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| Woodpigeon |
I've been really struggling to get motivated to get out birding for over a week, though I've still been paying attention to what I see (and hear) on my walks to and from work. The timing of this latest bout of apathy and lethargy is obviously rather inopportune given that we are more or less in the middle of Spring migration time and I really should be trying to make the most of it, if I'm to get anywhere close to my target figure (of 145) for the year. For my latest midweek day off I wanted to make the effort to get up and out early - pre-sunrise, and to squeeze in as much birding as possible. However, I went back to sleep again when the alarm went off at 0415.
When I did eventually get up I was still struggling to get motivated to get out somewhere. There was a bit of a chill to the wind, moreso when the sun went behind the clouds, which also didn't really help to persuade me to make an effort. Despite this I eventually forced myself to head out with no real plan. I set off first in the direction of Baxter Park to see if anything interesting might pop into Spring Grove for a drink/bath. From reading old Angus & Dundee Bird Reports it appears that Redstart and Spotted Flycatcher have passed through the park in the past. Herring Gull, Goldfinch, and Feral Pigeon made for a slow start to the day's list. Starling and House Sparrow were added as I wandered along to the Dura Street car park.
Disappointingly there was no sign yet of any House Martins around the primary school where they nest below the eaves. Chaffinch, Woodpigeon, Blackbird and Blue Tit were spotted at Spring Grove with a Goldcrest in the trees nearby. Carrion Crow, Stock Dove, Great Tit and Magpie were all noted before I spied a Sparrowhawk drifting over high above. Robin, Wren, Song Thrush, Coal Tit, Greenfinch and Dunnock added a bit more variety before I decided to wander up to Swannie Ponds for a look there. A Willow Warbler was singing in the trees just behind the grove as I left. It was relatively quiet at Swannie Ponds. There were a few Herring Gulls and Lesser Black Backed Gulls around as well as Coot, Mallard, Mute Swan and Tufted Duck. One of the pairs of Tufties were mating out on the water with the female almost completely submerged.
A Chiffchaff was heard singing as I set off for a look at Eastern Cemetery next. My expectation levels were rather low and I was not surprised when a Chaffinch singing in amongst the blossom on a tree was the highlight. I wandered back along Arbroath Road before turning to head down Kemilworth Avenue. As I wandered down the hill, a bird caught my eye as it flew around above the street. Initially I thought, and hoped, it might be a House Martin. There were another 2 birds a little behind it and all 3 flew over me and continued on northwards. Unfortunately they were Swallows rather than the year-tick that a House Martin would have been.
I headed down to the western end of the cycle path through the docks and continued on along towards City Quay. A Grey Wagtail flew over and a Linnet was heard near the submarine memorial. A drake Mallard was asleep on the other side of the channel into the inner quay while Herring Gulls lounged about nearby. Unfortunately there was little else around. An Oystercatcher flew past before I crossed the footbridge and wandered down to check the river. Again, it was only Herring Gulls on the water while a Cormorant was stood atop 'Submarine Rock'. I found another below the roadbridge as I passed by. My legs were feeling rather heavy by this time, despite not having walked particularly far so instead of continuing on to Balgay Hill I headed home having seen or heard a total of 33 species. Not the greatest variety nor total but I had managed to get out for a few hours. With a week and a half off work to come very soon, I'm hoping I'm going to be a bit more motivated.
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| Sparrowhawk |
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| Blackbird |
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| Chaffinch |
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| Woodpigeon |
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House Sparrow
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| Robin |
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| Blackbird |
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| Dunnock |
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| Starling |
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| Blackbird |
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Carrion Crow
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Tufted Duck
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Tufted Duck
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Herring Gull
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Herring Gull
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Herring Gull
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| Chaffinch |
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Mallard
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Birds - Blackbird, Blue Tit, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Coal Tit, Coot, Cormorant, Dunnock, Goldcrest, Goldfinch, Great Tit, Greenfinch, Grey Wagtail, Herring Gull, House Sparrow, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Linnet, Magpie, Mallard, Mute Swan, Oystercatcher, Robin, Feral Pigeon, Song Thrush, Sparrowhawk, Starling, Stock Dove, Swallow, Tufted Duck, Willow Warbler, Woodpigeon, Wren.
