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| Tree Sparrow |
Despite the almost complete lack of waders at Riverside Nature Park during our Big Dundee Half Day on Tuesday, I decided to pay another visit to Riverside Nature Park on Thursday the 7th of May. I was hoping that there might be an interesting migrant or two passing through, though in reality, I knew the chances of that were pretty slim. Although I've made it to 125 species already this year, there has really only been one proper 'rarity' in that lot - Lainy's White-billed Diver. Everything else has been more or less as expected, with very few surprises to be had overall. Even Mark and Keith haven't had much luck with getting anything particularly out of the ordinary here in Dundee. However, you just never know...
I headed out the door at 0650 for the hour or so's walk to the Nature Park. Herring Gull, House Sparrow, Robin, Feral Pigeon, Carrion Crow, Blackbird, Magpie, Goldfinch, Dunnock, Starling, Blue Tit and Woodpigeon made for a fairly typical start to the list as I headed up past the football stadiums. Chaffinch, Song Thrush, Bullfinch, Great Tit, Jackdaw, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Wren, Chiffchaff and Blackcap were added between Provost Road and the bottom end of Loons Road. At Balgay Hill, I found Goldcrest, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Grey Squirrel. Greenfinch was noted at Glamis Road with a Whitethroat, Long-tailed Tits and Rabbits down by the railway line. An Oystercatcher was heard before I reached the park's eastern entrance.
Great Tit, Chaffinch, Blackcap, Wren, Song Thrush, Chiffchaff, Blackbird, Jackdaw, Herring Gull, Robin, Carrion Crow, Stock Dove, Dunnock, Whitethroat, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Oystercatcher, Common Gull and Skylark (and a few Rabbits) made for a relatively productive walk to the Lochan where Grey Heron, Mallard and Goldfinches were found. A Lesser Black-backed Gull flew over as I continued on along towards the hide. A few Feral Pigeons passed overhead as well. From the hide I was able to spot Shelduck, Mute Swan, Moorhen and Black-headed Gull down in front, as well as noting Greenfinch, a heard-only Pheasant and Blue Tit.
Heading back along the track I was rather surprised to find a singing Tree Sparrow in the hedgerow near the paths junction. Although these birds pass through in Autumn, having a singing bird in Spring is unusual (though 'singing' might be overstating the sounds it was making). A Sparrowhawk was seen, though thankfully it didn't see the Tree Sparrow. From the raised banking a Swallow was spotted sweeping past. I had been joined by Keith and we soon picked out Rook, Curlew, Great Crested Grebe, 3 distant Ospreys and an unexpected Tufted Duck. We were joined by a young French guy from Paris, who was hoping to see a Skylark (which he believed was a type of raptor). Unfortunately, our French and his English weren't particularly compatible though I did realise that I actually knew the French word for Skylark (Alouette) and as a result the conversation didn't exactly flow. We did manage to point out a singing Skylark though, before he wandered off again.
Reeed Bunting, Sedge Warbler, Goosander and Sandwich Tern were picked out from along by the picnic tables. We were joined by another birder - Alan from Renfrew, and had some nice views of one of the Ospreys before Keith had to head off homewards. I joined Alan for a wander round the rest of the park. Small White butterfly, Coal Tit and Cormorant were the only further additions for me but it was an enjoyable wander with Alan who then headed off to the Tay reedbeds for the afternoon. I headed for home, as rain was forecast for the afternoon. My only new bird on the way home was a Stock Dove at Balgay Cemetery which took my total for the day to 51 species of birds (28 outwith the park, 46 from the park), 1 of butterflies (at the park), and 2 of mammals (1 at park, 2 outwith).
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| Whitethroat |
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| Wren |
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| Whitethroat |
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| Common Gull & Black-headed Gull |
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| Tree Sparrow |
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| Sparrowhawk |
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| Grey Heron & Curlew |
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| Osprey |
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| Osprey |
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| Osprey & Oystercatcher |
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| Osprey |
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| Osprey |
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| Osprey |
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| Osprey |
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| Osprey |
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| Osprey |
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| Osprey |
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| Tufted Duck |
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| Whitethroat |
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| Osprey |
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| Great Crested Grebe |
Birds (outwith Riverside Nature Park) - Blackbird, Blackcap, Blue Tit, Bullfinch, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Dunnock, Goldcrest, Goldfinch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Great Tit, Greenfinch, Herring Gull, House Sparrow, Jackdaw, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Long-tailed Tit, Magpie, Oystercatcher, Robin, Feral Pigeon, Song Thrush, Starling, Stock Dove, Whitethroat, Woodpigeon, Wren.
Mammals (outwith Riverside Nature Park) - Grey Squirrel, Rabbit.
Birds(at Riverside Nature Park) - Black-headed Gull, Blackbird, Blackcap, Blue Tit, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Coal Tit, Common Gull, Cormorant, Curlew, Dunnock, Goldfinch, Goosander, Great Crested Grebe, Great Tit, Greenfinch, Grey Heron, Herring Gull, Jackdaw, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Long-tailed Tit, Magpie, Mallard, Moorhen, Mute Swan, Osprey, Oystercatcher, Pheasant, Reed Bunting, Robin, Feral Pigeon, Rook, Sandwich Tern, Sedge Warbler, Shelduck, Skylark, Song Thrush, Sparrowhawk, Stock Dove, Swallow, Tree Sparrow, Tufted Duck, Whitethroat, Woodpigeon, Wren.
Butterflies (at Riverside Nature Park) - Small White.
Mammals (at Riverside Nature Park) - Rabbit.
