11 - MAY 2007 BIRD SIGHTINGS (ANGUS)

[Mark Caunt]

Angus Bird Sightings for JULY 2007

[HarryB]

Report from Bob McCurley of a breeding plumaged Slavonian Grebe on the Island Pond at Monikie today.
Message received at 15.00 hours today Wednesday 3 May

[alan mowat]

Kingfisher on the North Esk, 500m upstream from the Gannochy Bridge Edzell

[Bob McCurley]

May 9th. 11-45 AM. WHIMBRELS 13 on foreshore behind

10 Pin Bowling Alley Arbroath.

May 9th. 1300hrs. GLAUCOUS GULL 3RD. Winter seen from

Redcastle Hide Lunan Bay N.O. 688510

[Mark Caunt]

Hey everyone sorry for lack of admin, been on me hols!
Here are some posts on the April thread that should be in Mays and have been deleted off it. (My fault due to not 'Closing Topic'):

3RD. MAY 6-30 P.M. KINGFISHER seen at Barry Loch

Barry Buddon N.O. 513323 -- This is a very rare sighting for this site , and a very welcome one !

Swift (2) - Perth 28th April and at Kinnordy on 2nd May
Whinchat (Male) at the Tay on 2nd May
Whitethroat (2) Singing at Kinnordy on 3rd May

At least 5 broods of Mallard ducklings have been seen at Kinnordy in the last week which is great - Although - How many the pike will get is anyone's guess. Also a brood of Greylag were recorded on Sunday.

A female Marsh Harrier has been reported on a couple of occasions.

There are now good numbers of Blackcap, Willow & Sedge Warblers around. No Garden Warbler heard yet...anyday now.

MAY 4TH. 1400HRS. GARGANEY -male

On Forfar Loch at West end of Loch N.O. 436504

It was first reported on Bird Guides Web Site this morning .

6TH May 12-15 pm. SLAVONIAN GREBE on Lurgies South Esk River Grid Ref N.O. 676577 in full breeding plumage , 400yards along from Old Pier

6th May 1400hrs. GARGANEY male , still present on Forfar Loch at West End Grid Ref N.O. 436504 At 1500 Hrs.

Mon .7th May 1300HRS. GARDEN WARBLER 1 singing and seen

at Powmouth South /Esk /river walk Grid Ref. N.O. 676 573

Mon. &th May -- 12pm. COMMON TERN 25 ARCTIC TERNS 30

AND 1 LITTLE TERN at Ferry Den Beach Shoreline Montrose

GARGANAY still at Forfar Loch West end today at 10 a.m.

Back to normal now!

[Mark Caunt]

From Birdguides today:

Drake Ring Necked Duck in northwest corner this afternoon of Lintrathen.

[Mark Caunt]

Apologies to those who have registered recently and not had their account "activated" within 24 hours. (due to holidays)
If your account has not been activated, please let me know or re-register and I will make sure it happens asap. Please remember to use proper names as opposed to nick names.
Many thanks, Mark Caunt (admin)

[HarryB]

Bob McCurley has re-found the Ring-necked Duck at Loch of LIntrathen.
It is now in the south-west corner of the loch at 11.30 today Friday 11 May

[Bob McCurley]

Anglers on the Loch are causing the Bird to move around , when I last saw the Bird at 11-30 it was on the North West side of the Loch , but it could still be seen from the NEW S.W.T.HIDE at the North East end of the Loch , hope this is clear , it is a lovely bird and the first Ring Neck Duck seen in Angus since 1991 when one was found at R.S.P.B. Loch of Kinnordy in June 1991

Also present at Lintrathen Grid Ref. N.O. 280556
10 GREAT CRESTED GREBES ,, 2 DABCHICKS AND 1 DUNLIN

[James Darroch]

Ring-necked duck still present on the loch at 10.30 am, viewable from hide. However, bird was near the far shore and the presence of the fisherman will probably mean that it remains there for the time being.

[Bob McCurley]

May 13th. 11a.m. GREAT NORTHERN DIVER

In Lunan Bay, from Redcastle Hide Lunan Bay , during A.D.B.C. BIG SIT DAY Grid Ref. N.O. 688510 -

[HarryB]

Amongst the other birds seen at the WeBS count today at high tide; a Whimbrel feeding in the grass outside the Wigeon hide. Also a female Northern Wheatear there.
A full WeBS report for Montrose Basin today, will be put on this site tomorrow

[Neil Mitchell]

Heres this months WeBS count figures

Cormorant 6
Grey Heron 10
Mute Swan 125
Pinkfoot 3
Shelduck 177
Wigeon 15
Teal 7
Mallard 36
Pintail 6
Tufted Duck 1
Eider 1340
Goldeneye 3
R-b Merganser 8
Goosander 1
Moorhen 1
Oystercatcher 243
Lapwing 5
Knot 8
Dunlin 9
Snipe 4
Black-t Godwit 12
Bar-t Godwit 1
Curlew 91
Whimbrel 1
B-h Gull 9
Common Gull 2
Herring Gull 4
Sandwich Tern 43
Common Tern 2


Although not picked up on the WeBS a male long tail duck has been frequenting the area in front of the Visitor centre for the last week or so, often around mid morning. Cracking views of the bird entering full breeding plumage.

[Bob McCurley]

14th. May - 1830 hrs. COMMON SCOTER 200

In Monifieth Bay N.O. 505315

On foreshore , same site , 5 RINGED PLOVER AND 3 DUNLIN

[HarryB]

An adult Med Gull at the Lurgies this morning (10.00) flew east towards the SWT Wildlife Centre.

[DK]

A juvenile Wheatear has been hanging around Grannies Garret at the Arbroath cliffs for the last week or so, never seen one in that area before.

[Bob McCurley]

MAY 16TH 11-30A.M. WOOD SANDPIPER

At Murton Wildlife Reserve N.O. 477519

Can be seen from Gladstone Hide

[Neil Young]

Today (17th) 7.00pm. Pair of Garden warblers in undergrowth at Railway Walk, Newtyle. 3-4 Blackcap also, loads of Willow warblers.

[Alan Leitch]

Black-headed Gull - Kinnordy looking better than it has for years with at least 100+ nesting pairs, potentially first hatchings this weekend. A chick last fledged at Kinnordy in 1999.

Garganey - Drake present on the Inner Tay Estuary 16th May.

Mediterranean Gull - 1st Summer was present in the field opposite Swamp Lochan at 1637hrs today (this individual has been around on/off for about 3 weeks)

Garden Warbler - Back at Kinnordy and the Tay this week.

Osprey still occasionally fishing on the reserve. Shoveler and Gadwall around. No sign of the tagged Marsh Harrier.

[andycage]

Quail calling in field south of Kilmany, Fife at 1315 today

Andy

[Bob McCurley]

20TH May 10=30a.m. WOOD WARBLER - PIED FLYCATCHER -

GARDEN WARBLER - BLACKCAP -

At National Trust Visitors Centre -- Killiecrankie -

[Alan Leitch]

Perhaps of interest to a few of you...?

Just finished ringing my first brood tree sprogs around the Kirriemuir area 2005 and 2006 figures for interest.

2005 - 21 Broods - 73 Pullus ringed = 3.47 per box
2006 - 30 Broods - 112 Pullus ringed = 3.73 per box - Bumper year!
2007 - 28 Broods - 100 Pullus ringed = 3.57 per box

Also in 2007 I have been ringing first brood attempts a week to ten day earlier than the previous two years.

That's all I have to say for now
Alan

[Skyeye]

River South Esk Brechin above bridge River Street - towards Brechin Castle seen Mon pm 14th again Thurs 17th and again today (Sun 20th) at approx 12.25

[DK]

Bonxie raiding Kittiwakes between Lud Castle, Gaylet Pot and Carlingheuch colonies (NO681435 to NO677432) today from 11.30am to 1.30 pm.

[HarryB]

Sorry about delay.
Yesterday,(Monday) at Murton Wildlife Trust Reserve, by Forfar, on almost bare Ash tree just past the entrance to the Island Pond hide on left.
A male Garden Warbler singing.
This is the first recorded for Murton (according to Al Borland, Manager), so any other reports of 'ordinary' warblers are welcome.
Contact Bob McC. or me, or use the record book in the hide, so the records can be shown.

[HarryB]

A male Garden Warbler, singing at the entrance to The Lurgies Car Park.
It is on the Maryton side of the bridge at the turn-in to The Lurgies carpark. Best viewed from the road bridge there.

[Bob McCurley]

22ND MAY 1915 HRS. WHIMBRELS 15

Easthaven Foreshore N.O. 592362

Also present 14 RINGED PLOVER . 2 DUNLIN

Seen on the Dundee Nats . Evening Outing to Easthaven

[HarryB]

Two Ospreys sitting on the usual dead tree which is stuck in the mud at the west end of Montrose Basin. Easily seen from SWT Montrose Basin Wildlife Centre this afternoon.

[Bob McCurley]

MAY 25TH. 11 A.M. 2 WHINCHATS - 2 TREE PIPITS

In Glen Cally (off Glen Prosen ) at N.O. 346644

also there 2 CUCKOOS - And a Day Flying Bat ! probably a Pipestrelle

[Ed Thomson]

thursday today 24 may a crane was seen at west end of kinordy nature reserve at 10am this morning

[HarryB]

Hughie Bell has found two Curlew Sandpipers on the shore behind the Glaxo factory, Montrose. They are at the site where the Little Terns have nested for the previous two years.
Found at approx 18.00

[Neil Mitchell]

Closer inspection revealed 4 Curlew Sandpipers on the beach at Montrose with c150 Dunlin & c70 Ringed Plover unfortunately the birds were disturbed at around 6.45pm and the Curlew Sands hadn't returned when I left at about 7:10

[Gordon Anderson]

Six Gadwall at Kinnordy this a.m. Summer plumaged Black tailed Godwit at Lintrathen this a.m. + pair of wigeon, shoveler, shelduck, tufted duck, Gt Crested and Little Grebe also Reed Bunting, Swifts, Swallows, House and Sand martins.
Six Bullfinches alongside Lintrathen Tower hide - feeding on trees infested with tiny grubs.
Female Black grouse at roadside just short of picnic site at Backwater dam. Cuckoos and Gt Spotted woodpecker at Balnaboth moor path near Prosen Kirk.
Three pairs of spotted Flycatcher, crossbills and numerous Missel Thrush in Prosen at NO 290 680
At Montrose Basin this afternoon; 15 Canada geese, 1 Greylag, pair mute swans with eight Goslings,10 Ring Plover & 2 summer plumaged Dunlin on River S Esk by Lurgies.
G Anderson & G Addison

[HarryB]

Hi All,
Some of you may have found rare breeding, or apparently interacting, rare birds in this area.
Specifically; there are Little Plovers (formerly known as Little Ringed Plover) breeding in our area and there is some evidence that Marsh Harrier may also be attempting to breed.
PLEASE DO NOT post any sightings of these, or other rare breeding birds, on this website.
Equally, please do not report them to any of the 'national' bird sites.
It is well-known that egg-collectors often use us as a source of information to locate rare birds and steal their eggs.
Equally, please resist the temptation to 'boast' about our great birds to strangers, when the birds fall into the above category, as friendly strangers can often be egg collectors.
Please ensure you record the presence of any such bird and give your records to the local recorder at the end of the year.
By the end of July, it is generally safe to report rare birds which may have bred, as they will have moved off the immediate breeding area, as they disperse.

[Nicola Main]

We have a nestbox attached to a wooden arch in our garden which is currently being used by a pair of Blue Tits. The chicks are very loud (especially when about to be fed!), the parent birds return every 30-60 seconds with caterpillars for them. It has been a disastrous breeding year for our garden Blackbirds; they normally nest in the honeysuckle and ivy on the top of the arch, but unfortunately the first brood was abandoned as the neighbour's cat disturbed the female while on the nest. I think they have chosen a safer nest site as I still see them regularly in the garden. There are young Starlings everywhere! The Greenfinches are nesting at the bottom of the garden in a conifer tree and seem to be doing well with 5 chicks.

[HarryB]

A report is on the pagers of a White-winged Tern (formerly known as White-winged Black Tern) at Loch of Kinnordy this evening. (Tuesday 29th)
Age of the bird has not been specified.

[Bob McCurley]

29TH May 2000hrs. WHITE WINGED TERN

Loch of Kinnnordy R.S.P.B. Reserve Kirriemuir N.O. 360543

Update on this bird - It was reported on pages at 5-55 p.m. seen from East hide , I went up to Kinnordy , but no sign of Bird . Evidently it was last seen at 6-20 p.m. -- could possibly be roosting at Kinnordy ? worth checking tomorrow .

[Clive McKay]

Hi all

No sign of the bird this morning - though I didn't go to the east hide. Anybody know anyhting about it?

Clive

[Bob McCurley]

30TH May 19oohrs. LITTLE GULLS 24

On Carnoustie Beach , opposite Golf Course Hotel area N.O.565335

Nearly all were 1st Year Birds , in this late passage group.

[Alan Leitch]

Recent Rare Bird News - The Facts...

Common Crane - Thurs 24th May, 2007 - First seen by a local wildlife liaison officer from Forfar who followed it from the direction of Edzell A90. Ed Thompson and Hannah Morton (Warden) saw it at the West End of the Reserve at 0930hrs. Viewed for less than 15minutes before heading towards Airlie/Alyth.

White-winged Tern - Tues 29th May, 2007 - Summer plumaged adult - Seen from Gullery and East hide over the main loch at around 1645hrs. Once ID confirmed by Hannah and some visiting birders - The bird was reported. The bird was last seen at 1805hrs unfortunately.

To my knowledge neither bird has been seen again in Angus. For further information do not hesitate to contact me direct.

Alan