3 - MARCH 2016 BIRD SIGHTINGS (ANGUS)

Post by **Mark Caunt** » Tue Mar 01, 2016 7:40 pm

Angus Bird Sightings for MARCH 2016

stevendoig · Post by **stevendoig** » Wed Mar 02, 2016 6:10 pm

Forfar Loch this morning. 40 species - not bad for me, more unusual sightings for this venue being -

Couple of singing Skylark in the fields to the North

Two Shelduck down at the west end

A single Redshank at the Leisure Centre end.

A single Siskin in the Pine Wood.

Terrfic numbers of Wildfowl. 85 -90 Mute Swan and 50-60 Goosander being the highlights!

Charles Rough · Post by **Charles Rough** » Thu Mar 03, 2016 12:21 am

1 barn owl perched on a post at the side of the road at the top of Victoria street monifieth 9.15 pm

Post by **Mark Caunt** » Thu Mar 03, 2016 9:30 am

Wednesday 2nd March 2016 - AGV Message

AGV:
Wednesday 2nd March:
Red Kite at Checkiefield, Kirriemuir 11.40.
E Jessett

AGV refers to the Angus GrapeVine Mobile Texting service available for Angus & Dundee Bird Club Members only. Its FREE to members so why not join!
http://www.angusbirding.com/html/adbc.html

Alex Shepherd · Post by **Alex Shepherd** » Thu Mar 03, 2016 6:52 pm

Thursday 3rd March 2016, 1207 hrs

Adult and 1st winter Iceland Gulls amongst flock continually being flushed from Sailing Club spit at Forfar Loch. Also 50+ Gadwall, 31 Oystercatchers, 1 Redshank and Magpies calling around the loch.

Kinnordy, 1500 hrs, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull from East Hide and 1 Brambling on the feeders. RSPB were building a Black-headed Gull nest raft.

Iceland Gull adult video, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7N1PdYxN1Bk

Iceland Gull 1st winter video, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oj3_PNCHKWE

Lesser Black-backed Gull video, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a55qwUlk8To

simonbusuttil · Post by **simonbusuttil** » Sat Mar 05, 2016 6:12 pm

Hard work in Glen Damff today with just 10 species in 4 hrs ! However this included an optimistic Golden Plover at ca 460m and a flock of just under 70 snow buntings

gus guthrie · Post by **gus guthrie** » Sat Mar 05, 2016 6:40 pm

Forfar Loch

52 Gadwall today at the East end of the loch as well as 4 drake Pochard.
also a Chiffchaff near the viewing platform.

Charles Rough · Post by **Charles Rough** » Sun Mar 06, 2016 8:58 am

1 tawny owl perched on a dry stone wall auchterhouse 2.am

Post by **Mark Caunt** » Mon Mar 07, 2016 12:28 am

Sunday 6th March 2016 - AGV Message

AGV:
Sunday 6th March:
Not birds but may interest....Northen lights now visible. 8:55pm.
MCau

AGV refers to the Angus GrapeVine Mobile Texting service available for Angus & Dundee Bird Club Members only. Its FREE to members so why not join!
http://www.angusbirding.com/html/adbc.html

gailtrayner · Post by **gailtrayner** » Mon Mar 07, 2016 1:53 pm

Short eared owl at Elliot beach half hour ago.

Allan Hall · Post by **Allan Hall** » Mon Mar 07, 2016 7:31 pm

Roundyhill,
Short-eared Owl around at 5.30 and clearly looking for bed and breakfast for the night!
Last one I've seen here was in 1987!

gailtrayner · Post by **gailtrayner** » Mon Mar 07, 2016 8:12 pm

Was 6 a few months ago. Thought they'd moved on but looks like they're back.

Alex Shepherd · Post by **Alex Shepherd** » Tue Mar 08, 2016 1:28 pm

Monday 7th March 2016 - 1120 hrs

Glen Lethnot from Purners Brig to west of Hunthill

2 Crossbills, the first I've seen in 2016 on the road near Hunthill apparently licking salt from the tarmac. 3 Ravens, 2 fields held around 70 Lapwings each, Oystercatchers throughout the glen in pairs, 6 Buzzards, 10 Red Grouse, 1 Kestrel, 8 Mistle Thrushes but still quite cold for the smaller species. Note the bridge on the road near Margie Farm is to be closed for two weeks as of Wednesday.

Glenesk, a short trip to the old army huts near Haughend, 2 Red Kites and 2 Buzzards. Note, the foot bridge over the river to the south side and army huts has been washed away.

Photo of Crossbill affected by car running,

Jim Carter · Post by **Jim Carter** » Wed Mar 09, 2016 11:34 am

09 March 2016
Saw a female Sparrowhawk perched in a cherry tree in our garden at south east Montrose at 0815am. Feathers under the tree showed it had made a kill.

Bob McCurley · Post by **Bob McCurley** » Wed Mar 09, 2016 7:59 pm

March 9th - 10am BITTERN seen twice in flight and in the Reeds eating a fish opposite Gullery Hide - plus BARN OWL in Box on Lone Pine Tree- plus 3 WHOOPER SWAN very close to Gullery Hide.

March 9th 1pm 2 GREAT CRESTED GREBES at Community Centre end - --
Above seen by Bob and Jon

gus guthrie · Post by **gus guthrie** » Sat Mar 12, 2016 9:01 am

Kirriemuir.

A male Blackcap on my feeders this morning, not a bird i get in the garden too often, especially at this time of year.

Post by **Mark Caunt** » Sun Mar 13, 2016 1:39 pm

Sunday 13th March 2016 - AGV Messages

AGV:
Sunday 13th March:
1st winter Iceland Gull Kinnordy from Swamp Hide 9:30am.
Rod Mackenzie

AGV:
Sunday 13th March:
Probable Bewick Swan from swamp hide, Kinnordy - sub adult with grey neck, noticably smaller than other whoopers and with yellow on bill not pointed and not coming anywhere near the nostrils. Also bittern seen. 1pm.
GMS

AGV refers to the Angus GrapeVine Mobile Texting service available for Angus & Dundee Bird Club Members only. Its FREE to members so why not join!
http://www.angusbirding.com/html/adbc.html
Mark Caunt Photography Facebook

Alan Mowat · Post by **Alan Mowat** » Sun Mar 13, 2016 5:17 pm

Bean goose with a flock of greylags in the field at the Edzell end of the landstacht.

Bob McCurley · Post by **Bob McCurley** » Mon Mar 14, 2016 5:16 pm

March 14th WEBS COUNT -LUNAN BAY - FOR MARCH -- 6 RED THROATED DIVERS - 2 LONG TAILED DUCK - 14 COMMON SCOTER - 4 KITTIWAKES - 6 EIDER- 5 WHOOPER SWANS- 1 CORMORANT -

5 FULMARS - On Castle Ruins - 8 OYSTERCATCHER- - HERRING GULL 19 - COMMON GULL 7 --BLACK HEADED GULL 8-- GREAT BLACK BACKED GULL 1

Dave Adam · Post by **Dave Adam** » Mon Mar 14, 2016 6:10 pm

Golden Eagle x 3
White-tailed Eagle x 2
Goshawk x 4
C.Buzzard x 3+
Raven x 7+
Golden Plover heard
Skylark x 6+
and my first mountain tod taking on an eagle pair ...wow

simonbusuttil · Post by **simonbusuttil** » Mon Mar 14, 2016 11:20 pm

The Aythya duck at Forfar Loch that I initially reported on Friday via AGV as a hybrid and then incorrectly as a scaup is certainly a hybrid, probably a Tufted Duck x Pochard. Thanks to Alex Shepherd for his photos (see his blog at http://aberbrothock.blogspot.com/) and Barry Farquarson for his helpful comments via that blog. The amount of black on the bill nail (too much), shape of head and colour of back (too dark).

Charles Rough · Post by **Charles Rough** » Tue Mar 15, 2016 12:09 am

I watched a pair of magpies nestbuilding in Arbroath today,although they seem to be spreading rapidly this is the first time I have seen them carrying sticks,apart from rooks sitting by their nests this is the first breeding behaviour I have seen this year

Alex Shepherd · Post by **Alex Shepherd** » Tue Mar 15, 2016 5:54 pm

Tuesday March 15th 2016 - 1400 hrs

19 Puffins just north of the harbour and close in on a light swell, viewable from the end of the village at Auchmithie. Many Fulmars, some in groups squabbling and one Red-throated Diver out at sea.

Barry Farquharson · Post by **Barry Farquharson** » Tue Mar 15, 2016 6:05 pm

Wee wander in Dundee today (15/3/16)

Swannie Ponds - Mute Swans, Mallards, Tufted ducks, 1 female Goosander, Moorhen, Herring Gulls, Woodpigeon, Feral Pigeon, Black Headed Gull (Norwegian ringed green JN69 among them), Lesser Black Backed Gull.

City Quay - Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Oystercatcher, Feral Pigeon, Carrion Crow.

NO SIGN of ("Dave") the injured Red Throated Diver despite searching for around an hour. Does anyone have a date for any recent sightings of this bird? (My last sighting was January 2nd but I hadn't looked again before today).

Yesterday (Monday 14/3/16) I had a group of 4 Magpies fly over Arklay Street towards Tannadice Park followed a few seconds later by another single bird. A further Magpie was seen on Dens Road at Arthurstone Terrace junction.

Stephen Appleton · Post by **Stephen Appleton** » Wed Mar 16, 2016 12:03 am

Sunday 13th March 2016 afternoon stroll on to Auchterhouse Hill and Balkello Hill

While plenty of carrion crows and rooks around lower down, from about 400m I was looking down on what I believe was a Raven. Certainly not expected here, but it's behavoir was considered more raven like than crow like. Additionally, while no other birds close enough to compare size it looked too big for a crow. Then I noticed the clear white stripe on the upper of each wing close to body of the bird. Most unsual. Has anyone seen this bird? Is this a Magpie hybrid? Any thoughts/observations, gratefully received.

Also, flying very high was an eagle; presumed sea/white tailed eagle. Flying roughly from Tentsmuir direction towards Newtyle direction. Too high to see any plumage colour.

stevendoig · Post by **stevendoig** » Wed Mar 16, 2016 12:27 pm

Forfar Loch.

West end 1030 - A single Whooper..... however me and Ian Graham thought there was something slightly 'off' about it so it would be worth checking out in case its a Bewick!!

New for me this year from this venue - 6 Pochard, 4 Great Crested Grebe and 3 Lesser Black Gulls.

Post by **Mark Caunt** » Wed Mar 16, 2016 11:38 pm

Wednesday 16th March 2016 - AGV Message

AGV:
Wednesday 16th March:
1st Winter Iceland Gull in front of Centre at Forfar Loch, 1219.
Alex Shepherd

AGV refers to the Angus GrapeVine Mobile Texting service available for Angus & Dundee Bird Club Members only. Its FREE to members so why not join!
http://www.angusbirding.com/html/adbc.html

Alan Mowat · Post by **Alan Mowat** » Thu Mar 17, 2016 8:41 am

stevendoig wrote:Forfar Loch.

West end 1030 - A single Whooper..... however me and Ian Graham thought there was something slightly 'off' about it so it would be worth checking out in case its a Bewick!!

New for me this year from this venue - 6 Pochard, 4 Great Crested Grebe and 3 Lesser Black Gulls.

There was a single whooper flying around Edzell on Sunday afternoon. It looked whooper size and certainly sounded like a whooper.

Alex Shepherd · Post by **Alex Shepherd** » Thu Mar 17, 2016 8:54 pm

The 1st winter Iceland Gull was on the yacht club spit, Forfar Loch this morning early on before being chased off by a gull.

Lots of Pink Footed Geese flying north and high over a very sunny Backwater Dam today, Curlews, Oystercatchers and Lapwings in increasing numbers and around 20 Song Thrushes seen and more Mistle Thrushes.

MAP BOOKLET: The link for the Online Version of the maps won't work as I locked the editing function and the link changed, the link below should work for all devices and open in a browser or Google Maps (I hope).

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mi ... MWksMPaWX0

I'll try and find a short link and test on as many devices as I can.

Post by **Mark Caunt** » Fri Mar 18, 2016 4:11 pm

Friday 18th March 2016 - AGV Message

AGV:
Friday 18th March:
1st winter Iceland Gull & 1st winter Med Gull from Lunan Bay hide. 2pm.
GMS

AGV refers to the Angus GrapeVine Mobile Texting service available for Angus & Dundee Bird Club Members only. Its FREE to members so why not join!
http://www.angusbirding.com/html/adbc.html

gus guthrie · Post by **gus guthrie** » Fri Mar 18, 2016 8:22 pm

Kinnordy Loch 4pm

Bittern from Gullery Hide

1st winter Iceland Gull feeding in ploughed field at Lochside cottages., near Egnomoss junction.

In my garden today were 3 Lesser Redpoll, Siskins, Song Thrushes and a Rook which has found the suet feeder.

Post by **Mark Caunt** » Sat Mar 19, 2016 9:22 pm

Saturday 19th March 2016 - AGV Message

AGV:
Saturday 19th March:
1st winter Iceland gull, swamp hide, kinnordy loch. 11.40am.
Gus

AGV refers to the Angus GrapeVine Mobile Texting service available for Angus & Dundee Bird Club Members only. Its FREE to members so why not join!
http://www.angusbirding.com/html/adbc.html

barry shaw · Post by **barry shaw** » Sat Mar 19, 2016 10:38 pm

Stephen Appleton wrote:Sunday 13th March 2016 afternoon stroll on to Auchterhouse Hill and Balkello Hill

While plenty of carrion crows and rooks around lower down, from about 400m I was looking down on what I believe was a Raven. Certainly not expected here, but it's behavoir was considered more raven like than crow like. Additionally, while no other birds close enough to compare size it looked too big for a crow. Then I noticed the clear white stripe on the upper of each wing close to body of the bird. Most unsual. Has anyone seen this bird? Is this a Magpie hybrid? Any thoughts/observations, gratefully received.

Also, flying very high was an eagle; presumed sea/white tailed eagle. Flying roughly from Tentsmuir direction towards Newtyle direction. Too high to see any plumage colour.

Hi Stephen that raven you saw at auchterhouse has been hanging around for a few years now there is a pair of them.I assumed the bird has white wing tags never got close enough to actually see for definite.

gus guthrie · Post by **gus guthrie** » Sun Mar 20, 2016 4:41 pm

A couple of hours in an Angus Glen today;

1 adult White-tailed Eagle
2 Goshawk
13 Buzzard
1 Sparrowhawk
11 Ravens
6 Crossbill
1 Stonechat
4 Black Grouse

Alan Mowat · Post by **Alan Mowat** » Mon Mar 21, 2016 10:27 am

Sunday 20/3/16

Male Brambling crashed in to my window near the Gannochy Edzell.
The bird had a metal ring on it leg
Any suggestion on who to contact re the ring.

gus guthrie · Post by **gus guthrie** » Mon Mar 21, 2016 1:16 pm

Alan Mowat wrote:Sunday 20/3/16

Male Brambling crashed in to my window near the Gannochy Edzell.
The bird had a metal ring on it leg
Any suggestion on who to contact re the ring.

best bet is to e-mail

grampianringing@googlemail.com

Stephen Appleton · Post by **Stephen Appleton** » Mon Mar 21, 2016 6:10 pm

barry shaw wrote:
Stephen Appleton wrote:Sunday 13th March 2016 afternoon stroll on to Auchterhouse Hill and Balkello Hill

While plenty of carrion crows and rooks around lower down, from about 400m I was looking down on what I believe was a Raven. Certainly not expected here, but it's behavoir was considered more raven like than crow like. Additionally, while no other birds close enough to compare size it looked too big for a crow. Then I noticed the clear white stripe on the upper of each wing close to body of the bird. Most unsual. Has anyone seen this bird? Is this a Magpie hybrid? Any thoughts/observations, gratefully received.

Also, flying very high was an eagle; presumed sea/white tailed eagle. Flying roughly from Tentsmuir direction towards Newtyle direction. Too high to see any plumage colour.
Hi Stephen that raven you saw at auchterhouse has been hanging around for a few years now there is a pair of them.I assumed the bird has white wing tags never got close enough to actually see for definite.

Thanks for that Barry; I'm fairly convinced the white was bird plumage rather than tags, but happy to be proven wrong. Have both the pair got white on the upper wing?

Post by **Mark Caunt** » Mon Mar 21, 2016 6:43 pm

I can't be certain without seeing bird or photographs but have you ruled out a corvid with leucistic plumage pigmentation?
It's fairly common in Forfar crows I have noticed.

Dave Adam · Post by **Dave Adam** » Mon Mar 21, 2016 7:49 pm

'Also, flying very high was an eagle; presumed sea/white tailed eagle. Flying roughly from Tentsmuir direction towards Newtyle direction. Too high to see any plumage colour.'

The male eagle from Fife comes into Angus to hunt frequently, according to the East Scotland Sea Eagle project officer.

barry shaw · Post by **barry shaw** » Mon Mar 21, 2016 10:19 pm

Hi Stephen I'm sure it's just one raven that has the white wing marks.As I says the pair have been there for a few years now and are hard to get close to.