Date & Time:SUNDAY 17th August 2006 - 12:15pm Species:Pectoral Sandpiper Location:RAB's Pectoral Sandpiper showing very well at Duns Dish. North Bank on muddy, stoney beach. At 12:15pm MAP:'CLICK ME' The Blyths Reed Warbler has been showing on and off all day at the same location described on previous posts.
(thanks Neil for the WEBS Count Info!)
Anybody know what time the pelican was last seen at Monifeith on 15 Sept? I first saw it from Craigisla flying >W at 13:10. I see from BirdGuides that it was seen at Findhorn yesterday. Maybe it followed the A9 valley north and then up Strathspey?
Reading up about GWPelicans I discovered that they have the LARGEST wingspan of ANY European bird! No wonder I thought it was a paraglider when I first saw it.
Date & Time:MONDAY 18th September 2006 - 11:30am Species:Blyths Reed Warbler Location:Blyths Reed Warbler still at Auchmithie. In willowherb near bus shelter though very elusive. View from bus shelter or field but not gardens.
Hi all,
Yes the WEBS count is a big effort and as you can imagine far, far from all my own effort so many thanks to the 8! others who helped with it.
Whilst I have a team of dedicated regulars I am always keen to hear from others who may be able to offer time to help with both the WEBS and also Goose Counts. As bird numbers in the Basin increase during the winter months being short of counters can be a real problem so its good to have a reserve list that I can call upon. Counts are carried out on a Sunday. If you are interested in becoming a regular or having your name added to the list of reserves then please get in touch.
I can be contacted at nmitchell@swt.org.uk or at the wildlife centre on 01674 676336
Marsh Harrier - (Juv Female with Satellite Tag)
Osprey - Feeding on a BIG fish
Canada Goose - 325 (also a Brent Goose and Blue Phase Snow Goose present amongst the flock the latter being of dubious origin - species associating with, time of year etc,etc...)
Hi All,
I received a message from Bob MCurley (I think it originated from Tim Gulson) to inform of the presence of a Ring-necked Parakeet at Riverside Drive this afternoon (flying west). I presume Riverside Drive is in Dundee?
I know this bird is actually on the British List and breeds in the London area, but have been reluctant to circulate it on the grapevine, on the basis that it is probably an escape.
What do others think?
Well done to Mark Caunt for the brilliant Lesser Yellowlegs series of pictures in the photo section. Just saw them today and considering Mark wasn't too hopeful that his pictures would turn out, these are great.
Yep. I know it wasn't an Angus bird, but I wish it had been
Thanks Harry couldnt believe you drove up whilst I was there. Looking forward to seeing your moving camcorder pictures of the bird also! Was meant to be at work but couldnt resist skiving off to take some piccies. Harry Scot emailed me and said "stop poaching our birds!" Hehe.
Date & Time:THURSDAY 21st September 2006 Species:Balearic Shearwater Location:Birdguides Website reports a Balearic Shearwater going North past Fishtown of Usan this evening. x4 sootys also.
Date & Time:FRIDAY 22nd September 2006 Species:Pectoral Sandpiper Location:Birdguides website showing that the Pec Sandpiper is still present at Duns Dish.
At Montrose Basin, four Little Stint this afternoon at Rossie Spit; also 5 Curlew Sandpiper and Ruff.
Date & Time:SUNDAY 24th September 2006 - 2:30pm ish Species:Yellow Browed Warbler Location:Yellow Browed Warbler Reported at Windyhills Farm just south of Auchmithie at around 2:30pm.
In shelter belt along approach road to Windyhills Farm.
Montrose Basin
1 Bedragled looking water rail on teaching pond boardwalk,
kingfisher seen regularly from centre again.
52 Pink footed seen in am then 45 flew over at 2.30pm
20 Barnacle geese also present
Rossie spit
c4 Little Stint,
8 Curlew Sandpiper
Big count of 129 Black tailed godwit
Fish town of Usan
1 Sooty Shearwater 4.30
Thanks for the quick tour of some local sites with Hugh B and the foray to Aberdeenshire with Harry & Rob yesterday.
Unfortunately had no joy with the yellow browed warbler - next time......
Date & Time:MONDAY 25th September 2006 - 8:30pm Species:Lesser Whitethroat, Spotted Fly Location:Lesser Whitethroat & Spotted Fly in gardens at top of Auchmithie Gully this morning at 8:30am.
Spotted Flycatcher also in my back garden at Auchmithie also.
Yellow-browed Warblers seen today Monday 25th September 2006.
1x by car park at East Haven this afternoon by RAB I think.
1x south of West Seaton Farm at Cliffburn Hotel early this morning.
Date & Time:TUESDAY 26th SEPTEMBER 2006 Species:Yellow Browed Warbler Location:Birdguides reportiong a Yellow Browed Warbler this afternoon at Ferryden by the road to Scurdie Ness below 8 Beacon Terrace.
Geese numbers at the Basin are finallly starting to increase but still only slowly. 850 pink footed were on the Basin in the early hours this morning as were 30 Barnacle geese. Still got a way to catch up with Strathbeg!
Did an hour at lunchtime looking at the Monikie ridge from Laws hill (just SW of Newbigging) in the hope of picking up raptor movement. Had a few inconclusive sightings of Buzzard and Sparrowhawk, but no Kestrels unlike Corse Hill in the morning). There were 2 Ravens croaking about - seemed unusual?
But then when I got home to Craigisla, had a ringtail Hen Harrier heading >SW from over my house then following the usual Red Kite/Pelican migration route over Hill of Alyth. I'll be sorry to leave this place - my lunch breaks will never be so productive!
Hi All,
Bob McCurley has phoned to let us know there's a Turtle Dove at Ethie Barns Farm.
Take the road to Ethie Mains, but when you come to the sharp turn before you got to Ethie Mains, go instead to ETHIE BARNS FARM.
The bird was with a Collared Dove.
Sept. 27th, 11am. TURTLE DOVE - ETHIE BARNS FARM N.O.691473
Bird was on overhead wires in adjacent field on Left of track going up to Ethie Barns
Farm from Ethie Mains direction , in company with Collared Doves
at Grid Ref. N.O. 691473
also today PIED FLYCATCHER was still showing well at Cliffburn Hotel Car Park Arbroath
HONEY BUZZARD seen coming in off the sea at Ethie Mains Farm, and was heading south.
by Club member Cliff Davie at 1715hrs. today
Please, please, report birds like Honey Buzzard on the club grapevine, as well as the website, so everyone can get a chance to see such birds.
Everyone does not have an internet connection and they rely on phone calls, or text messages for information.
Harry Bickerstaff
Grapevine organiser.
44 Pink-feet flew over, looked in, then headed off SW
1 Red-crested Pochard
1 Ruddy Duck
1 Pintail - first I've had here this autumn
350 Wigeon - recent influx
The pink feet have finally begun arriving in big numbers at first light this morning there were c6500 and regular movements both onto and off the basin are continuing. Average skeins of c80-100.
Hi All,
This is a 'out of area' report on a Red-backed Shrike at the large car park at the St Cyrus nature reserve.
Obviously, St Cyrus Reserve is in Aberdeenshire, but it's just across the North Esk and may be of interest to some of you.
The bird is not an adult, but looks like a first winter female. An unusual plumage, as it should be a juvenile (which it is not) but it is not a full adult either.
