12 - DECEMBER 2008 BIRD SIGHTINGS (ANGUS)

Post by **Mark Caunt** » Sun Nov 30, 2008 7:30 pm

Angus Bird Sightings for DECEMBER 2008

Post by **Mark Caunt** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 9:04 pm

Date & Time: Monday 1st December 2008 - 10:15am
Species: Waxwing
Details: 12x Waxwings briefly down Restenneth Place, Lunanhead, before flying in a SW direction high and out of sight at 10:15am.

HarryB · Post by **HarryB** » Tue Dec 02, 2008 5:20 pm

Ring-billed Gull on Riverside Drive, Dundee. 200 yards west of the Barrat's car showroom,which is just past the railway station. Bird is in the vicinity of the snack bar there.
Report from Bob McCurley and Graham Smith. No details yet, of age.

Bob McCurley · Post by **Bob McCurley** » Tue Dec 02, 2008 6:22 pm

Dec. 2nd 1415hrs, pm. Ring-billed Gull (1 adult) 200 yards west of BARNETT'S car showroom on Riverside Drive, Dundee, on left-hand side, where there is a pull-in at the mobile cafeteria at NO 386292. Mixing with Black-headed Gulls. At times sitting on sea wall. Pics taken of the bird. Will show and pass on as soon as I get them from a stranger I met who had his camera with him! GrahamSmith also took pics after I phoned him and he came to see the bird .

HarryB · Post by **HarryB** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 11:41 am

Ring-billed Gull again. At exact same site as yesterday.
Coming to taxi drivers' bread.
Seen by Bob McCurley at 09:30

stevendoig · Post by **stevendoig** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 2:55 pm

FORFAR LOCH

7 Crossbills at the Inch This morning

4 Tree Sparrows at the Turfbeg car park.

Charles Rough · Post by **Charles Rough** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 7:00 pm

here is a pic of the ring billed gull taken today 9.30 am
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d91/k ... ngbill.jpg

Post by **Mark Caunt** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 10:50 pm

Date & Time: Wednesday 3rd December 2008
Species: Ring-billed Gull
Details: Saw Bobs Ring-billed Gull as posted above this morning.

MAP LOCATION: 'CLICK ME'

MORE PICTURES ON WEBSITE: 'CLICK ME'

Â© All Photographs By Mark Caunt Copyrighted

Charles Rough · Post by **Charles Rough** » Thu Dec 04, 2008 1:49 am

I had 2 Kingfishers today, 1 at the Eden Estuary Centre (Fife) and 1 at a small stream running through Tentsmuir Forest. Today was the first time I've seen this bird it really made my day.

Post by **Mark Caunt** » Thu Dec 04, 2008 1:15 pm

Birdguides is reporting that the RB Gull is still present this morning. Thursday 4th December 2008

HarryB · Post by **HarryB** » Thu Dec 04, 2008 6:21 pm

1st winter Kumlien's Gull and 1st winter Iceland Gull at Forfar Loch gull roost this evening at 1600.
Report from Stuart Green

Bob McCurley · Post by **Bob McCurley** » Fri Dec 05, 2008 6:40 pm

DEC. 5TH. 11-30AM. Ring-billed Gull (Adult).
Checked with Angus Murray of Birdline Scotland and the bird was still present at Riverside Drive, Dundee this am at the same site, at 11-30am. (This species has a good record of being a long stayer ). If going to see the bird and you find it is still there please inform Angus on 01292611994.
Thanks Bob

Post by **Mark Caunt** » Sat Dec 06, 2008 1:09 pm

Ring-billed gull again reported at the same spot today - Sat 6th December 08
MAP LOCATION: 'CLICK ME'

Clive McKay · Post by **Clive McKay** » Sat Dec 06, 2008 3:01 pm

Flock of 234 Snow Bunts (counted from photo) in stubble field just west of Kingoldrum at Broadford Bridge this morning.

CRM

Neil Mitchell · Post by **Neil Mitchell** » Sat Dec 06, 2008 6:35 pm

1st Winter Glaucous gull completely on its own in the middle of the big field to the left of the track down to the Shelduck hide(the one with the cars) at 3.40 today. NO678585

Barry Farquharson · Post by **Barry Farquharson** » Sat Dec 06, 2008 7:30 pm

Didn't see either of the two exotic gulls, but did see Kingfisher, Pochard, Goosander, Teal, Wigeon, Siskin, Bullfinch, Magpie, Yellowhammer, Goldcrest and lots of very tame Robins.

Capercaillie · Post by **Capercaillie** » Sat Dec 06, 2008 10:25 pm

Saturday December 6th 3.30-4.00pm

Ring billed gull still showing at Riverside Drive Dundee. Park by the snack bar.

RAB · Post by **RAB** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 12:20 am

Not rare, but unexpected - a flock of around 10 Long Tailed Tit on Commercial Street, Dundee in one of the few trees there.

Post by **Mark Caunt** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 2:41 pm

Ring-billed gull again reported at the same spot today - Sun 7th December 08
MAP LOCATION: 'CLICK ME'

Richard Maurins · Post by **Richard Maurins** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 2:58 pm

I've been out looking for Sea Eagles,anyone seen one lately.Tried Perth area yesterday but nothing of real interest,except Redpolls on river Almond pathway.

Clive McKay · Post by **Clive McKay** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 4:13 pm

Dawn count - in alphabetical order:

Canada Goose 5
Cormorant 51
Goosander 39
Greylag Goose 216
Mute Swan 7
Pink-footed Goose 4940
Snow Goose 1
Whooper Swan 42

Snow Bunts still at Kingoldrum.

Blue Snow Goose - head only seen in dense pack of Pinks on water in poor light. Need to check again. May be feeding around Padanaram/Forfar?

joncook · Post by **joncook** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 4:59 pm

Not sure how usual this is , but have had two sightings of Buzzard in Dundee this week:
Wednesday 3rd December mid morning - Balgay Hill
Saturday 6th December late afternoon - Grassy Beach, Broughty Ferry
Both were single birds getting a hard time from crows
Jon

Neil Mitchell · Post by **Neil Mitchell** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 6:17 pm

Goose count at dawn was 7,676 pinks, 4 PB Brent, & 86 Greylag

WeBS was very poor this morning due to a 'low' high tide and bad light.
Don't have the figures to hand however most noticable was a big Whooper count of 148, amongst other wildfowl were 3,500 Wigeon, plus Pintail, Scaup, Shelduck etc.
Waders included 6 Grey plover, 2 Greenshank, 900 Dunlin and the usual, Redshank, Curlew,

Highlight was probably a merlin seen around the river mouth. No sign of the Glaucous Gull.

K Hall · Post by **K Hall** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 7:13 pm

Flock of Chaffinches, probably around 2000. A few Bramblings, Goldfinches and Reed Buntings with them. Need to wait until the whole flock is in the air at one time to get the full impact. Feeding in a game crop at Cothehill, 500m north east of Bridgend of Lintrathen. NO289549. Drove through Kingoldrum twice this afternoon, no sign of Snow Buntings.

Bob McCurley · Post by **Bob McCurley** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 8:49 pm

Dec. 7th. 9-30am. RING BILLED GULL Still present this am at same site - see map location posted by Mark

Dec. 7th. 1425hrs. ICELAND GULL 1ST WINTER On Forfar Loch At Community Centre end .

Dec.7th 1500hrs. Also on Forfar Loch today - KINGFISHER 1 GADWALL 11 GOOSANDER 10 TUFTED 70
MAGPIES 3

Tim Gulson · Post by **Tim Gulson** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 2:53 am

One of our fire crew reported a Barn Owl hunting over the western end of the airport this evening around 1900. New species on the airport list!!!

To answer Jon Cook's question regarding Buzzards in Dundee. There are at least 2 pairs in the west end of the town frequenting both Balgay Park and the Perth Road area gardens. Often to be seen quartering the airport grassland nearly always being mobbed by the local crows! There were 3 at the airport on Saturday morning along with a pair of Sparrowhawks hunting along the tree line north of the railway.

HarryB · Post by **HarryB** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 10:23 am

If anyone finds the 'blue morph' Snow Goose, reported by Clive McKay here yesterday, would you please let your grapevine leader know its whereabouts as soon as possible, so we can circulate its whereabouts.
Tomorrow night is the club meeting a SWT Centre Montrose.
Please remember to bring 'bits and bobs' of equipment, which you wish to sell, or get rid of.
You have the options of: doing a straight swap; selling your gear; selling your gear and giving the club a percentage; donating your gear and giving the club the income; or any arrangement which suits you.

HarryB · Post by **HarryB** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 1:35 pm

I received the extremely interesting news, shown below, from Alan Mowat.
Whilst not an Angus bird, folks might want to pursue the matter, as a Snow Goose isn't all that common and certainly should not be ignored.

There has been a white snow goose and a pale morph snow goose behind my house for the last 3 days with about 50 to 100 greylags.
One of the greylags??? has a white breast. not sure what it is.
I havent reported it because im 1 mile into grampian.
If you go on the Edzell/Fettercairn road form Edzell.
Past the Gannochy bridge, then past the Edzell woods turn off then take the next left where there is a small "Burn" sign and a white house at the junction.
As you go up that road the geese are on the right Not the immediate field on the right but the next field with the Beech trees at the back.

Post by **Mark Caunt** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 9:25 pm

Ring-billed gull again reported at the same spot today - Mon 8th December 08
MAP LOCATION: 'CLICK ME'

Bob McCurley · Post by **Bob McCurley** » Tue Dec 09, 2008 12:14 am

Dec. 8th. 10-30am. SNOW BUNTINGS 140 IN FLOCK -- AT GRID. RE.NO.29352 - BIRDS WERE IN STUBBLE FIELD ON LEFT HAND OF ROAD AFTER TAKING THE LEFT HAND FORK PAST PURGAVIE FARM .GRID.REF. N/O. 296553 THIS IS THE SAME FLOCK OR PART OF THE SAME FLOCK REPORTED BY CLIVE .

Charles Rough · Post by **Charles Rough** » Tue Dec 09, 2008 1:26 am

Re Ring-billed Gull,this bird is drawing a lot of attention. Who first spotted it? I first heard of it on this site.

Re Buzzards in Dundee; I spotted my first at the start of the year flying high over the docks just a short distance from the city centre. ,It probably flew over from Tayport,there's usually a perched bird on the left as you head for Tayport. Last month i saw one flying above traffic at Caird Park,it flew from the trees on the golf course.Iv'e also seen youngsters at both Camperdown and Templeton woods There is also a regular perched adult in the trees between Beechwood and the Dunsinane Industrial Estate. There are a lot of rabbits here and some foxes. I commented on another website this species could soon be listed under park and garden birds

Re Barn Owl, about 12 years ago I used to pick up a driver from Watson Philips just west of the airport: a Barn Owl was present sitting on the same post every night. A security guard (a non birder as usual) was able to zoom up on it using the powerful security camera they had.

Alan Mowat · Post by **Alan Mowat** » Tue Dec 09, 2008 5:11 pm

snow geese still present. Seem to be roosting in the field.Attached map shows where the are but much nearer the line of beech trees
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.srf?x ... n=521&lm=0

Mickey Mellon · Post by **Mickey Mellon** » Tue Dec 09, 2008 6:37 pm

Mickey Mellon, 9th Dec 2008 Arbroath Gayfield to the Harbour grid 640413/644405 very frosty, tide in, having stroll with the dog. and found, 48 Dunlin, 16 Ringed Plover. 7 Purple Sandpipers, 11 Turnstone, 8 Curlew, 9 Oystercatchers,
12 Cormorants, 6 Great Black-backed Gulls, 5 Herring gulls, 7 Redshank and a pair of Red-breasted Mergansers

Post by **Mark Caunt** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 8:58 am

Date & Time: Tuesday 9th December 2008 - 10:00am
Species: Waxwing
Details: A single Waxwing at 10:00am in a roadside tree on the Forfar to Froickheim road about 1km from Froickheim itself. Not far from the Guthrie turn off.

mike.nicoll · Post by **mike.nicoll** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 11:12 am

Long-tailed Tits in Commercial St.,Dundee.
The party of 10+ were still there on 09/12.They've been working this area since early November. Another party of 15-20 have been operating Abertay Library/Dudhope Park
area over the same period.

Dave Adam · Post by **Dave Adam** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 6:34 pm

Merlin male in fields near Memus next to the Brechin road.

stevendoig · Post by **stevendoig** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 7:05 pm

Waxwings - About 12 in bushes/hedge at side of road between Kinnordy and Kingoldrum.

HarryB · Post by **HarryB** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 7:27 pm

8,000+ Starlings at Curlie Pond, Montrose (NO 7258)
There is a regular roost of Starlings in the island reed bed at the Curlie Pond, Montrose.
Last week, when the temperature was -3, the birds (4,000) just arrived and flew straight into the reed bed. Today, (Wed) the temperature was +2 and the 8,000+ birds soared around the pond and golf course area, for about 20 minutes, before 'diving' into the reedbed at 15:55.
Also 12 Moorhen there. A lot of these birds were sub-adult.

Post by **Mark Caunt** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 12:47 am

Ring-billed gull again at the same spot today - Wed 10th December 08
MAP LOCATION: 'CLICK ME'

HarryB · Post by **HarryB** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 12:04 pm

TWO BEARDED TITS.
Hannah Morton, warden at RSPB Loch of Kinnordy, has found two Bearded Tits this morning (Thursday, at approx 09:30) outside the Gullery Hide.