Trip reports

Outdoor Meeting:LUNAN BAY AND MONTROSE

Ben Hall (rspb-images.com)

Sunday, 26 April 2009

Excellent weather greeted the outing to Lunan Bay and Montrose when we gathered at the public car park at Lunan Bay. Fending off an irate lady exhorting us to do mischief to anyone leaving litter on the dunes, we made it to the top to be presented with a very bare scene. However, we picked up a melange of land birds first, Rook, Woodpigeon, Buzzard, Swallow, Jackdaw, Feral Pigeon, Blackbird, Pied Wagtail and Uncle Tom Cobleigh.
Out to sea, small pickings, Cormorant, Gannet, Fulmar and Red-throated Diver.
Leaving the shore for a few minutes we made our way north to Elephant Rock where Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Yellowhammer and Chaffinch fell to our gaze. At sea only one Scoter, Sandwich Tern and Razorbill.
Fishtown of Usan was next, where we hoped for a wee migrant perhaps? No, not a migrant in sight but more small birds, like Dunnock, Rock and Meadow Pipit, Skylark, Wren, Willow Warbler, et al.
At sea some Guillemot, Eider and Mallard.

Moving to Mains of Usan we saw among other species, Wheatear, Partridge, Linnet, Reed Bunting and Yellowhammer. Great Black-backed and Lesser Black-backs were present. After a toilet stop at the Basin we lunched at the Boat Club [the sandwiches tasted better there!].

The basin was quiet as well, high tide to boot, only Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, Ringed Plover, Merganser, Teal and Shelduck, swelling our list. Finally up to the Lurgies where there were plenty of Pink-footed Geese and also Canada Geese. We were told there was a Brent Goose there but it avoided everyone except Trevor. Some Gadwall, Lapwing and Redshank and that was about it.

A lovely day in the sunshine and 62 or 65 species seen, depending on the list recorder! Just time left for tea and buns at the garden centre north of Montrose where a creaking bench kept us apprehensive/amused depending on where one was sitting.
Rodney Payne