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| Nuthatch |
Following on from Saturday's early start and semi-successful 16.25 mile walk (with one new species added to my Dundee145 list), I was relatively keen to get out birding on Sunday again. However, the weather forecast was a bit 'too good' for me. It was to be a bit warmer than I am comfortable in, with temperatures reaching around 20C. I decided on another early start to counter the heat a little, though I knew things would heat up as the morning progressed. I knew the exertions of Saturday's walk and the early start stood a chance of derailing my enthusiasm but I decided to take my chances anyway with Riverside Nature Park my destination of choice for the morning's birding.
It was a later start than the previous day with an 0655 departure from home. Blackbird, Herring Gull, House Sparrow and Carrion Crow were immediately spotted as I stepped outside. Magpie, Swift, Feral Pigeon, Jackdaw, Woodpigeon, Starling, Dunnock, House Martin, Wren, Blue Tit and Chiffchaff provided a steady stream of further additions as I headed westwards towards Lochee avoiding the aggressively defensive Herring Gulls nesting on the chimneys in Byron Street. Lesser Black Backed Gulls were seen as I headed down Loons Road. Goldfinch and a Sparrowhawk followed as I crossed the football pitches towards Balgay Hill. Coal Tit and Goldcrest plus a flyover Oystercatcher provided some interest as I cut through the cemetery. Continuing down Ninewells Avenue and through the hospital grounds got me a few more species - Greenfinch, Great Tit, Stock Dove, Chaffinch and Robin as well as a few Rabbits.
I reached the western end of the Nature Park just after 0800. Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Chiffchaff, Blue Tit, Greenfinch, Black Headed Gull, Carrion Crow, Great Tit, Lapwing, Linnet, Mute Swan, Feral Pigeon, Oystercatcher, Shelduck, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Starling, Goldfinch and Mallard got things started for my park list for the day. The Garden Warbler was still singing on both sides of the hide path and a few Jackdaws landed down by the pipe. A Dunnock could be heard singing somewhere out in front of the hide. With the view severely reduced by the recent growth of the summer vegetation there was little point in spending too much time at the hide itself. I wandered slowly along towards the main body of the park.
There was still plenty of activity around the hill from the park's Skylarks. Song Thrush, Chaffinch and Whitethroat didn't take long to make it onto the list. From the picnic tables, a Grey Heron was seen near the pipe and both of the park's regular bunting species - Reed Bunting and Yellowhammer, were noted close by. Scanning out over the mud in the bay from further round added Curlew. The 'resident' Pheasant called from somewhere unseen. A few Swallows swept overhead towards Invergowrie then a Common Gull flew over. I then headed in the direction of the Lochan where House Martins were zipping low over the water feeding on insects. It took a few minutes for one of the local Moorhens to put in an appearance but it made it onto the list just before the clock hit 0900.
More wandering got me Wren, Pied Wagtail and Blackcap near the car park and a visit to the top of the hill provided a few distant Cormorants well out on the sandbanks in the river. Magpie, Robin, Stock Dove and Swift were noted as I wandered back round past the Lochan again. By this time, my enthusiasm and energy were waning rapidly as the temperature in the sunshine rose higher. I decided to head for the exit. A few Ringlet butterflies were flitting around near the wooden gate at the eastern end and a pair of Great Spotted Woodpeckers were seen by the access road as were a few House Sparrows and a Green Veined White butterfly. I left the park having managed to see or hear a total of 45 species of bird, and 2 of butterflies.
It was a very tiring trudge up to Balgay Cemetery from there, with a detour to the nearby Spar to top up on my supplies of juice, as I had already more or less finished the 700ml bottle I had with me. The shade of the large trees in the cemetery provided some very welcome respite from the sun. I stopped off for a look at one of the Nuthatch nest sites (the only one I've seen any activity at this year) and was surprised to see one of the birds hanging on to the edge of the nest hole. After a few minutes of watching from a distance the second half of the pair was seen exiting the nest before flying off, while the original bird disappeared into the nest. Continuing on over the hill, I added a few Swallows above the trees and a Buzzard being harassed noisily by a Carrion Crow. A Peregrine also put in an appearance above the hill top.
I decided to take the direct route home from Balgay, which meant heading up towards the Law. Small White butterfly, Bullfinch and Pied Wagtail were noted around the Law and I was very glad to get home by around 1330. Outwith the park, I'd managed to record a total of 34 species of bird, 1 of mammals and a single butterfly species for a combined total of 53 species of bird, 3 of butterflies and 1 of mammal for the day. The heat had made for a very tiring outing and reminded me of why I don't particularly enjoy birding in summer when the sun is out (although I don't particularly enjoy doing anything being outside when it is too warm). Roll on the cooler conditions of early Autumn when things aren't quite as tiring....
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| Sparrowhawk |
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| Swift |
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Song Thrush
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| Swallow |
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| Greenfinch |
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| Magpie |
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| Chaffinch |
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| Nuthatch |
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| Soldier Beetle (Cantharis obscura) |
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Hoverfly (Volucella pellucens)
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Carrion Crow & Buzzard
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| Blackbird |
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| Blackbird |
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| Peregrine |
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| Peregrine |
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| Buzzard |
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Fly sp.
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Tarnished Plant Bug
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Willow Warbler
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Birds (outwith Riverside Nature Park) - Blackbird, Blackcap, Blue Tit, Bullfinch, Buzzard, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Coal Tit, Dunnock, Goldcrest, Goldfinch, Great Tit, Greenfinch, Herring Gull, House Martin, House Sparrow, Jackdaw, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Magpie, Nuthatch, Oystercatcher, Peregrine, Pied Wagtail, Robin, Feral Pigeon, Sparrowhawk, Starling, Stock Dove, Swallow, Swift, Willow Warbler, Woodpigeon, Wren.
Butterflies (outwith Riverside Nature Park) - Small White.
Mammals (outwith Riverside Nature Park) - Rabbit.
Birds (at Riverside Nature Park) - Blackbird, Blackcap, Black Headed Gull, Blue Tit, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Common Gull, Cormorant, Curlew, Dunnock, Garden Warbler, Goldfinch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Great Tit, Greenfinch, Grey Heron, Herring Gull, House Martin, House Sparrow, Jackdaw, Lapwing, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Linnet, Magpie, Mallard, Moorhen, Mute Swan, Oystercatcher, Pheasant, Pied Wagtail, Reed Bunting, Robin, Feral Pigeon, Shelduck, Skylark, Song Thrush, Starling, Stock Dove, Swallow, Swift, Whitethroat, Woodpigeon, Wren, Yellowhammer.
Butterflies (at Riverside Nature Park) - Green Veined White, Ringlet.
