Trip reports
MONTROSE BASIN
Friday, 29 August 2008
Birding commenced with Sparrow and Blackbird. In the lovely warm conditions we all enjoyed the stroll through the fields towards the Shelduck and Wigeon hides. Many smaller birds occupied the trees on our left; Tit, Yellowhammer, Goldfinch and others, and above the trees the usual larger denizens, the corvids, Starlings and pigeons. Moving into the open we saw Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and Buzzard. On a fence between a mown field and one of stubble was a family of Wheatears, while Skylarks pecked among the stubble.
The Slunks now came into view on our right, consisting of a burn, lots of mud and reed beds. A large family of Mute Swans glided downstream, past Redshanks, Ruffs, Lapwings and a Heron, towards a big collection of gulls on the spit before the river South Esk.
About eight Snipe dashed about at the edge of the reeds disturbing some Mallard with their fluttering. A single Reed Bunting hung on the reeds. We turned back just before the small Shelduck hide as we had already collected the anticipated birds for the area and we needed to get to the Wigeon hide one hour before high water.
We picked up our rucksacks which we had hidden at the track junction and set off for the elevated Wigeon hide through the fields, cut on one side, still cereal on the other. Our timing was only slightly early, but it was amazing how quickly the tide advanced towards us driving the birds with it. Lots of birds were visible, with Curlew numbering many hundreds.
There were appreciable numbers of Mute Swan, Eider, Oystercatcher, Redshank, Shelduck and the inevitable gulls. A single Black-tailed Godwit accompanied Dunlins, Canada and Greylag Geese. Feeding on the ground behind us was a Stock Dove in a small flock of Woodpigeons. All was commotion when a Peregrine passed and stooped into the Curlew flock, a great mass of whirling birds filled the air.
Time then to call it a day, with forty-three species seen, and to savour the promise of tea and cakes at Charleston fruit farm.
Rodney Payne