Late October Update

Well sadly the easterlies stopped, whilst the rain didn't; so not many photographs. I/we still managed out and about thanks to Stephen, Judith and Mike, RSPB Glasgow Group and public transport.

A photographic record follows:

Fife Ness - 4/10/19

Chiffchaff - Kilminning, Fife - 12/10/19

Blackbird - Kilminning, Fife - 12/10/19 

Robin - Balcomie, Fife - 12/10/19

Pink-footed & Barnacle Geese - near Airth, Forth 12/10/19

Path works - Dawsholm Park LNR, Glasgow - 16/10/19

Record shot - Linnet flock - Torness, Lothian - 20/10/19

Hogganfield Park LNR, Glasgow - 21/10/19

Pochard - Hogganfield Park LNR, Glasgow - 21/10/19

Record shot - Scaup - Hogganfield Park LNR, Glasgow - 21/10/19

Ringed Black-headed Gull - Hogganfield Park LNR, Glasgow - 21/10/19

RSPB Loch Leven - 24/10/19

Red Squirrel - RSPB Loch Leven - 24/10/19

Over the period, from 3 October 2019, I saw c80 species with the highlights being a Barred Warbler at Kilminning, Fife on the 4th; my first ever Jay at Dawsholm Park LNR on the 16th; Little Egrets, pale-bellied Brent Geese and a glimpse of a Barn Owl (in its box) on Holy Isle on the 19th; 40 species including Scaup, 10 Whooper Swans and a Blackcap at Hogganfield Park LNR on the 21st; and a good range of wildfowl, including Pintail, at Loch Leven today.

Autumn Birding and Easterlies

Since the last post, I've visited Hogganfield Park LNR (to help with the Friends of Glasgow's LNRs wildfowl feeding); Kilminning, Fife Ness and Pettycur Harbour (with Stephen and Lynda); Baron's Haugh RSPB Reserve and Dalzel Woods (twice, once with Lynda, Judith and Mike); Aberlady Bay LNR, Musselburgh Lagoons, Hound Point and Dalmeny Estate woodland path and RSPB Skinflats (all with the RSPB Glasgow Group). With a few easterlies forecast, I was hoping for one or two goodies and I wasn't disappointed.

Highlights included: Red-breasted Flycatcher and Manx Shearwater in the Fife Ness area; Arctic Skuas from Pettycur Harbour; Pintail, Blackcap and Chiffchaff in and around Baron's Haugh; Little Egrets at Aberlady Bay; Great Skuas and Pomarine Skuas (distantly) from Hound Point and stunning views of a Yellow-browed Warbler which I found on the Dalmeny Estate woodland path from Hound Point to Queensferry.

A few photos, mostly taken with my phone: 

Wildfowl feeding - Hogganfield Park LNR 21/09/19

Snipe - Baron's Haugh RSPB Reserve 27/09/19

Aberlady Bay LNR - 28/09/19

Musselburgh Lagoons - 28/09/19

Queensferry - 29/09/19

Skinflats RSPB Reserve - 29/09/19

Baron's Haugh RSPB Reserve 1/10/19

So some great birding, in cracking locations and with good company. In total, 94 species seen with Red-breasted Flycatcher and Yellow-browed Warbler the star birds, literally only a few yards away. What will be next?

More East Coast Magic

On Saturday (13th) and Sunday (14th) I led two separate birdwatching outings, on behalf of the RSPB Glasgow Local Group, to the east coast of Scotland.

On both days there were 14 other birders with seven brave souls going on both outings!

On the Saturday, we visited the scrub, trees and farmland around the Torness Power Station and Thorntonloch caravan park; moved briefly onto Skateraw; and eventually spent a good few hours in the Barns Ness area, including Whitesands Quarry.

It was rather overcast most of the day with some light drizzle so no opportunities for any decent photographs - a photo of Barns Ness taken in May this year will have to suffice!

Barns Ness - May 2012

Despite the conditions, the Group saw at least 72 different species, albeit no one saw them all!  We saw 16 species of wildfowl including Barnacle Goose, Long-tailed Duck, Common Scoter and Whooper Swan; and 8 species of wader including Golden Plover. Other highlights included Peregrine, Brambling, Tree Sparrow, Stonechat and Blackcap.

Moving on to the Sunday we spent most of our day in the east neuk of Fife, east of Crail. There had clearly been a 'fall' of birds with the main problem knowing whether we should all stick together or spread out!

We saw lots and lots of Goldcrests, some feeding just a few feet away; although they were constantly moving so it was difficult to get any sharp photos. The following photo was taken through the netting of a 'heligoland' trap - I was inside the trap!

The highlights, however, were 2 Red-breasted Flycatcher, at least 1 Ring Ousel, 3/4 Black Redstart, 1 Common Redstart, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, Brambling, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler and 2 late Swallows.

Off shore, from Fife Ness, we saw many Gannets, 1 Great Skua, 1 Manx Shearwater, 1 late Sandwich Tern, 3 Velvet Scoter, 3 Long-tailed Duck and a good few Red-throated Divers.

Views from Fife Ness - 14 October 2012

In total, the Group saw at least 58 species, but again not everyone saw every bird.

For the two days at least 88 species were recorded, of which I saw 81.

All in all, a tiring but rewarding two days of birding!