Two Novices let loose in Angus
I arranged to meet BF member Chris Baker from Pitlochry, at RSPB Kinnordy Loch this morning at 9am. The sun was just rising over the horizon when we arrived and, although cold, was promising to be a nice day.
We started our viewing from the central hide to be greeted by a frozen loch with a huddle of Mute Swans, Mallard, Wigeon and Teal, a few Black Headed Gulls and a 2nd Winter Herring Gull all restricted to a small patch of ice-free water. Three Buzzards were visible sitting in various trees. We stayed there for some time but little else showed so moved on down to the Swamp Hide and en route saw Blackbird, Robin, Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Chaffinch in the trees. The swamp area had about 50 Whooper Swans. A couple of Pheasants came in and skidded across the ice before making it to safety on a grassy island. A flock of mixed tits, Coal, Blue and Great spent their time feeding in the reeds and flying back to the bushes. We heard, and eventually saw, a Wren very busy round the base of the hide. A skein of Pinkfoot Geese flew over heading west.
I took a short break at this point to run into Kirriemuir to fill up with petrol. Whilst I was away Chris saw a Kestrel, which later showed again for me. Then we had a magic moment when a female Hen Harrier
appeared and started hunting over the reed beds. I had seen Marsh Harrier there before but never a Hen Harrier!
It was by now about 1 o'clock and Chris was wanting to see Brambling. So I drove him round the little side roads where we usually get them but no joy. We did see some Reed Bunting though and on the way to Loch of Lintrathen I spotted a Red Legged Partridge.
Lintrathen was not frozen and was full of wild fowl. Tufted Duck, Wigeon, Mallard, Goldeneye, Goosander, more Whooper Swans and three Cormorants sitting in a tree on the far side of the loch. Then we had another surprise when a Kingfisher:-O flew past the hide. The first one I had seen at all in this area. Three more Buzzards were displaying over the trees calling to each other.
On the way home, still looking for Brambling, we had a flock of Fieldfare to finish off the day.
No Brambling for you Chris, I'm sorry – failed miserably!:-C
Attached are some of the pictures taken by Chris.
D
I arranged to meet BF member Chris Baker from Pitlochry, at RSPB Kinnordy Loch this morning at 9am. The sun was just rising over the horizon when we arrived and, although cold, was promising to be a nice day.
We started our viewing from the central hide to be greeted by a frozen loch with a huddle of Mute Swans, Mallard, Wigeon and Teal, a few Black Headed Gulls and a 2nd Winter Herring Gull all restricted to a small patch of ice-free water. Three Buzzards were visible sitting in various trees. We stayed there for some time but little else showed so moved on down to the Swamp Hide and en route saw Blackbird, Robin, Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Chaffinch in the trees. The swamp area had about 50 Whooper Swans. A couple of Pheasants came in and skidded across the ice before making it to safety on a grassy island. A flock of mixed tits, Coal, Blue and Great spent their time feeding in the reeds and flying back to the bushes. We heard, and eventually saw, a Wren very busy round the base of the hide. A skein of Pinkfoot Geese flew over heading west.
I took a short break at this point to run into Kirriemuir to fill up with petrol. Whilst I was away Chris saw a Kestrel, which later showed again for me. Then we had a magic moment when a female Hen Harrier
appeared and started hunting over the reed beds. I had seen Marsh Harrier there before but never a Hen Harrier!It was by now about 1 o'clock and Chris was wanting to see Brambling. So I drove him round the little side roads where we usually get them but no joy. We did see some Reed Bunting though and on the way to Loch of Lintrathen I spotted a Red Legged Partridge.
Lintrathen was not frozen and was full of wild fowl. Tufted Duck, Wigeon, Mallard, Goldeneye, Goosander, more Whooper Swans and three Cormorants sitting in a tree on the far side of the loch. Then we had another surprise when a Kingfisher:-O flew past the hide. The first one I had seen at all in this area. Three more Buzzards were displaying over the trees calling to each other.
On the way home, still looking for Brambling, we had a flock of Fieldfare to finish off the day.
No Brambling for you Chris, I'm sorry – failed miserably!:-C
Attached are some of the pictures taken by Chris.
D
