When I was young I would usually get a mandarin in my 'stocking' for Christmas (thankfully along with other non-fruit stuff) and last year around this time I decided to head up to Aberdeen to get a Mandarin Duck onto my year-list the weekend just before Christmas. Having not had the opportunity to catch up with the species this year yet, I decided I really should make the effort to get one before I ran out of time for 2019's year-list. I originally intended to try on Sunday but decided against going for it as the time of the first train would mean that I was unlikely to be able to squeeze in anything else. So with more trains available on a Wednesday I decided to try for it then.
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| Mandarin Duck |
My originall plan was to catch an early train then to stop off on the way back down from Aberdeen at either Montrose or Arbroath to see what else I might find. However, after doing some checking of prices I found that I could do the trip for around half the cost if I caught a train after 0930. So, it would be a single bird trip after all, which wasn't ideal but was significantly cheaper by splitting the journey into two parts (Dundee-Stonehaven & Stonehaven-Aberdeen) though I would stay on the train. I headed out around 0915 to catch the train just after 0945. Redwing and Fieldfare were both seen as I waited for the bus which was running slightly late and it looked a little touch and go for catching the train but thankfully I made it with time to spare.
From the train I added a few more species with Montrose Basin unsurprisingly providing the most variety, mostly ducks and waders. Reaching Aberdeen just after 1105 I headed west towards Johnston Gardens and Walker Dam where I hoped to find 'Mac' the Mandarin. My main concern was that there was a chance that at least Walker Dam might be frozen over. Only House Sparrow was added on the roughly 30 minute walk out though there were a few other species around. I reached Johnston Gardens around 1140 and stopped to see if there was anything other than Black Headed Gulls and Mallards around. A Moorhen was also spotted.
I had brought some food to tempt the ducks out so having spotted a yellow ring on a Black Headed Gull I attempted to read the 4 characters while bringing the birds in close by throwing out food. I could see the code began with 2X but was struggling to get the latter 2 with the 3rd being the main problem. I was so focussed on getting the code read that I didn't notice the
Mandarin Duck had popped into view. A passing dog-walker who stopped to chat pointed him out. I eventually managed to complete the code (2XIN) of the Black Headed Gull - likely a relatively local bred bird and also got some photos of "Mac". Around 1215 I headed back towards Aberdeen and made it back to the station in time to catch the 1312 train back to Dundee.
I added only Grey Heron to the short list for the day while passing Montrose. I debated getting off at Montrose or Arbroath but the sun had disappeared behind some clouds by this time meaning I would only have around 90 minutes so I headed home instead. As I neared home on the bus I spotted a tree full of birds which might have been Waxwings, so I wandered back to check. They were Redwings and Fieldfares but it wasn't a bad way to finish the day's birding. Only 30 species of bird and 1 of mammal seen, but the important thing was that the target species for the year-list (in bold) was found and seen well, justifying the trip north.
Species seen - Dundee - Herring Gull, Blackbird, Woodpigeon, Feral Pigeon, Redwing, Jackdaw, Blue Tit, Fieldfare, Black Headed Gull, Carrion Crow.
Dundee to Aberdeen - Starling, Curlew, Buzzard, Common Gull, Rook, Mallard, Eider, Teal, Oystercatcher, Cormorant, Redshank, Wigeon, Magpie, Pink Footed Goose.
Mammals seen - Roe Deer
Aberdeen and/to Dundee - House Sparrow, Goldfinch, Moorhen, Mandarin Duck, Great Tit, Grey Heron.
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| Mandarin Duck |
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| Mandarin Duck |
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| Mandarin Duck & Black Headed Gull |
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| Black Headed Gull (2XIN) |
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| Black Headed Gull (2XIN) |
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| Mandarin Duck |
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| Mandarin Duck |
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| Mandarin Duck |
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| Mandarin Duck |
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| Mandarin Duck |
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| Black Headed Gull (2XIN) |
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| Black Headed Gull (2XIN) |
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| Black Headed Gull |
Species seen - Blackbird, Black Headed Gull, Blue Tit, Buzzard, Carrion Crow, Common Gull, Cormorant, Curlew, Eider, Fieldfare, Goldfinch, Great Tit, Grey Heron, Herring Gull, House Sparrow, Jackdaw, Magpie, Mallard,
Mandarin Duck, Moorhen, Oystercatcher, Pink Footed Goose, Redshank, Redwing, Feral Pigeon, Rook, Starling, Teal, Wigeon, Woodpigeon.
Mammals seen - Roe Deer.
