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| Shag |
Another weekend, and another 'named' storm. This one was Storm Darragh and although Dundee was predicted to escape the worst of it, we were still to get some rain, and strong winds from the north, following winds from the east for a spell. As the rain was set to stop iaround mid-morning, I decided I would have to head down to the Tay to see if there was anything brought in, by the wind, or on the tide. As a result of the Tay's relatively sheltered position, the estuary doesn't tend to get particularly wild. This should, in theory (at least), result in birds choosing to shelter in the river, rather than take their chances out on the open sea beyond 'the bar' where the river meets the sea somewhere off Carnoustie/Buddon Ness. As the winds were only to be from the east overnight before swinging further round to the north, I wasn't overly optimistic that there would be much to see, but often that is when things do happen....
My plan was to head for City Quay first of all. It was 1115 when I headed out. Herring Gull, Feral Pigeon and Magpie were first onto the list as I stepped outside. Blue Tit and Goldcrest were both added on Dens Road. Redwing and Carrion Crow were then seen as I walked down Dens Brae. A single Pink Footed Goose overflew as I neared City Quay. Cormorant, Red Breasted Merganser, Grey Wagtail and Grey Heron were fairly typical fayre for the time of year, rather than just refugees from the storm. The walk out along the Docks Way cycle path was fairly calm, with the topography meaning that the wind coming from the north wasn't even noticeable. I did add Woodpigeon, Wren, Goldfinch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Chaffinch, Dunnock, Greenfinch, Jay and Long Tailed Tit on the walk out, which was much more than I had expected, or even usually encounter along there. In addition there were a number of Redwing flocks of varying sizes moving through westwards. The usual flock of House Sparrows in the bushes next to Alpha Projects.
If I had shown someone a photo of the river, they would have been hard-pushed to tell that there was actually an ongoing storm, as there were barely any waves at all, and again the lie of the land meant that the northerly wind wasn't readily apparent. It was actually relatively pleasant and the water was calmer than most 'normal' days when the wind is usually coming from the west or southwest. Black Headed Gull and Oystercatcher were seen down on the shoreline and the first of a number of Grey Seals were seen bobbing around offshore. A flock of Fieldfares headed past upriver, like the earlier Redwings, seemingly most likely on the move due to the weather conditions wherever they had arrived from. Robin and Blackbird were seen, and Starlings were heard as I reached Douglas Terrace. A Redshank was down by the water's edge and a Shag was seen fishing further out on the river. A Common Gull flew past, close in.
There were hardly any people around, which was a pleasant surprise. Turnstones and Pied Wagtail were seen near the lifeboat station and a few Mistle Thrushes overflew. A Great Black Backed Gull was seen from the castle, which proved to be another relatively sheltered spot, out of the wind. A Rock Pipit put in an appearance along with another Pied Wagtail, before I spotted a Diver down near the yellow marker pole. It was either a Black Throated Diver or a Great Northern Diver but it wasn't staying up long - I would just re-find the bird when it would dive again. I headed down onto the beach for a closer look. This proved successful and the bird was identified as a Great Northern Diver. Over the next half hour or so, I managed to get reasonably close views as it fished between the pole and close in to shore below the wall of the castle.
I headed back up into the castle when the bird moved a bit further upriver to see where it was. I picked out a few Eider and a Curlew was seen flying past. Another Diver popped up a little to the west of the castle, though this second bird was a Red Throated Diver. As the light was already beginning to fade, I headed back along the river homewards. There still weren't too many people around. I didn't find anything new on the walk back to the Stannergate though for a change there were a few birds about. A flock of Curlews flew downriver as I watched the sunset sky glow strongly pink at the Stannergate. I added Rabbit in Eastern Cemetery and despite the sun having set, I detoured via Swannie Ponds to get a few more species for the day - Mute Swan, Mallard, Moorhen, Coot and Tufted Duck, which took the list for the day to 45 species - a pretty decent total for a 'stormy' day - even if it had felt like a nice and calm winter's day for most of the time - due to the quite unusual wind direction. When I was in the wind's path, it was indeed rather windy, but I was able to use my location to my advantage most of the time and despite not finding anything new for my #Dundee150 list, it was a worthwhile trip out.
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| Cormorant |
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| Jay |
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| Robin |
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| Magpie |
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Long Tailed Tit
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| Redwing |
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Grey Seal
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| Fieldfare |
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Common Gull
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| Shag |
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| Oystercatcher |
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| Cormorant |
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Common Gull
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Great Northern Diver
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Great Northern Diver
 | Great Northern Diver
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Great Northern Diver
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Great Northern Diver
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Common Gull
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Great Northern Diver
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Red Throated Diver
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| Turnstone |
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| Turnstone |
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Redshank & Oystercatcher
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Red Throated Diver
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| Curlew |
Birds - Black Headed Gull, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Common Gull, Coot, Cormorant, Curlew, Dunnock, Eider, Fieldfare, Goldcrest, Goldfinch, Great Black Backed Gull, Great Northern Diver, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Greenfinch, Grey Heron, Grey Wagtail, Herring Gull, House Sparrow, Jay, Long Tailed Tit, Magpie, Mallard, Mistle Thrush, Moorhen, Mute Swan, Oystercatcher, Pied Wagtail, Pink Footed Goose, Red Breasted Merganser, Red Throated Diver, Redshank, Redwing, Robin, Feral Pigeon, Rock Pipit, Shag, Starling, Tufted Duck, Turnstone, Woodpigeon, Wren.
Mammals - Grey Seal, Rabbit.
