Page 8 - Out Birding Spring 2024

distance and there was another very brief Kingfisher appearance.
Heading out on the path and boardwalk into the marshy sec􏰀on of the reserve, Wren, Great Spo􏰁ed Woodpecker, Chiffchaff and red admiral were seen. We searched for Treecreeper having found one here on our last visit, but were unlucky this 􏰀me. Returning via the two woodland hides, we added Marsh Tit and Goldfinch which, along with Carrion Crow and Sparrowhawk, brought our birding total for the visit to 31 species.
Winter o􏰂en brings Brambling, Bullfinch, Lesser Redpoll and Siskin to the reserve, but these species, along with Jackdaw, House Sparrow, Coal Tit and Grey Wagtail, weren’t seen today ‒ maybe next 􏰀me?
Thanks to Peter, Chris, Linda, Sandra, Jeane􏰁e, Helen, Malcolm, and Eva for a lovely morning’s birding, and especially to Sue for stepping in to lead the ou􏰀ng.
Annie
Loch Leven, Perth & Kinross 19/11/2023
Loch Leven is a large shallow loch with lots of wintering waterfowl. It is possible to walk all the way round but we opted not to do the 12 mile walk for this event and to take things a li􏰁le easier.
We met up in Kinross and started by taking a stroll there. Our a􏰁en􏰀on quickly turned to the wee birds in the trees, that included Nuthatch, Treecreeper and Greenfinches. We found a place to cut down to the loch side but a pair of Mute Swans were the only birds in the bay here. However, we heard the distant sound of Pink-footed Geese, which grew louder and louder un􏰀l over 3,000 were visible swirling round over the loch, clearly displaced from wherever they had been feeding. We decided to move on to another spot, and as we walked back some of the group had flyover Crossbills. Back at the cars, a nice group of Whooper Swans flew past.
We drove round to Burleigh Sands on the north side of the loch and this is where the birds were. There were lots of Greylag Geese close in, and hundreds of pinkies had landed in a 􏰀ght group further out. A scan through them produced four Barnacle Geese. There were also dozens of Tu􏰂ed Ducks, with Pochard and a few Goldeneye amongst them.
We moved round to Finda􏰀e on the other side of the loch. We found a vantage point with a bit of height, which proved a good move as the birds in the treetops were at eye level. We got great views of some characterful Goldcrests and some smart looking Bullfinches. The birds on the loch were distant but we got our most interes􏰀ng sigh􏰀ng of the day here: two Common Scoters, an unusual inland sigh􏰀ng. There were also a few Red-breasted Mergansers and lots of Great Crested Grebes.
From here we moved the short distance to the RSPB reserve. We found 􏰀me for lunch and cake in the café before we explored. A male Sparrowhawk on a post was the highlight from the first hide. The next few hides allowed us to finally see some ducks
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