Birds fae Torry (22 Viewers)

[Mark Lew1s]

Things had improved migrant wise with 3 chiffchaffs, a pied fly at the battery and a gropper in the new cover (ie all the weeds between the battery and the allotments). Promising stuff but I'd rather have had green sand and shoveler! Next few days could be a bit tasty...

 

[Joseph N]

Despite very promising conditions and some action up the coast, it was disappointing for migrants at the Ness this morning during a three hour stint. 4 Chiffchaffs were widely spread; 2 in the cover by the railway-line near Nigg Bay, one at the allotments and one on the South Bank. Aside from probably local Willow Warblers and Whitethroats, that was all I could muster. I received second hand reports that yesterday's Pied Fly was still at the Battery, but didn't catch up with this myself.

Wader action was reasonable. The fog had pushed some of the waders in Greyhope Bay onto the car park, with 2 Dunlins and 8 Ringed Plovers wandering around the puddles. At least 30 Redshanks flew out to sea over Nigg Bay, whilst 8 Sanderling were on the beach here. On the way back 6 Golden Plovers flew east over the golf course. A Sparrowhawk was around the Battery, and Goosanders were around in their usual numbers.

Joseph

 

[Ian Bell]

Late afternoon was even more quiet.A single Whitethroat at the Battery but no sign of the Pied Fly but 3 Rooks were unusual.Large numbers of Gannets heading north and a lot of Auks just offshore.14 Ringed Plover,6 Sanderling and a single Whimbrel were In Nigg Bay,along with 5 Curlew.

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

Definitely a law of diminishing returns today then. When I had a partial wander early evening the best I managed were three Dunlin on Greyhope Bay.

 

[Mark Lew1s]

Some bits and bobs from this morning. Migrants were again thin on the ground, with a few phylloscs, a couple of wheatears, and pied fly and garden warbler both in the battery willows. Also some wader passage with 8 goodies and at least 3 whimbrel. Plenty of alba wags on the golf course, and small nos of swifts moving southward.

 

[edenwatcher]

Also some wader passage with 8 goodies

But there were only 3! Can't see Mr. Oddie as a wader!

Rob

 

[Stonefaction]

Rob, you don't think he looks a little Ruff?

 

[Mark Lew1s]

Goldies. Not goodies. Although there was nothing wrong with them, as far as I could make out. If id had 8 goodies i'd be in the pub by now....!

 

[Ian Bell]

I had a walk round "The Ness" mid afternoon but nothing of note,was seen.Too many family parties In and around the Battery for my liking..!

 

[Mark Lew1s]

I had quite a productive trip round the ness this afternoon, tagging along with some WDCS Shorewatch training.

Waders were on the go with some smashing looking breeding plumage knot, 2 purple sandpipers, at least 7 whimbrel, and best of all, my second ever record of black-tailed godwit, with 2 flying south with a flock of redshank.

The biggest surprise was a short-eared owl that appeared to come in off at the battery!

Also loads of Burnett moths on the go, and small numbers of migrant species like red admiral, painted lady and silver Y.

 

[Ian Bell]

Well Done Mark,I think I passed your group looking out to the water,above the Skates Nose.Have to say,the company I had with me,were not Into birding or standing for any length of time..!

 

[Mark Lew1s]

Seawatching has been quiet over the last few days but has a produced a sooty shearwater yesterday and a 1st yr little gull this morning. Only very small numbers of manxies, bonxies and arctic skuas about.

It appears the the bottlenose dolphins are back as well, with about 10 - 15 animals including at least 3 very young calves (you can still see the stripes on them that come from 'rolled up' in the womb).

 

[Mark Lew1s]

A 1st year little gull plodding around on the sands in Nigg bay this lunchtime.

 

[Ian Bell]

Little Gull still there this evening,along with a lot of close In Guilliemots.2 Knot In Greyhope Bay,with one still In bright red.2 Whitethroats and a Goldcrest at the Battery.

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

Had a scoot round this evening. The weather was pleasant but not too many birds were about. Six Goosander were on the harbour. Greyhope Bay held sixty Turnstone, a Knot, a Teal and an improvement to the Purple Sandpiper Totaliser:

9

Little steps bring results. Offshore was one Arctic Skua and a at least three Manx Shearwaters. Earlier today I saw a Bonxie loafing off the harbour. It was good to see the dolphins again, after quite a prolonged absence.

The highlight was a Short-eared Owl, sat on a rock just above the beach at Nigg Bay. Maybe the one Mark saw the other day.

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

Had another look round this evening. Not too much happening. A couple of Wheatears, eighteen Goosander, two Knot, two Dunlin and four Purple Sandpipers were about it. I was hoping for a bit of seabird passage but I'll I managed were a Bonxie and a Red-throated Diver. There's quite extensive water in the St Fittick's area, but I couldn't see anything much on it except for several Mallard.

 

[Mark Lew1s]

Today's highlight was undoubtably the 8+ rissos dolphins that went north at an extremely leisurely pace - I had them in view for at least 40 mins. Not much else happening though, but a black-tailed godwit feeding on the golfcourse was unexpected.

 

[Ian Bell]

10 Goosander at the mouth of the Dee and a female Sparrowhawk,sitting on the Golf Course was about the most Interesting.

More Interesting,was I was stopped by a Policeman on a Motor Bike In the Battery.He asked If I had seen anyone (which I hadn't) as they received a report of someone threatening to throw themselves off the Torry Battery.!

Unless Mr Lewis or Mr Whitehouse had dipped on something..?

 

[Mark Lew1s]

Not sure how much damage you could do to yourself if you threw yourself off the battery...

 

[Ian Bell]

Not sure how much damage you could do to yourself if you threw yourself off the battery...

I did think of that myself.The only place would be above the main entrance,which Is quite high.The Policeman did not look too happy at having to search around the Battery.