0398 : A Montrose Mixture (30/4/17)

Having had a successful day on Saturday, I hoped to keep the momentum going on Sunday. My original plans fell through so I had to decide where else to go and what species to 'target'. I decided I would head to the Montrose area, in the hope of a Tern or two, and maybe something else passing offshore in the easterly winds. On the way home, I would drop into Carnoustie and walk along to the Craigmill Burn in the hope of maybe picking up a Whimbrel.

Eider
I was out the door at around 0755 to walk to the bus station to catch the 0815 X7 bus to Montrose. It was a fairly typical selection of birds seen en route with Herring Gull, Starling, Blackbird, Feral Pigeon, Collared Dove and Woodpigeon, as well as Carrion Crow seen before I reached the bus station. A calling Oystercatcher flew over the buildings in the Seagate as I crossed the road, one of a pair I suspect is breeding on a flat roof somewhere around the City Centre.

Once on the bus there wasn't too much to be seen passing through Dundee that I hadn't already seen on my walk. A few House Martins were seen over the houses at the Claypotts junction. A field held a number of Woodpigeons, Stock Doves and Rooks as well as a male Pheasant. Jackdaws and House Sparrows were seen in Arbroath. On reaching the bus stop near Ferryden I had a wander along the track below the railway bridge to see if there was anything of note in the Basin. A small charm of Goldfinches flew over as I wandered along. A few Linnets lifted from the pebble beach. Out on the water were a number of Eider not too far offshore. Oystercatchers wandered along the beach.

Across the water a trio of Mute Swans slept. There was a pair of Shelduck swimming along a narrow channel close to the beach. A Curlew fed out on a sandbank further out. A number of Cormorants could be seen stood out on another sandbank further out in the Basin. A few Herring Gulls and a Common Gull wandered around along the water's edge. A Grey Heron flew in towards the pools by the visitor centre. More scanning found a few Red Breasted Mergansers. A Song Thrush sang loudly from the wires behind me and a Chaffinch flew into the same tree where a Chiffchaff could be heard calling from, but not seen.

I set off for Scurdie Ness lighthouse, stopping to photograph the Goldfinches feeding on the grass verge at the traffic roundabout. Reaching the end of the harbour I added a Great Black Backed Gull stood down on the beach. A pair of Mallards were close in to the opposite bank. The wind was rather strong and cold and was in my face. A Skylark was seen in one of the fields just to the east of the village. A Yellowhammer male flew ahead of me along the road. Down in the river I was able to see a number of Guillemots as well as Cormorants and Eiders. Across the river there were a number of Herring Gulls, but no sign of any Terns of any species, which was disappointing.

I spotted a Red Throated Diver in the surf off the beach, and a pair of late lingering Long Tailed Ducks were picked up in flight rather distantly. A few Meadow Pipits showed well perched on fenceposts eyeing me nervously as I passed. I think they were probably nesting among the crops on the other side of the fence. A Reed Bunting landed on the road in front of me as I neared the lighthouse, and a rather damp looking female Wheatear landed on the wall. Offshore I could see Gannets passing, so I decided to find a spot for a bit of sea-watching. The wind seemed to be coming from the southeast so I found a hollow which offered some protection from the cold wind and scanned from there.

There were a number of Kittiwakes, Common Gulls, Cormorants and Red Throated Divers passing at varying distances as well as Eiders. A trio of Turnstones flew round towards the mouth of the river before I decided to seek another perch. I chose the grassy slope behind me, and set off towards a bit that seemed to offer a chance of some shelter as well as a raised viewpoint. Another Wheatear flew ahead of me and a Meadow Pipit picked around behind it on the grass. Offshore I added a few Fulmars as well as Guillemots and Razorbills to the list. A Rock Pipit called from out on the rocks.

I found a spot on the slope where I was at least partially sheltered from the wind and the higher viewpoint did make a difference to how far out i could see. There were more Divers passing which photos showed to have only been Red Throateds. A trio of Common Scoters were a nice surprise. A Pied Wagtail landed down on the grass in front of me before disappearing down into a hollow. Along to the south a Buzzard hung in the wind. I tried to find more shelter from the wind using rocks on the shore. A Ringed Plover didn't seem too pleased by my approach so I found a spot out of its line of sight which also kept the wind off me to an extent. The Ringed Plover turned out to have been ringed - a blue ring and a yellow flag.

I scanned to the north towards the mouth of the river and did a double take. Along with the Common Gulls hanging in the wind at the mouth of the river was a fully summer plumaged adult Little Gull. A nice surprise, and certainly the first time I've seen the species this far north in Angus. A few Kittiwakes made up the rest of the flock, and they picked food from the surface of the water while hanging in the wind. I took a number of photos before deciding to head for the Basin visitor centre and a seat out of the cold. As I made my way up the slight slope from the lighthouse, ahead of me, I spotted a pair of Grey Partridges fly off out of sight.

The sun decided to come out around now, which was slightly annoying, given how cold it had been while I was sea-watching. Across the river among the gulls were a surprise pair of Teal, possibly resting up for a wee while out of the wind in the relative calm of the edge of the beach. Unfortunately a dog walker spooked everything and off went the Teal again. Some of the gulls landed on 'my' side of the river and I decided to scan through them. As I did so I was very pleased to find a nice Whimbrel among them, my first of the year. I wouldn't now have to visit Westhaven on the way home. A pair of Wheatear were in the field beside the track with one giving rather nice close views. I also had nice views on reaching the village of Dunnock, Goldfinch, Swallow and House Sparrow.

As I was passing the small hairdressing salon, an older lady who was having a cigarette while leaning on the railings asked me if I was a terrorist. Apparently the harbour authority had asked her to report anyone taking photos of the harbour with a big lens - she just asks them if they are a terrorist. We chatted for a while mostly about the wildlife in the local area before I continued onwards for the visitor centre. I added Blackcap to the list in the trees at the foot of the hill just past the railway bridge though a singing Willow Warbler eluded me. A text message came in saying there were Brent Geese out in the middle of the Basin, which is quite an unusual species for here, though they were likely feeding up before continuing onwards back home to breed.

I arrived at the visitor centre and headed in to see what I could add to my list for the day. The Sand Martins were an easy add, and a Great Tit was on the feeders. The Brent Geese, which I was able to see were Pale Bellied Brents were easily found. Two pairs of Pintail still in the Basin near the Black Tailed Godwit flock were a surprise. Greenfinch visited the feeders and I chatted to one of the young volunteers. A few ADBC members popped in and I had a chat to them too. An elderly American lady asked me about some of the birds at the feeders and it soon turned into a lesson in how to identify some of the birds which were around. She was very pleased with all the species myself and the young volunteer girl were finding for her, and was pleased when she left later that she had seen 19 species of bird from her seat. We could have added some more for her but the more distant birds would have been tricky to direct her onto.

I also had a chat to a young lady from the Newcastle area and ended up staying much longer in the centre than I had originally intended to, though it was certainly no hardship and my legs especially were very thankful for the chance to not have to walk anywhere. Out on the water I found a few Goldeneye as well as the remnants of the winter Scaup flock, another surprise so late in the Spring. A single Black Headed Gull gave me another bird for my list. A Blue Tit showed nicely just outside the open window. A bit of commotion out on the Basin with all the gulls and the Brent Geese taking flight had me scanning around for the reason. I soon found an Osprey which proceeded to dive and came up with a large flatfish. Needless to say the gulls continued to mob the bird before it disappeared off in a southwest direction, mo doubt to find somewhere a little quieter to enjoy a meal.

I had a chat to the other young volunteer who I'd chatted to about waders earlier in the year, and told her I'd succeeded in seeing Water Rail that day after I'd popped down to the Bank of Scotland hide. A Moorhen and a Pheasant visited the feeders, along with Woodpigeon and a pair of Collared Doves before a bit more commotion out in the Basin had me looking for, and finding, another raptor. This time the culprit was a Peregrine and we were able to watch it circling round gaining height before something else caught our attention. As I was trying to find a Redshank, which unusually there appeared to be none whatsoever around, I spotted a small flock of Dunlin over by Rossie Spit which landed on the far shore near where I'd stopped in the morning to scan from.

We also managed to find at least half a dozen Guillemots out in the Basin, possibly the same birds I'd seen in the river mouth earlier in the day. A Coal Tit was one final addition from the Centre before I decided had better head back towards town to try and catch my bus home. I arrived a bit earlier than necessary so detoured back to the same spot as first thing where I did manage to see the calling Chiffchaff. There was nothing added on the way home from the bus but a grand total of 70 species for the day including a single year-tick (in bold) made it a worthwhile trip with some nice photo opportunities as well.
Herring Gull

Eider

Shelduck

Song Thrush

Goldfinch

Goldfinch

Great Black Backed Gull

Herring Gull

Blackbird

Song Thrush

Skylark

Linnet

Herring Gull

Guillemot & Eider

Meadow Pipit

Wheatear

Reed Bunting

Kittiwake

Red Throated Diver

Rock Pipit

Gannet

Fulmar

Cormorant

Wheatear & Meadow Pipit

Common Scoter

Ringed Plover

Ringed Plover

Red Throated Diver

Pied Wagtail

Little Gull & Common Gull

Eider

Little Gull & Common Gull

Meadow Pipit

Teal & Herring Gull

Whimbrel

Whimbrel

Wheatear

Dunnock

Swallow

Goldfinch

House Sparrow

Common Wasp

Eider

Brent Geese & Eider

Tree Sparrow

Osprey & Herring Gull

Guillemot

Carrion Crow & Buzzard

Species seen - Blackbird, Blackcap, Black Headed Gull, Black Tailed Godwit, Blue Tit, Brent Goose, Buzzard, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Coal Tit, Collared Dove, Common Gull, Common Scoter, Cormorant, Curlew, Dunlin, Dunnock, Eider, Fulmar, Gannet, Goldeneye, Goldfinch, Great Black Backed Gull, Great Tit, Greenfinch, Grey Heron, Grey Partridge, Guillemot, Herring Gull, House Martin, Jackdaw, Kittiwake, Linnet, Little Gull, Long Tailed Duck, Mallard, Meadow Pipit, Moorhen, Mute Swan, Osprey, Oystercatcher, Peregrine, Pheasant, Pied Wagtail, Pintail, Razorbill, Red Breasted Merganser, Red Throated Diver, Reed Bunting, Ringed Plover, Feral Pigeon, Rock Pipit, Rook, Sand Martin, Scaup, Shelduck, Skylark, Song Thrush, Starling, Stock Dove, Swallow, Teal, Tree Sparrow, Turnstone, Wheatear, Whimbrel, Woodpigeon, Yellowhammer.

0397 : Reedbeds And Tired Legs (29/4/17)

Being off work for a week at the end of April/beginning of May gives me the opportunity to hopefully catch up with some of the summer visitors currently arriving in the country. Ideally I hope for dry weather and favourable winds, to allow me to actually get out and about, though rain/fog can bring migrant birds down making them easier to find, though the experience is less enjoyable to me than when the sun is shining. I also have a second week off, in a few weeks time, so between the two I compiled a list of species I would hope to be able to see within that timescale. Most of the birds on the list would still be around after that anyway, but it gives me a reason to ensure I get out and about as much as possible. There are 32 species on the starting list.

Grasshopper Warbler

For Saturday I decided to head for the Tay Reedbeds and to drop into Riverside Nature Park on the way back. My targets were warbler species - Grasshopper, Sedge and hopefully Reed Warbler, which would be a lifer for me, as well as both Common and Lesser Whitethroats. I headed out nice and early at around 0735 to walk into town to catch the bus out to Errol. It was rather cold for what was a Spring day, but nothing ventured, nothing gained. Blackbird kick-started the list followed by Lesser Black Backed Gull and a calling Collared Dove. A Feral Pigeon winged its way overhead before I found a Chaffinch and a Dunnock. The first Herring Gulls glided around as I neared Victoria Road. Woodpigeon and Carrion Crow followed them onto the list shortly after. I arrived in the city centre a bit early so I decided to walk around the City Churches and see if there was anything I could add. An Oystercatcher feeding on the grass out front was the only addition - not a bird you'd expect to find in the city centre.

I added a few more species to the list on the way out to Errol, Starlings on the Perth Road, and a Great Spotted Woodpecker keeping pace with the bus as we drove up past the Ninewells Arboretum. Jackdaws and House Sparrows were seen in Longforgan and a pair of Shelduck looked out of place in a field near Errol. Arriving in Errol, I walked down Gas Brae. It was a bit quieter than it sometimes can be in May. There were a few Jackdaws and House Sparrows around. A Blue Tit was in a small tree by the track downhill and a Meadow Pipit flew over. A Stock Dove landed in the field, though over the far side. Song Thrush and Tree Sparrows were heard but not seen at the small community garden. A female Mallard was in the drainage ditch at the bottom of the hill.

Yellowhammer and a male Reed Bunting were next onto the list before I headed down past the house to the open area beyond. A Great Tit was in one of the trees and photos showed it to be ringed. A Chiffchaff called from a small tree at the bottom end. I heard the reeling song of a Grasshopper Warbler and tried to work out where it was coming from. After a few minutes I had a fair idea of where it was coming from and moved towards the source of the sound hoping for a glimpse of the usually almost impossible to see small brown bird making the continuous noise. A small brown bird flew out from somewhere unseen and landed in a scrubby area. I managed to get a few out of focus photos which showed it well enough to ID it as a Grasshopper Warbler. I wandered round some more happy that the first of my target birds was safely on my list.

A strange call caught my attention and I moved towards the area it had emanated from. A small brown bird flew out and disappeared into cover. I decided to record the call, if I could on my phone, which even if the views of the bird proved inconclusive, I would have something to help with an ID. I selected video on my phone and moved slowly towards where the bird had come down. It flew out again, giving the call once more before landing where I could see it, and it could see me. I was surprised to find it was the Grasshopper Warbler. I'd only ever been aware of the reeling song of the species. I suspect, as do others online, that the call I'd heard was an alarm, or scolding, call of sorts. Normally the species drops quietly out of sight and walks away out of sight when 'spooked'. Perhaps this one hadn't yet worked out where was safe to disappear to, if it had only just arrived back.

A small groups of Linnets circled round before landing in a tree. A Buzzard circled above the trees along to the west. A Song Thrush flew up into the trees near the house before a Jay noisily flew across the gap. A bit of patient searching eventually found a singing Willow Warbler, though the Blackcap proved a bit more tricky to pin down. A Coal Tit pair were in a small tree, looking like they were about to mate, not far from the pools. I found a slightly more showy male Blackcap down the slope here, along with a Wren. Out on the pools a Great Crested Grebe pair slept, Mute Swans sailed serenely on and small party of Tufted Ducks were up the far end. I stood on the banking where I could see over the tops of the reeds and listened. I'd heard a snatch of what sounded like Sedge Warbler as I'd walked along the track but it was quiet now.

A Kingfisher flew low across the pool, before a burst of Sedge Warbler sung caught my attention. It was close, but it was also coming from somewhere within the reeds. Not easy to see at all. thankfully after a few minutes a small song flight gave me views of the bird, my second successful target bird of the day 'in the bag'. More scanning of the pools as I waited found a single female Goldeneye. A single Bearded Tit flew past along the tops of the reeds but I didn't manage to get the camera up in time. From a little further on, I could hear a singing bird which though similar sounding to Sedge Warbler seemed different. I knew Reed Warbler song fitted that description, so I walked slowly towards the area the song was coming from, hoping to see the bird among the reeds. I had a few brief glimpses of a dark backed bird which dropped out of sight every time I managed to catch a glimpse. I recorded a short video clip of the song to confirm the ID before giving up on getting any sort of photo and heading back up into the trees, but not before a Swallow zipped past and a skein of Pink Footed Geese tracked overhead northwards.

A Treecreeper was spotted near Port Allen, and a Rook flew out over the Tay as I ventured down to the pool. A Grey Heron flew from one pool to the other, before a bit of a Mute Swan confrontation took place resulting in the trio which had just landed being chased off by the territorial male from the pool. I headed over to check the western pool, where I was able to add a few Teal to the list, and a Moorhen. A Snipe was a bit of a surprise here, though only because I'd never seen one before on previous visits. A Little Grebe was seen on the east pool and a Great Black Backed Gull flew upriver before I headed back through the trees hoping to catch the bus around 1300 in Errol.

A small bird flew across the track through the trees in front of me and down towards the pool. I was surprised to see that it was in fact a Kingfisher. I stopped for a few minutes where I'd heard the Sedge Warblers earlier but it was a bit quieter. A male Marsh Harrier quartering above the reeds was a nice bonus though. Heading back through the trees I eventually added Robin to the list as well as a pair of Long Tailed Tits collecting nest material. A vole ran across the track in front of me as I walked back up the hill. Arriving back in Errol, I was pleased to see that there were a number of House Martins circling up over the village. While waiting for the bus I added a few flyover Goldfinches as well as a second Buzzard and a Sparrowhawk overhead.

The bus journey came to an abrupt halt in Inchture however, as the bus was apparently overheating. The driver announced that it would be at least 30 minutes before a mechanic arrived, and then obviously however long it took to fix on top of that. I checked google maps for a route back to Dundee and the distance. I weighed up the options, sit and wait, or do some additional walking and maybe see how productive the countryside is for birds. The latter won, though it turned out to be more than 5 miles back to Kingoodie, where if I timed it right I could catch the bus to Invergowrie and save my legs a little. I had made provisional plans to meet birding photographer pal, Steph, at the park around 1500. I let her know that I might be slightly late and said I'd keep her informed of my progress.

Things were rather quiet mostly though a Pied Wagtail was seen not too far outsider Inchture on the long straight road to the south. Tree Sparrows were the only actual addition to the list after that until a Pheasant flew off across a field as I passed. Birds in general seemed very sparse though there were small pockets around any buildings. Blackbirds, Chaffinches, House Sparrows, Woodpigeons, Carrion Crows and a singing Chiffchaff were more or less all I managed to see along what was a rather tiring walk. A Stoat had ran across the road in front of me at one point but somehow managed to vanish in a rather small grassy verge. Arriving back at Kingoodie I did add Redshank, Curlew and Black Headed Gull before the bus arrived.

I let Steph know where to meet me at the park and hoped my legs wouldn't seize up on the short bus journey. Arriving at the park, I started a new list just for the park as I always do when visiting. Song Thrush and Chaffinch were first onto the list followed by Herring, Lesser Black Backed, Black Headed and Common Gulls. The tide was on its way in but still had a bit to go. Oystercatchers and Redshanks foraged around on the mud while a few Mallards slept by the burn. The vegetation around the hide is once again making viewing rather tricky which is slightly frustrating. A few Carrion Crows and Feral Pigeons popped in. Long Tailed Tits foraged around in the trees to the left of the hide screen. There were a few Shelducks out in the bay. Jackdaws and Starlngs mingled with Woodpigeons and Carrion Crows in the field as I set off to meet Steph.

We met where the track joined the main path network and decided to head round the western edge of the hill. Teal and Cormorant were added as we looked out across the bay and a Mute Swan could be seen back in the burn outflow near the hide. We added Goldfinch, Blackbird, Dunnock and Skylark as we wandered round the paths chatting about what we'd seen, and photographed, since our last meeting. Yellowhammer was added before a pair of Mallards dropped into the rather small puddle in the composting area. There were a few Teal at the Lochan but no sign of anything more interesting. We heard but didn't see Blackcap and Willow Warbler.

Things were just as quiet in the lower half of the park with a flyover Stock Dove, a Reed Bunting, a Swallow and a Meadow Pipit at the boggy area all we had to show for our exploration. No Whitethroats, either Lesser or Common, heard or seen. Still, it leaves a reason to visit again before my guided walk next Saturday morning. Steph gave me a rather welcome lift home to give my weary legs a much-needed break.

A successful day out with 3 target species added to the year-list (in bold) including a long awaited lifer. 62 species seen outwith the park and 28 at the park and over 13 miles covered on foot.

Great Tit

Grasshopper Warbler

Reed Bunting

Blackcap

Treecreeper

Treecreeper

Rook

Mute Swan

Mute Swan

Pink Footed Goose

Marsh Harrier

Marsh Harrier

Chaffinch

Long Tailed Tit

House Martin

Sparrowhawk

Lesser Black Backed Gull

Cormorant

Yellowhammer

Species seen outwith - Bearded Tit, Blackbird, Blackcap, Black Headed Gull, Blue Tit, Buzzard, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Coal Tit, Collared Dove, Curlew, Dunnock, Goldeneye, Goldfinch, Grasshopper Warbler, Great Black Backed Gull, Great Crested Grebe, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Great Tit, Grey Heron, Herring Gull, House Martin, House Sparrow, Jackdaw, Jay, Kingfisher, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Linnet, Little Grebe, Long Tailed Tit, Mallard, Marsh Harrier, Meadow Pipit, Moorhen, Mute Swan, Oystercatcher, Pheasant, Pied Wagtail, Pink Footed Goose, Redsank, Reed Bunting, Reed Warbler, Robin, Feral Pigeon, Rook, Sedge Warbler, Shelduck, Snipe, Song Thrush, Sparrowhawk, Starling, Stock Dove, Swallow, Teal, Tree Sparrow, Treecreeper, Tufted Duck, Willow Wrabler, Woodpigeon, Wren, Yellowhammer.

Species seen at the park - Blackbird, Black Headed Gull, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Common Gull, Cormorant, Dunnock,Goldfinch, Herring Gull, Jackdaw, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Long Tailed Tit, Mallard, Meadow Pipit, Mute Swan, Oystercatcher, Redshank, Reed Bunting, Feral Pigeon, Shelduck, Skylark, Song Thrush, Starling, Stock Dove, Swallow, Teal, Woodpigeon, Yellowhammer.