Herring Gull (Larus argentatus)

The 'song' of the Herring Gull is surely the sound of the seaside wherever you are in town or country, although you'll probably see more following the local tractors preparing the soil for the next crop. Don't get cross with them stealing your ice-cream just marvel at their tenacity and bravado, and their magnificent aerobatic skills.

Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla)

A very pretty but rather noisy gull especially when welcoming the partner back to the nest. At least they do make nests unlike some gulls, albeit rather messy ones full of detritus from the shoreline or harbour. This one is from the colony that nests in the old castle wall at Dunbar harbour, East Lothian.

Siskin (Carduelis spinus)

Seeing as though this is a very common bird and especially in Scotland I'm wondering why this is the first one I have ever seen. It must have known how happy I was to have seen something new in my garden as he and his female companion were not in the least spooked when I approached with the camera. Shame the Bramblings aren't as obliging. What a great coloured little finch, easily distinguished from the Greenfinch, please come back again and enjoy the peanuts.

Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo)

The Great Cormorant is usually only seen from afar diving and resurfacing after fishing for a meal. To see them up close you can see how they are so expertly and powerfully built for this purpose with the amazing layering of each broad feather. Then they stand majestic wings wide open to warm in the sun - emperors of the sea.

Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea)

The Grey Heron has to be one of the most primeval of birds. Whether they are stalking prey in the mud-flats or river bank, up in a tree, launching into flight, or soaring overhead with arching wings the view can be breath-taking. To get close you'll have to be hidden and quiet as they know you are coming.

Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus)

The Blue Tit likes to come and feed from anythng that's hanging around just so that it can show off the lovely blue and yellow plumage - leaving the sparrows to fight over the fallen seeds and nuts on the floor. They're not afraid of us humans and will feed happily knowing we are there.

Jackdaw (Corvus monedula)

Jackdaws like to play in the garden with the other birds but as they are many times bigger the others just get scared off. These are fantatic looking birds with their shiny grey caps and inquisitive eye. Catch them having fun tumbling throgh the air.