Joan's Birdwatching Diary

Listing.

2010-06-21T19:19:00.002+01:00

In Joan's Musings I mentioned our life list and I thought I would let you into the big secret of what it is. I have never told anybody about this so it is our secret. The last two evening I have been redoing it and printing it off on my new printer (its wireless no more running upstairs with laptop to get the printing done). It was in need of updating and it is a big job and is very precious to Stuart and I. We started birdwatching while pushing Richard in his pram in 1969 so it is over 40 years of birding here and in Europe. It's a good list but still has a way to go and it does get more and more difficult as it grows. Why not start your own list is amazing just how quickly it grows to start with. Take care till next time. Love Joan.

The Total is ......................352 and counting.

2010 Spring Migrants.

2010-04-12T19:10:00.000+01:00

6th April. Today we had our first summer visitor a Swallow all alone but here just the same. As they say one swallow does not a summer make, but we can hope for more.

12th April, Today it was 150 Sand Martins at Angle Park a disused gravel pit in fife they make such a wonderful job of these pits once they are exhausted of gravel. Usually Sand Martins are first this year they literally came second.

Another Grand Day Out.

2009-04-14T18:53:00.003+01:00

Good Evening it is such a long time since I wrote an entry in this journal, we have not been out birding much lately we did have our trip to Loch Garten in March, did not see much at all that day, we did have a lovely Golden Eagle and the Squirrels I posted pictures of in my main journal. After that day as you know I have been ill, don't know if the cold that day gave me the Pneumonia but I thought it was funny that you do say, 'I'll get Pneumonia standing here in the cold like this' well we will never know.
Yesterday was a bright sunny day here so Stuart took me for a wee run in the car to a new bird watching spot we have been told about in Fife. A kind farmer has allowed his fields to flood over the winter months and it has become a big attraction for wintering birds and birds on passage to their breeding grounds further north. Of course it has become a big attraction for the local bird watchers too. It was a bit cold so I was told in no uncertain terms to stay in the car and watch from there. I did not mind it is nice to have someone looking after you. So I set up my telescope it the comfort of the car. I did pop out once or twice as Stuart's scope is more powerful than mine and there was a very beautiful Green Sandpiper there and I wanted to see it closer than my equipement would allow. There were good numbers of commoner birds too lots of Lapwing, Oystercatchers, Redshank, lots of gulls and a very nice little White Wagtail. It was lovely to get out in the sun and fresh air we had a great time out. We will go back to the pools again but they are drying out quickly now as the weather is drier. Till next time
Love Joan.

A Brand New Year.

2009-01-05T12:29:00.005Z

First Trip of the Year. Fife Coast and Dundee.

Great Spotted Woodpecker

We took our first birding trip of the year on Friday 2nd January with a friend. It was one of those rare days when everything well almost went according to plan. We left here on a clear very cold morning for our first site on the route, unfortunately there was a regatta going on so there were no ducks about but that just one of those things. We then backtracked a bit to a woodland site and the first bird we saw was a Great Spotted Woodpecker which can sometimes be hard to see. As we strolled along the woodland path we saw the usual woodland species you would expect to see. There was a little stream running along beside us and low and behold a lovely Dipper bobbing away as it sat on a rock. Although it is very cold just now to go way for a days bird watching it is easier than the summer as the bare trees are a great help. Back to the car and on for a few miles to a very quiet little lane when our friend had seen Tree Sparrows in good numbers a week or so ago They did not disappoint they seem to be sitting there waiting for us there were 14 in all which for this species nowadays is really good as there numbers are way down just now.

King Eider.

We then headed to the coast at a place called Elie as we had word of a King Eider being seen there. Now there's a bird to see. We have seen them on previous occasions but not for some years. We had a little walk to get to the waters edge but again there he was sitting waiting for us, we could not believe our luck what a great start to the year.

Iceland Gull.

Back in the car again and onward to Anstruther a lovely little fishing village where we had again had word of an Iceland Gull and believe it of not we were told it was sitting over the north wall and guess what it was, this was turning out to be a great day out. After a quick and I mean quick lunch break off we went again this time towards Dundee where there was another rare gull this time a Ring Billed Gull. Must just say our friend of many years had planned all this for us and put in a lot of work for us it was so good of him and very much appreciated by us.

Ring Billed Gull.
All photo's today are from the internet not mine unfortunately.

The End of 2008

2008-12-30T20:21:00.004Z

So here we are at the end of another years bird watching, it has not been the best year for us we have not been out nearly as much as we usually are due to some health problems and bad weather in the spring. However we did have two wonderful holidays one to Norfolk in May and one to Skye in September.

We had two new life birds (A species we have never seen before) one being a Sacred Ibis and the Hooded Merganser in November. Both our holidays were really enjoyable with great sightings of birds some very unusual some common all beautiful. The Sacred Ibis landed right in front of the car as we sat having our picnic lunch after a long walk in Wells Woods it stayed for about fifteen minutes then flew off again I even managed to take pictures of him. On Skye we saw wonderful views of Sea Eagle or White Tailed Eagle as they are sometimes know, we have seem them before but they are so spectacular and so big they take you breath away.

One other bird that really deserves a special mention is our Hooded Merganser that was sitting on a boating pond near to where we live and she was a super little sawbill.

We are looking forward to the new year and a new list and hopefully some new birds and some great days away. We are starting on Friday with a day away, an very old friend is taking us on a trip hopefully getting next year list off to a great start, the weather forecast is very good but very cold so will have to wrap up warm. So if you have managed down this far thank you for reading my Birdwatching journal and please call back in 2009 it could be a great year. So till later Love and best wishes for the New Year.

Joan.

Hooded Merganser.

2008-11-08T17:14:00.002Z

Photo by Simon Knight.

Isn't she lovely, isn't she marvelous. What can I say these words say if for me. We heard on the grapevine at the beginning of the week there was a Hooded Merganser close to where we live but being retired we did not have any spare time until today to go and see her. I say her as with any duck it is easy to tell the difference between male and female he is orange black and white and a lot brighter but I think see is so dainty and beautiful. She is half the size of a Mallard Duck. She has been sitting on a large pond in the middle of a village next to the sea wall. The pond started off life for model yacht racing and in the last few years has been planted up with reed beds and a few islands have been made. There are many Mallards, Moorhens and Swans on it so this must have been an attraction to our merganser. She should be in Florida just now enjoying the sunshine but she has been blown off course and landed on the east coast of Scotland. She is very active and feeding well. She did not disappoint any of the bird watchers that turned up to see her today. Really enjoyed our day out and look forward to our next one. Till next time Love Joan.

Swallows and Nethy.

2008-10-19T14:56:00.003+01:00

Good Afternoon, just a note to myself really that while out walking this morning we had four swallows this being 19th October it is really worth a mention.

An update on Nethy our Osprey the last update I have is late Friday she is following a river south and west towards Senegal so she is nearly at her wintering ground. She may rest for a few days by the river as river =water=fish=food. She is doing so well.

Till next time Love Joan.

Today on the Loch.

2008-10-16T17:58:00.003+01:00

As I said in my main journal we were out walking today by the side of the loch where we live. I was a lovely day and all was quiet on the water. There were black and white tufted ducks and the one in the centre is a Great Crested Grebe in winter plumage which is nearly all white but in the summer they are like a different species altogether.

Our geese that winter here spend their nights on the loch where they are safe from their predators like foxes. The loch will get very busy during the winter months as many duck and geese spend their winters here on our loch providing it does not completely freeze over. Time to go and feed hubby. Love Joan.

Swallows Again.

2008-10-14T13:32:00.005+01:00

Hello, today is the 14th of October and while we were out walking this morning we saw three swallows (on the other side of the pond they are know as Barn Swallows). I know this does not seem worthy of an entry but up here swallows as late as this is very worthy indeed. As I said in my last entry the 6th of October was our previous best. This entry is really for our records as we like to look back each year.

Nethy news, she is still in some very barren country she did a little tour north again then changed her mind and started south again oh I wish she would get on with it and reach her destination in the Gambia.. till next time, Love Joan.

In the Garden Mostly.

2008-10-11T19:28:00.000+01:00

Good Evening, having been up early this morning I thought I would take the chance to feed the birds a bit earlier than I usually do. They seemed to be ready for it because as I stood waiting on my porridge being ready. This morning we had a lovely little Coal Tit who was making the most of there not being any starlings about. The Robin was sitting on the hanging basket which is hanging on the corner of the bird table still catching what fell in waste not want not. The collared doves take ages trying to get from the roof of the table on to the surface where the seed are they don't seem to remember from day to day. The big Wood Pigeon comes in every day for a drink in the bird bath and he also tries to get onto the bird table that is so funny as he is so big. I have tried to catch him on camera but he always escapes my efforts. The Pink Footed Geese numbers are increasing daily and we now have many thousands.

While we were out this morning we saw two Swallows it being the 11th October this is very late for where we live and is the latest we have ever had a Swallow in all the years we have bird watched which is coming up to 40 years now. Finally tonight progress report on Nethy our Osprey.

Well the satellite's been over again to give us the latest data, up to 9am this morning. Nethy has moved.....
23km (that's 14 miles) since Wednesday evening. She's still heading SSW, towards Mali. Looking tight-in on the map, she is clearly crossing some very barren, inhospitable, desert terrain, sand, sand and more sand. She paused at one point for a rest, on what looks like a rocky outcrop, but come 9am she was back on the move. We know it's frustrating that the data isn't live, but she's had all day to progress further - we'll keep you updated over the weekend (assuming the satellite passes over to capture her whereabouts).
Meanwhile back at the ranch, it's Friday, so we're off for doughnuts (brought in by the boss)....

I have pasted this info from the RSPB site to let you know the kind of thing I have been reading for the last few weeks. This is a very difficult part of the journey for her over the sand of the Sahara Desert hope she makes it. Till next time Love

Joan.

Sea Eagles on The Isle of Skye.

2008-10-09T17:22:00.001+01:00

It is many months since I updated my Bird Watching Blog, now I have transferred it over to blog spot I thought I should remedy this. We have not been doing an awful lot of birding lately but we always have our eyes peeled when we are out and about.

The last of the summer visitors have left for warmer climes, clever them. Our wintering birds have started to arrive we have a good few thousand Grey Lag and Pink Footed Geese on the loch now, the large flocks of Starlings have arrived and the Robins are back with us from their summer in the countryside or farther afield. Hopefully we will have a influx of Waxwings later in the year.

Looking back over the summer we had our usual spring/summer holiday in May to Brancaster Staithe in Norfolk and managed to have the best two weeks of the summer weather wise, we did not have a spot of rain and it was warm and sunny all the time we were away. We did well bird wise too and managed a very rare bird for England we saw a Sacred Ibis at a place called Holkham . That was a surprise and I even managed to get a picture of it.

That's him right in the centre the big white bird not the best looking but that's the way he is.

We have just had a great week on Skye and while there we were lucky enough to Sea Eagles a very large majestic bird. There has been an introduction program on the Western Isles for the many years now and the birds are spreading from Mull and Rhum where they were released originally in the 1970's. They are absolutely enormous with a wings pane of over 8 feet. We were so lucky we saw them on three different occasions during the week.

For the next few months now is thermals on and local runs to see the geese and whatever else the wind blows in. Till next Love Joan.

Sorry I forgot a further update of Nethy our Osprey, she is now on a three way border between

Algeria, Mali and Mauritania. So she still has the Sahara Dessert to cross before we can say she is there. fingers crossed.

Update.

2007-06-14T15:59:00.000+01:00

Titchwell, Norfolk with two Egyptian Geese.

Hi, feeling very guilty that it is so long since I did an entry into my Birdwatching Diary its not that I have not been doing any birding I do watch all the time. Last week we had a lovely day out to Fife Ness that's the most easterly point in Scotland. It was a east coast day complete with the haar off the North Sea but we were with an old friend and we had a great day even with my having left the picnic at home.
This week we were at the coast again on Monday and after our look around the shops in St Andrews we paid a visit to Kingsbarns a little village with a lovely beech. Took some lovely pictures but still have not fathomed out how to get more than one picture in at a time. Will get there eventually no doubt.
While on holiday in Norfolk earlier this Spring we had a great fortnight birding with some great birds with close views. We spent many of our days at Titchwell and also paid a visit to a new reserve at Lakenheath where the RSPB are trying to replace the fenland as it once was. In the new visitors centre they have laid a tiled floor, now this area is a good size maybe 60ft long x 25ft deep it has been tiled cream with the exception of one tile that represents the amount of fenland left now in comparison with what there was in day gone by the rest has been drained for farming it was alarming to see this.
The reserve just opened this spring and as you may have seen on the news a pair of Cranes have been discovered to be breeding there already great news. No we were not lucky enough to see them as it we heavy rain the day we visited and we did not stand about too long in the wet.
Well I think that's about it just now but as they say I'll be back. Love
Joan.

1st January 2007

2007-01-02T16:27:00.000Z

Here we are the start of a new year for my bird watching journal. I started last year on the 1st of January and took you right through the year with us. I really enjoy writing this journal and it is very handy for me personally if I want to check something out.
As we always do on the 1st day of a New Year if it is at all possible we take a trip out. Yesterday was no exception. We were up and away by 10am for a trip to Birnie Loch. This as you know is a favourite of ours in any season. When we arrived yesterday it was very busy and we thought we had little chance of seeing very much but we were in dire need of some exercise and fresh air so we set of for the walk around the two lochs. Gaddon is first usual common ducks on the water, free from ice most unusual at this time of year. The wind that had caused havoc on Hogmanay had abated to a very cold westerly. At the high point on this loch it was freezing and I had to cover my head something I hate to do (ruins my hair). After Gaddon Loch you drop down to Birnie Loch a much more shelter loch surrounded by trees. Kind walkers supply nuts and suet balls at certain points along the footpath and the little birds just love this. We noticed yesterday that Long Tailed Tits have managed to get the hang of these feeding stations along with the Blue Great and Coal Tits. Again on this loch were the usual ducks Tufted Goldeneye Mallard Gooseander. When we were just about back to the car we saw a flock of about 50-60 Siskins feeding on the beechmast by the side of the path it was a great sight. Just as we started off again about 10 yards along we stopped to look at a Redpoll and somemore Siskins. Suddenly there was great excitement Stuart spotted a Water Rail feeding just in front of us about 10 yards away we stood and watched it for about 10 minutes. This is a very timid bird and usually stays hidden in the waterside weed and rushes. During this time an elderly gentleman joined us but he had not seen this bird until Stu pointed it out to him. He was absolutely over the moon he said he had no seen one since he was a boy and today had been the perfect start to his year as it was ours. A great start has been made and I hope it can continue. Total for this year or today 40 not bad at all.
Regards
Joan.

A roundup of 2006

2007-01-01T18:35:00.000Z

Being the end of the year I would like to round up our year of birdwatching. We have not done as much as we would have liked this year with one thing and another. Holiday wise we did well on all of them getting most things we wanted to see with the exception of the Purple Heron at Titchwell in May which stayed all of the two weeks were there and did not put in an appearance for us at all. In September we managed to catch up with a Lesser Yellow Legs at last which was something new for us to see. Later in November we had the opportunity to see a beautiful Barrow's Goldeneye which we have decided to make our bird of the year and will be on the cover of our yearly report. So tomorrow we start all over again from zero its a long way back and takes a lot of time and effort but well worth it we think. Until we meet again which will be soon as we always start the year early I will close. Best wishes for the New Year.

Joan.

Goldeneye but not James Bond.

2006-11-23T13:13:00.000Z

On Monday night we had word that there was a very rare duck near us, well I say near us it was about 40 miles away at a place called Callander. The weather on Monday night was dreadful heavy rain and wind so we did not really think we would be going on Tuesday. When we got up on Tuesday morning it was a lovely sunny morning so we decided to make the trip. We made good time the roads were quiet, and the sun was still shining when we arrived which gave us very good light. There were a few other birders about when we arrived but the duck had moved . The place where the duck had settled was a river that had flooded fields. We had a walk down the road a bit in the direction the bird had flown and set up our equiptment to see if we could find him. I say him because we had been told it was a drake. After a few minutes I picked the bird up in my binoculars just a short way off . The picture I have put at the top is of one male Barrow's Goldeneye and one Goldeneye. Goldeneye winter with us every year but a Barrow's is very rare and much saught after. The Barrows is the one with the larger white patches on his face. Also in the picture are three females. The Barrows Goldeneye was very much fancied by the ladies and always had one or two with him all the time we were there. This sighting was great for us as we have been looking for one of these ducks for many years. Every time we see Goldeneye we always check them all out to see if there is a Barrow's with them. He is a bit off course just now he should be in Canada for the winter. After lunch we had lovely run home round Loch Earn on the quietest roads I have ever seen in that area. All in all a super day out.
Bye for now.

Joan.

Look out below.

2006-11-16T12:53:00.000Z

Good Afternoon, I missed a big event in our garden this morning as it was a cold and wet morning I walked round for the daily paper as I like walking in the rain. While I was out a Sparrowhawk came and landed on our fence at the bottom of the garden. Stuart was in the kitchen taking his medication and saw all this happening. He said it came up from behind the fence sat for about a minute had a good look round and was off at the blink of an eye and I missed it. Teach me to be nice and go for a paper. We had a Tawny Owl last year and we both missed that just got report from next door. I think our little birds on the table had better watch out with a Sparrowhawk about. We have a very big nasty Robin this year too that will not let any of the birds feed they have to wait till he goes elsewhere before they can feed.
Was reading the last report from Loch Garten this morning and the Ospreys have been very good this year they raised 3 chicks which is excellent well above the norm. They left for there winter holidays on 4th September so they will now hopefully be sunning themselves in Africa. It will be 3 years before these chicks will return to breed so we wish them well. That's it for just now all is very quiet up here just now but we did see a lovely Kingfisher the other week just to keep us interested.
Total for the year is now 181.

Bye for now,

Joan.

Call of the wild geese.

2006-10-03T15:28:00.000+01:00

Good Afternoon, as I mentioned in my last entry we have been waiting for the return of the wild geese. Yesterday were at St Andrews and we saw one or two skeins coming in off the sea. Today we have been out in the garden Stuart cutting the grass and I was getting the bulbs in the pots out from their resting place and tiding them up. During the time we were out which was not all that long as the rain started up we saw a few hundred geese arriving flying in their v formations and honking all the way. So now I can say Autumn is definitely here. Its lovely to see them again it seems a long time since they left for there breeding grounds. I love to watch them when I am in the garden or just hanging out my washing on a fair day. We are so close to one of their main wintering grounds we see them most days. If the weather is foggy and they are flying low they are barely above the roof of the house. We still have Swallows here which is really late but alas they will be gone any day now. Will have to go out to the Loch soon to get a good look at the beautiful geese. Bye now, Love

Joan.

Its the Yellowlegs again.

2006-10-01T12:01:00.000+01:00

I thought I would post this picture of the Lesser Yellowlegs as it shows the colour of its legs much better that the one below. They are both pictures of the same bird just different light and cameras. Thank you to Jim Duncan for making such a splendid job of this picture it is not easy as I have found out.
Bye for now Joan.

Macduff Break.

2006-09-29T10:51:00.000+01:00

As you know we have just returned from a birdwatching break on the Moray Coast. We were blessed with good weather and good light which is equally important to us. We saw 80 different species with one life record. It was the pictured bird which is a Lesser Yellowlegs an American visitor. I did not take this picture the ones I took were too far away to let you see it properly. In this picture the legs of the bird appear to be orange I can assure you they are yellow just like is says in the name. It was a very approachable little bird and let us get really close. This bird has been a thorn in our sides for the last 18 months. It is very rare for one to be on this side of the pond but there was one on Stiffkey Fen in Norfolk in 2005 that stayed for about 3 months in early spring. We were hoping to see it when we went down in at the beginning of May that year but the little devil flew off on the Thursday two day before we arrived. When we heard this bird was in just before we left we thought no not again, it had moved to another location but had only moved about 20 miles down the coast so this time we did not dip out (that's a birding term meaning missed the bird). We had a great week all told with good views of many seabirds and were able to sit in the sun and watch instead of braving a gale or rain. We will certainly go back to this area in the future as you can get so close to the sea with the car and therefor makes life easy for us. Looking forward to the arrival of the geese now but they are very late this year must have had a good summer in Greenland and the North.
Total for the year is now 180.
                                                    Take care
                                                          Love
                                                          Joan.

A Strange Vistor to The Tay Estuary.

2006-09-14T11:25:00.000+01:00

We have had a faraway visitor to The Tay Estuary this week. Yes a White Pelican very strange. To start with it was said to be an escapee and was going to be caught but later in the week it was decided that it was not ringed and did not have clipped wings, therefore must be a wild bird. We have had a busy week with hospital appointments and therefore had to wait till Wednesday to go and have a look for ourselves as we had never seen a White Pelecan before.We have however seen Dalmation Pelican when we have been abroad. So Wednesday morning bright and early we set off to Monifieth beach where the bird had settled. As we parked the car you could see the pelican with the naked eye it is so big. We walked along to get a better and closer look and got a great view. I was really inpressed to think anything this size could fly if you can imagine it is about one and half time the size of a swan. While we were having the usual coffee in the car a small flock of Golden Plovers landed in front of us they looked really golden yesterday against the sand and rocks. So at the moment it is on my year and life list and will stay there till I find out differently. Thats about it for today off to the North East next week and hoping for a great week. Love

Joan.

Autumn is here.

2006-09-09T12:46:00.000+01:00

          I know you will all think that there is nothing unusual about a Robin this is really just to mark the date for my personal record. I heard my first Robin of the autumn singing yesterday 8th September. I was hanging out the washing and he/she was singing loud and clear. You may wonder why they sing so loud at this time of the year and will go on singing for some time, they are marking out the winter territories and woe betide any other robin that crosses into his/her patch. You will notice that I say his/her that because Robins can't tell if the intruder is a guy or gall so what chance have I got. Will have to be getting the bird table ready for the winter soon but there is still plenty of natural food for them as yet. We still have Swallows, House Martin and Sand Martins about at the time of writing hope to see them for a while yet. Still miss seeing our Swifts they have been gone since the first week in August up here. Looking forward to our holiday the week after next hoping to get some good birds then.
                                                Love
                                                             Joan.

Updates

2006-08-04T17:08:00.000+01:00

Ferruginous Duck. 30/07/06

Have been spending the afternoon bringing my list of species up to date and thought I would round off with my trip last Sunday. We set off during the morning to go to Lochgelly Loch. It is a small inland loch that is used by fishermen a great deal but it does not seem to put the birds off one little bit. We had heard that there was a Ferruginous Duck there and as I had never seen one we thought it was worth a try. It was lovely sunny morning and the light was very good. After just a few minutes I spotted the duck by means of Stuarts telescope which is an awesome piece of kit. (My binoculars still being serviced as I write) During the time we were there I managed to get two horse fly bites on my waist, why do they always pick on me. We did not linger at the loch as we had decided to move on to Kinhorn on the river Forth.

Kinghorn was looking good when we arrived and Stuart started scanning the water. During the time we were there we saw Gannets, Puffins, Razor Bills, Guillimots, Eider Duck, Common Tern,Sandwich Tern, and the rare Roseate Tern (Picture above). Just before we left an Arctic Skua came down the river lifting all the ducks as they are a big predator of smaller ducks etc. I have placed a picture of the bird below. The pictures I have used today are not mine just borrowed. Still trying to save for the attachment I need for the telescope to take pictures like this. Thank you for reading this far.
Our years total is now 162. Bye for now Joan.

Loch Garten Ospreys

2006-07-21T08:48:00.000+01:00

You will remember way back in the cool days of spring I told you about the Loch Garten Ospreys returning. They laid three eggs this year which is wonderful some only lay one. The great news is they have been successful in raising them all. The three girls are now able to fly two were up and flying at the beginning of the week with one being a a bit of a scardy as usual but I am sure she will be flying now. Thats it for now. Love Joan.

The Big Catch

2006-07-12T17:30:00.000+01:00

Being the middle of summer Stuart and I have not been away much bird watching of late yesterday however we thought we would take Ellen for a walk along our local loch side. We strolled she ran all the way. We called in to the lovely new hide that has been made there (I think I mentioned the previously). It was a lovely summer afternoon and fortunately there was a Grey Heron close by for Ellen to watch as he hunted just outside the hide. Swallows House Martins and Sand Martins were all skimming the water. As we sat there an Osprey passed over but still high up. Later Stuart spotted him fishing about 50 yards out, the fish he caught was so big he could hardly get out of the water, he sort of floated there for a minute gave himself a good shake then took off. What a whopper he had caught the young Ospreys would have been very pleased to see him come back with that lovely trout for their supper. As he flew away another one appeared not sure if this was the wife or a spare that had not mated this year as Ospreys have to be about 4 years old before they attempt to raise a family and the unattached bird cause a lot of trouble to the breeding birds. We had a great afternoon and I think Ellen enjoyed herself and we rounded of with a visit to the playpark on the way home so on the whole a great afternoon was had by young and old. Love

Joan.

The Holiday Bird List.

2006-05-26T14:51:00.000+01:00

Avocet.

As promised here is our list of birds for our holiday:-
Tawny Owl, Lapwing, Swallow, Crow, Rook, Magpie, Jackdaw, Swift, Oystercatcher,, Pheasant, Kestrel, Wood Pigeon, Blackbird, Collared dove, House Sparrow, Cuckoo, Greenfinch, Blue Tit, Robin, Wren, Chaffinch, Blackcap, Sedge Warbler, Black Headed Gull, Reed Warbler, Avocet, Starling, Canada Goose, Chiffchaff, Gadwal, Mute Swan, Tufted Duck, Coot, Dabchic, Cormorant, Bearded Tit, Shelduck, Bar Tailed Godwit, Shoveler, Egyptian Goose, Snipe, Pied Wagtail, Common Sandpiper, Ringed Plover, Ruff, Moorhen, Teal, Mallard, Herring Gull,    Arctic Tern 51 Redshank, White Wagtail, Garganey, Heron, Barn Owl, Dark Bellied Brent Goose, Grasshopper Warbler,Cetti's Warbler, Little Egret, Sparrow Hawk, Turnstone, Pintail, Pochard, Sanderling, Marsh harrier, Ruddy Duck, Reed Bunting, Yellow Wagtail, Golden Plover, Red Legged Partidge, Grey Lag Goose Wigeon, Long Tailed Tit, Great Tit, Montygues Harrier, Whitethroat, Linnet, Stock Dove, Turtle Dove, Corn Bunting, Yellow Hammer, Pale Bellied Brent goose, Dunnock, Goldfinch, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Great Black Backed Gull, Willow Warbler, Jay, Whimbrel, Buzzard, Greenshank, Green Woodpecker, Song Thrush, Knot, Little Gull, Gannet, Feral pigeon, Grey Plover,, 101 Stone Curlew, Woodlark, Great Crested Grebe, Hobby, Laughing gull, Bittern, Mistle Thrush, Coal Tit, Curlew 109 in total.
                                 #################################
Could have been better we kept missing a Purple Heron at Titchwell that was there for over a week but other birders were standing for up to 6 hours to see this illusive bird and we were not willing to stand in one spot for that length of time. We also did not see the Golden Orioles this is the third time we have tried without success if nothing else we bird watchers are very patient people. Hope I have not missed anything out as I am the sole list keeper. Thank you for your interest if you have gotten this far. Love and happy birding as we say. Love

                                                                        Joan.

2006-05-26T11:23:00.000+01:00

Well here I am back from our "Summer Holidays" so I have my new mug filled to the brim with decaf so I will endeavour to tell you a little of what we did. We can call it Summer Holidays thank goodness as we did have some lovely weather so good that the birds all got lazy and went to sleep some of the time. Titchwell was its usual wonderful self a gentle walk round and you can see over 50 different kinds of birds Marsh Harrier being one of my favourites. It can be very busy on weekends it bit like the High Street as we say but still very quiet and peaceful. During the week there are less people but that mean less eyes looking so less news of what is about. We also visited Weeting one of the last remaining nesting areas for the rare Stone Curlew.Only a short drive from there is Holkwold Marshes at Lakenheath a new reserve which is going to have improvements made to it shortly RSPB are going to build a visitors centre and toilets (I hope) and a hide or two. It is a great spot for Golden Oriels and Hobby gather there too a great spot and a nice gentle but long walk. Cley next the Sea is another favourite of ours but this year it was very quiet when we visited. We went back a second time in the hope that there would be something new about but that day Stuart had to go alone as i was confined to the car as I had big blisters on my heals from a new pair of shoes I had worn that morning for a trip to Sheringham shopping it seemed strange as it was the first time Stuart had walked The East Bank (Very well known birding walk even Bill Oddie goes there) alone but I think he enjoyed it without me just. I will list the birds we saw later today but will have to close now. Love Joan.

A day to savour.

2006-05-03T15:17:00.000+01:00

This morning Stuart and I were out in the garden trying to get everything done before we go away on holiday. I looked up and there just above my head was the first Swift of the summer. Quite a good date have seen it much later in the month before they arrive up here. They are with us for such a short time, arrive the beginning of May have a busy summer breeding and rearing their young and are away again from my part of Scotland by the first week in August You are fortunate further south Sifts will stay well into September. I love watching them, they fly in formation like fighter planes. I get a great view of them from our lounge window and from the garden. Where I stay they are our most common Hirundine. We had our first House Martin on the 1st of May so that is all of that group of birds in now so we can say its summer ha ha. You know the saying 'One Swallow does not a summer make'.
For my records:- Swallow .....6th April
                          Sand Martin.....10th April.
                          House Martin......1st May
                          Swift.....3rd May.   2006.
Thank you for reading my Bird watching tales. Love
                                                                                 Joan.

Local Patch.

2006-04-10T16:51:00.000+01:00

Our Bird Watching trips have not been very successful of late but we have been trying honest but the weather has been so cold as you know we have not been out as much as usual. Today after Stuart had been for his first physio appointment we thought we would take a trip round our local loch. First to the RSPB reserve big mistake as the schools are still off it was very busy and very noisy with badly behaved children so we did not stay long. Sorry to complain but today children seem to get away with anything they want to do we were not the only ones thank goodness that were upset by the noise. We did not stay long then back to the car and we drove round to the other side of the Loch. There has been a lot of work going on a new footpath and a new hide something we never had before on that side of the loch. We had a lovely walk to the new bird hide and sat watching the Great Crested Grebes displaying I think you will have seen this on TV as it is very special to watch as they rise out of the water beak to beak and seem to dance its so beautiful. After a while I moved over to the other side of the hide we were the only ones in it so we could move around. Just as I settled down something in the sky caught my eye it was an Osprey so our local one is back too. (See last nights entry) As we sat watching him/her hunting over the loch I was hoping he/she would see a fish and come down but no luck today maybe next time. As we sat watching over the loch we saw our first Sand Martins of the Spring not too late for up here but a bit later than usual but with these strong northerly winds we have had we are lucky they are here at all just shows you they have to get to their breeding colonies as soon as they can. So after a quiet spell in the bird watching world at last something to write about .
Our total for this year is now 101.

The Ospreys are Back

2006-04-09T16:18:00.000+01:00

Fish for tea.

The Loch Garten Ospreys have returned again. It is always a big event that they have made their long journey safely again it is such a risky business. Our summer visitors are late like everything else, we saw our first Swallow on Thursday in Perth and we had a Whinchat while we were up north. If you want to follow the Ospreys summer they have their own web site and camera that is worth a look and a read as the warden does a weekly log and tells all the happenings in an interesting and amusing way. I will put a link for you in the side bar as well as on this entry. Bye for now enjoy the Spring. Love Joan.
http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/l/lochgarten/diary/index.asp

Feathering Your Nest

2006-03-22T11:26:00.000Z

Have been rather neglecting this diary of late what with the weather being so cold etc we have not been out our bird watching very much so I though I would tell you of something I saw the other day that I thought was very clever. The picture above is a large patch of short grassland at Birnie Loch, I have mentioned this place before as we do visit it and walk round it quit often. We were passing late on Monday afternoon after one of our many visits to St Andrews. This piece of grass is a roosting ground for the Mallard and the gulls and it is also where people 'Feed the Ducks. ' I think you can just about see all the feathers lying about, now there is a Rookery just behind where this photograph was taken. As we sat in the car watching what was going on we noticed that a pair of Rooks were gathering up all the feathers, great beak fulls for their nests, it was not long before other pairs joined in this activity but they were not so adept at this and the feathers kept escaping from their beaks. They say Corvid are very clever birds they seem to be learning from one another all the time. You have maybe noticed on the motorways that they feed right up to the white line on the hard shoulder but don't venture onto the road and the young learn this from their parents and so the learning goes on very clever not the prettiest of birds but when the sun shines on their lovely black/blue feathers they are something else. Hoping to get some nice notes next week when we are away.
Joan.

St Andrews on a Spring Like Day

2006-03-09T15:31:00.000Z

Will just let the pictures tell the story of a glorious day.

The Big Twitch

2006-03-04T15:01:00.000Z

No, I have not been out bird watching again in fact I have been in bed with the cold, told you I was of unsound mind on Tuesday. I found the picture above taken 30th October 2004 at a place called Kilrenny in Fife. On that particular day we were at Fife Ness the very tip of Fife in fact it is the most easterly point of Scotland. We had word that there was a Red Backed Shrike at Kilrenny (Via Pager very modern us birders) so we headed back to that location. When we got there a small amount of birders had assembled. The Warden from Vane Farm was with us and he started to doubt the identification. Red Backed Shrikes are quite rare but not what we call a mega bird (great terms we have). The bird had been caught and ringed and measured and would you believe it, it was a first for the British Isles it was a Masked Shrike. Now you may all think that birding on the scale I do it is rare, the picture above is of the site the next day as birders from all over Britain flocked to see it and it was like that for many days to come as the little bird was very accommodating and gave us all tremendous views. I have had a lot of trouble with the picture as my copy is not all that clear but I think you can get an idea of the amount of people our little friend entertained. It was the biggest twitch I have ever been on and was a real exiting day imagine it, the very first time this bird had been seen in Great Britain and I saw it.

The Star of the year The Masked Shrike.

Swans and more Swans.

2006-03-01T16:10:00.000Z

27th February & 28th February.
Did you know that there are three different kind of swan here in the wintertime I know you can't see them in the photo but they are all there. There are 8 Mute Swans 99 Whooper Swans and 1 Bewick Swan, and guess which we were looking for. We knew that there was 1 Bewick Swan just a few mile away in a flock that has been with us all winter so we had to see it before they head north for their breeding grounds. We were lucky we got parked in a spot where we could view this field from the car, Stu popped into the back seat so we were both sheltered for that north wind. I have a clamp for my telescope that fits it onto the front window so I was happy not having to stand out on the cold. We scanned the whole flock and no signs of the Bewick. We had been told it was wearing a blue collar so it should have been easy to pick out HA HA. Bewick Swans are a good bit smaller than your Mute and Whooper and there is a difference around the yellow area on their bills. There were a few of the swans asleep and we thought one looked a bit smaller but at that distance it was hard to be sure. After a while this particular swan held it head up and low and behold it had a blue collar on. We were very pleased at that as it is some years since we have seen one.

                        Bewick's Swan

                                 Whooper Swan.

                                  Mute Swan.
Tuesday being of unsound mind we set of again for Scone Palace. It was a bitterly cold day but we were determined to see the Hawfinch properly and the Snowdrops. As I have told you in Joan's Musings the snowdrops were beautiful and there were thousands of them but the Hawfinch were not to seen. We wandered about in a freezing cold wind but no luck. There was however a Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming very close by so we set off to see that after about 15 more freezing minutes we gave up it must have seen us coming and flew off. When we passed this way later it was drumming again but we still could now see it plenty of woodland birds but no woodpecker. So I'm afraid a disconsolate and frozen Joan and Stuart headed back to the car and a coffee shop. Better luck another day.
                        Love, Joan.

The Return of the Red Kite to Scotland.

2006-02-10T12:53:00.000Z

Good Afternoon, Yesterday we set off to go and look for a Great Grey Shrike that we had heard was in our area. The morning was bright cold and sunny when we left and we headed up to Crieff once through the little town we drove to The Sma' Glen one our gems it is uphill all the way from Crieff and as we climbed up we saw a wonderful sight 3 Red Kites and 2 Common Buzzard in the sky together we managed to get stopped at the side of the road so we could watch through the binoculars. The Kites are very colourful birds and with the sun on their back they looked magnificent. Red Kites were reintroduced to Scotland a few years ago and are really doing well they eat mainly carrion so they do not do any harm to farms but we still get one or two poisonings per year. Back in the cosy car we carried on to the spot we heard the Shrike was. We parked the car and walked up the hill sun on our backs and all was well. The bird was nowhere to be seen and after about 15 minutes walking we turned to head back. There was a wind blowing in our face that would have cut you in two we had not noticed this on the way up but boy did we know it was there on the way back. So no Great Grey Shrike today maybe another day. We continued our run in the car to Loch Tay and Aberfeldy. Took a lot of pictures which I put in my other journal the one of the Kite is not one of mine. Where to next? Love
Joan

Scone Palace and Loch of the Lowes

2006-02-08T13:01:00.000Z

Monday morning we set off to visit Scone (Skoon) Palace to look for the elusive Hawfinch. They are very secretive birds that live in the very tops of the tallest trees, hence having to go and look for them when the trees are bare as you never find one when the trees are fully clothed. When we arrived I was a bit disappointed that the main avenue to the castle was not covered in snowdrops as it usually is but we must have got there a week or so earlier this year so I will have to go back. Would you believe just after we arrived someone started shooting so that put an end to our hopes of seeing these very shy birds. The shooting did not seem to bother the Robins and the Blue Tits but there was no sign of the Hawfinch. We wandered around the footpaths for a while but no luck. Just as we were heading back to the car one Hawfinch flew across the road high up in the trees but that was just the one. There is a flock of about 30 of these birds at Scone so one is not very good and we did not get a good look at it so we will go back another day. Back to the car and heater on off we went to The Loch of the Lowes which is near Blairgowrie if that is of any help. This is where the Wildlife Trust have hides and a visitor centre so the public can view a pair of breeding Ospreys. They have not arrived back from the Ghana yet, it will be the beginning of April before they come back. When we arrived no, it was not shooting this time, but there was a great deal of hammering and noise as the visitors centre is having total refurbishment so we seemed to have picked the wrong day here as well. There is a big feeding station behind the visitors centre and that was very busy with the usual bird table birds but we usually get Woodpeckers and squirrels but the noise must have put them off. We then went to one of the hides and there was a small number of Whooper Swans and they were very close and calling which is wonderful to hear. The loch itself had been frozen but had thawed. When I was a little girl I used to walk out to the middle of this loch with my Mum and Dad as we visited this area a lot on the motorbike and sidecar ah those were the days. Petrol was still rationed but the motorbike was very thrifty and we could manage a run out on a Sunday. I wonder what birds I would have seen back then when there was virtually no traffic on the roads. Back to today we had a good day but the birding was not that great but there will be other days. Love,
Joan

In Search of Waxwings.

2006-02-03T18:56:00.000Z

It is now teatime and it is dark outside. We have been for a longish walk this afternoon as the weather turned out quite nice the sun actually shone for a while. We did not see anything unusual when we were out but we have been looking for Waxwings all winter but have not seen any yet. While I was cooking the tea Stu check our bird alert on the PC and low and behold a party of Waxwings were seen a 2 o5pm outside our local Summerfield's (yes I used to work there). We always thought it would be a good place for Waxwings as they seem to favour supermarket car parks schools and gardens. So you can see that we are very annoyed to have missed this as they are such beautiful birds and guess who will be up with the larks tomorrow to see if they are still there. Love
Joan.

Not a Good Week for our Wildlife.

2006-01-27T18:53:00.000Z

I thought I would share the very bad news we had today about the Eagle Owls. You will maybe remember a few week ago there was an item on the news telling about the two Eagle Owls that were living in Yorkshire. They are not native of Great Britain but somehow we had acquired a pair of these beautiful owls. They have been living in Yorkshire for about the last four years but where was not general knowledge that was until in was on the news. Today we have been told that one of the owls has been found dead. It had been shot. As you can imagine we are very upset at this terrible news and I just wanted to say something on the subject to let you know what goes on to defenceless birds. We don't know if the perpetrator has been caught but we can but hope. Love, Joan

A winters day

2006-01-23T15:45:00.000Z

Just a very short entry today, we were supposed to be going away for the day today but the weather was just too dull and what we hoped to see today lives very high in the trees so we do need good light will try again another day. We did go out for a walk and we greatly rewarded with a small flock of 8 lovely Bullfinches. This is very unusual for us we normally just get one or two at a time. Last winter we had Bullfinch but only 2 about 200yds from where we saw them today, strange! For the rest of the walk I'm afraid our heads we down against the wind so that was it for today. Hope to get out later in the week. Love
Joan.

Fife Coast

2006-01-15T15:48:00.000Z

Hello and welcome to our latest bird watching trip. We decided on Friday night when we heard the weather forecast that we would have a run round the Fife coast on Saturday if the forecast was right. We got up a bit earlier than usual so we could be away about 9-30am. Did not quite make that it was about quarter to ten by the time we got away. Our first stop was Leven Power Station not very picturesque but the birds love it as the water is a few degrees warmer from the power station. There was there usual collection of Gulls and a few Eider Ducks. Next we stopped of at Lower Largo a small village on the coast. You may think you have heard the name before, it is the birthplace of Alexander Selkirk (Robinson Crusoe) yes it is a true story. He was born here in 1676 and there is a lovely statue of him in the village looking out to sea dressed in his rags the way you always see him depicted. There is a good car park in the village complete with loos right on the sea front where we can watch the sea and not face the cold, yesterday was very mind so we did not have that problem. After scanning the water for the ducks etc that winter there we headed off for Shell Bay. There is a big caravan sight there but it is closed for the winter so it is very quiet just now. There is a lovely walk to a place called Rudden Point. It overlooks Largo Bay and it is a favourite spot for wintering Scoters. There are three different kinds of Scoter Common, Velvet and Surf. All three were present but picking them out can be very difficult. The raft of Scoters were sitting about 300yds away from us but the light was very good. After a while Stuart picked out the Surf Scoter, now there is just the one so we were very lucky to pick him up (picture above) not particularly beautiful but very rare. After we noted all there was out there we walked back to the car.

Our next stop was St Andrews the home of golf and for us Snow Buntings we hoped. There is a long beach in St Andrews and we had to drive to very end of it. The car park attendant is not there during the winter so we got a freebee today great. We had a coffee when we arrived as the traffic had been very slow from Largo. While we were sitting there I spotted the Snow Buntings. Again this is a bird that winters on the coast, in spring it will head north to our high mountains where it breeds and will turn pure white. The ones in St Andrews have been there all winter and we saw them in the same place before Christmas if all birds were as dependable as them life would be easy for us bird watchers. The beech was very busy and we were amazed that they did not fly away as people with dogs and children approached they just moved along a bit, in all our years at our hobby this is the best look we have ever had of these beautiful little birds. So that was it for yesterday a great day out with really good birds and a lovely walk and great weather for January. Total species for day was 42. Have not done the yearly list yet and will update this entry later. Bye,
Updated year list 78.
             Joan.

2006-01-09T16:41:00.000Z

Today Stuart and I went out for a bit of a 'Twitch' that is knowing a certain bird is there and going to that place to get it for our list. At this time of year if you miss a wintering bird you then have to wait till November or December to try again and if it is a mild winter they may be late in coming in then you will not have it for your list. The bird we went out today to see was a Smew. The picture in not mine just borrowed but I just had to let you see this wonderful duck. This is the male the female is not called a Smew she is known as a Redhead and looks totally different from the drake. It took us a while from the heated observation lounge but we did see him eventually. It has been a very cold day with a very cold wind so we were glad of the shelter. Some of you will remember that in August I posted pictures if a field of sunflowers out the back road where we stay. I can't remember if I said at the time that we thought it would be great for the finches in the winter. Today we called round and we were right there must have been about 300 finches there were Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Brambling to name but a few. The light was terrible so we will go back on a brighter day and see what's what. Not a bad outing for such a horrible day but it does keep you occupied for a few hours as we tend to go a bit stir crazy if we are kept in for too long. That's it for today. The yearly total is now 54. It's hard going just now. Love
Joan.

Our Local RSPB Reserve.

2006-01-05T16:10:00.000Z

Hello welcome back, today we have been visiting our local RSPB reserve which is about 6 miles away. We are lucky to has a reserve so close. It was not a very nice day a bit dull damp and cold. The Loch which is part of the reserve is partially frozen today an the ducks are all very close together where there is any open water. We did not venture out of the heated observation room where you can see most of the Loch from. The bird I have chosen to let you see today is a Little Egret, not a bird you would associate with Scotland but we have had 'Egberg' as he is called for 2 years now. He dropped in two winters ago and stayed right through he returned last winter and again this year he is probably the only one in Scotland at the moment. The plumes on his head are not there at the moment but they will grow in for the Springtime when he is trying to impress a female. He will disappear from here and then hopefully he will return next winter. Total Species for today 28. Total species for the year is now 46. Love
Joan

Sunday 1st January 2006.

2006-01-02T09:46:00.000Z

Hello and welcome to my Bird watching Diary, I am really looking forward to writing about all our adventures as they can be at times and our quiet walks. This diary will not be updated daily as we are not out birding every day much to Stuart's disgust he would be out every day rain or shine. Today being the first of on new year we like to go to one of our local places by the loch that we live on. We take the car about 1 mile from home, we are very lucky that it is so close to home. It has been a lovely day today mild clear blue skies and no wind. We had just stared along the footpath when we saw a Tree creeper (pictured above) on the trunk of a nearby tree. He is a lovely little bird and can be very tame in the winter as they do not fly away as soon as you approach. At this point of the walk we are woodland and there were the usual woodland birds about Blue &Great Tits Goldcrest our smallest bird we heard them it the canopy but did not see them today. As we walked on the wood opens out and we arrive at the side of the loch. The footpath takes us along the side of the loch. The water today was very still and the ducks we close in. Not a big variety today but we had Tufted Duck, Coot, Goldeneye and Cormorant. As we walked on we saw a Grey Wagtail which is very like the black and white one you see normally but this one is yellow and grey and has a longer tail. There were a lot of people and their dogs out walking yesterday so the bird numbers were down on what we usually see on this particular walk, but as we had all been stuck in the house for a few day with the bad weather you cannot blame people wanting to get out of the house. We had three birds of prey today Kestrel Sparrow hawk and Buzzard. On the whole we had a good start to the year and we really enjoyed it very much. We were given a little flask one the metal ones and two stay hot cups in a little bag from a friend at Christmas and we had that with us and it was great just big enough for a half day out and saved lugging the big picnic bag with us. So that's the year started I hope to bring you lots of entries and amusing tales as well. So far the total number of species for 2006 is 31 will keep this total going so you can see how it grows I hope. Love Joan.