12 - DECEMBER 2010 BIRD SIGHTINGS (ANGUS)

Post by **Mark Caunt** » Wed Dec 01, 2010 2:34 pm

Angus Bird Sightings for DECEMBER 2010

RAB · Post by **RAB** » Wed Dec 01, 2010 2:50 pm

Arbroath Cliffs today - c200+ Brambling in a small area of set-aside along with c1000 Skylark, c150 Linnet and smaller numbers of Reed Bunting, Twite, Redpoll, Yellowhammer. Also along Cliffs, 4 Woodcock, 7 Snipe. About 1500 Pinkfeet heading South West along with c300 Wooodpigeon.

Bob McCurley · Post by **Bob McCurley** » Wed Dec 01, 2010 5:01 pm

December 1st 1340 HRS PM. ROSE- RINGED PARAKEET 1 IN MY GARDEN AT MY BIRD TABLE
FEEDING ON FAT BALLS ! AT 22 KINNORDY TERRACE ! DUNDEE
THIS WAS A LIFER FOR ME - THIS BIRD HAS BEEN SEEN BY MY NEIGHBOUR ACROSS THE ROAD OFF AND ON FOR A FEW WEEKS , IT HAD ILLUDED ME UNTIL TODAY ! I GOT A PHOTO OF IT THRU MY WINDOW BEFORE IT FLEW OFF .

Mickey Mellon · Post by **Mickey Mellon** » Thu Dec 02, 2010 1:41 pm

02/12/2010 Gayfield Arbroath 640413 beofre the snow returned 7 Purple Sandpiper, over 100 oyster Catchers, 50 Curlew,39 Redshanks, 15 Turnstones, 2 Less Black Backed Gulls and a few Black Headed. Found a young Meadow Pippit stuck in a snow drift on the bank side, rescued it and put it in a thermal glove hoping to revive it but sadly it did now make it

richardblackburn · Post by **richardblackburn** » Thu Dec 02, 2010 3:19 pm

Thurs 2 Dec 2010 - 13:30. Just had a woodcock fly into our patio doors. Just sat there on the step for 5/10 mins. Walked around the house to give it some mealworms, but flew off - so it was obviously not significantly injured.

Bob McCurley · Post by **Bob McCurley** » Thu Dec 02, 2010 5:02 pm

Dec. 2nd. 11am. PIED WAGTAIL 1 in my Garden , first one to visit Kinnordy Terrace in 23years !

Dec. 2nd. 11-30 WAXWINGS 60 at 273 Clepington Road - report from club member Darell Berthon

darellberthon · Post by **darellberthon** » Thu Dec 02, 2010 6:05 pm

Waxwings in my garden all day. started off with 60 and then rose to 100+. They split into smaller groups but kept coming back to join up again. Also, mistle thrush, fieldfare, pied wagtail, blue tit and great tit. Geese and buzzards over head.
Bushes now berry free so don't know if the waxwings will be back tomorrow...heres hoping.

RAB · Post by **RAB** » Fri Dec 03, 2010 2:41 pm

Arbroath Cliffs today:
4 Woodcock (good views of one in the gulley)
c750 Skylark + c200 Brambling with Twite, Linnet, Reed Bunting, and c10 Snow Bunting
1 fem/imm Hen Harrier
1 Sparrowhawk
1 Buzzard
1 Kestrel
1 Peregrine

c1500 Pink Feet heading south west + 200 on field by West Seaton Farm

Mickey Mellon · Post by **Mickey Mellon** » Fri Dec 03, 2010 4:24 pm

03/12/2010 Elliot 618388 1300 took dog for a walk and glad I did. 1 Barn Owl, which is my first ever sighting of one during the day, 14 Snipe, 3 Jack Snipe 1 Woodcock, 3 Kestrel looking for fodd, 2 Buzzards hovering above golf course hoping for a rabbit, they were getting mobbed by crows, pair Red-breasted Merganser fishing close inshore in the high tide. If venturing in the reed beds please wear wellies as the ice is not very thick amongst the grass

Michael Morphy · Post by **Michael Morphy** » Fri Dec 03, 2010 5:32 pm

Tayock, Montrose Basin
A Woodcock seen at dusk flying over track to new hide.

Dave Adam · Post by **Dave Adam** » Fri Dec 03, 2010 9:06 pm

Male Blackcap, Siskins & Goldfinches at bird table alongside a juvenile Wood Pigeon (garden bred) feeding!

Mickey Mellon · Post by **Mickey Mellon** » Sat Dec 04, 2010 8:43 am

04/12/2010 re 3 Dec fruit for birds. I put a pound of unwanted seeded grapes in the plastice box they came in and put them next to bird table off the ground. They lasted about 15 mins with Starlings and thrushes have a great time

Bob McCurley · Post by **Bob McCurley** » Sat Dec 04, 2010 2:51 pm

Dec. 4th. 10-45am. BARN OWL At Elliot Reed Bed ( Mickey's Bird ) showed well near gate going over level; crossing , then it flew to the Five Gables House ( on thre hilltop ) B and B and was heading for the dense trees at the house. - Like Mickey my first Angus day flying Barn Owl too ! Also WOODCOCK . SNIPE

joncook · Post by **joncook** » Sun Dec 05, 2010 5:48 pm

TWO Barn Owls hunting over Elliot reed beds 2-30 to 2-45pm 5/12/2010. One with prey, looked like a small bird. Were so close I could hear the snow crunch as they dropped into the reeds. Seemed quite unconcerned by my presence & that of dog walkers nearby. Absolutely superb sight. Thanks Mickey & Bob.
Jon

gus guthrie · Post by **gus guthrie** » Sun Dec 05, 2010 6:09 pm

70+ birds at the feeders at the same time in our garden again today including;
6 woodpigeon
7 yellowhammer
1 redpoll
1 tree sparrow ( a 1st for the garden )
1 GS woodpecker
1 greenfinch
3 brambling
5 siskin
4 goldfinch
3 long-tailed tit

GYarnell · Post by **GYarnell** » Sun Dec 05, 2010 8:16 pm

In bright sunlight in flight at Elliot footbridge. It settled on a bush near road bridge and then flew of when dog walker approached.

Mickey Mellon · Post by **Mickey Mellon** » Mon Dec 06, 2010 5:10 am

05/12/2010 Elliot reed beds female Sparrowhawk hunting for prey. On golf course 12 Grey partridge attacking Crows that were annoying them, Woodcock, Snipe. Glad the Barn Owl(s) still around. Don't forget wellies if venturing after the owls

Alex Smith · Post by **Alex Smith** » Mon Dec 06, 2010 1:16 pm

06/ 12/ 2010 Craigmill Den Quick walk around the den this morning. Lots of fieldfare , redwing even have them in the garden

Also goldcrest and usual suspects Did see three male bullfinch in the den plus another male bullfinch at bottom of Panbride brae.

Off out this afternoon to see if I can get the barn owls

Alex Smith · Post by **Alex Smith** » Mon Dec 06, 2010 1:24 pm

06/ 12/ 2010 Craigmill Den Quick walk around the den this morning. Lots of fieldfare , redwing even have them in the garden

Also goldcrest and usual suspects Did see three male bullfinch in the den plus another male bullfinch at bottom of Panbride brae.

Off out this afternoon to see if I can get the barn owls

Grant Balfour · Post by **Grant Balfour** » Mon Dec 06, 2010 2:28 pm

The garden bird feeders are seeing a lot of use with Tree Sparrow, Bullfinch & Blackcap being added to the list over the weekend.

Also around the Farnell/Powmouth area over the weekend:
Bullfinches - mainly singles or pairs, but there was one group of five males.
Woodcock - flying in daylight (10am)
Mixed flock of c400 Yellowhammer, Chaffinch, Linnet, Reed Bunting at Powmouth. Also one male Sparrowhawk which caught a Yellowhammer.

Mickey Mellon · Post by **Mickey Mellon** » Mon Dec 06, 2010 3:04 pm

06/12/2010 Elliot, met Ian Smth there at about 11 O/C and he told me he had sighted the Barn Owl but it went to ground in the reed beds at the Elliot water end. Sounds as if it or they need some looking for.

Alex Smith · Post by **Alex Smith** » Mon Dec 06, 2010 5:10 pm

6/12/2010 Elliot Reed beds Good view of barn owl this afternoon 2.30 - 2.45

Bob McCurley · Post by **Bob McCurley** » Mon Dec 06, 2010 8:15 pm

DEc. 6th. 1400hrs. WAXWINGS 20 At Craigie Avenue Dundee - at junction with Strips of Craigie Road , near round about .

richardblackburn · Post by **richardblackburn** » Mon Dec 06, 2010 8:25 pm

6-Dec - Lurgies walk, Montrose basin 11:30 to 14:00

Treecreeper, fieldfare and 2 water rail seen. Also watched a barn owl for a few minutes until it went to ground having been harassed by a crow. Also saw 5 little grebes, 4 mergansers, 3 Goldeneye, 2 Woodcock flying off and a group of grey partridges (partridges were in a field between Barnhead and the Montrose - Brechin Road. Oh, and a seal popped up for a few minutes to say "Hi"!

KDO · Post by **KDO** » Mon Dec 06, 2010 9:52 pm

Kingfisher: 1230 hrs Saturday 04 December 2010
Mains Ponds, Caird Park, Dundee
Flying from east pond between this and west pond to embankment Rhodedendron and trees beside path from Mains Castle. Probably same one seen 0900 22. November from castle burn / Gil Burn.

Dipper also seen in October but witnessed killed by Kirkton P.J. Russell Terrier with two young girls at Gil Burn.

Barn Owl: 0300 Thursday 02 December 2010
Marketgait, Earl Grey Place,Dunde
Along eastward towards Casino and Tay Road Bridge.

Allan Hall · Post by **Allan Hall** » Tue Dec 07, 2010 5:20 pm

Roundyhill. A sign of how stressed wildlife is at present was the appearance of a hare in the garden yesterday,looking for something to eat. First one in the garden during 25 years.

richardblackburn · Post by **richardblackburn** » Tue Dec 07, 2010 10:44 pm

Elliot - 7 Dec. Went for a stroll and passed a couple of guys looking for the Barn Owl. They left at about 15:15 having not seen it I think, and then within 5 minutes, I saw the owl being harassed by a gull. Saw a woodcock fly by, as well as 2 mute swans flying about 2 meters over my head.

Clive McKay · Post by **Clive McKay** » Wed Dec 08, 2010 11:02 pm

I was clearing the foot deep snow off my garden shed rooves this afternoon in anticipation of the coming thaw (most of the rooves leak when the snow melts) when 4 Blackcock burled very low over head. What a surprise! There's a lek of 2-3 males about 2 km away on Kilry Hill - so not impossible to see them here - but mu house is surrounded by farmland. I've not seen them from the house since I moved here 5 years ago - including scanning distant horizons with the scope etc. I guess anything is possible in these conditions.

Clive

stevendoig · Post by **stevendoig** » Thu Dec 09, 2010 8:53 am

Day of the woodcock!

one woodcock at the Lurgies yesterday morning
two at Cliffburn Gulley (showing very well)
at least six at Elliot

12 plus Snipe at Elliot as well, never seen so many at once!

Mickey Mellon · Post by **Mickey Mellon** » Thu Dec 09, 2010 12:47 pm

09/12/2010 Elliot Buzzard flying low over the reed beds causing Snipe (lots) and Woodcock (5), flying in all directions, the Buzzard then dived into the reed bed right of railway crossing and never came up. Went round to see what happened but could not find anything,but the Buzzard never emerged so he must have got something. The Crows are taking small birds, and no sign of Barny, but he no doubt will be seen later in the day

Mickey Mellon · Post by **Mickey Mellon** » Thu Dec 09, 2010 4:34 pm

09/12/2010 15.30 just had pair of Yellow Hammers at the feeders, my first ever visit of these in my garden since moving here 17 years ago. Also Sparrowhawk spoilt everything when it came flashing through and took a Blackbird. Nature is so wonderful and cruel

DK · Post by DK » Fri Dec 10, 2010 1:20 pm

Been seing magpies almost daily for the last two weeks flying between woodland at the Arbirlot Nature Trail and Three Mile Woods.

Woodcock (approx 15) in the bays between Maw Skelly (Auchmithie) and Ramrod (Ethie) yesteday, including one roosting inside Fern Cave and two inside Gives Den Cave. Peregrine successfuly hunting Woodcock in the same area.

Snipe (3) along the Hercules Burn at Hercules Den.

Richard Maurins · Post by **Richard Maurins** » Sun Dec 12, 2010 4:44 pm

Just back from an hours sea watch at the redcastle hide,very quiet really,a small group of Scoters half a dozen Sanderlings,9 ringed plovers,common,blackheaded,herring and lesser blackbacked gulls.
I also noticed that the sand dunes are getting some serious erosion,it may be that the hide might need moving further back fairly soon.

Bob McCurley · Post by **Bob McCurley** » Wed Dec 15, 2010 7:17 pm

Dec. 15th 11-30am GREENSHANK with coloured rings on both legs , will report on this . Seen on Lurgies Walk Montrose Basin - Also on Lurgies COOT 1 MOORHEN 1 LITTLE GREBE 10

Dec. 15th 1300HRS. KITTIWAKE JUV. 1 (A late record ) RED THROATED DIVERS 12 LONG TAILED DUCKS 15 seen from Redcastle Hide at Lunan Bay

Dec. 15th. 1430hrs. PINK FOOTED GEESE 1000 Seen on "Goose Road. " NO. 660513

Mickey Mellon · Post by **Mickey Mellon** » Sat Dec 18, 2010 5:10 pm

18/12/2010 plenty of birds at the bird table. Blackbirds love the apples and pears on branches. Nothing special in varaties but lots of domestic but wished the Sparrowhawks would stay away, keeo taking anything they can get hold of

stevendoig · Post by **stevendoig** » Sun Dec 19, 2010 12:00 pm

10 Grey Partidges in my faithers garden, Lunanahead this morning, under the bird table. A first for his garden!

darellberthon · Post by **darellberthon** » Sun Dec 19, 2010 2:39 pm

35 Waxwings in my garden this morning feeding on the fruit in the trees.
Blackbirds using the shed roof for a ski run lol

Roy Adamson · Post by **Roy Adamson** » Mon Dec 20, 2010 5:24 pm

I was amazed to see 6 or 7 wrens fly out of our bathroom extractor vent at dusk when I was closing the garage door, presumably roosting, they then flew a few yards into this year's house martin nest, where they seem to have settled for the night

Richard Maurins · Post by **Richard Maurins** » Tue Dec 21, 2010 6:04 pm

Siskin and Brambling on bird table,first for me in the village centre,shows how short the food must be.

Post by **Mark Caunt** » Wed Dec 22, 2010 5:20 pm

Date & Time: Wednesday 22nd December 2010 - 2:00pm
Species: Waxwing
Details: A single Waxwing flew over Glebe Court, Kirriemuir at 2:00pm.