0503 : Who Stole Spring? (17/3/18)

Despite the bitterly cold weather with another blast of strong easterly gales bringing snow flurries forecast for Saturday, I decided I should probably at least attempt a spot of birding. I considered a trip to Fife Ness for some sea-watching and although Jacqui was also keen I decided that it would not be particularly comfortable sat in the hide with the wind blasting in through the open shutters and the swell making spotting birds difficult and decided against it. However, I did eventually get out of my warm bed around noon and having looked at the weather decided to go for a look at City Quay in the hope of some birds sheltering in the relative calm rather than out on the river and sea. After that I would get the bus to Balmossie and check the gulls at the Dighty outflow and then visit Swannie Ponds on the way home.

Herring Gull

I headed out at 1355 and discovered that it was rather chilly despite the additional layers I was wearing. A Herring Gull hung in the wind and a Magpie flew off my roof and across the road onto the apex of a house. A Feral Pigeon sped over with the wind behind it and a Carrion Crow flew over as the bus arrived. A couple of Woodpigeons were feeding in their usual spot on Dens Road as the bus passed by. The wind felt even colder when I got off the bus to walk down the side of the Wellgate Centre towards the bus station and on to City Quay. Other than a few Herring Gulls there was nothing to see along the way.

Disappointingly the water at City Quay was bereft of birds though there were around 10 Herring Gulls on the jetty at the old dry dock area. Despite wearing two pairs of gloves my hands and especially my fingertips were freezing and I was already planning to change my plan and head for home. I decided to check the river anyway. It was a rather quick check however. A drake Red Breasted Merganser flew low downriver. A young Herring Gull played with something - picking it up and dropping it repeatedly into the water. More of a surprise was a Fulmar gliding around opposite the harbour. A Great Black Backed Gull was seen much further down river.

I headed back through the Quay and discovered a pair of Oystercatchers on the end of the dry dock with the Herring Gulls hanging in the wind above them. I heard, but didn't see, a Grey Wagtail. A Cormorant was stood among the now resting Herring Gulls by the dry dock. A few Feral Pigeons were seen as I headed into the city centre. A visit to a couple of bookshops was followed by a visit to the Howff in the hope of actually seeing some birds. Despite the relative shelter provided by the surrounding buildings all I managed was a Carrion Crow on the DC Thomson building, a pair of Herring Gulls 'paddling' for worms among the gravestones, a male Blackbird in a tree and a flyover Goldfinch pair.

I headed for home and some warmth with only a dozen species seen and only 4 photos taken.

Great Black Backed Gull

Species seen - Blackbird, Carrion Crow, Cormorant, Fulmar, Goldfinch, Great Black Backed Gull, Herring Gull, Magpie, Oystercatcher, Red Breasted Merganser, Feral Pigeon, Woodpigeon.