Glenshee - Strathardle - Loch Lowes, Scotland, 20/10/1992

Variable [weather].

To Glenshee: Rook, Carrion Crow, Buzzard, Red Deer.
At Glenshee where there was much snow on the ground and the weather was very unpredictable.
Walking up a hill at Glenshee gave large numbers of Red Grouse and a single Snow Hare.
At Glenshee cafe red grouse were still easily seen.
When leaving Glenshee valley a grouse-like bird turned out to be a Red-Legged Partridge. Perhaps a bird blown off-course and very high up as it did not seem at home because it ran around the road reluctant to enter the snow, until it took fright.

To Strathardle: Kestrel near to two Mistle Thrush and later on a flock of Fieldfare were seen. No birds seen at Strathardle 'moor'.

At Loch of the Lowes:
Blue Tit - in trees.
Tufted Duck - most numerous.
Gooseander - two or three pairs.
Goldeneye - dull plumaged females/eclipse?
Mallard - half dozen pair.
Coot - half dozen solitary birds.
Pochard - two or three pairs in middle of loch.

A large congregation of gulls in various plumage also was in the centre of the loch but was too far away to distinguish individual species using binoculars (no telescope taken). Large numbers of small, dark-coloured, very vocal geese continued to fly into the middle of the loch, most likely Pink-Footed Goose.

On journey home a strange-looking bird standing in an arable field when viewed through binoculars turned out to be a Peregrine. Largish bird with dark plumage and moustaches, yellow legs and hunched standing appearance allowed identification. It flew off quickly and distinctive flight of rapid wing beats with a quick glide was characteristic.

18 species no new species.

R.A.F. Leuchars Estuary Hide, Fife, Scotland, 15/09/1992

Bright, windy, towards dusk. Tide out.

Large numbers of Redshank and Oystercatcher seen on the bank of a ridge of land opposite the hide.
Dunlin in smaller numbers (winter plumaged), Greenshank in winter plumage, about a dozen. Curlew scattered around, mainly feeding.
Teal was the most numerous of ducks present - all of similar plumage i.e., the female colouring of eclipse males.
Knot - only a few amongst Redshank - winter plumaged.
Grey Plover - one or two, winter plumaged, also amongst Redshank.
Grey heron - three seen resting on bank earlier.
Carrion Crow - a few scattered amongst waders.
Black Headed Gull - large numbers, with other gulls at roosting time on River Eden estuary.
A larger duck than the teal appeared in groups of three or four. The bird was uniformed mottled plumage, grey-billed, grey-legged with a long slender neck and sharp tail. After extensive reference Pintail was concluded, either female or male eclipse plumage, a new species. Distinguished from Wigeon due to larger mallard-size, than wigeon, also longer neck and bill and absence of wing white on shoulder of male eclipse wigeon.
Mallard also seen in small groups.

Whilst watching Pintail the Redshanks were suddenly 'spooked' and flew towards the sea. The reason became apparent when a hawk rushed into the small estuary and knocked a redshank on the wing to the ground before rounding and pinning the redshank to the ground, 15 yards from the hide. After an extensive study of the surroundings the female Sparrowhawk proceeded to pluck the alive redshank and killed it by eating from the chest area. The hawk finished feeding and took flight about 20 minutes after the attack carrying the dead redshank in its claws.

Further out on the estuary towards St. Andrews, Eider and Herring Gull were present in about a dozen numbers of each. Many Eider were male in eclipse plumage of black and white. Great Black Backed Gull - single bird on mud exposed in front of the hide.
Whilst watching gull numbers building on the mud flats where the eider ducks were, a skein of four small dark-headed geese flew in, which were Pink Footed Geese.
Later a further four geese flew inland before fading light meant watching the estuary any longer became impossible.

18 species including 1 new species.

Another visit to the hide gave: Redshank, Bar-Tailed Godwit, Dunlin, Black Headed Gull, Teal, Curlew, Grey Heron, Herring Gull, Greenshank, Carrion Crow, Mallard, Wigeon, Pintail, Shelduck, Oystercatcher.

Kinloch Rannoch Forest Walk, Scotland, 13/09/1992

Dense forests of conifers only provided birds which are typical of any forests.
During the journey via Kinloch Rannoch: Buzzard (on marshy ground), Carrion Crow, Mistle Thrush.
Forest birds: Coal Tit, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Dunnock, Wren, Siskin (large flocks), Woodpigeon, Jay, Bullfinch, Robin, Treecreeper, Song Thrush.

Many people on the paths ensured that the 'advertised' capercaillie, golden eagle and raven were never going to be seen, although about 1/2 mile up the road the Black Forest of Rannoch appeared to provide the trees and seclusion probably needed for capercaillies.

Further down at Rannoch Moor a Cormorant in second winter plumage was on one of the lakes.

2nd Day: 16 species, no new species.

Tentsmuir Forest and Beach, Fife, Scotland, 09/08/1992

Cloudy/windy.

Majority of birds seen whilst walking along beach with large numbers out on the open sea: Redshank, Common Scoter (large numbers in 'rafts' at sea with other birds).
Gannet (young brown/grey birds at sea with an occasional adult plumaged bird).
Sandwich Tern (winter plumaged birds), Red Breasted Merganser (large numbers near to scoter rafts - all appeared to be female plumaged).
Oystercatcher, Great Crested Grebe (near scoters).

Large brown sea-gull birds seen at sea but the birds were too dark to be juvenile seagulls, therefore Great Skuas. After reference and observation of heavy-winged flight, but hawk-winged speed and aggression when mobbing gulls for food, the conclusion was justified. About 6 birds seen during the day.

After watching Common Scoters at sea one bird showed white eye and wing tip markings identified Velvet Scoter.
Knot (4 or 5) individual birds on sand-bank allowing easy identification.
Guillemot (single bird amongst Scoters in winter plumage).
Great Black-Backed Gull, Herring Gull, Curlew, Common Tern (amongst Sandwich Terns on sand-bank).
Cormorant (single bird flying at sea).
Birds seen in forest: Goldcrest, Coal Tit.

Also seen on the beach were large numbers of Grey Seals. At first seen hauled out on beach, about 20 or 30 animals were scared into the water by walkers but still allowed close views with naked eye and binoculars and telescopes.

18 species including 1 new species.

River Tweed Walk at Dusk, Galashiels, Scotland, 16/04/1990

Cold.

Rook in river-side rookery. Mallard, Gooseander and Oystercatcher on river or river-side. Two Dippers also seen exhibiting unusual behaviour, they appeared to be either a courting pair or a couple disputing territory - they flew up and down the river forcing one or the other under the water also their peculiar song was heard which I have never heard before.
A Great Spotted Woodpecker was also seen flying over the river towards trees.

Galashiels - St. Abb's Head, Scotland, 15/04/1990

Bright/cloudy, very windy.

Birds seen on journey: Rook, Black-Headed Gull, Pheasant, Jackdaw, Woodpigeon, Starling, House Sparrow, Carrion Crow, Red Grouse (in heather by roadside), Lapwing, Herring Gull, Greenfinch.
On Mire Loch: Mute Swan.

There was a surprising lack of birds on the cliff-faces, the majority of birds were on the sea (Kittiwakes were still pairing-off perhaps?). We saw absolutely no razorbills or guillemots either on the cliffs or on the sea which seemed very unusual.
Birds seen were: Kittiwake, Gannet, Shag, Cormorant, Linnet (single pair on grassy tops), Fulmar, Lesser Black-Backed Gull and birds in woods nearby carpark: Yellowhammer and Goldcrest.

22 species seen including 0 new species.

Grey Mare's Tail - Galashiels, Scotland, 14/04/1990

Cold, heavy, showers.

Carrion Crow, Rook, Black-Headed Gull, Lapwing, Mute Swan, Mallard, Tufted Duck were all birds seen in locality whilst driving to the Mare's Tail.

Birds seen at the Tail and on return journey were: Meadow Pipit, Jackdaw, Pied Wagtail, Wheatear, Kestrel, Curlew, Oystercatcher, Pheasant, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Song Thrush, Starling, Greenfinch.

20 species including 0 new species.

Train Journey from Brize Norton to Edinburgh and Car Journey to Galashiels, 13/04/1990

Variable.

Birds in fields: Pheasant, Crow, Rook, Jackdaw and birds on lakes and seen on coastline 'beaches': Mallard, Tufted Duck, Great-Crested Grebe, Coot, Blackbird, Mute Swan, Herring Gull, Black-Headed Gull, Lesser Black-Backed Gull, Fulmar, Lapwing, Blue Tit, House Sparrow, Starling and Eider (also including other birds seen on journey).

19 species including 0 new species.

Aberlady Bay - North Berwick, Scotland, 09/08/1989

Showers, overcast.

Birds seen on mudflats at Aberlady Bay were Black-Headed Gull, Lesser and Greater Black-Backed Gull, Oystercatcher, Redshank, Curlew and Grey Plover.

At North Berwick at sea near beach were Herring Gull and Eider. Gannets could be seen at Bass Rock and a Shag flew towards sea.

10 species.

St. Abb's Head Reserve, Berwick, Scotland, 08/08/1989

Bright, sunny, cloudy.

Small numbers of birds on cliffs produced Herring Gull, Kittiwake, Shag and Fulmar. Steady stream of Gannets out to sea but no skuas.
Walk around lighthouse produced Woodpigeon, Lesser Black-Backed Gull, Jackdaw, Kestrel, Oystercatcher and Pied Wagtail and Curlew.
Scanning cliffs and sea produced possible Guillemots, Greater Black-Backed Gull and Common Tern.

At Mire Loch: Dunnock and Robin hopped about gorse bushes. On loch were Coot, Mute Swan, Mallard, Little Grebe, and during journey back to car park Blackbird and Carrion Crow and Rook.

23 species.

Fossil Valley - Scroof, Scottish Borders, 07/08/1989

Overcast, wet.

During journey: House Martin, Swallow, Carrion Crow and Pied Wagtail (on lochside).
A quick glimpse at a bird flying away upstream identified Grey Wagtail.
Returning from valley and a scan of nearby hills revealed a Kestrel.
At roadside a bird attacking crows could only be a Peregrine Falcon which then perched on a rock up on hillside and allowed views through telescope before flying off.
Whilst watching falcon a brownish bird flew down into valley and white rump identified female Wheatear.

On journey to Scroof: Chaffinch, Black-Headed Gull, Starling, Woodpigeon, Grey Heron and Pheasant. Search for grouse only produced two Lesser Black-Backed Gulls on small pond at bottom of Scroof.

During journey back to Galashiels produced Jackdaw, Rook and Collared Dove.

18 species.

Bass Rock to Craig, Berwick, Scotland, 07/04/1988

Via boat trip. Cold and misty.

Gannet, Kittiwake, Shag, Fulmar, Herring Gulls, Lesser Black-Backed Gulls, Greater Black-Backed Gulls, Cormorant, Guillemot, Razorbill, Curlew, Eider.

Also seen were about a dozen common seals seen in water or basking on rocks.

12 species, 0 new species.

Megget Reservoir to Manor Water, Borders, Scotland, 04/04/1988

Hot and sunny.

Lapwing, Mistle Thrush, Chaffinch, Tree Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Skylark, Curlew, Carrion Crow.

8 species, 0 new species.

St. Abb's Head Reserve, Borders, Scotland, 03/04/1988

Bright, warm and sunny.

Kittiwake, Fulmar, Herring Gull, Shag, Guillemot, Razorbill, Eider, Cormorant, Lesser Black-Backed Gull, Greater Black-Backed Gull, Puffin [N], Gannet, Jackdaw, Yellowhammer, Goldcrest, Pied Wagtail, Rock Pipit, Little Grebe, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Mute Swan, Wheatear, Robin, Coot, Moorhen, Oystercatcher, Wren, Chaffinch.

28 species including 1 new specie[s].

St. Abb's Head Reserve, Borders, Scotland, 30/12/1986

Raining heavily and very windy.

Purple Sandpipers [N]
Turnstones, Chaffinches, Eider Ducks, Guillemots, Herring Gull,
Cormorants, Rock Pipit, Goldeneye, Coot, Mallard, Great Black-Backed Gull.

12 species, 1 new species.