Scozmos
Well-known member
Just a youngster I think but good to see, even briefly 👍
Another very brief visit from another new bird to the garden 😉 more later
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Beyond Barry Hill (8 Viewers)
Another very brief visit from another new bird to the garden 😉 more later
Scozmos
Well-known member
Tuesday September 6th 2022
Not a lot to report today, gie dreich day, P'ing down for most of it. I was up and about in the morning as usual and got a glimpse of a Tree Creeper outside the window, nice to see, had the camera ready but I think all the other bird activity scared it away, hopefully it's be back. It has to be said that the Tree Sparrows have really come on, from a couple seen now and again, there seem to be quite a few of them now. SO pleased, I came up here hoping to see one!!
Spent the rest of the day laid up in bed, some kind of bug??? Who knows these day?
Off to Ardersier later, going to join a thread or start one for everything up there.
Not a lot to report today, gie dreich day, P'ing down for most of it. I was up and about in the morning as usual and got a glimpse of a Tree Creeper outside the window, nice to see, had the camera ready but I think all the other bird activity scared it away, hopefully it's be back. It has to be said that the Tree Sparrows have really come on, from a couple seen now and again, there seem to be quite a few of them now. SO pleased, I came up here hoping to see one!!
Spent the rest of the day laid up in bed, some kind of bug??? Who knows these day?
Off to Ardersier later, going to join a thread or start one for everything up there.
Scozmos
Well-known member
Wednesday 7th September 2022 (cont.d)
Well, we both have fairly heavy colds now so not venturing far today. Don't you just hate the cold?
So we ventured over to Loch of Kinnordy yesterday afternoon, to get out for air and a wee walk. There was a fair amount of activity when we arrived, first visit so we went to the Marsh hide first, loads of birds on the water until a Buzzard drifted over.... nothing So, we walked to the Gullery and there were a few Gadwall right outside waiting to be photographed and a couple of other, more distant ducks that I'm not sure of, smaller, with brownish heads? Walked over to the East hide, nothing much to report from there.
The highlight of the day at home was of course the Tree Creeper deciding to show off for me, got a few photographs and a couple of videos. There are several hundred geese in the fields around us and I spotted a Kestrel perched on one of the distant bales, where the Buzzard has been lately.
I've labelled one image as Teal but?
As I type, the Tree Creeper is wandering around the tree, enjoying picking at the moss, it's definitely put out by all the others around. An adult Goldfinch showed up yesterday, with two young ones, I was surprised, seems late to me?
Well, we both have fairly heavy colds now so not venturing far today. Don't you just hate the cold?
So we ventured over to Loch of Kinnordy yesterday afternoon, to get out for air and a wee walk. There was a fair amount of activity when we arrived, first visit so we went to the Marsh hide first, loads of birds on the water until a Buzzard drifted over.... nothing
So, we walked to the Gullery and there were a few Gadwall right outside waiting to be photographed and a couple of other, more distant ducks that I'm not sure of, smaller, with brownish heads? Walked over to the East hide, nothing much to report from there.The highlight of the day at home was of course the Tree Creeper deciding to show off for me, got a few photographs and a couple of videos. There are several hundred geese in the fields around us and I spotted a Kestrel perched on one of the distant bales, where the Buzzard has been lately.
I've labelled one image as Teal but?
As I type, the Tree Creeper is wandering around the tree, enjoying picking at the moss, it's definitely put out by all the others around. An adult Goldfinch showed up yesterday, with two young ones, I was surprised, seems late to me?
Attachments
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Cute Lapwing at Loch of Kinnordy.jpg -
Kestrel on a bale.jpg -
Teal.jpg -
Tree Creeper posing on the tree trunk.jpg -
Passing Cormorant at Loch of Kinnordy.jpg -
Gadwall male head on at Loch of Kinnordy - crop.jpg -
Gadwall male in sunlight at Loch of Kinnordy.jpg -
Gadwall pair at Loch of Kinnordy.jpg -
Goldfinch juvenile.jpg
Scozmos
Well-known member
Saturday 10th September
Well, it's been a funny old day. Few days! Still feeling pretty rubbish but, got up, did chores and wandered across the field to look for the Whinchats and see what else might be around. So I was down in the dip, by the reed beds trying to get decent shots of the 'chats, they will not move closer, when I came over all nauseous and a bit sickly, it was roasting down there with no breeze so, packed up the gear and trudged back up the hill and home.
Jo took a test, she's been in bed for two days, I took a test, both positive! Dammit.
It really is a bad cold
That aside, I got some shots of the Whinchat, at full stretch for the lens so not great but also a really lovely female Reed Bunting, looking beautiful. There's another with a chat and a Whitethroat / Reed Warbler? Quite a few Pipits over the field, Swallows still hanging around and, in the garden, I just counted six Greenfinches of varying stages, many, many Siskin, Chaffinches and quite a few Tree Sparrows. No Hedge Sparrow or Tree Creeper today but, it looks like the Yellowhammers are checking out the long grass in the back garden, had one on the window sill right below me as I looked at at them
Well, it's been a funny old day. Few days! Still feeling pretty rubbish but, got up, did chores and wandered across the field to look for the Whinchats and see what else might be around. So I was down in the dip, by the reed beds trying to get decent shots of the 'chats, they will not move closer, when I came over all nauseous and a bit sickly, it was roasting down there with no breeze so, packed up the gear and trudged back up the hill and home.
Jo took a test, she's been in bed for two days, I took a test, both positive! Dammit.
It really is a bad cold
That aside, I got some shots of the Whinchat, at full stretch for the lens so not great but also a really lovely female Reed Bunting, looking beautiful. There's another with a chat and a Whitethroat / Reed Warbler? Quite a few Pipits over the field, Swallows still hanging around and, in the garden, I just counted six Greenfinches of varying stages, many, many Siskin, Chaffinches and quite a few Tree Sparrows. No Hedge Sparrow or Tree Creeper today but, it looks like the Yellowhammers are checking out the long grass in the back garden, had one on the window sill right below me as I looked at at them
Attachments
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"Last Starling"??? Don't believe it LOL
Sorry you're both feeling poorly - hope you soon get better lad.
Sorry you're both feeling poorly - hope you soon get better lad.
Stonefaction
Dundee Birding....(target 150 in 2024).
Your Whinchats are Stonechats, and your Whitethroat does look like it is probably a female (or young) Whitethroat.
Scozmos
Well-known member
Cheers @Stonefaction, dammit lol I'll keep trying to get better shots, once I'm up wandering again, if they're still around.
Scozmos
Well-known member
Thank you, I think I'm almost there now, my lady is still positive
Scozmos
Well-known member
Saturday September 24th 2022
Well, been a while! Not a lot has happened up the hill over the last couple of weeks, we've been in recovery mode so not really been anywhere. There are definitely more geese in the area, watch them fly from Lintrathen direction out over the fields, sometimes settling in these nearby, several hundred of them.
The usual suspects are all still here, still turning up at the feeders, nothing much changed there but, a couple of events and visitors.
The first was a noise heard by Jo early one morning, a high pitched screeching outside. Opening the curtains there was a Sparrowhawk sprawled over one of the GSW, looking up at Jo as if to say What!!!!????
I ran out and both birds left, in opposite directions. At least one GSW has been back since and, I've moved the feeder it uses so it is more protected by the tree.
The second event was our first visit by a Magpie. they almost ruled the garden in S Wales. This one looked pretty tatty and set about the suet with gusto but, as I watched and grabbed a few shots, it dropped to the ground, grabbed a young Chaffinch and set about it. I ran out, yet again and it flew off but, too late for the Chaffinch, sad to say. I've never actually seen a Magpie do that before and I hadn't noticed the finch on the ground next to the tree
Not seen the Magpie since.
The Red Kite 'family' seem to have moved on, having prowled the fields for a week or two.
Driving to the bins a couple of days ago, I always try to have the camera with me, four birds flew over and landed on the other side of the field, looked kind of Thrushy so I grabbed a few shots, did some tidying up and added them here. Mistle Thrush family?
I'll keep my eyes peeled for them again.
As it was a lovely morning this morning, I upped and out to Backwater Reservoir, see what I could see. I enjoy a good walk, always carry a camera and now, binoculars but, my emphasis is still on the shot I might get, might have to change that. Find out what I'm about to capture before grabbing the shot?
The sun was shining and hardly a breath of wind down home but, up at the reservoir? Chilly breeze blowing down the glen but a beautiful morning still. The Cormorants were my first sighting up there, preening and drying off on the tower.
Headed up the West shore for my walk, a pair of Red Kites were soaring over the hillside and a lone Kestrel appeared briefly, much lower and heading the other way.
A flock of geese flew overhead, way up, I couldn't pick out what they might have been and didn't grab a shot. See, there's that choice thing Bins or camera?
Another bird of prey flew below me over the water side, I only saw sleek looking brown coloured wings and it was gone.
Not a lot of luck for me but, the Coal Tits were happy to show off among the pines so, plenty of decent shots of them
Caught this little beauty on the hop between branches.
OK, only one more, I don't usually get to capture these wee guys that often.
I did see and watch something else, I think but they were way too quick for me, small, fast, yellow/green ish, didn't get any shots worth sharing so, I'll have to go back eh?
Just over three miles, only met five people and associated dogs and the sun, walking. back down the road was wonderful, only the Fly Agaric to grab a few shots of, they're fabulous looking fungi, lots of fungi around just now. Different walk, different lens
Laid my phone next to this one to give a hint at the size of it, not far of side plate!
And finally, classic Fly Agaric.
I also saw a family of Swans across the other side, one Cygnet only, other than that, a quiet, peaceful walk in the sun. What more could I ask for?
Well, been a while! Not a lot has happened up the hill over the last couple of weeks, we've been in recovery mode so not really been anywhere. There are definitely more geese in the area, watch them fly from Lintrathen direction out over the fields, sometimes settling in these nearby, several hundred of them.
The usual suspects are all still here, still turning up at the feeders, nothing much changed there but, a couple of events and visitors.
The first was a noise heard by Jo early one morning, a high pitched screeching outside. Opening the curtains there was a Sparrowhawk sprawled over one of the GSW, looking up at Jo as if to say What!!!!????
I ran out and both birds left, in opposite directions. At least one GSW has been back since and, I've moved the feeder it uses so it is more protected by the tree.
The second event was our first visit by a Magpie. they almost ruled the garden in S Wales. This one looked pretty tatty and set about the suet with gusto but, as I watched and grabbed a few shots, it dropped to the ground, grabbed a young Chaffinch and set about it. I ran out, yet again and it flew off but, too late for the Chaffinch, sad to say. I've never actually seen a Magpie do that before and I hadn't noticed the finch on the ground next to the tree
Not seen the Magpie since.
The Red Kite 'family' seem to have moved on, having prowled the fields for a week or two.
Driving to the bins a couple of days ago, I always try to have the camera with me, four birds flew over and landed on the other side of the field, looked kind of Thrushy so I grabbed a few shots, did some tidying up and added them here. Mistle Thrush family?
I'll keep my eyes peeled for them again.
As it was a lovely morning this morning, I upped and out to Backwater Reservoir, see what I could see. I enjoy a good walk, always carry a camera and now, binoculars but, my emphasis is still on the shot I might get, might have to change that. Find out what I'm about to capture before grabbing the shot?
The sun was shining and hardly a breath of wind down home but, up at the reservoir? Chilly breeze blowing down the glen but a beautiful morning still. The Cormorants were my first sighting up there, preening and drying off on the tower.
Headed up the West shore for my walk, a pair of Red Kites were soaring over the hillside and a lone Kestrel appeared briefly, much lower and heading the other way.
A flock of geese flew overhead, way up, I couldn't pick out what they might have been and didn't grab a shot. See, there's that choice thing
Bins or camera?Another bird of prey flew below me over the water side, I only saw sleek looking brown coloured wings and it was gone.
Not a lot of luck for me but, the Coal Tits were happy to show off among the pines so, plenty of decent shots of them
Caught this little beauty on the hop between branches.
OK, only one more, I don't usually get to capture these wee guys that often.
I did see and watch something else, I think but they were way too quick for me, small, fast, yellow/green ish, didn't get any shots worth sharing so, I'll have to go back eh?
Just over three miles, only met five people and associated dogs and the sun, walking. back down the road was wonderful, only the Fly Agaric to grab a few shots of, they're fabulous looking fungi, lots of fungi around just now. Different walk, different lens
Laid my phone next to this one to give a hint at the size of it, not far of side plate!
And finally, classic Fly Agaric.
I also saw a family of Swans across the other side, one Cygnet only, other than that, a quiet, peaceful walk in the sun. What more could I ask for?
Scozmos
Well-known member
Been VERY quiet up here this last few weeks but, this last week there appear to be a lot of Fieldfares? around, I haven't managed to photograph or view in detail yet and this morning, many hundreds of geese flew over, coming down from the glens, heading Dundee-ward. There were a few in the field behind but it was only after they'd left, I saw on a bad photo, they're probably Pink Footed? The Sparrow-hawk was hunting in the back field this morning, got a couple of really poor shots, obviously too early for my old eyes
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Stonefaction
Dundee Birding....(target 150 in 2024).
I've been doing a fair bit of 'vis-migging' recently and haven't seen a single Fieldfare yet. There are however plenty of Mistle Thrushes moving just now, as well as a few Redwing and slightly more Song Thrushes. Pink Footed Geese do tend to be the 'default' goose locally. Barnacle Geese are also on the move (though they seem to appear out over the sea more often than not).Been VERY quiet up here this last few weeks but, this last week there appear to be a lot of Fieldfares? around, I haven't managed to photograph or view in detail yet and this morning, many hundreds of geese flew over, coming down from the glens, heading Dundee-ward. There were a few in the field behind but it was only after they'd left, I saw on a bad photo, they're probably Pink Footed? The Sparrow-hawk was hunting in the back field this morning, got a couple of really poor shots, obviously too early for my old eyes
Scozmos
Well-known member
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Scozmos
Well-known member
Good morning, went out yesterday, with camera and got plenty shots of ...... yep, Mistle Thrush!!! LOADS of them! I never knew they gathered in such numbers, hence I thought, Fieldfares, well there you go.
I guess the other side to this post is, I saw them in the fields behind Errol, I'd gone looking for Bearded Tits / Reedlings and saw zero! Wasn't sure where might be best to see them but, I now know where they are at least.
Scozmos
Well-known member
October 14th 2022
Well, excitement on the hill! A quiet week bird-wise, a trip to Tay Reed beds produced a grand total of 0 Bearded Tits but, did reveal a really nice cafe in Errol, if you're ever down that way, drop in to the Lass o Gowrie, really nice home baked goods and good tea / coffee with warm, friendly service. It's a good walk to the reed beds, luckily the rain stopped long enough and I managed to get a few decent Mistle Thrush shots. Of course, auto correct like to call them Missile Thrush
The drive over from Coupar Angus was a first for us too, beautiful scenery and the potential for walks and spotting up there.
Back over the hill, I finally got a couple of shots of the flock of Redwing that has appeared in the top fields. Now I know what they are, I'll wander up there more often, the Kestrel seems to be hanging around the area a lot more.
The Buzzards were out and about, studying the form from their allotted fence posts and I was intrigued to see a couple of smaller birds sitting next to one of them, keep your enemies closer?
A Pipit and Chaffinch?
Plenty Meadow Pipits around at the moment.
However, highlight of the week or, lowlight? 7 o'clock last night, chatting with the folks on WhatsApp I noticed something white outside on the far fencepost. Jo got up and wandered over the the patio doors, grabbed a pair of binocs, it's pitch dark by the way, it's a Barn owl, on our garden fence!!!! Grab the ..... damn, gone, still, lovely to see, maybe it'll be back.
But that's not all!
It's 09:30, time for a few night sky photos I think so, I head out with the tripod, camera all set up, pitch dark, freezing, just about set and a high pitched squeal emanates from the nearest barn, then continues out across the field. Tawny owl female? Certainly the closest sound I could find to what I heard.
I've been wondering about owls since we got here, there you go eh, all in one evening.
The night sky pics were no use either, no aurora or meteors ...... for now
The rain has finally stopped and the big glowing orb has appeared, off to Drimmie woods, see what's to be seen
Stay safe and well
Well, excitement on the hill! A quiet week bird-wise, a trip to Tay Reed beds produced a grand total of 0 Bearded Tits but, did reveal a really nice cafe in Errol, if you're ever down that way, drop in to the Lass o Gowrie, really nice home baked goods and good tea / coffee with warm, friendly service. It's a good walk to the reed beds, luckily the rain stopped long enough and I managed to get a few decent Mistle Thrush shots. Of course, auto correct like to call them Missile Thrush
The drive over from Coupar Angus was a first for us too, beautiful scenery and the potential for walks and spotting up there.
Back over the hill, I finally got a couple of shots of the flock of Redwing that has appeared in the top fields. Now I know what they are, I'll wander up there more often, the Kestrel seems to be hanging around the area a lot more.
There are a few / couple of Jay in the area but extremely elusive, a pair flew over on the same walk and I grabbed a quick shot of one.
The Buzzards were out and about, studying the form from their allotted fence posts and I was intrigued to see a couple of smaller birds sitting next to one of them, keep your enemies closer?
A Pipit and Chaffinch?
Plenty Meadow Pipits around at the moment.
However, highlight of the week or, lowlight? 7 o'clock last night, chatting with the folks on WhatsApp I noticed something white outside on the far fencepost. Jo got up and wandered over the the patio doors, grabbed a pair of binocs, it's pitch dark by the way, it's a Barn owl, on our garden fence!!!! Grab the ..... damn, gone, still, lovely to see, maybe it'll be back.
But that's not all!
It's 09:30, time for a few night sky photos I think so, I head out with the tripod, camera all set up, pitch dark, freezing, just about set and a high pitched squeal emanates from the nearest barn, then continues out across the field. Tawny owl female? Certainly the closest sound I could find to what I heard.
I've been wondering about owls since we got here, there you go eh, all in one evening.
The night sky pics were no use either, no aurora or meteors ...... for now
The rain has finally stopped and the big glowing orb has appeared, off to Drimmie woods, see what's to be seen
Stay safe and well
Stonefaction
Dundee Birding....(target 150 in 2024).
The yellow on the breast of your small bird with the Buzzard suggests Yellowhammer as the most likely but it appears smaller than the Chaffinch, though that could be a result of the angles/posture/camera lens etc. Certainly don't get a Pipit 'feel' from it (the streaking has a much broader appearance than the thinner streaks on the Meadow Pipit in the photo below) and a Yellowhammer is pretty much all it can be given the strong yellow underside with streaking.
There a are a lot of Meadow Pipits migrating through at the moment and your Mistle Thrushes may well have been birds which I've photographed as they migrated over Riverside Nature Park a few miles to the east of Errol etc.
There a are a lot of Meadow Pipits migrating through at the moment and your Mistle Thrushes may well have been birds which I've photographed as they migrated over Riverside Nature Park a few miles to the east of Errol etc.
Scozmos
Well-known member
Right enough @Stonefaction , there are a lot of them about right now, Yellowhammers and Meadow Pipits.
Scozmos
Well-known member
October 20th 2022 - Good and bad news
Another dreich day up on the hill but, it is October after all. So, looking out at the throng this morning from my den window, I watched quite a gathering of birds on the ground foraging, Chaffinch, Tree Sparrow, Hedge Sparrow (1 of) Goldfinch, Greenfinch and a Brambling! What? of course, as I noticed, everything cleared off, dammit. Back to the pooter and carrying on editing with one eye out the window and ........ there it is again! Definitely a Brambling, a first for me in this area, I'd seen a few in S Wales. Loch of Lintrathen is probably less than a mile away, as the Crow flies and there are a lot of those here!
A happy chap, I'd been hoping I might see one or two due the the proximity of the loch area and someone did see one up there earlier in the year?
But I did say bad news too.
I spotted a Chaffinch yesterday with viral papilloma which I've now been reading up on but it can also affect Brambling!
Another dreich day up on the hill but, it is October after all. So, looking out at the throng this morning from my den window, I watched quite a gathering of birds on the ground foraging, Chaffinch, Tree Sparrow, Hedge Sparrow (1 of) Goldfinch, Greenfinch and a Brambling! What? of course, as I noticed, everything cleared off, dammit. Back to the pooter and carrying on editing with one eye out the window and ........ there it is again! Definitely a Brambling, a first for me in this area, I'd seen a few in S Wales. Loch of Lintrathen is probably less than a mile away, as the Crow flies and there are a lot of those here!
A happy chap, I'd been hoping I might see one or two due the the proximity of the loch area and someone did see one up there earlier in the year?
But I did say bad news too.
I spotted a Chaffinch yesterday with viral papilloma which I've now been reading up on but it can also affect Brambling!
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