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| Harlequin Duck |
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| Harlequin Duck |
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| Harlequin Duck |
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| Harlequin Duck |
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| Harlequin Duck |
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| Harlequin Duck and Mute Swans |
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| Harlequin Duck |
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| Harlequin Duck |
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| Harlequin Duck | | |
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| Harlequin Duck |
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| Harlequin Duck |
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| Harlequin Duck |
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| Harlequin Duck |
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| Buzzard |
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| Harlequin Duck |
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| Harlequin Duck |
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| Harlequin Duck |
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| Buzzard |
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| Red Kite |
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| Red Kite |
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| Red Kite |
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| Red Kite |
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| Siskin |
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| Red Grouse |
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| Kestrel |
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| Red Grouse |
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| Red Grouse |
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| Barn Owl |
A few weeks ago, myself and birding buddy. Rhona, headed north to Aberdeen to try and see the Harlequin Duck that had been frequenting the River Don at Seaton Park in the north end of the city since early in the year. However, this turned out to be the one day that the bird went missing completely, re-appearing the following day. Thankfully, the bird despite having moved upriver a bit, has remained in the city now for more than a month. I wasn't sure if I would get another chance to try for this very rare visitor, but after a short discussion of options for a day out with Rhona again, we decided that if at first you don't succeed, then try, try again.
With very decent weather for the time of year forecast we set off north at around 0820. I had started the day list from my living room window with Carrion Crow, Herring Gull and Feral Pigeon. Jackdaw and Starling were next as I waited in the street for Rhona to arrive. A Robin hopped around below the parked cars and a few Woodpigeons overflew. House Sparrow completed the 'home crowd' before we set off. We stopped for fuel at the Jet garage on Forfar Road and I spotted a Blue Tit flitting around before landing in a small tree across the dual-carriageway.
It was fairly standard fare on offer on the journey up the A90. A few Pheasants in a field, overflying Woodpigeons, Buzzards on fence posts and lamp posts. Skylarks were also much in evidence, their distinctive fluttery flight as they ascend singing loudly was relatively easy to spot. Maybe Spring isn't far away after all. We passed a few fields full of Rooks and Jackdaws, and added a Magpie or two as we neared Stonehaven. Common Gulls and Blackbird rounded off the quite productive, if slightly predictable, haul of birds from the car.
It took a little longer than planned to find Papermill Drive, near where the bird has been lingering lately, owing to a few sets of roadworks, but when we eventually did, it was a short walk down to the river where other birders and photographers were already in position. The question "have you seen it?" resulted in negative responses from us and the assembled small group. This didn't particularly bode well, given our failure to connect with the bird a few weeks previously. We stood around for a while, blue sky above, and strong glare on the water downriver. A Cormorant flew over above the treetops. A Goosander flew upstream. A few Black Headed Gulls drifted over. But no Harlequin duck.
There was plenty movement of pigeons in the trees opposite, with both Woodpigeons and Stock Doves flitting about, sometimes alone and at other times in pairs. Rhona managed a view of a Kingfisher but I missed it. Two Dippers were spotted by Rhona over by the far bank, though a bit too far away for a photo. Carrion Crow was the next species overflying, and I found a Mute Swan on the opposite bank, the strong glare making it tricky to look at for any length of time. Blackbird and Blue Tit also put in appearances. After around 30 minutes it still wasn't looking too promising, though there was plenty to look at.
Suddenly there was a rush of activity with everyone rushing forward and pointing binoculars and cameras into the glare. One of the birders had turned around and spotted a dark duck close into the bank a little further along. The
Harlequin Duck had rather nonchalantly showed up, taking everyone by surprise. The glare off the water meant I couldn't see it, but after a quick set of directions and a change of position, I spotted it and joined in with the flurry of photo taking. A lifer for me, and a welcome one at that.
For the next 45 minutes or so we were treated to a variety of views of the bird, some downstream, some across the other side, and some rather close in to shore. At its closest approach I was a bit too far away so settled for a photo or two showing how confiding the bird was. I was a bit envious of the shots that others would get from their position, but as things subsequently turned out, my photo ended up appearing on both the Rare Bird Alert and Birdguides weekly rarity round-up newsletters and the editor of the SOC's Scottish Birds magazine asked for a copy for their Harlequin Duck report when it appears. It always pays to get a different shot from everyone else. (Still would have liked a close-up frame filler. Rhona got a few nice shots but had somehow messed up her settings meaning that her shots were sharp and clear but very noisy and grainy).
The bird hauled out onto the bank just the other side of a metal fence and mostly sat there, though it did also swim out to the small island a few times too. Jackdaws and a Buzzard flew over. A pair of Mistle Thrushes landed in the mature deciduous tree beside us, before flying across the river. A
Great Spotted Woodpecker flew across the river a minute or so later. We decided to move on at around 1130 and wandered back to the car. I had suggested that we try one of the Angus Glens on our way back down the road, in the hope of seeing both Grouse species (Red and Black) as well as some raptors and whatever else we could find.
Woodpigeons, Rooks, Jackdaws and a
Kestrel by the roadside, plus a skein of Pink Footed Geese and at least half a dozen Skylarks in flight above one field were the highlights before we headed off the dual carriageway. Passing a small wood we added Chaffinch, and a brief stop to visit the 'facilities' gave us more Blackbirds, Rooks and a Robin. I knew of a small picnic area where we had decided to stop for a spot of lunch, and we found a few Pheasants on our way there.
When we parked I did a bit of scanning around to see what I could find. The field to the north had a flock of Common Gulls and some Rooks and Jackdaws too. Two Buzzards perched atop telegraph poles running up the side of the field next to a small wood. A few Woodpigeons flew by. The best bird however was the
Red Kite which circled up and passed over to the west. A second bird joined it briefly. Another year-tick for me, and one that I hoped we might see. We headed on after our quite productive lunch break and into the main part of the glen itself.
The first section was rather quiet with nothing around, so we drove on past a farm and were rewarded with at least 2 different Red Kites (there was a possible 3rd bird too) circling round rather low above the road and the surrounding area. One landed in a tree nearby and Rhona decided to abandon the car in the road to hurry off to get a photo or two. I had a feeling that another car would be along soon. Thankfully, when it did arrive a minute later it was a 4x4 and the driver just drove partially on the grass to get past. I gestured apologetically and shouted to Rhona who hurried back, also gesturing her apologies. I suggested that a small open area by the road a bit further on might be a better place to leave the car and we could walk back.
Laving the car we headed back along the road, spooking a pair of
Red Grouse that we didn't see until they flushed. We attempted to see if we could spot the pair again so Rhona could get a photo but as before they spotted us before we saw them and off they went again. I told Rhona we would definitely find others by the roadside at some point and we headed back to where the Red Kites had been. A Great Spotted Woodpecker flew over and into the tree where the Kite had been minutes earlier. We added
Siskin as we headed back to the car. A few Carrion Crows and Jackdaws were around but there was little else obvious. A male Red Grouse tried to hide among the heather as Rhona stood by the fence taking photos. A Kestrel on a telegraph pole a little further on gave a bit of variety.
We parked at the end of the road and went for a walk along the track. A few Red Grouse were around, once again tending to see us before we saw them and then flying off away from us. A group of 4 were at the top of the hill on the opposite side of the burn. Three distant raptors circled up above a hill to the west but photos showed them to just be Buzzards. We wandered back to the car again to head back down the glen. The Kestrel was back on its post and we found an even closer Red Grouse which I managed a few photos with the car door open (the window on my side doesn't open) before it decided to fly off.
Having received a text message saying that Bittern and Barn Owl had been seen at Loch of Kinnordy earlier in the afternoon we decided to pop in on our way back down the road, although sunset was getting ever closer and the low winter sun was directly in front of us on our way there, which meant that we didn't see too many birds, except a few more Buzzards and Woodpigeons. A flock of Greylags were in the grassy field before Kinnordy. The Gullery hide was still closed due to fallen trees so we headed to the east hide. The loch was mostly frozen and the birds were congregated around the only remaining area of open water. Great Tit and Blackbirds were seen along the path before we reached the hide.
Out on the ice I managed to pick out Mallard, Teal, Wigeon, Goldeneye and Goosander. A few Herring Gulls and Mute Swans completed the picture. As in previous years the
Barn Owl was visible at the opening hole of the large owl box on the 'lone pine' across the far side. Unlike previous years the whole face of the bird was visible, with the bird on show (at least partially) all the time we were there. I even managed photos despite the distance. There were a handful of Lapwings on the bogbean and a Sparrowhawk was spotted over the trees across the north side. A Buzzard rounded off our visit and we headed back towards Dundee and home with Pheasant and Woodpigeon seen en route.
A really good day out, with a nice selection of quality birds, rather than the more usual quantity. Only 40 species seen but 7 new year-ticks including the Harlequin Duck which is beginning to show the breeding colours with the blue quite noticeable and the red on the flanks just starting to come through. If it gets anywhere near full summer plumage before it vanishes then another visit is a must.
Species seen (year-ticks in bold) -
Barn Owl, Blackbird, Black Headed Gull, Blue Tit, Buzzard, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Common Gull, Cormorant, Dipper, Goldeneye, Goosander,
Great Spotted Woodpecker, Great Tit, Greylag Goose,
Harlequin Duck, Herring Gull, House Sparrow, Jackdaw,
Kestrel, Lapwing, Magpie, Mallard, Mistle Thrush, Mute Swan, Pheasant, Pink Footed Goose,
Red Grouse, Red Kite, Robin, Feral Pigeon, Rook,
Siskin, Skylark, Sparrowhawk, Starling, Stock Dove, Teal, Wigeon, Woodpigeon.