Friday, April 17, 2009

Main event of the day was a walk through the Sluggan pass and back via Glenmore and the lochside. Before that, popped down to Loch Garten for displaying Goldeneye, and also noticed some House Sparrows entering nest holes in Duakbridge. Later, on route to the main walk, a Buzzard attempted to lift a Red Squirrel from the road near Kincardine Mains.
The walk through the Sluggan Pass was notable for a single Crossbill sp and a possible Crested Tit singing from an area of dead trees. The descent to the lochside gave marvellous views (see below) and a stop at Glenmore produced numerous Siskins coming to bird feeders.
The day ended with a nice walk through Dell Woods, enjoying the "dusk chorus". Bird total for the day was only a modest 20 (excluding the crossbill sp and Crested Tit), consisting of Mallard, Goldeneye, Grey Heron, Buzzard, Black-headed Gull, Woodpigeon, Pied Wagtail, Dipper, Wren, Robin, Song Thrush, Blackbird, Goldcrest, Long tailed Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Jackdaw, House Sparrow, Chaffinch and Siskin. However in amongst that total were four new species for the trip: Wren, Blackbird, Goldcrest and Long tailed Tit (bringing the weekend total to 39).