Trip reports

Local outing to Doune Castle & Argaty

Wednesday, 19 November 2008

On a dreich November morning nine members met at Doune Castle car park for the first part of a day's birding. In a not too hopeful frame of mind we set off towards the river, but in a very short while we were enjoying excellent views of little flocks of long-tailed tits, a tree-creeper, and soon, we had ticked off most of the common species. As we reached the first bend of the River Teith, Eppie glimpsed a dipper, and shortly after, we all had excellent views of heron, mallard, and three goosanders. It was good habitat for jays with several fine oaks and many fallen acorns, but only Morag saw one flying across the river. Strain as we did with binoculars, the rest of us had only vague hints of movement always on the other side of the tree on the opposite bank!

We left Doune Castle heading to Argaty for lunch, and the "main event" - red kites, but on the outskirts of Doune, Eppie called "Stop!" And to this birder's great delight, there were about thirty waxwings posing in a large bare tree, in a rare blaze of sun. What a wonderful sight! We were not the only ones to stop and enjoy the display as the birds sat or rose in small groups to flutter around, sometimes returning, sometimes flying off to adjacent trees. My first sight of waxwings could not have been grander.

So, how to follow that? But the red kites did not disappoint. I'd seen them quite often before, singly or in twos or threes, both in the Black Isle and abroad, but to see so many flocking in to the feeding area was impressive. And when they swooped down on the food it was terrific. A young buzzard had landed to claim some meat, and he was a splendid marker for where to watch as he stood his ground while the kites came in waves, mostly picking up morsels of rabbit, but some aiming blows at the stubborn buzzard.

Buzzard and kite were the only raptors for the day, but the total species list for the group was 34; I could only claim 26, but was well-pleased with that personal total.