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Birds fae Torry (14 Viewers)
- Thread starter Andrew Whitehouse
- Start date
Good to meet you finally Ben! I'm sure the Bluethroat was more exciting though.
Had a quick walk round "The Plotties" this morning (6.30 - 7am) before going to work but no sign of the Bluethroat.That's not to say It Is still not there,as I did not have much time to spare.
Did have a lovely male Whitethroat,singing from the leafless Sycamore.
Did have a lovely male Whitethroat,singing from the leafless Sycamore.
I also didn't see the Bluethroat today, so I guess it moved on overnight. It was generally fairly quiet today. A Whimbrel was on Greyhope Bay. The only new birds for the year were a singing Chiffchaff along the railway embankment and a pair of Blackcaps were a bit further along, towards the school. Both species seem to be have been fairly scarce this spring.
Finally saw my first Sedge Warbler of the year, singing by the Victoria Bridge. Also a Grey Wagtail there.
I've been seeing occasional ones and twos of Swifts for a week now but yesterday evening and this morning there have been at least six (probably more) constantly over the rooftops along Victoria Road. They seem like they're properly 'back' now.
An interesting morning at Girdle Ness, before the rain set in. Not too much was happening in terms of migrants, although a Sedge Warbler was singing by the tree and two Wheatears were on the south bank. Ten Long-tailed Ducks (nine of them females) were sheltering from the brisk northerly in Greyhope Bay. The main action was out to sea, where there was a good northward passage. Four Arctic Skuas went through at various ranges and two close Bonxies were almost over the land. A Great-northern Diver in summer plumage was good and I also had seven Arctic Terns and two Puffins. The best bird was a humdinging Blue Fulmar, which was lovely and smoky and not too distant.
Here are some 'mystery photos' for Jane. They're not too mysterious but imagine if they were winter plumage or juveniles.
Here are some 'mystery photos' for Jane. They're not too mysterious but imagine if they were winter plumage or juveniles.
Attachments
Jane Turner
Well-known member
That's more like it.... I managed an almost recognisable bird y'day
http://www.birdforum.net/showpost.php?p=2730406&postcount=9
http://www.birdforum.net/showpost.php?p=2730406&postcount=9
It's a good thing Redpoll taxonomy is complicated otherwise that would be conclusively IDable.
Mark Lew1s
My real name is Mark Lewis
I went out during the rain. It was rubbish.
You'll have noticed that the east coast has been festooned with scarce today and perhaps are wondering if anything has cropped up at Girdle Ness. Well, if it did, I didn't see it. I spent about three-and-a-half hours out this morning and, whilst it was quite busy, there wasn't anything really notable. Lots of warblers were about but most were probably local breeders: 9 Willow Warblers, 10 Whitethroats, 5 Sedge Warblers and a Chiffchaff singing next to the old primary school on Victoria Road. Slightly more interesting were two Garden Warblers singing around St Fittick's - a bird I failed to see here at all last year.
A Common Sandpiper was on the north shore and 14 Purple Sandpipers were still about. I've not been seeing many terns apart from Sarnies so far this spring but today at least 150 Common Terns were suddenly around, most of them fishing in Aberdeen Bay. Fourteen Common Scoters were in the same area, with another on Nigg Bay.
Quite a few seabirds were still moving, despite the light winds. Forty Manx Shearwaters were the first of the year, and there were also four Bonxies, two Arctic Skuas and 35 Arctic Terns.
I had another go at photographing passing seabirds today. The light was slightly better but I'm not sure I was any more successful.
A Common Sandpiper was on the north shore and 14 Purple Sandpipers were still about. I've not been seeing many terns apart from Sarnies so far this spring but today at least 150 Common Terns were suddenly around, most of them fishing in Aberdeen Bay. Fourteen Common Scoters were in the same area, with another on Nigg Bay.
Quite a few seabirds were still moving, despite the light winds. Forty Manx Shearwaters were the first of the year, and there were also four Bonxies, two Arctic Skuas and 35 Arctic Terns.
I had another go at photographing passing seabirds today. The light was slightly better but I'm not sure I was any more successful.
Attachments
Jane Turner
Well-known member
They look "atmospheric" Andrew and I like them! I had to pick a Gropper off the end of my camera today
http://www.birdforum.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=443745&d=1368966192
http://www.birdforum.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=443745&d=1368966192
markgrubb
Leading a life of quiet desperation
I'm glad to see that after the initial wobble with the new camera that pictures have recently returned to the usual Dr W standard
I'm glad to see that after the initial wobble with the new camera that pictures have recently returned to the usual Dr W standard
No, they're 'atmospheric', which is definitely still an improvement. And they were miles away.
Mark Lew1s
My real name is Mark Lewis
Glad it wasn't only me failing to see scarce migrants at the ness today - cant really add much to what Andrew saw. I only saw one garden warbler, but had a lesser whitethroat on the south bank. Managed 64 species in total today.
Teamscotch
Well-known member
Male Red-backed Shrike on the gramps today!
Teamscotch
Well-known member
East side of Tullos Hill - along the path to Doonies Farm.
