I hope to get some better images than that one, thanks for the wishes, prognosis is good for my recovery, just slow going, I won't be dashing up any Munroes for a while lol.
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Wild in Aberdeen - City and Shire (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Ken Hall
- Start date
Well that is good news Birnie.
What camera did you get?
What camera did you get?
Andy Strachan
Well-known member
Andy Strachan
Well-known member
Here he is! I think he's a red-spotted race Bluethroat. In my own tiny garden!? haha I'm absolutely chuffed like. I thought it was a Dunnock 
He had his back turned in the shade of my hedge, throwing leaves about, n I just thought "dunnock.." then I noticed a faint stripe on his head and thought "is.... that..... a warbler? that'd be a new one for the garden birdwatch if it is.."grabs the binoculars.... and it turned round and I seen the blue throat and was like 😱😱 THE CAMERA!!!! I grabbed it and started snapping away panicking that it was going to fly off ANY SECOND. "just get that record shot..". I looked at the first few pics... pitch black 🤬😭 my hands were basically shaking as I fumbled with the ISO and shutter speed luckily it stayed for a good 10 minutes and I got plenty of pictures through the window. Phew.
He had his back turned in the shade of my hedge, throwing leaves about, n I just thought "dunnock.." then I noticed a faint stripe on his head and thought "is.... that..... a warbler? that'd be a new one for the garden birdwatch if it is.."grabs the binoculars.... and it turned round and I seen the blue throat and was like 😱😱 THE CAMERA!!!! I grabbed it and started snapping away panicking that it was going to fly off ANY SECOND. "just get that record shot..". I looked at the first few pics... pitch black 🤬😭 my hands were basically shaking as I fumbled with the ISO and shutter speed
luckily it stayed for a good 10 minutes and I got plenty of pictures through the window. Phew.Attachments
Sensational stuff Andy! Do you want to put the news out on local services? You can be a bit vague about the location if you don't want a bunch of birders showing up at your house. I'm sure people will be interested to hear about the record.
What a wonderful experience Andy!! Terrific pictures too, once you settled down and relaxed LOL
Yes, Red-spotted. I saw a white-spotted on Fair Isle back in 2002 but really made a mess of the pictures!!
Yes, Red-spotted. I saw a white-spotted on Fair Isle back in 2002 but really made a mess of the pictures!!
Andy Strachan
Well-known member
I don't mind the information being out there. It's not in my garden now, and is likely in the park nearby I suppose. I've never really reported a bird like this I don't think, I've just put it on birdtrack. Where's best? Or is it something you could easily do on my behalf? Is birdguides good for these type of alerts? I could add it there
I know there's a Facebook group, although I'm not on that myself. I can put it out on the local WhatsApp group if you're not on it. I assume it was in Peterhead earlier today? It might be good to know roughly what time. Birdguides and others generally pick up on stuff put out on local news services automatically.
Andy Strachan
Well-known member
I'm not on either of those, if you could add to the whatsapp that's be great thanks.
You could say that it was around the gardens at the north fenceline of Meethill Park, Peterhead between heath drive and blackhills crescent. At 18.45 - 19.00. Something like that. The marker on this image is within yards of where it was.
You could say that it was around the gardens at the north fenceline of Meethill Park, Peterhead between heath drive and blackhills crescent. At 18.45 - 19.00. Something like that. The marker on this image is within yards of where it was.
Cheers Andy. I've put out news on the WhatsApp and also on Twitter. It's on Birdguides now. Hope it sticks around!
Andy Strachan
Well-known member
It's back! The red-spotted bluethroat was in my garden at 6.50 this morning for about 5 mins then left. It must be still be hanging about the area. Haven't seen it since friday though. Its no longer in the garden at the moment.
I've added it to birdguides.
I've added it to birdguides.
Attachments
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Andy Strachan
Well-known member
Just seen its been reported again today on birdguides "still in garden between heath drive and blackhills crescent". I'm glad someone else has finally seen it! Would love to know more about the sighting, who it was and if it was in my garden or some else's this time!
Reported on WhatsApp by Tom Kirkpatrick. 'It was in the small lane between the two streets at the top of the grassy area'.
Andy Strachan
Well-known member
Ah, nice one! Thanks for that. Even though I've been as honest as possible and provided photos etc I still feel some vindication that someone else has seen it!
And it feels good to help others find it.
Had a drive to Fowlsheugh, but it was raining when we got there, turned round and called in at St Cyrus on the way back, the Peregrines were on the wing, Ravens too. Fulmars on the cliffs and this obliging Stonechat sat for his picture. Click on the flickr link to watch the birdie(movie)
Stonechat male by tigerburnie, on Flickr
Stonechat male by tigerburnie, on Flickr
Gosh!! It was windy, wasn't it Burnie.... I'm surprised you managed to hold the camera so still LOL.
A great video that lad - any chance you can add it to the Gallery? I can link it to the Opus article where it will get more views.
A great video that lad - any chance you can add it to the Gallery? I can link it to the Opus article where it will get more views.
You can add it if you don't mind Delia, yes it was very windy, but I carry(well actually my wife was lol) a tripod to get a steadier shot, I'm still not able to walk far, but managed down the cliff path to the Peregrines territory, 2 chicks apparently, but too small to see from the path yet.
