BIRDING LOTHIAN
www.birdinglothian.co.uk
birdinglothian@hotmail.co.uk
The unusual lengthy stay of the Grey Phalarope, found along the east beach in Dunbar on the 21st November, continued into December until at least the 12th. Although not the rarest bird, this 22 day stay gave most birders the chance to see and enjoy what was undoubtedly one of the highlight birds of the of the year… a little cracker.
A drake Green-Winged Teal was in Aberlady Bay from 7th and luckily for year listers stayed into the new year, another yank duck and an equally good find was a fly-by drake Surf Scoter west past Gullane Point on the 31st. The Shore Lark flock at Tyninghame (JMCP) from October continued to show, 9 were present still in the first week with at least 5 staying onto the 31st. A redhead Smew on Linlithgow Loch between 11th-15th could quite easily be a returning bird, it or another was reported at the River Esk Mouth in Musselburgh on the 3rd and possibly the same bird was on the River Tyne at Hailes Castle on the 7th.
An interesting arrival of Common ‘Mealy’ Redpolls around Christmas was brought to light thanks to the winter conditions driving Redpoll flocks into gardens. At least three were in Loanhead from the 24th, a single was in Penicuik from the 25th and a possible is still to be confirmed in Roslin which first appeared at the months end. It is more than likely there is a good number of these associating with Lesser Redpolls in Lothian at the moment, either that or they happen to have the rather fortunate habit of coming to the gardens of birders only.
Brambling were also effected by the extremely cold weather, resulting in the species becoming a fairly common garden bird throughout Edinburgh and the Lothian’s. Like last winter Woodcock were observed in large numbers, an impressive 30 plus were in pinewoods at John Muir Country Park on the 7th.
This redhead Smew (right) at Linlithgow was one of up to three seen during December (Chris Fleming).
White Christmas! This Mealy Redpoll was one of three visiting a garden in Loanhead. Bruce Kerr.
Some fantastic views like this make the ID of Mealy Redpoll fairly easy. Mike Thrower.
This drake Green-winged Teal in Aberlady Bay was a nice late addition to Lothian's year list. Keith Gillon.
The long staying Water Pipit at Barns Ness was present throughout and Lapland Buntings included one at Musselburgh (2nd). Ringtail Hen Harriers were noted at Musselburgh (4th) and Tyninghame (14th), Short-eared Owls were at Musselburgh (4th) and Skateraw (29th) but all were brief. Mediterranean Gulls included 2 at Seton Sands (28th).
Waxwings were still around but numbers definitely dropped especially towards the months end. In Edinburgh long staying flocks included 120 on Bellevue (until 7th) and 100 were on Meadow Place Road (until 18th), 100 went over Bruntsfield (20th). At least 300 were near East Linton (7th).
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