As to be expected with the current winds, today was a passerine day. I started the day off at Balmedie where I went for the long staying Dusky Warbler; the first opportunity I had had to go for this all week so I'm glad it stuck around. On the way there a Pallas's Warbler came through on ABZ Text also at Balmedie Car Park, so there was more than one bird to go for here. However, as I was already aware, it wasn't going to be easy. Meticulous checks of the bushes round the car park proved unsuccessful for at least an hour for both birds. However shortly after this time, I got a call from my Dad to say he was watching the Pallas's Warbler in the bushes behind the toilet block and I was soon watching the little beauty in idyllic conditions with great views down to 40ft with a few Goldcrests and interestingly a Treecreeper. It was a mobile bird, but when apparent showed very well; cracking little thing and my second of this species.
Whilst watching the Pallas's we heard the Dusky Warbler call for the first time close by but couldn't see it. It appeared to move further into the bushes, at which point I went in to flush it. I suceeded, but did not manage views myself, whilst others waiting for me got views of it dipping into another set of bushes. I was frustrated at this point and was giving up hope until 20 minutes later it flew back into the original set of bushes, where I got flight views and then all present got reasonably good views of it on the ground for a minute or so; relieving but great stuff. Whilst waiting for the Dusky I had 4 Greater White-fronted Geese flying south; seems to be a good number of these in the county today. Also large numbers of Blackbirds, several Reed Buntings and a pair of Stonechats in the gorse out towards the dunes, the latter particularly relieving to see considering how much of a hammering they've had in recent winters and for that reason my first in the county this year.
Played with the idea of going for 22 Taiga Bean Geese near Portlethen but opted to continue northwards and search for more passerines. A check of the bushes at Collieston produced a Chiffchaff and a female Blackcap but little else. 3 Chiffchaffs were seen at 3 different clumps of bushes along the Whinnyfold road, but yet again nothing else. With a Firecrest reported at Rattray we popped in to see this late afternoon. On arriving we managed brief but great views of the Firecrest in the B&B garden when it showed; it spent most of its time skulking in a bush but what a little gem! Also present here was a female Bullfinch which was strikingly pale; seemed a good candidate for Northern for this reason but could not say for sure. An immensely enjoyable day.
Joseph
