Birds fae Torry (2 Viewers)

Andrew Whitehouse · Dec 16, 2007

Bracing

It was a bracing winter's day here in Torry, with a southerly wind that didn't feel very southerly. The light was good on the north shore though, so I took lots of pictures, which I'm sure will keep at least some regular readers happy. The Queen and Prince Eiders were still around off the foghorn and still seem to be rather attached to one another. Also offshore were lots of Guillemots and a brief Harbour Porpoise. Two Bottle-nosed Dolphins came into the harbour - the first I've seen for ages. The drake Red-breasted Merganser was lurking about the river mouth and showed well on occasions as the pictures below testify. There were several Red-throated Divers around, including a group of three a long way into the harbour.

Here are some King and Queen Eider pictures. Not very good but check out those white axillaries.

Andrew Whitehouse · Dec 16, 2007

I took loads of shots of the drake Red-breasted Merganser earlier in the day but these were rendered pretty superfluous when he came in really close and in decent light as I returned home.

Andrew Whitehouse · Dec 16, 2007

With the Merganser were a pair of Eiders. I think the drake occasionally showed sails, so I suppose is a 'Borealis type', not something I've mentioned much lately. It's got quite an orangey bill too.

Andrew Whitehouse · Dec 16, 2007

I've also made a delightful series of Christmas cards for Birds fae Torry readers. Some of the pictures aren't that good but maybe the jokes are better. Possibly.

Oh and there was a Cormorant I took some pictures of too.

Ian Bell · Dec 16, 2007

Thats the best Christmas cards I have seen this year.Especially the one from the "Torry Quine".

Helenelizabeth2 · Dec 16, 2007

The Torry Loon was my personal favourite. I hope that's the one I'm getting.

Andrew Whitehouse · Dec 16, 2007

Glad folks like the card. I wouldn't want to spoil you Helen, but I suppose I can send you the Torry Loon card.

markgrubb · Dec 16, 2007

My goodness, some of these pics are (he says chokingly) just about pleasing to the eye esp the RBM's-early digiscoping lessons from Santa, Andrew.

And even the eider royalty are almost intelligable, some of the time. Still composition......

Is this you making an effort to muscle out hisbadself as official photographer on our spring jaunt to Spain

Andrew Whitehouse · Dec 16, 2007

markgrubb said:
My goodness, some of these pics are (he says chokingly) just about pleasing to the eye esp the RBM's-early digiscoping lessons from Santa, Andrew.

And even the eider royalty are almost intelligable, some of the time. Still composition......

Is this you making an effort to muscle out hisbadself as official photographer on our spring jaunt to Spain

Glad you like the pictures Dr G

. I don't think there's any danger of me being official photographer. I might put in for official sound recordist though, once I get the hang of the gear.

Helenelizabeth2 · Dec 16, 2007

Andrew Whitehouse said:
Glad you like the pictures Dr G . I don't think there's any danger of me being official photographer. I might put in for official sound recordist though, once I get the hang of the gear.

Do we have to have an official role to justify our attendance? I am not quite sure I can do anything particularly useful.

Andrew Whitehouse · Dec 16, 2007

Helenelizabeth2 said:
Do we have to have an official role to justify our attendance? I am not quite sure I can do anything particularly useful.

We could do with a cheerleader

.

markgrubb · Dec 16, 2007

Andrew Whitehouse said:
We could do with a cheerleader .

And after the Aberdeen BF bash, Helen, could I suggest navigator.

Andrew Whitehouse · Dec 16, 2007

markgrubb said:
And after the Aberdeen BF bash, Helen, could I suggest navigator.

Ooh you wouldn't let it lie would you.

Andrew Whitehouse · Dec 19, 2007

Yesterday I had a lunchtime wander down to the Coo. The two King Eiders were again doing their duty and showing nicely. There seemed to be a few more Common Eiders than normal but there were very few Guillemots. One Gannet flew north. A drake Goldeneye was on the harbour and a Sparrowhawk homed in on a Starling, with unseen consequences.

Today was a really crisp cold day, with plenty of ice coming down the River Dee and into the harbour (see picture). The Peregrine was again on Triple Kirks spire.

Andrew Whitehouse · Dec 20, 2007

The ice flows on the Dee today were really rather magnificent. It's not been that cold here but upstream it's been well below -10C, so I guess there's some chilly water coming down. The Peregrine was again on Triple Kirks this morning. A Goldeneye and a Red-throated Diver were in the harbour and two Pink-footed Geese flew south over the sea - the first geese I've seen around here for a little while. There seemed to be a few more Blackbirds around the gardens this morning, perhaps a sign of a cold weather movement towards the coast and the city.

Capercaillie71 · Dec 20, 2007

I was Christmas shopping in town on Monday and the Peregrine was sitting on its Triple Kirks perch as I walked down Belmont Street. Also saw a very tame Grey Wagtail on the roof of the Denburn carpark. I had a wander up to Rosemount to see if I could find the waxwings again, but sadly no luck there and an unexpected sighting of Stefan Dennis in John Lewis was no consolation. It certainly didn't make me feel good.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trfYjucLGj0

Andrew Whitehouse · Dec 20, 2007

I dipped on Steffan Dennis?

*is horrified*

Helenelizabeth2 · Dec 20, 2007

Capercaillie71 said:
... and an unexpected sighting of Stefan Dennis in John Lewis was no consolation. It certainly didn't make me feel good.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trfYjucLGj0

Aladdin at His Majesty's apparently. Ah, the panto season.

I don't think I'll take the trouble to watch the video, somehow.

Ian Bell · Dec 20, 2007

Andrew Whitehouse said:
I dipped on Steffan Dennis?

*is horrified*

Thats "Neighbours" for you..!

Dave Kennedy · Dec 21, 2007

Congrats to Aberdeen on their 4-0 drubbing of Copenhagen. It's a long time since the Dons gave me anything to cheer about. Now Aberdeen can boast not only a pair of king eiders and the occasional purple sandpiper, but a football team as well.
Best wishes,
Dave Kennedy

Birds fae Torry (2 Viewers)

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