9 - SEPTEMBER 2008 BIRD SIGHTINGS (ANGUS)

[Bob McCurley]

Sept. 19th. 1800hrs. ARCTIC SKUAS 3 1 Light Phase , 2 Dark Phase in CARNOUSTIE BAY

Sept. 19th 1750 hrs. WHINCHATS 2 ON BARRY BUDDON , ON NORTH ROAD LEADING TO SEA RUNNING PARRALELL WITH BUDDON GOLF COURSE

[Clive McKay]

An interesting day at Carnoustie following passage of a front overnight giving first clear weather this week. Far fewer Mipits (1,400) than a week ago despite excellent conditions, suggests main push of birds has gone through. Good numbers of Siskins and Redpolls, and alba wags beginning to build up. Nice Osprey through low (def migrant – first for this site) and my first Pinks (46) and Whoopers of(3) the autumn. Tried catching Mipits today with two other ringers but nets too visible at this exposed site – though the birds seemed to greatly appreciate the perches provided by the shelf strings, net poles and guys ropes!

For full details see Vismig website:

http://www.trektellen.nl/trektelling.as ... m=20080919

Cheers

Clive

[HarryB]

This is a WEBS Report for Montrose Basin for Sunday 14th
1 Red-throated Diver, 13 Little Grebe, 497 Shelduck, 2,756 Wigeon, 8 Pintail, 8 Ringed Plover, 1008 Lapwing, 92 Knot, 178 Dunlin, 6 Snipe, 951 Curlew, 16 Greenshanks, 67 Grey Plover, 4 Ruff, 2 Spotted Redshanks, 2,198 Redshanks, 11 Velvet Scoter, 4 Common Scoter, 6 Guillemot and 1 Kingfisher.
The numbers of Grey Heron, Cormorant and Turnstone, were not recorded for some reason.
The number of Ruff was 7 before high tide count.
In addition, there were 2 (ringtail) Hen Harriers and a Short-eared Owl.
Also that day, there were 4 Ruff flew overhead south at Cliffburn Hotel, Arbroath.

THIS IS A BELATED REPORT, AS NEIL MITCHELL WAS ON HOLIDAY AND NO-ONE (INCLUDING ME) THOUGHT TO PUT THESE RECORDS ON THIS WEB PAGE.

[HarryB]

There have been some sightings of Pink-footed Geese in the Montrose Basin area for about 2 weeks now.
Yesterday (19th) there were two distinct flocks: one of about 70 and another of about 150. They came in about mid-day and are obviously the forerunner of the main flocks.
There will be a 'Goose Breakfast' on 5th October at Montrose Basin, run by SWT. It is advisable to book up for this (01674 676336) as organising food for everyone is difficult, if the numbers attending aren't known in advance.
There's an OPTICAL FAIR at SWT Montrose today (Saturday) and tomorrow and you (and your money!) are welcome..

[srgreen]

Good to see technology has now reached the stage where we can predict counts for future dates! Ho ho! SRG

[Mickey Mellon]

Med Gull seen at west links Arbroath no 641 402 flying towards Focus. Later seen by Bob Mccurley on the roof of Focus

[srgreen]

Drake Surf Scoter at north end of Lunan Bay this morning, Sat 20th Sept, with full nape and forehead patch. I thought another bird may have been present, but this seemed (at great distance) to be lacking much white on the nape, though I couldn't see the bird at all well, and never both birds together etc. Chris McGuigan confirmed late pm that a second drake, with a restricted nape patch, is present. Cheers, SRG

[HarryB]

Found some of the 'missing' information for last weekend's WEBS count at Montrose Basin as follows:
Mute Swan 180
Cormorant 103
Grey Heron 21
Eider 378 (This figure became 769 by 19/09/08)
Goldeneye 23
Red-breasted Merganser 4
Goosander 31
Some of you may have noticed, ( Thanks Stuart)I gave the wrong date for last weekend's WEBS count and of course, it should have been Sunday 14th September. That has now been corrected on this page.(You wouldn't think I had 2 calendars beside my PC!)

[RAB]

Juv. Pied Flycatcher at Windyhills Farm today (Sun). At the main road end of the drive. Presumably left over from last weekend.

[Neil Mitchell]

There was a kingfisher on the river and 20 Little Grebe in the usual spot near Old Montrose Pier

[keith hendrie]

Sea Eagle showing superbly at Blackjack rock/ Boddin this afternoon.

[HarryB]

Drake Surf Scoters (two) still at north end of Lunan Bay (See previous descriptions from weekend)
Birds confirmed there by Stuart R Greene this afternoon (Monday 22 September)

[Neil Mitchell]

There were around 2,300 pinks on the reserve at first light with a good turn over of birds all day.
12 Pale Bellied Brents and 25 Canada geese too.

[Bob McCurley]

Sept. 22nd. 1900HRS. SHORT EARED OWLS 2 Seen on Barry Buddon North

Above Birds reported by ADBC club member Stephen Wilson --

[Neil Mitchell]

Two Curlew Sandpipers feeding in front of the centre Tues 23rd PM. Hugh thinks they were both on Rossie Spit at the weekend too.

[Mickey Mellon]

23rd Sept Gayfield Arbroath nr 640413 along with normal shore birds had 2 Wheatear winging their way through

[Clive McKay]

Carnoustie (Angus and Dundee, Scotland)
Wednesday 24 September 2008
Counting period: 7:00-14:00
Weather: NNE 3, dull (CC 7/8), good visibility 40 km, high pressure 1032 mb stable.
Observers: Clive McKay

Total birds heading south/south west:

Grey Heron 7
Pink-footed Goose 2,200
Canada Goose 21
alba wagtail sp. 2 >S, 3 >N
Swallow 9
Meadow Pipit 23
Starling 10
Reed Bunting 2

Total: 2277 individuals, 8 species, 7:00 hours

Remark: Obs from Hatton. Incidental obs whilst ringing Mipits, although probably picked up a good proportion of the Pink-feet - which were heading >S high, later seen at Aberlady. Carnoustie today, Spurn tomorrow? Good passage of Herons - definite migrants in two flocks - 3 and 4 following coastline. First Canadas for this site.

[Clive McKay]

Hi Neil and everyone at the Basin,

Pinks
I'm assuming (perhaps wrongly) that the 2,400 Pinks >S over Hatton on Wednesday 24th originated from the Basin (interesting that you had 2,300 the day before). I was wondering whether numbers have dropped at the Basin today, or is there constant turnover? The birds I saw were passing through steadily all morning

Canada Geese
As above - I assume the flock of 21 Canadas >S at Hatton yesterday were from the Basin. I was amazed to see that you had a flock of 25 at the Basin the previous day! Did these disappear yesterday?

Herons
Yesterday I saw my first convincing migrating Herons at Hatton - 2 small flocks of 3 and 4, gently flapping down the coast and disappearing out of sight over East Haven/Carnoustie. Always nice to see familar species on the move.

Buzzard
On 23rd at Hatton also had a convincing migrating Buzzard - surprisingly "scarce" on migration watches. It was quite high, followed the coastline from Hatton to beyond East Haven in a single glide - making the most of the tail wind. Sadly it wasn't a Honey.

Cheers

Clive

[Clive McKay]

Dear all

I'm hoping to visit the south end of Lunan Bay to check out its potential for vismig observations.

Can anyone tell me if I can drive up the track all the way to:

a) Ethie Haven at NO 697 483

b) IS there a track from New Mill to Corbie Knowe at NO 692 489?

Do I need to get permission from anyone to do these?

Cheers

Clive

[mike.nicoll]

24/09/2008,
Afflochie, Glen Ogil, between 1100 & 1400hrs, 3 skeins of Pinkfeet totalling 300,
flying high SW.( Following the edge of the Glens.)

20/09/2008,
1 Barn Owl ( fresh road kill), South Leckaway, Forfar, NO438487.
1 Barn Owl ( fresh road kill), Invereighty , NO443454.

[Bob McCurley]

Sept. 25th. 12 noon CURLEW SANDPIPERS 7 AT TAYOCK END OF THE MONTROSE BASIN
AT GRID REF. N.O. 709587

Sept. 25th 12-30 pm. PINKFEET 600 CAMEIN FROM ROSSIE DIRECTION AND SETTLED ON WATER AT TAYOCK END OF BASIN

Sept. 25th. 1350 hrs.pm. PINKFEET 400 IN FIELD ON LEFT OF MAIN ROAD AT CRAIG. /ROSSIE
X--ROADS

[Neil Mitchell]

[quote="Clive McKay"]Hi Neil and everyone at the Basin,

Pinks
I'm assuming (perhaps wrongly) that the 2,400 Pinks >S over Hatton on Wednesday 24th originated from the Basin (interesting that you had 2,300 the day before). I was wondering whether numbers have dropped at the Basin today, or is there constant turnover? The birds I saw were passing through steadily all morning

Canada Geese
As above - I assume the flock of 21 Canadas >S at Hatton yesterday were from the Basin. I was amazed to see that you had a flock of 25 at the Basin the previous day! Did these disappear yesterday?


Hi Clive....and everyone! They could well have come from the Basin but if they did they wre quickly replaced, we still have good numbers here. There's been a spectacular turnover of birds on the basin today.
According to the AC ranger there were about 4,000 in a field nr Craig NO695555 around 9am, and there were still c3,000 on the Basin. We think the contents of the same field arrived back in 3 big skeins around 12:30am it was quite a sight (I guess the remnants of this flock are the same Bob mentions at 13.50). Smaller skeins have been coming and going, then a further 2 big skeins; 1000+ came in mid afternoon. However the big skeins are not coming in from the north but the smaller groups of northern arrivals will certainly be building the numbers up slowly.
All in all it really felt as if winter is on the way. We estimate around 6-7000 pinks using the Basin and immediate area today

re. the Canadas, I haven't seen them since but they wouldn't necessarily be visible fom the centre-they weren't before. Did anybody else see them yesterday?

[barry shaw]

White tailed sea eagle
wednesday 25th
3 o clockish
Watched the sea eagle coming from Bacalk Farm on the Sidlaws,circled about 500 feet above my house in Tealing,then soared off towards Forfar way. Very impressive.

[joncook]

On shore in front of Caravan Site - 2 Wheatear, 12 Swallows, plus usual waders - c100 Golden Plover, 2 Knot, Bar Tailed Godwit, Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Redshank, Turnstone
Jon

[Grant Balfour]

Lurgies 14:00-15:00
25 Canada Geese - up where the Millburn exits into the Southesk.

Boddin Point 15:00-16:00
One Black Throated Diver (just offshore from the Lime Kiln). There were a lot of Common Scoter and Velvet Scoter from south of Boddin down to Lunan Bay.

[HarryB]

Message from Bob McCurley (which may have originated from elsewhere):
Turtle Dove and Lesser Whitethroat at Auchmithie in a garden there.

[Mark Caunt]

Date & Time: Sunday 28th September 2008 - 10:00 to 11:30am
Species: Turtle Dove
Details: Turtle Dove was still happily sunning itself in Auchmithie gardens when I left at 11:30.
Favours trees in Gardens at top of gulley, wires and field directly south of Gulley and willows in the gulley.

MORE PICTURES ON WEBSITE: 'CLICK ME'

[Bob McCurley]

Sept. 28th 10-15A.M. TURTLE DOVE 1 LESSER WHITETHROAT 1 GARDEN WARBLER 1

BLACK CAP FEMALE 1 ALL IN GARDEN AT AUCHMITHIE OPPOSITE THE
" BUT N' BEN " RESTAURANT - N.O. 680443 BIRDS FOUND BY BOB AND KEITH AND GEORGE

[RAB]

Male Surf Scoter was still in Lunan bay yesterday (Saturday) seen from the top of the dunes at the main car park.

[Clive McKay]

I'm sure anyone who was out on the coast today would have seen the huge numbers of PInk-footed Geese on the move down the coast. I counted 14,110 during the day. Also 1 Honey Buzzard >SW at 12:40 - followed exactly the same flight line as the one that I saw here in August 2007. 3 probable migrant Common Buzzards, 1 migrant Kestrel >SW. Hard to count/ID the many passerines going over on a broad front quite high. Totals >SW during the day included 755 Meadow Pipit, 12 Grey Wagtail and 147 Pied Wagtail.

[Clive McKay]

Can anyone help me with my request for advice on vehicular access to the south end of Lunan Bay (see previous message posted on 25th Sep)?

Cheers

Clive

[Bob McCurley]

Hi Clive Sorry I did mean to reply to your request sooner, re. access to Ethie Haven- here it is

It is possible to take your car down to Corbie Knowe via a narrow track , very few passing places ! so drive slowly , you access this track by entering the turn off leading to Newbarns Farm Grid Ref. NO. 681493 At the end of this track is Corbie Knowe with a few car parking places , from there you can easily access Ethie Haven by walking South a short distance . you might be better to let New Barns Farm owners know what you are doing there to keep your self right .

It is a good area for possible migrant falls and for Viz. Mig too -- Good luck Bob

[Bob McCurley]

sEPT. 30TH . 1400HRS. BLACK THROATED DIVERS 2 SEEN IN CARNOUSTIE BAY , OPPOSITE THE

GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP HOTEL . QUITE CLOSE IN , AND THE BIRDS WERE IN VERY CLOSE COMPANY .

ALSO OBSERVED A BIT OF VIZ. MIG ! 20 SWALLOWS , 10 MIPITS . 1 GREY WAGTAIL 30 LAPWINGS ALL SOUTH.

[Neil Mitchell]

There were approx 27,000 pinks on the reserve this morning, a couple of barnacles amongst them and a whimbrel flew over head.

[daviddegernier]

30/9/08: Letham, Angus
12 long-tail tits ( 6 juv )
4 greenfinch
1 tree-creeper and 1 red squirrel

in garden today.

Male sparrowhawk hit patio door yesterday while chasing chaffinch from bird table, it was stunned but when I laid it on the grass, it flew away after 10 minutes or so. Chaffinch escaped.

Good trip to Montrose basin this morning, sky full of pinks and the noise of the skeins was filling the air.

[Mickey Mellon]

30 Sept RM Condor West Nr 616430 0830 5 Swallows flew through. Arbroath Harbour on the wall one Grey Lag Goose. This one keeps appearing over the year and cheeky thing goes across to the local school so it can get fed by the children

[Bob McCurley]

Sept. 30th . 10am. TURTLE DOVE 1 IN GARDEN OPPOSITE BUT N' BEN AT AUCHMITHIE ( it did fly off in sth. direction )

Sept. 30th . 12-15 pm . SURF SCOTER 2 IN LUNAN BAY FROM ADBC REDCASTLE HIDE

Sept. 30th. 12-30pm. Also in Lunan Bay LONG TAILED DUCKS 5 ( 1ST. OF THE AUTUMN SEASON )

N.B. PERMISSION TO ENTER GARDEN AT AUCHMITHIE MUST BE OBTAINED FROM MRS. HORN AT NO.3 NEXT TO BUT N' BEN -- AREA CAN BE VIEWED FROM STUBBLE FIELD ON OPPOSITE SIDE .