Birds fae Torry (3 Viewers)

[Andrew Whitehouse]

Had a look around this morning in bright and breezy conditions. There were a few interesting bits and pieces about. Four Canada Geese going north were my first of the year. Waders included three Whimbrel, a Knot and three Dunlin. Offshore, a group of five Shelduck, three of them juveniles, rested on the sea. A Bonxie went north, as did four Common Scoters. Five Arctic Terns and 70 Common Terns were in Greyhope Bay. The latter seem far more numerous these days than they used to. A Wheatear in Greyhope Bay was my first of the autumn. I had a quick look at St Fittick's but it was really quiet. A Common Darter was my first Odonata of the year.

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

I had a slightly half-hearted go at a big day today, encouraged by the relatively calm conditions. I went out round the headland at dawn and was soon picking up a few tricky species, including a couple of Common Sandpipers along the north shore. The bird of the day also came early in Greyhope Bay, with my first Kingfisher for four years prospecting the rock pools. Other birds in the morning included four Wigeon, a Teal, three Knot, nine Dunlin, a Kestrel, and a Wheatear. An adult Little Gull was in Greyhope Bay, probably the same one I've been seeing over the past week or so. St Fittick's was slow going but I did add a few good things there, including a Stock Dove and unexpected sightings of Siskin and Great Spotted Woodpecker.

I headed out in the evening for some seawatching. It was fairly quiet, although there were two Bonxies, an Arctic Skua, eight Teal and 45 Manx Shearwaters. The final total was 78 species, which is marginally short of what I usually manage. I missed a few fairly 'easy' things so I expect a bit more effort and planning would boost the total by several more. I also saw a good selection of butterflies, including a couple of Dark Green Fritillaries.

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

I had a look around the headland early evening with some hopes it might be interesting after the heavy rain earlier in the day. It was actually a bit underwhelming. Two Whimbrel flying south were good. Other waders included a Sanderling, nine Dunlin and 30 Ringed Plovers in Greyhope Bay (the latter a pretty high count). We also got this year's Purple Sandpiper Totaliser up and running:

11

I thought things might be happening offshore. Aside from a fairly strong passage of Fulmars, with over 250 in an hour, the only birds of note were 30 Manx Shearwaters and two Arctic Skuas.

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

It was breezy again this evening when I set off around the headland. Two Teal were among the Goosanders in the harbour. There seemed to be good numbers of waders moving through as the tide rose. Five Knot flew in to Greyhope Bay and another nine went south offshore. A flock of five Whimbrel harboured a single Bar-tailed Godwit. A Common Sandpiper was feeding in the seaweed mound in Greyhope Bay. Another two Whimbrel went south over the golf course later on. Not much was happening out to sea, aside from 12 Manx Shearwaters north. I was wondering if the Swifts might be on their way by now, but 82 were still over Torry at dusk.

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

A fairly low key look around the headland this evening. Whimbrel were still passing through, with at least six noted. Other waders included three Knot and six Dunlin. Very little was offshore. There continue to be almost no auks or Shags and numbers of Kittiwakes are very low for the time of year. 78 Swifts were over Torry at dusk.

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

Another low key evening wander round the headland. The only wader of note was a Whimbrel in Greyhope Bay, although Redshank numbers (which have been really low) had built up to six. Things were also quiet offshore, although I was quite pleased to see a couple of Razorbills for only the second time this month. A nice pale phase Arctic Skua went south. Arguably the highlight was a Brown Rat along the north shore. 85 Swifts were over Torry, so they're definitely still around.

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

Another day dominated by south-westerly winds, although it was actually fairly interesting given the conditions. The most obvious feature around the headland in the morning was wader passage. A group of three Black-tailed Godwits going south were my first of the year. Another one went through later. At least 12 Knot were also moving, and there were parties of Ringed Plovers, Dunlin, and Redshank going south too. A Common Sandpiper was on the rocks in Greyhope Bay.

Not much was happening offshore until I picked out a juvenile Black Tern loitering around a few hundred metres out. I think that's three years running of seen this species here. Prior to that, I'd never had one at all and don't think there were many records. Other birds included a female Tufted Duck in with the Eiders in the harbour and two Wheatears.

I popped out again in the evening but things were fairly quiet. I again saw the moulting adult Little Gull that seems to have been around for a few weeks. A Harbour Porpoise was out to sea and 76 Swifts were gathered over Torry.

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

Fairly quiet in bright and breezy conditions today. I had a good look around the headland. Waders included four Knot. Offshore almost nothing was happening but I did see my first Red-throated Diver of the autumn going south. Two Wheatears were in Greyhope Bay. St Fittick's was very quiet, although there were a couple of Red Admirals. A group of three Sparrowhawks together over Tullos Hill were perhaps a family group.

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

I had a look around the headland early evening, in windy and fairly mucky, autumnal conditions. Three spangly juvenile Sanderling were in Greyhope Bay. There were also a couple of juvenile Knot. Things were quiet offshore, with a couple of Common Scoters and a bit of southward Fulmar passage. A group of 11 Curlews on the golf course were joined by a Whimbrel. 18 Swifts were over Torry.

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

I had a pleasant stroll round the headland this evening, still with a brisk south-westerly breeze. 72 Goosander are still in the harbour. The high tide brought a good roost of waders, including four Knot, a Dunlin and high counts of 36 Ringed Plovers and 103 Turnstone. A Common Sandpiper was heard calling along the north shore. Two Whimbrel flew south and a Wheatear was on the golf course. Offshore things were quiet, with an Arctic Skua, an Arctic Tern and two Common Scoters about all that was doing. At least 46 Swifts were still gathering over Torry.

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

Another bright but fairly breezy day. I had a look around St Fittick's in the morning. It was very quiet for birds. By some distance the highlight was a Common Hawker, which seemed to be holding territory near the railway embankment just west of the concrete bridge. It's the first I've seen here for eight years.

Before heading out around the headland late in the afternoon I picked out a Little Gull flying around the harbour from the flat. I saw presumably the same bird later, flying past the foghorn. Waders were moving on the hide tide. Counts included 36 Ringed Plover, three Knot, two Dunlin and 16 Sanderling. A Wheatear was again on the golf course and four Manx Shearwaters went north offshore. 59 Swifts were over Torry during the evening.

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

Another windy day. I went round the headland before the rain set in. Before I did so, I picked out a Peregrine flying over the city. A flock of 20 Tree Sparrows along the north bank were my first of the year. The low tide wasn't great for waders but three Sanderling went south. Offshore, four Bonxies included a group of three lurking on the water. An Arctic Skua went south and three Manx Shearwaters north. Other stuff included four Common Scoter and a Snipe coming in off the sea.

 

[Ian Bell]

I had a quick visit,early morning to Greyhope Bay and back to the Allotments yesterday.Nothing exciting but a high tide covered all the rocks.On the South Breakwater,there were plenty roosting Cormorants,Kittiwakes,Oyster Catchers and closer to land,there was a single Knot In amongst 14 Turnstones and 3 Ringed Plovers.The only different birds on the walk back,was a charm of 30+ Goldfinch,6 female Goosander and several Curlew taking advantage of the tide going back out.8 Terns landed on exposed rocks In Greyhope Bay and on seeing them,they were all Sandwich Terns both adults and juveniles.
With regards to the city centre Peregrine,I missed 3 weeks In July,with being In Mallorca but since returning,I have witnessed a juvenile bird,screaming and chasing an adult carrying prey,several times from my work,which suggests local breeding has taken place.

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

I've been (rather briefly) back in Torry today and the promising conditions encouraged me out for a look around the headland. Things were interesting but not quite as good as I'd hoped. Along the north side, three Common Sandpipers were along the shore. I looked quite hard for migrants but, as is often the case at this time of year, there's an awful lot of cover for things to hide in. About all I could muster were singles of Willow Warbler, Sedge Warbler and Whitethroat. There was a good scattering of Wheatears with at least seven being present. In Greyhope Bay there were five Dunlin, a Knot and an Arctic Tern. Offshore things seemed quiet, although there were three Arctic Skuas at varying distances and ten Wigeon and two Common Scoters went south. Four Whimbrel also circled around before heading towards Greyhope Bay. A Black-tailed Godwit was wandering about on the golf course with Oystercatchers. Probably the best bird was a briefly seen Whinchat on the south side.

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

I didn't get out today but did see the first groups of Pink-footed Geese going over, with at least 60 heading south.

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

I had a look around the headland this evening, in cool, breezy, very autumnal conditions. A reasonable number of waders were gathered on the breakwater, including two Knot. Offshore, there were plenty of birds but most were a long way out. Two Arctic Skuas were loitering around. A couple of Wigeon went north. A juvenile Arctic Tern was in Greyhope Bay.

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

Still clear and chilly today, but the wind had dropped and moved round more to the southwest. I got out around the headland late afternoon. A new bird for the year was a male Stonechat on the rocks at the east end of Greyhope Bay. A Wheatear was in the same area. Offshore, not much was moving although there were at least two Arctic Skuas and 20 Common Scoters and a Teal went north. The highlight was a juvenile Mediterranean Gull, which lingered off the pier at the end of the headland for half an hour or so. I didn't see any here last year, so this was pleasing to get. I also heard the Kingfisher calling a few times from somewhere down around the rocks.

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

It was slightly milder today but fairly windy again and there were bits of rain from time to time. It ended up being surprisingly good, despite the conditions not being obviously productive. I headed out round the headland in the morning. As I walked eastwards, a group of three Pale-bellied Brent Geese headed south. I spent a bit of time seawatching. A Wheatear was on the harbour breakwater. Not too much was moving but a few ducks included a group of four Pintail going south - my first of the year. Other ducks included a Red-breasted Merganser and 12 Common Scoters. At least six Arctic Skuas included some birds moving and some loitering. Not too much else was out there, although there were three Arctic Terns.

I had a look around St Fittick's, not expecting much. A Water Rail called and a Stock Dove flew over. As I arrived near the wooden bridge, I heard a distinctive, repeated rasping call coming from the trees. After a few minutes, I had good views of my second ever Girdle Ness Jay, perching in one of the conifers near the bridge.

 

[Ian Bell]

It was slightly milder today but fairly windy again and there were bits of rain from time to time. It ended up being surprisingly good, despite the conditions not being obviously productive. I headed out round the headland in the morning. As I walked eastwards, a group of three Pale-bellied Brent Geese headed south. I spent a bit of time seawatching. A Wheatear was on the harbour breakwater. Not too much was moving but a few ducks included a group of four Pintail going south - my first of the year. Other ducks included a Red-breasted Merganser and 12 Common Scoters. At least six Arctic Skuas included some birds moving and some loitering. Not too much else was out there, although there were three Arctic Terns.

I had a look around St Fittick's, not expecting much. A Water Rail called and a Stock Dove flew over. As I arrived near the wooden bridge, I heard a distinctive, repeated rasping call coming from the trees. After a few minutes, I had good views of my second ever Girdle Ness Jay, perching in one of the conifers near the bridge.

I seen a Jay at St Fitticks,a few years ago.A good record for the Park. 👍

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

It was a pleasant morning here with light winds and rather warm conditions. A few skeins of Pink-footed Geese were going over and there were a lot of Common Scoter in Aberdeen Bay, with 68 counted. Otherwise, things were fairly quiet around the headland. A Knot was in Greyhope Bay, where a pale phase Arctic Skua successfully chased down a Kittiwake for its food. A couple of Wheatears were also about. Offshore, things were quiet but four Teal and five Wigeon went through. The highlight was fairly brief, in the form of at least a couple of Risso's Dolphins, which surfaced a mile or so out before disappearing.

I had a look around St Fittick's too, but things were quiet with just a Stock Dove and a couple of Goldcrests of any note.