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| Redshank |
The end of 2022 is rapidly approaching and with only roughly 7 hours of available daylight each birding day needs to be spent wisely if I'm to add anything else to the Dundee140 list, which currently stands at 142 species (plus the Saker Falcon escape). There are still a few possibilities though none particularly likely, although with birding you just never know what might turn up. Just being in the right place at the right time (and paying attention) can make all the difference as this year has shown on numerous occasions. My penultimate midweek birding excursion for the year was to begin with my birding buddy, Paul, coming up to buy some of my now surplus to requirements photography gear from me, then the plan was to head somewhere to let him get some experience with it while I was there to answer any questions he might have.
Having given him a quick rundown of the camera's controls at home, we headed for Swannie Ponds to let him try it out on moving targets. While waiting for Paul to arrive I'd noted Sparrowhawk, Carrion Crow, Starling, Herring Gull and Black Headed Gull as well as Blue Tit from my living room window. The ponds were still largely frozen though most of the usual suspects were around. Herring Gull, Black Headed Gull (including 3 white ringed birds, including a new one, as well as 5 metal ringed birds), Common Gull, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Goosander, Coot and Mute Swan provided plenty of interest with a few 'ducks on ice' comedy moments. Magpie, Feral Pigeon and Redwing were seen passing overhead. Unfortunately, Paul had to head for home a bit earlier than planned, so I decided to check out Kingsway East for Waxwings while contemplating my options for what to do with the remaining daylight.
There were a few Fieldfares still around but no Waxwings. A Pied Wagtail flew past. I decided to head for the Dighty Burn between Whitfield and Douglas. It was around 1110 by the time I reached there. Siskins and Long Tailed Tits were in the trees on the south side of the burn near the roadbridge, as were a few Chaffinches. The football pitches held a few Oystercatchers and Woodpigeons in addition to a handful of gulls. I wandered into the reedy area but it was very quiet though a pair of Buzzards did a spot of hunting in the sunshine as I watched from below. Grey Heron and Dipper were noted along the burn. Things were very much quieter than usual, both from a birds and people perspective.
This actually worked out in my favour for a change. As I wandered along the section of the burn behind the Harry Lawson yard, a flash of blue caught my eye. A Kingfisher dropped from an overhanging branch and flew off down the Dighty towards where the two burns meet near the road. As the bird didn't disappear under the bridge at the end, I had a rough idea where it had stopped. I took my time and kept stopping to check for the bird. I soon spotted it perched on another branch over the burn and was able to get relatively close before it dived and caught a fish which it swallowed before trying again. After the second dive it flew to a small tree on the bank. I was able to get much closer by moving slowly. Unfortunately, a few branches blocked the view of the bird's head (though they probably also blocked the bird's view of me too). It then flew to another overhanging branch a short distance away. Through the viewfinder I could see that the background colours almost perfectly matched those of the Kingfisher and I took a number of photos. Unfortunately a cyclist passed by which spooked the bird which flew off under the roadbridge.
In addition to the Kingfisher there was a pair of Moorhens on this stretch of burn and Coal Tit, Great Tit and Greenfinch were feeding among the trees by the fence behind me. I contemplated heading for the northern edge of the city but instead decided to head for Balmossie, though without the Clearwater Park detour. I headed along Balgillo Road adding Collared Dove to the list as well as a Goldcrest. I reached the river just before 1300. The wind was rather cold which seemed to be limiting the amount of dog walkers. This worked in my favour too, allowing me some prolonged, close views of a Redshank and a Turnstone by the concrete steps near the end of the esplanade. A Cormorant flew past.
Down on the beach a bit further on I found a few Ringed Plover and some roosting Dunlin. Out on the river were some Eider and a couple of Goldeneye but things were otherwise very quiet around the burn mouth area. House Sparrow, Blackbird, Goldfinch, Wren, Robin and Song Thrush were noted on the walk back to Broughty Ferry. Feral Pigeons were seen near the castle. The river seemed bereft of birds compared to recent visits, which was disappointing as most of the likeliest new birds for my Dundee140 list were birds that might be out on the water - Long Tailed Duck, Great Northern Diver, Slavonian Grebe etc. I did manage to find a few Red Breasted Mergansers much further up towards the Stannergate. There were Rabbits in their usual locations as I headed up towards the railway line.
I had just put away the camera and binoculars by the railway line at the Stannergate and was walking to cross the Broughty Ferry Road when I looked up. There was a relatively large brown bird heading west just below treetop height. It was struggling slightly into the wind. It would have been a perfect opportunity to get a photo of a Woodcock in flight. Unfortunately, the 'photo' only exists in my memory. This is the second time in recent months I've missed out on a really good photo opportunity in exdactly the same spot, following on from a low fly-by from the escaped Saker Falcon a few months back. From now on I'll be waiting until I've drossed the road before packing away my gear...
I added Grey Squirrel in a very quiet Eastern Cemetery but there were no new bird species noted. I finished the day with a total of 48 species, which was a bit below the usual total for the route I'd taken. The windy, cold conditions likely played a part as did the tide state and the later than usual start. I did manage to get some nice photos of Redshank, Turnstone and the Kingfisher in particular. I've certainly had worse day's birding. For a relatively unplanned day's birding it was definitely decent enough for a mid December day, though I will be hoping for a few more species on my first similar trip in January as my 2023 Dundee14x list gets underway.
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Herring Gull
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Black Headed Gull (White 2XJH)
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| Mallard |
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| Goosander |
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Tufted Duck
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Grey Heron
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| Buzzard |
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Herring Gull
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| Dipper |
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| Kingfisher |
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| Kingfisher |
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| Oystercatcher |
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| Redshank |
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| Redshank |
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Dunlin & Redshank
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Ringed Plover
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| Goldeneye |
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| Turnstone |
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| Eider |
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Herring Gull
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Red Breasted Merganser
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| Rabbit |
Birds - Blackbird, Black Headed Gull, Blue Tit, Buzzard, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Coal Tit, Collared Dove, Common Gull, Coot, Cormorant, Dipper, Dunlin, Eider, Fieldfare, Goldcrest, Goldeneye, Goldfinch, Goosander, Great Tit, Greenfinch, Grey Heron, Herring Gull, House Sparrow, Jackdaw, Kingfisher, Long Tailed Tit, Magpie, Mallard, Moorhen, Mute Swan, Oystercatcher, Pied Wagtail, Red Breasted Merganser, Redshank, Redwing, Ringed Plover, Robin, Feral Pigeon, Siskin, Song Thrush, Sparrowhawk, Starling, Tufted Duck, Turnstone, Woodcock, Woodpigeon, Wren.
Mammals - Grey Squirrel, Rabbit.
