1 - JANUARY 2010 BIRD SIGHTINGS (ANGUS)

Post by **Mark Caunt** » Fri Jan 01, 2010 12:06 pm

Angus Bird Sightings for JANUARY 2010

burnie · Post by **burnie** » Sat Jan 02, 2010 5:12 pm

Been playing in the snow,very little about,interesting habit was several Robins collecting leaves from the road,surely making a den rather than a nest.

RAB · Post by **RAB** » Sat Jan 02, 2010 8:19 pm

c25 Snow Bunting in the stubble field between Cliffburn Hotel and West Seaton Farm.

Bob McCurley · Post by **Bob McCurley** » Sun Jan 03, 2010 9:13 pm

Jan. 3rd. 9am. -- 3pm. BLACKCAP female- At Montrose Basin Wildlife Centre - In addition there was also

showing from the centre itself - 4 TREE SPARROWS, COAL , BLUE , AND GREAT TIT . 87 PINTAIL, 58 SCAUP,
21 GOLDEN EYE, SHOVELLER 4, CORMORANTS 17, TEAL 128. RED BREASTED MERGANSERS 11. WHOOPER SWANS 28. LAPWINGS 38. TURNSTONE 4. DUNLIN 60.

Jan . 3rd. 2pm . At Easthaven in Set Aside Crop - 4 BRAMBLING. 30 LINNETS , 20 YELLOW HAMMERS,
Also seen on this RSPB Outing during the day . PEREGRINE ,at Elliot. MERLIN at Inverkeillor and Sparrow Hawk
KESTREL at Arbroath. and several BUZZARDS at various sites.
13 WADER SPECIES were recorded on this Annual Wader Angus Coast Search outing . A great day out despite the cold , but dry Sunny day .

burnie · Post by **burnie** » Sun Jan 03, 2010 9:25 pm

posted in correct place now.

jcooper · Post by **jcooper** » Mon Jan 04, 2010 10:00 am

Three fieldfares in my garden at first light this morning and still here at 9am. I've been putting out apples for the blackbirds and the fieldfares have taken over the supplies. I also counted 18 blackbirds on the ground, with more in trees - but then a mass movement due to visit by a sparrowhawk. This may not sound very unusual, but my garden is a very small one in Broughty Ferry!

Barry Farquharson · Post by **Barry Farquharson** » Mon Jan 04, 2010 7:22 pm

40+ Snow Buntings in fields at Seaton Cliffs, Arbroath (either side of the nature reserve sign). Also single Golden Plover on the grass slope at Victoria Park, near Cliffburn Gulley around lunchtime today.

Charles Rough · Post by **Charles Rough** » Mon Jan 04, 2010 9:52 pm

500+ snow buntings feeding in a stubble field on the clifftop path between arbroath and auchmithie this afternoon,only a small number were males,
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d91/k ... sbunt1.jpg
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d91/k ... unt2-1.jpg
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d91/k ... sbunt4.jpg
walking through seaton den i nearly stood on a redwing,the bird was searching through the dead leaves just over a foot in front of me,
3 raptors were seen peregrine/kestrel/buzzards,1 curlew/m/f eiders/shag/cormorants/dunnock/robin/coal tit/treecreeper/rock pipt/wren/pinkfoots/black headed gulls/herring gulls/1great black backed gull

Mickey Mellon · Post by **Mickey Mellon** » Tue Jan 05, 2010 1:17 pm

Tue 5 Jan 2009 Condor east grid 626430 1st Jack Snipe at pond area along with 2 pair Mallards, Grey Heron, Rooks, Crows, 2 Buzzards on the prowl, airfield had 15 Roe Deer feeding, still no sign of the white Hares. My back garden grid 616415 Blackbirds feeding on the feeders, never seen this before, has anyone else ???

Allan Hall · Post by **Allan Hall** » Tue Jan 05, 2010 1:38 pm

We always get blackbirds on feeders each year but numbers this Winter have been a record with up to 30 birds present. Also a Mistlethrush has defended a Rowan Tree for 4 weeks to have exclusve access to its berries. Normally Mistle Thrushes just pass through here in Autumn and rarely stay for long.

RAB · Post by **RAB** » Tue Jan 05, 2010 8:27 pm

About 220 Twite today, in field by Shelduck Hide, Montrose Basin. 4 Snow Bunting there also.

simonbusuttil · Post by **simonbusuttil** » Tue Jan 05, 2010 9:22 pm

A little late but

two woodcock flying down the A92 outside the Basin Wildlife Centre at 230 pm on Jan 2. On Jan 3 8 individual woodcocks flying into the dunes opposite the St Cyrus NNR Centre between 4 and 430. All came from inland, presumably seeking unfrozen ground under the saline influence in the dunes ?

Also at St Cyrus between 330 and 4 pm on Jan 3, ca 350 skylarks flying south and 50 coming in low off the sea. Impossible to say whether these were local movements or immigration from further afield of course.

Bob McCurley · Post by **Bob McCurley** » Tue Jan 05, 2010 9:25 pm

JAN. 5TH 2-45PM. GREEN SAND PIPER 1 Seen again in Craig Mill Den , at far end of the Den , it was in the area of the small bridge crossing beside the small water fall . check upstream as well.

Jan. 5th 3pm approx. MEDITERRANEAN GULL Adult. Seen in Graham Smith's Garden ! Some people have all the luck ! Check Balmossie area at Dichty mouth where bird might be re-found .

dave b · Post by **dave b** » Wed Jan 06, 2010 9:47 am

LARGE FLOCK OF BRAMBLINGS( IN THE HUNDREDS),FEEDING ON BEECHMAST ON SOUTH BANK OF NORTH ESK, MIDWAY BETWEEN GANNOCHY BRIDGE AND THE SHAKKY BRIDGE. ALSO SEEN WERE GOOSANDER,WOODCOCK,DIPPER,MIXED FLOCKS OF GREAT,COAL, LONG TAILEDTITS,CHAFFINCH,AND 4 ROE DEER IN FIELDS.

Grant Balfour · Post by **Grant Balfour** » Wed Jan 06, 2010 1:56 pm

The post about the Woodcock jogged my memory........

One Woodcock flying west above the River Southesk at Powmouth - about 1:30pm.

jcooper · Post by **jcooper** » Wed Jan 06, 2010 3:23 pm

Along the seafront from the castle to the start of Grassy Beach footpath: 5 grey heron, 14 eiders (female) swimming near castle and one male (asleep) near the lifeboat station. 2 cormorant on castle rocks. 1 grey wagtail around the sunnyside of the lifeboat station, pecking among the pebbles then chased away by 2 pied wagtails. The grey wagtail's yellow underparts were a really bright and rich colour. Several curlews all along the tideline, plus oystercatchers and turnstones. Mute swans in various locations and 1 male goldeneye about 15 metres out from the lifeboat station. 2 lapwings on the tideline adjacent to the start of the grassy beach footpath - I've not seen lapwings there before.
Plus: now 5 fieldfares in my garden and eating through at least 6 apples a day.

jcooper · Post by **jcooper** » Wed Jan 06, 2010 5:48 pm

I forgot this stonechat in my previous posting. Seen among the dunes at the bottom of Panmure Street, Broughty Ferry.
http://s616.photobucket.com/albums/tt24 ... ilveryTay/? action=view&current=6Jan2010StonechatBF.jpg

joncook · Post by **joncook** » Wed Jan 06, 2010 10:10 pm

No Green Sandpiper today, but two firsts, a Goldeneye and a Goosander, both drakes, fishing in the burn about 200yards downstream of the weir late morning. Also a Dipper and 2 Herons.
Also large mixed flock of Skylarks, Yellowhammers, Reed Buntings, Linnets with a few Bramblings and possibly a Snow Bunting feeding in fields either side of the road from Carnoustie to Easthaven at NO585357. Another large flock of mainly Skylarks in stubble fields between Hatton Farm and the A92.
Jon

HarryB · Post by **HarryB** » Thu Jan 07, 2010 8:56 am

Saw 320 Greylag Geese on Montrose Basin on the Basin at Hogmaney,(but failed to report it here).
Yesterday, off Maryton Bay, there were at least 120, in a separate flock from the various Pink-footed Goose flocks around there.
These birds had earlier been feeding in a field at The Lurgies, and then shifted down to the Basin.
Sorry this is late.

jcooper · Post by **jcooper** » Thu Jan 07, 2010 12:46 pm

Redwings at Broughty Ferry nature reserve 10.30am Thursday 7th Jan. Among the leaf litter on the embankment (facing the road) either side of the old tunnel. Saw 5 on one side then some more on the other side - possibly 4 more. Another unusual sight.

Nicola Main · Post by **Nicola Main** » Fri Jan 08, 2010 5:26 pm

Shanwell Wood beside the cemetery from 2.30-4pm. A lot of Redwing and Fieldfare (Redwing more numerous) in leaf litter. Watched a flock of about 100+ Linnet or Twite (couldn't tell which with my small binos just that they had a brownish rump and white tail-edges) feeding in the field, the female Sparrowhawk kept coming in to hunt them (she was successful once and it was an awesome sight). Saw my first Bramblings of which there were about 15+ in the trees surrounding the field. On the way back home a Woodcock flew right past me and landed further down in the wood. A great walk even though it was freezing!

Bob McCurley · Post by **Bob McCurley** » Fri Jan 08, 2010 5:48 pm

Jan. 8th 12-30pm. WOODCOCK 1 On Road outside Liz McColgans Health Centre Carnoustie
Jan 8th. 1300hrs. DIPPER 1 In Craig Mill Den atn top end

GYarnell · Post by **GYarnell** » Fri Jan 08, 2010 7:30 pm

Large flocks (<150) of both these buntings in fields around Coastguards houses Auchmithie on Fri 8 Jan at 1430. I didn't know there was this number of corn buntings around so I stand ready to be corrected.

HarryB · Post by **HarryB** » Fri Jan 08, 2010 7:38 pm

The flock of Scaup at the Basin has been augmented by another group making about 70 in total.
The Tufted Duck are now growing in number at the Basin; probably because their ponds around Montrose are now frozen over.
Two Bullfinch seen at the SWT Centre today. Not rare birds, of course, but definitely uncommon at the SWT Centre.
The Tree Sparow group continues at the wildlife centre and from hardly been seen there at all for years, they have grown to about eight in number in the past six weeks, or so.

burnie · Post by **burnie** » Sat Jan 09, 2010 12:09 am

6 Snow Buntings at forties road industrial estate Montrose 14.30 today.

Mickey Mellon · Post by **Mickey Mellon** » Sun Jan 10, 2010 8:42 am

09 Jan 2009 in garden 616415 among all the normal birds that we get for the first time ever a Fieldfare turned up feeding with the Blackbirds. Been searching Elliot for Woodcock no luck, send one my way please

HarryB · Post by **HarryB** » Sun Jan 10, 2010 9:13 am

In response to Mickey and in the hope others will be equally privileged; cutting up apples and pears, will encourage the Fieldfares to come into the garden, if they are around.
The Blackbirds, of course, will have any apples going, but the Fieldfares seem to notice what the other thrush family birds are doing and quickly establish themselves as 'king of the garden'. If you can aford it; thrushes and Starlings also eat pineapple! Soaking sultanas and raisins overnight, goes down well with them too.
I'm banging on about this, because we have three Fieldfares in the smallest garden imaginable, just by providing the right food at the right time, and Fieldfares in any birder's garden is terrific!
Some pictures and video here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/14943495@N00/

coljonner · Post by **coljonner** » Sun Jan 10, 2010 9:47 pm

10.01.10 Blackcap (male) At feeder in garden Johnshaven. Kite at entrance to Glen Esk.

Bob McCurley · Post by **Bob McCurley** » Sun Jan 10, 2010 9:55 pm

January 10th On the ADBC. Outing today , "The Angus Coast Wader Watch "
A Record Count of 18 Wader Species was recorded . OYSTERCATCHER , RINGED PLOVER, GOLDEN PLOVER. GREY PLOVER, LAPWING, KNOT, SANDERLING, PURPLE SAND PIPER, DUNLIN, JACK SNIPE, COMMON SNIPE, WOODCOCK, BLACK TAILED GODWIT, BAR TAILED GODWIT, CURLEW, REDSHANK, GREENSHANK, AND TURNSTONE.
Other Highlights were . SNOW BUNTINGS AT EAST HAVEN , plus MERLIN , PEREEGRINE , KESTREL , AND BUZZARD. plus 1000'S of PINKFEET GEESE at East Haven . plus an unprecented number of WOOD PIGEONS on the coast approx. 600
13 members braved the Icy Blasts , but it was well worth it . A Great Day out. 67 species in total were recorded .

Gordon Linton · Post by **Gordon Linton** » Sun Jan 10, 2010 11:14 pm

Peregrine roosting on Steeple in Montrose, 3.30pm 7/1/10

Charles Rough · Post by **Charles Rough** » Mon Jan 11, 2010 3:40 am

The 500+snow buntings I reported on the 4/01/10 have turned out to be a large flock of skylarks with some male snowbuntings in the flock.

Mickey Mellon · Post by **Mickey Mellon** » Mon Jan 11, 2010 3:42 pm

Sun 10 Jan 2009 1045 with the help of others finally got a Woodcock at Elliot flying over the trees near the clubhouse

Barbara Grimmond · Post by **Barbara Grimmond** » Mon Jan 11, 2010 9:19 pm

Plenty birds in spite of a buzzard causing havoc flying low and sitting in trees overlooking our garden
blackbirds, fieldfares and a large thrush (mistle?) eating apples and pears
Flock of yellowhammers visiting daily , counted 28, joined by several bramblings
long tailed tits, male bullfinch on bush in neighbouring garden
Too many woodpigeons and grey squirrels.

barry shaw · Post by **barry shaw** » Tue Jan 12, 2010 11:04 pm

Sunday 10th Forfar road
Driving up the Forfar Rd just past the black watch memorial, a dead barn owl by the side of the road, it looked like it had not been hit that long,a sickening sight.

Clive McKay · Post by **Clive McKay** » Fri Jan 15, 2010 3:01 pm

Dear all

This weekend is the national Whooper Swan count. If you know of any near you, please have a go at counting them and send your records to Jon Cook or post them on this site.

Many thanks

Clive McKay

Post by **Mark Caunt** » Fri Jan 15, 2010 4:11 pm

Date & Time: Friday 15th January 2010
Species: Peregrine, Merlin
Details: A Peregrine & Merlin hunting regularly over the past few weeks in the Auchmithie area.
Peregrine seen over cliffs and surrounding fields. Merlin favouring the pipit flocks in the fields.

HarryB · Post by **HarryB** » Fri Jan 15, 2010 6:03 pm

A Slavonian Grebe was very close to the shore on the water's edge just outside the SWT Montrose Basin Vidtor Centre today at 11.30.

HarryB · Post by **HarryB** » Sat Jan 16, 2010 4:52 pm

Yesterday's Slavonian Grebe at Montrose Basin has been described on the pager services (today)as 'NOT a Slav Grebe as reported'.
The facts are: this bird was called as a Black-necked Grebe and I pointed out to the RSPB group who had mis-called it, that it did not meet the identification requirements of a Black-necked Grebe. I told the group to check the field guides which were available and emphasised what the features were, to identify a Black-necked, as opposed to a Slave Grebe.
Everyone present agreed (after checking) it was a Slavonian Grebe.
If another grebe was found today, which turned out to be a Black-necked Grebe, it does not contradict yesterday's identification and the expression 'Yesterday's Slav Grebe was, in fact a Black-necked Grebe', has made a connection with one bird and tried to then make that a comment on another.

A Black-necked Grebe today, at Montrose Basin,is a very important bird and that message should have been put out to our grapevine, so others could see it, without comment on yesterday's identification (of another bird).

Clive McKay · Post by **Clive McKay** » Sun Jan 17, 2010 6:35 pm

27 Whoopers near L of Kinnordy
10 Whoopers near Eassie
450 Pink-feet in stubble at Pluckerston, Kirriemuir, including one collared bird

Loch of Lintrathen
Still 95% frozen with large concentration of ducks (Mallard, Wigeon, Teal ) around remaining open water.

Cheers

Clive

chris_taylor · Post by **chris_taylor** » Sun Jan 17, 2010 6:37 pm

Montrose Bay - 17/01/2010 @ 15:30

amoung up to 100 Scoter - 27 Long-Tailed Ducks, 7 RedThroated Divers, several RB Mergansers

No grebes....

Chris