1104 : Going For Gold (18/4/23)

Osprey


Following on from Monday's failed expedition to the westernmost parts of the city, I had decided to head to the opposite end, the eastern extremeties on Tuesday with Balmossie my main destination. When I got up I wasn't feeling 100%, with a bit of queasiness making me ponder the wisdom of going for a long walk. However, once I got organised I had convinced myself that I should give it a go to make up for not getting out on Sunday and Monday's partial failure to get where I was actually meant to be going. The weather forecast was a bit variable too, starting off cold but brightening up and warming up later. That in itself presented the dilemma of what exactly to wear. I got organised anyway and headed out at a little after 0850.

Blackbird, Jackdaw, Blue Tit, Herring Gull, Starling, Robin, Woodpigeon and Feral Pigeon were all noted as I headed for Clepington Road. My stomach wasn't feeling particularly great and it was much colder than I had dressed for. It felt like a very bad idea so I turned around and headed back home. Balmossie would have to wait. I got back home a few minutes later and put the kettle for a cup of tea on to try to warm up a bit. As I had a few blog-posts to catch up with, and lots of photos still to edit, I knew I had plenty to keep myself busy, so a day at home wouldn't (or at least shouldn't) really be wasted. Around 0925 I got a text message from Keith telling me he'd just found a summer plumaged Golden Plover in Invergowrie Bay, which was a long overdue park tick. I messaged him back to say 'well done' and also to say I didn't really feel up to trying for it.

However, given that Golden Plover is a difficult bird to catch up with in Dundee these days, I knew I would struggle to claw that one back. It would also be a patch tick for me. I had to give it a go. With luck I could walk down, see the bird and following a quick once around the park, head back home for around lunchtime. My bag was already packed so I messaged Keith back to say, I was on my way. Carrion Crow was the first 'new' bird of my second attempt to get out birding that morning, followed by House Sparrow, Goldfinch, Greenfinch and Chiffchaff. I discovered that this time I was a bit over-dressed, rather than under-dressed as I hurried on along Byron Street. Keith had messaged me back as I headed down Provost Road to say the plover had just flown off but he was trying to relocate it out on the rather plentiful low tide expanses of exposed mud.

I added Lesser Black Backed Gull near the end of Byron Street, a Peregrine on Cox's Stack and a singing Blackcap and Coal Tit at the end of The Miley. Cutting through Balgay Cemetery I then added Nuthatch and Chaffinch. Goldcrest and Siskin soon followed as I passed the Botanic Gardens with Magpie finally being seen as I neared the park. I somehow managed to reach the park a bit ahead of schedule by about 5 minutes. There were a few Rabbits in amongst the saplings at the eastern end. Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Dunnock, Robin and Woodpigeon got the list for the park visit underway. Continuing on towards the bay, I noted Long Tailed Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Willow Warbler, Blackbird, Feral Pigeon, Wren and Chiffchaff.

Skylarks were plentiful above the hill and Song Thrush and Blue Tit were spotted near the path up to the hill viewpoint. The tide was still quite far out when I reached the bench at the southwestern corner of the park's publicly accessible parts. Dunlin, Redshank, Teal, Curlew, Bar Tailed Godwit, Oystercatcher and Mallard were all picked out on my initial bout of scanning using binoculars. Out came the small scope for a hopefully more in-depth look. Grey Heron, Shelduck, Cormorant, Herring Gull, Lesser Black Backed Gull and Common Gull were soon also on the list, but there was no sign of the Golden Plover. As the tide was on its way in, I knew there was a chance the bird would come back in on the tide. I also knew I would need to be patient.

A Peacock butterfly flitted around on the slope in front of where I was standing and a Linnet flew over. The Mute Swan pair were once again visible in the burn outflow and as the tide pushed more birds into the inner part of the bay I managed to find a colour ringed Black Tailed Godwit (though the OM-1's sensor size and image resolution made it difficult to decide how many rings, and what colour they all were). A Meadow Pipit flew over just a few minutes before an Osprey arrived over the bay. Unlike Saturday, an attempt at fishing was made and a small-ish flatfish was caught and carrried off. Goldfinch, Black Headed Gull, Buzzard, Blackcap, Reed Bunting and Swallow were noted over the next half an hour or so as the tide made the mud vanish pushing the birds further and further into the bay.

I headed round to the hide to scan from there but other than another Black Tailed Godwit it proved to be a rather fruitless endeavour. I admitted defeat on the Golden Plover at around 1250 and wandered back into the park. A Yellowhammer was singing in the trees along the path. A Moorhen was at the Lochan as was a Grey Heron and a few Mallards. A Starling flew over before I had a 'run-in' with a dog walker with 2 large off -lead dogs who ignored all the signs to walk over the hill. I managed to get her to head back to the path with some reluctance but the dogs weren't put on a lead, nor were they even kept in her sight. Our paths crossed again a little later, as she wandered round the bend about a minute after her dogs had and a 'discussion' was had. She apparently doesn't always see signs when she's driving either....

One of the White butterflies (Green Veined?) and a few Small Tortoiseshell were seen along the track round to the right from the car park. A Sparrowhawk was spotted before I eventually headed homewards shortly before 1400. Willow Warbler and an Orange Tip butterfly were noted on Riverside Avenue while Skylarks could be heard singing from above the airport. Long Tailed Tit, Sparrowhawk and Stock Dove were seen in Balgay Cemetery as were a Peacock butterfly, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Jay and Grey Squirrel. I also had decent views of a pair of Nuthatches near one of the nest sites from last year, which hopefully bodes well for this year. Collared Dove was seen on Kinghorne Road taking my total for the day to 56 species (split between 30 outwith Riverside Nature Park, and 45 at the park). I was naturally disappointed not to get the Golden Plover, but well done again to Keith for adding yet another species to the park list which now sits at 159. What will be number 160 (and who will find it)?

Song Thrush
Black Tailed Godwit & Redshank
Herring Gull
Bar Tailed Godwit & Oystercatcher
Osprey
Buzzard
Redshank, Teal, Black Headed Gull, Dunlin & Black Tailed Godwit
Peacock
Sparrowhawk
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Nuthatch
Nuthatch
Nuthatch
Jay
Jay
Grey Squirrel

Birds (outwith Riverside Nature Park) - Blackbird, Blackcap, Blue Tit, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Coal Tit, Collared Dove, Goldcrest, Goldfinch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Greenfinch, Herring Gull, House Sparrow, Jackdaw, Jay, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Long Tailed Tit, Magpie, Nuthatch, Peregrine, Robin, Feral Pigeon, Siskin, Skylark, Sparrowhawk, Starling, Stock Dove, Willow Warbler, Woodpigeon.

Butterflies (outwith Riverside Nature Park) - Orange Tip, Peacock.

Mammals (outwith Riverside Nature Park) - Grey Squirrel.

Birds (at Riverside Nature Park) - Bar Tailed Godwit, Blackbird, Blackcap, Black Headed Gull, Black Tailed Godwit, Blue Tit, Buzzard, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Common Gull, Cormorant, Curlew, Dunlin, Dunnock, Goldfinch, Great Tit, Grey Heron, Herring Gull, Jackdaw, Lesser Black backed Gull, Linnet, Long Tailed Tit, Magpie, Meadow Pipit, Moorhen, Mute Swan, Osprey, Oystercatcher, Redshank, Reed Bunting, Robin, Feral Pigeon, Shelduck, Skylark, Song Thrush, Sparrowhawk, Starling, Swallow, Teal, Willow Warbler, Woodpigeon, Wren, Yellowhammer.

Butterflies (at Riverside Nature Park) - (Green Veined?) White, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell.

Mammals (at Riverside Nature Park) - Rabbit.

1103 : No Picnic (17/4/23)

Great Crested Grebe


I couldn't get motivated to get out and about on Sunday, though I did watch this year's attempts by a pair of Collared Doves to build a nest once again in exactly the same unsuitable spot as last year, from my living room window. At one point, there was a Collared Dove on the 'nest' but once again, the weather managed to remove the pile of weedy stalks and the odd stick very easily. I wonder if they'll try again this time next year. Despite taking a couple of days off work with the sole intention to get out birding, I was struggling again to get motivated on Monday. Eventually I decided I should make some effort even though I really didn't feel like it, both mentally and physically. With Lainy having had some success with House Martins at Clatto, I decided I would try there and then head out to the western edge of the city between Liff and Benvie, in search of a Wheatear.

I headed out at around 0955. I had decided to head down through Caird Park to Trottick Ponds then up to Clatto, then down through Templeton Woods to Camperdown Park, then across the park and out through Liff, down to Benvie before heading back homewards. It would be a long walk and take a good few hours but as there was no real hurry I could take my time. Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Blackbird and Robin were all immediately obvious as soon as I stepped outside. Blue Tit, Feral Pigeon, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Meadow Pipit (overflying) and Chaffinch were noted on the relatively productive walk up to Clepington Road.

I then added Goldfinch and Great Tit as I headed down Graham Street towards Caird Park. Once across the Kingsway into 'Cairdie' I was able to add Chiffchaff, Wren, Treecreeper, Coal Tit, Song Thrush, Goldcrest, Magpie, Long Tailed Tit and Blackcap as I took my time on the walk down across the golf course then along the Gelly Burn. The top pond proved to be very quiet. I did find a few Mallards at the lower of the two ponds as well as a pair of Chiffchaffs. Continuing on downhill to the Dighty Burn I added a Dunnock foraging around on the ground and an Oystercatcher in flight. I found a pair of Dippers on the burn almost immediately after I'd crossed the road.

Heading along the old Claverhouse Road towards Trottick Ponds I heard a Grey Wagtail flying by. There appeared to be some work going on along the road into the ponds and it wasn't immediately apparent if they were even accessible. Thankfully they were and I headed down over the footbridge and into the small reserve. A surprise on the larger of the 2 ponds was a Cormorant which was struggling with a rather large Eel. Although I've seen the species flying over, I've never seen one on the water there. Somehow the bird managed to manouevre the slippery fish into position to be able to somehow direct it down its throat, though it didn't look like it was particularly comfortable trying to get it all the way down. It appeared to manage eventually before hauling out at the end of the island to digest its rather large early lunch, stood with wings spread.

I had a chat to a guy from the council who it turned out knew Lainy. As we chatted a Sparrowhawk tussled with a Carrion Crow to the north of us and a drake Goosander flew past us, having just taken off from the ponds. Moorhen and Mute Swan were both on the smaller of the 2 ponds and I had a brief glimpse of a distant skein of (likely Pink Footed) Geese as I wandered on. A Pheasant called loudly from somewhere a little to the north. I crossed the burn and had a look at the reedbed for Snipe but didn't see any. A Roe Deer that was resting up unseen broke cover when it realised I was there but I headed off again to allow it to return to where it had been. A Buzzard could be seen a little to the south.

I wandered on towards Harestane Road for the walk up the hill towards Clatto. As I wasn't likely to see too much I decided to have a bite to eat on the walk up the long slope. Into my backpack I went only to find that I had somehow managed to leave all my food at home. I had also left my wallet at home ruling out a visit to a shop for supplies. I had brought some juice with me but the lack of food meant that it wasn't going to be practical to walk the extra miles out to the western extremes after visiting Clatto. I messaged Lainy as I neared the top of the hill to see if she was out birding. She had been away at the weekend and was taking it easy at home. I said I'd let her know if I found anything of interest at Clatto, though I wasn't really expecting to.

I headed up the dirt track past the construction site which gave me a few Yellowhammers on the fence and wires and singing Skylarks over the fields as well as a Bullfinch in the bushes behind the houses. I had a look at the area which has been planted up with 1000s of trees and even had a wander up the hill behind the Garden Warbler 'corner'. If it wasn't likely to get so overgrown by the Autumn it would possibly make an interesting spot for some vis-migging. A surprise from there was an overflying Crossbill, a new bird for my Dundee145 list and one that I thought I might get in Templeton Woods later with a bit of luck. A bit more wandering gave me Jackdaw over the fields and a very distant Swallow off to the north before I headed in for a look at the reservoir.

Things were relatively quiet overall though there were plenty of gulls with 59 Lesser Black Backed Gulls counted as well as numerous Herring Gulls, plus a Common Gull and a Black Headed Gull. I picked out the Great Crested Grebe pair over towards the islands at the western end, but surprisingly there was another on the water near the toilet block on the south side. A Moorhen was on the gull raft and there were a few Mallards dotted around as well. I messaged Lainy to let her know about the third grebe. The male Mute Swan was chasing a small group of young Mute Swans (not his own, as they had apparently moved on elsewhere a few weeks ago). A Stock Dove flew past.

I took my time wandering around, stopping to try to photograph the single Great Crested Grebe. A Pied Wagtail flew past and a Sparrowhawk drifted over. A Jay was in the trees by the car park and a Yellowhammer picked around on the mossy slope down to the water in front of the toilets. A bit of a surprise was a Kestrel which flew diagonally across the reservoir with a Carrion Crow in pursuit. A pair of Rooks were in the trees to the west. After a couple of hours hanging around the reservoir area I decided to move on again and wandered up past the kids' play area and across towards the water tower. As I stepped into the woods there, a Great Spotted Woodpecker flew up from the ground just in front of me and landed up in one of the trees a little further back. A second woodpecker was in another tree close by. A third was noted just a little bit further on.

I wandered down through the woods which were relatively quiet overall though I did manage to add Siskin to the list as well as a Grey Squirrel. I had views of a distant Roe Deer and one much closer just the other side of the fence near the houses at the southern edge of the golf course, which wandered off when it eventually spotted me. I decided to have a quick look at the Ardler village pond which did give me a few Reed Buntings and some nice views of a Song Thrush feeding just a few feet away from me. Greenfinch and another Great Spotted Woodpecker were seen on the walk home from there. I finished the day's birding with a respectable total of 54 species including year-tick number 107 for my Dundee145 list. Hopefully I didn't miss out on too much further out to the west by leaving my food at home...

Blackcap
Robin
Mallard
Chiffchaff
Cormorant (with Eel)
Cormorant (with Eel)
Carrion Crow & Sparrowhawk
Goosander
Yellowhammer
Mute Swan (& Black Headed Gull)
Great Crested Grebe & Common Gull
Great Crested Grebe
Lesser Black Backed Gull & Herring Gull
Mute Swan
Moorhen
Jay
Great Crested Grebe
Carrion Crow & Kestrel
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Wren
Roe Deer
Song Thrush


Birds - Blackbird, Blackcap, Black Headed Gull, Blue Tit, Bullfinch, Buzzard, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Coal Tit, Common Gull, Cormorant, Crossbill, Dipper, Dunnock, Goldcrest, Goldfinch, Goosander, Great Crested Grebe, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Great Tit, Greenfinch, Grey Wagtail, Herring Gull, House Sparrow, Jackdaw, Jay, Kestrel, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Long Tailed Tit, Magpie, Mallard, Meadow Pipit, Moorhen, Mute Swan, Oystercatcher, Pheasant, Pied Wagtail, Pink Footed Goose, Reed Bunting, Robin, Feral Pigeon, Rook, Siskin, Skylark, Song Thrush, Sparrowhawk, Starling, Stock Dove, Swallow, Treecreeper, Woodpigeon, Wren, Yellowhammer. 

Mammals - Grey Squirrel, Roe Deer.

1102 : Osprey On The Radar (15/4/23)

Magpie


Having had a successful trip to Balmossie on Wednesday with 4 new Dundee145 ticks taking me past the 100 mark at last, I then added a Willow Warbler on my walk to work the very next day taking me to 104. With a few days off work planned for Monday and Tuesday I was hoping to add a few more species to the list. One of these species I was hoping for was Osprey, and with Keith having already had a few sightings in Invergowrie Bay, I decided to target the species from Riverside Nature Park on the Saturday. As well as the Osprey there was also the chance of a Sand Martin, or a House Martin or perhaps something a bit more unexpected. Fingers were crossed...

I was out the door at around 0735, a bit later than I had initially intended. Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Blackbird, Goldfinch, Dunnock and Feral Pigeon got the day's list underway. House Sparrow, Starling, Magpie, Blue Tit and Chaffinch soon followed. Carrion Crow, Wren and Great Tit were next as I wandered along Kinghorne Road before I heard a singing Chiffchaff and a calling Bullfinch from the direction of the Law. A singing Robin was heard as I made my way downhill towards Lochee Road. A Jay overflew as I was looking at a Greenfinch in a small tree. A Long Tailed Tit was in another small tree nearby and a flyover Great Spotted Woodpecker was another surprise.

Goldcrest and Coal Tit were added before I stopped for a chat with fellow Dundee birder, Davie (Traynor?) as he waited for a bus. Continuing on again to Balgay Hill, I stopped just inside the gate to listen to a singing Blackcap. A calling Sparrowhawk diverted my attention and I went searching for what I suspect is the nest site of the local pair. Unfortunately, I failed to find it, though I did narrow down the options a little. A Grey Squirrel was spotted scurrying around nearby. Song Thrush and Nuthatch joined the other 'heard only' species already on the list over on the cemetery half of the hill. A pair of Stock Doves rounded off a relatively productive visit to the hill.

As I wandered down Glamis Road a Grey Heron flew eastwards following the line of Perth Road. A minute or so later a small skein of 11 Pink Footed Geese headed over northwards having also arrived from the west. I reached Riverside Nature Park at 0850. Dunnock, Blackbird, a flyover Meadow Pipit, Wren, Chaffinch, Carrion Crow, Robin, Magpie, Herring Gull, Chiffchaff, Woodpigeon, Greenfinch, Skylark and Goldfinch all made for a busy, if unspectacular, start to my day's list at the park. There were a few Rabbits around as well mostly among the recently planted saplings. Moorhen and Mallard were at the Lochan. Continuing on, I added a pair of Reed Buntings and a few Feral Pigeons. A Yellowhammer was spotted in the bushes before I found Keith scanning the bay from near the picnic tables.

Oystercatcher, Shelduck, Redshank, Common Gull, Teal, Bar Tailed Godwit and Dunlin were all down in the bay, while Song Thrush and Blackcap were in the bushes and trees nearby. Further out on the river were a pair of Red Breasted Merganser. A Grey Heron flew in and landed on the pipe, and Keith used his scope to confirm a pair of sleeping ducks across the far side of the bay were Pintail. A few Lesser Black Backed Gulls were with the other gulls in their usual bathing spot in the burn while a Buzzard was seen circling to the north. A Sand Martin overflew us from the west, my first of the year. Black Headed Gull and Cormorant were next onto my list before Keith headed homewards. I stuck around, scanning the bay. A Swallow swept past northwards and I picked out a few Curlew over towards the far side of the bay.

A pair of Jackdaws passed overhead. A pair of Mute Swans were on the burn near the railway line. I headed for the hide noting Long Tailed Tits and Great Tit on the way. A large skein of 500 or so Pink Footed Geese headed past westwards a little to the north of the road. With nothing much to be added at the hide I headed back to the picnic tables. I spotted a very distant raptor crossing the river but it was just too far away to be sure of the ID, though I suspect it was probably an Osprey, though i struggled to see any white, so Marsh Harrier may also have been a possibility (or even Buzzard).  As I scanned out over the river, the male Pheasant called from beyond the fenceline at the southwest 'corner'. A definite Osprey, my confirmed first of the year, put in an appearance over the bay but didn't hang around. Around 10 minutes later I had a second sighting of an Osprey as one circled up with gulls a little to the north of the park.

An unexpected bonus bird on the water where the bay met the river was a patch tick for me, a Great Crested Grebe. Trying to get a decent photo proved tricky with the OM-1 thanks to 'heat shimmer'. A drake Goosander popped up by the Red Breasted Mergansers a little further out. I wandered back round the paths towards the car park. The sun was by this time putting out some rather welcome heat and a Small Tortoiseshell butterfly flitted by before tussling briefly with a second one. I added Sparrowhawk to the list as I wandered up over the hill. As I continued on, I noticed there was some commotion over the bay again. I suspected the culprit would be an Osprey and so it proved, with a successful catch of a flatfish the result. A Peacock butterfly was sunning itself on the path and I spotted a pair of Rooks heading for the Ninewells rookery.

I called it quits around 1420 and headed back along the north side of the road. As I was checking my phone, I was suddenly aware of something an inch or two from my face. I stopped walking and focused on the orange shape in front of me. I realised it was actually a Comma butterfly but it flew off along the hedge-line before I was able to snap a photo. A little further on, a Buzzard flew up from a small tree just beyond the hedge and landed in another small-ish tree a little further back, glaring back at me. I took a few photos but there was a twig across the bird's face. Thankfully it turned its head long enough to let me get a clear shot. After 30 seconds or so, the Buzzard flew off across the road dragging a few Magpies and Carrion Crows in pursuit.

I cut up through Balgay Cemetery which gave me views of a Great Spotted Woodpecker preening on a branch, though with the sun directly behind it. I headed for the Law next, noting a Peregrine perched on Cox's Stack. From the top of the Law, a Buzzard was seen being harassed by the local corvids. I made it home at around 1650 having seen or heard a total of 61 species of bird, of which 2 (in bold) were new for my Dundee145 list. That was the combined total of 52 species found at the park and 32 outwith. I also managed to find a total of 3 species of butterfly and 2 of mammals. All in all, a fairly decent day's birding.

Grey Heron
Pink Footed Goose
Robin
Bar Tailed Godwit & Oystercatcher
Chiffchaff
Curlew
Yellowhammer
Pintail
Great Crested Grebe
Shelduck
Carrion Crow
Osprey
Meadow Pipit
Greenfinch
Carrion Crow
Osprey
Long Tailed Tit
Blue Tit
Peacock
Small Tortoiseshell
Chaffinch
Jackdaw
Rabbit
Zebra Spider (Saltus Scenicus)
Buzzard
Grey Squirrel


Birds (outwith Riverside Nature Park) - Blackbird, Blackcap, Blue Tit, Bullfinch, Buzzard, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Coal Tit, Dunnock, Goldcrest, Goldfinch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Great Tit, Greenfinch, Grey Heron, Herring Gull, House Sparrow, Jay, Long Tailed Tit, Magpie, Nuthatch, Peregrine, Pink Footed Goose, Robin, Feral Pigeon, Song Thrush, Sparrowhawk, Starling, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Wren.

Butterfly (outwith Riverside Nature Park) - Comma.

Mammals (outwith Riverside Nature Park) - Grey Squirrel.

Birds (at Riverside Nature Park) - Bar Tailed Godwit, Blackbird, Blackcap, Black Headed Gull, Blue Tit, Buzzard, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Common Gull, Cormorant, Curlew, Dunlin, Dunnock, Goldfinch, Goosander, Great Crested Grebe, Great Tit, Greenfinch, Grey Heron, Herring Gull, Jackdaw, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Linnet, Long Tailed Tit, Magpie, Mallard, Meadow Pipit, Moorhen, Mute Swan, Osprey, Oystercatcher, Pheasant, Pink Footed Goose, Pintail, Red Breasted Merganser, Redshank, Reed Bunting, Robin, Feral Pigeon, Rook, Sand Martin, Shelduck, Skylark, Song Thrush, Sparrowhawk, Starling, Swallow, Teal, Woodpigeon, Wren, Yellowhammer.

Butterflies (at Riverside Nature Park) - Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell.

Mammals - Rabbit.