Lesser Yellowlegs at Aberlady Bay

17 October - a quick look at Aberlady en route to climbing Schiehallion, and the Lesser Yellowlegs was showing well in its usual spot, on the river by the car park - an elegant bird, long-legged and with a fine, straight bill. It was loosely associating with Redshanks. Now in winter plumage, with very little streaking and rather pale underparts (upper photo, copyright Brendan Doe - lower photo, copyright Chris Thomas). The masses of Pink-footed Geese present were flying off in noisy groups, very evocative in the low sunlight. Curlew, Lapwing and Golden Plover were also seen on the estuary.
The Schiehallion area north of Perth looked stunning in the autumn sunlight - birds included a couple of groups of Crossbills calling in flight, and several Red Grouse calling and seen in flight on the lower slopes of the mountain. One Twite flew over calling.