 |
| Siskin |
Having got off to a better than expected start to my #2026Dundee150 with 86 species already 'in the bag' after just 4 days, I was keen to keep the momentum going. Although the weather had actually been less than ideal, it had been mostly dry. Unfortunately the weather forecast for my midweek day off was for it to rain, at least for some of the day. However, when I checked the forecast in the morning, there did appear to be a possible 'window' where I might be able to get out and about somewhere - though obviously with a chance of some rain. I decided I would try to get Kingfisher onto the list, with Caird Park not too far from home, being my initial destination. From there, I would see how the weather was looking and whether there were any other birds I could try to get.
I headed out just before 1030. It was still fairly windy and overcast though the rain had more or less stopped. Herring Gull, Magpie and Feral Pigeon got things underway for the day's list. A Grey Wagtail overflew as I passed Arklay Terrace where a Blue Tit was in a small tree. House Sparrow, Starling and Jackdaw added a few more species as I reached Clepington Road. Things were quiet at the Graham Street football pitches with only a single Black-headed Gull there. A flock of Long-tailed Tits were in the trees across the Kingsway along with a Carrion Crow. Goldcrest, Blackbird and Dunnock were found on my way down through the forner 18-hole golf course.
There was no sign of the Kingfisher on either of the two ponds though the usual Mallards, Moorhens and Grey Heron were still around. There was a surprising amount of activity in the trees around the ponds with Siskins, Redwings, Bullfinches, Woodpigeons, Chaffinches and Great Tits. Wren, Jay and a skein of Pink-footed Geese were next, as well as a single Dipper showing nicely down on the Gelly Burn. I had considered continuing down to Trottick Ponds, but as it was close to lunchtime (for the nearby schools), I decided against it. I would instead check Swannie Ponds, then head down to City Quay to try for the Kingfisher there then head up to Eastern Cemetery in the hope of maybe getting Kestrel there.
I managed to find Grey Squirrel, Treecreeper, Robin, a flyover drake Goosander, a couple of interacting Sparrowhawks and a Roe Deer before I left Cairdie for Swannie Ponds. Things were very quiet at Mains Terrace so I chose not linger there. At the Swannies, Mute Swan, Coot, Common Gull and Tufted Duck were all new for the day, as was a Curlew which flew over. White ringed Black-headed Gull2XJH was seen standing round on the ice on the lower pond. From there I headed down to City Quay as planned where there were quite a few Cormorants around. A Pied Wagtail and a Rock Pipit were together opposite the Unicorn, with the Rock Pipit also being seen a little later at the former dry dock. Out on the river I was able to pick out a Great Black-backed Gull on Submarine Rock, a single female Eider and a Grey Seal. Unfortunately, there was no sign of the hoped-for Kingfisher.
A small flock of Goldfinches were added on the walk up to Eastern Cemetery. Things were relatively quiet at Eastern Cemetery though Oystercatcher, Stock Dove, Fieldfare, Coal Tit, Greenfinch and Buzzard were all found there along with a few Rabbits. A female Sparrowhawk posed nicely at the top of a conifer and there were a few Redwings about too. I walked home via another quick look at Swannie Ponds, where the Greenfinches were preparing to go to roost, asthe light began to dip further. Despite not finding any Kingfishers, despite trying both regular winter sites for the species, I still somehow managed to reach a total of 48 species of birds, as well as 4 of mammals. Disappointingly, I drew a blank on any new additions to my #2026Dundee150 list. The rain mostly stayed off too, which helped but I was still quite glad to get home, out of the cold.
 |
| Grey Heron |
 |
| Chaffinch |
 |
| Great Tit |
 |
| Redwing |
 |
| Robin |
 |
| Dipper |
 |
| Black-headed Gull & Common Gull |
 |
| Grey Heron |
 |
| Great Black-backed Gull |
 |
| Eider |
 |
| Rock Pipit |
 |
| Cormorant |
 |
| Carrion Crow |
 |
| Redwing |
 |
| Oystercatcher |
 |
| Stock Dove |
 |
| Fieldfare |
 |
| Stock Dove |
 |
| Sparrowhawk |
 |
| Blackbird |
 |
| Woodpigeon |
 |
| Common Gull |
 |
| Pink-footed Goose |
 |
| Greenfinch |
Birds - Black-headed Gull, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Bullfinch, Buzzard, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Coal Tit, Common Gull, Coot, Cormorant, Curlew, Dipper, Dunnock, Eider, Fieldfare, Goldcrest, Goldfinch, Goosander, Great Black-backed Gull, Great Tit, Greenfinch, Grey Heron, Grey Wagtail, Herring Gull, House Sparrow, Jackdaw, Jay, Long-tailed Tit, Magpie, Mallard, Moorhen, Mute Swan, Oystercatcher, Pied Wagtail, Pink-footed Goose, Redwing, Robin, Feral Pigeon, Rock Pipit, Siskin, Sparrowhawk, Starling, Stock Dove, Treecreeper, Tufted Duck, Woodpigeon, Wren.
Mammals - Grey Seal, Grey Squirrel, Rabbit, Roe Deer.
