16 - MAY 2011 BIRD SIGHTINGS (ANGUS)

Post by **Mark Caunt** » Fri Apr 01, 2011 8:44 am

Angus Bird Sightings for APRIL 2011

Bob McCurley · Post by **Bob McCurley** » Fri Apr 01, 2011 4:43 pm

April 1st. 1350hrs. HEN HARRIER Ringtail - Passing Through on Barry Buddon North

Also on Barry Buddon 8 SKYLARKS - 12 PIED WAGTAILS - 6 MEADOW PIPITS - SONG and MISTLE THRUSH- Signs of Spring !

gus guthrie · Post by **gus guthrie** » Sun Apr 03, 2011 5:16 pm

Had 4 Green Woodpeckers all in view at the same time today at Montreathmont wood, also present were 3 Jays and 5 great Spotted Woodpeckers.
Also saw my 1st Sand Martins this year at Kinnordy Loch this afternoon.

Alex Rollo · Post by **Alex Rollo** » Sun Apr 03, 2011 10:36 pm

Great Grey Shrike at Montreathmont about 300metres to the west of the "bridge" to the hide. 10.00 AM 3rd April

joncook · Post by **joncook** » Mon Apr 04, 2011 1:26 pm

Great Grey Shrike still present 12-15 Monday, 4-500m west of hide bridge, viewed from larches at top of hill.
Jon

Ian Hay · Post by **Ian Hay** » Tue Apr 05, 2011 11:46 am

Odd stighting yesterday. two shellduck a mile north of Tannadice in a small wood.

Today pink wingtagged Red Kite in usual place.

Ian

Gordon Linton · Post by **Gordon Linton** » Thu Apr 07, 2011 11:07 pm

Red Kite over crossroads in "Forfar Area" Tannadice road, also Red Kite, Red Grouse, Black Grouse, Peewit, Meadow Pipit & Curlew at "an Angus Glen." At Montreathmont Forest, Coal, Great & Blue Tit, also 2 Jays flying over, didnt see Green Woodpeckers but heard them, identified courtesy of Bob McCurley, no sign of the Shrike.

John Paul Allon · Post by **John Paul Allon** » Fri Apr 08, 2011 6:37 pm

Glen Esk 8th April. Red Kite seen in Lower Glen. Upper Glen Esk, Golden Eagle, Peregrine, Ring Ouzel, Lapwing, Curlew, Treecreeper, Meadow Pipit & lots of very active Wheatear.

Grant Balfour · Post by **Grant Balfour** » Sat Apr 09, 2011 8:18 pm

9th April 2011. 11am
Powmouth.
Swallow (1) in with some Sand Martins.
Common Sandpiper (1) a few hundred yards upstream from Powmouth. One day earlier than last year.

Dave Adam · Post by **Dave Adam** » Sat Apr 09, 2011 8:31 pm

Blackcock lek on far side of Loch Lee - highly audible but unsighted, Ring Ouzels singing on most rock crags and 4 sightings, Kestrels #3, Golden Eagle multiple sightings of one pair, Peregrine calling, Raven calling, Meadow Pipits, Red Grouse #10, Snipe calling, Carrion Crow #3 one in a legal trap, Curlews, Oystercatchers, Wheatears.
Wildlife; Peacock and Tortoise-shell butterflies, Red Deer, Common Lizard and a flipping big Adder that I nearly fell on! Brill day..

gus guthrie · Post by **gus guthrie** » Sat Apr 09, 2011 8:38 pm

Lots to see at Kinnordy Loch if anyone is coming to the Prosen Outing tomorrow. Marsh Harrier, Osprey, lot of Water Rails audible though elusive. Will be at Loch anytime after 9am . outing to start from Kinnordy Loch carpark at 10am.
Hoping to car share as much as possible as parking is limited up the glens .

Post by **Mark Caunt** » Sun Apr 10, 2011 8:10 am

Date & Time: Saturday 9th April 2011
Species: Glaucous Gull, Nuthatch
Details: At 9:55 the Glaucous Gull was still present in Arbroath at Danger Point. Thats the view point from the Brewhouse. With a mixed flock of other gulls.

My mum and dad who live in Finavon, had a Nuthatch visit there garden feeders every 5 minutes from 3:00pm for about an hour. (I have seen some photos to confirm this.)
Its a private garden obviously but if it becomes a regular visitor, will perhaps be able to arrange something for those who want to see. Will keep you posted if it is seen again.
First one they have ever seen in 16 years living at this property!

Mickey Mellon · Post by **Mickey Mellon** » Sun Apr 10, 2011 11:34 am

10 April 2011 Elliot First returning Swallows checking on last years nesting sight, Sand Martin flew through, lots of Sky Larks up and singing, Meadow Pipits, Yellow Hammers Linnets being busy with each other, Jackdaws nest building just across the road at old mill house, Starlings nesting in green keepers shed. Awaiting the arrival of the House Martins.

Post by **Mark Caunt** » Sun Apr 10, 2011 7:43 pm

Date & Time: Sunday 8th April 2011 - 6:00pm
Species: Nuthatch
Details: 1x Nuthatch again in garden, Finavon by Forfar at 6:00pm. County 1st for me.

jimcobb · Post by **jimcobb** » Sun Apr 10, 2011 7:46 pm

Montreathmont hide today-a group of 3 or 4 Green Woodpeckers sighted briefly and calling often-also G.S.Woodpeckers and a Jay.A pair of Crossbills on the track near the gate and willow warblers singing. Jim Cobb

gus guthrie · Post by **gus guthrie** » Sun Apr 10, 2011 7:50 pm

Led my 1st outing today to Glen Prosen. Started at Kinnordy Loch where I was fortunate to have a Garganey spotted to me by Darell Berthon. This was soon followed by Marsh Harrier,Chiffchaff, Blackcap, 2 Osprey, Lesser Redpoll and bullfinch, all before we set sail for the glen.
Luckily the weather was fantastic and we soon spotted plenty birds heading up the glen including Red-legged Partridge, Kestrel, Grey Wagtail, Mistle Thrush, Jay and Red Grouse.
After several stops at some of my favourite places we reached Prosen Lodge and went for a walk up past Runtaleave.
We saw plenty Lapwing, Curlew, Meadow Pipits, Skylarksand lots of newly arrived Wheatear.
Several members also managed distant views of an Eagle too. We split into several groups in the early afternoon with some continuing up the glen and the rest heading back to Kinnordy Loch.Hopefully everyone had as good a time as I did !

Grant Balfour · Post by **Grant Balfour** » Sun Apr 10, 2011 8:46 pm

Managed a short evening trip after the club trip to Glen Prosen.

6pm - House Martins (3) at Eastmill Road in Brechin

Also:
Swallow (1) at Kinnaird Park

Ringed Plover (4) at the flood pool near Balgavies crossroads. Viewed from the roadside as there are nesting Lapwings in the field.

Ian Graham · Post by **Ian Graham** » Mon Apr 11, 2011 12:20 am

At least 40 Kittiwake. Difficult to get accurate numbers as they mostly nesting near to where the erosion has occurred.

The erosion has only affected a small part of the path and the rest is fine.

Good numbers of Fulmar nesting as well. Also had Meadow Pipit, Skylark, Shag and Kestrel.

Brian&Carol · Post by **Brian&Carol** » Mon Apr 11, 2011 10:21 am

Saturday 9th, cliffs at start of path from Auchmithie to Arbroath.

6 puffins just offshore.

1 swallow flew past. 2 reed buntings, 1 wheatear, 20+ linnets and 6 yellowhammers in grass at top of cliffs. Many guillemots and a few fulmars.

Mickey Mellon · Post by **Mickey Mellon** » Mon Apr 11, 2011 2:59 pm

11 April 2011 Letham Grange 0600 Blackbird carrying worms into bushes. Did not check if for young did not want to disturb.
1st returning Chiff Chaff. Tarrybank just past Mary Well in wood on right dooing tetrad Willow Warbler, Chiff Chaff. Tapped on tree with lump of wood and got paid a visit by pair Great Spotted Woodpeckers, tried this loads of times but first success. Plenty of normal stuff had tota of 25

Dave Adam · Post by **Dave Adam** » Mon Apr 11, 2011 4:16 pm

Fieldfares settling to roost #50+ !
Ravens #2
C. Buzzard #2
Common Gulls #50+
Curlews #4
Wheatears #10+
Great Spotted Woodpecker #1

jimcobb · Post by **jimcobb** » Mon Apr 11, 2011 7:25 pm

10 Waxwings today at Orchar Park, Broughty Ferry

gus guthrie · Post by **gus guthrie** » Mon Apr 11, 2011 9:15 pm

Finally saw my first Water Rails this year at kinnordy Loch, a pair outside the Gullery Hide at 6.30 am . Also saw my first Willow Warbler of this spring there as well this morning. Loads of small birds around first thing including; Goldcrest, Lesser Redpoll, Chiffchaff, Bullfinch, Song Thrush, Blackcap and Long-tailed Tit.
No sign of the Garganey today , Whoopers still there and a pair of Redshank one of which has rings on.
Left leg has pale green with blue under it ( both above the knee )
Right leg has Black with Yellow under ( both above the knee ) and a pale yellow below knee.

Brian&Carol · Post by **Brian&Carol** » Tue Apr 12, 2011 10:49 am

c30 House Martins seen this morning near Simprim farm, Meigle to Kirriemuir road.

Grant Balfour · Post by **Grant Balfour** » Wed Apr 13, 2011 9:46 am

12th April, 7:30pm. River Southesk near the weir.

House Martins seemed to have arrived in force as there was a flock of 20-30 over a nearby wood.

Second Common Sandpiper of the season near the weir (although it might just have been that the Sandpiper fom Sunday had flown upriver a couple of miles......)

Also had c12 Greenfinch in a woodland clearing - there seemed to be 6 pairs flying around and being very vocal. Maybe the start of a breeding colony.

stevendoig · Post by **stevendoig** » Wed Apr 13, 2011 4:13 pm

Forfar Loch this afternoon

Literally 100's of Sand Martin

1 Swallow!! (probably more, and maybe some house martin too, but jings, its hard work!)

Plenty of Willow Warbler about , particularly down near the Leisure Centre end

Single male Blackcap looking for a lass.

5 Great Crested Grebe

13 Goosander

100's of Gulls , Black Headed, Lesser Black backed, Herring and a couple commons.

Ed Thomson · Post by **Ed Thomson** » Thu Apr 14, 2011 4:00 pm

by ed thomson thurs 14 april this morning male gargany in main channel at gullery hide

gus guthrie · Post by **gus guthrie** » Thu Apr 14, 2011 8:29 pm

Drake garganey still present at 6pm, spotted by daughter Alex at the back of loch from Gullery hide. Bird then went behind reeds out of site. Ospreys also fishing, one of which made a spectacular catch in front og the gullery hide, less than 50m away.Took off with a jack pike approx 2lb.
Other birds present were; 2 shelduck, Water Rail, Gadwall, Goldeneye, Wigeon, Reed Bunting.
Also had a nice male Brambling on feeder in garden this morning with a pair of lesser redpoll.

joncook · Post by **joncook** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 4:09 pm

Took a walk along the Dighty from Sainsburys while my wife was shopping this afternoon. Not the pleasantest area thanks to dumb dumpers and dog foulers, but found 15 species in 40 minutes or so including:
1 Magpie, 1 Grey Heron, 4 Willow Warblers, a pair of Lesser Redpoll, a pair of Reed Buntings, 3 Sand Martins, a Swallow and a party of 4-6 Long-tailed Tits.
Also several large areas of Cowslip in bloom.
Jon

barry shaw · Post by **barry shaw** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 10:49 pm

saw today in the whitfield area of Dundee 2 fledgling tawny owls they looked about 2 weeks old and in great condition

Grant Balfour · Post by **Grant Balfour** » Sat Apr 16, 2011 9:36 pm

Kinnordy:
Marsh Harrier (juv male) & Osprey (which caught a pike) both seen from Gullery hide.
First brood of 10 Mallard ducklings on display in front of the Gullery hide.

Backwater:
Good views of several Crossbill, especially a female & a juvenile. The female fed the juvenile a few times although it seemed to be doing quite well at getting the seeds out of the cones on it's own.

burnie · Post by **burnie** » Sun Apr 17, 2011 5:51 pm

Picnic up Glen Esk,saw plenty of Lapwings displaying,fabulous birds to watch,also Wheatears,and my first Common Sandpipers of the year,think I heard a ring ouzel,but still not spotted one.Nice view of an Adder

Charles Rough · Post by **Charles Rough** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 1:14 am

while waiting to have a tyre changed at a garage i spotted a pair of grey wagtils collecting nesting material,this was in a built up area

Bob McCurley · Post by **Bob McCurley** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 4:02 pm

APRIL 18TH 11am WHITETHROAT 1 On Barry Buddon opposite the sentry Box at Monifieth entrance .
This is my earliest ever sighting of this species.

Barbara Grimmond · Post by **Barbara Grimmond** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 9:18 pm

Had great views of a pair of blackcaps today, in my garden in Monifieth. Watched them for over an hour.

They both managed to have a bath, despite being harassed by blackbirds and a starling.

Also have daily visits from small group of yellowhammers, male and female g.s.woodpecker,
bluetits in nesting box, unfortunately not the camera nestbox, and blackbird sitting on nest.

Barry Farquharson · Post by **Barry Farquharson** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 10:35 pm

An excellent morning around Forfar Loch. 56 species in total. My best yet.
An Osprey flew over pursued by gulls while I sat by the boating club. Two Common Sandpipers were around on the spit, with a Redshank. Lots of Blackcaps singing, Willow Warblers too. Had a flyover by what appeared to be a Raven. Good views of Lesser Redpoll. 2 pairs of Great Crested Grebes, a Sparrowhawk, a small group of Goosander, a Skylark, Sand Martins, Song Thrush, Goldcrest, Long Tailed Tit, Linnet, pair of Bullfinch, Treecreeper and quite a few Yellowhammer.

Nicola Main · Post by **Nicola Main** » Tue Apr 19, 2011 10:48 am

Bob McCurley wrote:APRIL 18TH 11am WHITETHROAT 1 On Barry Buddon opposite the sentry Box at Monifieth entrance .
This is my earliest ever sighting of this species.

Bob I heard my first Whitethroat on Monday 11th April up at Shanwell Wood which is the woodland near Shanwell Cemetery. Also heard my first Chiffchaff of the year too at the same place. Apologies for not putting this on earlier.

joncook · Post by **joncook** » Tue Apr 19, 2011 10:29 pm

One Bean Goose with 12 Pinkfeet at Murton this pm
Jon

Grant Balfour · Post by **Grant Balfour** » Wed Apr 20, 2011 8:40 am

Glen Esk (wood at Haughend). 6pm.

Redstart - 1 female seen.

Also: Treecreeper (2), Dipper (1 pair at the river), Common Sandpiper, Stock Dove (1), Wheatear (2 pairs), Sand Martin (c20)...25 species in total.

stevendoig · Post by **stevendoig** » Wed Apr 20, 2011 3:56 pm

Good day at Glen Esk with Ian Graham

Red Kite, Osprey, Buzzard + (v. distant) Golden Eagle. all seen .

2 Red Grouse seen from roadside.

Walking from the car park toward Loch Lee - single Tree Pipit and two or three Redstart

Loch Lee - 2 Common Sandpiper and a single Whinchat. A nice Redpoll at the trees surrounding the ruined hoose past the loch.

Countless Meadow pipits and Wheatear!!

Loads of Sand Martin, but only found the one Swallow.

Quick look at Forfar Loch, found our first Sedge Warbler for the year , very vocal in some scrubby stuff.