18 - NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2007 BIRD SIGHTINGS (ANGUS)

Post by **Mark Caunt** » Wed Oct 31, 2007 11:53 am

Angus Bird Sightings for NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2007

Roy Adamson · Post by **Roy Adamson** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 8:22 am

7.30am Kingfisher outside my bedroom window fishing the keilor burn. Also 15 tree sparrows feeding with 6 goldfinches.

Post by **Mark Caunt** » Fri Nov 02, 2007 2:52 pm

Date & Time: Friday 2nd November 2007 - 10:45pm
Species: Woodcock, Blackcap
Details: Woodcock flushed from noth side of Windyhills farm this morning.
Male and Female Blackcap in Auchmithie gulley also. Not much else in the way of migs at Castlesea, Seaton Farms and Elliot today.

joncook · Post by **joncook** » Sat Nov 03, 2007 6:54 pm

Scurdie Ness, Noon, 2 Red Throated Diver, 1 Puffin, 1 Common Scoter, 2/3 Dolphins

Ferryden, 1pm, 3 Red Throated Diver (1 already there, 2, perhaps pair from Scurdie Ness, arrived later), 2 Guillemot

HarryB · Post by **HarryB** » Sat Nov 03, 2007 7:11 pm

Three Greenshanks (one colour-ringed) outside the SWT Centre today; easily viewable from the Centre windows.
Colour-ringed bird had red ring on left leg and yellow and blue rings on right leg.
Also a total of 26 Great Black-backed Gull there.
Female Peregrine out on the Basin.
Six Black-tailed Godwit seen there too.

Bob McCurley · Post by **Bob McCurley** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 6:59 pm

NOV,6TH, 1300HRS, MEDITTERANEAN GULLS 2

SEEN IN LUNAN BAY FROM A.D.B.C. REDCASTLE HIDE

NO. 688510 BIRDS SEEN WERE DESCRIBED AS AN ADULT AND

FIRST WINTER

Neil Mitchell · Post by **Neil Mitchell** » Wed Nov 07, 2007 12:52 pm

Apologies for the delay in posting this but there was a Great Northern Diver off Kinnaber yesterday morning amongst large numbers(15-20) Red Throated Divers also a kingfisher briefly and dipper.

Dennis Mc · Post by **Dennis Mc** » Thu Nov 08, 2007 10:58 am

First winter whooper swan trying (unsucessfully) to associated with the 2+5 mute swans who have been present all summer.
2 Magpies on North side of the river and 230 wigeon near river mouth.

Dennis

HarryB · Post by **HarryB** » Thu Nov 08, 2007 4:00 pm

John Hendrie reports a Great Northern Diver just off Auchmithie Harbour this lunch time.

HarryB · Post by **HarryB** » Thu Nov 08, 2007 4:54 pm

This afternoon on the road past West Auchmithie Farm;
600 (mostly) Herring Gull, 300 Starling,150 Rook and 80 Golden Plover.
Also, further north at West Boghead Farm, 50 Linnet, 200 Woodpigeon, 49 Curlew and 9 Grey Partridge

Bob McCurley · Post by **Bob McCurley** » Thu Nov 08, 2007 5:40 pm

Nov. 7th. WHITE TAILED SEA EAGLE

12NOON SEA EAGLE 1 Reported from Barry Buddon

Seen on North Road by 2 observers

no wing tags were noticed .

HarryB · Post by **HarryB** » Fri Nov 09, 2007 3:06 pm

Thee Little Auks off Mains of Usan Farm late this morning.
Also one Red-throated Diver and a few Northern Gannets.
Visibility went from excellent to grim, during half hour sea watch

HarryB · Post by **HarryB** » Fri Nov 09, 2007 3:09 pm

Bob McCurley and Eric McCabe found an Iceland Gull this morning. It flew from the foreshore near Craigmill Den and disappeared out of sight, but the area may be well worth checking to re-find it.

HarryB · Post by **HarryB** » Fri Nov 09, 2007 3:22 pm

Bob and Eric got a further total of seven Little Auks at about 13.30 today.

Bob McCurley · Post by **Bob McCurley** » Sat Nov 10, 2007 6:04 pm

10TH Nov. 1400 hrs. LITTLE AUKS 8

Off Shore at Arbroath Esplanade quite close in

N.O. 655410 also Great Northern Diver North

HarryB · Post by **HarryB** » Sat Nov 10, 2007 6:36 pm

This (late) afternoon at Montrose Basin Wildlife Centre; a Lesser Yellowlegs amongst Common Redshanks.
Bird, which was found by Neil Mitchell (SWT Reserve Manager) was found on the shore, in front of the Sand Martin nest facility.
Confirmed about 15.45, the light eventually made it impossible to distinguish from the Redshanks, apart from the Yelowlegs' smaller size.

RAB · Post by **RAB** » Sat Nov 10, 2007 11:45 pm

Wigeon Hide, Montrose Basin - 1 Red Necked Grebe, c300 Twite.
Fishtown of Usan - 17 Little Auk, 3 Pomarine Skua

HarryB · Post by **HarryB** » Sun Nov 11, 2007 6:21 pm

The Lesser Yellowlegs was re-found today at Maryton Bay (again by Neil Mitchell) about 11.00. Bird was seen well by local SOC group, but eventually moved off in the direction of the opposite side of the Basin (north), amongst a group of approx 250 Redshanks.
Please notify ADBC Grapevine and this website, if it is re-found.

HarryB · Post by **HarryB** » Sun Nov 11, 2007 6:24 pm

Pat and Margaret Slater report finding 20 Common Snipe at Monikie Country Park this morning (Sunday). This was in the lower pond area.

Post by **Mark Caunt** » Sun Nov 11, 2007 6:38 pm

Birdguides Website reports today (Sunday 11th November 2007)

Adult Bonapartes Gull offshore at Fishtown of Usan this afternoon at 2:15pm.

HarryB · Post by **HarryB** » Sun Nov 11, 2007 8:21 pm

Julie George found a Woodcock at the deserted cottages at Mill of Marcus, Finavon today (Sunday).

RAB · Post by **RAB** » Sun Nov 11, 2007 11:05 pm

Chiff Chaff today in bushes by Cliffburn Hotel, Arbroath.

Clive McKay · Post by **Clive McKay** » Mon Nov 12, 2007 5:19 pm

Monifeith vismig 12 Nov

As the guy on the Fast Show used to say "this month I have mostly been counting Wood Pigeons" in the Lintrathen area, but popped down to Monifeith this morning for a change of scene. A nice variety of birds on the move, but only small numbers.

Black-throated Diver - one flew up the Tay and then off >NW inland!
Snow Bunting - 2 >W
Rock Pipit - 2 >W
Wood Pigeon 1260+ >W

Cheers

Clive

HarryB · Post by **HarryB** » Mon Nov 12, 2007 7:14 pm

The 300 Twite (reported by RAB) are still in the vicinity of the Wigeon Hide, although a male Sparrowhawk reduced the number by one today.
Two Curlew Sandpipers from the hide at about high tide (15.30) and a Water Rail found on the way back to Mains of Dun (in a ditch)
Lots of thrushes, the great bulk of which was Fieldfares.

Bob McCurley · Post by **Bob McCurley** » Mon Nov 12, 2007 7:26 pm

NOV.12TH 1300HRS. LITTLE AUKS 300 Fish Town of Usan
N.O. 726546
North . Reported by visiting Birder , same person saw Lesser Yellow Legs at Maryton Bay area at 12-45 pm

Nov. 12th 1400hrs. KINGFISHERS 2 ON LURGIES MONTROSE
BASIN N.O. 676 577 PLUS WATER RAIL 1

HarryB · Post by **HarryB** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 2:35 pm

Bob McCurley re-found the Lesser Yellowlegs at Maryton Bay at about 12.30 today (Tuesday) It flew off towards the Lurgies.

HarryB · Post by **HarryB** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 3:50 pm

Rob Noble-Nesbitt has just reported the Bonaparte's Gull at Fishtown of Usan this afternoon (14.10)

HarryB · Post by **HarryB** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 8:19 pm

This evening, at dusk; 4,000+ Starling in flight, in big clouds.
One of the roofs of the Glaxo Factory in Montrose, was, literally, black with Starlings tonight.
A non-birder had complained to me about the noise and investigation this evening turned up this incredible amount.
Also c60 Golden Plover, 2 Red-throated Diver, c50 Curlew and the Bonaparte's Gull at Fishtown of Usan.
Bonaparte's was seen from the seaward edge of the field on the right as you leave the parking area.

Post by **Mark Caunt** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 10:54 pm

As well as the above, Birguides.com also reporting today...
(Tuesday 13th November 2007)

Juv Iceland Gull in roost at Forfar Loch this evening.

Post by **Mark Caunt** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 10:02 pm

Birdguides reporting that Lesser Yellowlegs and Bonaparte's Gull both seen today at same locations. Wednesday 14th November 2007

Neil Mitchell · Post by **Neil Mitchell** » Thu Nov 15, 2007 3:59 pm

Just had a birder in reporting the Lesser Yellow Legs at Maryton once today Thurs at c2:00pm

HarryB · Post by **HarryB** » Thu Nov 15, 2007 5:18 pm

Rob and Maggie Noble-Nesbitt have re-found the Bonaparte's Gull at Fishtown of Usan this afternoon (Thursday). Also there; one Little Auk

Post by **Mark Caunt** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 6:08 pm

Date & Time: Friday 16th December 2007 - 2:00pm
Species: Bonaparte's Gull
Details: Bonaparte's Gull seen just south of Fishtown of Usan from 2:00pm till 3:30 at least.
Was on sea and then flew towards Boddin Point before returning to coast just south of Fishtown located on Map Link. (Known on OS Map as Black Craig)
MAP LOCATION: 'CLICK ME'
(Birdguides reporting Lesser Yellowlegs at Maryton Bay, SW Montrose Basin this afternoon.)

Bad Light hopefully get some better pics another day...

HarryB · Post by **HarryB** » Mon Nov 19, 2007 7:39 pm

I've had a few mentions made of Green Sandpipers being seen in the area of the Slunks adjacent to the Shelduck Hide.
Apparently, these birds were seen in that area in the middle of last week. Better late than nnever?

Clive McKay · Post by **Clive McKay** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 3:40 pm

Cushie Doo update

So far this autumn I've counted a total of over 26,000 Wood Pigeons over Lintrahen. In October they were all heading >SW, but from 2nd Nov they turned around and since then hve been heading >NE. It seems that when the eastbound birds hit the coast some turn and go south - this may account for my large counts at Barry Buddon in the past.

This Friday
This Friday looks good for a good WP movement if the predicted ridge of high pressure happpens. If you can get out that morning between 8:30 amd 9:30 and check for WP flocks overhead, I'd be VERY interested to hear what you see. Anywhere will do, although the coast or the edges of the hills seem to be the best spots. Birds will probably be moving in a >NE direction inland, and >S (or >N!) along the coast. It doesn't matter how many birds you see, just what direction they're moving. Also on the move could be Waxwings, Crossbills, Siskins, Fieldfares etc.

Cheers

Clive

Neil Mitchell · Post by **Neil Mitchell** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 11:28 am

Hi all,
A Little Auk was handed in at the centre this morning it had been found in a puddle at the Keyline Builders yard in Montrose!
Despite its location the bird still seemed relatively healthy and had a bit of fight still in it.
We took the bird down towards Scurdieness and released it there hopefully it will be able to gather its strength and make its way North again. Best of luck to the little un!

Bob McCurley · Post by **Bob McCurley** » Thu Nov 22, 2007 4:38 pm

22ND. NOVEMBER 11-40A.M. ARCTIC SKUA ( Dark Phase) Nth.

In Lunan Bay N.O. 693508 From Angus andf Dunde Bird Club

Redcastle Hide also 2 Late Gannets -Adults

barry shaw · Post by **barry shaw** » Fri Nov 23, 2007 5:00 pm

hi there been a member for a couple of months now great sight.Hears my first post saw a young female peregrine today trying her best to shift some woodpigeons from a tree in tealing, great to watch.

Clive McKay · Post by **Clive McKay** » Fri Nov 23, 2007 6:23 pm

Pechora Pipit ?

or not Pechora Pipit?

On Nov 15th I did a vismig watch at Monifieth. Towards the end of the count three pipits flew over in a loose group - 2 Rock Pipits together over the estuary (not very common here), and a third separate pipit which came overhead and drew my attention due to its unusual call. Now, having counted thousands of Mipits in my time on vismig watches I have to say I've never heard any call from Mipits other than the usual tsip-tsip and tseep-tseep-tseep. Being a bit of a pipit fan, I also take great pleasure in picking out the Rocks and occasional Tree Pipits that occasionally fly over on vismig watches. And I'm also familiar with the calls of Olive-backed and Red-throated from travels abroad. Over the years I've picked up two fly-over Richard's Pipits on vismig, and once had a possible Olive-backed (at Barns Ness, Lothian, before I knew how to separate the call of this species from Tree/Red-throated).

The call of the Monifieth bird was unlike any of the above. A hard, clear "pwit" [as described in some of the ID books I'm afraid - but that's what it sounded like!] , uttered singly, heard three times as the bird flew over and away from me. The bird was overhead by the time I got onto it, and going away by the time I was alert to the fact that it might be something different - so I was unable to get any plumage details, or take a photo (I always have my camera handy).

So I just added it to the list of vismig fly-overs that got away. Anyway, common sense told me that Pechoras are only ever seen on Fair Isle and Shetland, mostly in September. Imagine my surprise when I looked up BirdGuides this week and discovered that there's been a Pechora in Pembrokes, SW Wales since 20 Nov! So a Monifieth fly-by wasn't out of the question after all...

Oh well,

Cheers

Clive

Post by **Mark Caunt** » Fri Nov 23, 2007 6:59 pm

Hi Clive don't know if this helps your vis mig woodpigeon counts or not, but had over 80 flying north to north west direction over Froickheim this morning at 10:20.