Garden bird log for Longniddry, Lothian (to end 2011)

[Overview of the year 2011

Could not match last year with only 72 species recorded (down 5) but some real highlights with two Woodcock making a roding flight excursion well over the village and a Short-eared Owl over in the late October influx, obliging going straight overhead allowing species confirmation. These were the only species additions (total now 96). Other highlights were further nocturnal migrant Coot and Moorhen in spring, probably many more of these would be detected with better coverage, or even automated monitoring as per the Old Bird system. The latter may also have permitted confirmation of the most intriguing record of the year with the clear descending "tseeooo" call matching LRP on 10 May.]

Dark and windy on Christmas day, the only birds of note were 70 Fieldfare SW over early afternoon. Merry Christmas to all readers!!!

The morning gull commuters on 21 December contained a nice ad GBB, always a highlight for "the garden" though I guess could be found regularly and in some numbers if I scrutinised these birds on a daily basis.

Waxwing flew low NE calling in drizzle 09:20hrs on 8 November - seems there's been a small arrival the last couple of days, mainly north Norfolk coast but also a couple of singles on Scottish east coast. [Postscript - apparently nothing new, one reported from Fairmilehead in Edinburgh on Monday, thought there might be others around!]

Short-eared Owl high NE trailing corvids 09:42hrs on 26 October, first for the garden, (species 96). Was watching thrushes passing SW when picked it up distantly west, fortunately it flew directly over, though quite high, and in perfect autumn light - allowing clear view of wing tips to confirm ID. [PS - presumed same was apparently seen by a visiting birder from Longniddry Bents!] Full counts.

A first - House Martin heard over c. 22:00hrs on 29 August, nearly 2 hrs after sunset; BWP has lots of interest on this, "aerial roosting not proven, but thought to occur during breeding season (Buxton 1975), and 2 reports provide circumstantial evidence" - also mentions late roosting in breeding season, which would seem more likely as any aerial roost should be a great height; later, 22:50hrs, first Sandwich Terns of the season, noisy ad and juv over the village, seemed to retreat back towards coast so perhaps an abortive expedition inland? Nothing more till a Ringed Plover 03:18hrs!

Male Blackcap visited our rowan (which has already been stripped bare by Blackbird family) on 29 August, 2nd autumn record after one mid-Oct 2006; we've also had several spring records, but unlike many others none in winter.

Migrant Bar-tailed Godwit calling over 01:02hrs 28 August (3rd record).

Migrant Ringed Plover calling over 01:12hrs 22 August (4th record); 34+ House Sparrow sunbathing in Leylandii in our tiny garden, another good season for them - indeed this is a new record high.

A juv Willow Warbler passed throo garden, lingering in rowan for just 5 seconds, on 21 August.

10 Redshank came over from inland falling rapidly towards shore on evening of 18 August, an unusual sight by day (commonly heard over at night); last (?) Swift over the same evening.

25 June - Woodpigeon building again in our Leylandii hedge; soon after saw it being pursued from the garden by a pr extremely agitated Blackbirds, who have recently been feeding second brood - not sure what it had done to annoy them. On small grassy area on Forthview Road remarkable 5 ad male Blackbirds gathering food and one singing above - can only think they have all survived the winter by garden feeding.

Crossbill "passage" commenced with 12 low SW past on 17 June, another heard nearby on 23 June. Also a few Siskins moving, and others still around gardens, with juvs reported elsewhere in village and presumed local breeding.

As is typical House Martin only starting to build on house opposite mid-June - witnessed a major conflict with House Sparrows this week with a 5 minute continuous exchange of occupation at their nest, and associated bickering. House Sparrows feeding fresh second broods and seem to have done well.

Better news on Swifts into June with birds entering crack at top of wall under eaves of neighbour's house, the first such observation in 7 yrs here (further comments in blog post).

A first for me on Thursday - with Swifts back down around eaves of houses a Starling returning with food took exception to one and pursued it in "mobbing" flight until it was seen off.

Moorhen calling NE over after rain 00:37hrs on 10 May. Later, and more remarkable, a clear descending "tseeooo" call twice 01:27hrs, then once 01:48hrs! Could not immediately place it though felt it was a wader call; later realised it fits very well to Little Ringed Plover, however will have to go down as unconfirmed (dubius?) as this is a local description species; also considered Snow Bunting, which does call on nocturnal migration but on reflection call had more substance to it than the sweet "deeuu" of that species which is so much more passerine-like.

2 drake Mallard over SW on 7 May, unremarkable elsewhere but a real rarity here, 5th record for garden in 7 yrs. Also first two Swifts here over SW.

Better to follow later, with 2 roding Woodcock over the house 21:30hrs, a first for the garden (species 95)! Heard the call, thought "hang on!" and peeped throo blinds to see the two of them nearly directly overhead, heading south but veering back round east towards Fernyness Wood (which is c. 350m at closest); however many previous excursions have never produced roding birds over this wood either (this is a tetrad tick too) so they may have been on a longer transit from somewhere closer to Gosford House.

This little chap appeared in garden on Saturday 6 May.

Whimbrel calling over 23:32hrs 29 April. pr Tawnies distantly in Fernyness wood 23:40hrs, hooting and kewick. Golden Plover NE 23:49hrs.

A distinctive white-headed Blackbird seen previously at gardens 50m west sneaked into the garden on 23 April; looked anxious when it heard the resident in song nearby but did not flee for 10 minutes - a bit cheeky!

A nocturnal migrant Coot was calling going over W at 23:44hrs on 21 April, 2nd record! Same conditions, calm and misty, as first record on 7 August last year. Seems these are the only two migrant Coots so far logged in the UK, though some sites in Netherlands have observed diurnal movements of several hundred. Other nocturnal migrant Coots have been noted in The Netherlands (Coot v LEO debate) and London (londonbirders discussion).

3rd week April treated to a trio of warblers in song, Blackcap (1 previous singing male, 2/5/05), Willow Warbler (singing birds 2/5/05, 27/4/07, 12/4/09) and Chiffchaff (regular in previous years). Also Redshank and Curlew over.

Listening to "our" Blackbird, noted how it gets lazy with song in the afternoon - gap btwn phrases lengthens to up to 10s and repeats same basic song component several times in succession "woot'to-root-toot wee-gah ****", where **** is the final flourish - only the flourish differing from one to the next! In active dawn/dusk song is much more imaginative.

15 Greylags high N over on morning of 9 April was a first, being possible wild birds - though local feral birds are not infrequently seen/heard.

Garden deserted and small heap of sparrow feathers on 25 Feb suggests a Sprawk had been visiting. Earlier in week Mistle Thrush in song; also a good dawn chorus now and our Blackbird is apparently the same individual as last year, distinctive and familiar song phrase certainly suggests so.

Slow start to the year - 2 Cormorants over early on, then a good flock of 30+ Greenfinch in last week Jan; Song Thrush in song from 17 Jan and a very rare visit of one actually into the garden; even rarer, second record, a Treecreeper doing its stuff on the garden shed on 11 February; previous record was 11/9/06.

2010

[Overview of the year 2010

Total 77 species is best yet, and pleased to get 8 additions in 7th year of recording here: Whitethroat, Canada Goose, Blackwit, Coot, Jay, Brambling, Tree Sparrow, Teal and Wigeon (and Hobby pending acceptance). Of these, the calls of nocturnal migrant Coot and Blackwit have to be the highlights, the vismig Jay was also a great surprise, and Tree Sparrows are now well and truly rooted in the area, peak count 4. Duck were hard weather movers. Also during year, Barnacle Goose record smashed with 310 on 3/10, same with Golden Plover, 800+ 31/10. 2 prs Buzzard together was a new peak too. A few Waxwings no great surprise. The only previously annual species not seen was Peregrine and probably for first time no nocturnal migrant Sandwich Terns logged.]

GSW bounding over in Christmas week; also small flock redpolls from house, same location as last year's Mealy but flew off before grilling.

4 Tree Sparrows in neighbourhood 23 December, the highest count so far; snow on ground now for nearly a month and several days now with temperature not really getting above freezing, and down to c. -10C at night, so feeding plenty; Wren seen twice this week, also crow in the garden, very rare they are bold enough to descend; Robin extremely tame, coming within touching distance and perched on threshold of back door; adult abundance was reduced by 27% after last year's hard weather (CES results), those without access to food in gardens may already be perishing.

350 Woodpigeons SW over on 20 December, with 1600 the previous day feeding in snow a mile south.

20+25 Skylarks low south on 19 December.

Less signs of movement on 3 December but a fine Tree Sparrow in the garden again; gone are the days when I could count the House Sparrows by brown silhouettes in the rosehip bush! A Buzzard went over SW pursued by crows (unusual) and a male Sprawk dashed throo NE, dispersing 50+ Starlings in the area.

Unprecedented flocks of dabbling ducks totalling 81 birds NE over house c. 10:30hrs on 2 December, many were Mallard but 3 small ones must have been Teal (species 93) and Wigeon heard (species 94). Immediately before 4 Skylark flew SW and another Tree Sparrow was passing. Later, a male Brambling perched in our rowan, the first we've ever had in this garden!

Long-tailed Tits (4) again in garden on 30 November, now deep snow.

Long-tailed Tits on 26 November, first for a while, plus a Heron trying to descend towards gardens in Forthview Road - goldfish?

13 Mallard (+ 6 duck sp.) over NE on 25 November, new record count.

A juv GBB over with food, being chased, on 20 November.

c. 1100 Pinks WSW over on 4 November, routine at this time of year but followed driving in to work; most disappeared in Cousland direction behind Falside Hill but one bunch persisted over Whitecraig, Millerhill, Danderhall and Drum, last seen 10 miles from start in time of 28 mins (minimum 21.4 mph, no significant head/tail-wind); I found no direct data on Pinkfoot flight speed in quick web search, Brent reported as 26 mph.

Redshank calling over late evening on 1 November.

Lots seen late October, with several vismig counts posted to trektellen and a peak of 6470 Pinkfeet NE at dusk on 24 October and close to a thousand Golden Plover over on the last day of the month. 30 October saw good counts of 175 Siskin, 35 Crossbill SW past (including some counted at Ferny Ness), also a calling Brambling (species 91) and a Tree Sparrow seen in flight, then doubling back and dropping (species 92) (full counts); following day (31 October) Tree Sparrows heard, a couple calling in flight, but was still cautious about adding to garden list before actually seeing properly, House Sparrow can do a good imitation at times; then suddenly one alighted in the rose hip within 10 ft of kitchen window, and sat amongst its sibling species as if it were always there, but what a pleasant sight after watching only House Sparrows day-in day-out for getting on for seven years! Waxwing also heard from house and many other finches and thrushes over.

At 14:25hrs on 3 October and extended flock of 310 grey geese flew S other, nothing unusual there with hundreds of Pinks over many days at present, but these seemed to be Barnacles, far and away the highest total from the garden (134 on 8/10/07 from near home).

Saturday 2 October produced a great finch passage early morning, including 15 Crossbills, also a f/imm sawbill, apparently Goosander (2nd record) and a Jay SW over, species 90! Full count on trek.

First Pinks heard back over towards midnight on 16 September, and a group of 80 very high SW over on 18th.

A racing pigeon dropped in on afternoon of 3 September, remarkably was still sitting at the very same spot mid-morning on Saturday! Did not try to read the ring as SHU do not accept reports unless bird is in your possession. In fact it's only about a month since the last lost individual hunched on road outside.

Evening 3 September heard a flock of Greylags, presumed feeding in fields east of Fernyness Wood, in early hours. Also Sandwich Terns but none passing over house. Tawnys also very vocal into 1st wk September, often calling hours on end from Fernyness Wood (juv + ad).

Bar-tailed Godwit flew over SW calling at 23:05hrs on 22 August.

Coot! Amazing, yet another garden tick - unmistakable call of a Coot over at 01:13hrs, then immediately E of house at 01:15hrs, on 7 August. Dead calm, humid and misty. Species 89 and a good one! Check this link for the fascinating debate over Coot v Long-eared Owl nocturnal calls in The Netherlands, thanks to Rombout de Wijs for this useful resource; the calls just heard here were very similar to those on this site, particularly those interspersed in call 5, a sort of wavering or bleating drawn-out "mow, mowow", with distinctive tone of Coot. Perhaps also relevant is the increase and successful breeding of Coot at nearby Blindwells (3km SW), and even nearer at Elvingston pond just 2km SSE (map). Calls of night flight Coots have also been noted in the London area (londonbirders link). Another Whimbrel 01:57hrs.

13+ Crossbill low SW over house 13:10hrs on 6 August.

A Hobby went over SW, plunging into a back garden opposite, then rising into the tall fir trees on Gosford Road, 11:13hrs on 4 August; this is 2nd record after one SW over on 13 September 2008, but I don't include latter on garden list as I did not submit it, views too brief for any detailed description; will probably submit this one based on good view of upper parts. [Photo at dusk, Hobby tree second from left].

More Crossbills with 6 SW over at 09:18hrs on 3 August, following 3 on 1 August.

Dead calm and drizzle on evening 1 August looked good for wader passage - delivered with a Whimbrel SW over 23:12hrs and then a Black-tailed Godwit - 6 single "kvik" calls heard from bird moving SW over, a distinctive fairly soft/mellow call but almost with a ringing quality and vaguely reminiscent of sound from gentle push on a child's squeaky toy - species 88 (14th wader species).

Common Sand calling over 22:47hrs on 30 July, nocturnal wader migration getting underway in earnest now.

In rain on evening of 20 July terns were heard calling to north, probably Common Tern, but too early for any significant movement.

Blackbirds bringing food to a second brood from 19 June, this one right outside kitchen window in the 6-inch gap below a plastic roof over a heap of logs. As found by various studies, nests in proximity to humans can benefit this species by deterring mammalian predators. Curiously we had a visit from a hedgehog the night of 20 June, sure it would have had the eggs if it could have found them! Young fledged while we were on Islay, also second broods of House Sparrows out.

In rain on evening of 5 June, at 23:38hrs, a flock of Canada Geese passed over in a generally northward direction, another garden tick species 87 (and 2nd on my original targets list)! These will have been moult migrants en route to the Beauly Firth, and part of a much wider passage reported throo Lothian and Borders reported in last few days.

Mistle Thrush has always been scarce with just a few records annually but this year one singing regularly from late April, daily in early June (presumably having fledged a first brood, indeed young seen at various places in west of village/Longniddry Bents); another sings at Fernyness Wood so species seems to be doing well locally, latest map.

A female Whitethroat in our rowan for 1 second on 8 May was the first garden tick since summer 2008, species 86, recalling my only previous garden Whitethroat, in Banchory in August 1986. Also another Cormorant over. Caught the Wood Mouse in a trap baited with cheese and translocated it to the bottom of Longniddry Dean, for an owl to catch; overnight it found celery to its liking!

pr Mallard west over on 29 April.

Chiffchaff in rowan on 22 April first record of this species actually in the garden! Same day managed to digiscope the mouse which regularly visits our bird feeding area, this little chap with beady eyes, right, is clearly a Wood Mouse.

Drake Mallard over house on 20 April is third record, following pairs this time last year and late Feb 07. Also first Swallow back here today.

Mute Swan N right over house on 18 April, in perfect timing for spring swan census!

Four Buzzard thermalling over NE of village and Fernyness Wood on 11 April was a new peak count, presumably there are two pairs resident in this area.

Impressive roller-coaster display of Buzzards over Fernyness Wood on 2 April then a kettle of 3 over house; 2 Cormorants flying over inland the previous day was first multiple record of this species (1-2 records per year since 2004).

With fine conditions again on 5 March noticed several finch flocks over SW and heard a Crossbill going the same way first thing in the morning; a Song Thrush singing from wood by Community Centre is quite a scarcity here, with no local breeders and the nearest singing birds usually pretty distant!

3 Greylags over on 4 January, would be Gosford birds. 3 with Pinks at Redcoll later in month.

After the first year with no records (below) a Kestrel over on New Year's Day (and beyond the garden, the same with Short-eared Owl!).

2009
[Overview of the year 2009

An unremarkable year, with no new species added and equal lowest total with 2008 of 62 species (max was 2006 with 69). Highlights were second record of Barn Owl and up to 10 Barnacle Geese over on several occasions mid-November. Obvious omissions included Goldcrest and Kestrel, both previously annual or better since 2004.]

A flock of Greylags flew over NE at c. 22:00hrs on New Year's Eve, heading for Gosford - perhaps frozen out from elsewhere, disturbed by revellers or just feeding late? Also recently many winter thrushes, Fieldfares frequently dropping out of sky upon spying local berry bushes - plenty food still to be had, but Mistle Thrushes have also moved into area - unprecedented in our 5 years here as all previous records have been distant/flying; resident nearby in Gosford Road/golf course area, but this species is often incredibly sedentary.

A rare visit of an adult Great Blackback right over house on morning of 9 December, followed by 6 Bullfinches going over SW - first vismig record of this species here and also highest count.

Imm m Peregrine NE over on morning of 22 November, and 7+3 Barnacle Geese SW.

3 Barnacle Geese SW on 21 November.

Single flock of 10 Barnacle Geese SW, +1 more with Pinks, plus 280 Golden Plover SW and 70 Lapwings E, on morning of 20 November.

2 Barnacle Geese amongst 1200 Pinks over SW at dawn on 11 November.

Large flock of Pinks over at dawn and dusk on 9 November with c. 3700 found inland in stubble btwn Hoprig and Greendykes, including at least 9 Barnacles. Also at dawn, 4 duck sp. over inland, most likely Mallard.

A party of Crossbills over SW at dawn on 28 October.

Tawny Owl(s) vocal evening of 26 October.

Redshank calling over during night of 23 October.

Blackbird again in song 07:15-07:25hrs on 19 October (no wind, drizzle, 8C); not subsong, but rather subdued compared to full summer song, and many phrases rather short.

Our Blackbird in full autumn song 19:10hrs this evening, with Redwing seeping overhead.

Various brief Redwings heard from 1st wk Oct but flood gates opening on 13th with minimum 190 in 10 minutes (trek entry), quickly seen off by local Mistle Thrush and continuing SW. Also 20 Golden Plover over.

Tawny Owl hooting in early hours and 4 Swallows over on 9 October.

Second wave Crossbills now appearing with 8 SW over on 8 October.

On 5 October, a visit from old "white wing", our male House Sparrow with single all-white tertial present since autumn 2006, photo.

Swallow over SW on 4 October, some lingering locally.

Geese on the move SW over on evening of 30 September, a full moon and fairly clear, including at least two groups of Barnacles in the 3 hrs either side of midnight (turns out these were part of a massive movement which came down from Spitzbergen and over the North Sea the previous day, many of which are now back at Caerlaverock).

Curlew high SW over at lunchtime.

In calm conditions on 13 September Sandwich Terns (ad + juv) calling loudly over the house heading SW inland, 21:30hrs.

6 Golden Plover very high S, veering SE, over at 18:30hrs on 10 September.

A juv male Peregrine whizzed S over the Community Centre at 09:20hrs on 9 September, from over the house but not seen from garden.

A Greenshank calling over 23:18hrs on 1 September.

Surprised by a Barn Owl screech on 31 August; also, several waders including more Golden Plover.

Meadow Pipits over on 30 August first of the autumn (though moving at Elie Ness for a while and 366 in 90 mins today).

A Ringed Plover calling over 00:20hrs 26 August (3rd record).

First Sandwich Terns heard on evening of 18 August, but could not confirm they were going inland.

Two high thrush calls over in early hours of 12 August a surprise, not unlike Redwing but short and far more likely just Song Thrushes.

Waders moving again early hours of 11 August, including Curlew.

Crossbills again 2 August.

Curlew over on 25 July.

Good Swift movement on 24 July with 110 past in 15 mins from 18:30hrs, just as a band of rain was moving N. Common Crossbill SW over in the morning.

First Swift back late on 9 May.

At 11:49hrs on 2 May a lanky large falcon sp. flew over SW, banking to reveal brown upperparts; possibly just a large f juv Peregrine; no local reports of Saker (national records Yorks mid-Apr and Wigton D&G 10 May).

pr Mallard rose from nearby (but tiny) Wemyss burn at dusk on 13 April, 2nd record.

Willow Warbler in song from Wemyss burn area 11 April.

2 House Martins back on 9 April.

First Swallow SW over on 5 April.

Grey Heron dodging pursuing gulls and crows, weaving between houses on 7 February.

Long-tailed Tits briefly at feeder 3rd wk Jan.

Great Blackback over with morning gull passage 2nd wk Jan.

2008

7 Waxwings low SW over on 19 November, with many on the move at present.

A Swallow feeding over on 2 November followed a local report of 3 on 31 October. Seen later nearby over Longniddry Bents - ad f + 2 juv on 14 November, but not subsequently.

Peregrine S over early on 30 October.

Several missed opportunities early Oct - white goose/swan very high S over on 3rd, flock c. 40 duck sp. (Mallard/Wigeon?) over to N on 9th and a wader sp. with erratic flight over SW on 11th, perhaps Snipe - all naked eye views.

A Common Crossbill SW over on 4 October, with noisy Tawny Owl on 9 October.

2 Sandwich Tern over at 21:25hrs on 14 September.

[A probable Hobby cruised over SW at 15:45hrs on 13 September - chose not to submit this as view too brief, so not included on official list].

A Common Crossbill went SW over on 27 August.

First signs of Sandwich Tern movement at 22:25hrs on 13 August; also a movement of 40+ Swifts SW at 18:42hrs same evening, before a shower, with some returning NE later.

Ragged Buzzard over on 8 August.

Redshank over 02:44hrs on 28 July.

Early morning on 27 July, a Helmetted Guineafowl was heard calling from the area of Forthview Road; one (pied variety) had been seen the previous day in Kitchener Crescent, a presumed escape from Longniddry Farm on the other side of the railway line. Another party of Common Crossbills went over very high SW at midday.

In early hours of 27 July - waders moving during the night, including Common Sandpiper; a noisy family of Tawny Owls moved through the neighbourhood; best of all, the screeching call of a Barn Owl was heard nearby at 02:08hrs, species 85. At 200m from the edge of the village (golf course to N) this was a little surprising, but have suspected this species previously.

Great Spotted Woodpecker on 22 and 26 July.

4 Greylag Geese low NE at 19:00hrs on 16 July.

First Golden Plover back on 12 July, just after midnight.

Redpoll in song over on 3 July.

A dark long-tailed falcon sp. cruised over NE on evening of 15 May, one that got away! 8 Swifts feeding over the same evening was the biggest gathering this spring.

Pr Linnet fed on weeds at end of drive, 14 May.

Noisy Tawny Owl nearby on 10 May.

A Dunlin was heard moving NE over at 23:15hrs on damp evening of 7 May.

First juv Blackbird just fledged on 7 May, a couple of weeks latter than usual.

A pair of Wood Warblers were found 400m west on 4 May, just out of ear shot for the garden list; they'd gone the following day, to be replaced by a Garden Warbler.

House Martins back late on 28 April, visiting last year's nest the next day.

Jan-Mar highlight was again wonderful morning display flights from male Sparrowhawk. Our male Blackbird is new this year, with an unusual song.

2007

A small duck was seen over E on 22 December, and a Cormorant W the next day.

A single Common Crossbill flew over low SW on 28 November, with a Tawny Owl hooting nearby in the evening.

2 Redshank over c. 23:00hrs on 20 November.

Pair Sparrowhawk over 18 November.

4 Whooper Swans flew over ENE on 10 October (species 84); later, 16 adults were found at East Fenton, about 5 miles E.

In drizzle on evening of 9 October, a good passage of Redwings was heard between 21:30 and 01:30hrs, 19 singles/groups, peaking after midnight when call frequency was less than 10 minutes. Also, Golden Plovers.

Redwing over on evening of 27 September, 2 weeks earlier than last year (but 1000's on the move in northern England).

Male Sparrowhawk in full display flight overhead on mild morning of 24 September.

Geese heard over in early hours of 13 September may have been returning Pinkfeet but sounded more like Canada Goose.

Golden Plovers over 00:00hrs, 00:25hrs on 12 September.

On 10 September a Blue Tit flew, alone, to roost into a crack behind vertically-hanging slates adjacent to our bathroom window at 19:15hrs - 30 mins to sunset on a warm evening. Have noticed this roost in use previously, but it is a winter roost type - summer roosts are in foliage.

Viewing with scope throo a small gap which had opened in the trees to N (heavy apples), had brief view of passing Gannet on 1 September (not added to list, as a bit of a cheat).

First Mipit S on 26 August.

Rare sighting of a Kestrel on 25 August, 8th record.

Up to 3 Tawny Owls very vocal week of 19 August, including juv hunger calling.

Common Sandpiper over at 21:50hrs on 19 August. Have now uploaded a summary spreadsheet on nocturnal migrant records over the garden (2004 to date).

A probable Canada Goose heard at midnight on 18 August. Also various other calls, including distant Sandwich Tern and Tawny hooting.

A good day on 14 August, with 51 Swifts high over in the morning, House Martins attending nest in Douglas Crescent after colony apparently deserted earlier, and 1500 mainly small gulls N over to coast before heavy rain late afternoon - an ad-win Mediterranean Gull with them would have been a garden tick; however, that came later with a Whimbrel calling over in continuing rain at 23:32hrs, followed by a Common Sandpiper at 23:44hrs! (species 81 & 82). By midnight, two more noisy Whimbrel, including one low over the house, and Ringed Plover, amongst other waders. Bar-tailed Godwit followed at 00:20hrs (species 83). Another Common Sandpiper followed at 01:13hrs, circling.

At dawn on 11 August Sandwich Tern and Curlew calling over.

First proper autumn wader was a (probable!) Redshank over 02:00hrs on 10 August. Swifts still lingering and a pair of Bullfinch present daily for over a month now (only 3 records in previous 3 years!)

A Common Crossbill SW over on 14 July.

Tawny hooting extensively on evening of 13 July.

2 Curlew high SW early evening 4 July.

On 3 July female Sparrowhawk took a young Blackbird in the garden hedge and a male of the latter species included clear Tawny "kewick kewick" mimicry in full song, 08:45hrs.

On 2 July Collared Dove feeding two young juvs in eucalyptus.

Dispersal movement of 315 Starlings over SW in 4 flocks 20:30-21:00hrs on 20 June.

At 00:47hrs on 1 June a rather liquid and rapid "quic-ic-ic-ic-ic", repeated at 2-3s intervals, with quality of a Quail; much later got confirmation this is the flight call of migrant Quail, hence finally accepted this as species 80.

Collared Doves mating on garden fence, 24 May.

One or more Ringed Plover clearly heard calling over to the north at 23:55hrs on 14 May species 79.

Sandwich Tern heard 11 May.

Very intriguing harsh call low over just after midnight on 5 May - a "dag-a-da dak, kak-kak, kak-kak"; reminiscent of a young Grey Heron in tone but not really matching in structure.

Tawnys hooting daily into first wk May, from two directions.

House Martins back over colony 26 April, 3 days later than last year (though two "probables" very high over last wknd).

Willow Warbler in song 26-27 April.

First hirundines back on 21 April, with at least 5 over, all seen well being Swallow SW. Small parties of finches SW included Siskin and Goldfinch, also 3 Mipits. Curlew high N in the evening probably local.

A similar pattern on 16 April, Redshank 21:20hrs, Golden Plover at 22:20hrs; later, at 00:40hrs, two reedy calls "kip-a-kip, kip-a-kip", low over but from a bird clearly moving N, surely another Moorhen! Final Redshank 01:40hrs.

Redshank calling over, 21:30hrs, and Golden Plover at 23:30hrs on 15 April; a high-pitched thin "seeee" call, not Redwing, at 00:12hrs might have been a Common Sandpiper. An individual of the latter was seen the next day at Blindwells a couple of miles west, not present on 15 April.

A good migrant night on evening of 12 April with 4 common waders calling again, and two different calls, a metallic "dzzip" and a reedy "kwep-kwep, kip-a-kip-a-kip-a, kip-a-kip-a-kip-a" at 01:50hrs, latter a presumed Moorhen, species 78! Tawny Owl hooting earlier.

Redshank calling over 21:30hrs and later on 11 April.

2 Greylags NE and Skylark low SW on 7 April.

3 Buzzard (pair and single) and both breeding Sparrowhawks up thermalling a lot on 3 April.

Curlew low over on evening of 2 April, with nocturnal call of Redshank 22:50hrs.

Mipits moving at last on 1 April.

Some movement on 10 March, including 5 Siskin SW.

Golden Plover over NE at 23:00hrs on 7 March.

180+ Herring Gull SW and 120+ Wood Pigeon and one Buzzard over SW on morning commute on 6 March - in the half hour before sunrise. Dead juv male Sparrowhawk found on the lawn at dawn - presumed window strike.

Extended display by Sparrowhawk pair again on 5 March.

First Lesser Blackback back over on 4 March. Magpie active at nest just feet from the Wood Pigeon nest (still sitting).

4 adult Mute Swans over W at 09:45hrs 3 March. Still need Whooper Swan for the garden! Magpie nest-building and Kestrel over (7th record). Steady stream of Herring Gull W all day - presumed returning migrants.

pr Mallard over NE at dusk on 25 February, species 77.

2 Buzzard over were a fine sight, mobbed by crows, and the pigeon was seen going back onto its nest, 4 February. 6 grey geese NE presumably returning Pinkfeet.

Wood Pigeon back on nest high in eucalyptus on 3 February, and 15 Lapwing over S.

A male Sparrowhawk in display flight again on 27 January and 2 February - high in the sky in buoyant flight like a dove, then plunging and slow-flapping.

On 22 January observed an interesting Sparrowhawk social interaction, a pair "patrolling" in level steady flapping, one behind the other, with a further female bird in "slow-flapping" flight nearby and a bit higher. Latter is a distinctive flight action reminiscent of a Lapwing.

Winter peak of 27 House Sparrows at mixed seed 13 January - targeted by female Sparrowhawk which plunged into hedge, clambered up inside hedge, then darted out lightening fast when they flushed; did not see if it got one, but hope it did - have been fattening them up all winter! Same morning 500+ Herring Gull over SW on their commute from coastal roost to urban Edinburgh, accompanied by at least 2 ad Great Blackback.

A fine female Peregrine drifted NE over on 6 January (5th record, and 3rd this winter!)

Redpolls back on New Year's day, 5 of each sort - a joy to watch from the kitchen window!

2006

[Overview of the year 2006:

A total of 71 species were logged*, including 8 wader species, with peak weekly count 38 species from 15/10; a good series of Common Tern and Sandwich Tern records, with both detected commencing southward overland migration early autumn; reeling Grasshopper Warbler audible in spring; significant decline in local breeding House Martins (peaks 35, 19 and 10 over last 3 years), though they prospected our house; House Sparrow stable with autumn peak again around 20; Wood Pigeon successfully reared young in garden and nesting into October. Hummingbird Hawkmoth the non-avian highlight, closely followed by Roe Deer, Hedgehog and dragonflies. * missed only Pheasant, Grey Plover, Waxwing, Willow Warbler and Crossbill]

Redpoll sp. again on last day of the year.

35 Golden Plover high S at dusk on 30 December.

Another good day on 29 December with a sawbill duck high S in the morning (probably a Goosander, species 76) and a male Peregrine scuttling past SW in the afternoon.

On 28 December big flappy birds in the morning - Grey Heron, pr ad Great Blackback NW over and 6 Lapwings NE over. Later spotted a flock of 20+ redpolls in nearby birch, mainly Mealies (species 75), but also 4+ Lessers.

Blackbird in full song early hours of 24 December.

A desperate Grey Heron attempting to land nearby chased off by a Herring Gull.

Blackbird in full song 01:45hrs on 19 December.

Robin in song from 01:52hrs (5C) on 16 December.

The Mistle Thrush which appeared mid-Oct has taken a liking to the area and was in song on 6 December (formerly scarce visitor, single record in 2005).

First Fieldfares of autumn were 25 SW on 1 November, rather late.

At 06:05hrs on 30 October some Redshanks went over calling - before dawn and 2 hrs to high tide - presumably a feeding movement.

Great Spotted Woodpecker again on 29 October but very little moving in a couple of hours vis mig in clear weather; a paltry 680 Pinkfeet over NE at dusk again included Barnacle Goose.

c. 4k Pinkfeet SW over on morning of 28 October included at least 2 Barnacle Geese. Also picked up a group of 320 Golden Plover high above the geese flying NE.

Finch and Wood Pigeon movement finally under way on 27 October.

Magnificent sight of 2 Mute Swans (ad + juv) over W at 17:00hrs on 22 October - a year to the day after first record! 2hrs vis mig (11-13:00hrs) produced virtually no movement in bright calm conditions.

Two hours vis mig on 21 October (9-11:00hrs) failed to produce incoming Whoopers, or any buntings, just 50 Redwing, 10 Song Thrush, 9 Sky Larks and a sprinkling of finches all SW, plus Great Spotted Woodpecker and Mistle Thrush down in the gardens. A single ensemble of c. 3800 Pinkfeet went over NE to roost in the evening.

At 00:10hrs on 21 October, in steady rain, a Dunlin was heard calling over to the north - a long expected addition and species 74.

Redwing passage continued on 19-20 October and single Bullfinch and Siskin were logged.

Another hour vis mig on 17 October produced more of the same. More unusual, a f/imm Blackcap appeared momentarily in the garden, snatching a rowan berry.

On 15 October an hour's vis mig watching produced the usual suspects: Redwing, Song Thrush, Sky Larks (5N!) plus a single Lesser Redpoll SW.

Finally! Song Thrush and Redwing back at 23:30hrs on 11 October.

Further small groups of Barnacle Geese flew over 22:35-22:45hrs on 10 October - moonlit at the time but generally damp and overcast.

Redshank calling yet again over at 01:35hrs on 10 October.

On 8 October Sky Larks were moving SW over, as was a Great Spotted Woodpecker. At 14:20hrs watched a Great Northern Diver flying high along the coast to the north of our house! Unfortunately we were out, in neighbouring Port Seton, but it would surely have been visible from home. In the evening another Redshank called flying over.

Golden Plover over at 05:15hrs on 2 October.

Both Pinkfeet and Barnacle Geese were heard over in early hours of 1 October, latter a small group NE at 01:00hrs followed by a bigger group SW at 02:35hrs. Tawny Owl very vocal now with "kewick" calls.

A fantastic Peregrine today, 30 September, spotted approaching well west at 13:50hrs and just cruised past directly overhead - 4th record. More mundanely, a Wood Pigeon was sitting on a nest in eucalyptus outside kitchen window!

A couple of Sandwich Tern (ad + juv) went over SW at 00:50hrs on 30 September.

Early on 29 September 150 Pinkfeet flew over SW and a group of Redshank were calling over at 21:25hrs (high tide 18:39hrs).

A Grey Squirrel in garden on 28 September was our first record.

A couple of Sandwich Tern (ad + juv) went over NE in the early hours of 25 September. A pair of Tawny Owls were calling.

The Hummingbird Hawkmoth was back on 24-25 September.

The twittering calls of Lesser Redpoll were heard twice on morning of 23 September, the first not seen but the second a bird high SW.

2 presumed Common Sympetrum over on 22 September were first dragonfly record.

In extremely mild conditions on 21 September migrant Golden Plover (12) and Barn Swallow (22) were seen SW over by day, and more of the former heard again at night.

Late evening of 16 September Sandwich Tern and Common Tern were heard again distantly, perhaps moving along the coast.

Whilst talking to our neighbour a Treecreeper flitted over my head and landed on the ornamental tree in our tiny front garden on 11 September - species 73.

A Chiffchaff was calling in back gardens on 10 September.

Nocturnal calls of Redshank, Curlew and Tawny Owl (hooting) were all heard again in week of 3 September.

An honorary bird, a Hummingbird Hawkmoth, appeared in the garden from the south, alighted on our honeysuckle, and within a couple of seconds whizzed off again north, at about 17:00hrs on 2 September - 1st record!

Common Terns were heard again on 3 occasions 22:30-00:00hrs on the calm and relatively clear evening of 1 September; the last of these was of two or more birds clearly moving south (not heard returning!).

A couple of Golden Plovers were heard again at 05:05hrs on the morning of 29 August (high tide at 05:27hrs). Another Curlew flew over a few minutes later. A distant call earlier in the night was probably another Common Tern.

Two Common Terns were heard again at 22:00hrs on the clear evening of 26 August, probably S.

Tawny Owl hooting 22:00hrs on 25 August and a single "tuhuhuhu" was heard over from a presumed migrant Curlew later at 01:30hrs.

Several Common Terns were heard over on calm overcast evening of 23 August (species 72); this included 2+ birds which could be tracked moving due S at 22:30hrs, one with a call descending deeper than the other (individual variation, or an adult and juv?). But 25 minutes later a couple of birds went north, perhaps they had lost their nerve in darkness inland, or it was just an exploratory flight?

Curlews were amongst waders heard moving at dusk on 22 August.

Several Golden Plover over again at 22:00hrs on evening of 21 August.

At 00:39hrs on 21 August (10 minutes before high tide) a single Sanderling was heard flying over south-west (species 71).

A couple of Sandwich Terns went over on afternoon of 20 August, unusually not at night, though weather pretty grey.

4 Redshank over SW around high tide (23:43hrs) on 19 August, with adult Tawny Owl hooting again.

Another Greenshank over SW at 23:20hrs on 18 August, 3rd record of this species.

On 17 August the mournful call of a Golden Plover was heard again after dark.

A Stock Dove over SW on 12 August (species 70).

More waders and juv Tawny Owl calling early hours of 12 August.

Redshank again just after midnight on 5 August, as the Hedgehog snuffled in the garden. 4 Silver Y moths on honeysuckle today.

More waders over on evening of 3 August included Redshank, Golden Plover and a higher-pitched call, probably a sandpiper. A Tawny Owl was hooting.

A Roe Deer running down the road at 09:15hrs on 3 August, a good few hundred metres from nearest suitable habitat on the golf course, was a mammal tick. A hedgehog is also resident in our garden.

A Greenshank was calling as it flew over SW at 22:35hrs on 2 August.

Silver Y moth in the garden/house 30-31 July.

The Grasshopper Warbler singing continuously whenever listened for up to 11 June.

In still conditions on evening of 3 June the Grasshopper Warbler could be heard reeling from scrub next to the coast road east of Longniddry c/p 2 (450m NW from our house, first heard there on 19 May, species 69) and Tawny Owl was heard hooting from the Clubhouse (c. 700m W). Regarding the former, it is interesting to note that BWP describes the carrying power of the reeling as "variable: up to 250 or 550 m (Witherby et al. 1938b; Hulten 1959), even c. 1 km in still conditions (Naumann 1897)".

Breeding developments in May included a pair of Wood Pigeon which laid two eggs and fledged at least one young from cypress hedge at bottom of garden (within 10m of house) and House Martins making a half-hearted attempt at building a nest under our eaves. A Grey Wagtail flew over uttering a rich chattering song on 21 May.

House Martins arrived back at their colony on 23 April. Pairs of both Sparrowhawk and Common Buzzard were seen displaying overhead during the weekend.

A good series of records over Easter weekend, with first Swallow on 14 April, followed by 4 Sand Martins (species 67) through the next day; also Cormorant over, first Chiffchaff back in song and a Lesser Redpoll in song flight (species 68).

An adult Lesser Blackback with panel of pure white feathers on both upper-wings (all the greater primary coverts), also a single white secondary, overhead on 27 March. Quite a distinctive bird - thought at first it was wing-tagged!

On 5 March, a Long-tailed Tit on a fat ball in our garden was a first, as was a Grey Heron coming down to the small stream just east of our house. Unusually, a Song Thrush was also resident in the (tiny) garden over the weekend, taking seeds and pecking at a banana!

Flock of Pinkfeet over at 01:30hrs on 2 March - unusual on dark moonless nights.

A Curlew over on 11 February.

2005

3 Mute Swans directly over W at dawn on 13 December were the second record.

A Cormorant over inland at dawn on 3 December was the second record following a couple heading to the coast at dusk one day last December.

Confined to the house with flu logged 100+ Wood Pigeons over NE on the traditional evening roost flight on 26 November. Bird number 66 was followed by an odd-looking individual which suddenly accelerated and made a lunge at it - a hungry Peregrine!

Pinkfeet over at 22:30hrs on 25 November - perhaps fleeing the cold weather?

Hundreds of birds moving over on morning of 29 October, including many Siskin, Chaffinch, Redwing and Wood Pigeon, some Skylark and Meadow Pipit. 4 Barnacle Geese tagged on the end of a line of Pinkfoot were new for the garden, species 66. Amongst nearly 1000 of the latter was a single leucistic bird, which had my heart beating faster briefly as a juv Snow Goose had been reported in East Lothian last week. 7 Sparrowhawk sightings during the day - perhaps a few recirculating but nearly all were E so possibly some migrants?

5 Mute Swans (1 juv) high over E at 11:15hrs on 22 October were species 65. An adult Great Blackback heading off inland was only the second record.

Tawny Owls vocal on evening of 16 October.

Sky full of Redwings in drizzly dawn of 13 October - 215+ over in less than 5 minutes.

5 Common Crossbill low SW at on 9 October were species 64.

Passerine passage continued on weekend of 1-2 October with Meadow Pipits and Skylarks both days, including 24 of the latter on the Sunday morning.

A few Pinkfoot over E in the moonlight early hours of 17 September were the first logged here, though they returned early this year to nearby Aberlady (8/9).

At 03:42hrs on 5 September the clear wolf-whistle call of a Grey Plover was heard over, apparently moving S, in fog. This is species 63, now equalling total for Kincardineshire garden - and reminiscent of the Golden Plover record from the latter on 3/10/88, also in fog.

3 September saw first Meadow Pipits over (8E) and a couple of Curlew. A Chiffchaff calling persistently nearby and later flying to trees over stream was species 62.

A Willow Warbler on 29 August was the first sign of passerine movement.

More Sandwich Terns were heard overhead in rain at 22:50hrs on 13 August, heading off S inland.

On the evening high tide on 30 July the unmistakable sounds of a feeding flock of Sandwich Terns were carrying over from the shore, along with Curlew. 30 of the former were found feeding at Ferny Ness (nearly 1km due N) a few minutes later - species 61.

4 Curlew low over on 29 July in rain/fog.

A Kestrel and a Grey Heron flew over on 17 July, the latter being species 60.

In the dawn chorus on 2 May heard a singing Willow Warbler, a singing Blackcap and a cock Pheasant calling distantly (latter pair being species 58 and 59).

A Skylark in song high over on 24 April was species 57. A couple of Swallows were back the same day and House Martins arrived back at their colony in the last week of the month with 9 on 27 April.

First young Blackbirds at large in the garden on 20 April.

25 Greylags N on 11 April were species 56 for the garden.

A Woodcock was spotted flying out of Gosford Estate and along Gosford Road on 26 March. Had we been at home we might have added this to our garden list!

On 24 March a hirundine over rapidly W was probably a Sand Martin.

Plenty of activity over 19-20 March with several Meadow Pipits over and first Bullfinches and Great Spotted Woodpecker for the garden - taking total number of species recorded to 55.

Bright sunny day on 6 March saw 8 Curlew, species 53, and 14 Lapwings going high N.

First Siskin on the nut feeder on 27 February, species 52.

Blue Tit numbers peaked in mid February with up to 14 together around our feeder.

A Tawny Owl on 19 February was new for the list, species 51.

Another, or the same, Peregrine over on 11 January.

2004

A Peregrine was spotted by my daughter, aged 15 months, on Christmas Day - directly overhead as we came in through the front door for Christmas dinner. This took the new garden list to 50 species.

Waxwings were heard overhead on 15 November and 3 individuals glimpsed as they disappeared from view.

On 9 October a female Sparrowhawk caught and ate a Blackbird in our tiny back-garden.

During first few weeks in new House Martins have logged over 40 species with regular Grey Wagtail, Linnet, Sparrowhawk and Common Buzzard. A family of Willow Warblers passed through with a tit flock on 11 September.

Total numbers of birds can also be high at times, with a total of 7000 Pinkfoot over at dawn on 7 November and gull and corvid numbers often well into 3 figures.

Full records: Excel s/s.