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| Goldcrest |
The forecast for Friday was more blue sky and 20+ Celsius degree heat. I generally don't really like those sorts of temperatures (15C is around the top end of my comfort zone) but I've tried to avoid staying in too often this year when those temperatures have been forecast. Even an early start wasn't going to be particularly cool temperature-wise but I decided on a walk out to Balmossie via the Dighty Burn. I was optimistic for some potential raptor sightings around the hot-spot that is the Baldovie recycling plant area and the marginally cooler air down by the river would hopefully make for a slightly less tiring return trip. That was the plan anyway....
It was already 't-shirt weather' (and I was dressed accordingly), when I headed out, a bit later than intended at 0800. Robin, Herring Gull, Chiffchaff, Starling, Jackdaw, Blackbird, Meadow Pipit, Woodpigeon, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Great Tit and Feral Pigeon made for a surprisingly busy first minute or two. I took the 'high road' route to Swannie Ponds and added House Martins around the Mains Loan crossroads. A Red Admiral butterfly flew past me as I walked down the steps at Swannie Ponds. Mallard, Mute Swan, Moorhen, Coot, Black Headed Gull, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Herring Gulls and a single Tufted Duck were all to be found at the ponds though it felt slightly quiet overall. A Swallow zipped over as I left the ponds and headed down Pitkerro Road to join the paths along the Dighty Burn.
Chaffinch, Coal Tit and Wren were in the bushes and trees as I wandered through to the more open area just beyond the first footbridge east of the road. A Rook flew over and the bushes held House Sparrows while a Goldcrest was in a small tree by the 5-a-side football pitch. A Grey Wagtail was down on the stones on the burn. I followed the path under Drumgeith Road and out the other side. The vegetation mostly blocked views of the burn along this stretch of the Dighty. A Goldfinch was in the trees near the new school building site. I caught a glimpse of a Dipper flying low over the water heading downstream. A Blue Tit was around by the feeders and a Grey Heron was stood in the middle of the burn.
Bullfinches were near the next footbridge, with Dunnock and Long Tailed Tits added a little further on. A Speckled Wood butterfly in the trees by the water was a site 'tick' and further evidence that this species has rapidly colonised Dundee following its arrival in the city last year. Perhaps Holly Blue will follow suit next year. Continuing on again, another Grey Heron was perched atop one of the buildings and a Jay flew over. I spotted a small 'butterfly' flying around by some trees and eventually managed to grab a couple of photos which showed it to be a moth rather than a butterfly. The behaviour and colour of the moth suggested that it was almost certainly a Vapourer Moth - a species I only saw for the first time last year (also in September).
It was getting hotter and my inclination to walk to Balmossie was quickly waning. I walked back and forward along a few short stretches of the burn instead while pondering what to do next. I spent some time trying to photograph some small Brown Trout in the burn. A Sparrowhawk overflew and as I headed back upstream a bit later, a Goosander did likewise. The first Buzzard of the morning then flew over at tree-top height as I was photographing Long Tailed Tits and a Chiffchaff. A Small White butterfly fluttered by and there were also numerous Red Admirals around in the sunshine. A Whitethroat was photographed through the branches in a small tree and as I was watching it an unexpected small flock of Tree Sparrows flew past.
A Buzzard was in the trees by the building site as I headed back in the direction of home while another pair circled overhead much higher. The bird from the trees flew up to try to join them and all 3 drifted off westwards gaining a bit more height as I reached Drumgeith Road again. I decided to head for home via Eastern Cemetery which added Rabbit and Grey Squirrel as well as yet another Buzzard. I made it home around 1400 following another visit to Swannie Ponds on the walk back. I ended the day's outing having seen or heard a total of 42 species of bird, 3 of butterfly, 1 of moth and 2 of mammals. I was rather tired due to the heat and thankful I had changed my mind about continuing on to Balmossie.
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Tufted Duck
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| Swallow |
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| Woodpigeon |
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Grey Heron
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Speckled Wood
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Vapourer Moth
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| Dipper |
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| Swallow |
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Brown Trout
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Long Tailed Tit
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| Chiffchaff |
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| Buzzard |
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| Buzzard |
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Grey Heron
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| Whitethroat |
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| Buzzard |
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| Buzzard |
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| Buzzard |
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| Moorhen |
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Lesser Black Backed Gull
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| Mallard |
Birds - Blackbird, Black Headed Gull, Blue Tit, Bullfinch, Buzzard, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Coal Tit, Coot, Dipper, Dunnock, Goldcrest, Goldfinch, Goosander, Great Tit, Grey Heron, Grey Wagtail, Herring Gull, House Martin, House Sparrow, Jackdaw, Jay, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Long Tailed Tit, Magpie, Mallard, Meadow Pipit, Moorhen, Mute Swan, Pied Wagtail, Robin, Feral Pigeon, Rook, Sparrowhawk, Starling, Swallow, Tree Sparrow, Tufted Duck, Whitethroat, Woodpigeon, Wren.
Butterflies - Red Admiral, Small White, Speckled Wood.
Mammals - Grey Squirrel, Rabbit.
Moths - Vapourer.
