Birds fae Torry (25 Viewers)

[Andrew Whitehouse]

I headed off-patch and into Kincorth this morning in the hope of finding some Waxwings. It took me a while but I eventually had good views of a small flock coming down to rowan berries. A few more groups flew over, giving a total of at least 60, but they seemed fairly unsettled. There were also reasonable numbers of Redwing and Fieldfare and a couple of Mistle Thrushes. Down on the River Dee, there were three Dippers together - not surprisingly they were squabbling. A couple of Little Grebe were also on the river. I continued on down into Torry and found another Little Grebe there. I had a look around the headland in the afternoon but it was very quiet. Interestingly, two Mute Swans that I'd seen flying downstream in Kincorth were along the north shore of the Ness later.

 

[Cucurrucucu]

Haven't see waxwings in ages. They are so striking. The first pictures I took of them (15? years ago when we were overrun with them) were against brilliant blue skies. Remember them?!
My walk around St Fittick's today was pretty miserable - cold and dark and wet and I had so many thoughts crowding in. And I saw very little wildlife until, right outside the gate into our square there was a tree creeper. I've never seen one so clearly before. Made my day.
View attachment WALK 22,12,2 tree creeper, Abbey Rd St F's 36 b comp .mov

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

It was a bit cooler today, but with mostly good weather. I visited the headland in the morning. The dolphins were well into the harbour, something I've not often seen at this time of the year. Offshore there was some duck interest. A Goldeneye and two Common Scoters were with the Eiders. Three Velvet Scoters went south, along with a further 28 Common Scoters. Also moving were a Long-tailed Duck, eight Red-throated Divers and my first Black Guillemot and Fulmar for a while. A scan of Aberdeen Bay produced a further nine Goldeneye, 50 Common Scoter and six Red-breasted Mergansers. 210 Purple Sandpipers were flying around, briefly landing on the embankment of Aberdeen beach. At least 12 Stock Doves were scoped distantly on Tullos Hill.

I went around St Fittick's in the afternoon. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was seen briefly along Victoria Road on the way. A Water Rail was again seen quite a long way down the Tullos Burn near the waterworks. There were also three Teal in the marsh and a Mistle Thrush was on Tullos Hill. Somewhat to my surprise, the Great Northern Diver was still on Nigg Bay in its usual spot in the southwest corner. Some Roe Deer showed nicely.

 

[Cucurrucucu]

A flock of six swans flew over us in Abbey Rd yesterday. My Beloved said they were whooping.

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

It was fairly hard work in a cold wind and regular showers today. St Fittick's held the usual, with four Teal, three Water Rails, a Mistle Thrush, seven Siskins, the first Snipe for a while and a Chiffchaff. At least seven Stock Doves were on Tullos Hill. There was no sign of the Great Northern Diver in Nigg Bay. Very little was around the headland or moving offshore.

This Kestrel gave some fine views as it hovered low by the edge of Nigg Bay.

 

[Cucurrucucu]

the first Snipe for a while

Twice last week a flushed a snipe from almost the same place above the water treatment plant. Seems a strange spot to choose - narrow with fence on one side and trees on the other. It was only inches from the path.

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

Twice last week a flushed a snipe from almost the same place above the water treatment plant. Seems a strange spot to choose - narrow with fence on one side and trees on the other. It was only inches from the path.

Was it definitely a Snipe rather than a Woodcock? That area is often where Woodcocks go when they've just arrived in.

 

[Cucurrucucu]

Was it definitely a Snipe rather than a Woodcock? That area is often where Woodcocks go when they've just arrived in.

I'm not good at IDing a fast flurry of fluff. But I spose it was quite big. Will ask it to stop and chat next time.
How do they get enough rest sitting there?

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

I've been out around the headland a few times this week, hoping the wintery weather will have brought something in, but it's been very quiet. The best today were two Black Guillemots on the sea. A few Redwings were about but I suspect it's not been cold enough or windy enough to displace much, either on land or sea.

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

A really bitter day here, with a stiff, chilly northeasterly and regular showers. I got out during the afternoon after the morning rain had mostly cleared. Seawatching was the main event. There wasn't a huge amount moving but there was enough interest to keep me going through the cold. A Little Auk appeared briefly before ditching back down on the sea. Quite good views were had of a Great Norther Diver heading north. Two Goldeneye also went through. I managed a few shots of the diver (below). The wader picture is from midweek. It was as cold as it looks in the last picture today.

 

[Ian Bell]

A flock of 23 Waxwings were on Grampian Place/Walker Road junction this morning.I was heading to visit relatives,so obviously no Bins or Camera with me.They were just sitting on a tree but would Imagine they were feeding on the trees In the Gardens,where Walker Road meets Grampian Road,opposite the former Prison.

 

[Cucurrucucu]

A flock of 23 Waxwings were on Grampian Place/Walker Road junction

There isn't a berry left on the sorbuses on Abbey Rd. Haven't see any waxwings but somebody has had the lot.

 

[Ian Bell]

Had an early but productive walk around St Fitticks Park,at first light this morning.A female Sparrowhawk was seen flying over the Pond,chasing something Into the trees.The local Moorhen population seems to have grown,since my last visit In the summertime,with birds on the Pond,on the grass and even In amongst the trees..! On the bank across to the north side of the burn,were six Roe Deer,allowing good views.
As I walked along the burn to the Concrete Bridge,I flushed a Common Snipe and at the bridge,there were at least 3 Water Rails,which gave me my best views of this species here.As I walked over the grass to Girdleness Road,12 Redwing and 3 Fieldfare were feeding.All in all,a nice start to my day.

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

I went off looking for BN's Waxwings this morning. I didn't find them, but had some success with other birds. A male Blackcap appeared in a garden at the junction of Polwarth Road and Wellington Road. A few minutes later, I noticed a striking looking gull gliding overhead as I walked down Wellington Road. It turned out to be an amazing looking dark juvenile Glaucous Gull - maybe the darkest I've ever seen. I hope it reappears in the area soon. I'd love to see it again. Two Goldeneye were on the river near the railway bridge. A couple of Siskins were in the boat club alders and a Little Grebe was just upstream of the Victoria Bridge.

I then headed to Aberdeen Beach and Donmouth, but will post on that in the Aberdeen thread.

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

It's been very cold here over the past couple of days. I headed around St Fittick's this afternoon to see if the hard weather was having any effects. A few Fieldfares and Redwings were flying about and I was surprised to see a Snipe feeding right out in the open on the grassy hill near the old church. A group of 16 Lapwings was a high count, flying northwards. A lovely male Sparrowhawk flew through. Birds in the wetlands included five Water Rails (some of which showed nicely), at least five Teal, 12 Snipe and a Chiffchaff. A Woodcock was along the path on the way up to the railway bridge. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was calling and was seen flying off towards Torry.

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

I had a look around a thawing headland today. Not too much was moving, although three Mute Swans had turned up - the regular pair and a lost looking juvenile that ended up out to sea in Aberdeen Bay. Three Goldeneye flew into the harbour. Of most note was a Great Northern Diver, again in Nigg Bay. It looked potentially like the bird from a few weeks ago.

 

[Ian Bell]

I had an early morning walk,around St Fitticks Park In sub zero temperatures this morning.Nothing out of the ordinary seen and It was that cold,that the Moorhen on the Ponds wing feathers were white,with what I would take It to be the cold air on the moisture of the wings.I've never seen this before.There were 6 Common Snipe flying from various places but mostly between the bridges.I flushed a bird,which flew up,then dropped down quickly Into the marsh and may have been a Jack Snipe but I'm no expert and perhaps Andrew would have a better Idea.
Also around was a cold,fed up looking Heron,the usual Mallards,at least 8 Teal were seen and despite being vocal,none of the Water Rail at the Concrete Bridge showed.
Smaller birds Included Goldfinch,Chaffinch,Reed Bunting and a party of 11 Siskins feeding along the Railway Embankment.A single Redwing was on the Football Pitch.I came home absolutely frozen but I still enjoyed my walk.

 

[Ian Bell]

Another day and another walk In sub zero temperatures around St Fitticks Park.First birds I encountered were two Sparrowhawks flying Into the trees to the north of the main Pond.As I neared the Pond,I came across a personal first for me In the Park,In the shape of a Shoveler,along with the usual Mallards and Moorhen.A great start to the day.The rest of the walk produced a couple of fly past Snipe and a single Long tailed Tit and a handful of Teal on the burn.
As I was making my way to the Concrete Bridge,one of the Sparrowhawks was being mobbed by a Carrion Crow.I came across Andrew and during my time In his company,there were a couple of sightings of Water Rail dashing about the reedbed.A pair of Goldfinch and a single Robin,were also In this location.I then had to leave Andrew to return home and the walk across the large field produced very little but with It being covered In snow,this came as no surprise but the unexpected Shoveler was the highlight of my walk.

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

It was good to meet BN this morning, although sadly I never managed to meet up with his Shoveler - a good bird for here. Stuff around St Fittick's included a Mistle Thrush, two Water Rails, four Teal, four Snipe, four Siskins and two Bullfinches. At least two Woodcock were flushed from the planted areas. The headland was pretty quiet in the afternoon, although I scoped four Long-tailed Duck and three Red-breasted Mergansers in Aberdeen Bay and three Sanderling along the beach.

 

[Ian Bell]