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| Bar-tailed Godwit |
Tuesday the 8th of September's weather forecast was not a particularly promising one - relatively strong winds strengthening through the morning with gusts up to around 40mph. Had these winds been from the east, that would have at least given some potential especially for seabirds in the Tay. Scanning Invergowrie Bay in strong westerlies is never fun and rarely productive (with birds either huddled up, facing into the wind, or nowhere to be seen. It was meant to be mostly dry, so I wanted to get out somewhere. I was just struggling to decide where. I eventually decided to visit some of the underwatched spots around the city (mostly in the eastern half) just to get out and about and do some birding.
I headed out at 0930. I had considered starting at the Law, but talked myself out of it. Meadow Pipits were moving overhead as I stepped outside despite the wind. Robin, House Sparrow, Feral Pigeon, Woodpigeon, House Martin and Starling were all noted as I headed along towards Dura Street. I swithered on popping into Baxter Park but chose to head up to Swannie Ponds instead. Lesser Black-backed Gull, Jackdaw, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Grey Heron, Coot, Mute Swan, Moorhen, Mallard were quickly noted there. I did see one metal ringed Black-headed Gull but as it was fighting with other gulls to grab some bread, I was unable to get any sort of detail. I contemplated heading down to the ponds in Caird Park next but chose the closer option of Eastern Cemetery.
Carrion Crow, Magpie, Collared Dove, Coal Tit and Blue Tit were the only new birds for the day found there, which wasn't a surprise given the conditions, though there were a few Grey Squirrels running around. The Stannergate was next as I figured it was an easier walk with the wind behind me, rather than heading to Dawson Park to look for the Ring-necked Parakeet then heading back into the wind along the river later. Painted Lady and Small White butterflies were a bit of a surprise, though there were in very sheltered spots. The day's first Blackbird also put in a brief appearance. Not surprisingly things were rather quiet along the river though Cormorant, Curlew, Oystercatcher, Grey Wagtail and Turnstone were all seen before I reached Douglas Terrace where Redshank was spotted.
Eider, Gannet and Rock Pipit were noted from the sheltered side of the Castle. I continued on along the river towards Balmossie. Bar-tailed Godwit, Goosander and Pied Wagtail were found on the way. The Bar-tailed Godwit was feeding on its own on the otherwise empty beach and was quite comfortable with me sitting nearby, taking lots of photos (and a few video clips), as it fed in between bouts of being sand-blasted. Only when a couple of the more hardy dog-walkers passed by, did the bird temporarily relocate down to the water's edge for 30 seconds or so, before flying back up. I eventually continued on towards Balmossie, with some of my best ever Bar-tailed Godwit photos on my memory card. Linnet and Wheatear were seen among the rock armour.
With the tide already quite far in, I decided not to bother going all the way along to Balmossie. I detoured into the Local Nature Reserve and added Wren for the day. I heard one of the Chinook helicopters which are operating out of Leuchars and as it sounded like it was crossing the Tay, I hurried out for a better view and a chance of photos. As it turned out, it was just making a rather wide circuit. I headed back down to the benches overlooking the river for a bit more scanning. A few Swallows zipped past me and a Red-throated Diver headed downriver. I spotted a couple of waders flying towards me, low over the water. I expected them to be Turnstones but they suddenly climbed higher - not typical behaviour of Turnstones at Broughty Ferry. I realised quite quickly that the birds were Golden Plover - a welcome new addition for my #2026Dundee150 list.
Goldfinch and Greenfinch circled round behind me, while out over the river I picked out a Great Black-backed Gull and a few Sandwich Terns. Beyond the castle again, the wind proved very annoying so I took a more 'inland' route up to Dawson Park, where unsurprisingly there was no sign of any Ring-necked Parakeet. As I wandered back along Craigie Drive, I decided I might as well have a quick look at the Stannergate again, and diverted down for a look. I did photograph a Cormorant tussling with an Eel but otherwise there wasn't much to see. I considered heading along to City Quay then home but the thought of a far steeper uphill section soon persuaded me to take the more direct route home. I finished the day's birding with a total of 45 species of birds (including 1 new for my #2026Dundee150 list - in bold), 2 of butterflies and 1 of mammals.
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| Collared Dove |
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| Gannet |
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| Gannet |
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| Carrion Crow |
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| House Sparrow |
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| Meadow Pipit |
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| Oystercatcher |
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| Bar-tailed Godwit |
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| Bar-tailed Godwit |
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| Bar-tailed Godwit |
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| Bar-tailed Godwit |
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| Bar-tailed Godwit |
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| Bar-tailed Godwit |
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| Bar-tailed Godwit |
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| Bar-tailed Godwit |
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| Pied Wagtail |
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| Bar-tailed Godwit |
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| Bar-tailed Godwit |
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| Bar-tailed Godwit |
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| Goosander |
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| Wheatear |
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| Wheatear |
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| Black-headed Gull |
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| Turnstone |
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| Golden Plover |
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| Golden Plover |
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| Red-throated Diver |
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| Pied Wagtail |
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| Starling |
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| Redshank |
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| Cormorant |
Birds - Bar-tailed Godwit, Black-headed Gull, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Carrion Crow, Chiffchaff, Coal Tit, Collared Dove, Coot, Cormorant, Curlew, Eider, Gannet, Golden Plover, Goldfinch, Goosander, Great Black-backed Gull, Greenfinch, Grey Heron, Grey Wagtail, Herring Gull, House Martin, House Sparrow, Jackdaw, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Linnet, Magpie, Mallard, Meadow Pipit, Moorhen, Mute Swan, Oystercatcher, Pied Wagtail, Red-throated Diver, Redshank, Robin, Feral Pigeon, Rock Pipit, Sandwich Tern, Starling, Swallow, Turnstone, Wheatear, Woodpigeon, Wren.
Butterflies - Painted Lady, Small White.
Mammals - Grey Squirrel.
