Sedge Warbler

Wknd 11-12 February

2012-02-12T00:31:00.016Z

With Lothian Iceland Gulls now into double figures, not to mention Kumlien's, and the intriguing prospect that the Blindwells Smew were roosting on the off Seton, there was only one place to go on Saturday evening! Started at Longniddry Bents where one beautiful ad Med Gull (dark mask only) was amongst the mainly BHG roosting offshore, tide fully in. Also one ad LBB on the sea. Scanning the sky repeatedly but no small duck appeared and turned out later the Smew had not been at Blindwells anyway. Then off Seton Sands mainly Common Gulls on the sea, total small gulls perhaps 3k, also 31 Wigeon, 3 RBM and a Teal there. Light very poor even at sunset.

[Postscript - how sad that these birds are still being flushed by "birders"; I was able to see them perfectly well from the gate! Don't these "birders" have telescopes to watch birds throo?! Certainly makes one think about putting out news of rarer species, I suspect I will adopt a more cautious approach in future.]

There were also an unusual gathering of Herring Gulls on the sea, 200 off the Seton Burn and another 90 in a single species group further offshore - they often keep to themselves/hog the rocks at Long Craigs to exclusion of small gulls. Historically this species has not roosted in any great numbers here, though several hundred can often be present in the pre-roost, arriving to wash and drink at the Seton Burn, many tend to head off along the coast to roost presumably off North Berwick, where some at least are recorded roosting on the Bass Rock. With poor light after sunset it is often hard to determine if any stay to roost, though I have also encountered 50+ in Seton harbour feeding after dark, under artificial lighting. Curious to see if tonight's birds would stay I looked again at c. 18:00hrs, by which time it was really dark, and those which were immediately offshore from the Seton Burn were still discernible there on the sea, giving every impression that they were remaining to roost, perhaps first time I have got concrete evidence of this. Maybe also significant that it was pretty mild and calm, certainly for the time of year. Again, nothing all white was apparent in their midst, the various Icelands presumably drawn to other gatherings of roosting gulls further west?

Sunday - WeBS circuit; commenced Drem pools, annual Snipe census (I don't like to flush them more than once per year) - only 4 Common Snipe seen, no Jacks this year, though a bonus with the rear end of a Water Rail scurrying away, second for site after one 11/11/07 (since 1975). Jack Snipe are hard to flush, you need to walk and pause, they tend to sit tight unless you stop, same was true of the Water Rail, it ran a second or two after I stopped. At East Fenton, first returning Oyc in residence. Chapel resr was better for Snipe with 19 out on the bank feeding, a regular sight now, amongst them 4 Redshank and a rare inland winter Dunlin, 75 Lapwings nearby. Full wildfowl count was 42 Mallard, 25 Wigeon, 22 Tuftie, 7 Teal, 3 Goosander, pr Goldeneye, juv Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, injured Pinkfoot, no Scaup though. At East Fortune some Bean Geese remain, a minimum of 11 amongst nearly 1000 geese at potatoes and in stubble south of the ponds. Also 6 White-fronted Geese (2 ads, 4 1st-win), 8 Barnacles, c. 490 Pinks and c. 495 Greylag. A neck-collared Pinkfoot was a challenge to read, something like LJG! Then Prora for the Whoopers, still present on potatoes; 4 darviced birds seen, 2 yellow (one was X6C, other too muddy) and two red, both indecipherable though left leg rung bird likely ASB seen in November. Will have to try again, not easy with the thick mud there! All told added 6 atlas tetrad ticks and about 10 count upgrades.

[Photo top is view over Waughton resr towards Traprain Law and the Lammermuirs beyond.]

Mon/Tue a bizarre occurrence of seeing a male Sprawk hunting over Prestonpans at exactly the same spot, heading the same way, at the same time both days (viewed from the train) - presumably same bird on a daily routine?

Wed taking the car to work for first time in a while spotted two more raptor casualties en route, a Buzzard on the B6363 and a wood owl on the A1 at Wallyford, turned out to be a very rufous juv Tawny. Coming home checked for the Smew and watched them 17:30-17:55hrs when still settled on Blindwells pool; generally inactive, just following a male Tuftie around at east end, but occasional became alert and dipped/raised heads, wing arching twice, washing and wing flapping once but no signs of departing to anywhere else to roost.

Wknd 4-5 February

2012-02-04T19:33:00.011Z

Starting Friday one very impressive female Peregrine circling over Edinburgh.

Saturday - on sea off Wrecked Craigs, Port Seton - a Red-necked with 3 Slav Grebes, 130+ Velvet Scoter - over 90% of these were adult males, as is typical. Bit of green around eye of Wigeon on shore (above). A couple of Purple Sand flew E past with Turnstones.

Down at Seton Sands the tide was a good distance out, giving chance to check throo 2500+ small gulls standing on shore - the recent 2nd-win Med Gull was there (had a slight limp), plus one or probably two adults, one of which was unringed, not sure about the other. In addition one graellsii LBB, 3 ad GBB and amongst 100 odd Herring Gulls suddenly spotted a bird with striking pink "dipped in ink" bill pattern - flew to reveal upperparts of a 3rd-win Herring. So, still drawing a blank on white-wingers, even though they are now being found in increasing numbers in Lothian both in the west and the east.

Sunday - went for atlas topping up East Linton to Hailes Castle - hard to find much new, Mallards and various gulls were only actual tetrad ticks. Had in mind the Smew reported from same stretch of river the December before last, did not do better than a Dipper today [though on arrival home found out about the Smew at Blindwells - well done David, had seen the duck there from the train this week but not visiting that frequently this time of the year, next WeBS not due till next wknd!]. More positively, used nests easily apparent this time of the year, Crow, Woodpigeon, Swallow, one of the former was also new. Also a Barn Owl pellet found. Chaffinch in song was first I'd heard. Definite highlight was seeing a Water Shrew in frenetic activity swimming below the surface of the Tyne in an area with trees lying down in the water - the first time I can recall having seen this, though no photo of course! Interesting that predation by Goosander was listed in one reference I saw as a limit on their numbers.

Final PS - a report of a pair of Nuthatches at feeders in a Longniddry garden a couple of weeks back - this is a first as far as I know, much anticipated given their occasional presence in Fernieness Wood over the last couple of years - definitely a realistic target for the garden list now!

Tuesday - a white dot accompanied by some black dots on ice-free area at east of Blindwells pond likely to be the male Smew, viewed from train. Wednesday - chance to stop and Blindwells and have a proper look at the four Smew, diving continously at east ice-free end of the pond, beautiful in the early morning sun.

Returning from work a fresh Barn Owl casualty down by the central reservation of the A1 at Bankton, about 500m west of the A1 junction. 30 mins later had moved closer to central reservation; in the wee hours had completely vanished - this may be a rare case of a bird stunned which later recovered and flew off, certainly no obvious signs of injury when first seen (though this is common). Passing Hoprig a shape flew high over B6363, probable owl, and on the late trip one Barnie was perched by the A1 just south of there, west of the Gladsmuir turn - braving the rain to hunt but probably pleased it was not snow!

Wknd 28-29 January

2012-01-28T19:07:00.007Z

1st-win Shag green-USS on a small rock on west side of Seton harbour Saturday late afternoon (previously here on 10 September last year). On sea not far offshore one GND.

High tide at dusk made it difficult to check the Seton gulls, but on sea mainly off Longniddry Bents c. 2500 small gulls amongst which a single ad Med (forehead still white) and a dark LBB, off Seton Burn on sea 1 graellsii LBB amongst 80 Herring Gulls. Nothing white all over!

Back on Sunday - the Seton roost was again spread over sea, included various "hooded" Common Gulls such as bird depicted here. Then a fishing boat came in to Seton harbour just after dusk - wheeling over the wake were 4 Kittiwakes, 2 ad, 2 tarrock, 1 ad came right into the harbour and alighted on the wall (depicted below as last bird following the boat into harbour). Also one ad graellsii LBB amongst the large gulls following, presumed "Lucy", she is a fishing boat dependent gull.

SEO ageing and sexing

2012-01-23T00:02:00.013Z

The White Sands quarry SEO's have attracted a stream of admirers and photographers over recent weeks (I believe 10-12 carloads present on some occasions!). Not been there myself but with so many high quality photos it really ought to be possible to age and sex these birds, even to pin down which is which. Having also recently collected an SEO casualty at Blindwells relevant features can also be illustrated, as confirmed by post mortem details from vet.

So in these shots, the flight feathers (above) provide the first clues being very white below, and inner webs of secondaries almost completely white (albeit overexposed) - these are consistent with a male (female has bars on inner webs, with underwing coverts buff); the tail (below) is sufficient to determine both sex and age, first of all confirming sex in the very few faint bars on inner web of outer feather (female had 3-5 more distinct bars across both webs); tip of central pair of tail feathers gives the age, shown well here with broad dark streak along shaft and obvious dark markings on pale edge panels, juveniles have a tapering narrow dark streak down centre with very limited markings on sides (similar to the outer tail feathers shown here). For reference, the vet made this an "imm m", based on "immature testes black" - so given the plumage features with juvenile tail replaced almost certainly a second-winter.

Applying these features to White Sands birds and others is a challenge as some clues are concealed or hard to see in flight or when perched. The diving shot by Ronald Richardson (halfway down Dec images, dated 18/12/11) shows the upper tail and seems consistent with the juv pattern on central feather - need higher res image to confirm. The flight shots by Mike Thrower and Ron McCombe on BirdGuides thread don't really show any of the above features but are distinguishable in terms of flank streaking and basal colour of underparts, the narrow streaks and pale wash on Thrower images suggest its a male, vice versa on McCombe images is more suggestive of a female. Easier to see, the facial disk of females should also be obviously darker, being "more extensively and deeper buff" on a female. Careful comparison of plumage details of Richardson and Thrower shots suggest they're the same bird, so I (tentatively) suggest this may be a juv male.

Below is another image c/o Abbie, taken 11/1/12, which shows one of four birds present that day; it seems to be a different individual than both those linked above, the very dark facial disk may indicate that it's a female and what is visible of the tail tip is entirely consistent with a juvenile. Reported to be hunting on its own, away from other 3 owls. As ever would be nice to confirm but interesting if at least 2 of the 4 birds are juvs, information elsewhere on the internet (one link here) mentions a bumper breeding season for owls and harriers in Scandinavia last summer, and certainly there was an above average number of SEO reports locally last autumn.

Further to above, if it was known "which was which" other interesting questions could then be addressed, in the mid-air tusselling shown in various images who is fighting with who, and who is dominant? e.g. the bird on the left here may be female?

An unrelated aspect which makes me curious is the daily pattern of these birds - if, as reported, they only show sometimes for 15 mins an hour before dusk, then where are they for the rest of the time?! BWP mentions nocturnal hunting being commonplace but of unknown duration/importance. Use of night vision may assist in discovering more but I guess is going to need some very dedicated observer!

Final PS - nice blog post on conditions for good owl food here.

[Refs: Birds of the Western Palearctic, Javier Blasco's Identification Atlas of Birds of Aragon]

Wknd 21-22 January

2012-01-21T18:30:00.005Z

Staggered out full of lurgy on Saturday, had a look at the Eiders huddled in at Wrecked Craigs, Port Seton - 66 ad m, 66 f, 18 imm m, one ad m had obvious sails and a couple of the others had hints of sails.

Peering at the gulls sheltering from gale around Long Craigs rocks at dusk, no white-wingers apparent of course, an ad m Peregrine suddenly appeared heading W - gizzard bulging, must have fed well and heading to a roost - this was 16:50hrs, 30 mins after sunset.

Further afield worth noting an unprecedented move of Blue Fulmars past Flamborough in recent days, e.g. 19 Jan, deemed to originate from Bear Island. Given this form is much less than annual in Lothian now might be a good time to look for them off North Sea coast. Unfortunately I can't get there just now!

Blackbirds now in song home and work, first was Tuesday 17/1 - none singing before New Year this year despite mild weather. Still, mid Jan is on the early side, historically I expected to hear them from around last week of January.

Wknd 14-15 January

2012-01-13T15:32:00.013Z

Old faithful Med red-7P8 aka "Cherry Blossom" back on Seton shore Friday afternoon - after deserting us for Edinburgh (Seton Oct, Muss Nov, Seafield Dec) - welcome back! Initially by Seton Burn with another (presumed) old faithful, ad graellsii LBB "Lucy". No other hoped for species of gull :(

Not much offshore either, 21 Goldeneye on the sea was noteworthy, though hundreds can be seen off Edinburgh.

Another look on Saturday, decent numbers of large gulls on calm sea round fishing boat off Seton harbour, and several hundred small gulls on Seton Sands opposite caravan park entrance, only "white-winger" visible was an adult Med Gull amongst latter, unringed.

Sunday - quick look off Ferny Ness, tide out but fairly calm, min 27 Slavs and 1/2 RNG. Then went to complete E Fenton and Chapel WeBS, found the Whoopers in cereal at latter, 95, then flew to join mates at Prora (above). At E Fortune geese were in stubble south, c. 150 Pinks, 1 Euro Whitefront and the Barnacle Goose with the Greylags, no Beans detected.

Back down at Seton 2 ad Meds on shore opposite caravan park entrance, neither was Cherry Blossom. A boat brought in a good couple of hundred large gulls at dusk, 10+ GBB but again no white wings in there. Best came last, out in the gloom well offshore the unmistakable profile of a solid skua in rapid flapping/glide progress SW past, no doubt the same Pom that was seen before Christmas. Tracked it past Inchkeith, showed brief interest in a few Herring Gulls, then continued in towards bay off Musselburgh where finally lost to sight (bang goes the roosting further east theory, the only thing I can deduce from most recent obs of what is presumed same resident bird is it hunts till late so must still be hungry!).

Wknd 7-8 January

2012-01-09T11:53:00.008Z

Whilst driving down Eskside on Saturday spotted the tundra Bean Goose nibbling grass just a few feet from the pavement, ignoring passers-by. Others have much better photos, it was after sunset, but proof of food source here! Any other year and the temptation would be to quickly write off any other rare goose amongst tame "feral" Greylags and Canadas (37)!

Sunday made a quick trip round WeBS sites (week early by accident!), Whoopers still on Prora, c. 226, then at East Fortune large Greylag flock was unusually twitchy, first west of ponds, flew to ponds, flushed to fields south, finally settled NW of Waughton cottages (NT560805); breakdown was 652 Greylags plus usual white domestic goose and grey presumed Greylag x domestic Swan Goose hybrid, 4+ Tundra Beans, one ad Whitefront, one Barnacle, 1 Pinkfoot, my first 5 species flock here where Greylags are the standard fare; might have been 5 Tundra Beans, certainly not as many as 10 as reported earlier.

Monday - one Little Auk W past Seton harbour and 1k+ small gulls feeding down middle of Firth of Forth; ad graellsii LBB on Seton Burn, presumed "Lucy".

Early evening an eared owl giving a great display hunting under the Raceland floodlights at Gladsmuir, surprisingly tough to nail the ID though! Concentrated on wing tips but could not get conclusive details in the difficult light; given nocturnal hunting suspected LEO was more likely, assuming owl does not perceive the artificial light as anything more than an assistance to nocturnal hunting, but on consulting texts SEO is not unlikely as a nocturnal hunter, moreover is said to hover more than LEO, which his bird certainly was doing. Lack of ear tufts when perched may also be indicative but probably not conclusive either!

Post mortem back on 3 recent A1 owl casualties:

* SEO, Blindwells, 13/12/11, imm m, weight 318g, body score 3/5, gastrointestinal tract empty; all signs of a young bird in poor condition

* Barn Owl, Abbey Mains, Haddington, 9/11/11, juv f, weight 320g, body score 4.5/5, well filled intestines, gizzard contained common shrew

* Barn Owl, Monksmuir, Haddington, 4/1/12, young ad f, weight 326g, body score 5/5, well filled intestines, gizzard containing common shrew, bank vole and short-tailed field vole

Latter two as per many previous are young female owls in excellent condition, the running total is 77% female - reflecting presumably not that female owls are more susceptible to collisions but that they disperse more and further from natal areas.

Review of year 2011

2012-01-04T02:18:00.006Z

No time for any great analysis - fairly static on year list at 159 (assuming descriptions accepted, cf 157 in 2010, 160 in 2009), all about 50 species off the pace of best local year listers, i.e. consistently poor! But all were self-found, only extras beyond that being Aberlady Little Egrets and Dunsapie Iceland Gull seen in passing, and all were local, Firth of Forth and local haunts, one exception being an adult LTS on a rare trip to Dunbar. Notable omissions are Red-legged Partridge (how could I have missed them?!) and Shoveler, and found by others in my areas, Brent Goose around East Fenton/Brownrigg and Twite at Blindwells both missed, and BTD another bad omission given hours scanning Forth :(

Most memorable feature for me must be the best skua passage I've seen in the Forth, trek tells me this was 48 Arctic, 17 Great, 9 Pom and 35 skua sp (nearly all Arctic/Pom, most the latter), not including resident birds in the Forth which persisted into 2012. The massive influx of formerly very scarce geese, viz Tundra Beans and Euro Whitefronts, will long be remembered and I was also lucky to get in on the Curlew Sand influx, pick up a single Black Tern and also to get a tiny share of the Mealy Redpoll influx early in the year. Other obvious highlights were the juv Sabine's Gull on local patch off Cockenzie, a fortuitous Turtle Dove at Auldhame during atlas trawl for Collared Dove fledged young, and returning Mandarin at East Fortune.

83 species logged on "passage" via trektellen, taking overall total here to 110 species (full list, 23 non-migrants are subtracted). Particularly pleasing to add Sooty Shearwater off Cockenzie, having let a couple slip throo my fingers the previous year, not to mention adding Sabs!

A "good" year for road casualty owls, record low of only 3 Barn Owls logged Oct/Nov, BUT, this probably means there are less of them around, though perhaps also that it's been mild and they have not needed to move. Fewer other raptor casualties too though results are awaited from the first SEO casualty.

In the garden, 71 species logged, back to more typical after the bumper 77 in 2010, particularly pleasing to add both Woodcock and Short-eared Owl; omissions include Kestrel, less than annual previously though, and surprisingly Lapwing. A decent passage of Crossbill was logged, 38 in total including some in the mid-summer movement along with Siskins, and the single flock of 10k Pinkfooted Geese is also a new record for peak counts (of any species).

Christmas to New Year

2012-01-03T22:54:00.012Z

Happy New Year to all - have had a blog holiday though tried to disseminate a few bits of stuff via LBN and birdinglothian, so this post just a few reflections on the last couple of weeks.

Contrary a year ago when we were in the grip of the snow, with a Woodcock influx and hard weather movements, what a difference with the ongoing goose bonanza and unseasonable seabirds. The latter have not been apparent in abundance but right up to the year end Pom and Arctic Skuas were logged in the Forth, and Bonxies in the North Sea. Only the Pom seen by me, a dark presumed juv proceeding into the Forth again soon after dawn on 27/12, heading for the distant concentration of feeding small gulls off Edinburgh. Given a very similar looking bird went E after sunset on 18/12 led me to speculate may be roosting on sea towards mouth of the Forth, but who knows? The Arctic was logged off Kinghorn on 30/12 (another today S off Girdleness), which was interesting as on 1/1 a huge feeding flock of small gulls (3k+) off Kinghorn were repeatedly flushed, presumably by a skua but at the range (10 miles, they were behind Inchkeith) simply impossible to see the dark skua, at least with my scope! Those same small gulls I presume responsible for the continued presence of these skuas, surely there must be some unusual food source out there? [Postscript: birdinglothian now tells us a dark Pom was off Seton again on 2/1 for 15 mins, whilst I was off reading swan darvics, typical!]

Also of interest at sea, 5 Great Northern Divers W in just 10hrs watching in December, with others reported in same period off Muss and Gullane, this seems rather more than usual. How many would have been logged in dedicated watching like some of the east coast sites enjoy? Again without any proof I speculate that some of these had got into the North Sea and were heading back W, where the vast majority of GND overwinter in Britain & Eire, though perhaps some would end up inland?

These and others all logged on trektellen, including a count for today 3/1 when above pics taken from Cockenzie - wind a steady storm force 10 at the time, occasionally must have been gusting to violent storm 11 and I was becoming concerned the car might be blown over the way it was bouncing around. Not expecting to see any real seabird passage, just curious what could cope with a force 10 wind, found that both GBB and Herring Gull were capable, even a Turnstone that was using the troughs of the waves; Shag, Cormorants, Oycs, Razorbill and even a Feral Pigeon all made valiant attempts but eventually either ditched in the sea or blew down wind. All birds ditching in the sea, even gulls, went in with a great splash! Pan tiles smashed all over Seton High Street, sadly my hat also blew away, soon exceeding the speed limit down the main road :(

Now to the geese; it would be tedious to list all the details but 21/12 was a memorable day with a chance encounter of 59+ Bean Geese at Harelaw in my home tetrad (NT47N) on a non-birding trip. Mixed feelings though, after making a careful count had to dash home to get camera and "put out the news", wasted a few minutes on that and on return every last Bean had gone, leaving only the Greylag hosts and 3 Pinks (presumed flushed by a chap going for walk round same field, never seen a living soul in same field previously, or since!). Writing the "description" presented a few challenges, but I have no doubts there were at least 59 Beans there, almost certainly 60 and perhaps one or two more hidden, if accepted this would currently be a record count for Lothian. A few other double figure counts elsewhere since so perhaps they subsequently fragmented? The same Greylags were in same area a little north towards Gosford saw mill on 2/1, no surprise to see the 2 ad Euro Whitefronts here amongst them. Geese at same spot on 3/1 but not checked.

Finally, brief comment on swans - the "western East Lothian" flock have all converged on dumped potatoes on Prora ex-landfill, counted 223 though a few flying around so definitely a minimum. Amusing to see them behaving like toddlers, a couple squabbling over the remains of a particular rotten potato, whilst standing next to a great mound of them! Got only one darvic from gate where view is very restricted, but site is alarmed and has CCTV, fortunately got to speak to site manager and able to approach a bit closer, getting 3 of 4 yellow darvics (PL5 shown, ringed as cygnet at Martin Mere 30/1/01, returning there till 2005 but regular here since 2006); frustratingly no sign of red-ASB (half read at Rattlebags earlier in year); may not have chance now to try again!

PS - with my recorder hat on it is of course record submission time of the year, and a few have arrived (many thanks); if still using the Excel s/s I have an updated version using current Scottish list names (common names, saves typing "Eurasian" all the time) and also what I find to be a handy weekday lookup (minimises date errors, certainly for me) if anyone wants one, indeed will link here shortly. I appreciate all correspondence received, I'm really struggling for time though, especially with a very busy teaching semester just starting, not to mention family duties etc, so please bear with me for replies to emails and don't be offended if they are rather brief and to the point!

Garden bird log for Longniddry, Lothian

2011-12-25T10:00:00.000Z

This is a log of the more interesting species seen and heard in, and flying over, a small garden on Douglas Road, Longniddry, Lothian, Scotland (map), since August 2004. The garden is in an estate within 500m of high water - Firth of Forth. Unfortunately there is no view out to the sea, or indeed anywhere beyond the neighbouring houses in the estate.

Annotated species list
Detailed records (spreadsheet)

2011

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. Latter, 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 Fernieness 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

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 Buzzrd 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. Full records: Excel s/s.
Older records (to end 2010).

Wknd 17-18 December

2011-12-17T22:37:00.011Z

Not sure if anyone else has noticed but there are loads of Kittiwakes still in the Forth! Checking the Lothian database 1991-2010 there have been a total of 27 previous December records, only one in double figures though (15 Silverknowes, 3/12/06). Today in another brief look from Cockenzie again 20+ were easily visible, at least 50% were 1st-winters. Ystdy could only afford a 10 minute scan but in same period 32 went SW past, full counts. Most of these probably derive from feeding flocks well offshore, amongst even greater numbers of other gulls, mainly BHG, fewer Common Gull. Perhaps there is some unusual food source, or is it simply due to the relatively mild winter, with some contribution from stormy weather? Whatever, I suspect these would all be worth looking at more critically, and note the adult Sabine's Gull reported from Northumbs today (not to mention the Manx, skuas passing Flamborough today, and series of unseasonal Puffin records)!

On Wednesday doing just that, scanning a distant flock of feeding small gulls which were out towards Inchkeith, well offshore (at least a mile), picked up a medium-sized white-winged gull, brief excitement considering possibilities but as it was heading off SW towards Musselburgh, as all good birds ultimately do, it became apparent it was "just" a Med Gull, probably an adult. Nevertheless a sighting of great interest to me as I have long wondered if they feed offshore - we invariably see them on the shore, loafing or arriving for the roost (when direction seen most often from inland), and they are not that difficult to find amongst small gulls in fields near the coast up to a few miles inland, but clearly they may also feed offshore.

This is all part of the puzzle of explaining what it can be that attracts these birds to come over here from places like Poland and elsewhere on near continent, to spend perhaps 9 months of their year at a location some way north of their main breeding areas - and then when they're here spending 16 hours a day out on the sea in a roost at this time of the year. Clearly there is some decent benefit for them, relatively mild climate could be argued, though at present it's only the sea that provides that an environment marginally above freezing (for roost and otherwise), but presumably also good feeding of some sort?

Back to today and a 2nd-win Med was standing in the Seton Burn immediately afterwards. No sign of any arctic gulls, nor at Seton harbour, but a 1st-win Iceland reported from Musselburgh at evening roost gives some glimmer of hope!

Sunday - did not get out till dusk and the Seton Burn held very few gathered gulls, just 350 on shore (including one black-headed Black-headed Gull) + 400 on sea, exceptionally small gathering. At Seton harbour a fishing boat was coming in trailing c. 200 large gulls, 5 Kittiwakes in their midst wheeling over the wake; gulls which had come down on sea behind boat flushed twice so I was on the look-out for a predator and sure enough a really solid looking dark Pom Skua went past W not too far offshore; harried an adult Kittiwake then went round in a great circuit off Prestonpans/Musselburgh and headed back east offshore, there harrying a Herring Gull. Probably a juv but could not exclude a dark adult.

Wknd 10-11 December

2011-12-11T23:09:00.010Z

Spent some time looking at these Grey Partridge feeding in snow at Seggarsdean on Saturday, pecking at oil-seed rape leaves and weed seeds, covey of 8, 5 more nearby. Must admit I normally just count the flocks but careful examination allows appreciation of how distinctive are male (above) and female (below). 1st-win of each sex probably tough to distinguish in the field, post-juvenile moult fully complete at 16 wks, i.e. at least by late Nov, male retains outer two primaries, with bars on outer primaries less broken and not so reduced as adult, whilst female breast without chestnut, or on a few feathers only; in c. 15% patch as large as average adult female (all per BWP). Fascinating to see them all crouch flush down with snow seconds before a Sparrowhawk whizzed past the car. Both species new for tetrad (NT57G), also added a few at Tyne by Abbeymill where 32 Siskin accompanied by 2 Lesser Redpolls in waterside alders, Goosander on the river.

Sunday did WeBS circuit (a week early by accident!) - first stop East Fenton where c. 250 swans at usual muddy field south-west of the farm, probably still c. 210 Whoopers. With them 470 grey geese, knew there was a chance of interesting interlopers and though distant and in poor light soon got a view of orange legs on a couple. Some shooting started and they flew, departing mainly N 14:30hrs. Photos taken confirmed the dark tail band and narrow white tip on one, i.e. Bean Goose presumed tundra, a patch tick for me in the Drem area, though later found there had been 31 of them there with 140 Whitefronts NW over at same spot a little earlier in the afternoon - oh well, at least have seen various Whitefronts!

On geese well worth a look at this blog post on a bunch of neck-collared Greylags which came over from Scandinavia but have already gone back again, amazing!

Back to Friday had a skua rising up from sea off Ferny Ness, harrying gulls - lucky to catch up with same later off Port Seton harrying a Kittiwake, confirming as a gingerish juv Arctic; reports of individual off Musselburgh at wknd apparently a darker bird, perhaps a few still lingering in Forth in association with late departing Kittiwakes this year? Lucy (LBB) still resident in Seton harbour for 7th winter, also seen offshore, for comparison this typical argenteus Herring on a rock at Cockenzie harbour, a couple of dark flecks in pale iris.

Wknd 4-5 December

2011-12-06T18:04:00.012Z

Joined the current goose fest seeing just one of the Tundras Bean currently at Luffness Mill House en route to grey goose survey circuit on Sunday. Same plus friends further east at West Fortune Tuesday morning, including two Barnacles, one above, and a very pale leucistic Pinkfoot. Missed the two European Whitefronts found later by Jim at the Luffness Mill House field.

Actually 4 tundras seen but only three together, in foreground above separate from main flock; note the distinctive appearance of mantle on sleeping bird immediately above (left, orange legs), much browner than Pinks, moreover tertials with more distinct pale fringes.

Also on Sunday another Bean Goose briefly in the stubble by East Fortune pond, then cereal east towards Waughton. Presumably also a tundra but view too brief to nail it, just possibly the returning taiga from last winter. 450 Greylag there were only ones found for the survey (also f Merlin like a small rocket over stubble at East Fenton). Looked for this Bean again in quick circuit round early Tuesday but no Pinks in area, though 340 reported early afternoon by Mark, including a pale-bellied Brent - pretty rare inland here and completing set of 6 species of geese East Fortune to West Fortune on Tuesday morning! All part of a remarkable east coast goose influx, with single flocks of 90+ Tundra Beans and 120+ (now 140+!) Whitefronts up in NE Scotland - if lucky we may get a few more later in the winter?

Saturday vismig off Ferny Ness gave great flyby views of GND, 4 ad Whoopers and a juv f Peregrine, full counts. Even better was an SEO past the previous morning, way offshore when picked up but black wing tips confirming species - tracked it NW towards Inchkeith, then veering slightly N towards Kinghorn - presumably an incoming migrant heading W?

Wknd 26-27 November

2011-11-27T15:39:00.013Z

Sparse pickings - persisted with seawatching from Seton/Cockenzie harbours (pic of latter above), on Thursday squeezed out 30 mins during daughter's ballet exam and was pleased to get 10 juv + 1 2nd-win Gannet and right at the end a dark juv Pom Skua coming down in the sea. More frustrating was a diver sp W almost certainly a Black-throated.

Back for 90 mins on Sunday afternoon, with a decent WSW5 wind and good visibility (apart from the car rocking around) - a pale juv skua soon came in from E, did some harrying, then proceeded W, most likely a Pom but did not appear that bulky and could not exclude Arctic; 16+ ad Kittiwakes W (finally got a winter record for NT47D!), also 7 Whoopers (4 juv) as per above (full count). Frustration again though with a small gull with black primary wedges and Sabine's pattern mantle, appearing dull grey not brown - in 20 mins watching, during which time it drifted out towards mid Channel, never detected any hint of black pattern on wings, nor tail tip, it was also quite white-headed - a bit late for an ad-win Sabines's though! May have felt worse had it not been for the certain juv there a month ago. Hmmmm, I wonder what more would be yielded here by investment of a little more time?!

Saturday noted one Waxwing in flight over Aberlady high street, Kingston stubbles now ploughed and free of swans.

Earlier in week brief excitement with report of a Hawfinch in Longniddry, though turning to doubt when another reported from Tyninghame, finally confirmation the former was erroneous. Oh well, we live in hope! That species, plus Cory's Shearwater, Honey Buzzard, Grey Phalarope and Water Pipit, probably the few regular Lothian birds I still need for my British/Scottish life list ;) Elsewhere Hawfinch are shot for fun, please click protest link via the CABS site.

Finally a sunset from Hoprig during the week, below; Yellowhammer singing here twice recently!

Wknd 19-20 November

2011-11-19T14:21:00.022Z

Latest Barn Owl recovery here (c/o CND), a very interesting well spotted individual, more pics now added below. Note the buff down onto sides of flanks. Sad as usual but images posted here mainly for reference, suspect this is a juv female, one of the darker ones found but no reason to suspect it's not alba. Will confirm with details from post mortem in due course.

Saturday midday a drake Gadwall amongst 63 Wigeon on Seton Burn, patch tick!

On the shore a yellow darvic BHG, excited to see this and suspected it was the previous Spanish ringed bird returning. Took nearly an hour of stalking until I was sitting within 50m watching it asleep on the waterline, near the stunning drake Gadwall, and could see every detail of the yellow-N141 darvic inscription - sadly without my camera though! This bird was ringed on Salamanca dump in Spain in January 2007, and may still be the only exchange of BHG between Spain and Scotland? This post shows the ringing location in Salamanca. Also the regular adult Herring Gull, orange-1787, still present.

Saturday after dusk - c. 4k gulls at Seton Sands but only c. 1k on shore for checking, included a fine 2nd-win Med Gull. Could not relocate the Gadwall but light was very poor.

Sunday mid-afternoon - ad European Whitefront with 182 odd Whoopers in stubble S of Kingston Farm cottages, pic here of same having an itch at Chapel. Also round the resrs, 5 Goosander, 3 Scaup (2 ad f, 1 1st-win), m+f Goldeneye, drake Pochard, probably mostly the same crew as last winter! Missed a Pintail and 2 Gadwall seen by Colin though. Other than wildfowl - 210 Fieldfare at Drem pools, 1200 Wood Pigeon West Fortune and a juv Grey Heron on road (B1345) at Drem village.

Thereafter at Seton Burn, 2 ad Med Gulls in pre-roost (was told there were 4 or 5 ads plus the 2nd-win one day the previous week).

On Thursday previous week another patch tick in the shape of 15 White-fronted Geese out over Gosford Bay - very poor shot here at range c. 2 miles taken from Seton harbour, Fife coast in background. After wavering a bit off Ferny Ness and thinking of heading NW over Forth they headed straight for me, thought they were going to do a fly past - but the suddenly turned south - set off in pursuit but could not relocate, may well have come down somewhere as presumed same passed Ferny Ness in reverse 14:30hrs. Of most interest to me was the different jizz apparent even at great range, they never gave an impression of being Pinks and in initial head on view looked more like a bunch of Curlews, with shallow flapping on quite stiff wings.

Wknd 12-13 November

2011-11-11T17:27:00.021Z

En route to Port Seton early afternoon driving past the caravan park suddenly realised bird on wires just passed was a swallow! Pulled up sharp and leapt out, quickly confirming it was a juv Barn Swallow (not visible on pics but was very pale over bill). Had to continue to daughter's ballet class but on way back bird still present perched very near same spot. Conditions mild (11C), very little wind (despite general forecast), but seemed content to sit and preen. [Postscript - presumed same just a little east on Tuesday 15 November, reported by persons unknown.]

Reminiscent of sightings of ad + 2 juvs at exact same spot on 13-14 November 2008.

Also interesting to note Clive McKay had one past SW on his Carnoustie vismig on Sunday, whilst down at Durlston (Dorset) they are still passing in small numbers most days (10's per day first wk November, now diminished, graph).

[Historical comparison - November Swallows are regular in Lothian, c. 25 birds in last 20 years (many of which roamed stretches of coast for several days, producing multiple sightings of presumed same bird) with only 4 blank years. Several recent records have been on Gosford coast, including one 6/11/10, one Gosford Bothy 7/11/09 and the three above on 14/11/08. Even more extreme, we had December records in 2000, on 2nd/3rd at Yellowcraigs, and in 1994 with records on 3rd at Aberlady, then on 4th & 21st at Dunbar!]

Saturday early hours, one greyish Tawny Owl perched in tree right by road at Jinging Hill, Garleton.

Saturday noon - small white-faced wader W past Port Seton well offshore, seemed all grey on top with an angled white wing bar towards trailing edge, bright white below; did not strike me as matching Sanderling (no strong contrasts on upperparts) and flight had occasional sudden changes in direction - if anything was even more rapid than other small calidrids, continuous rapid flapping. But, I'm not familiar with Grey Phalarope flight action, neither can I locate any examples online (or BWPi) (this is Red-necked though), so nothing more than a "possible" :(

Saturday dusk, a skein of geese larger than any I've previously seen here passed over NE towards Aberlady at 16:10hrs - hundreds of birds wide and approximately a mile long, would be surprised if less than 10000 birds!

Sunday 11 Whoopers on sea off Seton Sands in afternoon.

Also ad graellsii LBB back on harbour wall looking very like "Lucy" of previous years (if so, now a 7th-winter).

2 Purps on the harbour wall there amongst 32 Turnstone.

Return of Sandie?!

2011-11-09T12:00:00.003Z

[Warning - read to end, the initial report blogged here was a hoax!]

Report of Sandhill Crane S over Dunbar 08:15hrs Friday 16 September may relate to the same individual famously tracked S in 2009, later wintering in France? Could this be the same bird as was seen in Finland on 5 September, then Estonia on 8 September? A further report over West Walton, Norfolk, on Saturday 17 September.

In retrospect, given it would have needed to break free from carrier species (Common Crane) and get across the North Sea angled very much to the west, this would seem very unlikely - as concluded by others. Perhaps more likely is there are two - the current UK one either being a new arrival, or possibly the 2009 bird retracing its route having been missed on other migrations? The east coast track is consistent with the latter view, though equally could be adopted by a new arrival if it had again made landfall on the Northern Isles.

The rest is history of course, Sandhill Crane at Strathbeg 22-26 September, possibly a couple of days earlier, where amazing photos were finally achieved; as of Thursday 29 September was again being tracked south - over Newbiggin 09:16hrs then down into Durham, Cleveland and N Yorks by early afternoon. Looks like we missed a chance in a lifetime in Lothian, oh to have been watching on the Wednesday!!!

It seems to be widely accepted that this is the same bird as initially reported mid-September, and with a lack of any other sightings this does have some logic - though many east coast sites are well watched - could it really have got all the way back up from Norfolk to Strathbeg without being seen? Possibly from Berwick (after all we missed it coming south again, though it may have been out over the sea), but even that looks a bit odd. All speculation, though availability of high res images from Strathbeg may now help. Comparison of details is possible with pics from Scandinavia, unfortunately low res but better than nothing, e.g. these for head profiles, right (Strathbeg and Estonia), and left (Strathbeg and Estonia), there may in fact seem to be some hints of similar patterns, is the cheek patch lower in the right? But the flight shot from Finland shows one nick in the left wing, not seen on Strathbeg bird. Perhaps time will tell.

Comparison with better photos from Finland seems to confirm it is definitely a different individual, much greater contrast of white cheeks on Scandinavian bird. Also discussed on BirdForum.

Postscript 1 - re comments below, time has indeed told, it later came to light that the Dunbar report was a hoax, still made it into the pages of BB though!

Postscript 2 - on 9 November the much anticipated message came through of relocation of the bird in Iberia, it has apparently found Common Cranes in Badajoz province of Spain and was seen there on 4 November, full details.

Another Night Heron survivor

2011-11-08T22:10:00.003Z

Another out of area item, alerted to this Night Heron story by Ian, bird recovered from Dungarit near Stranraer (where mobbed by Buzzards).

Originally from Edinburgh zoo, this is my understanding of the colour-ringing regimes adopted there 1984-2004:

* 1982-1987(8) - red right, 3 colours left
* 1989-1995 - red right, blue/yellow left (some blue/red left 1994)
* 1997-2004 - ad hoc 0, 1 or 2 red, blue/yellow bands either leg

So this individual would seem to be one of the last batch, thus probably rather younger than the two survivors at the zoo itself (one each from the two earlier ringing regimes).

Quail recovery

2011-11-07T22:17:00.005Z

This is an interesting recovery of a British-ringed Quail, shot in France on southbound migration in September. The BTO Online Ringing Report website gives details of all five previous recoveries related to UK Quail exchanges.

Wknd 5-6 November

2011-11-04T15:16:00.027Z

Thursday, tip-off from Tom, this presumed juvenile Barn Owl on A1 by Spittalrigg was only second Lothian casualty I'm aware of this year, down from 21 last year (15.6 average 2004-2010). [Postscript - another on A1 at Abbey Mains east of Haddington the following week; also updated winter atlas map here to assist targeting gaps - this includes the recent additions plus a few earlier casualties which are not allowed under the BTO atlas rules.]

Friday morning saw some vismig underway with 169+ Redwing and 3 Crossbills in first half hour, then some small flocks of Starlings first half of morning, full counts.

Lunchtime, with a flat calm before rain started, a scan off Ferny Ness revealed a Great Northern Diver (ad-win/imm, not same as Dave's last week), 8 Red-necked Grebes (group 5 together), 20+ Slav Grebe, plus a male Goldeneye, at least 9 RTD, 26 LTD, 45 RBM, 80 Velvet Scoter, etc. 810 Golden Plover on Gosford Sands arrived from Port Seton, Long Craigs rocks, where flushed off by bait diggers. Herring Gull orange-1787 there (below) was back for the 3rd year (ringed Seamer Carr, 30 November 2007), but no sign of a new bird (blue-167) seen last week by Keith.

Saturday - started the usual hunt for East Lothian Greylags (grey goose survey), unfortunately they were not in usual haunts (Drem to East Fortune, nor Lochhouses, or Gosford ponds per Abbie) so drew a blank! Most of the Whoopers were in stubble by Chapel farm (accompanied by a single Barnacle Goose!), others at East Fenton and Chapel farm resrs, total 118.

Coming back planned an atlas owling trip, mainly targeting the gaping hole still in the Tawny Owl map. Success with Tawny at Birkhill, Binning (edge of gap, but new for NT57Z) and then a surprise Barn Owl out hunting by the busy road past Kamehill entrance, also new (NT57U). Did not bargain on the extent of bonfire night activities though, any owls at Gilmerton House woods (centre of gap) were keeping a low profile (though Pinks could be heard nearby at Beanston Mains, feeding under the moon). The kids were better pleased with the sight of 7 bonfires in total and great fireworks displays at East Fortune smallholdings and Kingston cottages.

Sunday - my annual trip to Aikieside Hill, Stobshiel, to monitor Wood Pigeon migration (probably a minority interest hereabouts, though Clive is keen on them up in Angus, and Chris & Ali in Fife!). Did not disappoint, 2650 NE/240 SW in just over an hour, full counts. [PS - these totals can't compare with the 10's of thousands logged at many English sites today, e.g. Pennines, max rates of 25k per hour! See map.] A few Pinks came up from the south out of Borders, descending to feed at Humbie, others were arriving from Aberlady. Stunning scenery views too.

Sunday - another traipse round in search of geese and finally found the bulk of them at dusk at Redside (345, with 85 leaving to the east); in addition 43 East Fortune and 30 on Gosford shore two hours after sunset (perhaps same as 24 over our house east at dawn?). Moreover, Gilmerton House owls proved more cooperative - after initially cursing my luck with a lot of gunfire going on in the estate an renewed bout set off agitated kewick calls from an equally irritated Tawny, thus one useful tetrad record which will appear in middle of the void (NT57N).

Monday - a Woodcock flushed from muddy puddles by minor road over A1 south of Trabroun, Elvingston, a tetrad tick for NT47R.

Wknd 29-30 October

2011-10-29T19:02:00.014+01:00

Starting on Thursday, one pale ad Pom Skua heading slowly SE in across Gosford Bay in a brief look from Seton in morning. Big gull roost at Seton in evening, c. 4.5k, but mainly on sea and well spread out, just one ad Med Gull detected plus an intermedius LBB (below). 355 Pinks passed over Crookston NE at dusk, seemed to follow the A1 passing over Bankton then Seton Sands.

Friday morning, a little vismig was on with flock 24 Fieldfare and 2 Crossbill low over house. At high tide an ad Great Crested Grebe was feeding very close in at Seton Burn (above), quite unusual for any grebe species here. This species is barely annual on this stretch of coast now, I recall seeing 3 in September 2004 but ever since no more than a single, except for a period in December 2007 with two off Seton harbour. Two were reported again in December 2009, though I saw none that year. Suspicion may be that these are returning birds, like the Black-necked, but why so few when decent (though rapidly declining) numbers can still be seen off Edinburgh coast? Peaks at Silverknowes have been 39 in 2010, 49 in 2009, 105 in 2008, 288 in 2007, 261 in 2006; further back there were up to a thousand wintering in the Forth (standard LBR species text); we certainly seem to be witnessing a collapse in numbers locally.

Saturday over at Haddington located a flock of Pinkfeet in stubble by Seggarsdean, total c. 3100 with 88 Barnacle. Had a good look at nearly all and no collars or oddities spotted. Up on Garleton another 2300+ Pinks included a new leucistic bird, originally found by Abbie at Bangly Hill in the morning, this one nearly white on back (central in image below). Towards dusk the GCG was still at the Seton Burn, in a brief look 5 LBB and at least two ad Med Gulls amongst the gulls on the sea, but a heavy shower commencing and poor visibility.

No sign of Crestie Sunday, though I note 2 GCG reported from Musselburgh, perhaps it moved down there?

Monday morning, the "nordic" (?) Jackdaw back on the same bit of pavement on Niddrie Mains; had this been the first sighting I would have been tempted to declare it a fresh arrival from Scandinavia, in peak Jackdaw migration period. As with the "northern" Eiders previously referenced on these pages it would be nice to get some quality images of these individuals, for reference, but I suspect the interests of local bird photographers do not extend to these dubious subspecies :(

Raven roam(ance)ing

2011-10-25T21:35:00.009+01:00

Coming back from a meeting in Hamilton I found myself with a half hour spare at the exciting venue of Bellshill railway station, Strathclyde; after a few minutes looking around I was pondering how tough inland birding can be, semi-industrial and unremarkable landscape as far as the eye could see - yet we know even scarcities like YBW are not infrequently picked up inland, they're out there but a needle in a haystack to say the least. No, no chance of spotting anything of even remote interest right here, I thought.

No sooner, but I picked up two apparently large birds approaching from the south, almost glued together; no bins and hard to judge distance but by flapping action clearly something "big"; as they came close thoughts of raptors or herons vanished as I could see they were clearly a pair of Raven, albeit too high to really discern the wing and tail shapes. Over the next 20 minutes they were in view continuously, until the tiniest of specks that I could barely discern, a good few miles north. Throughout, they flew in formation, circling, occasionally changing direction to do a figure of eight, never more than a couple of metres apart and most of the time nearly touching. No true aerobatics, but it was quite apparent these two were close, seemingly enjoying the tightly synchronised flying.

Turning to the trusty BWP, where so many fascinating insights can be found under the various headings on things like social behaviour (many clearly derived from a lifetime's study by the cited author), I noted the following relevant comments:

"Monogamous. Almost certainly pairs for life (e.g. Heinrich 1990) ... Pairs remain together throughout year and occupy same territory year after year (e.g. Harlow 1922). Members of pair readily recognize each other individually and transmit modified vocal information directed only at mate, even over long distances (Gwinner 1964). ... Behaviour interpreted as play often reported. Studies on semi-captive birds reveal much more complex play repertoire than reported for any other bird (Gwinner 1966), including hanging upside-down, and sliding down sloping surfaces. Play sequences prone to great individual variation and group-specific play combinations arise by mutual imitation."

Another valuable reference, the BTO bird facts, tells us the max recorded age of a wild bird was 17 years. Another source states 25 years for a captive bird. Wonder how long those two I saw today have been together?

Wknd 22-23 October

2011-10-22T10:43:00.013+01:00

"vismig" on Saturday, 21 skuas in 2 hrs, including great views of juv Pom Skua just offshore, 13 Whoopers past too, full counts.

Seawatch from Dunbar Battery (first visit!) afternoon produced at least one more juv Pom Skua (several probables) and an adult Long-tailed Skua drifting N, full counts; think this is my first ever complete set of skuas :} No other sea-watchers and was not sure where the usual watchpoint is, climbed out of the battlements to get to a spot on front rocks shielded by a wall; on way back discovered that was rather unnecessary with the path round the side! Also tried sitting just below the main battlement wall, but soon found the problem with that, for some reason people seeing a high wall can't resist going there to spit over it - missed me, but not long after got a shower of pebbles from small children. Will take a hat next time.

[Interesting that the skua flow rate there was not markedly different to in the Forth recently; average rates in Forth has been c. 15 birds/hr (100 birds, 6.5hrs counts, 3/7/19/20/22-Oct), with 43% Arctic, 15% Bonxie and majority of rest Pom; at Dunbar rate c. 12 birds/hr (24 birds, including a few south), far more Bonxie at 45%, Arctic only 15%. Can also compare with Hound Point count on Sunday, 88 birds in 6.5hrs, 58% Pom, 31% Arctic, 8% Bonxie and 2 juv LTS - suggests most of my "skua sp" are Poms! Obviously there are loads of factors, like wind, which will render attempts at comparisons nearly meaningless!]

Also Saturday - Whoopers were at Rattlebags (by East Fenton) and New Mains (by Whitekirk), flew to roost towards Tyninghame 18:15hrs (photo of arrival there the previous weekend). Sunday - confirmed 100 Whoopers back at East Fenton, in favoured stubble by Rattlebags, 23 juvs (probably six families, b5, b5, b4, b4, b3, b2?), 23% juvs ratio (can do that with no calculator!) which is very typical. 3 darvics, 2 new, i.e. yellow-H9U and yellow-S53, latter ringed and released at Loch Leven (Findatie) on 1st February 2007 after being in care at SSPCA, Middlebank (taken there from Muthill, near Crieff on 7th November 2006 in a weak condition); only other report was near Gressingham, Lancashire (SD5469) on 15th December 2008 (c/o Allan Brown), great survivor then! Previously we've had S54, ringed at Muss, and S55, ringed as a juv on the River Tay at Flukie Fishing Lodge, Kinfauns, near Perth on 29/1/10, also rung by Allan & Lyndesay; seem to be gathering a matching set of their darvics!

Passing Aberlady noted a couple of Greenshanks and juv Ruff still by Peffer Burn, also an adult Med Gull (unringed). Off Ferny Ness, now 35 Long-tailed Ducks, majority beautiful males, showing well close in; 3 Red-necked Grebes, 2 Slav, could not see our little friend (returning BNG) again though.

2 ad Med Gulls by Seton Burn towards dusk, beautiful light but no camera with me!

[Several Shag darvics read at Seton and Dunbar, details to follow.]

Wknd 15-16 October

2011-10-15T22:46:00.036+01:00

Above is a small part of a flock of c. 9500 geese in stubble btwn Muirton and East Fenton, filling the fields there mid-afternoon Saturday. Having started counting by 10's found them an indigestibly large number so tried again by hundreds and made it 9600. A series of 16 digiscoped photos of whole flock, like one below, enabled me to try again at home and after an hour with the clicker and a spreadsheet it came out at 9502! I'd still say plus or minus a thousand or so (would be interesting to know the official Aberlady count!).

Mainly Pinks obviously, but also 178 Barnacle Geese; just a single grey collar shows that they are quite rare now; remarkably, an adult male Peregrine was down on prey in the midst of the geese, plucking something with pale feathers, perhaps a gull, flock came with 20m of it! Finally I spotted the dark goose visible in images above (can you see it amongst the c. 680 Pinks?), but I wasn't fooled as I recognised it as the dusky Canada that had been at East Fenton last month (originally thought it was an aberrant or had some hybrid influence but now wonder whether just stained?) When the guns started and the whole flock flew this individual circled forlornly before finally going into East Fenton to join its friends.

Other geese included a few Barnacles on Gosford shore, 291 Greylags at East Fortune including our old domestic hybrid friend (previously speculated is Greylag x domestic Swan Goose, like this) shown below.

On the swan front had estimated 40 "cygnus sp" in the same stubble from the Intercity train on Monday so it seemed something of a coincidence to find 39 Whoopers (2 juvs) on Chapel resr - these were initially feeding in cereal at Fenton Barns.

Elsewhere, 2 RNG, 3 Slav, 6 LTD and several skuas (mainly Arctic) off Ferny Ness, also f/imm Stonechat there; 480 Lapwings Drem; drake Pintail East Fortune; another Pintail, resident Little Egret and 4 Ruff at Aberlady, where high tide coincided with dusk (below).

A rare trip to Tyninghame on Sunday, generally quiet birdwise (one Crossbill, one Chiff in Links Wood) but this dragonfly was a surprise on the beach, was not sure what it was but have been informed it might be a Vagrant Emperor (imm m?). This is a species resident in sub-Saharan African, and very rare vagrant to Britain, it would apparently be the 3rd or 4th record for Scotland! More info in this BirdGuides article (has also reached Iceland, the Caribbean and recently, Canada, not bad for an African dragonfly!)

Otherwise: 6 Greenshank on Tyne Sands beach, 3 more (or same) by the embankment. A fantastic display by a young Peregrine. Offshore c. 3300 Kittiwakes feeding over the sea in area east of Bass Rock, a single skua having a field day in the midst of them! 14 Barnacle Geese on estuary and 27 Whooper Swans (family of 5 juvs, below), all unringed, flew to roost in estuary 17:20hrs.

Wknd 8-9 Oct

2011-10-07T20:05:00.015+01:00

Towards dusk on Saturday, in miserable weather, an adult Little Gull having a preen on Seton shore at Wrecked Craigs (rare here, my second Seton record in 8 yrs!), and a 1st-win Med in a quick look at Seton roost. Also at Wrecked Craigs, Shag green-SPJ, ringed as a chick on the Isle of May on 12/6/08 and seen previously Oct 08 an Sept/Oct 09 (photo below). At noon 30 Barnacle Geese N over Longniddry primary, then 4 more NE - poor visibility.

At usual patch at Port Seton on Friday afternoon, but limited to 90 mins (daughter's ballet class!), a lot to see - on Wrecked Craigs, Shags included red-LLZ (ad f, ringed as chick Isle of May 19/7/05, previously here 8,18,30/8/09) and 100+ Golden Plover were all European.

Caught sight of an unusual jizz seabird moving away into Forth, smallish with dark mantle but white below, very buoyant flight, then dipping and occasional plunge revealed it was Black Tern; further sightings over the period of presumably same bird eventually gave better views (first for patch!).

Meanwhile virtually every fresh scan of the Forth, in crystal clear visibility, was picking up more skuas heading W, some nice views of mainly dark Arctics, one Bonxie, close in, but most resolutely ploughing up the Forth mid-channel - a few Bonxies in particular at some height, max group four. A juv Pom gave reasonable views not too far offshore, noticeably so much more bulky than the dark Arctic just behind in, whilst a couple of bulky pale adult skuas mid-channel likely also this species. Total for the periods was 41W (17 Arctic, 12 Bonxie), plus 1 Bonxie E (full counts). [Would be interesting to compare with Hound Point for the full day, at these rates several hundred would be possible!]. Also one Manx Shearwater went west, well out.

Sunday - more yapping heard, no surprise with so many Barnies at Aberlady (3200), not to mention another 1200 at Tyninghame - I guess this is a record influx (beating e.g. 2300 Tyninghame, 630 Aberlady, 379 Barns Ness on 30 September 2009)?

Blackbird in extended periods of subsong.

40 swans Muirton-East Fenton (from train) were intriguing, with no Mutes on last week's goose circuit - will have to check out to see if they are the vanguard of the Whoopers. Incidentally East Fenton 5-yr average for this species has now reached 212, thus it becomes a site of international importance (per latest WeBS report)!

Wknd 1-2 October

2011-10-02T21:19:00.009+01:00

Nothing new, another Med Gull, though the one above was at a new site for me - Aberlady - moreover was accompanied by another 1st-win early afternoon on Sunday; yet another 1st-win was at Whitekirk on the golf practice range later in the afternoon, also unringed. The previous evening a 2nd-win flew in at 18:00hrs to join a very modest roost on sea off Seton Burn (also unringed!) and an adult was on the sea off Longniddry c/p 2.

Grey goose count was nearly a dismal failure, a trawl of Gosford, Aberlady, Muirton, East Fenton, Chapel, East Fortune, Redside, Waughton, Scoughall, Lochhouses, Newbyth etc drew a blank on Greylags! So tried again after sunset and a great gathering was on the sea off Gosford entrance, several hundred. Suspect they had been hidden in behind Gosford woods, as many Pinks came out of that area late afternoon.

On Saturday evening in steady rain, negligible wind, 25+ Redwing calls (some groups 2 or more) 21:25-23:40hrs Saturday, passing W in rain. Some of same reported from further west by Ian at Musselburgh, also a single down in Borders by James. During same period plenty entertainment from local Tawny Owls, initially hooting over golf course but then probable youngster(s) along burn trees just over the road from us, comical calling and loud wailing. Sunday evening ad+juv Sandwich Tern calling over 22:30hrs, directly over house apparently W.

Further miscellaneous sightings: fresh Barn Owl casualty Blindwells, 560 Golden Plover on Seton shore and 5 RTD off Ferny Ness on Saturday; on Sunday, 8 Slav, 6 RNG at Ferny Ness; 6 Pintail, 2 Curlew Sand (flew in from west), 1 Greenshank and 1st-win Wheatear (depicted) at Aberlady; several Red Admirals all over; Blackbirds in winter song Gosford, 2 or 3 vocal Nuthatch in ponds area; c. 20 Swallows Spittal.

Wknd 24-25 September

2011-09-25T20:59:00.008+01:00

By the bramble patch at Ferny Ness this (presumed) Fox Moth caterpillar, enjoying balmy conditions mid-afternoon Sunday (they hibernate Sept to March); NBN shows just one dot in East Lothian (NT48Q, Aberlady), but I guess they could actually be quite widespread.

Scanning offshore 12 moult migrant Canada Geese flew west past with 2 Greylag hybrids, then several groups of waders, total 400+ Golden Plover in a few minutes, then the reason appeared with a probable juv f Peregrine off Craigielaw; watched it over the next half hour as it initially headed west well offshore, probably got to about 3 miles offshore, at times flying very low and rapidly, then rising up high apparently playing over the sea, a fine sight; then came back in south towards Cockenzie power station, hurtling in low towards the shore; the Golden Plovers went up again but the bird did not pursue them but rose high over the powerstation, with havoc down below amongst the 100-odd Feral Pigeons; bird circled, at one point getting close to the tops of the chimneys, but no stoop; then a second bird appeared and there were two aerial contacts, perhaps an intruder was being seen off? They separated, one heading SE, last view of presumed original bird continuing high SW towards Musselburgh 15:45hrs. In pic below the Peregrine is the tiny black dot below the left hand end of Edinburgh Castle, range c. 3 miles!

In the morning 8 Crossbills went SW low over the house, the first for a while.

Monday morning saw 3 more Crossbills during school run, Mipit was only other migrants. Chiffs still constantly calling in gardens around the village.

Three in a row

2011-09-22T21:04:00.006+01:00

No mention of any gulls or white birds in last post, to compensate here's a hattrick of first-winters at Seton on Tuesday. A different and more subtle Med to that at Musselburgh earlier in the day. There were also 2 adults by burn in the Seton pre-roost, both unringed.

Nordic?

2011-09-22T20:21:00.010+01:00

Continuing the substandard subspecies theme, with which Geoff has whole-heartedly joined in, I offer these pics of a candidate for "Nordic" Jackdaw; picked up as I was driving down the Niddrie Mains Road towards dusk, not the best spot for digiscoping and it was quite active along the main road, it was noticeable that the white stripe varied in impact according to viewing angle, as per pics below. Front view shows the "headlamp" effect noted by Geoff in January.

It is certainly not as obvious as some, moreover it would not seem to be a good time for Scandinavian arrivals - Jackdaw is a late autumn migrant, main movement picking up from the middle of October and continuing to late November (trektellen graph). Perhaps it's just a turrium intermediate, as suggested by Geoff for his Irish birds?

Wknd 17-18 September

2011-09-17T21:51:00.020+01:00

WeBS Saturday: various geese evident, c. 2080 Pinks in stubble at Drem, 90 moult migrant Canada Geese at East Fenton included one dark individual (could it be Dusky Canada Goose (occidentalis), or Richardson's?), another stocky necked bird with white spots on forehead (characteristic of maxima, but probably not big enough), plus 5 Greylag hybrids and one domestic hybrid (i.e. the usual mottly crew for a Canada Goose flock), 290 Greylag at East Fortune; drake Pochard at Chapel.

En route back 4 Whoopers (first back?) at Aberlady, with another 2k+ Pinks already there, many arriving from S (pic below). Scanning the geese for white birds, as per Ross's seen this time last year, suddenly two stunningly white birds did appear flying low over the flock, spooking Pinks - then alighted to feed on mud - the two Little Egrets! Old hat for everyone else, but my first in Lothian, actually Scotland (can't count for self-found lists though).

On Sunday, not able to get to the North Sea coast to join the fun at the seabird fest (4 species each of Shearwater and Skua, not to mention the Sabine's and Black Terns ystdy) had a quick look off Cockenzie and Seton as usual; several skuas, well offshore, the only definitive ID was a dark Arctic W; first Slavonian Grebe (for me) back off Ferny Ness, where also 5 RTD, 2 RNG; and this sleepy juv Common Tern on the rocks, perhaps from the Leith colony.
Even our own exciting seabirds rather pale compared to counts from further afield, from Bridges of Ross on Saturday: 865+ Sabines Gulls past today (!); also 10,000 Arctic Terns, 76+ Long-tailed Skuas, 38 Leach's Petrels, 26 Black Terns, 11 Little Gulls, 145 Sooty Shearwaters, 3 Balearic Shearwaters, 150+ Arctic Skuas and 3 Pomarine Skuas; or 27k+ Manx, 1586 Sooty, 650 Poms, 357 LTS, 3 Wilson's Petrel and a Fea's in Galicia! Hmmm, seems Lothian is not that well positioned for seabirds!

Wknd 10-11 September

2011-09-10T22:57:00.019+01:00

Gulls at Seton on Saturday - Great Blackbacks on harbour wall (above), a 1st-win Med came to drink at the Seton Burn (below), and a red-ringed adult, presumably 7P8, feeding on the mud at dusk. No comparison with the report of 8 ads + 4 juv from Buckhaven last week, doubling the Scottish record established last year at Seton, congrats to them! Indeed it was odd to find only one adult amongst a large number of small gulls this evening, looks like they have nicked some of ours :( This all follows the huge total of 59 at Newbiggin, Northumbs, on 20 August - significant increase there, so we might have expected some sort of influx too.

At Wrecked Craigs had a quick look at the moulting Eiders and was surprised (again) to see two different birds with obvious "sails", a required feature of northern (borealis) Eider (see previous record here). Thereafter distracted by the Shags colour rings, 35+ there included red-CFZ, red-EPD, red-PLZ (seen last year), red-TJI, green-UBU, green-UBZ, green-USS, a good start to new ring-reading season.

Another second record was the Red Arrows, bit of a surprise when scanning the Forth!

Sunday - minimum 10 Eiders with obvious sails off Wrecked Craigs rocks at Seton, amongst 50 odd checked (>200 present including females), a few pics below:

Offshore a continuous passage of Kittiwakes in a decent breeze, a feeding flock of 30+ well offshore held an ad/sub-ad Little Gull; a dark-phase Arctic also had a go at a tern with same gathering before proceeding W; Shags included green-AZT & green-UBZ; gulls on shore included Med red-7P8; and 19 Pinks came in off from north, tracked over Longniddry (below with Gosford/Berwick Law beyond) continuing S over Setonhill. Lots to see!

Monday morning as the wind cranked up another dark Arctic Skua off Cockenzie, also a sailed Eider sailing past in the evening but not much moving in blustery WSW6 wind.

Wknd 3-4 September

2011-09-03T19:01:00.017+01:00

Comma on thistles at Ferny Ness this afternoon. Seem to have seen less butterflies than usual this year, but comma are now easier to find than some others.

Down at the Seton Burn, an adult winter Mediterranean Gull was on the shore by the burn; after taking a couple of (poor) shots it was joined by a second individual; after a few minutes was able to read her right leg colour ring, red-7P8, thus confirming Cherry Blossom's 8th return (now 10+ yrs old). The red colour-ringed bird first spotted here on 29 July this year was probably the same, if so just a couple of days earlier than last year. She has a rather yellower tip to her beak this time (click on pic and magnify) - also a dark subterminal band (this is contra BWP, where stated "According to Mauersberger (Mauersberger 1970), dark band a remnant of immaturity (3 years old)").

[NB - clearly I'm useless at photographing this bird, but on the seaweed the digiscoping setup cannot cope with the dark/light contrast; she's much more photogenic on the sand; by contrast butterfly photos always seem to work quite well via digiscope, with a nice blurry background, but my images from photographing same close up are always poor.]

End of previous week had a quick look from Ferny Ness on Thursday morning; took a while to check throo over 4000 birds visible, though c. 2450 were BHG; amongst which one ad Med on shore west and 14+ Red-necked Grebes on the sea; very little vismig.

Sunday - stuck home clearly some movement was underway in fine weather with steady Mipit passage and first Siskins for a while. Redpoll on Monday morning. Clive in Angus had a big passage Sunday, trek link.

Wknd 27-28 August

2011-08-28T21:06:00.009+01:00

From the "poor man's seawatching" hotspot (not) of Cockenzie a look out into a breezy Forth produced a few Kittiwakes and Sandwich Tern W and an adult Little Gull (latter remarkably my first here since Oct 08!), little else. Along at Seton a pretty adult Med Gull by the burn, unringed.

Saturday called past Aberlady - nearly 1000 small gulls in the inner bay was notable, a Greenshank on the edge of the salt marsh and a f/imm Scaup downstream of the footbridge, asleep at high tide then began to feed. Just inland at the Muir Park resr south of the village another Greenshank heard. 55 Sanderling on Gosford Sands.

First visit to Craiglockhart pond, where pr Mutes had 6 large cygnets, and 18 Tufted Ducks (upgraded to P as one female completely flightless). With atlas activity dwindling, as the BTO atlas project closes, time for some post mortems. A look at the final list for NT48 (still orange, i.e. 10-25% missing), which is mainly Aberlady/Gullane, shows 28 species missing with some form of breeding status in last national atlas (1988-1991), being: Fulmar; Wigeon, Pintail, Shoveler, Common Scoter, Red-breasted Merganser; Dunlin, Ruff, Woodcock, Curlew, Common Sandpiper; Sandwich Tern, Roseate Tern, Arctic Tern, Little Tern; Cuckoo, Tree Pipit, Yellow Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Redstart, Whinchat, Wheatear, Fieldfare, Spotted Flycatcher, Red-backed Shrike, Rook, Hooded Crow, Common Crossbill. Neglecting a few perhaps optimistic codes from last time, notable are those we already know are gone, the terns and some waders, along with a few other genuine losses, like Cuckoo, Yellow Wag, Spot Fly, all in local decline/retreat. By contrast just 4 species added, all expected: Buzzard, Barn Owl, Nuthatch and Jay, plus hybrid crow. Have not had time to do further analysis yet but it does make you wonder why there have been so many losses - are visitor pressures relevant to any of this?

Wknd 20-21 August

2011-08-22T20:17:00.010+01:00

Saturday visited parents up in Banchory. Was heartening to see a significant increase in House Martin numbers compared to what we had 25 yrs ago when I was logging garden records there - presumably associated with the expansion in new houses; Swallow not lost either, though much further now from preferred habitat in open country. Checked to see if I could add any for atlas and found a hefty 47 already confirmed for the tetrad (NO79D) - a good haul by the locals!

En route back casualties of four raptor species on the trunk roads, LEO by Carse Hill at Forfar, Barn Owl by Brechin, Tawny at Kirkliston and the usual Buzzards. Posted to angusbirding and Chris kindly stepped up and confirmed first as an adult male in wing moult - thus must have been there post-breeding and would be new for NO45, but of course dead birds don't count for atlas :(

Sunday - 7 Red-necked Grebe off Seton Sands but poor light and probably many more out there. Sea covered in auks with young.

Monday morning - an unringed adult Med Gull (above) amongst 360 BHG (including 6 juv, of which two still downy) on Longniddry beach east of c/p 2. From a little further afield a report of 59 Med Gulls at Newbiggin, Northumbs, represents a significant increase for that site - summer peaks have ramped up steeply from single figure counts just 5 years ago, and similar numbers to current Lothian peaks 10 years ago. Will we ever see these great flocks here?

Save the Amazon

2011-08-18T09:42:00.004+01:00

I don't normally go off-topic but this is worth spreading, the Avaaz-run campaign against drastic change of forest protection laws in Brazil, which could have devasting implications. Click the link

http://www.avaaz.org/en/save_the_amazon_a/?copy

More local campaigns are accessible via the RSPB's Campaigns and appeals website, you can subscribe for email updates:

http://www.rspb.org.uk/supporting/campaigns/

Wk 15-19 August

2011-08-16T21:04:00.007+01:00

Delayed WeBS on Tuesday found the eclipse drake Mandarin still on East Fortune pond, good view of legs confirming unringed. A Greenshank gave a fly past round perimeter of pond at same site, a few Swift over. Juveniles of Little Grebe, Tufted Duck and Bullfinch present, with another useful addition via a covey of Grey Partridge at Balgone Barns.

On to Seacliff where proof of Stock Dove breeding for NT68 was still not forthcoming, just 4 birds in trees. On rocks at Great Car evidence of an influx from the Isle of May: 220 Shag (about half were juvs, many colour ringed), 49 Turnstone, 7 Purple Sand, 7 Knot, 3 Goosander, 25 Common Terns, 2 Arctic Tern with a single juv.

At Aberlady, a Mute Swan influx with 50 adults present (reminiscent of the influx of 42 on 10/8/08), I wonder what the record is here? Also 3 Wigeon, 11 Teal.

Off Seton Burn, 4 Red-necked Grebes.

On Monday still at least 27 Swift over Cockenzie primary, soon to be off no doubt.

Unexpected dove

2011-08-13T21:51:00.018+01:00

Whilst checking East Lothian for fledged Collared Doves stopped at the Blackdykes turn west of Auldhame to check three on wires and was surprised to find this apparent juvenile Turtle Dove with the pair of standard issue doves! Looked twitchy so did not approach nearer, and sure enough a few minutes later took off and flew high N, lost to sight behind trees at Castleton, towards the last bit of land before Fife.

At Tyninghame Links unfortunately flushed a Barn Owl out of its roost in a tree hole but had a nice view of it flying over fields in bright sun, quickly mobbed by Swallows. A Whimbrel was also calling over Tesco at North Berwick. Elsewhere some decent gatherings of birds - 170+ House Sparrow at Knowes, may well have been a lot more, scattered by a male Sparrowhawk; 1070 Herring Gulls loafing on turf at Lochhouses included 67 juv, 250+ Greylag with them and 120+ Swallows at farm; 200+ hirundines at Seacliff, about half each Swallow/House Martin and largely juvs; 80+ Tree Sparrow in ripening wheat by bend N of Balgone Barns, mainly juvs; another 100+ hirundines at West Fortune. 10 Swift over Knowes. Fledged Bullfinch at Tynefield, young cygnet Mute Swan at Scoughall pond, bright juvenile Greenfinch at Auldhame amongst 30+ Goldfinch, many juvs. But generally poor for finding new atlas stuff, checked perhaps 20 Collared Dove and no (new) juvs seen.

These "Shaggy Mane" Coprinus comatus (I think!) mushrooms on the verge past Kingston.

No birding Sunday but at Fisherrow Links playground one ad f Peregrine came bombing over from the Eskmouth. Swifts still over the house at dusk.

Monday, 27+ Swift high over Cockenzie primary school, gathering now I think as have seen in previous years mid-August.

On tour

2011-08-07T21:12:00.006+01:00

Into first week August visits to relatives down south took us over the head of the Tweed (A701) then the more tedious M74, M6 and M1. The southbound journey was remarkable on two counts - the complete absence of Kestrels (this is a first, I recall counting them well into double figures on these journeys historically) and the new seabird cities of urban Birmingham, with large gulls spread over the industrial roofs as far as the eye could see - both Lesser Blackback and Herring Gull with young. So many it seems artificial eggs are now being trialled to stem the population expansion.

Along the motorways only two Tawny Owl casualties were seen (Airport Way M1 link at Luton and Coleshill by Birmingham), a couple of Buzzard but no Barn Owl. A little atlas roving at Walton-le-dale outside Preston between the Rivers Darwen and Ribble. Tawny Owls are resident here but surprisingly had not been confirmed for the atlas - a brief excursion produced an individual which flew low over our heads at Mosney after uttering a shrill "kewick kewick kewooooh" call (an exact match to "to-wit to-woo" which is often stated to be an alliteration of calls of a pair). But sadly no young squeaking. A young Goosander was on the Darwen, with a juv Sprawk over the maize fields, and Pheasant was added as a 10km confirmation.

On the way home the Kestrel count was slightly better, at three, and Spotted Flycatchers were a pleasant sight feeding young around Moffat duck pond.

Wknd 30-31 July

2011-07-30T22:45:00.011+01:00

Sunday - back to NT68 NE of Binning for atlas - in early hours got juv Tawny N of Tyninghame Links and a family in Fir Links Wood, these both 10km breeding confirmations. Again it shows our owl map is more to do with coverage than true distribution. Sunday afternoon along Limetree Walk had some nice birds with f Peregrine and juv m Sparrowhawk, only 10km additions were a Linnet family and Mistle Thrush, c. 27 juvs in a large flock of 64+, in grounds of Tyninghame House.

A Giant Woodwasp/Horntail (Urocera gigas) was quite a sight (above), but for Michael's swift intervention I would have sat on it, though despite the fearsome appearance they're harmless; was on a heap of pine logs behind ruined farm, perhaps laying eggs there - they larvae may remain in the wood for up to 5 years (species info per Edinburgh & Midlothian beekeepers). NBN does not map this species for SE Scotland, though there have been other reports recently. Nearby a couple of Common Darters along a ditch.

Way home saw probably the same Med Gull again but this time on Gosford Sands by the entrance. Compare pic below with the "after dark" record shot of two Med Gulls on Seton Burn Friday (nearly full hood left, nearly full winter right); same two still at dusk Saturday, with a juv Arctic Tern alone on the mud east of Seton Sands.

Wknd 23-24 July

2011-07-25T00:38:00.011+01:00

Entering final week of BTO atlas official period an assessment of remaining targets indicated the only easy ticks remaining locally were over in NT68, NE of Binning Wood. A couple of hours peering at tree tops in Binning finally bore fruit with confirmation of seven more species - Goldcrests and Treecreepers abundant in there, former still feeding young, also a family of Blackcaps and Spotted Flycatcher calling (confirmed nearby in Duncanson's Wood, Newbyth, by Jim); fresh Woodcock feather found, but no juvs spotted :(

New breeding confirmations can still be added after the end of the official period, and will be mapped, but for some species it is now too late. Still some hope for things like Tree Sparrow, Yellowhammer, Bullfinch and Collared Dove, still plenty gaps for latter (NT48, NT56, NT66, NT67, NT68, NT76 & NT77).

We also did the bigbutterfly count, still time to add your 15 min counts. One Common Hawker dragonfly patrolling Bruce's Circle clearing. Joanne also found a Forest Bug (Pentatoma rufipes), new for NT68.

Sunday, and the summer gull fly-catching spectacle was well underway again over Longniddry - still live in hope of adding Med Gull to garden list by this means!

Stretching the weekend to Monday, 2nd-sum GBB yellow-E29 (above) had returned to Wrecked Craigs rocks, Port Seton, last seen here on 20 March this year (ringed as chick Caithness 22/6/09).

Wknd 16-17 July

2011-07-18T07:28:00.000+01:00

WeBS Sunday turned up this eclipse drake Mandarin again at East Fortune main pond, a year less a day since last and only previous sighting at same place (no other records for WeBS 1988 to date). Wonder where it spends the breeding season - could it be lurking on the Tyne?

For 7th year running Mute Swans failed - otters?

At Drem pools Quail were singing from fields N and south, another at Chapel farm. Considering I only visit these (4) places once per month, a few minutes per stop, moreover birds singing as I got out the car as has often happened previously, one can only imagine how much (unmonitored and unrecorded) Quail song there is in total! Also given we're past mid-July makes me wonder whether we have again had a second wave of arrivals, singing more vigorously than the first batch which are all settled?

Islay 4-16 July

2011-07-18T02:46:00.033+01:00

Back at Ballivicar just outside Port Ellen on Islay for family holiday in early July; with the BTO atlas now completing and required TTV's done main focus was 10km species lists, including nocturnals, and boosting breeding confirmations.

A few highlights and observations. Our first trip to the Mull of Oa itself produced both stunning scenery and great views of Golden Eagle, Peregrine and hunting Hen Harrier. Photo of two young ornithologists above having seen all of above; indeed Michael put me on to the harrier - "daddy, there's a dove" - need to work on fostering his ID skills! Scanning offshore towards Ireland Manx Shearwaters were circulating with a raft of 60+ gathered on the sea. Also a few Puffins heading past. A Bonxie proceeded south-east round the headland. Two whistling Great Blackback chicks had the top of a small offshore stack to themselves. Inland Stonechat and Whinchat families were out, indeed four of the former were found in total from Port Ellen west, a good sign (given how depressed many of our upland populations are after last winter).

The scenery was equally stunning at Claggain Bay, where there was a tern colony on the beach - and the fine sight of young Arctic Terns out on the edge of the water being fed. A Common Sandpiper chick was wandering over the boulders, I feared for its safety as it ventured among the terns, little more than a ball of fluff but wagging a tiny stump of a tail. Just offshore an otter swam past in full view, all of this accompanied by the wailing song and calls from three Red-throated Divers on the sea. A Tree Pipit was also present here, another was further west at Rhaonastil.

Nocturnal excursions focused on the coniferous woods on the south of the island. Starting with those on An Curran and beside Cornabus and Cragabus on The Oa, several Tawny Owls were located, including a noisy young family at Imeraval. Walking throo Cragabus on the Oa road a Barn Owl was heard calling, but no sign of any Long-eared Owls. Nearby in a narrow ride between mature conifers a Grasshopper Warbler was in continuous song, as I drew level it faltered briefly but then continued just a few yards from where I was standing. It sang on as I departed and I pondered on this amazing creature, which migrates all the way to Africa and back only to take up home within the tangle of vegetation in the depths of a conifer plantation, there singing away round the clock and presumably also having drawn in a mate to the same location. Others were not hard to find, a minimum of 11 territories from Port Ellen west, some singing for extended periods particularly from dusk onwards. This was a definite increase on last year with several new locations.

The next night trip was along the south coast. At Kildalton initially the only species detected were waders calling, which included a migrant Greenshank passing over, and I began to fear the trip was in vain. But as dawn approached a roding Woodcock appeared; down at Rhaonastil the same appeared again, this time flying directly overhead, the delightful rich burbling calls between "spix" notes clearly audible. Two more were found on the moor east, one initially on the road and then both flying in formation. At the same location by The Gate House (near Ardilistry) a bunch of Tawny Owls made themselves known with noisy calling, another presumed family, though older, plus a few more Grasshopper Warblers along as far as Claggain, pics show dawn approaching there.

On the next trip, in the woods near Laggan Bridge and up towards Cattadale further families of Tawny and Barn Owl were quickly located, and 2 more hunting Barn Owls on way back to Port Ellen, but again no LEO. There too were Grasshopper Warblers singing in the dark - considering the amount of suitable habitat on the island in total, i.e. rank vegetation, I would be surprised if their overall numbers did not run into the hundreds.

Proving breeding of Grasshopper Warbler was another of my atlas targets - but after an initial fruitless stake-out at the boggy area where the one nearest Ballivicar had been observed singing at dusk this was proving difficult. Whilst on first trip to Claggain I thought I had heard a brief Grasshopper Warbler but with so many of the real thing (grasshoppers) also buzzing away I began to doubt it. Shortly afterwards after pausing to observe a Golden-ringed Dragonfly on patrol I caught sight of a small bird flitting into cover, a bramble thicket in the bottom of a gorge; it came out again, a Grasshopper Warbler, and over 10 minutes had several good views of it peering at me, presumably the first of my species it had seen. But it was unfortunately not apparently gathering food for a family so again no proof, though its mate did continue in song further east.

Back at same site after the owl excursion it was negative here so I walked up the Claggain River and came to a small fenced bog on edge of the moor. Two more Grasshopper Warblers were singing there and I got onto one in cover at the edge of the bog. It soon flew off to the moor; a few minutes later another came into view and briefly showed well - yellow-ish throat and impression it was a youngster, but hard to be sure - proof was needed for the first confirmed breeding. Then turning to check a bunch of passing Goldfinch I saw a small bird fly up from another part of the moor - carrying food! As it came in I realised it was the adult Grasshopper Warbler and seeing me it obligingly perched up on the fence wire having a look at me. After 10 seconds or so I realised I could have got a brilliant pic but no time to grab the camera before it was gone to feed the family; nevertheless, breeding could no longer be doubted, at least in NR45.

As previously, mightily impressed at the overall abundance of bird life (and insects) in many places. The home tetrad at Ballivicar (NR34N) is a good example - within a stone's throw of the farm (above) there are 30+ species present (53 logged in total for atlas), with 24 confirmed breeding - some, such a Swallow and House Sparrow, in great numbers (motley crew shots of latter below). Willow Warblers are ever present right up around the house (on the washing line, outside the kitchen window where I could have reached out and touched them); pic below is one of this family, also observed on occasion feeding on the ground out in the open with the sparrows, clearly taking some tiny insects, something I do not recall seeing before. Snipe frequently sing from the bog to accompany the Grasshopper Warblers at dusk. Hen Harrier often come by hunting, sometimes circling the area. Ravens are regular - one morning I opened the front door to hear cronking and looked up to see seven of them high in the sky above. They hung around for a few minutes, playing in the air, then two vocal individuals led off north together - from the obvious signs of moult these were the parents and the other five presumably this season's offspring, a good crop. At the opposite end of the scale a racing pigeon arrived and found the place to its liking; read the ring and submitted report to NEHU, finding it had come from Gateshead!

In the far south-east is a region of special habitat, woods of stunted alders and birch, with lots of tangled vegetation, moss and thick lichen, interspersed by more desolate tracts of rushy bogs and bracken - mainly very heavy going on foot though. Redpoll is a characteristic species of this area, it seems their buzzing calls are audible continuously at times, and as per last year Willow Warblers are in almost every patch of cover available, total numbers must be huge. It is also what may be called the "zone of the zitters and squeakers" - Robin, Spotted Flycatcher, Wren, Coal Tit, Goldcrest, Treecreeper - and plenteous young thereof, are all here in numbers - at the same time an atlasser's joy and nightmare! In early July there are calls of all sorts from every patch of cover, but logging proof of breeding needs confident ID of call and young. Spot Fly juvs are particularly bad, their call is loud enough, but they can remain well hidden perched high in branches never moving. At least Dunnock young have a more distinctive repeated begging call.

Final atlas results included the efforts of others doing repeat (late) TTV's but a minimum of 40 ticks were accrued at 10km level, almost the same boosted to confirmed breeding. Thus the atlas status of NR24/34/44/45 is now uniformly "red" for species richness and breeding confirmation, i.e. no significant omissions remaining. Particularly pleasing to fill in a few gaps in the nocturnals map - the various owls and Woodcock must have been there year in year out since the last BTO atlas 20+ yrs ago, I felt I owed it to them to get out there and get them logged for the current one.

[Postscript - have now done a quick analysis of atlas changes; the smallish chunk of land in NR44 centred on Kildalton was hard to get up to anywhere near comparable to last atlas (indeed still yellow on national Roving priorities map for >10% missing, paradoxically red on the Islay results map for >90% found; presumably is on 90%, so 9 species short). So what are the differences?

Present last atlas but missed this time: Red-throated Diver, Cormorant, Kestrel, Corncrake, Moorhen, Golden Plover, BHG, Common Tern, Barn Owl, Grey Wagtail, Redstart, Wood Warbler, Rook;

A further 27 species confirmed last time, including several waders and seabirds which are not very accessible (perhaps a boat was used?). Altogether quite a a catalogue of omissions! Some I'm sure are genuine, they are gone (bold), others we've clearly just missed and coverage last time must have been way better, particularly on offshore islands. More positively we have at least 3 additions: Tawny Owl and Blackcap.

In other 10kms, Chough and Yellowhammer may be gone from NR34, and Grasshopper Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Goldfinch are new for NR45. Calling Quail were previously logged in NR24 and NR34, no hint of these in the areas I covered.]

Amongst all of this atlas effort and family excursions little chance for "traditional" birding but we were lucky to happen upon a large gathering of godwits at Gartnatra, upper Loch Indaal, on 7 July. A minimum of 81 stunning (islandica) adult Black-wits were amongst them, and a single Knot. Other days there were only Barwits there. A decent flock of Little Terns at the Machrie river-mouth was also a very pleasant sight.

Mammals seen included the otter at Claggain, gatherings of common seals including those at Ard Imersay (above), many red deer, herds of up to 40 with many fine stags, fallow deer at Kildalton, a dark (Polecat coloured) ferret dashing over the road by Ballivicar and stoat at same place and by Farkin Cottage, vast numbers of hares and rabbits (one with myxomatosis), many hedgehogs including youngsters and various bats including what I thought may be Long-eared Bats at Kildalton and Cragabus (certainly looked bigger than pipistrelles). Sadly many toads dead on road at Kildalton. Butterflies quite plentiful, including Dark-green Fritillaries and Speckled Wood. A Great Diving Beetle was found in our car (!) - can only guess we picked it up by accident at Finlaggan.

A Linnet was also found dead on road at Bruichladdich, the pointed tail feathers may suggest juv, its presumed parent (or mate) standing over it. Sent it to the NMS collection.

This final photo is the sunset over Kintra viewed from Ballivicar one evening, it was inevitably accompanied by the reeling song of the local Grasshopper Warbler.

Wknd 2-3 July

2011-07-01T18:59:00.010+01:00

Sun setting on Seton fields - the fantastic "meadow" between Seton Mains and Seton Chapel, c. 30 hectares of rough vegetation which has sprung up on a "set-a-side" area, has been a magnet to many species again this spring - particularly good for scrub loving warblers, Grasshopper Warbler, Sedge Warbler and Common Whitethroat, as well as Reed Bunting. Including the area up onto east of Blindwells a minimum of 7 territories of the former (and probably several more beyond on edge of Tranent, 7+ last year). Thus I had targeted the area to get the required breeding confirmation for the NT47 10km atlas map and made a couple of visits staking out song posts and long watches but nothing definitive seen in terms of young :(

Into first week July and sudden disaster with the area being mown - arrived on Friday morning to find the first field being finished off, where I had my main stake-out! The slope down to the caravan park was still intact, and 2 or 3 Groppers were in song there - after getting into position with a good view over a fair expanse near a song post (small birch) one finally flew a short hop clearly carrying a white faecal sac. Several Sedgies, Whitethroat families and Reed Buntings FF in same area - expect Sedge Warbler territories there into double figures. Just a minute or two later the mower came round and commenced on these slopes - who knows how many of the other resident breeding birds will have been lost there?

[Postscript - I'm subsequently informed that the site was being cleared after confirmation by an "ecologist" two weeks previous that there were no breeding birds present; they were presumably sufficiently skilled (one would hope so if being paid for services) but I guess this happens the world over where the surveyor is collecting payment for telling the client what they want to hear!]

During same period the family of Kestrels came out from Seton Chapel area, a delight to see them all playing in the air together, then the parents giving a passing Buzzard a very hard time! 11 more Crossbills went over high SW (and I note the first juv Siskins on Fair Isle, perhaps some of the current influx are from a little further afield?). A Quail was in song from the bank further west by Seton Chapel, or beyond - another first (and not for want of trying in that area!).

Dawn Sunday did Whitekirk BBS (late!); hoaching with Goldfinch, perhaps due to a thistly oil-seed rape field, but some other regulars a bit thin on the ground. On concluding another small flock of Crossbills was heard heading NW over Barebanes Wood. Again interesting to speculate on origins - though not complete, records on BirdGuides are indicative of an evolving influx/irruption with main focus on east coast - starting May increasing in early June, then quite a surge late June to date, e.g. 100+ N Yorks on 4 July and significantly 44 in off sea at Howick, Northumbs on 1 July. I have it on good authority that arrival over the sea is highly unlikely at present, so this latter sighting may be misleading. Coastal records can also of course be explained by internal dispersals.

Wknd 25-26 June

2011-06-27T22:11:00.018+01:00

A family of Great Spotted Woodpeckers and 2 families Lotti were out in Fernyness Wood, also Buzzards still in nest there and Chiffchaff finally added as confirmed. An Oystercatcher incubating in a very exposed position in stony area by Gosford Saw Mill, within 30m of main track - also new for tetrad. 8 herons on the Gosford shore included 4 juvs, presumably fledged from the ponds nests. Altogether 4 additions for NT47N (my home tetrad), now 35 confirmed, at least 10 to go. Confirmed breeding of wild boar too!

Less positively still sign of Spot Fly at either location, after what turned out to be a transient sighting in Fernyness Wood on 23 May last year, and at the Saw Mill on 30 May the previous year; before that my last local (NT47) bird was Seton Dean 8 June 2004, several repeat visits in intervening years failed to refind. Very scarce, probably still diminishing, in these parts (widespread losses, particularly in Lothian, since last atlas: change map).

In Edinburgh, Swift still at Nigel Loan, Liberton - "confirmed" after a stake-out, flying in with bulging throat (pouch containing bolus, example photo) at about 20 minute intervals, leaving cavity again after several minutes inside. Actually rather naive about Swift parenting behaviour and was not sure when I would expect it to emerge! The first one entering I never saw emerge until a second entered twenty minutes later; one bird emerged 6.5 mins after that - may actually have been first. Nothing in BWP on visit duration, but found an illuminating paper* which includes a graph showing average visit duration (in minutes) as function of chick age (in days), 83 (1-5), 32 (6-10), 13 (11-15), 6 (16-20) and 4 (20-25). So, chicks of some sort in there for sure!

* Dell'Omo G., Alleva E., Carere C. (1998) Parental recycling of nestling faeces in the common swift Animal Behaviour, 56 (3), pp. 631-637.

Also Chiff and Goldcrest in song more frequently again at KB, presumably starting second brood.

Wknd 18-19 June

2011-06-18T21:29:00.016+01:00

A single breeding plumage Red-necked Grebe on the sea off Seton Sands in the afternoon caused me to reach for BWP where I learnt this species is mature from 2 yrs and is "doubtfuly distinct from adult breeding" (basically duller) in 1st-summer plumage. Doubly doubtful at the range I saw it, but most likely this is an "immature" and one of the two seen in May, rather than an early returning adult.

Scanning in the other direction over Gosford and Fernyness Wood revealed about 120 Swift & 100 House Martin feeding, this coastal wood always a great attraction to hirundines on muggy summer days; certainly can't all be locals, often wondered where they all materialise from!

Very exciting also to see a Swift slipping in below the eaves of a neighbour's house, the first such sighting in our seven years in Longniddry, though a handful of resident birds are present every summer. Suspected the same house last year with a pair often over but suspicions strengthened two weeks ago with one apparently coming down to same house as if to roost 22:00hrs and then a persistent screaming party of 4 a few days ago. Similar to above, perhaps noteworthy that age of first breeding of Swift is thought is between 2 and 4 years (Perrins 1970), but many immatures of all ages travel with breeding adults and establish pairs at one year old, when may also occupy sites and build a "nest". How fascinating to think that these birds might even be breeding for the first time after travelling to and from Africa for up to four years; having an annual mortality of 15-20%, and an average lifespan of 9 years, we ought to really appreciate the flocks of 120+ as seen today!

[One postscript note - these behaviours make it doubly challenging to obtain proof breeding for atlas, it is not sufficient just to see bird regularly entering cavity, some evidence of young or feeding is also needed; no chance of directly observing feeding either, another of the amazing facts about Swifts are that the juvs will leave the nest alone on their first flight, typically early morning and they never return, roosting aerially thereafter. Within days they will be powering south on the first migration; thus they are continuously airborne from leaving the nest until their first breeding attempt, which as per above may not be the following year, and first-summer birds also known to roost mainly aerially.]

At the opposite end of the speed scale this little chap rescued off Glassel Park Road earlier in the week. Another was found by the P3 kids on their outing to Fernyness Wood.

Sunday - continuing recent trend plenty Puffins visible out in Forth, small groups flying in both directions and some very close in feeding off Port Seton; perhaps I've been unobservant in the past but do not recall such an abundance of feeding Puffins before, though with 10's of thousands breeding at mouth of Forth no surprise if we do see them when conditions suit them. Quite a trek to carry food back to their burrows, 10+ miles! Also, one RTD NE past, and Buzzard finally confirmed breeding in my home tetrad.

Evening excursion by bike in hope of pinning down last week's Barn Owl site; half way there the rain came on and nearly turned back but pressed on and after a trek was in situ with a good view out over best area just after 22:30hrs; within a minute the bird came into view and a fine sight too with prey dangling below silhouetted against the fading sky. Waited 10 minutes but did not return so headed off back but it probable same, or mate, passed again with more prey 22 minutes later! At that rate it could be taking 20 mice per night for its family. BWP mentions pr bringing 17 prey in 2hrs so might be possible. Rain then strengthened, got home like a drowned rat and would have made an excellent meal for a young owl :(

Monday - with Common Sand on main pool, Blindwells gets a wader at last - just when I thought we'd had it for spring; but maybe we have, this is surely more likely a failed breeder, so autumn passage gets underway! Also confirmed breeding of Blackcap there with a family in the NW corner, but Groppers (7+ territories) at St Germains were less obliging. Good view of an adult moving in vegetation though.

Wknd 11-12 June

2011-06-12T20:57:00.010+01:00

WeBS on Sunday produced very little save for yet another "candidate" Yellow-legged Gull, this in fields south of Chapel Farm. Deja vu of similar bird at same spot on 22 June 2008 (LBN post). This one, as depicted, had bright yellow legs and bill, smokey grey mantle, blocky head and long primary extension (beyond P6), but primary tips details were not well recorded in photos.

Earlier in the week nocturnal excursions targeting gaps in the Quail map met with success at Ballencrieff & Myreton (NT47Z), Blindwells MTS (NT47C) and the fields between Kingslaw and Tranent Mains track (2, NT47B), all new for atlas. In these instances a sharp peak in song after sunset, some then falling silent beyond 23:00hrs. Blindwells bird notable in being my first for the site and also in grass, all others in cereal as usual. Together with other recent additions the East Lothian map is now looking rather more complete, though the suspicion must be that there are many more unrecorded, particularly south of the Tyne.

On same trips singing Gropper making a resurgence with at least 4, probably 6, in song btwn Seton Mains the top of Blindwells behind St Germains, plus one in the new plantings btwn Harelaw and Redhouse Wood in Gosford. Fantastic to hear the near simultaneous evening song of Quail, Groppers, Grey Partridge and Reed Bunting!

More good news on confirmed breeders with a Barn Owl carrying prey into a new site and the Lesser Whitethroats on Craigy Hill now feeding 2 juvs (per Abbie). Collared Dove on a nest at Meadowmill, below the A198 roundabout, was also a good new find for NT47C (now 36 confirmed). Tawny Owl was also new for NT47C, not for want of trying, but when finally located gave excellent views perched on railway wires opposite Seton Chapel.

Earlier in the week a brief look offshore on Tuesday produced 3 more Manx NE past Craigielaw.

Wknd 4-5 June

2011-06-05T02:23:00.010+01:00

A circuit of Redcoll to Cottyburn and back home by bike (repeat of last week) produced 3 calling Quail in the early hours. First was by Redcoll limekilns, responded immediately to a whistled "whit whit" call. Negative at locations of late May records, Setonhill and Wheatrig, making me wonder whether these all relate to same - wandering a kilometre or so must be likely?

Another heard from railway walk in large cereal field E of Redhouse Wood, also responding to whistled call. Had three "probable" snips of call here on 29 May but a breeze got up and prevented confirming - a while listening at Redhouse the following day, late afternoon, was negative (even in calm conditions, whistle prompt tried). Persistence is clearly required, plus visit at right time of day! This now definite bird is a great first record for my home tetrad, NT47N (plugs an obvious gap).

Back at Longniddry railway station a Tawny was heard from Setonhill and two more then started up noisy calling towards Harelaw. Remarkably this seemed to trip another Quail to sing, from fields south of the station, east of Longniddry Farm. Perhaps this is where the Quail first heard south of Lorne Bridge has relocated, having again been negative at latter location on two more tries, but also within 1km? Or, maybe there are many more undetected and there's one at both locations!? Whatever, my smug feeling at being able to call up Quails by the quality (not) of my whistle mimic of their call rapidly evaporated as it dawned on me that probably any loud call/noise at night is going to set them off, even that of a predator! Indeed I was reminded of the Ballencrieff birds from 2009 which I noted then were immediately triggered by the first notes of a Skylark in the dawn chorus at 03:18hrs - I did wonder at the time whether this was a coincidence but I'm now certain it wasn't. Abbie also tells me loud music and car alarms had set her birds off!

A final observation was that my whistle call Quail impression also set off at least three Song Thrushes in different places; I also noted this on last week's excursion. This is another species sleeping with one eye open and ready to strike up at the drop of a hat, even in the darkest phase of the night.

B'day party duties Sunday landed us in Seafield, Edinburgh - set up scope and on first scan picked up a Bonxie offshore flying low N; tracked it for 15 minutes as it headed strongly N gaining height past Inchkeith and ultimately somewhere off Kirkcaldy where pursued by a gull; showed every sign of continuing due N but guess it would have continued to head round the Fife coast. Had it perhaps arrived overland from the Solway?

Wknd 28-29 May

2011-05-30T01:49:00.007+01:00

Wind continues, so again scanned the Forth - constant movement of Kittiwakes, Gannets, Fulmars & auks offshore with 10 Manx (group 7 + 2,1) W off Seton (above) on Saturday and 8 W, 2E on Sunday. In force 6 wind Fulmars typically shear to vertical, Manx will do same but wings more flexible even if darker upper parts can't be seen - pics below:

Also on Sunday a summer plumage diver with bold dark flank line E off Seton came down on sea there but too distant/choppy to confirm as BTD. More positively a family of young Rock Pipits along shore by Cockenzie harbour.

Did a circuit of Redcoll to Cottyburn and back via Longniddry railway walk after dusk, Quail called up by whistle at Wheatrig. Good job they respond to whistling, my previously used tape and tape machine are worn out!

Wknd 21-22 May

2011-05-22T23:36:00.013+01:00

57 Manxies into strong W wind off Gullane in an hour Sunday afternoon, plus a couple of Scaup dropping on to sea and showing nicely for a few minutes (full count). Not managing to squeeze in much time for birding at present, no doubt would have been a good total of Manxies coming into the Forth today, and chance of other seabirds. [Aside - sea-watching has always had the edge even on gulling or atlas for me, you just can't beat the spectacle of shearwaters doing what they do best into a strong wind, towering and skimming the waves.]

Only "breeding" record of note was a pair of Shelduck again near Drem pools - seen a few times now in recent years but never any young and presumably they are subject to predator pressures?

Wind strengthened to a force 8 gale on Monday, fantastic views out into Forth with many seabirds going west; main species was Fulmar with a constant flow way out at mid-channel, also a few Gannets and auks well offshore; many gulls closer to shore, mainly Herring and few LBB and Common Gull; terns all battling past close in, mainly Common but a few Arctic, one of which gave up after 5 minutes struggling to progress past Cockenzie harbour and appeared to blow away inland over Seton harbour; another 1-3 Arctic Tern off Ferny Ness.

For Fulmars, even the gulls, they clearly relish these wild conditions and seem to be in their element, using the wind (and hiding in the troughs of the waves) to move quite rapidly in the other direction!

Final sight was a crow which I spotted literally lying on the ground, beak into the wind, so as not to be blown away.

Tuesday - reduced winds, still Fulmar, Gannet, auks passing west off Cockenzie harbour, group 5 Manx and still several terns over the sea, most looked like Arctics but some well offshore.

Wednesday and wind dropped further - a single Quail was singing in the field by Longniddry Main Street, south of the Lorne Bridge, in the early hours.

Wknd 14-15 May

2011-05-14T19:55:00.009+01:00

Bit of atlassing around North Berwick produced few breeding additions; offshore some continuing hirundine passage with 30 Swallows and a Swift within an hour. Great clouds of whirring Puffins coming off Craigleith quite impressive too. Busy on the Bass Rock too, obviously!

En route back Aberlady held 23 Ringed Plover, 40+ Dunlin, mainly northern birds in fine breeding plumage, and 4 lingering Pinks on the saltmarsh. [Postscript - must have been blind, Little Stint reported from same site this evening!]

Bit more success on breeding proof Sunday, with Rock Pipit FF at Seton harbour (NT47 tick) and various ducklings and goslings out - Mallard the first new breeder at Blindwells MTS, Greylags again at East Fenton. Also these busy Pied Wags there, male and female:

Wknd 6-7 May

2011-05-06T16:41:00.012+01:00

Sunday's highlight was two roding Woodcock over the garden.

Did Whitekirk BBS first thing Saturday; some small passerine species seemed down, but Woodpigeon seemed up! Tree Pipit over was first recorded during BBS in 6 years. 2 Wheatear near club house. A 2 dead swans under wires south of New Mains, where Mute flock had wintered, but long dead and no sign of rings. House Sparrow pursued two House Martins into nest on the church, after 10 seconds of chattering inside the first martin was evicted, like toothpaste being squeezed, followed rapidly by the other, leaving the spug peeping out victorious; nest site conflict btwn these species is well known and the sparrow tends to win. This is same nest Tree Sparrows have previously occupied, perhaps they've been evicted too? Finally a beautiful leucistic Woodpigeon at East Fortune, surely the same as at Waughton the previous year (1.5 miles NE).

Friday afternoon - confirmed breeding of Kestrel at Seton, with male taking in a mouse from Blindwells; also Skylark FF at Blindwells, 3 female Wheatear and the 6 resident warbler species in good voice. No Garden Warbler yet though, neither at another traditional site checked near Elvingstone. The Blindwells MTS ponds have been disappointing so far, just 2 drake Mallard today, and indeed the entire complex held no waders today - none of the Wood Sands and Temminck's Stints seen elsewhere. It is also now apparent that the Stonechats which colonised in 2008, breeding successfully, have not returned and must have perished in the hard weather, so back to square one for them :(

Down at Seton shore, one drake Long-tailed Duck in the sea.

Quick look into the Monktonhall colliery site (by Newton Village) on way home produced 2 more f Wheatear, 2 Swift and a singing Grasshopper Warbler (in tussocky field by entrance road).

Wknd 30 April - 1 May

2011-04-30T10:31:00.014+01:00

Glorious weather continues. Swift over King's Buildings, Edinburgh on Friday is my first April record for the site.

Whimbrel and Golden Plover over the house towards midnight (coincident with high tide).

Saturday morning a Grasshopper Warbler in song from hedgerow on B6363 opposite Longniddry Farm, a tetrad tick (NT47M) - now in 14 out of 22 land tetrads in NT47, but yet to confirm breeding!

Midday Saturday a Common Sandpiper feeding on the rocky shore by Cockenzie harbour, above.

Saturday afternoon hirundines on Tyne at Abbeymill included 10+ Smartie and 3 House Martin, Mistle Thrush FF. Kestrels either side of Garleton and more fine views from there, Fife just visible throo haze over the Forth.

Sunday saw first Greylag broods (b7, b6, b6, b4) in Gosford, and a surprising Red-breasted Merganser hauled out by ponds. Also 6 late Pinks there, per Abbie.

Easter week

2011-04-26T00:02:00.005+01:00

Very little activity recently, a few bits and bobs including some atlas ticks:

Tue 19/4 - Grasshopper Warbler in song, m + 4f Wheatear on rocky area, 3 prs Coot, all at Blindwells; Wed 20/4 - again at Blindwells Tree Pipit heard amongst 50+ Mipits morning, Grasshopper still, 2m + f Wheatear on rocky area, 2 at MTS, Whitethroat in song evening, 120 Pinkfeet SW over; Thu 21/4 - Whitethroats in song either side of Falside hill with pr Wheatear in cereal north of Myles Farm; Good Fri 22/4 - m + 2f Wheatear Ferny Ness; Sat 23/4 - pr Mute Swan Blindwells MTS, feeding on silt ponds (right), plus House Martin there; Easter Mon 25/4 - 3 summer plumage Red-necked Grebes from Ferny Ness, 2 in head-shaking courtship display, 1 summer Slav Grebe, 44+ smart Long-tailed Ducks, 60 RBM, 1 RTD; Lesser Whitethroat in song Craigy Hill, Garleton midday; 44 Rooks nests counted Fernyness Wood opposite Longniddry station, 40+ adults present

Wknd 16-17 April

2011-04-18T00:02:00.005+01:00

Saturday - 2 Sandwich Tern on rocks off Wrecked Craigs, Port Seton - a month since the first which must have been en route north.

Sunday - WeBS & swan survey produced very few water birds; 24+ Wheatear (12m, 12f) around small sheep field immediately west of Drem pools included one obvious Greenlander male and a probable female. Field south of East Fenton held another 10, plus 2 males at farm itself. Presumably looking closely in all other cereal fields along Peffer valley would have yielded dozens more?! 1120 Herring Gulls @ Chapel. White Wag at East Fortune resr. Mistle Thrush FF at Drem was only atlas tick but Lapwing display over Merrylaws was also nice to see.

All wintering swan flocks had evaporated and every last Whooper vanished :(

Quick look in Gullane Bay revealed 385 Common Scoter, mainly off Black Rocks. Missed the WTE, still not seen one in Lothian...

Wknd 9-10 April

2011-04-10T22:32:00.006+01:00

Friday vis saw 24 Smarties W offshore from Seton harbour in 40 mins, accompanied by 2 Swallows (details). First singing Blackcap Longniddry station. First waterbird on Blindwells MTS, a drake Mallard! Also 5 Buzzard up over Dalkeith Country Park.

Massive clear-out of Whoopers across UK (WWT update 8/4) so went to check if we had a remnant, just 3 on grass at Muirton; sad to see them go again.

Willow Warbler in on Sunday (Bankton roundabout) and seem to already be widespread in area with high densities in places.

Wknd 2-3 April

2011-04-02T16:56:00.020+01:00

Warm afternoon Saturday so cycled down to beach to do some vismig while kids played; within a minute of arriving a Sand Martin passed offshore and Mipit passage was well underway; total counts for 90 mins not high but OK for an afternoon; 5 Red-necked Grebes immediately offshore and 19 fine Long-tailed Ducks.

[Post-script - news now that a Common Swift passed Torness midday - assuming it was coasting would have passed us c. 1pm, wish I'd started earlier now; who knows what would pass if you could watch for all day? Some clue in the historical spring Mipit counts from Aberlady, peak 2100/hr 27/3/02; Aberlady has 6 of top 25 peak Mipit counts, most others north Norfolk with a similar constraining coastline geography]

Seton roost such as it was: 875 Common Gull (c. 15% imm), 28 Herring Gull, 15 BHG (5 ads), 6 LBB, 1 GBB plus c. 300 on sea presumably mainly Common Gull, total 1225. Interesting that the BHG's have completely evaporated whilst Common Gulls are only down to a third or so, presumably some of those that breed further north? However, BHG heard from shore in small hours of night and 380 BHG at dusk on Sunday so they are still around.

Also Sunday - 2 hirundines over house 15:30hrs, one was a Swallow, more Sand Martins later. Late afternoon at Blindwells more of same with Swallow and 6 Smarties, plus 4 Wheatears, 3 males and a female (photo).

At the far end of Blindwells there is now a series of 3 ponds for the Minewater Treatment Scheme, as per below. These have been planted up with water plants (rush/sedge) and look like they may well be attractive to migrant waders, though margins are a bit steep. Also, though fairly narrow, at approaching 500m long effectively double the water area visible on the whole site, assisted by the original pool now being maintained at a very high level adding c. 100m to its length too. Together with the pool at St Germains (where once had spring Gadwall) there is now water stretching nearly 1km. Plan to check new ponds, unfortunately not quite visible from adjacent layby at Seton East (railway between), and hopefully others will too - we are sorely lacking in open water in lowland East Lothian, the only two dots north of the Tyne shown on this habitat map are Blindwells (NT47C) and Markle fisheries, which is just a collection of fish ponds (NT57T).

Together with the new pond at Dunbar quarry these are mildly encouraging developments, though can't replace the natural flood pool on Garleton edge, my former WeBS site, which was drained by the landowner. This was a gem of a site with 37 WeBS species (14 waders) and formerly ranked second in Lothian sites (after Firth of Forth!) in terms of numbers, due to the goose interest (see "Principal sites" list on p. 162 of latest WeBS report, 08/09). Still have not really got over its sudden loss in September 2009, about which nothing could be done :(

Wknd 26-27 March

2011-03-27T19:58:00.014+01:00

A fresh Tawny casualty, Edinburgh bypass, aged as an adult (4cy+) so likely part of a pair breeding nearby, perhaps in Dalkeith country park? A rufous morph, easiest clue on age is the smooth bands towards ends of flight feathers, well spaced near tips, contrast the narrower spacing and distinctive wavy subterminal band on juv, some of which are retained into 2nd-winter (see earlier post on 2nd-sum grey morph).

Made a trap for heffalumps when I went to get camera to take these photos; a while later heard Jackdaw alarms outside and a growing crescendo of calls; thinking perhaps a good raptor was around dashed out only to find nearly 30+ corvids swirling high over the Tawny laid out of the grass - well spotted!

5 Waxwings flew low over house 10:30hrs Sunday, first for a while, and Mipit passage well underway SW over.

A look at Gullane Bay in the afternoon eventually produced 28 Red-throated Divers, also 15 Slav Grebes in mixture of winter/breeding plumages, 255 Common Scoter, and just 2 drake Long-tailed Ducks. A wood mouse came out to forage in the dunes - extremely tame but still a challenge to photograph!

At Seton, the roost totals were way down and most of the adult gulls, Meds included presumably, have clearly now gone throo - the end of another season!

Wknd 19-20 March

2011-03-18T21:31:00.030Z

At last, a Cormorant darvic, white-HAN, from Grampian Ringing Group (ringed as chick at Forvie, 15/6/08); on Seton harbour wall where I had missed one previously; got disturbed and flew off strongly west. By curious coincidence within an hour had a ringing return from the very same group, for Golden Plover DD59907, seen at the very same site, also on a Friday afternoon (ballet run), just 3 months previously; ringed as a nestling at the Lecht on 23 May last year. Not been to the Lecht since skiing there on school trip nearly 30 years ago! Also 4+ Slavs on sea, one full summer, and one RTD.

Back at work news of a White Stork came out, had been over KB in the morning at the same moment that I was dashing from my office to a lecture - missed it! Since it was in a field that I occasionally drive past on way home, just in case anything (like a Stork) is about, we made the detour and called past - a fine beast too (better pic by Ian). Nice to see it for myself, having previously had a split second view (from train) of what must have been the same bird on 3 May 2009, in a similar field just 2 miles north-west at Queen Margaret University.

Surely this is the same as the wanderer we have had in previous springs most notably at ASDA in Dunbar, where a photo was taken showing a closed metal ring on the same (left) ankle (same immediately before that at Blair Drummond safari park). Further digging suggests it may well be one and the same as the individual which has been roaming central Scotland since at least January 2001, when a bird with a red ring was at Ayrshire Central hospital; ring noted again when at Mersehead/Caerlaverock in spring 2004 when BirdGuides reported "this bird is ringed and is one of the free-flying birds from Harewood House, West Yorkshire". Harewood has a "stork and heron" enclosure, where White Storks have nested (2005 pic); more digging found more evidence of Harewood birds at large elsewhere, mainly Yorks but also Durham & Northumbs, including this one at Ossett, south of Leeds, in March 2009, so presumably it winters south of the border? Summary in LBN post.

[Postscript - same Stork had been seen at Ormiston, the night before, 17/3; by 27/3 it seems it may have relocated to Pilling, Lancs - same ring but plumage features inconclusive, so perhaps another from same collection? From obvious plumage features, and reported narrow red/metal ring on left leg, the same then appeared at in Banchory on 13-14 April, where it roosted on top of a car park light at Tescos (moving upmarket!); into May it relocated to Devon (photos); a further summary of its spring travels here, does get around a bit!]

Was getting dark by the time we reached the Seton Burn, but in the gloom amongst c. 2700 small gulls out on the shore was the unmistakeable profile of a Sandwich Tern; eventually showed nicely as it flew and alighted deeper in the throng. Was curious to know if it would go out on the sea with the gulls but there was still a crowd on the shore at 19:20hrs when it was far to dark to make out what was what. Seems it could be the first in Scotland this spring. Reminiscent of a previous March record here also amongst the small gulls, LBN post.

Saturday update - checked Eider off Seton harbour for sails, total 315 birds present and 70+ males confirmed with no sails. The earlier bird is looking like beginner's luck! The gull roost was quite impressive, with birds stretched all along the coast, c. 2k on Seton Sands, 1k on sea, 300 on Longniddry shore and 700 on Gosford Sands. 3 Meds were gathered fairly close off the caravan park, with another on the east end of the beach, 2/3 unringed; all in full-summer, one still with some white flecks. The pale-backed Common Gull was near the latter bird, but overall BHG were in the ascendancy with perhaps 3k in total, a surge of migrants. 7 ad graellsii definitely the most this year. No further sign of Sandwich Tern. Other b&w birds included 20 Sanderling on Longniddry beach and min 65 Pied Wags over SW in small groups after sunset (cf. 66 over SW on 19/3/08); presume these roost somewhere around Musselburgh, but have not noted the Esso roost recently.

Back to Seton Sunday to check for wagtail passage and try to get a proper count - negative, just a single, so birds ystdy may have been migrants looking for a roost, now moved on? Quick look on the harbour wall for the Cormorant also negative but amazed to see two darviced imm GBB standing next to each other there! Seven years of looking and only a single previously, which same as the first Cormorant darvic had flown off before I could read it. Well these two promptly did the same, faced with two to read I'd hardly started when they went. But lucky the harbour was busy and eventually got both, orange-WC7T (ringed at Pitsea by North Thames Gull Group on 9/1/10), above, and yellow-E29 below (ringed as a chick in Berriedale, Caithness, on 22 June 2009). Also 6 Purps on the harbour wall and viewing down the shore to Seton Sands a single adult Med could be seen before a spaniel flushed the majority onto the sea.

Monday morning - ad Med and 19 ad LBB with gulls following plough in fields at Old Craighall just south of A1.

Wknd 12-13 March

2011-03-12T19:01:00.014Z

Late afternoon Saturday saw 20 Whoopers (1 juv) resting on sea in Gosford Bay; whooping started and they flew at 17:25hrs, passing Longniddry c/p 2 in a single line; no darvics were apparent, at least on left legs! Proceeded SW along coast towards Cockenzie powerstation. After Lesser Blackback, the second species seen on active migration this spring - numbers on East Lothian plummet every March but I rarely catch them in motion; will find out on WeBS tmrw how many remain locally.

Sunday update - at noon a flock of 37 Whoopers at Ballencrieff (6 juv, no darvics in 34 standing), in cereal (first seen here, though once previously nearby at Mungoswells; hard to say on origins, as had gone at 13:15hrs and no sign in scanning from Garleton, just possibly genuine migrants); still 146+ at Muirton and 4 at Waughton.

[Postscript - further evidence of passage with news from Mike of 30+ over his house in Penicuik on Sunday evening, then a sighting of 23 on Blindwells by George on Monday afternoon; also 3 past Coates on Saturday!]

Sunday evening, a nice full summer Med Gull on the Seton shore (unringed); stalked to get a shot and was mystified by an insistent and distinctive "yow" call amongst the noise of calls until throo scope I saw it was the Med; called loudly until it took flight, then continued in flight, a new experience for me. Also a very white-backed leucistic BHG on the sea. Presumed same Med again on shore on Monday.

Nothing to do with Lothian I found this interesting blog for Midway Atoll in the Pacific which documents the impact of the Japanese tsunami on the breeding albatrosses; amongst them "Wisdom", a ringed Laysan Albatross of age 60+ yrs, has apparently survived with her chick.

More local, another blog post worth noting is this recent pic of one of the remaining Night Herons at the zoo. All the information we have points to this being a chick banded in 1987 or earlier, thus approaching at least 24 years old, far exceeding known longevity records for this species (17 yrs - Europe, 21 yrs - North America).

Only gulls

2011-03-06T23:36:00.011Z

Only gull stuff in this post, others can ignore!

Recent ring recoveries now added via files "Rings" on right bar, divided by species (each is a spreadsheet with each bird on a separate worksheet).

For BHG, link, the Musselburgh birds last Dec had been ringed as chicks at Coquet Island, Northumbs (now 5th-win) and Loch Urr, D&G (now 7th-win!), plus the Norwegian bird, ringed as an adult in a park in Oslo on 1/4/00 (none had previous resightings).

Med Gulls stuff is derived from Johan's site but with some incipient analysis. Includes latest sighting of red-PJU6 (c/o Dave), previously at Seton on 11/9/09.

Latest Herring was the returning orange-1787 last autumn but more interesting was the Isle of May chick from 24/7/91, feeding on the grass at Gullane Bents c/p within sight of its birthplace (over 18 years later). Must have another look for that bird, metal ring only, quite worn.

Anyway, two Meds in the roost on the sea tonight (Sunday), one with near full hood and other with just a narrow mask ending in a wider mark. Unfortunately tide quite high and dog walkers as usual running their hounds at the whole flock to make sure none left on the shore, so all attempts to refind Dave's Polish bird futile. Dave had 3 other ads on same day and 4 also last wknd. Also the leucistic Common Gull out in the roost, and a single LBB, plus 73 Herring Gulls remaining beyond dusk.

The previous week, had done final winter atlas TTV in NT47I (Longniddry Bents) and within a minute of starting an adult Med flew SW along Longniddry shore, alighting at the Seton Burn. Already logged for all these tetrads but nice to get in the timed count. The previous day as more useful record with single adult Med with small gulls in grass at Wellington Farm, Millerhill, fortunately just inside NT36, thus a 10km tick for atlas. Flushed and flew to the nearby flood pool at Newton. The following day similar flock at same place but no time to check.

Back to the previous wknd and only single adult Meds were located on shore on 17 & 18 Feb, dusk both days. So the increase to 4 birds by the end of Feb, plus appearance of the Polish bird, may be indicative of a "return" passage; we have never previously had the Polish birds beyond mid-March, so they are not likely to stay long; question is, where do they go mid-winter, it seems they must proceed west (red-7P8 last seen 20/11/10) but we have never had any resightings from elsewhere.

Sailing by

2011-03-06T19:08:00.013Z

Credit to Morg who reminded me it's worth looking for "sailed" Eiders, this was the second bird I looked at on arrival at my patch at Wrecked Craigs, Port Seton. Though the sail has been identified by some (Garner et al.) as the key feature of the northern race (borealis) this individual seemed to lack any obvious difference in bill/leg colour, not to mention the shape of the lobes and processes (nothing to do with the ears!).

There are various articles out there on this "race" (Ireland, Shetland) but the most interesting I have seen is the note by Gibbins & Maggs in NESBR 08* describing "sailed" birds on the Ythan, which have been proven to include a bird ringed as a chick there in mid-1980's and a recent breeding adult female. The remarkable observation of two populations ("sedentary" and "migrant") breeding adjacent to each other at same site (Milne & Robertson, 1965**) may be purely coincidental but with resident breeders displaying sails there is clearly much we still need to learn about the status and distribution of borealis Eider, and more genetic work has been called for.

Having re-read the Garner article it seems the greener bill is not inconsistent with borealis, this being a clinal feature and more typical for birds from Iceland or Svalbard, contra the orangey colour of the New World birds.

Previous observations have been made in Lothian in 2007, also in spring, with drakes at Scoughall on 18 Feb & 29 Apr, and at Aberlady on 1 Apr (I believe with BBRC). We have also had a decent number of Eider in the Forth recently with 2k+ off Gullane, given this was the second bird I looked at (out of 10 drakes total) there are no doubt more out there and we need to be looking more carefully!

* Gibbins C & Maggs H (2009) "The intriguing case of North East Scotland's sailed Eider", North East Scotland Bird Report 2008, pp. 108-110
** Milne H & Robertson FW (1965) "Polymorphisms in egg albumen protein and behavior in the eider duck", Nature 205:367

Wknd 26-27 February

2011-02-28T01:46:00.002Z

All effort devoted to atlas - 2 visits to Seacliff, adding Goosander to NT68 but failing to find Siskin (bagged by Mark on the very last day!); surprisingly also added 3 species to NT69, which contains the Isle of May but all lies beyond 5km from the Lothian coast - many Gannets were visible and a flock of Pinks flew N behind the Bass Rock; 3 Kittiwakes made a beeline for a trawler also judged to have been in NT69; these are needed ticks, as the Isle of May is low on winter species and was appearing red on atlas maps, now orange (with Razorbill also logged, per Seabird Centre reports).

Passing Waughton en route the taiga Bean was visible at dusk on Saturday (just before above photo taken from the top road, sunset over Arthur's Seat, but apparently AWOL on the Sunday and thereafter).

Wknd 19-20 February

2011-02-20T19:35:00.007Z

Main priority this week was BTO Atlas as the end of the final winter period approaches, just a week to go. Did the TTV off Reed Point, btwn Dunglass and Pease bay in Borders, not a great deal on the sea and just 86 Gannets passed south during the hour.

Sunday roved around a few inland areas, failing to find Oystercatchers in NT46 or any more duck at Markle. The taiga Bean remained at Waughton (seated, as it often has been, and I presume it is unwell), with 43 Mute Swans still in cereal east of Whitekirk.

More successful at dusk - Tawny Owl calling 17:35hrs in the north-east corner of Binning Wood - conveniently (for once) just inside the tetrad boundary (NT68A), thus a much-needed 10km tick! Shortly afterwards another was hooting from The Avenue, towards Tyninghame House, this one heard by the kids who were very excited. Both birds called shortly after I had done "cupped hand" hooting in attempt to provoke a response, but whether there is any connection I tend to doubt.

Better was too come as we took the backroads home and came across a beautiful Barn Owl perched up on the straight btwn Old Stonelaws and Redside (on the Whitekirk to Waughton Road). Bird then proceeded to hover over verge still in headlights before drifting off south; also a tetrad tick, NT58Q.

Also this week have had 5 post mortems back, the most interesting being that for the Barn Owl casualty at Old Craighall, recovered off a freshly dead Feral Pigeon (blog post of 7 Dec). Analysis confirms the owl was feeding on the pigeon, thus a very rare case of taking carrion, but also that the pigeon had probably already been scavenged by something else. However, the owl (a young male) was also deemed to be in very poor condition with no fat reserves and advanced muscle atrophy. This was also consistent with the low weight (280g) and lack of any ingested food before the pigeon. Thus the primary cause of death was deemed to be starvation, and the scavenging is clear evidence of its desperation in finding food (after several days of severe weather, included deep snow cover).

As discussed in original blog post, many of our owl casualties have been in excellent condition, including those recovered in the hard weather just over a year ago, but this latest finding is more expected given the evidence we now have of its significant impact on (but not elimination of) local breeding populations. Several other reports of Barn Owls in the region, including a courting pair, gives some grounds for optimism.

Wknd 12-13 February

2011-02-12T20:33:00.029Z

Swans circuit in Holyrood on Saturday morning produced a few with the new bright green darvics; Greylag DZC was still alive, right (domestic Greylags history in link right). 12 occupied herons nests at Duddingston; oh yes, the first year Iceland Gull too was unmissable on Dunsapie - was successful in grabbing 2 large bits of bread and actually looked quite bloated with food; not content, I then saw it successfully parasitise a BHG, which dropped its own bread.

Then did the NT47J TTV - this is the tetrad offshore NW from Ferny Ness; arrived early afternoon in hope of some mud at low tide but tide never dropped far enough to reveal any shore, thus had to count sea duck instead - total 689 in the tetrad: 328 Velvets, 151 Eider, 92 LTD, an unprecedented (for me) 90 Goldeneye, 19 RBM, 8 Common Scoter and rarest of all a female Tufted Duck; also 39 Slav Grebes and 3 Razorbill; all minima with birds busy diving to feed. Some reasonable counts for the TTV but poor in comparison with yesterday's 78 Slavs, also the BNG and GND seemed to be absent though had been seen earlier and disappointing to get no other divers (though these all logged for tetrad previously).

Then did WeBS, a day earlier than usual; 160+ Whoopers remained at Muirton; an ad f Scaup and pr RBM were still on Chapel; Mute flock in upper Peffer Valley, south of Dirleton, has reached 39; Grey Wag at East Fortune was the first I remember hearing for a long time, and vocal Wrens in several places was encouraging too.

The taiga Bean Goose was still at Waughton, with a dead swan below wires there (foot measurement suggest Whooper), a very sad sight considering the effort that was expended to get the bird deflectors up on the wires in April 2008 (after at least 15 swans had perished that winter, commuting between the "bean" field and the resr to roost) - photos below. Plastic disks were fitted to the 11kV line and big orange fishing float type (sourced in Leith) on the 33kV line (LBN post). The density of deflectors above where the current bird had fallen was 7 on a span - perhaps more are needed to be effective, but probably it is impossible to make it fully swan-proof given they will often fly to roost after dark. Use of fluorescent markers has been discussed but I have seen no proof advanced that these will work and I suspect they may just confuse the birds which will still not be able to see the wires themselves. For extreme cases it might therefore be better to disperse the swan flock via other means.

[Postscript - have since discovered that more frequent terminology, at least in the US, is bird "diverter", and found a couple of articles demonstrating the successful deployment of deflectors in the UK (at Abberton resr and Rye harbour). Commercial products in the UK here and use of reflective material on deflectors intended for cranes mentioned here].

Sunday had a look at the Seton roost - there was one unringed adult Med Gull on the shore off caravan park entrance, c/o Mike; 3200 small gulls roosted, the last flying onto the sea at 17:40hrs; c. 35 Herring Gulls remained to roost, but still no LBB arrival.

Domestic Greylags

2011-02-08T18:54:00.010Z

Discussed before on this blog, here are the photos of the various Greylag/domestic goose variants which have been in the area for a couple of years. Seen in 2009, at East Fenton (6/9), Gosford Bay (1/11), Gosford ponds (15/11) and East Fortune (22/11) and generally at the latter location into 2011. Upper photos c/o Abbie.

Whitest bird has vague resemblance to Snow Goose but flight feathers are brownish at best, not black. The second bird is basically grey all over and the last, brownish with white face, I suspect could by a hybrid with a domestic type Greylag or Swan Goose. Possibly another individual like this, plus some Canada x Greylags are still seen occasionally.

Nicer geese below, part of the mixed Greylag/Pinkfoot flock at Fortoun Bank on Sunday. Over 800 Greylags were at the potatoes provided by East Fortune ponds during the hard weather at end of last year, often accompanied by varying numbers of Pinkfeet. The domestic variants have been present throughout.

Wknd 5-6 February

2011-02-05T21:54:00.008Z

On Saturday: the Whooper herd were over at Muirton, with 880 Pinks at flood pools; nearby just over 100 Tree Sparrow with Yammers and 7 Reed Bunting by Kingston railway bridge (right); 31 Mutes (including orange-3CYP, which was at East Fenton in Nov 09) was a big increase in fields SW of Newhouse Wood resr; 340 Wood Pigeon at Ferrygate included 14 juvs, i.e. autumn juvs with no white on neck, and just one Stock Dove.

Gannets were back at the Bass, 170+ streaming north to feed; seabird centre cameras also gave us higher tetrad counts for gulls on the rock (though no sign of Feral Pigeon, still missing!) and on Craigleith, where a couple of Wrens and 2 Greylags were also seen.

Sunday rechecked the Whoopers and made it 167, plus 25 at Waughton (where Taiga Bean still present). A few geese milling around in East Fortune area but no large gatherings (total 591 Greylag, 140 Pinks). Also a female Pintail at the Aberlady saltmarsh.

Wknd 29-30 January

2011-01-30T17:17:00.007Z

Seton shore held a good gathering of small gulls both evenings, tide right out and many going to roost on Long Craigs rocks; estimated 4400 on Sunday (70% BHG, 4 with black hoods though none yet fully complete, one bird very pink flushed below - poor photo right), with one ad-win Med Gull on rocks, and the old faithful pale-backed Common Gull ghosting in late on; 3400 birds on Saturday, with 2 ad-win Med Gulls, one with right-leg red darvic presumably Cherry Blossom (also perhaps same as reported earlier from a ploughed field south of Pencaitland, about 5 miles south). Also there, 170 Barwits.

Saturday a quick tour for wildfowl/atlas produced 134 Whoopers @Rattlebags (NT58G near East Fenton), plus 32 @Knowes and 27 @Gleghornie, latter two are the Tyninghame birds. Tundra Bean was still there in its favoured field at Waughton - have checked this site regularly over recent years, the same location where swan casualties occurred a few years back which led to getting the markers fitted on overhead cables, c/o Scottish Power, most recently mid-Jan the wknd before Bean found, and never seen anything of particular interest! Still, a very nice addition to this minor WeBS site (site is centred on the nearby resr where wildfowl roost, but feeding area with cabbage/rape fields are included).

4 coveys Grey Partridge seen, thankful to see they have survived the deep snow, and amazingly confirmed breeding at New Mains by way of eggshell. Also a 10km tick for NT68 but regular nearby every year when I do BBS there.

Also did the RSPB's BGBW, mainly the usuals, but a Goldfinch alighted above feeder, first I can recall coming into garden; after observing the sparrow scrum and seeds from above, turned up its nose and made off again. An influx of 30+ Greenfinch in the neighbourhood was also unusual.

Wknd 22-23 January

2011-01-22T19:48:00.004Z

Dusk on Saturday a Barn Owl hunting a favoured area at Yellow Craigs in Garleton Hills, unfortunately just 100m from the boundary of the obvious remaining atlas gap in this area. Another recent report of one by A1 at Blindwells. Never ceases to amaze me, how did they survive weeks of snow cover? Perhaps some day in future technology attached to birds will reveal their secrets, but for now we have to be content with glimpses in the night.

Sunday was the Rocky Shore count (Lothian & Borders) - we had the first stretch Gullane Point to Black Rocks. Tedious work counting sea duck - made it 363 Eider, 270 Common Scoter, 71 Velvets, 18 LTD, 3 RBM, 3 RTD. Lovely views of 23 Sanderling and 45 Dunlin on the shore. Also as we arrived at the Bents c/p 430+ Fieldfare flew over and shortly after 2 Waxwings alighted by the path to the beach and seemed to have a nibble at buckthorn berries. Even though some buckthorn has been removed and there may have been hundreds of thrushes there all winter I'd be surprised if they've eaten more than one percent of the available berries!

Wknd 15-16 January

2011-01-14T23:37:00.009Z

Sunday around WeBS, good influx of wildfowl again - East Fenton/Chapel held 230 swans (190 Whooper), 109 Mallard, 33 Goosander (new record), 31 Tufties, 26 Wigeon, 2 Coot (exceptional here), and adult drakes of Goldeneye, RBM, Pochard and Gadwall (site first), plus 4 Redshank. Surprisingly no Scaup! Most initially on East Fenton but while at Chapel must have been disturbed there and sawbills flew in to join single Goosander and Goldeneye initially there. 145 Whoopers were in cereal behind Chapel Farm, flew to Prora; 45+ juvs in total = 24%.

At East Fortune still 600+ Greylag (photo top); 9 Mutes and 5 ad Whooper at Waughton in oil-seed again; 1460 Pinks in cereal on the plain NW of East Linton, scanned but a bit dark; finally 27 Tufties at Markle fish pond, still no Pochard there needed for NT57.

per Abbie, news of a Whitefront amongst 1800 Pinks on edge of Garleton Hills. Photo seems to show an adult European race.

Not much seen on Saturday, many auks and a few Fulmars back on their nest cliffs at Craigleith and per Seabird Centre cameras.

On Friday, thanks to Craig for tip off via this blog relocated his 150+ redpolls in Butterdean Wood. Spooked when first disturbed, but remarkably tame as I walked quietly in with the whole flock pouring over woodland floor feeding on ground, glimpses of white rumps indicative of Mealys in their midst. Throo more stalking got scope on several groups at birch catkins, 2 or 3 in 35 birds were Mealys and one seen well enough, fluffy white rump, to write the required description! Suspect there may have been over 200.

Also in the area, 4 Woodcock, flushed two at a time and Blue Tits immediately uttered their high squeak/whistle alarm on both occasions - clearly disliking the cryptic plumage. Also 3 Jays, 2 Bullfinch, GSW and Treecreeper.

Later while pulling up by the wall at Seton harbour to view shore for gulls saw a flash of blue moving to far rock pools, my first Kingfisher for the site; bird proceeded to plunge into a rock pool and seemed to have got something by bill movements. But this species has a history here, present Feb 03, Sept 04 and Oct 07 - same bird, or just a coincidence? Longevity of 21 years has been recorded so it's possible.

Wknd 8-9 January

2011-01-09T17:21:00.002Z

Sunday circuited Drem area at dusk, finding 16 Bramblings at Chester's Hill. Abbie also relocated the Bangly Hill flock, plus pr Twite on nettle seeds there, and the pleasing gathering depicted above in her garden. 133 (36 juvs) Whooper Swans (including JP3 with UH3, and the red-ASB juv) in winter cereal at Fenton Barns; also 1810 Pinks there. Earlier added Collared Dove to NT47K, Boggs, so now all the tetrads in NT47 are 40 species plus (except NT47E which is 2km offshore). Also found the imm GBB still in Seton harbour but now with foot badly swollen, I'm now thinking this is the same bird that had red (elastic?) bands on its legs earlier, if so a real act of cruelty.

Back on redpoll quest Saturday walked to Colstoun Old Mill from Gifford Vale, throo fresh snow; negative again, also a dedicated atlasser who walks his dogs there regularly reported having seen none (in 3 winters), so I wonder now whether the original flock might be one and the same as that located at Whiteadder resr 7 miles ESE, which proved to contained various interesting redpolls. Dippers again, also Goldcrest and Treecreepers with tit flocks, all still alive.

Boobook, Oz owl

2011-01-09T16:55:00.007Z

This little chap above appeared in an East Lothian garden during December's hard weather; detective work kept me busy for a few hours, first establishing it is a Southern Boobook owl, native of Australia (or possibly the related Morepork from NZ, TBC) and then tracing it to a local breeder, whose aviary had been damaged by the snow; not seen again though and I suspect a sad end to the story. [Postscript, I'm informed c/o Pete Morris & James Eaton that it is indeed a Morepork (New Zealand Southern Boobook)]

Happy New Year

2011-01-01T18:25:00.017Z

Kicked off along Seton shore, as usual - 210 Velvet Scoter on sea and an ad graellsii Lesser Blackback on Seton Burn. This hefty young Great Blackback was alone in a deserted Seton harbour, though had a damaged foot. It's a 1st-win with most scapulars replaced by 2nd generation feathers, as is typical for this species. The bill has a fair amount of pale showing, some 1st-win are entirely black.

Sunday afternoon, in search of NT56 target Kingfisher, checked Colstoun Water downstream of Gifford; negative, but came across large flock redpolls near Eaglescairnie; could not pin them down, but throo bins most were apparently large and pale, also the calls were reminiscent of Crossbill, so Mealys were probably in there.

Monday - Seton roost back to normal 3k+ including leucistic Common Gull, pale-mantled, an old friend, first noted here 8 April 2006, and also known from Muss, now 8+ yrs old. By strange coincidence Mike's grain feed has boosted House Sparrows feeding in garden to 25+, amongst which the male with a pure white tertial, first seen here autumn 2007, so now getting to 4+ yrs old.

Tuesday - 2 Dippers on Colstoun Water, Bolton to Gifford (tetrad tick, along with Mallards), but no sign of any redpolls - note to self, never venture out without scope even if it's woods and you think there will be nothing much to see! Probably not going to give up on these redpolls but stuck now with back to work.

Review of year 2010

2010-12-31T23:31:00.010Z

End of the year and time to tot up various lists!

Biggest success this year was the garden list, 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 surreal at the time after years of seeing none, and Tree Sparrows are now well and truly rooted in the area, peak count 4. Barnacle Goose record smashed with 310 on 3/10. The only previously annual species not seen was Peregrine. Now on 94 and 100 looks possible with further good targets, particularly for garden vismig. Full records: Excel s/s.

General vismig was good too, with 78 species logged migrating from "Ferny Ness" watch-point, under which are included also records from garden and coast to Port Seton. This takes total vis species here to 100 up (peak counts).

Atlas recording is proceeding well too, now with 134 "species" (out of 138 total) for winter and 138 for breeding (out of 145) in home 10km, NT47. Lothian status.

4 additions for my Lothian (self found) list are all pending LBRC acceptance (Bean Goose, Mandarin, Hobby & Hoodie). The same uncertainty clouds the year list (on Bubo) with 2 further descriptions submitted (BNG & Pec Sand) but even assuming all can be counted will only be 158 for the year, two short of last year :( Two near misses would have matched it - the dark shearwaters E off Ferny Ness in haze on 4 September, the same day Sootie was logged E off Anstruther opposite (and would have been a vismig tick), and the skua I picked up off Ferny Ness on 6 November, called as a Pom by Merv.

Worst omissions are Little Gull - clearly a poor year for this species after so many years of huge influxes (and how many hours spent scanning the Forth, many 10s, and nary a one seen?!) though they were at Muss in small numbers as usual, and Twite - no "self found" and none on vis :( Also lack of Lap Bunt is disappointing given the current unprecedented influx, odd to have got them on vismig the previous year when they were fairly scarce! Still a target for NT47, Ferny Ness looks ideal, but disturbance may be too great? Overall have not competed with the others doing the year list, despite having been out, at least briefly, both days virtually every weekend - but also have not ventured far from home range, only two species (grouse and GND) were located more than 5 miles from home, plus 4 of the description species being 5-10 miles (Hoodie at Scoughall furthest). Perhaps I should just do a patch list next year?

Lists aside, a year with many good memories, roaming East Lothian - 5 Med Gulls together again on the Seton Burn, encounters with various owls, e.g. handling a young Tawny alive, but contrasted with the worst year on record for Barn Owl casualties (20), many I believe associated with hard weather - and this we have also had in unprecedented abundance, with weeks of snow cover and temperatures plunging below -10C on several occasions. Other sad casualties included Hobby and LEO.

Looking ahead to New Year I take on the job of Lothian Bird Recorder so will be increasingly busy with even more bird records (please now send all 2010 records to lothianrecorder @ the-soc.org.uk)! We also conclude the fieldwork for the national Bird Atlas and lots of effort will be needed to plug the last few gaps. Plenty to look forward too. Meantime, Happy New Year and good birding to all readers - thanks for your various contributions, all feedback always most welcome!

Christmas week

2010-12-27T16:41:00.016Z

WeBS highlights on Boxing Day* included 199 swans at East Fenton (150 Whooper, 42 juv including a new red darvic ASB (ringed in Iceland at Husabakkafloi in Skajafjordur on 1 August 2010), plus usual yellow PL5, UH3, X6C, J3P), 1930 Pinks at Chapel being buzzed by juv f Peregrine, 730 Greylag at East Fortune with 8 Whoopers. Plenty partridge digging in snow - 8 West Garleton, 15 East Fenton, 20 Chapel, 6 Brownrigg. Small birds included 180 Linnet at Drem, 260 Linnet at East Fenton, Brambling at both locations. A lot of Boxing Day shooting going on in the whole area, which considering the number of wildfowl about (total 2900 birds) is in violation, at least in spirit, of current wildfowling ban but presumably enforcement of such is close to zero?

Later, presumably same Peregrine took a Woodpigeon at Muirton at 16:00hrs (17 minutes after sunset) and set about consuming it voraciously, biting off large chunks and occasionally wiping feathers from bill with talons, a magnificent creature to observe; two crows approached but only to 10m, then thought the better of it! She finished eating suddenly, flew up then alighted again near prey, then off rapidly east at 16:25hrs presumably to roost. The carcass looked like a heap of sprout leaves, with breast, neck and one thigh entirely consumed, a raw version of a Christmas dinner! Residual weight of pigeon 190g, assuming a typical weight of at least 500g (per BWP), and allowing for a few uneaten bits of sprout, the Peregrine took c. 300g = 12g/s. BWP states feeding time as 10-30 mins, exceptionally 1 hour and daily food requirement of 141g for female, so this feed should keep it well nourished for a good day or so.

Monday, back at Chesters, Jays calling and 8 Lotti out in the snow, both tetrad ticks, and 8 redpolls flew over. 470 Pinks were feeding on oil-seed now revealed in the thaw on summit above Lochhill, also 180 Feral Pigeon and 800+ Woodpigeon around Spittal. Abbie tells me there were 2k+ Woodies in the area the following day.

Tuesday back to the Forth coast, usual haunts along Seton shore, a fair gathering of sea duck with 280 Eider and 56 RBM mainly off Seton harbour and 280 Velvet Scoter mainly in Gosford Bay. 6 Goldeneye, always scarce here. Meagre gathering of gulls at dusk by the Seton Burn but did include an unringed adult Med Gull, dark mask smeared up onto crown.

Wednesday went to do intertidal (low priority) tetrads in NT77 either side of Torness, NT77N and NT77W. Just completing former viewing out to sea from Chapel Point when a head-on bird appeared out of mist well offshore, not a gull but an owl! Intercepted by Herring Gulls before it reached the shore but fortunately kept on basically the same course S and flew right over our heads, revealing solid black wing tips, thus Short-eared Owl; most likely a migrant down the coast rather than a fresh arrival over the North Sea. Then we moved down to Cove where accessing the tetrad at Reed Point was rather precarious. 27 Wigeon were on the sea and again just before concluding spotted a fishing Great Northern Diver, proceeding steadily NW into Lothian. En route 40+ Waxwings over the A1 south verge just west of Beltonford.

Thursday, probably same ad-win Med Gull on Seton shore at dusk, has a bad leg; apparently 2 there on Tuesday so I clearly missed one. Only 1250 birds in roost by 16:30hrs, exceptionally low and seem to be missing many of the Common Gulls. Also one 3rd-win graellsii Lesser Blackback present. Earlier small flock Redpolls in Longniddry birches, departed before had a chance to check them.

Friday, Gosford Sands well covered with waders including c. 940 Knot and 376 Barwits, new 10km peaks for atlas. At dusk off Seton a f/imm Goosander fishing in the shallows around Long Craigs rock was unexpected and the first coastal record for the atlas in NT47.

* Technical note - Boxing Day refers here to 26 December, though strictly it probably was 27 December this year!

Happy Christmas!

2010-12-24T14:33:00.030Z

A Christmas Day visit to the Chesters Hill Fort (above) found thrushes gathered to feed on apples in snow, and Great Spotted Woodpecker was a tetrad tick. Stunning views of f Sprawk alongside the car for 500m up to west Garleton, hunting thrushes in hedgerows, doing 35mph slightly uphill then accelerating to a burst of at least 40mph. The Newton text mentions top speed as 30-40 km/h, reaching 50 km/h in short bursts, but does not distinguish sex which must make a difference. At dusk, 4 Waxwings were at rowan berries on our road.

On Christmas Eve, family photo after Michael had starred in "Snowman at Sunset", Gilmerton New Church; outside a Collared Dove in a nest, but seemed to be eating snow rather than any breeding activity!

Later up to Gifford for bird feed c/o Mike, stunning scenery and a few hardy birds out. Waxwing in hawthorns at Ballencrieff and 8 Grey Partridge at West Garleton digging vigorously in snow for food. In the hour after dusk against the orange sky skein after skein of Herring Gulls came north over Garleton summit heading for coastal roosts at North Berwick, total 770+; from flightpath apparently from south of Lammermuirs, possibly from the Langlee tip by the A68 south of Jedburgh, giving a total transit of nearly 50 miles, not unusual for this species (BirdLife factsheet mentions foraging distances of up to 100km for Danish breeders); very hardy birds!

Wknd 18-19 December

2010-12-17T17:12:00.025Z

Friday afternoon on shore by Seton harbour one Golden Plover with metal ring, apparently BTO DD59907. Submitted and will see if such a bird exists! 45 Fieldfare at Longniddry golf course. Fresh Barn Owl casualty at Blindwells, a very white male. More photos added, showing paleness of plumage; web search reveals relatively few similar examples, one bird that is more likely leucistic and a pale captive individual. BWP says "Some birds have tail very pale: t1 cream with traces of some dark bars on basal half ... other feathers virtually white except for some dusky specks or blotches", this is an example of such. For contrast see the opposite extreme in next pic of imm female from Wallyford, Oct 2005. Also the recent Tawny off the A1, this a rufous morph juv.

Have since heard of another Tawny casualty per Mike McDowall and as discussed in earlier posts, owl mortality clearly increases in this type of severe weather, snow on the ground for nearly a month now and night-time temperatures well below zero for an extended period. Who knows how they are now fairing, though recent report from Jim of a Barn Owl at Ferny Ness, new for my home tetrad (NT47N) despite frequent excursions in search of them, is perhaps indicative of one seeking refuge near coast? Also throughout the whole period we have had very calm conditions and this may have benefited them; in recent days with full moon also amazingly light nights, with a sort of perpetual twilight right throo the night - moon casting strong shadows and it was as light in our garden as it was in the kitchen with lights on dim (see photo from midnight, no artificial light or image edit). Whether this is of any benefit to an owl with all rodents below the snow is another matter. Only time will tell whether they can recover from yet another severe blow.

Saturday, Seton pre-roost was nearly entirely Common Gull, very few "hooded gulls" - most gone west/south? Looked carefully at "hooded" Common Gulls after recent debate about a hooded individual at Seaforth, and noted 4 in 600-odd with hoods that were mainly dark, but streaks still apparent, I think this is a typical ratio in mid-winter. At least one very similar to the Seaforth bird, first below. I previously had a bird with a very neat total hood, though the colour was much lighter. Shot added showing apparent variability in mantle shade, this is probably mainly down to angle to light (from west, left) but also reflects genuine variation.

Sunday not according to plan due to weather - a few inches fresh snow; some decent sized Skylark flocks low S over, 20+; at Redcoll a minimum of 1600 Woodpigeons were feeding in snow where some vegetation still protruding. 350 SW over at dawn on Monday.

4 Waxwings back on the Tranent A1 roundabout in Wednesday morning.

Wknd 11-12 December

2010-12-10T17:55:00.050Z

Friday afternoon saw 26 Great Blackbacks around Seton harbour, including this imm marked with red bands; given lack of a metal ring this may perhaps be a bird trapped e.g. by a fisherman and thus untraceable?

Lucy (returning graellsii LBB) was also there again with her friends.

A Lapwing lay freshly dead on the shore, casualty of hard weather.

Saturday, 15+ Waxwings still at Harelaw and several Brambling at beech trees by Garleton Lodge.

In the afternoon the kids went to see Mother Goose at Musselburgh so I went to Eskside and tried to read BHG metals rings, got two, BTO EL00334 (first bird below - inset left, do ringers put rings on upside down to test us!?) [Postscript - ringed as chick, Loch Urr, D&G 7/6/04] and a foreign one, 6158812 (second bird below), with a word written vertically downwards at the start, apparently "Norway", see example. Reply within a few hours from Stavanger Museum, the bird was ringed as an adult at Frogner Park in Oslo on 1/4/2000 (no joke!), and has not been seen since! See Johan Bos's article "The Origin of Black-headed Gulls Wintering in Edinburgh" published in Lothian Bird Bulletin No. 1 2004 for context (pdf), roughly 30% of our wintering birds are from Norway. A long way to go to catch up with Johan's impressive 100+ ringed individuals identified.

Something I occasionally ponder when reading rings, what is the optimum balance of ringers and ring readers, i.e. considering recovery rates is time sometimes better spent reading rings than applying them? I have added a new list of ringing histories, right menu, will add more species including gulls in due course. Some have other worksheets which don't display in the scribd preview - can also download as Excel.

Was also surprised to see one of the smaller race Canada Geese, which are often seen at East Fenton and surrounding area, there in the throng (38 Canada Geese); from photo comparison I don't think it is the smallest such bird though, the bill looks slightly longer, but may well be one of its mates.

Back at Eskside Sunday afternoon, in search of the "foreign" BHG, no show but reconfirmed the BTO bird and got one new BTO, EL63898 (pic above) [Postscript - ringed as chick, Coquet Island, Northumbs 2/6/06]. Same 38 Canada Geese, and various hybrids, one grazing Greylag x Canada below showing flecks on back of neck, which are not always shown by this hybrid combo (but don't think it's x domestic Greylag, as lacks structural features). Another hybrid present seemed to also have domestic Greylag influence (but also a hint of the black neck sock from Canada), with hanging belly (second below), but perhaps it's within the variation of Canada x Greylag, or some kind of triple hybrid? More pics on flickr.

4 Waxwings flew over west. No change at the rivermouth with dog walkers releasing their hounds to flush every last feeding wader and duck off the shore, unfortunate considering the current wildfowling ban (10-23 December), possibly there should be a ban on deliberate dog disturbance too given they probably have more impact on wild birds than fowlers, certainly locally?

Monday driving to work, two more Barn Owls dead on A1, this is now definitely the worst autumn on record for casualties [Postscript - correction, one was a Tawny! Other unconfirmed.]

Yet more hard weather

2010-12-07T23:47:00.021Z

Another battle to get in and out from work in Edinburgh on Tuesday, with some backroads virtually impassable and snow still lying to 40cm at the nursery in Gilmerton. Min temp at Edinburgh airport -16C, so all snow frozen solid and ice everywhere.

Not much time for birds but noted first report coming in of Red Grouse incursion to lowlands (Haddington), reminiscent of the widespread influx earlier in the year (see map, though several reports have not (yet) been submitted to the atlas); this follows recent reports of higher numbers in peripheral areas in Borders (Greenlaw, Eildon, Gordon) and as per the severe weather last winter the relative lack of wind may well be a major contributory factor - snow is lying deep and has not been blown off vegetation. On the other hand, a lack of wind might help owls, seeking prey by sound, and they need all the help they can get right now.

Wednesday morning still perishingly cold, 25 Waxwings seen off by a Mistle Thrush at rowan in Forthview Road, Longniddry.

Wednesday evening en route home at 17:20hrs, one of my saddest observations as a birder, under the A1 bridge at Old Craighall where the Feral Pigeons nest and roost, a Barn Owl down on the road at a pigeon. Stopped and recovered the owl, it had been struck but was still alive, the pigeon also was warm but the neck had been eaten; initial hypothesis was that in the continuing sub-zero temperatures, with snow still lying deep in all surrounding areas, the owl had gone to the pigeon roost in search of food and successfully taken a pigeon there. Possibly taken in flight or pigeon killed on the ledges below the bridge and then dropped to the road surface below. In great hunger owl immediately began to scavenge the pigeon where it lay on the road and with cars passing at two or three every minute it would soon have been dazzled then struck on the road, only the face (and feet, where presumed gripping prey) had visible blood. This must have happened within a couple of minutes of my arrival as the bird flapped when I took it into the car, but I had to lie it down and it did not move again.

More careful examination at 19:00hrs showed owl still quite warm and body flexible but pigeon now stiff and barely warm, so change of hypothesis to pigeon being an earlier road casualty, and owl scavenging. Later at 20:50hrs the owl was in a similar condition to the pigeon as first found thus supporting conclusion that the pigeon was a fresh road casualty from early afternoon, c. 14:30hrs, at least prior to going to roost and before the owl was likely out, and thus it had been discovered later. If this were the case it would be of interest as scavenging is virtually unknown in Barn Owl, just one mention in BWP (Dunsire, C & Dunsire, R (1978) "Barn Owl on dead Hedgehog", Scottish Birds, 10, 56). Will send both birds to vet for post mortem and this may confirm cause of death of pigeon. Also weighed owl, 285g, on the light side (especially if female, as spots suggest, mean winter is 313g, male 298g), but still above starvation weights (one from Borders dead in shed was 233g, another local casualty in poor condition was 247g, BWP gives starvation weights as 220g, n=33, max 248g).

A quick search of literature for observations of Barn Owls at carrion, or on road surface reveals some interesting comments on Barn Owl Trust report, "Barn Owls and Major Roads" (pdf). A sighting of a Barn Owl standing in a road perched on a road casualty Hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus is mentioned (Mikkola, H (1983) "Owls of Europe", Calton: T & AD Poyser) but this is presumably derived from the same Dunsire report above. Approx 10 other reports in several thousand observations of the species standing on road surface. From my own observations, one record of owl on the B6363 just south of Longniddry, sitting in middle of road at 03:44hrs on 23/04/06, in a few 10s of live sightings here, so perhaps it is not quite as rare as suggested. Have seen this more than once from Tawny Owl, though one such case may have been a stunned bird.

My son, age 4, was sad too and commented: "Bloomin person drive right over a owl; but owls are very nice" (i.e. people should be careful not to hit them).

Thursday George tells me of another Barn Owl casualty on A1, by Torness (recovered and is unringed) - last year's pattern is repeating and again we find relevant info in the Barn Owl Trust report which discusses (under A.16) the reasons advanced by Newton et al. (1991) relating poor condition (which may correlate to hard weather) and a) spending longer hunting, b) hunting in places where accidents more likely or c) being less able to avoid collisions. Whilst the overall results of Barn Owl mortality studies, also found thus far in Lothian, is that many casualties are in excellent condition, and overall no worse than average, a focus on severe weather cases may give a different result?

Friday morning, 817 Greylags at potatoes at East Fortune (where I recovered my mobile phone, frozen in the snow since Sunday!).

Wknd 4-5 December

2010-12-05T01:15:00.013Z

Friday night at 18:00hrs, over two hours after sunset, found Seton harbour full of gulls, 130+ Herring and 2 GBB in the basin; have suspected previously some stay all night rather than going to the roost islands off North Berwick but rarely check; perhaps it is related to the ongoing hard weather?

Saturday did a bit of atlas roving in lower reaches of NT47 still covered in a thick blanket of snow; no sign of yesterday's Greenshank at Samuelston; Red-legged Partridge would have been a 10km atlas tick but was dead and half eaten (hence cannot be counted!), though its footprints in snow nearby! 2 Bramblings and 7 Lotti at Boggs. 300+ Jackdaws heading to the Clerkington roost at dusk (see sky in photo right). En route home a hunting Barn Owl over B6363 by Longniddry Farm, 17:00hrs.

Sunday afternoon, around the grey goose survey sites this afternoon a few large congregations of geese, swans, corvids and Skylarks feeding in the snow at various places.

At East Fenton, 117 Whoopers (34 juv) including darvics PL5, UH3, J3P and X6C;
the latter is new, the others have been regular for 4/5 yrs now (full histories), and 31 Mute Swans. Taking rotten potatoes and fresh cabbage leaves. c. 900 Woodpigeon on railway hawthorns there, and 40+ Yellowhammer, 10+ Reed Bunting and 2 Brambling (latter tetrad tick).

Stubble fields at Brownrigg hosted 500+ grey geese, 12 Whoopers (went W) and 130
Skylark; f/imm Merlin was departing the area N with prey, seemed to be a Skylark.

New Mains, Whitekirk held another 49 Whoopers, 41 Mute Swans, 450+ grey geese,
again in stubble. 8 Waxwings on roadside hawthorns just NE past the church.

Gleghornie to Auldhame had 1500+ grey geese, with another 180+ Skylarks amongst
them.

Total c. 386 Greylags (including 4 on Gosford shore) & c. 2k Pinks, 178 Whoopers
& 72 Mutes, 340 Skylark, all minimum counts.

Monday morning with more snow falling opened front door to hear the trill of a Waxwing, then a Heron went low over the house heading inland. After a struggle to get to work and back again with more snow falling arrived home to find more Pinks (130) heading low SW over house after dusk and a Skylark calling overhead. The view down to the Forth from the Gladsmuir road (B6363) below, those are the "Barn Owl" hedges; perhaps the lack of wind so far will save a few, and I recall analysis of casualties after severe weather last winter showed many were in good condition and had been feeding well. No idea how!

Wknd 28-29 November

2010-11-27T20:09:00.018Z

Dawn view of East Lothian from top of Aikieside Hill, by Stobshiel, where snow drifting to several inches. Vismig included a few hard weather movers, including Greylags and Lapwings; a Magpie in top wood, at 300m, seemed out of place! Large gatherings of corvids and gulls in surrounding areas, some digging in snow around sheep, others sitting it out.

Atlas roving en route home produced a Jay at Bolton Muir (first pic below, second is Gladsmuir), 3 GSW and several Bullfinches.

6 Whoopers (2 juv) SW over Seton were are fine sight over the snowy fields early afternoon. Back at Seton harbour more gulls came in with boats but no reappearance of yesterday's arctic gull. The graellsii Lesser Blackback was again present, and is a perfect match in structure and head streaking pattern to "Lucy" who has been faithful to this harbour for 6 years now, invariably on her own. Some shots of her below, note flesh coloured legs.

Sunday afternoon got out to Longniddry golf course (sledging) where a single displaced Skylark was seen heading inland.

Nelson's?

2010-11-26T16:10:00.017Z

Scanning sea off Seton harbour on Friday afternoon many large gulls were present, moving btwn fishing boats coming in from mid-Forth, and many then coming into the harbour; amongst these spotted a pale juv in flight which initially settled on the high wall but then closer on the harbourmouth wall, giving scope for careful observation. Tail very pale with hardly a hint of a band, just slightly broader brown marks towards centre, primaries pale brown, not blackish as on Herring, and overall paleness is consistent with a Herring x Glaucous hybrid, i.e. a gull from the far north. Certainly a much better candidate for a proper hybrid than last year's pale Herring, which lacked the pale fringes on primaries and had a dark tail, though current bird is a little on the small side, and without the typical Glauc dipped-in-ink bill pattern shown by many such hybrids.

[Postscript - OK, some say Nelson's is strictly smithsonius x hyperboreus, the type specimen being described in Alaska (before it was realised it was a hybrid); Viking Gull has been used in Europe for argentatus x hyperboreus, but I'm not sure how definitive this is. Image galleries for Europe are hosted by Newell, Offereins, Norwegian Gulls and gull-research.org; as per comments on first, some deem birds similar to the current one just extreme argentatus, would be interested in any views (post a comment below)!]

Overall totals of 200+ Herring, 13+ Great Blackback, 1 ad graellsii Lesser Blackback (perhaps Lucy again, if so now wintering here for the 6th year running) and one Kittiwake offshore; down on the Seton Sands shore a single unringed adult Med Gull amongst 200 small gulls in the pre-roost. Total 7.5 gull species?!

Wknd 20-21 November

2010-11-20T21:51:00.020Z

Friday night collected two fresh Barn Owl casualties off A1 (Blindwells and Knowes, latter a juv female, photos below; analysis confirmed as imm, uterus pregravida, i.e. most likely a juv), the 7th and 8th of the autumn, but surprised not to see any out hunting on a calm night. Sunday evening in calm and moonlit conditions between heavy showers one was hunting the verge of the fast A6137 road over Garleton near Byres.

Saturday morning commenced final tetrad of my original allocation, in NT47I, which is mainly sea; hoping for Blackcap or better in buckthorn but none found; best was a pale-bellied Brent on the light-green (Enteromorpha/gutweed) seaweed, at exactly the same spot as 3 on Boxing Day 2008, just after had completed timed count! Plenty Bullfinch (7) and Robins (13) but overall just 46 species seen, none new and tetrad species total stayed at 89 (already well covered in roving).

Saturday afternoon had a look at 575 Pinks in fields north of Spittal (original count 493, but click counted and got many more!); amongst these was a silver neck collar bird which at c. 500m in poor light (drizzling) was just too far off to make out, but after nearly an hour of observation finally confirmed as IXI. A Jay out in open on hawthorns was unusual.

Saturday evening on the Seton shore at dusk a relatively small gull roost, just 1350 birds on the shore, but amongst the 900 opposite caravan park entrance was 4 adult Med Gulls; one large and pale individual with a narrow mask, a second with a sooty head, looking hooded from rear (upper right centre in photo), a third with darker mask and best of all Cherry Blossom, sleek and elegant as ever; in poor light 15 mins after sunset with continuous rain thought I had no chance to get her ring but she proved the least wary of all birds on beach and managed to confirm red-7P8 at a distance of 100m or so, shot above. Now at least 9 and a half years old and still faithful to this bleak stretch of coast for most of the year (and this time of year spending 15+ hours a day out on the sea roosting!).

Sunday afternoon in really poor weather, near continuous rain and heavy at times, headed back to NT57 to search for GBB; finally got one but in flight only, heading north over Drem; also added 13 tetrad ticks and a few improved counts in the top NT57 tetrads, red on progress map; nothing exciting but a mixed flock of partridge (15 RLP, 12 Grey) was unusual at Betony Hill, 22 Mistle Thrush were gathered near Appin, and a few Golden Plovers were welcome. En route saw the collared Pinkfoot again at Spittal, code still seemed to be IXI but only one brief view before it was off.

Wknd 13-14 November

2010-11-13T19:25:00.012Z

First trip to NT57 for atlas 10km top-ups. c. 36 Waxwings were circling the A1 bridge to Abbeymill east of Haddington and then flew NE and settled at berry bushes btwn A1 and A199 near entrance to Abbey Mains, new for 2 tetrads. Checked some gull flocks around Traprain but negative for GBB and also no Pochard at the only possible spots in 10km at Markle ponds and resr.

[Postscript - whilst at Markle, A.N.Other had logged 5 ads + 2nd-win Med Gull at Seton Burn, reclaiming the Scottish record for max count, formerly the 5 here on 13/11/06, since matched at Buckhaven in Fife 13-17/8/09, and more recently at Eastield on 26/3/10 (BG); the previous record of 4 birds was set at Musselburgh on 10/2/02; not sure when first record of 3 was, in Lothian may have been from 1999 onwards, but 2 together in Lothian was at least as far back as 1983; nice to have the max count back at Seton, credit to the finder!]

Off Ferny Ness earlier a single juv Gannet out on the horizon at a fishing boat (from map comparison, c. 5 miles out, i.e. mid-channel) and many small gulls moving in strong NW wind.

Sunday around WeBS - 126 Whoopers in stubble by Rattlebags quarry (top), in grass at Muirton and in crop south of Chapel included a whopping 39 juvs (31%). East Fenton held pr RBM and 2 f/imm Goosander. 555 Golden Plover in fields btwn Chapel and Prora included a remarkable ginger colour variant individual (right). 140 duck at East Fortune included a f/imm Pintail.

Wknd 6-7 November

2010-11-06T22:31:00.011Z

A brief look out to sea from Seton harbour on Friday afternoon produced a Little Auk W past, which in characteristic fashion almost stalled and fell down onto the surface of the sea.

Saturday did tetrad NT47J, mainly offshore NW from Ferny Ness but with a strip of beach at low tide (hence a "low priority" tetrad); but worthwhile with 21 species logged, 300+ waders (115 Barwit, 90+ Knot, 40 Sanderling, 30 Grey Plover, etc.), 100 gulls and 100 sea duck, crow the only passerine. Just after concluding a dark skua appeared, Pom or Arctic, but departed rapidly NE before it could be confirmed! Returned after lunch when sea flat calm, totals visible then included one Black-throated Diver, 5 Red-throated Diver, 32 Slavonian Grebe, 330+ Velvet Scoter. Michael (age 4 yrs) disappeared into buckthorn and emerged to report a dead bird, a metal-ringed Shag #1416986 [chick banded 20/6/2009 on Fidra], probably dead since last winter.

Afternoon ventured to New Winton where plugged last gap in NT47 for Wren; 65 Linnets were feeding on larch cones. A Dipper showed well nearby on the Tyne at Spilmersford.

Sunday saw Tree Sparrows whirring around again and also 6 more Waxwing SW over house at 11:30hrs. On grey goose survey, Kingfisher @Gosford ponds (flew into boathouse), plus the usuals, Nutch, Jay, Redpoll, Treep, Goldcrest, Bullfinch, etc; 96 Whoopers (23 juv, including b5, b3, b2, b2, darvics file now updated) in stubble north of Chapel farm; 2 sawbills W over Fenton Barns and 2 redhead Goosander at Chapel resr; at East Fortune, 277 Greylags including an all-white domestic bird and 3 grey hybrids (above), plus f/imm Scaup on the resr. Greylags flew to Redside at dusk.

Another LEO

2010-11-03T12:52:00.017Z

Sadly, another Long-eared Owl road-kill, found fresh dead (still warm and fresh blood on side of face) on the B6363 by Longniddry Farm, c. 300m SE of the Lorne Bridge, 03:45hrs on 3 November. Seems to be a juvenile (6 clear bars on secondaries, 5 on primaries) and might be a male based on various features, including alula bars and underwing primary coverts dark tips of c. 20mm (though uncertain as to how these differ on juv and got this wrong on last specimen, LBN post for 7/3/09!). Will assess more carefully later.

While out also collected another Barn Owl, reported by Colin Davison on the Haddington A1 exit slip (below); seems to be another juvenile female (analysis confirmed young female, mature inactive ovary, uterus pregravida). Part of a recent spate of reports, presumably post-juvenile dispersal, this is the 100th Barn Owl casualty logged since start of study in October 2004 (6 yrs, average 16 per yr). It will be the 42nd post mortem.