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Tayforth Birding (1 Viewer)

Stonefaction

Stuck in Dundee.....
Scotland
Spent another couple of days worth of decent birding, with a trip up Glen Lethnot yesterday, and a trip to Errol/Port Allen today with another stop at Riverside Nature Park on the way home.

Glen Lethnot never fails to deliver, and yesterday was no exception. Highlights were a cracking male Redstart, 2 Cuckoos, a Tree Pipit having a bath, good numbers of Common Sandpipers and Great Spotted Woodpeckers, a couple of Whinchats, a male Stonechat, a flock of Siskins, a couple of Linnets, a couple of Goosanders, a few Spotted Flycatchers and the usual supporting cast including Wheatears and Meadow Pipits. No Ring Ouzel or Snipe, and no sign of any Grouse, but a far from disappointing trip.

Today was a day off work, and with unfavourable tides and not much wind a visit to the coast seemed a waste of time, so I decided to head west to the Tay Reedbeds. En route, while sitting upstairs on the bus as we stopped briefly at the eastern end of Longforgan, I spotted a raptor appearing from behind the houses. The camera was hastily grabbed from the bag, and a few photos were snapped through the rather dirty bus windows. One female Marsh Harrier. A good start.

On the walk down Gas Brae when I reached Errol, a Whitethroat showed well by the side of the path allowing me a few photos. A Yellowhammer could be heard singing, as another one bathed in a puddle. Above the noise of the Yellowhammer I could hear a vaguely similar sounding song - one that I'd heard on my last visit here, but the bird had remained unseen. Today it was showing well on the outer branches of a large Oak tree. A nice Corn Bunting. When I reached the bottom of the track, and walked past the house to the open area between the reedbeds, Warblers singing and calling were much in evidence with Whitethroat, Blackcap, Sedge Warbler and Chiffchaff all competing to be heard over the sound of the Reed Buntings. No sign of any of the other reedbed specialities however, so a walk through the trees to Port Allen was next on the agenda. Picked up Willow Warbler and Treecreeper here. At the ponds, there were a number of large Mallard ducklings and Mute Swans with a couple of Cygnets. Also a couple of Great Crested Grebe, Coots with young, and a couple of young Grey Herons, one of which was very approachable and allowed me to within about 15 feet or so. While I watched he caught a small fish (a Perch possibly - red fins), and what looked like a mouse from in the reeds behind. Had to hurry back to catch my bus back to Dundee, but the Corn Bunting was singing again at the foot of Gas Brae.

Got off the bus at the first stop in Dundee and headed for the new Riverside Nature Park, for my second visit in 3 days. Lapwings, Curlew, Redshank and Oystercatcher mingled with Herring, Lesser Black Backed and Black Headed Gulls in Invergowrie Bay, with a few Shelduck and Carrion Crows added to the mix, with Mallard just offshore. A Cormorant flew in to land on the end of the outflow pipe as I walked out along the path. Just up from the hide I got my first surprise - a Lesser Redpoll. It perched on the fence for 10 seconds or so, allowing me to get a few nice photos. A bit further on, I chanced upon 3 of these wee birds feeding on the ground. A flock of 8 Linnets was seen a bit further round, as was a Grey Heron and a Kestrel. As with Saturday's visit, a small number of Stock Doves were eating the grass seed with Woodpigeon and Feral Pigeon at the eastern fields. While there, I spotted a few Gulls circling above Invergowrie Bay with another bird slightly higher. An Osprey. My first spotted from Dundee (although the bird was technically over Perthshire). Added Yellowhammer, Willow Warbler, Swallow and Swift. Ended the day with 51 species seen - one more than I'd seen yesterday.
 

delia todd

If I said the wrong thing it was a Senior Moment
Staff member
Opus Editor
Supporter
Scotland
You had a good few days, didn't you. That new reserve sounds interesting.

D
 

Stonefaction

Stuck in Dundee.....
Scotland
Delia, I think the new reserve will come into its own when the waders start to come back again. Having a view back into the bay should make a lot of difference, rather than having to work with backlit shapes. Also there is a lot of shrubbery and bushes etc where a good mixture of smaller birds will be able to shelter. I'm hoping to visit at least once a week, most likely after work. It is well worth a visit, the more folk that are watching, the more chance of good birds being found, so far it has already given me Stock Dove and Osprey for my Dundee list.
 

delia todd

If I said the wrong thing it was a Senior Moment
Staff member
Opus Editor
Supporter
Scotland
I knew that place was going to turn up the goodies before too long!

D
 

forthbirder

Well-known member
Just had an hour or so in Kinghorn Harbour. Had about a dozen house martins hawking around the cliffs above the harbour, which was nice, and then was pleased to see quite a few eider offshore including a couple of females with some quite small chicks. There were plenty of common terns and cormorant, and it was heartening to note that both species seemed to be catching loads of sand eels. Star of the show was a light phase arctic skua which appeared and caused havoc among the terns.
It's quite normal to see skuas of several species here in August and September, but this individual is at least a full month earlier than my own previous record for the area. Is it possible there may be a few pairs in the estuary? As far I've been able to make out the nearest colonies are at least a hundred and fifty miles away.
 

kawwauser

Well-known member
i had my first visit to riverside nature reserve in dundee today,as stonefaction
said it,s well worth a visit,not the best day for birding today with the weather but certainly a very enjoyable walkabout,at the carpark i spotted a family of long tailed tits in the trees,the birds flew over to the opposite trees and i counted 18 birds, maybe 2 familys?greenfinch/swallows/carrion crow were here,skylarks were next seen making my way up the path ,the route i took was mainly covered by newly sewn grass so not much there,skylark/woodpigeon flyovers, once at the hide it was different,1 juv starling sitting on a nearby fence(couldn,d see or hear any adults)19 shellducks in the bay,12cormorants,mallards,oystercatchers,blackheaded/herring/lesser black backed gulls,chaffinch,ltt tits,blackbird,in the surrounding trees,jackdaw heard,the path heading south/east from the hide has some fenced off areas with poppys/wildflowers in them ,goldfinches with juvs were in most ,linnets and whitethroats were also seen here,i had 2 unitendified small brown jobs here too,i couldn,t see the lochan(flooded field)from the road maybe its dried out?i have seen wintering swans here on the passing and i used to see a regular barn owl perching on posts beside the runway viewed from the marmalde car park ,maybe a very early morning visit is needed here

pics
juv starling

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d91/kawwauser/starling1-1.jpg

collard dove in fife
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d91/kawwauser/cld2.jpg

greylag drinking ,piperdam
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d91/kawwauser/greylag1.jpg
 

Stonefaction

Stuck in Dundee.....
Scotland
Headed down to the Riverside nature park after work, but it was pretty quiet. Double figures flock of Long Tailed Tits to the northeast of the car park by the "eastern fields". A Buzzard flew low over from the direction of the tip. Plenty birds in the bay, but nothing out of the ordinary. Pair of Stock Doves also seen. That was about it for highlights.
A couple of twenty-something women sitting with 4 (unopened when I passed) cans of Strongbow not too far along the path from the hide was the only new addition......(hopefully a one-off sighting). Granted it was a nice day for a picnic and a blether.....

The Lochan was still full of water. It can be hard to see from the road, as it is on a small raised area, easy to pick out when the swans are on it, but not so easy when its empty.
 

sizzlor108

Mark Wood
Hi there folks,

I was along at Loch Leven today, not a great deal around but there was a Little Grebe, Pintail, 3 Shovelers, a Pochard and some Gadwall along side the Tufties on the far scrape at Vane Farm. On the loch there were half a dozen G. created grebes, more tufties and a vast number of Swans. I managed to pick out the Ross's Goose on St serfs Island in among the greylags and pinkies but i was surprised to see several Barnacle geese their also, apparently 2 pairs are currently nesting on the island !

On the path between Vane F. and Findatie I got a superbly close view of a Brown Hare that, despite my obvious presence continued to slowly move down the path towards me until it was only 20ft away. I also heard a Grasshopper warbler calling from a patch of young broadleaves and bracken but failed to see it.
 

delia todd

If I said the wrong thing it was a Senior Moment
Staff member
Opus Editor
Supporter
Scotland
You had some nice sightings down our way then Sizzlor. Vane Farm always seems to be worth a visit, doesn't it.

D
 

sizzlor108

Mark Wood
Went back to Vane farm today and was rewarded with some excellent views of the same Grasshopper warbler. It sang for extended periods of time, perched low in a small willow tree and i was able to train the scope on it. My friend who was with me also managed to get some great photos. Ross's goose was still visible on St serfs and just missed a water rail, apparently !
 

Stonefaction

Stuck in Dundee.....
Scotland
Spent the morning at my new "patch" again - Riverside Nature Park, Dundee. Managed to add 3 new species to my site list, taking it to 48.
Birds seen - Shelduck, Mallard, Grey Heron, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Curlew, Black Headed Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Sandwich Tern, Feral Pigeon, Woodpigeon, Swift, Skylark, Swallow, House Martin, Pied Wagtail (1 adult & 2 young), Dunnock (youngster), Song Thrush, Blackbird, Blackcap (youngster), Whitethroat, Coal Tit (1 adult & 2 young), Willow Warbler, Blue Tit, Long Tailed Tit (18 birds at least - mostly youngsters), Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Starling, Chaffinch, Linnet, Lesser Redpoll, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Reed Bunting, Yellowhammer.

Headed over to Guardbridge in the afternoon to see if there were any waders around. Pretty quiet, but looks like waders are beginning to return, though most of the ducks have disappeared.
Birds seen - Mute Swan (10), Greylag Goose (domesticated 1) in company with 3 Swan Geese, Canada Goose (11), Shelduck (incl. 5 youngsters), Mallard (6), Eider (large flock 100+ in outer estuary), Goosander (12 + 6 - 2 groups seperately), Grey Heron (3), Buzzard (2), Oystercatcher, lapwing, Common Sandpiper (6), Redshank (13), Curlew (40+), Black Headed Gull, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Feral Pigeon, Woodpigeon, Swift, Swallow, House Martin, Blackbird, Blue Tit (2 youngsters), Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Starling, Greenfinch

Hoping that the 3 Spoonbills at Montrose stick around till Wednesday when I can get a train up to see them before the July mid-week ADBC outing.
 

kawwauser

Well-known member
i had a quick walk around riverside nature reserve before teatime monday, 4 species recorded that i didn,t see last week,pied wagtails/stock dove/1 very low flying hunting kestrel/5 juv jackdaws,this is the only place in dundee i have seen juv jackdaws or whitethroats,terns were heard but not seen,2 juv swallows were sitting on a fence near the enterance to the reserve and were being fed by the very active parents,a juv carrion crow landed right next to my car looking like it expected to be thrown some food,an adult swallow imediatly began dive bombing it ,it flew off instantly, a beutifull family of goldfinches landed on the thistles here and began feeding
pics
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d91/kawwauser/jckd8.jpg
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d91/kawwauser/jckd1.jpg
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d91/kawwauser/gf99.jpg
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d91/kawwauser/gf97.jpg
 

ArbroathBirder

Well-known member
Had a stop at the Lurgies, Montrose Basin, on way home.

Two Spoonbill still present. Also had eleven Bar Tailed Godwit.

Single Whooper hanging around. Hope it enjoying a nice summer holiday.
 

kawwauser

Well-known member
a male sparrowhawk caught a juv goldfinch at the enterance of the riverside nature reserve tonight,the adult goldfinches went in pursuit and the sparrowhawk flew west into the trees at the dumping area,this is my secon sparrowhawk in dundee this week,a male flew in front of my car on berwick drive,i also had my first live hedgehog this week in the douglas scheme,seeing foxes virtualy every night just now
 

Stonefaction

Stuck in Dundee.....
Scotland
Took a wee wander round Riverside Nature Park again after work, despite some rather ominous looking black clouds hanging around. Ended up being a worthwhile visit, as I managed to add another 3 new species to my list for this place. 25 species seen in total, but as the tide was right in a few species that I would normally see were absent. A Swallow was harassing a Sparrowhawk just to the east of the tip, a single Whimbrel flew over heading south calling as it went, and a Common Sandpiper was on the rocky shore below the "earth" viewpoint. Yelowhammer, Sandwich Tern and Buzzard were the other highlights. Have now seen 52 species here in less than a month since my first visit. More ducks and waders sure to follow soon, and hopefully a few passage migrants too when Autumn comes round.
 

Stonefaction

Stuck in Dundee.....
Scotland
Sunday 17th July

Had a really enjoyable day out at Montrose Basin and Ferryden/Scurdie Ness today. Initially we managed to miss the Spoonbills, but thanks to Andy(?) at the visitor centre we got to see them rather distantly later. We saw Osprey hunting over the Lurgies, plus Common Sandpiper, Redshank, a Whooper Swan (a Goose went unidentified due to heat haze). At the second attempt we got a few photos of the Spoonbills as they roosted, then were lucky enough to catch the three birds in flight (all had dark wingtips to some degree - so no full adults). Buzzard, Kestrel, Willow Warbler and at least 13 Herons also around the western end of the Basin.
Black Tailed Godwits, Lapwing, Sand Martin and various small birds around from the visitor centre.
Eventually made it to Ferryden (which had been our intended first stop) and walked out to Scurdie Ness for a spot of seawatching. Lots of Kittiwakes fishing in flocks at various points (easily hundreds of birds), plus Gannets and Terns (Arctic, Common and Sandwich). A couple of Red Throated Divers headed north as did 4 Common Scoters. A couple of Ringed Plovers, Sedge Warbler, Whitethroat, Reed Bunting, Meadow Pipit and a Turnstone in summer plumage were all seen on the way back to the car. 63 species in all seen, with great close views of Turnstone, Ringed Plover, Arctic Tern, Swallow and Eider. A few photos on my flickr stream....

www.flickr.com/stonefaction
 

kawwauser

Well-known member
i watched 2 jays flirting between the trees at finlathen park dundee on sat,not a place i would expect to see this species
 
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Stonefaction

Stuck in Dundee.....
Scotland
Interesting about the Jays. A friend of mine (not a birder) says he's seen them at the southwest corner of Caird Park a few times in the past year. There are quite a few mature oak trees behind the playpark off Fintry Side, so I could see them taking to that area without too much trouble, but not sure there are many oak trees anywhere else around the park (I knew it when the majority of trees were not much more than saplings - 20-35 years ago, or so. A lot more wooded these days).
 

AndyK

Well-known member
Not sure where to put this didnt want to start a new thread. Visited Barons Haugh on Thursday afternoon and had a lovely time. Notable birds seen included great spotted woodpecker, 6 whitethroats, , 2 sedge warblers & cormorant. Whitethroats & sedge warblers were an absolute joy to watch from the hide where they were less than 200 yards away.

Returned to the first hide to find someone with his top off hanging out of the front of the hide and another sat smoking, didnt bother going in the hide after seeing them and made a quick exit!
 

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