory

Waxwings in Dunfermline

Loading Valentine's day food and drink supplies into the car at Tesco (Duloch Park) and was overflown by a couple of Waxwings. This is one of their favoured haunts and it feels like I see them here more than may other species. There's a small pond with bushes (and berries) amidst the houses, but I didn't have time to check for others.

After yesterday's ID fun I resolved not to find anything interesting today unless it was more straightforward. I think this will do...

Cuddyhouse Rd waxwings, overlooking the M90

Was it south or north?

On my way to check if there were any geese or swans in the flooded field on my 3rd patch I saw this flock of birds in the treetop. Expecting they would probably be Fieldfare, which I already recorded in the area, I was delighted to see I was wrong. Completely unexpected bonus bird and a first for my home patch.

Also added five species to the Cullaloe list (+Water Rail +Goldfinch +LT Tit +Yellowhammer +Stock Dove) prior to this, so a good morning all round.