 |
| Rock Pipit | |
I usually prefer to avoid Broughty Ferry at weekends due to the increased numbers of people and dogs around, which in turn tends to result in more disturbance, and more frustration. However having not been able to get out the previous day, due to having some work carried out at home, I decided to head in that direction on Saturday. The weather looked a bit misty, though from home the visibility was a bit more than a mile. Stupidly, I forgot to take into account that mist is worse over water, (most of the time). By the time this thought finally crossed my mind I was well on my way to Broughty Ferry. On the plus side, I figured that a misty type day might mean fewer people around after all...
It was quite a late start, around 1050, when I finally headed out. Herring Gull, House Sparrow, Carrion Crow, Magpie and Goldfinch were all noted in my street, with Woodpigeon and Feral Pigeon just around the corner. Blackbird, Blue Tit, a flyover Meadow Pipit, Starling and Jackdaw were noted on the walk to Swannie Ponds. Mallard, Moorhen, Coot, a pair of Goosander, Tufted Duck, Mute Swan and Lesser Black Backed Gulls were all found at the ponds. Great Tit, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Robin, Dunnock, Rook, Coal Tit, Goldcrest, Bullfinch and a couple of Rabbits made for a reasonably productive visit to Eastern Cemetery.
At the Stannergate things were rather quiet though the day's first Oystercatchers were seen. A couple of Linnets were in the gorse bushes near the car park. A pair of Eider were picked out mid-river as I headed along towards the sailing club sheds. A Grey Heron was stood on the end of the pipe at Douglas Terrace. Redshank and Turnstone as well as Curlew were seen down on the shore a bit further along the road. A Cormorant was seen out on the river from Beach Crescent and a Pied Wagtail was flitting around near the Castle Green toilets. A pair of Rock Pipits were wandering on the grass by the castle.
I continued east via the nature reserve. Stock Dove, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Wren, Chiffchaff and Redwing were all added in the reserve. I wandered on along to Balmossie. A Little Egret was once again seen in the pools though it soon flew off eastwards towards Barry Buddon. At the burn mouth careful scanning got me Black Headed Gull, Great Black Backed Gull, Wigeon, Common Gull, a pair of Red Breasted Merganser and a single Bar Tailed Godwit. A Grey Wagtail flew past. I eventually added a pair of Goldeneye too before I headed back towards the castle, where I made a very quick visit, but the reduced visibility made hanging around fairly pointless. There were a few birds seen on the way back - mostly Eiders, waders and Cormorant but nothing new. I ended the day with a total of 52 species of birds, and 1 of mammal.
 |
| Oystercatcher |
 |
| Eider |
 |
| Grey Heron |
 |
| Curlew |
 |
| Redshank |
 |
| Turnstone |
 |
| Turnstone |
 |
| Redshank |
 |
| Eider |
 |
| Curlew |
 |
| Rock Pipit |
 |
| Rock Pipit |
 |
| Stock Dove |
 |
| Little Egret |
 |
| Little Egret |
 |
| Little Egret |
 |
| Herring Gull |
 |
| Linnet |
 |
| Cormorant |
 |
| Grey Heron |
 |
| Eider & Cormorant |
Birds - Bar Tailed Godwit, Black Headed Gull, Blackbird, Blue Tit,
Bullfinch, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Coal Tit, Common Gull,
Coot, Cormorant, Curlew, Dunnock, Eider, Goldcrest, Goldeneye,
Goldfinch, Goosander, Great Black Backed Gull, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Great Tit, Greenfinch, Grey Heron,
Grey Wagtail, Herring Gull, House Sparrow, Jackdaw, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Linnet,
Little Egret, Magpie, Mallard, Meadow Pipit, Moorhen, Mute Swan,
Oystercatcher, Pied Wagtail, Red Breasted Merganser, Redshank, Redwing, Robin, Feral Pigeon, Rock Pipit, Rook, Starling, Stock Dove, Tufted Duck, Turnstone, Wigeon, Woodpigeon, Wren.
Mammals - Rabbit.
