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| Reed Bunting |
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| Wigeon |
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| Wigeon |
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| House Sparrow |
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| Stoat |
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| Stoat |
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| Stoat |
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| Gadwall & Wigeon |
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| Grey Wagtail |
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| Blackbird |
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| Black Tailed Godwits (& a Dunlin) |
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| Peregrine |
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| Peregrine |
With the 1st of January being a bit of a (very) damp squib with regards getting the year-list started, I was hoping to make up for it by getting out and about somewhere with my birding buddy, Steph Cowie. When discussing plans I had suggested sticking to the coast around the Montrose area as the weather forecast wasn't too great inland with rain on the cards. A Black Redstart had been seen around the harbour area and along with a variety of species in and around the Basin, such as the wintering flock of Twite and geese species, we were almost guaranteed a decent selection of birds. However, checking the weather as I was waiting for Steph to come and pick me up, I discovered that the forecast rain was now set to fall around Montrose for a good chunk of our day out. A change of plan was required.
Fife was set to avoid the rain in different areas at different times, so I worked out a rough plan around the predicted showers. Start at Guardbridge, then to St Andrews, over to Largo Bay/Lower Largo/Elie area then a spell in and around Fife Ness and Kilminning then home for around 3pm (as Steph needed to get organised for an evening out). As things turned out however, that plan fell by the wayside as well.....
While waiting for Steph to arrive, I did a spot of birding from my window again to get the list for the day up and running. The same three bird species as yesterday got things underway - Herring Gull, Feral Pigeon and Carrion Crow. However, the first new tick for the day arrived in the shape of a pair of Jackdaws, perched on the chimneys of the tenement blocks. Steph arrived at around 0945, a bit later than planned, and I added Blackbird for the day as I got into the car. I told her of the change of plan and we set off for Fife.
Cormorants were on the 'submarine' as we crossed the road bridge. Steph happened to mention that sh had seen a Little Egret at Tayport on Monday, so I suggested we check to see if it was still around. There was a good chance of a decent selection of species by the river there anyway, so it wouldn't be a wasted detour regardless of whether the Egret was around or not. Woodpigeon and Starling were seen as we headed through the streets to the area leading out to Tentsmuir Point.
Starlings and House Sparrows were much in evidence by the houses with the Sparrows flocking to feeders in a garden. Out on the mud I could see Black Headed Gulls and Herring Gulls. I could hear a bird calling from a tree-top nearby. I recognised it as Yellowhammer and looking through the binoculars confirmed it, a nice male. There was a strong wind blowing and it meant that it would be a bit of a challenge to scan out across the river and the mud. An Oystercatcher flew in as Steph joined me by the BMX track. I could see Eiders way out above the Tay, the white of the male contrasting with the brown of the females as they sped out towards the sea. A line of Shelducks were strung out along near the water's edge with a Curlew or two probing their long curved bills deep into the wet mud. A Great Black Backed Gull was joined by a young Herring Gull as it fed on something. The Herring Gull was soon sent packing though.
A few Goldfinches flew over. A single Mute Swan was added to the list. There was no sign of any Little Egret unfortunately but there were plenty of Wigeon and Mallard just offshore. A few Chaffinches flew over and Carrion Crows landed out on the wet sands. We headed out along the track towards the salt marsh, so I could try for Snipe among the ditches and fissures. A Robin sang from the gate of the abandoned weather station. Stock Dove and Feral Pigeon flew over as I wandered out across the grass. I could see Redshanks, Bar Tailed Godwits and a few Dunlin fly in, the sun illuminating them as they swept in low across the water. A Reed Bunting called from a tree the other side of the fence. The first Rock Pipit of the day flew past calling loudly.
After a bit of wandering around it became quite apparent that any Snipe that had been around were either laying low or had long since departed. I headed back to join Steph who was photographing Curlew. A few Common Gulls were out beyond the waders. Another new bird for the year. As we headed back towards the car, a Wren flew low across the path in front of us and landed in a tangle of grass and weeds. Two Oystercatchers landed by the BMX track and we were visited by a friendly dog while the owner wandered on oblivious. Hardly any wonder that there is so much dog-fouling around when the owners have no interest in what their dog is up to.
We set off a bit later than planned for our next stop at Guardbridge, which was originally planned to be our first stop. We passed two Buzzards perched by the roadside before we reached St Michaels. A Mistle Thrush in a tree as well as a Woodpigeon on a roof were seen as we passed through Leuchars, as well as a few Starlings flying across the road. We decided to pop into the small nature reserve north of the Motray at Guardbridge in the hope of maybe seeing the Peregrine that sometimes loiters in the area. We parked outside a garden which had feeders and there was certainly plenty activity with Blue Tits, Robin, Blackbird, Goldfinch and Collared Doves all either in the garden or in the small trees opposite.
I crossed the main road ahead of Steph which meant I missed the Bullfinch by the bridge that she saw. On the water below the bridge were a handful of Mallards, Black Headed Gulls and a single Redshank. The Redshank panicked as they tend to and the birds took off in all directions. We crossed the bridge and headed along the track. The tide was in and birds were in very short supply. A Cormorant was perched atop the post where the burn met the river but there was little else to be seen. Undeterred we headed further into the wasteground beyond the tanks. A Magpie flew out and away from us. Ahead of us there were a few Rabbits. Steph thought she had seen movement that wasn't a Rabbit, but she wasn't totally convinced. However, she was correct as the running Stoat we then spotted confirmed. It was chasing a Rabbit and we ran on to get a bit closer for photos.
We tucked in behind a small bush but there was no sign until we heard the squealing of the obviously captured Rabbit. Knowing that the Stoat was unlikely to leave fresh prey for long we moved closer and saw the Stoat with the Rabbit clasped in its jaws. I crept closer while Steph held back a little. The Stoat decided however that humans equal danger and disappeared into cover. I suspected it wouldn't have gone far, so to allow Steph the chance to get photos when it re-appeared I moved off to let it come back out for its meal. I checked down by the river for birds but an overflying Cormorant and a few Curlews were all I had to show for my efforts. I headed back to Steph and the Stoat taking a more circuitous route so as not to spook the Stoat again.
As I approached the Stoat reared up onto its back legs to peer at me which gave Steph better opportunities than she had had while I was away. She had watched the Stoat roll the much larger prey animal towards cover in below the thorny bushes. It wasn't too far from this cover when I arrived back. It then dragged the Rabbit in below the bushes and I sneaked closer. I managed to get within about 10 feet and the Stoat glared up at me through the twist of thorny branches. It continued to drag its prey away from us and into the safety of the hollow below the bushes. We left it to enjoy its hard-earned meal and headed back towards the car.
Crossing the main road again I spotted three Buzzards circling up over towards the small pool by the Motray. This can be quite a productive little area at times so I decided to wander along for a look. The trees and bushes by the car and beyond were full of Goldfinches, Blue Tits, Chaffinches, Collared Doves and a Blackbird or two as well as a few House Sparrows. On reaching the pond I could immediately see there were a handful of Mute Swans on the water. There were also three ducks further over. A pair of Gadwall and a drake Wigeon. Much closer, two female Goldeneye popped up after a dive before hurrying away from me and then taking flight. Scanning around the edges of the pool I found a few Redshanks and a Grey Wagtail.
Steph caught up with me and as she hadn't visited this particular pool before I told her it was probably worth a wee look around the other end. There is a hidden reedbed across the river opposite the far end which in summer can be good for Sedge Warblers, so I showed her where this could be seen from. The feathers from an unfortunate pigeon (or two) littered the area but the river was quiet. In the fields opposite were a number of Common Gulls and although the mewing of a Buzzard could be heard, the bird remained unseen. A few Blue Tits flitted around in the trees beside us and a thrush flew away from us but dropped out of sight before it could be identified. We managed a few photos of Redshank and Grey Wagtail before Steph spotted a Little Grebe close into shore below the bushes. Two Carrion Crows chased each other over towards the houses.
We headed back to the car to move on to the area by the hide. The garden was still full of birds and a female Chaffinch popped down onto the path in front of the car. As I was about to get into the car, I spotted the unmistakable shape of the Peregrine shooting over and pointed it out to Steph. We watched it disappear round over the old paper mill buildings and out of sight. A minute or so later we parked up at the small car park dedicated to the hide. We headed in through the gate as Feral Pigeons overflew. A second unidentified thrush landed in the trees to the north but I couldn't find it through the binoculars. The newsletter on the notice board confirmed my suspicion that the hide was closed but we continued on to check the feeders and the river anyway.
Greenfinches were monopolising the feeders on both sides of the hide with at least ten birds between the two sets. Quite possibly the largest amount of these birds I've seen together for some time, especially at Guardbridge. A Woodpigeon flew up from the wooden gate to the right of the hide. There wasn't much to see out on the water except a few distant gulls. Something spooked the wader roost on the saltmarsh by the 'goalposts' and the brief views afforded by this unexplained disturbance allowed us to add Black Tailed Godwits to the list. There were a few Dunlin in among the flock too. Scanning around found a couple of Pink Footed Geese on the saltmarsh, some Curlews, a sleeping Redshank and a couple of Mallards.
A Great Tit and a few Tree Sparrows arrived at the feeders as were preparing to head back to the car. A few Blue Tits were in the trees further over but proved easier to hear than to see. A few Blackbirds were over by the fence at the paper mill perimeter. We headed back to the car with around an hour's worth of usable birding time still available. Once again as I was about to get into the car I spotted a Peregrine. A very dark bellied bird this time. The Feral Pigeons over by the buildings took flight en masse as the Peregrine swpt around for five minutes or so. Although it was quite distant the light was decent enough for a few photos.
As we got back into the car the rain started. We debated where to go for a bit more birding. I suggested heading back to Dundee so as to maximise the time. We added Rook to the list as we headed back past St Michaels but there wasn't much else to see. Crossing the Tay we realised that Dundee was getting a bit wet with heavy grey clouds so as Steph had to be home relatively early anyway we decided to cut short the birding and call it a day.
We managed 47 species, most of which were new for the 2015 list without even getting any further than our first planned stop and in little over four hours or so. A decent day out overall.
Species seen (new ticks in bold) - Bar Tailed Godwit, Blackbird, Black Headed Gull, Black Tailed Godwit, Blue Tit, Buzzard, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Collared Dove, Common Gull, Cormorant, Curlew, Dunlin, Dunnock, Eider, Gadwall, Goldeneye, Goldfinch, Great Black Backed Gull, Great Tit, Greenfinch, Grey Wagtail, Herring Gull, House Sparrow, Jackdaw, Little Grebe, Magpie, Mallard, Mistle Thrush, Mute Swan, Oystercatcher, Peregrine, Pink Footed Goose, Redshank, Reed Bunting, Robin, Feral Pigeon, Rock Pipit, Rook, Shelduck, Starling, Stock Dove, Tree Sparrow, Wigeon, Woodpigeon, Wren, Yellowhammer.