I began the day’s walk at 9:30am, visiting a number of favourite sites in the Scottish borders area. The fog was thick and visibility was only about two metres. But I went on hopeful it would clear up. Busy singing and calling at the start of the trail were Common Chaffinch, Blackbird, Great Tit, Blue Tit, and Eurasian Wren. Walking up the road I came to a wooded area with young pine stands. I flushed two Common Quail that flew off into the fog.
This was about 10 minutes in and the fog indeed lifted. In clear blue skies, a Eurasian Sparrowhawk was circling. Around this place, I often pick up Common Buzzard, Eurasian Jay, and Reed Bunting. Today was no exception, and the Reed Bunting was showing nicely on top of a short pine tree.
Further along, I heard Rook overhead. Sure enough, two flew past, towards some farmhouses. Carrion Crow and Eurasian Jackdaw were abundant. Up ahead, I arrived at a reservoir where in the past I’ve picked up Red Kite. This was a year ago and I did not see one today. On the way, however, I picked up Eurasian Treecreeper, European Robin, Chiffchaff, Siskin, Goldcrest among more wrens and tits. Also, about 80 Pink-footed Goose overhead.
But today I’d come looking for the Green Woodpecker I’d seen two weeks ago. First to show up was a Jay, atop the tall trees. Then some White Wagtails on the edge of the water. It didn’t take long before the yaffle call came and I saw it flying between some dry wood trees. It perched and gave fantastic views through the scope. I watched this bird for about 20minutes as it flew around from tree to tree. On the reservoir, Sand Martin were skimming above a flock of Tufted Duck and Common Mallard. There were also two Greylag Goose and a Canada Goose on the Water. A Northern Lapwing was skirting field and calling, and from a distance a Tawny Owl let out two hoots about a minute apart.
On my way back, a surprise sighting was a Golden Eagle, gliding majestically about 4 metres from a buzzard. I noticed the bird had a few missing feathers on the right wing. As it flew off towards the hills, I continued my journey to the next farm area, where I was able to see the eagle again, this time watching it for about 5 glorious minutes. This is a spot where in the past I have seen Hen Harrier, Eurasian Goshawk, and Black Redstart. But just the eagle today, and no complaints. Eurasian Skylark and Meadow Pipits have returned and were also in full attendance, with some Skylark displaying.
About 5 minutes on from there, I saw a pair of Eurasian Kestrel. Today I ended the walk here and headed back to make an evening appointment. The return recapitulated a lot of the same species encountered, with clearer views of the quail. Sadly, a huge truck spooked one of them, which fit a fence. Happily, the bird seemed to recover and joined the other of the pair deeper into the pine field. Also, lots of Ring-necked Pheasant, as per usual.
The full list of species encountered is as follows:
1 Eurasian Sparrowhawk
12 Common Buzzard
3 Eurasian Kestrel
8 Meadow Pipit
6 Eurasian Skylark
2 Goldcrest
1 Coal Tit
1 Dunnock
2 Eurasian Wren
9 Ring-necked Pheasant
2 White Wagtail
2 Great Tit
10 Blue Tit
2 Greylag Goose
1 Canada Goose
80 Pink-footed Goose
1 Song Thrush
1 Mistle Thrush
2 Blackbird
10 European Herring Gull
2 Siskin
1 Common Chiffchaff
18 Common Chaffinch
1 Common Mallard
1 Eurasian Green Woodpecker
1 Tawny Owl
1 Golden Eagle (mobbed by crows, then later by buzzards)
4 Sand Martin
5 Tufted Duck
1 Eurasian Jay
6 Common Quail
2 Common Raven
52 Eurasian Jackdaw
21 Carrion Crow
18 Eurasian Maggie
2 European Goldfinch
3 European Robin
20 Common Starling
24 Common Wood Pigeon
7 Lesser Black-backed Gull
1 Northern Lapwing
1 Eurasian Treecreeper
1 Common Reed Bunting
Mammalsย Observed
1 Western Roe Deer
3 Brown Hare
1 Weasel
Go on and book a tour with me if you’d like to join me on my next visit here or my other birding haunts.