While browsing Twitter on Wednesday evening I came across a photo posted by Lainy McCormack of what she believed to be a Yellow Browed Warbler when she photographed it that afternoon at the top end of Kilminning. However, it didn't look quite right to me and having messaged Lainy to see if there were any other photos my suspicions were confirmed when her other photo showed a nice crown stripe - a Pallas's Warbler! I put word out on the Fife Whatsapp group (as Lainy hadn't yet actually been added to the group). The wild weather meant it was very likely that the bird would still be around. It also meant that Lainy still 'needed' Yellow Browed Warbler so would have to go back to try for one. I was offered a lift across which I naturally accepted and an 0800 pick-up was arranged.
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| Pallas's Warbler (photo by Lainy McCormack - 9/10/19) |
Lainy, Adam and I headed for Kilminning where as expected there were already a few others about. There were birds passing overhead with some dropping in. We spent a lot of time checking the area Lainy had photographed the bird near the entrance before we spilt up to try some of the other parts. Every Goldcrest was scrutinised and a few Yellow Browed Warblers were found, though unfortunately not while Lainy was nearby to see them. Will Cresswell had to leave, and Willie Irvine and Ken Shaw both arrived along with a few others. By around lunchtime it was looking like the Pallas's had actually departed. Lainy and I were pretty much the only birders left at the top end by this time and we chased a few calling Yellow Browed Warblers around trying to catch a glimpse of them. Just before 1400 I spotted a Yellow Browed Warbler feeding in the open in a small Hawthorn bush in the top northwest corner of the site and tried to direct Lainy onto the bird.
A slightly better look followed and I realised that the bird wasn't a Yellow Browed Warbler after all but the hoped for
Pallas's Warbler! A very nice lifer for me. I didn't have my usual camera gear with me (only a lightweight 300mm lens) as a result of having to rest my arm as much as possible following a visit to the Doctor's the day before to see about a work-related RSI that wasn't getting any better. I failed to get a usable photo, (though I do have a bird-shaped blob with a short tail in a couple). I hurried off to try and find Will Cresswell who had returned by then while also putting the news out on the WhatsApp group. Other birders nearby soon returned and others arrived (including Matt) but the bird had vanished again.
While the others looked for the Pallas's, Lainy and I resumed our search
for a Yellow Browed Warbler. Unfortunately, the forecast rain soon
stopped play for both groups, though not before a potential sighting of
the Pallas's was had by Matt's pal, Patrick, and we all decided to call it a
day around 1600. The Pallas's was found again on Friday morning and
photographed by Will Cresswell in Hawthorns along the fenceline behind
the conifers and Sam Taylor reported it in the afternoon. Susan and
Carolyn both missed out on seeing it despite spending a few hours
looking before deciding to go seawatching instead. A very productive day though only 38 species seen,
including a nice lifer (in bold), which was not a bad total for what was
around 7 hours spent at just the top end of Kilminning.
Species seen Dundee to Crail - Herring Gull, Starling, Redwing, Grey Wagtail, Feral Pigeon, Carrion Crow, Cormorant, Buzzard, Pink Footed Goose, Woodpigeon, Jackdaw.
Kilminning - Pied Wagtail, Chiffchaff, Goldfinch, Meadow Pipit, Swallow, Tree Sparrow, Robin, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Curlew, Sparrowhawk, Skylark, Coal Tit, Wren, Goldcrest, Yellow Browed Warbler, Pheasant, Chaffinch, Kestrel, Dunnock, Magpie, Song Thrush, Treecreeper, Golden Plover, Blackbird, Brambling,
Pallas's Warbler.
Butterflies seen - Red Admiral.
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| Chiffchaff |
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| Chiffchaff |
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| Chaffinch |
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| Yellow Browed Warbler |
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| Yellow Browed Warbler |
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| Chiffchaff |
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| Great Tit |
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| Chiffchaff |
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| Song Thrush |
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| Meadow Pipit |
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| Song Thrush |
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| Buzzard |
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| Blackbird |
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| Redwing |
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| Pink Footed Goose |
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| Kestrel |
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| Redwing |
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| Pallas's Warbler (honest!) |
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| Goldcrest |
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| Pallas's Warbler (photo by Lainy McCormack - 9/10/19) |
Species seen - Blackbird, Blue Tit, Brambling, Buzzard, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Coal Tit, Cormorant, Curlew, Dunnock, Goldcrest, Golden Plover, Goldfinch, Great Tit, Grey Wagtail, Herring Gull, Jackdaw, Kestrel, Magpie, Meadow Pipit,
Pallas's Warbler, Pheasant, Pied Wagtail, Pink Footed Goose, Redwing, Robin, Feral Pigeon, Skylark, Song Thrush, Sparrowhawk, Starling, Swallow, Tree Sparrow, Treecreeper, Woodpigeon, Wren, Yellow Browed Warbler.
Butterfly seen - Red Admiral.
