RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch

Sunday 29th January 2012

Well today is the day that the RSPB do the Big Garden Birdwatch. Basically you pick an area, be it park, garden or wherever and watch and count all the birds that land in the area in a one hour period.

I have a number of 'feed-trees' in the garden so would normally expect a decent showing but the previous weeks wind coupled with a 10 degree drop in temperature had led to not much being seen in the garden over the last few days. Still we gave it a go between 10:00 and 11:00.

To be fair we were well rewarded with 8 x Great Tit showing

4 x House Sparrows

Some Chaffinch, a whole flock of Feral Pigeons, a Collared Dove

My two favourite Wood Pigeons, the usual pair of Starlings and half a dozen Blackbirds and I am glad to say the 2 x Siskin which seemed to have come back

Almost exactly on the hour they all disappeared, as if they had only put in a guest appearance to allow me to have something to record on the RSPB website.

Ten minutes later the reason for the disappearance became clear when my daughter called me to the window to see our first ever garden Sparrowhawk sitting on the back fence

Picture is a bit colourless as I had to take it through the bedroom window so as not to spook the raptor. Does explain, however why the 'meal ticket' birds all shot off.

That's it for now, other than to wish my good friend and fellow birder Bagsy a Bon Voyage as he sets off for South Korea and various other countries in that neck of the woods. His progress can be followed on his blog which can be found here, and is a superb read.

Vane Farm - 28th January 2012

Couldn't decide where to go today so ended up heading out the 'Shire towards Vane Farm for a wander. There was to be a bird ringing event today so thought that it may be worth a look. Fair to say that the temperatures had dropped quite considerably and although it was lovely clear skies with little wind, it was rather bitingly cold.
On arrival at the reserve I found it packed with families with young kids there to see the BTO folk carrying out the ringing, which is nice to see.


I got there in time to see the arrival for ringing of some Great Tit

A nice male adult Blackbird

 And another Tit

The BTO were allowing the young kids, under strict supervision, to release the birds again once they had been weighed, measured, ringed and recorded.


To be fair, the racket was doing my head in, and as the Visitor Centre is under refurbishment I couldn't even get in for a cup of tea to the temporary tea-room so it was down to the hides for a look.


First spot was a Kestrel which was sitting on a fence post. It was being strafed by two crows so kept moving along the post until it finally got peace to settle.

A bit far away for my lens but we gave it a go anyway.


On the other side of the hide two Buzzards appeared, settling down for a long rest

To be fair, other than a number of Whooper Swans and the usual collection of Carrion Crows, the 2 x Grey Heron and the various Finches, there was not much else to see. Sadly the White Tailed Eagles, which are still around somewhere had retired out of view.


Well that was it and after a coffee (benefits of a flask), it was time for home.


Big Garden Birdwatch tomorrow so we'll see what that brings

Blackness

Saturday 21st January 2012

Well, after being away most of last week on business, allied to the fact that I had a couple of family things on this weekend, it didn't look as if I would get any birding done at all, however a few hours of freedom saw me out, still within the 'Shire visiting the village of Blackness and its castle

Blackness Castle stands beside the Firth of Forth, at the seaport which in medieval times served the royal burgh of Linlithgow. The castle was built in the 15th century by one of Scotland’s more powerful families, the Crichtons. But Blackness was not destined to serve as a peaceful lordly residence. In 1453 it became a royal castle and its enduring roles were those of garrison fortress and state prison. In the twilight of its days in the later 19th century, Blackness served as an ammunition depot, but after the First World War it was decommissioned and passed into state care as a visitor attraction.

One of the attractions of the place is that is only 4 miles from my house, but probably because of this, I tend to overlook it somewhat.

Still, off I went, in a reasonable gale with squalling winds working on the principle that if it was too bad I would be home in 10 minutes. Parking the car up at the boat yard and walking down towards the castle (top picture) saw plenty of Carrion Crows, Chaffinch and a few Magpie being blown about in the fields to the right of the approach road.

Once down to the castle you can walk round the back onto the beach.

First sighting was off a flotilla of Shelduck, which waited for me to get my camera out and then took off towards Fife, leaving one solitary straggler.

As usual, there was a fine collection of Blackheaded and Herring Gulls

Further down the beach in among a collection of varied gulls, there were a couple of Redshank pecking about between the seaweed.

As the wind was getting up a bit again I decided it was time to get back towards the castle and the lee of the wall for a cup of coffee. This turned out to be good as it showed a colony of Oystercatchers that hadn't been visible from the beach before

All in all a decent 90 minutes and I certainly will go back there again and see if there is anything of note to report. Realise that the photos are not of the finest quality but I am just trying to get used to my new camera that Santa brought me.

Vane Farm

Saturday 14th January 2012
Having had such an interesting day last Saturday I decided once again to leave the 'Shire for Vane Farm in Fife. The weather was not quite so good this week, as we were coming out of the back end of a cold snap and as it had warmed up slightly it had brought a bit of cloud cover with it.

Still it wasn't too cold and there was little wind to talk of so with the flask filled and my new camera in the bag, it was off we went.

The weather through the 'Shire was clear and bright however it did get more overcast as I approaches the Royal Kingdom of Fife.

On arrival I was greeted by a Pied Wagtail

and some male Chaffinch helping themselves to the feed that the RSPB leave out for them. 

As always there was a quick cup of tea and a scone to be had and a chat with the RSPB staff. It appeared that the 2 x White Tailed Eagles that had been in evidence for over a month had gone into hiding, possibly because of the fact that there were shooters out on the Loch.

The Carden Hide showed very little either than 7 x Black-headed Gull and some Herring Gull. 

Not even a curlew in site, although there was still some ice in evidence from the previous nights frost.

Walking back towards the middle hide I was greeted by 2 beautifully coloured Siskin on the banking at the side of the path.

The middle hide was quiet too except for some Curlew and a Grey Heron, sitting 20m from the window.

Back off towards the Gillman Hide to spy plenty of Mallard, both male and female, Teal, Whooper Swan, and Tufted Ducks. A great discussion started between some of the other birders as to whether or not there was a Scaup in among the Tufties. It certainly met all the criteria.

Stepping outside the hut for a flask of coffee, I was greeted by a lovely Robin sitting 10 feet away. 

Whilst trying to get a decent photo, a Tree Creeper appeared, doing what it did best, which was nice and a first for me at Vane Farm and a welcome addition to the 2012 Scotland List.

The usual collection of Great Tit, Coal Tit, Green and Gold Finches were emptying the various feeders beside the hide. Then it was time for home.


As I am pushed for time next week I think I will stay in the 'Shire and visit Blackness on the River Forth to see what is about

Vane Farm

7th January 2012


Well all the holidays are over and sadly I am back to work. I decided to take  my first proper trip of the year over to Vane Farm in Fife. According to Twitter and the RSPB website the 2 x White Tailed Eagles were still in residence on St Serfs Island so that would be something to look forward to.


The weather was dry, clear and fine in the 'Shire so hoped that it would be the same in Fife, so off I went.
On arrival as usual it was time for a cup of tea and a homemade scone whilst I chatted with the locals to see what was happening. Whilst on the viewing gallery the cameras were picking up both the White Tails having breakfast which was good to see,


Down to the hides and was greeted by the sight of 37 Mallards, and over 100 Teal, interspersed with in excess of 25 Whooper Swans and a couple of Mute Swans in the bay.


The Grey Heron put in its obligatory guest appearance along with a couple of Common Gull.

The next hide was showing some more Teal but interspersed with 9 or so Goldeneye

About 10 Pochard made an appearance round the bay

along with 12 Tufted Ducks

and 4 Pintail

On returning, once again to the Gillman hide trees were alive with:


2 Great Tit

9 Goldfinch

a Dunnock

3 Coal Tit

1 Blue Tit

1 Robin

4 Blackbird, 2 Greenfinch and a Raven


The final sighting, which caused a bit of an argument was of a Green Winged Teal

which was my first ever and a healthy addition to the list.


Had a decent chat with one of the reserve workers then home for lunch