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Dundee Birding (stonefaction) @dundeebirding.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

stonefactionbirding2014.blogspot.com/2026/09/1579... My first visit to Clatto Reservoir (the Dundee one) for a while. #maturewriting #BirdingScotland

stonefactionbirding2014.blogspot.com

1579 : More Migrants? (22/9/26)

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Dundee Birding (stonefaction) @dundeebirding.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

stonefactionbirding2014.blogspot.com/2026/09/1577... #naturewriting #BirdingScotland A trip to Riverside Nature Park in the hope of finding a Mediterranean Gull.

stonefactionbirding2014.blogspot.com

1577 : Not Mediterranean Weather? (18/9/26)

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Dundee Birding (stonefaction) @dundeebirding.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Weird coincidence I noticed earlier. All 3 lifers (birds I hadn't seen before) I've had in 2026 have 'ai' in name. Long-tailed Shrike, Quail & Baird's Sandpiper. Don't think I'll get a chance at Capercaillie. Citrine Wagtail probably best chance of others on the British List (still unlikely).

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Dundee Birding (stonefaction) @dundeebirding.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Thanks - appreciate the blog feedback. I have a huge back-log of insect photos to edit (eventually), which will feature in my (rather stalled) Dundee Insects etc blog, once the birding (and blogging) finally quietens down to manageable levels and the dark nights arrive.

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Dundee Birding (stonefaction) @dundeebirding.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

stonefactionbirding2014.blogspot.com/2026/09/1575... A visit to the top of the Law in search of passing migrants... #BirdingScotland #naturewriting

stonefactionbirding2014.blogspot.com

1575 : Chat Time (13/9/26)

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Dundee Birding (stonefaction) @dundeebirding.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Another 2026 lifer for me (not Dundee, unfortunately) - Baird's Sandpiper at St Cyrus. Thanks to my pal, Rohan, for the trip up to see it. #BirdingScotland

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Dundee Birding (stonefaction) @dundeebirding.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

I’d forgotten all about this, but as someone just ‘liked’ it, I’ll share it again.

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Dundee Birding (stonefaction) @dundeebirding.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

He didn't specify when, or how many, he'd photographed (and I did wonder if it had been Damselflies (Common Blue/Azure/Blue-tailed) but he did say they were Dragonflies). However, he doesn't seem to have been curious enough to find out what they actually were (which is an alien concept for me 😜).

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Dundee Birding (stonefaction) @dundeebirding.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

I had a dragonfly fly up and over the trees towards the other pond from there on Saturday before I found the Migrant Hawker. We were talking to a ‘local’ who said he’d photographed ‘blue’ dragonflies at the ponds before. Maybe they’ve been regular but unrecorded since 2019!

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Dundee Birding (stonefaction) @dundeebirding.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Interesting. Guess I'm going to have to go back again if the sun comes out this weekend.

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Dundee Birding (stonefaction) @dundeebirding.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Did you have more than 1 MH in view at any point?

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Dundee Birding (stonefaction) @dundeebirding.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

It was scooting about really close to us at one point on Sunday afternoon, so I ended up grabbing some video with my phone and managed to get this relatively decent screengrab from that. Still not sure how I managed the on focus flight shots with camera (probably helped it was further away).

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Dundee Birding (stonefaction) @dundeebirding.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

It will have been the Migrant Hawker, if you were seeing blue.

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Dundee Birding (stonefaction) @dundeebirding.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Looks now like most of the rain should clear us by around 0900 (MetOffice rainfall map), which is a bit of a plus.

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Dundee Birding (stonefaction) @dundeebirding.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

If the sun comes out, you’ll get one no problem. Saw both there this morning though MH wouldn’t settle.

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Dundee Birding (stonefaction) @dundeebirding.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Heavy rain tomorrow morning but after that should be fine. Bits where sun is shining and is sheltered to some degree from the wind (was roughly SW & NE ‘corners’ we had most success) are best bet. There are Common Darters around, but behaviour often quite different. Good luck.

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Dundee Birding (stonefaction) @dundeebirding.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Thanks. Took all day, and a lot of patience, and even more luck, to get them. Very pleased with them.

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Dundee Birding (stonefaction) @dundeebirding.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Ta. Nice pics. Have only seen one Common Hawker here in Dundee - a few years ago at Riverside Nature Park, that I managed to catch a flight shot of which showed enough detail for an ID (thankfully).

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Dundee Birding (stonefaction) @dundeebirding.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Went back to try for a closer settled shot of the Migrant Hawker at Trottick Ponds today. Spent from 0845 till 1645, and was successful eventually thanks to a team effort with a few friends. Somehow managed a few bonus flight shots too. Well chuffed. #UKwildlife

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Dundee Birding (stonefaction) @dundeebirding.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Managed to use the wrong ‘there’. Schoolboy error. 🫤

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Dundee Birding (stonefaction) @dundeebirding.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Decided to try Trottick Ponds for Migrant Hawker (with their being multiple records recently from Fife), despite the windy conditions. Surprised (and pleased) to actually be successful. Thankfully it settled a few times, though relatively distantly on the edge of the island.

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Dundee Birding (stonefaction) @dundeebirding.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

stonefactionbirding2014.blogspot.com/2026/09/1573... 6 hours of vis-migging at Riverside Nature Park and a search for Clouded Yellow butterflies on the way home. #naturewriting #BirdingScotland

stonefactionbirding2014.blogspot.com

1573 : 360 minutes (9/9/26)

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Dundee Birding (stonefaction) @dundeebirding.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

stonefactionbirding2014.blogspot.com/2026/09/1572... A very windy day at Broughty Ferry brought close views of one wader species and a surprise addition to my Dundee150 list with another. #naturewriting #BirdingScotland

stonefactionbirding2014.blogspot.com

1572 : Gold/Bar (8/9/26)

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Dundee Birding (stonefaction) @dundeebirding.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

stonefactionbirding2014.blogspot.com/2026/09/1571... A 'Little' outing and a trip up the Law. #BirdingScotland #naturewriting

stonefactionbirding2014.blogspot.com

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Dundee Birding (stonefaction) @dundeebirding.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

stonefactionbirding2014.blogspot.com/2026/09/1570... #naturewriting #BirdingScotland A long day of birding (Riverside Nature Park and Angus coast).

stonefactionbirding2014.blogspot.com

1570 : A Long Saturday (5/9/26)

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Dundee Birding (stonefaction) @dundeebirding.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

We’re still waiting for a first Red-flanked Bluetail in Angus/Dundee. I’ve been lucky enough to stumble upon 2 in Fife, but a Dundee one would be very welcome. Maybe this year….(here’s hoping!).

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Dundee Birding (stonefaction) @dundeebirding.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

If you click on the right hand end of the bird in the list it should take you to the point in recording where it ‘heard’ the bird. Can then check sonagram against actual recordings on Xeno-canto website. (Apologies if you know this already).

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Dundee Birding (stonefaction) @dundeebirding.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

A few Skuas around in the Tay today between Tentsmuir point and the Glass Pavilion. Hopefully more activity as tide comes in further.

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Dundee Birding (stonefaction) @dundeebirding.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

stonefactionbirding2014.blogspot.com/2026/09/1562... Trying again for something new down at Broughty Ferry and Balmossie. #BirdingScotland #naturewriting

stonefactionbirding2014.blogspot.com

1562 : See What Tern's Up... (21/8/26)

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Dundee Birding (stonefaction) @dundeebirding.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

stonefactionbirding2014.blogspot.com/2026/09/1561... Broughty Ferry again, with an unexpected addition to my 2026 Dundee 150 list... #naturewriting #BirdingScotland

stonefactionbirding2014.blogspot.com

1561 : Yellow, But Gold (19/8/26)

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Dundee Birding (stonefaction) @dundeebirding.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

stonefactionbirding2014.blogspot.com/2026/09/1560... In search of Ruff at Riverside Nature Park, Dundee. #naturewriting #BirdingScotland

stonefactionbirding2014.blogspot.com

1560 : Ruff Stuff? (18/8/26)

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Dundee Birding (stonefaction) @dundeebirding.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

stonefactionbirding2014.blogspot.com/2026/08/1558... With 4 Spotted Flycatchers being seen the previous day within Dundee, would there still be any around for me on the first day of my Autumn migration holidays? #naturewriting #BirdingScotland

stonefactionbirding2014.blogspot.com

1558 : Spotted At The Law (14/8/26)

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Dundee Birding (stonefaction) @dundeebirding.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Mind you, I probably could've (and should've) put in more effort this morning, though the Law was pretty much devoid of birds, & no migrants over either, so didn't continue out to Riverside Nature Park (though nothing reported there by others either).

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Dundee Birding (stonefaction) @dundeebirding.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Oh for even half of that in Dundee….(ok, species-wise have actually had 4 of those species this Autumn already, but in 1 morning would be incredible). Shame the Angus coastline runs kinda parallel to incoming Autumn migrants, helping to guide birds towards Northeast Fife and Lothian coasts.

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Dundee Birding (stonefaction) @dundeebirding.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Optech Rainsleeve available via Amazon (basically a shaped polythene bag open at both ends) might be worth considering, especially for days like that. I use an elastic band to secure the lens end on mine. Review says not very robust but I’ve been using same one for a few years without any rips.

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