Trip reports
MONTREATHMONT FOREST AND FORFAR LOCH
Sunday, 16 March 2008
We slowly made our way down the track, pausing for excellent views of Lesser Redpolls and Siskins as they flitted between the trees. Further along, as the woodland opened up we enjoyed views of Buzzards and Kestrels. Scanning the skies more carefully we spotted another raptor. Was it a Sparrowhawk or could it possibly be a Goshawk? After careful identification we decided it was the latter. Then to our delight we saw a second and had wonderful extended views of them over the trees, albeit at a fair distance.
Kestrel
Later we took it in turns to enter a small hide built in a clearing by an 88-year-old member of the Angus and Dundee Bird Club. He maintains it and stocks the feeders. These attract a number of birds and other animals. The various groups had excellent views of Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Tree Creeper, Blackbird, Pheasant and Red Squirrel.
After a picnic lunch out of the wind we returned to the cars for the second half of our outing.
Forfar Leisure Centre is adjacent to Forfar Loch, which attracts a lot of wildfowl. After parking our cars we slowly made our way along the northern shore as far as the Sailing Club, stopping whenever something caught our eye: Greylag and Pinkfooted Geese, Mallard, Teal, Goldeneye, Wigeon, Gadwall and Tufted Duck, Goosander, Mute Swans, Moorhen and Coot were all to be
seen.
Well satisfied after a good day out we made for home stopping off for tea and home bakes on the way.
Joan Cooper