0292 : Birds, Dogs, And Bird-Dogs (28/5/16)

I had to wait in for a parcel to arrive so Saturday morning was written off as far as birding went. With migration more or less over with for Spring and breeding well under way for most species, as well as more foliage on the trees and bushes it was tricky to decided exactly where to go. Eventually I settled on paying Riverside Nature Park a visit. I much prefer the park during the week when there are less visitors around and so the birds are more likely to be out in the open, but needs must, so of I went.

Greenfinch

It was just before1300 when I headed out. A Blackbird sang loudly from a nearby roof, a Herring Gull wandered around on the road. Feral Pigeons and Swifts flew around, the Swifts much higher in the sky than the pigeons. A Lesser Black Backed Gull was perched on the chimney stack of a nearby tenement and a Woodpigeon landed in a bush near the bus stop. Carrion Crow was added in the City Centre and a short detour through the Howff graveyard added Goldfinch, Robin and Chaffinch to the list. Starling was added from the bus as it headed out along Perth Road.

When I arrived at the park there seemed to be little happening initially. My attention was caught by an interesting plane in the circuit at Dundee Airport - a Vietnam War era ex-US Army Cessna O-1 Bird-Dog which is based at the airport these days. This ended up being photographed far more often than the birds. There were a few birds near the eastern entrance though - A Carrion Crow on the grass in the field, a Song Thrush which flew into the small wooded area and a small flock of Starlings chattering noisily as they picked around on the ground. A Swallow perched on the overhead wires which run along the roadside edge of the park.

A Woodpigeon flew off from Buzzard Wood as I wandered along the path. A pair of Mallards waddled off into the boggy area in front of the wood. There was a bit of sudden noise and then the reason hove into view, a hunting Sparrowhawk which weaved through the tops of the trees before venturing up and over the top and out of sight. At the car park I found Long Tailed Tits in the bushes, their distinctive calls making them easy to pick out, though their diminutive size can make them hard to find among the branches. An Oystercatcher, calling loudly, flapped its way over. Up ahead a male Blackbird hopped around on the grass.

A male Yellowhammer sang from within the compost area. To the north, and Ninewells, I could see a Buzzard being harassed by a Carrion Crow. The tide was well out when I reached the bay, so I wasn't expecting to see much variety. Shelducks were dotted around, mostly distantly. A Whitethroat sang from various perches nearby. Black Headed, Herring and Lesser Black Backed Gulls could be seen well out on the mud as well as a number of Mallards but waders were in very short supply. Heading further along to the hide I watched a House Martin hunting for insects. A pair of Mute Swans were with the gulls in front of the hide along with Feral Pigeons. A House Sparrow in the bushes here was a surprise.

I headed back to the hill to watch for Skylarks, of which I managed a single bird. There were however, plenty of dog owners completely ignoring the signs asking for dogs to be kept on leads with dogs, and even some owners wandering across the grassy areas on the hill where we were hoping the Skylarks would be able to breed relatively undisturbed with the measures introduced by Dundee City Council being put in place. Sadly, it seems the 'nation of animal lovers' spiel we hear trumpeted by the media, only extends as far as dogs and cats for a large chunk of the British public, and indeed nature seems to be an inconvenience to them, rather than the vital factor in the balance of life on the planet that it actually is.

Depressingly, by the time I left the park, I had counted 20 dogs off leads and only 2 on - 1 was a puppy and the owner had 2 other dogs wandering around off the paths, 1 of which would not come back to her no matter how often she shouted for it to. The other was initially off the lead but I spoke to the owner and didn't really get a positive response, however I later bumped into them again and the dog was now on a lead and a positive and civilised discussion about the problems inherent in trying to get dog owners to follow the rules, (and those laws about cleaning up after their pets), and the reasons for them, followed. Bigger signs were required was the main suggestion.

Also seen from the hill, was a single Magpie beyond the compost area. A number of Jackdaws were added later in the field by the Highland Cattle. As I headed for the exit after what had been a largely frustrating couple of hours, with very few bird photos taken (plenty of aircraft), I also added a flyover Pied Wagtail near the car park, and a singing Reed Bunting in the bushes by the boggy area. A quartet of Greenfinches in Buzzard Wood and a male Chaffinch in the bushes near the gate at the eastern end rounded off the list for the day.

Yellowhammer

Buzzard

Carrion Crow

Carrion Crow

Skylark

Cessna O-1 Bird-Dog

Greenfinch

11 species seen outwith the park - Blackbird, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Herring Gull, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Robin, Feral Pigeon, Starling, Swift, Woodpigeon.

28 species seen at the park - Blackbird, Black Headed Gull, Buzzard, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Herring Gull, House Martin, House Sparrow, Jackdaw, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Long Tailed Tit, Magpie, Mallard, Mute Swan, Oystercatcher, Pied Wagtail, Reed Bunting, Feral Pigeon, Shelduck, Skylark, Song Thrush, Sparrowhawk, Starling, Swallow, Whitethroat, Woodpigeon, Yellowhammer.

31 species in total.

0291 : Here Comes The Rain Again (18/5/16)

After the success of my week's annual leave from work, the usual Wednesday outing with Nat was always likely to struggle to compete. The weather forecast was mostly showery and the only good birds around seemed to be either too far away or on the Isle of May. The May was an option but with Nat already having plans to get out there she wasn't overly keen to go more than once, and I've been reluctant to revisit the island since a rather uncomfortable boat trip back a few years ago. However, with relatively calm conditions and easterly winds it was unlikely to get any better for me to want to go again. In the end we decided to head inland and do a circuit of sorts around Angus.

Osprey

A later than normal start of 0900 saw a fairly untypical start to the list with only a few birds to be seen before we left Dundee. Woodpigeon, Herring Gull, Blackbird and Starling were regulars but Jackdaw and Magpie were less so. We decided to visit Loch of Kinnordy first so we took our usual cross-country route rather than the fast route up the A90 to Forfar and across to Kirriemuir and Kinnordy. This meant more birds - Skylark, Swallow, Lapwing, Pheasant, Chaffinch, House Martin and Rook. Nearing the reserve we added House Sparrow, Pied Wagtail and Red Legged Partridge around a nearby farm.

Into the hide we went. Mute Swans were easy to pick out without binoculars though having seen Whoopers a few days earlier we double-checked the birds anyway. A Dunnock popped onto the bogbean in front of the hide. The Barn Owl was once again very active in its box. The Black Headed Gulls around the islands were also busy, collecting nest material and mating. Dotted around on the water could be seen Coots, Teal and Tufted Duck. There were also a few Greylags present, while an Osprey was high in a tree across the far side of the Loch. A few Carrion Crows passed over, while a Redshank wandered around on the bogbean. Mallards and Moorhens appeared from behind the cover of the islands.

It didn't take too long before we had our first sighting of the Marsh Harriers, welcome as always. While scanning I picked up the distinctive flights of displaying Snipe - rapidly flapping wings before gliding into a steep dive before pulling upwards again in an arc. Although the birds were well to the western end of the Loch, they were easy to see with the aid of binoculars. Shoveler was next onto the list with a couple of males dropping in. Reed Bunting, Sedge Warbler and Robin were seen in the reeds, while a chance glance out of the side window resulted in very close views of two Roe Deer in the small inlet to the right of the hide and a nice portrait of one up close. They moved round to the other side of the hide, a little more distant, but still quite close, via the path at the end of the wooden entrance bridge.

Surprisingly we had been in the hide for almost an hour before we saw our first Sand Martins of the day, hawking for insects over the reeds at the back of the reserve. A pair of Gadwall swam into view from our right. A Blue Tit landed on the bogbean below the front of the hide while a Swallow seemed to suggest that once again, a nest was being used below the hide itself, as in previous years. A Lesser Black Backed Gull glided over and a Wren picked around on the closest island among the vegetation. A Buzzard gave us one last day-list bird before we decided to move on again. Swifts were seen above Kirriemuir and roadworks meant a longer route to Murton. The weather looked less than promising but we managed a quick look from 2 of the 3 hides with Little Ringed PLover being the only addition, before we headed for Balgavies.

We had debated whether or not it was worthwhile stopping or not, but as the weather looked worse to the east, where we were headed we decided it made sesnse to pop into the hide for a while. This turned out to be a good decision with almost everything that could be expected at the feeders showing at one point or another. Goldfinch was seen at the car park. Naturally, Osprey and Greylag were seen from the hide as well as Great Crested Grebe and Grey Heron. Great Tit, Lesser Redpoll, Greenfinch, Coal Tit and a Jay were all new additions - Blue Tit, Blackbird and Chaffinch all having already been seen earlier. A Treecreeper decided to climb up one of the posts holding up the feeders before a pair of Siskins dropped in. A Long Tailed Tit popped by briefly. A Goosander flew by westwards, while a Bullfinch passed by in both directions. A male Yellowhammer and a Great Spotted Woodpecker gave us another few additions.

A Wasp had been causing moments of slight anxiety by appearing in front of us, but had been shoo-ed off. However, a buzzing behind us once or twice, had me wondering where it was coming from. With rain battering down outside, I decided to have a look. I soon found out where the Wasp was, and what it was doing. Hanging from the roof of the hide were the beginnings of 3 Wasps' bykes, with the insect in the process of constructing one, which appeared to contain eggs in the small sections already constructed. Wasp communities and birders are unlikely to happily co-exist in as small a space as the Balgavies bird hide, so this wasn't good news. However given that there was only 1 Wasp attending to the building of the nests it wasn't yet at the dangerous stage. I took a few photos and videos with my phone before the Wasp eventually flew out the window. We quickly shut the window and I removed the 3 built sections from the ceiling. It was interesting to feel how light and yet strong they were.

We decided to continue on towards Montrose Basin. However, as the rain that had drenched Balgavies was also headed in that direction we settled on visiting the visitor centre instead of venturing to The Lurgies or elsewhere. Again, this proved to be a decent decision with the rain soon catching up with us and enveloping where we would have been. We passed the Wasp byke sections on to Alison O'Hara at the centre - to be used as a wee nature 'exhibit' to show school parties etc. Birds were in short supply however with only 8 additions made from the centre - Cormorant, Shelduck, Goldeneye, Common and Arctic Terns, Eiders, tree Sparrow and Common Gull.

A stop at Ferryden proved futile with heavy rain wiping out any chance of even seeing any birds - though the river mouth did appear empty anyway. We headed next for Auchmithie adding Corn Bunting and Linnet on the way. From the cliff-top at the northern end of the village we watched a few Gannets fly northwards low over the water. A few Fulmars circled round along the cliffs while a Common Whitethroat showed really well among the cliff-top brambles. Scanning the water gave us a small group of Puffins as well as a handful of Guillemots and Razorbills.

Arbroath was our next stop as we moved on trying to remain ahead of the rain which seemed to be only minutes behind us at each stop. Great Black Backed Gull, Shag, Kittiwake, Rock Pipit and Sandwich Tern all put in an appearance though there was no sign of any Curlews - one of a few surprising ommissions from the day list along with Collared Dove and a few others. I spotted a group of 3 small birds flying low over the water. A few grabbed photos gave us 2 new species - the trio were 2 Dunlin and a Ringed Plover. We added Feral Pigeon on our way through the town towards our 1 final stop at Westhaven. There were no Curlews here either though a group of birds out on the rocks in the bay proved to be Sanderling, rather than Turnstones or Purple Sandpiper - both of which were more likely to be seen on rocks, and also at Westhaven. A few mini-detours failed to give us Curlew or Collared Dove so the final total for the day was a pretty good 86 species.

Marsh Harrier

Black Headed Gull

Roe Deer

Roe Deer

Greylag Goose

Gadwall

Black Headed Gull

Marsh Harrier

Marsh Harrier

Little Ringed Plover & Redshank

Great Crested Grebe

Sedge Warbler

Lesser Redpoll

Siskin

Osprey

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Osprey

Yellowhammer

Whitethroat

Whitethroat

Puffin

Sandwich Tern

Ringed Plover & Dunlin

Species seen - Arctic Tern, Barn Owl, Blackbird, Blackcap, Black Headed Gull, Blue Tit, Bullfinch, Buzzard, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Coal Tit, Common Gull, Common Tern, Coot, Cormorant, Corn Bunting, Dunlin, Dunnock, Eider, Fulmar, Gadwall, Gannet, Goldeneye, Goldfinch, Goosander, Great Black Backed Gull, Great Crested Grebe, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Great Tit, Greenfinch, Grey Heron, Greylag Goose, Guillemot, Herring Gull, House Martin, House Sparrow, Jackdaw, Jay, Kittiwake, Lapwing, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Lesser Redpoll, Linnet, Little Ringed Plover, Long Tailed Tit, Magpie, Mallard, Marsh Harrier, Moorhen, Mute Swan, Osprey, Oystercatcher, Pheasant, Pied Wagtail, Puffin, Razorbill, Red Legged Partridge, Redshank, Reed Bunting, Ringed Plover, Robin, Feral Pigeon, Rock Pipit, Rook, Sand Martin, Sanderling, Sandwich Tern, Sedge Warbler, Shag, Shelduck, Shoveler, Siskin, Skylark, Snipe, Starling, Swallow, Swift, Teal, Tree Sparrow, Treecreeper, Tufted Duck, Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Woodpigeon, Wren, Yellowhammer 

0290 : Back-Seat Birding (15/5/16)

Having made it out birding on 7 of the previous 8 days, and in decent weather too, I was determined to make it 8 out of 9 on my last day before returning to work. With both the local RSPB and the ADBC having outings to the Angus glens on the same day, I had options of sorts. Unfortunately the ADBC outing wasn't tailored for non-drivers - it being nigh on impossible without an overnight stay in Edzell to make it to the town in time for the meeting time. Arranging a lift was only an option if I definitely wanted to go, and knew the previous day or before that was the case. Nat was going on the RSPB outing and was getting a lift from Darell Berthon who I've been birding with a few times in the past. Her pal, Liz, was also going. Nat suggested that Darell might have room if I wanted to go. With a few species still to see, that I could potentially get in the glens, it made sense to go along. Darell agreed to taking an extra passenger and a pick-up was arranged.

Pied Flycatcher

I was out around 0835 in case Darell & co were early. Woodpigeon, Herring Gull, Starling, Blackbird, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Feral Pigeon and Carrion Crow were all seen as I waited for them to arrive. Unfortunately, something cropped up and the pick-up time slipped back. However, the sun was shining so it wasn't any sort of chore to wait. Once they did arrive we set off up the A90. There weren't too many species seen en route, though with limited view from the unfamiliar back seat position, it wasn't too surprising. Buzzard, House Sparrow and House Martin being the only new ones.

We arrived in Edzell and I had a short wander around while we waited. A Blackcap proved elusive in the wood by the car park, with only glimpses of what was possibly the bird to be had. Rooks cawed loudly from the rookery. A Song Thrush and Blackbird hopped around on the grass. A Great Tit was in the trees. Swallows swept low over the grass beyond the increasing number of cars as both groups loitered and lingered. Jackdaws and Siskins flew over, as I chatted to a few birding friends from the other group. Once everyone had arrived we set off into the glens. 

Our first stop, to look for Redstarts, produced Tree Pipit and Chaffinch. Oystercatchers and Pied Wagtail were seen on the ground in a large field while we looked for a calling Spotted Flycatcher. A pair of Long Tailed Tits foraged in a small tree at the edge of the field as the rest of the group wandered on. I managed to find a Common Sandpiper down on the river when I went exploring with Liz. A Red Kite flew over lazily flapping as it went. A Blue Tit was in the trees by the river and we eventually managed to find a Spotted Flycatcher at the top of a tree. No Redstart though.

Back to the cars we went and off we went further into the glen. The next stop gave us Pheasant, Red Legged Partridge, Lapwing and Curlew plus a very distant Buzzard pair. A Mallard pair flew past, Sand Martins zipped around and a Common Gull glided over. I was chatting to Keith Edwards at our next stop when he stopped and asked "was that a Pied Flycatcher?" before striding off in the direction of the distant calling bird. Having heard the species the previous day, I knew what to listen for and heard its next syllables, having not heard the call that had alerted Keith. Most of the group followed us over the fence and into the small copse of trees beyond. We had to cross a small boggy area but eventually the bird was found. I almost managed a photo of it perched on a fence but a loud shout from someone further over spooked it and it flew into the trees giving those at the back of the group better views than the rest. I eventually managed a few record shots of what was a good find for Angus by Keith and his very sharp hearing.

In addition to the Pied Flycatcher, a Willow Warbler, Lesser Redpolls and displaying Snipe were seen at this stop. A singing Mistle Thrush gave us another addition before we moved on again. A Red Grouse showed in heather by the side of the road, although it had somehow disappeared by the time we got out of the car for a better look. Meadow Pipits were seen here, a Raven was heard but not seen before we moved off once again. Coal Tits and Wren were added at the car park at the top end of the Glen before we had lunch.  Afterwards we had a walk to search for Redstarts and Ring Ouzel. There were a lot of folk around so birds were relatively few. After some searching, Keith managed to find a Ring Ouzel on the hillside and lots of time was spent looking at it, and a second pair. I also found a Wheatear far up the slope, and spotted a drake Wigeon behind us.

I decided to head back ahead of the group to search for Whinchat and Redstart. I failed to find the former but did succeed with the latter eventually. There were also Siskins, Pied Wagtails and Meadow Pipits in, and  below, the trees. The others caught up with me and most of the group had decent views of a male Redstart. On the burn a Dipper and Grey Wagtail were seen. Robin and Goldcrest were seen as we neared the car park again. A Spotted Flycatcher was seen to be building a nest in a hole just a metre or so from the car, as we pulled out. Despite further stops on our way back down the Glen we failed to add Woodcock, Whinchat or Cuckoo to the list for the day. Darell suggested we head for Kinnordy, if no-one was in any rush to get home. As no-one was, we headed there.

The hide was relatively quiet when we arrived. There were plenty of birds around though. Osprey, Teal, Gadwall, Mute Swan, Mallards out on the water. The Barn Owl was particularly active in its box, as were the increasing numbers of Black Headed Gulls out on the bogbean. Greylags, Coot, Shoveler, Moorhen and Tufted Ducks all put in appearances out on the Loch. There were only a few Redshanks, with Lapwings and Oystercatchers on the islands. Reed Buntings were seen among the reeds while Sedge Warblers were only heard. We eventually managed to see the Marsh Harriers, with both taking to the air for short spells. A pair of distant swans turned out to be Whoopers, and a Grey Heron rounded off our list for the day before we headed for a home after an enjoyable day out.

Red Kite

Spotted Flycatcher

Lesser Redpoll

Coal Tit

Ring Ouzel

Lapwing

Pied Wagtail

Willow Warbler

Willow Warbler

Pied Wagtail

Meadow Pipit

Pied Wagtail

Meadow Pipit

Meadow Pipit

Redshank

Marsh Harrier

Marsh Harrier

Marsh Harrier

Marsh Harrier

Whooper Swan

Marsh Harrier

Marsh Harrier

Black Headed Gull & Grey Heron

Barn Owl

Lapwing

65 species seen, though none new for the year-list. Species seen - Barn Owl, Blackbird, Black Headed Gull, Blue Tit, Buzzard, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Coal Tit, Common Gull, Common Sandpiper, Coot, Curlew, Dipper, Gadwall, Goldcrest, Great Tit, Grey Heron, Grey Wagtail, Greylag Goose, Herring Gull, House Martin, House Sparrow, Jackdaw, Lapwing, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Lesser Redpoll, Long Tailed Tit, Mallard, Marsh Harrier, Meadow Pipit, Mistle Thrush, Moorhen, Mute Swan, Osprey, Oystercatcher, Pheasant, Pied Flycatcher, Pied Wagtail, Red Grouse, Red Kite, Red Legged Partridge, Redshank, Redstart, Reed Bunting, Ring Ouzel, Robin, Feral Pigeon, Rook, Sand Martin, Shoveler, Siskin, Snipe, Song Thrush, Spotted Flycatcher, Starling, Swallow, Teal, Tree Pipit, Tufted Duck, Wheatear, Whooper Swan, Wigeon, Willow Warbler, Woodpigeon, Wren.