Red-Footed Falcon, Almondell & Calderwood CP - May 2008.

This superb 1st -summer female Red Footed Falcon at Almondell & Calderwood Country Park (West Lothain) was the 4th Lothian Record, but only the first ever twitchable one. The bird put on a fantasic display around the viaduct for nearly 2 weeks giving many the chance to watch this rare bird of prey at close range.
The previous records are - male at Belhaven Bay July 1975, 1st -summer male found dead at Yellowcraig July 1992 & another 1st-summer male at Whitesands May 2005. None of these birds were twitchable and so this bird was very welcome especially for the county listers, this makes the Almondell & Calderwood the first ever female to be seen in Lothian.