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| Bullfinch |
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| Sparrowhawk mobbed by Jays |
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| Redwing |
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| Song Thrush |
First day of the new Yearlist and after snoozing the alarm a few times I dragged myself out of my bed and got organised to head out to see what I could find. Normally, on January 1st I walk from home to Broughty Ferry, but I decided to change the plans and walk out to Riverside Nature Park, ensuring an early visit to my patch, as well as popping into City Quay to see "Dave" the resident Red Throated Diver. All in all, it was going to be a lot of walking with Google Maps suggesting a trip of around just under 12 miles.
The weather was kind to start with, with a calm morning, not as cold as the blue sky suggested it might be. However, as the day progressed the light and conditions got worse, with rain starting as I neared home around 2pm.
I headed out at about 0835, having recorded Herring Gull (as usual) as the first bird of the year when I opened my curtains. House Sparrow, Blackbird, Woodpigeon, Blue Tit, Carrion Crow, Black Headed Gull, Redwing, Feral Pigeon and a small skein of Pink Footed Geese were added before I reached City Quay as the sun came up over Fife. A couple of Cormorants were in City Quay, and "Dave" was seen swimming in the eastern half of the main area of City Quay. A Grey Heron was in the furthest east section. A few Starlings were on the roofs of the flats, and a Rock Pipit called as it flew past as I reached the river. Only four Red Breasted Mergansers were added before I reached the road bridge, though a Woodpigeon was perched on the railing and a couple of Carrion Crows cawed from atop the lamp posts on the bridge.
A Robin was in among the rubble of the Hilton hotel, and a small flock of mostly Black Headed Gulls were behind Discovery Point along with a couple of Herring Gulls. Not much was seen between the bridges, except a Cormorant and more gulls. A Curlew flew past as I reached the rail bridge. Seals could be heard out in the river with a few lounging around on a sand bank. A couple of Goldfinches were in the trees on the north side of the road. A couple of Grey Herons were offshore by the airport and 4 Redshanks flew past as a dog walker spooked them. An adult and a juvenile Mute Swan flew upriver close in to shore as I reached the football pitches. An Oystercatcher landed among the Black Headed Gulls on the pitches, and a couple of Chaffinches were in the trees along the edge.
Crossing the road, I heard but didn't see a Wren, but Blue Tits foraged around in the trees. A few Woodpigeons were also in the trees opposite the airport, and a Grey Squirrel was in the trees over the railway line. Further on, past the circle at Riverside Avenue things got a bit better when I spotted a small flock of birds flying down to feed by the side of the road, after seeing a Mistle Thrush in a tree which allowed me a couple of photos without flying off. A Chaffinch and a small group of Siskins. They were quite calm and I was able to get quite close, but was distracted by a couple of rather nice male Bullfinches in a small tree nearer to me. They looked quite chunky, and I did wonder if they might be Northern Bullfinches. One of my photos shows a ring on the leg of one, but I can't make out the lettering. I heard Long Tailed Tits in the trees opposite and managed to see them as I crossed over.
Reaching Riverside Nature Park, a Blackbird was in the trees, and Carrion Crows and Redwing were feeding in the field with the Highland Cows. What looked like a Dunnock was also visible but went unidentified. I managed 30 species at the park eventually in the 2 hours between 1030 and 1230. The bay held Dunlin, Redshank, Bar Tailed Godwits, Teal, Mallard, Grey Heron, Black Headed and Herring Gulls but was otherwise quiet. Carrion Crows and Jackdaws bathed in the burn outflow.
Feral Pigeon and Woodpigeon were seen in flight as was a calling Skylark. A couple of Song Thrushes were found, and Redwings were much in evidence although it may have been the same group of 3 birds. I also spotted a couple of Yellowhammers and a Meadow Pipit near Buzzard Wood. Robin, Dunnock and Wren were seen here too. There was a flock of Carrion Crows at the Lochan, as well as a couple of Jackdaws, a few Mallard, a few Teal, a Redshank or two and 3 Dunlin. It didn't look promising for raptors but I eventually managed to catch a male Sparrowhawk, the dark Buzzard and a male Kestrel in the air above the park. Great Tit, Pied Wagtail and Long Tailed Tits were added before I headed for Ninewells.
A small flock of House Sparrows were in the gardens on the Perth Road, as I wandered up to Ninewells Hospital grounds. A larger skein of Pink Footed Geese overflew towards the river. As I reached the mature woodland I spied a bit of commotion in the tree-tops which turned out to be 3 Jays and a Carrion Crow mobbing a male Sparrowhawk. Further on, I found a Coal Tit, 3 more Bullfinches and a flock of Carrion Crows with a couple of Woodpigeons feeding on the ground among the trees. A single Jackdaw was also in the trees, and a Wren popped out at the bottom of a conifer. No sign of Peregrine at the chimney, so I headed for Balgay Hill. It was quiet for birds except for a couple of Woodpigeons. I did eventually manage to add Treecreeper near the footbridge to the observatory.
The temperature dropped, the clouds came over and the wind picked up a bit as I headed for home. A Carrion Crow chased another Sparrowhawk at the junction of Ancrum Road/Lochee High Street/Loons Road. A little further on, I spotted a Blackbird and 2 Fieldfares feeding on apples in a tree across the road from me. I managed to get within a few feet of the birds before the Blackbird flew off. I left the Fieldfares to their feeding and marched on homewards. Nothing else much was seen before the rain came on, and I reached home around 2.30pm.
Final total was 47 species - 30 at the Nature Park, and 36 outwith.
Herring Gull, Blackbird, Black Headed Gull, Blue Tit, Bullfinch, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Coal Tit, Cormorant, Curlew, Fieldfare, Goldfinch, Great Tit, Grey Heron, House Sparrow, Jackdaw, Jay, Long Tailed Tit, Mistle Thrush, Mute Swan, Oystercatcher, Pied Wagtail, Pink Footed Goose, Red Breasted Merganser, Redshank, Red Throated Diver, Redwing, Robin, Feral Pigeon, Rock Pipit, Siskin, Sparrowhawk, Starling, Treecreeper, Woodpigeon, Wren, plus Bar Tailed Godwit, Buzzard, Dunlin, Dunnock, Kestrel, Mallard, Meadow Pipit, Skylark, Song Thrush, Teal and Yellowhammer at the Park.
Where to go tomorrow?......