1317 : The Birds & The Boat (13/10/24)

Chiffchaff

The 13th of October is a big date in my birding timeline. Back in 2013, over at Denburn Wood in Crail on an ADBC outing, I found my first (of two - in the same small urban wood, second was on 5/10/16) Red Flanked Bluetail. The following year on the same date, I got my first (of three) self-found White Billed Diver when one flew north past Fife Ness. However, restricting myself to birding in Dundee these days the chances of getting anything even approaching those sorts of rarities are rather minimal. However, you just never know what can turn up, as the Blyth's Reed Warbler near Riverside Nature Park in June 2023 found by Ian Ford showed. My initial plan was to head for Riverside Nature Park but I slept in, so a change of plan was needed.

The top of the Law got the nod and I headed out at 0735. It was quite a nice calm morning, not too cold, not too windy and relatively sunny. Feral Pigeon, Robin, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Herring Gull, House Sparrow and Black Headed Gull got the day's list going. Magpie, Starling and Chaffinch were noted near Dens Park stadium. Wren and Woodpigeon made their way onto the list at Harcourt Street. Blue Tit, Dunnock and Goldfinch were found around the Law Road/Law Crescent/Hill Street junction. I made it to the top of the hill just before 0800. Things were very quiet, with not even much in the way of bird calls from the trees. The local Magpies and Carrion Crows were active and did provide some initial interest. A skein of around 150 Pink Footed Geese headed northeast-wards around 0803. Siskin was heard from the trees on the east side a minute later.

A female Bullfinch showed in the tops of one of the trees at 0812. Siskins were heard again at 0815 and 4 flew past eastbound at 0817. A Chaffinch was seen at 0820. It was looking like being an even worse visit than my previous abandoned one had been 9 days previously. I could see a cruise ship off Carnoustie and decided I might as well head down to City Quay to see it coming in to dock at the harbour, rather than just going home. With a bit of luck I might add a few more species, though it appeared that given the lack of migrants on the move, anything unusual was even more unlikely than it had been before I'd left the house. A Collared Dove landed in a tree by the small car park as I headed down off the hill, on my way down to the top of the Hilltown. A Grey Wagtail was heard as I walked down Kinghorne Road.

Further down the Hilltown, not too far from the top end of the Wellgate Centre, a Grey Squirrel was seen. A Coal Tit was heard as I exited the underpass at the end of the Cowgate. A Grey Heron was stood, looking rather out of place, on one of the Wild Shore inflatables in Victoria Dock. There were Cormorants out on Submarine Rock but the Tay looked rather quiet. A Pied Wagtail was seen perched on a roof and a single Pink Footed Goose headed upriver. A trio of vocal swans arrived from the north and circled round over the river for a few minutes, looking like they were going to land but then apparently changing their minds. I initially thought they might be Whoopers but they were young Mute Swans (from later sightings, it would appear they may have been Swannie Ponds youngsters).

As I watched the swans, I spotted movement out of the corner of my eye in amongst the small Buddliea bushes just the other side of the fence. This turned out to be a Chiffchaff, which did show quite well at times, though it rarely stopped feeding and did appear to be quite wary. A larger skein of Pink Footed Geese passed over heading inland to the northeast. Another skein headed west a little later. A Sparrowhawk swept over 'on the hunt' at 0945, thankfully without spotting the feeding Chiffchaff. By this time, the cruise ship was visible to the east of Broughty Castle and my attention was shared between the boat, the Chiffchaff, the still loitering Mute Swans and another skein of Pinkies. A pair of Oystercatchers flew into the quay around 1010 and I had a brief flypast by the Kingfisher as I sat by the lock gate. Attempts to reloacte the Kingfisher proved fruitless, with Sea Cadets learning to sail occupying much of the area to the north of the damaged lock gate.

A small flock of Skylarks flew over quite high and a larger group of 10 passed by a little later in the morning and also a bit lower. A Magpie flew out over the river and a Common Gull was seen flying past upriver before heading back the other way. With the cruise ship having now docked, I weighed up my options. I decided to head for Swannie Ponds. A Buzzard was seen circling over the quay before it too headed out over the river, passing over the top of the boat as it went. I found one of the young Mute Swans on the water by the Unicorn. I wandered up through Weavers Yard which got me a Blackbird and a Song Thrush feeding on berries in a Rowan tree. It was now getting rather warm for October and I was a few layers overdressed. I was also feeling quite tired and decided to give Swannie Ponds a miss and headed home instead. A total of just 34 species was relatively disappointing and I suspect an additional 4 or so species at Swannie Ponds wouldn't have made too much difference to that feeling.

Magpie

Pink Footed Goose

Bullfinch

Grey Heron

Grey Heron

Herring Gull

Cormorant

Cormorant

Mute Swan

Mute Swan

Chiffchaff

Mute Swan

Pink Footed Goose

Chiffchaff

Chiffchaff

Carrion Crow

Oystercatcher

Common Gull

Skylark

Buzzard

Cormorant

Robin

Grey Heron

Mute Swan

Birds - Black Headed Gull, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Bullfinch, Buzzard, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Coal Tit, Collared Dove, Common Gull, Cormorant, Dunnock, Goldfinch, Grey Heron, Grey Wagtail, Herring Gull, House Sparrow, Jackdaw, Kingfisher, Magpie, Mute Swan, Oystercatcher, Pied Wagtail, Pink Footed Goose, Robin, Feral Pigeon, Siskin, Skylark, Song Thrush, Sparrowhawk, Starling, Woodpigeon, Wren.

Mammals - Grey Squirrel.   

1316 : The Chase (12/10/24)

Pink Footed Goose

On the 11th of October, Lainy messaged me while I was at work to let me know she'd found a Barnacle Goose in with the Pink Footed Geese flock which had been hanging around to the west of Clatto Reservoir all week. Despite people coming and going past the field the birds were remaining in place, to the east of the farm buildings. As the work day progressed I contemplated walking up to Clatto once I'd finished, in the hope that the Barnacle Goose would still be around, but ultimately decided against it deciding instead to head up there early on Saturday morning. I would have to hope that the Barnacle Goose would still be around, ideally in the same field. I knew it was a bit of a gamble....

Unfortunately the weather changed overnight and I woke to find it was raining. I had been intending on an early start but had to change my plan. The rain appeared to be stopping around 1015, though there was a chance of further showers. I headed out anyway though the rain hadn't quite stopped completely. Jackdaw, Feral Pigeon, House Sparrow, Herring Gull and Carrion Crow were first onto the list. Robin, Wren, Magpie, Starling and Dunnock soon followed as I headed in the direction of the Kingsway. Once I'd crossed Clepington Road, I realised that a number 22 bus was almost due and decided to save some energy and time. A small flock of swans flew over as I waited for the bus to arrive. Initially I thought they might be Whoopers as there was no 'wing noise' but as I couldn't be certain I chose not to include them on the list.

The only addition from the bus was a Woodpigeon. The walk up the dirt track to Clatto got me Black Headed Gull, Goldfinch, Rook, Greenfinch and Yellowhammer. A Buzzard flew over the fields and a pair of Ravens were heard and then seen, though they were rather distant off to the north. I could hear Pink Footed Geese off to the east somewhere just before I headed into the trees by the 'new houses'. Blackbird, Bullfinch and Jay were found in amongst the trees before I reached the reservoir. Goosander, Moorhen, Mute Swan, Mallard, Common Gull, Pied Wagtail and Grey Wagtail were seen on the water or around the edges. A few Chaffinches and Coal Tits were in the trees. 

Unfortunately, there was no sign of any birds in the field the previous day's geese had been. I decided to head outside of the Dundee boundaries to check the geese in the fields to the north. There was a flock in the usual grass field but I failed to find anything unusual in with the Pinkfeet there. I headed back down from the 'Xmas tree field' and as I did so, a small flock of half a dozen Pinkies dropped in to the field where Friday's birds had been. I hoped that they might be joined by others. I was able to get decent views though a heavy shower of rain resulted in me seeking shelter below the trees at the western edge of the reservoir. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was seen once the rain stopped and another check of the reservoir added Tufted Duck and Great Crested Grebe to the day's list.

There appeared to be lots of Rooks around, which is appraently quite unusual as Lainy doesn't often see the species around on her patch. I spotted more Pinkies out to the west, though they looked a bit further away than the previous week's flock. I headed in that direction for a look. A Sparrowhawk was seen over the Pine Cone Cafe site being harassed by the local corvids and a Goldcrest was heard in the trees behind me. I followed the footpath across the road and wandered along towards Birkhill. A Roe Deer wandered slowly across a stubble field before I found the main geese flock. Unfortunately there was no sign of any Barnacle Goose amongst them. I eventually had a wander up through Templeton Woods before heading back to the reservoir where a Lesser Black Backed Gull was found on the wooden raft with Herring Gulls. 

The sky was beginning to look rather threatening so I decided to head for home as it appeared there was no sign of Lainy's Barnacle Goose from the day before. The walk home added a Great Tit in the trees to the east of the reservoir and a couple of Curlews at the football pitches at Fairmuir Park. I almost made it all the way home without getting wet but the rain started as I passed Dens Park, though it didn't get particularly heavy until after I had made it home. My total for the day was 41 species, none of which were new for my #Dundee150 list. I had known that there was a chance of missing out on the Barnacle Goose by waiting until Saturday, but there were also no guarantees that the bird would have still been around by the time I made it to the site after work. Although it was disappointing to miss out on seeing it and adding it to my #Dundee150 list, there are never any 100% guarantees when it comes to seeing birds of any species, so I will just need to hope that I can find a Barnacle Goose of 'my own' before the 31st of December.

Yellowhammer

Greenfinch

Buzzard

Rook

Pink Footed Goose

jay

Pink Footed Goose

Pink Footed Goose

Great Crested Grebe

Sparrowhawk & Rook

Pink Footed Goose

Roe Deer

Pink Footed Goose

Buzzard

Goldfinch

Great Crested Grebe

Black Headed Gull, Grey Wagtail & Common Gull

Pink Footed Goose

Pink Footed Goose

Tufted Duck

Great Crested Grebe

Black Headed Gull & Common Gull

Birds - Black Headed Gull, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Bullfinch, Buzzard, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Coal Tit, Common Gull, Curlew, Dunnock, Goldcrest, Goldfinch, Goosander, Great Crested Grebe, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Great Tit, Greenfinch, Grey Wagtail, Herring Gull, House Sparrow, Jackdaw, Jay, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Magpie, Mallard, Moorhen, Mute Swan, Pied Wagtail, Pink Footed Goose, Raven, Robin, Feral Pigeon, Rook, Skylark, Sparrowhawk, Starling, Tufted Duck, Woodpigeon, Wren, Yellowhammer.

Mammals - Roe Deer. 

1315 : Riverside Roving (8/10/24)

Long Tailed Tit

A combination of less than ideal weather, a bit of birding burn-out as well as a general malaise meant that I didn't get out birding on either Sunday the 6th or Monday the 7th of October. As I hate being stuck at home anyway, I forced myself to get out birding on Tuesday the 8th. With the schools being off on holiday, I settled on Riverside Nature Park as my destination. The park doesn't tend to attract too many school age kids/teens (at least during the day) probably as a result of the slightly out of the way location, though unfortunately the dog walkers with their cars definitely know where it is (even though there are plenty more easily accessible and better suited areas to exercise dogs locally, without disturbing wildlife, if you have a car).

Heading out at 0840 meant a relatively late start to the day's birding. Herring Gull, Feral Pigeon, Starling, Robin, Carrion Crow, Pied Wagtail and Magpie got things underway. An Oystercatcher was heard calling as I passed Dens Park. Goldcrest and Woodpigeon were noted on Byron Street. Wren, House Sparrow and Dunnock were next onto the list as I made my way towards Balgay Hill via Tullideph Road where Coal Tit and Chaffinch were found. A Meadow Pipit passed by overhead as I headed down Glamis Road. Song Thrush was noted on Glamis Drive with a Grey Squirrel, Blue Tit and Long Tailed Tit found in the trees at Hazel Avenue. Jackdaw was my final addition before I reached the park just before 0945.

It was rather grey and overcast at the park but Robin, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Blackbird, Woodpigeon, Chaffinch, Dunnock and Skylark kick-started the list there. Herring Gull, Long Tailed Tit, Pink Footed Goose, Goldfinch, Goldcrest, Bullfinch, Meadow Pipit and Chiffchaff soon joined them on the park part of the day's list. An Oystercatcher overflew as I headed round to check the bay. Grey Wagtail and Wren were added before I got there. Down in the bay I was able to pick out Black Tailed Godwit, Redshank, Teal, Grey Heron, Curlew, Dunlin, Mallard, Black Headed Gull and Cormorant. Yellowhammer, Starling and Swallow were seen overhead. A Pheasant flew in and landed in the fenced off area behind the wooden gate, and a Greenfinch was heard calling from above.

A Lesser Black Backed Gull flew over shortly before a Sparrowhawk being harassed by a Jackdaw was spotted. At the Lochan, a small flock of Tree Sparrows were seen in flight while the usual Moorhens shared the water with a Little Grebe. I wandered round the top half of the park again noting Blue Tit, Feral Pigeon, Song Thrush and Great Tit. I spent some time at the top of the hill adding Pied Wagtail and Linnet. Returning to the Lochan for another look, a Snipe showed rather well again across the opposite side feeding along the front of the reeds. My final sightings at the park were a small flock of Bar Tailed Godwits over the bay and a Speckled Wood butterfly near the eastern end as I headed for the exit.

The walk home proved to be short on birds with only a Sparrowhawk tussling with a Magpie, added to the 'outwith the park' list, as I walked along behind the Amazon warehouse. This took the 'outwith the park' list to 21 species of birds and 1 of mammal. The park list made it to a slightly disappointing 47 species of bird, and 1 of butterfly. The combined total for the day was 49 species of bird, 1 of mammal and 1 of butterfly. The weather remained rather grey and overcast all day which meant that I didn't actually take too many photos overall, though I did make the most of the opportunities offered by the Snipe's uncharacteristic behaviour as it wandered around mostly in the open once again.

Skylark

Swallow

Pink Footed Goose

Sparrowhawk

Long Tailed Tit

Magpie

Little Grebe

Skylark

Sparrowhawk

Skylark

Woodpigeon

Starling

Meadow Pipit

Meadow Pipit

Snipe

Snipe

Bar Tailed Godwit

Fly sp.

Pink Footed Goose

Sparrowhawk

Sparrowhawk & Magpie

Sparrowhawk

Magpie & Sparrowhawk

Birds (outwith Riverside Nature Park) - Blue Tit, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Coal Tit, Dunnock, Goldcrest, Herring Gull, House Sparrow, Jackdaw, Long Tailed Tit, Magpie, Meadow Pipit, Oystercatcher, Pied Wagtail, Robin, Feral Pigeon, Song Thrush, Sparrowhawk, Starling, Woodpigeon, Wren.

Mammals (outwith Riverside Nature Park) - Grey Squirrel.

Birds (at Riverside Nature Park) - Bar Tailed Godwit, Black Headed Gull, Black Tailed Godwit, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Bullfinch, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Cormorant, Curlew, Dunlin, Dunnock, Goldcrest, Goldfinch, Great Tit, Greenfinch, Grey Heron, Grey Wagtail, Herring Gull, Jackdaw, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Linnet, Little Grebe, Long Tailed Tit, Magpie, Mallard, Meadow Pipit, Moorhen, Oystercatcher, Pheasant, Pied Wagtail, Pink Footed Goose, Redshank, Robin, Feral Pigeon, Skylark, Snipe, Song Thrush, Sparrowhawk, Starling, Swallow, Teal, Tree Sparrow, Woodpigeon, Wren, Yellowhammer.

Butterflies (at Riverside Nature Park) - Speckled Wood.