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| Kestrel |
Although I had planned to be off work on holiday on Friday the 28th, a Doctor's appointment meant a change of plan, with Monday becoming my new 'day off' as a result. With the appointment at 1000 it was likely I would miss out on the busier/'birdier' part of the day before I made it anywhere. As a result I decided on a walk out to Broughty Castle to see what I could find from there. However, the weather was warmer than expected and rather than take my birding gear to the Doctor's and head on from there, I decided to return home instead. I decided that the relatievly low effort birding destination of the Law made better sense. I messaged Lainy to see if she fancied joining me and headed out again just before 1100 after picking up my birding gear.
The walk to the hill was relatively quiet with House Sparrow, Herring Gull, Carrion Crow, Feral Pigeon, Starling, Jackdaw, Goldfinch and Great Tit all being noted as I wandered up past the football stadiums. Blackbird, Pied Wagtail, Magpie and an overflying migrant Meadow Pipit, as well as a singing Chiffchaff were found as I made my way from the top of the Hilltown up to the steps at the hill, where Greenfinch, Woodpigeon and a Sparrowhawk circling out to the west were spotted. Once at the top of the hill, I got organised by the Trig Point. Lainy messaged back to say that she would join me soon.
The local male Kestrel showed briefly a few minutes after I reached the top of the hill, and 10 minutes later, a Buzzard was spotted being harassed by gulls to the south. A vocal Meadow Pipit headed over northwards unseen. A Sparrowhawk appeared overhead and proceeded to display very close to the hill, giving great views as it swooped overhead, calling loudly. This activity drew another 2 Sparrowhawks in, and 2 of the 3 birds interacted briefly. After 10 minutes or so the birds dispersed but I didn't have to wait too long for another raptor - as the Kestrel gave close views - hovering nearby, just as Lainy arrived to join me. A Lesser Black Backed Gull was seen out to the west, and Bullfinches were heard from the trees to the north.
A skein of around 200 Pink Footed Geese, and another smaller line of just 5 birds headed north past the hill. The Kestrel again, more distant geese and a Buzzard overhead being mobbed were all added to the list before we went for a wander down the hill to see what other wildlife we could find. We spent a bit of time trying to photograph Dark Edged Bee-Flies and a couple of butterflies (Small White and Peacock). There were birds around as well - Siskin, Bullfinch, Goldcrest, Coal Tit, Chaffinch, Blue Tit, Long Tailed Tits (gathering nest material), Chiffchaff, another Sparrowhawk, 2 more Buzzards and eventually another butterfly - a Small Tortoiseshell. Best of all were the very close views we had of the perched Kestrel - just the width of the access road away from us, completely unphased by our close proximity.
We had more views of Sparrowhawk, Buzzard and Kestrel before we decided to call it a day around 1515. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was heard calling to the north while we were chatting and as I headed home I managed to get a couple more species in Dunnock and Wren. Although my total for the day was just 31 species of bird and 3 of butterfly, the photo opportunities made it a very worthwhile trip up the hill for what was some relatively low effort birding, with the added bonus of a catch-up with Lainy, and some very pleasant Spring weather.
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| Sparrowhawk |
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| Sparrowhawk |
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| Sparrowhawk |
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| Sparrowhawk |
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| Kestrel |
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| Kestrel & Carrion Crow |
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| Pink Footed Goose |
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| Kestrel |
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| Kestrel |
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| Kestrel |
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| Dark Edged Bee-Fly |
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| Carrion Crow & Buzzard |
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| Chiffchaff |
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| Buzzard |
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| Diamondback Moth sp. |
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| Kestrel |
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| Kestrel |
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| Kestrel |
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| Kestrel |
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| Kestrel |
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| Sparrowhawk |
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| Small White |
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| Fly sp. |
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| Kestrel |
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| Kestrel |
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| Kestrel |
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| Pink Footed Goose |
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| Long Tailed Tit |
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| Pink Footed Goose |
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| Small Tortoiseshell |
Birds - Blackbird, Blue Tit, Bullfinch, Buzzard, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Coal Tit, Dunnock, Goldcrest, Goldfinch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Great Tit, Greenfinch, Herring Gull, House Sparrow, Jackdaw, Kestrel, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Long Tailed Tit, Magpie, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Pink Footed Goose, Robin, Feral Pigeon, Siskin, Sparrowhawk, Starling, Woodpigeon, Wren.
Butterflies - Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, Small White.
Moths - Diamondback sp..
Other insects of note - Dark Edged Bee-Fly.
