Mute Swan  Cygnus olor

pr + b/5, Straloch Loch, 13/06.

Little Grebe  Tachybaptus ruficollis

3 prs (inc 2 x b/2), Straloch Loch 13/06.

1 singing, Tullochcurran Loch, Cateran Trail, Enochdhu-Kirkmichael, 15/06.

Grey Heron  Ardea cinerea

ad, Kindrogan Bridge, Enochdhu, 10/06.

ad, Kindrogan Bridge, Enochdhu, 12/06.

ad, Spittal of Glenshee, 12/06.

1, along B950 east of Kirkmichael, 12/06.

ad, downstream over River Ardle, Kindrogan Field Centre, 13/06.

juv, curling pond, between field centre and West Lodge, 13/06.

Greylag Goose  Anser anser

pr, Straloch Loch 13/06.

Eurasian Teal  Anas crecca

f, Straloch Loch 13/06.

Mallard  Anas platyrhynchos

4 mm/3 ff + b/6, b/3, Straloch Loch 13/06.

Several noted from minibus, Glenshee, 12/06.

2, A924 Straloch-Enochdhu, 14/06.

Tufted Duck  Aythya fuligula

f, Straloch Loch 13/06.

Goosander  Mergus merganser

f + b/8, River Ardle, Kindrogan Field Centre, 10/06.

f + b/6, Black Water, Glenshee, 12/06.

f + b/5, Brerachan Water, west of West Lodge, 14/06.

Red Grouse  Lagopus scotica

20+ adults, trail to Carn an Tuirc, 12/06.

b/4 + c/7, trail to Carn an Tuirc, 12/06.

Ptarmigan  Lagopus muta millaisi

pr, Carn an Tuirc (1019m), 12/06.

Black Grouse  Tetrao tetrix

5 mm, at one site in Glen Brerachan, all week.

Red-legged Partridge  Phasianus colchicus

More birds apparent this year - local breeding or further releases?

1, West Balnald, 11/06.

pr, along B950 east of Kirkmichael, 12/06.

pr, east end of Glen Brerachan, 14/06.

1, on front lawn, Kindrogan Field Centre, 14/06.

3 prs, Cateran Trail, between Enochdhu and Dirnanean Home Farm, 15/06.

1, running into Beech wood, Kindrogan Field Centre, 16/06.

pr, near Moulin, Pitlochry, 16/06.

Pheasant  Phasianus colchicus

Fairly common in Strathardle and Glen Brerachan.

Sparrowhawk  Accipiter nisus

m, Cateran Trail, between Enochdhu and Dirnanean Home Farm, 15/06.

Buzzard  Buteo buteo

Regular over the field centre.

Pairs noted at Kindrogan Hill, Straloch, Glen Brerachan, Loch Curran.

3, Davan, 11/06.

Noted in Glenshee, 12/06.

Unoccupied nest, Creagh Thearlaich, 13/06.

2, east end of Glen Brerachan, 14/06.

2, A924 Straloch-Enochdhu, 14/06.

5, first half of Cateran Trail between Enochdhu and Spittal of Glenshee, 15/06.

2, near Moulin, Pitlochry, 16/06.

Kestrel  Falco tinninculus

1, Glenshee, 12/06.

Moorhen  Gallinula chloropus

1 (heard), Straloch Loch 13/06.

Coot  Fulica atra

1, Straloch Loch 13/06.

Oystercatcher  Haematopus ostralegus

Several pairs in Glen Brerachan/west end of Strathardle.

1, over Kindrogan Field Centre, 10/06.

10+, noted from minibus, Glenshee, 12/06.

Group of 10, along B950 east of Kirkmichael, 12/06.

pr + 3, Straloch Loch, 13/06.

Lapwing  Vanellus vanellus

10+, noted from minibus, Glenshee, 12/06.

Woodcock  Scolopax rusticola

1 roding, Kindrogan field centre, 03:14h, 14/06.

Snipe  Gallinago gallinago

1 yikkering, Allt Doire nan Eun, Cateran Trail north of Calamanach Wood, 15/06.

Curlew  Numenius arquata

1, over Kindrogan Field Centre, 10/06.

1, displaying, east end of Glen Brerachan, 14/06.

Common Sandpiper  Actitis hypoleucos

2, Gharbh-choire, burn along trail to Carn an Tuirc, 12/06.

1, Brerachan Water, west of West Lodge, 14/06.

Black-headed Gull  Larus ridibundus

Birds regularly flying over Strathardle.

Noted in Glenshee, 12/06.

34, feeding in ploughed field near Wester Enochdhu, 14/06.

Common Gull  Larus canus

Birds regularly flying over Strathardle.

Nesting along the Shee Water, Glenshee, 12/06.

39, feeding in ploughed field near Wester Enochdhu, 14/06.

Lesser Black-backed Gull  Larus fuscus

Noted over Pitlochry.

4 NW, Kindrogan Hill, 10/06.

imm, over Balnald, 11/06.

12, feeding in ploughed field near Wester Enochdhu, 14/06.

Herring Gull  Larus argentatus

Noted over Pitlochry.

2, feeding in ploughed field near Wester Enochdhu, 14/06.

Feral Pigeon  Columba livia

A few noted in Strathardle most days.

12, feeding in ploughed field near Wester Enochdhu, 14/06.

Wood Pigeon  Columba palumbus

Fairly common.

Singing at field centre from 04:12h on 13/06; 04:06 on 14/06 (both mornings overcast with low mist).

Still singing at 22:17 on 14/06.

27, feeding in pasture, east of Straloch, 14/06.

17, feeding in ploughed field near Wester Enochdhu, 14/06.

Collared Dove  Sreptopelia decaocto

1 singing m, Enochdhu, 15/06.

1 singing m, Cateran Trail, between Enochdhu and Dirnanean Home Farm, 15/06.

Noted in Kirkmichael and Pitlochry.

Cuckoo  Cuculus canorus

Less obvious or vocal in the second week of June.

1 singing m, near Straloch, 11/06.

1 singing m, east side of Kindrogan Hill, 13/06.

1 singing m, near Straloch, 14/06.

Tawny Owl  Strix aluco

1, in flight in daylight, mobbed by Great Tits, walled garden, Kindrogan Field Centre, 10/06 (AZ et al).

3, fledged chicks begging each evening, beech wood between field centre and walled garden.

m, hooting at 03:17, Kindrogan Field Centre, 14/06.

Swift  Apus apus

2, over Pitlochry, 09/06.

2, Kindrogan Field Centre, 09/06.

6, Kirkmichael, 15/06.

1, over B950 east of Kirkmichael, 12/06.

Green Woodpecker  Picus viridis

pr, cemetery clearfell, Kindrogan Hill, all week.

Great Spotted Woodpecker  Dendrocopus major

Fairly common. Regular at feeding stations, Kindrogan Field Centre.

pr, in clearfell with uncut birches, north side of Kindrogan Hill.

Feeding young in nest, forestry track south of Balnald, 13/06.

Heard, Cateran Trail, Enochdhu-Kirkmichael, 15/06.

3, forestry track around Creagh Thearlaich, 13/06.

1, drumming on telegraph pole, Balnald, 14/06.

Skylark  Alauda arvensis

1, seen from minibus, Moulin Moor, 09/06.

1 singing m, Brerachan Meadows, 14/06.

Sand Martin  Riparia riparia

6, near West Lodge, Brerachan Water, 09/06.

7+, Glenshee, near Glenshee Lodge entrance track, 12/06.

3, Straloch Loch, 13/06.

4, Brerachan Water, east end of Glen Brerachan, 14/06.

4, A924 Straloch-Enochdhu, 14/06.

Swallow  Hirundo rustica

Fairly common in Strathardle. Feeding low under large sycamores on lawn during frequent rain showers.

Active from 03:15 on 14/06.

6-7 AON, The Steading/Coppock Building - most birds incubating.

21+, feeding over field adjacent to Kindrogan Field Centre, 10/06.

27, A924 Straloch-Enochdhu, 14/06.

House Martin  Delichon urbicum

Noted around human habitation including Straloch, Enochdhu, Kirkmichael and Pitlochry.

2 abandoned nests, rear of Kindrogan House.

10+, feeding over field adjacent to Kindrogan Field Centre, 10/06.

Tree Pipit  Anthus trivialis

Already colonising recently felled forestry where isolated birches have been left standing.

8 singing mm, Kindrogan Hill, 13/06.

1 singing m, curling pond, between field centre and West Lodge, 18/06.

1 singing m, Straloch, 14/06.

2 singing mm, Cateran Trail through Calamanch Wood, 15/06.

Meadow Pipit  Anthus pratensis

Common, trail to Carn an Tuirc, 12/06.

Fairly common, east end of Glen Brerachan, 14 /06.

Common, Catern trail to Spittal of Glenshee, 15/06.

Grey Wagtail  Motacilla cinerea

1, River Ardle, between Enochdhu and Kirkmichael, near Dalnagairn Cottages, 12/06.

f + juv, River Ardle, Kirmichael, 12/06.

1, Alt Fearnach, 13/06.

ad + juv, Tarvie Burn, Glen Brerachan, 14/06.

Pied Wagtail  Motacilla alba

m + b/3 fledged, The Steading, Kindrogan Field Centre, all week. Female incubating second brood.

Common, east end of Glen Brerachan.

6, A924 Straloch-Enochdhu, 14/06.

pr + b/3, Tarvie Burn, Glen Brerachan, 14/06.

Dipper  Cinclus cinclus

ad, River Ardle, Kirkmichael, 12/06.

juv, Tarvie Burn, Glen Brerachan, 14/06.

ad, River Ardle, just downstrem of field centre, 15/06.

1, River Ardle, Kirkmichael, 15/06 (TB et al).

ad, River Ardle, Kindrogan Bridge, Enochdhu, 16/06.

Wren  Troglodytes troglodytes

Common.

Singing at field centre from 03:42h on 13/06; 03:45 on 14/06 (both mornings overcast with low mist).

4 singing mm, in Juncus/Raspberry areas of Sitka Spruce clearfell, Kindrogan Hill, 13/06.

8 singing mm, in more recent clearfell on NE side of Kindrogan Hill, 13/06.

4 singing mm, Kindrogan Field Centre to West Lodge, 13/06.

4 singing mm, A924 Straloch-Enochdhu, 14/06.

Wren song output (three males) counted from a single location across three time points (35 mins each) on 14 June 2017 at Kindrogan Field Centre. Sunrise 04:22, Solar Noon 13:15, Sunset 22:08.

Dunnock  Prunella modularis

Fairly common from Enochdu to West Lodge, Straloch, Tulloch, and clear-fell/re-stock/forest edge around Kindrogan Hill.

2 singing mm, Kindrogan Field Centre, all week.

2 singing mm, Cateran Trail, between Enochdhu and Dirnanean Home Farm, 15/06.

Robin  Erithacus rubecula

Common. Several fledged broods noted.

Singing at field centre from 03:15h on 13/06, 03:18 on 14/06 (both mornings overcast with low mist).

Redstart  Phoenicurus phoenicurus

1 calling, curling pond, between field centre and West Lodge, 13/06.

2 singing mm, birch wood near Ceanghline, east end of Glen Brerachan, 14/06

Whinchat  Saxicola rubetra

m, near war memorial, east end of Glen Brerachan, 09/06.

Wheatear  Oenanthe oenanthe

3, trail to Carn an Tuirc, 12/06.

Ring Ouzel  Turdus torquatus

pr, feeding young in the nest, start of trail; A93 Old Military Road to Carn an Tuirc (1019m), 12/06.

m, further along trail to Carn an Tuirc (1019m), 12/06.

1 singing m, Elrig, Cateran Trail from Enochdhu to Spittal of Glenshee, 15/06.

Blackbird  Turdus merula

Common.

Singing at field centre from 03:16h on 13/06; 03:20 on 14/06 (both mornings overcast with low mist).

f, collecting food for young, Enochdhu, 15/06.

Song Thrush  Turdus philomelus

Common. Heard mimicking Oystercatcher, Jackdaw, and Green Woodpecker.

Singing at field centre from 03:20h on 13/06; 03:24 on 14/06 (both overcast and misty mornings).

2 singing mm, in 8-9m restock, Kindrogan Hill, 13/06.

Mistle Thrush  Turdus viscivorus

Noted at Kindrogan Field Centre, Enochdhu, curling pond, Balnald, Davan, West Lodge, Ceanghline, Straloch.

1 singing male, briefly 04:25-04:37, Kindrogan Hill, 13/06.

3, A924 Straloch-Enochdhu, 14/06.

Grasshopper Warbler  Locustella naevia

1 singing, rough field just west of West Lodge, 12/06 (TB) & 14/06.

Sedge Warbler  Acrocephalua schoenobaenus

1 singing, River Ardle between Davan and West Lodge, 11/06-14/06.

Whitethroat  Sylvia communis

1 singing m, Ceanghline, 14/06.

1 singing m, Cateran Trail, between Enochdhu and Dirnanean Home Farm, 15/06.

Garden Warbler  Sylvia borin

1 singing m, Ceanghline, 14/06.

Blackcap  Sylvia atricapilla

Fairly common. Heard at Kindrogan Field Centre, Davan, Cotterston, Straloch, Enochdhu, East Lodge, Tulloch.

Chiffchaff  Phylloscopus collybita

1 singing m, near East Lodge, 10/06.

1 singing m, cemetery clearfell, Kindrogan Hill, 13/06.

Willow Warbler  Phylloscopus trochilus

Fairly common.

Pair with food for young, walled garden, Kindrogan Field Centre, 11/06.

Singing at field centre from 04:01 on 13/06; 04:12 on 14/06 (both mornings overcast with low mist).

8 singing mm, Kindrogan Field Centre to West Lodge, 13/06.

8 singing mm, A924 Straloch-Enochdhu, 13/06.

3 singing mm, Cateran Trail, between Enochdhu and Dirnanean Home Farm, 15/06.

pr, with food for young, Cateran Trail, between Enochdhu and Dirnanean Home Farm, 15/06.

8 singing mm, Cateran Trail from Dirnanean Home Farm through Calamanch Wood, 15/06.

Goldcrest  Regulus regulus

Common in forested areas of Kindrogan Hill, including 7-8 metre high re-stock.

Singing at field centre from 03:27h, 13/06; 03:37, 14/06.

Fledged brood, Kindrogan Hill, 13/06.

Fledged brood, East Lodge, 15/06.

Spotted Flycatcher  Muscicapa striata

Fewer singing mm or pairs noted this year at: Kindrogan Field Centre, cemetery clearfell, East Lodge, curling pond, Creagh Thearlaich (nest in spruce stump).

Perhaps less obvious at this stage of the breeding season - one week later than last year.

Long-tailed Tit  Aegithalos caudatus

pr + b/12, East Lodge, 10/06 (TB et al).

Fledged brood, heard, Cateran Trail, between Enochdhu and Dirnanean Home Farm, 15/06.

Coal Tit  Periparus ater

Fairly common in coniferous areas in Strathardle and Kindrogan Hill.

Regular at feeding stations, Kindrogan Field Station.

Fledged brood, Tulloch, 14/06.

Blue Tit  Cyanistes caeruleus

Common.

Using nest boxes and feeders around the field centre.

Several fledged broods noted.

Great Tit  Parus major

Common.

Using nest boxes and feeders around the field centre.

Several fledged broods noted.

Treecreeper  Certhia familiaris

Fairly common.

Singing at field centre from 03:56h on 13/06.

pr + b/2, Kindrogan Field Centre, 13-14/06.

Jay  Garrulus glandarius

1, NE side of Kindrogan Hill, 13/06.

1, over Enochdhu, 15/06.

Magpie  Pica pica

1, Pitlochry, 16/06.

Jackdaw  Corvus monedula        

At least 12 prs nesting in chimneys of Kindrogan House and in natural holes and nest-boxes in the adjacent beech wood.

pr + b/3, outside nestbox, Kindrogan Field Centre, 11/06.

32, A924 Straloch-Enochdhu, 14/06.

Rook  Corvus frugilegus

Common in Glen Brerachan. Nestlings already fledged.

Carrion Crow  Corvus corone

A few pairs in the north-west end of Strathardle.

7, A924 Straloch-Enochdhu, 14/06.

Raven  Corvus corax

1-2, over Kindrogan Hill, daily.

3, Creag na Cuinneige, 11/06.

6, Carn an Tuirc (1019m), 12/06.

1, A924 Straloch-Enochdhu, 14/06.

Starling  Sturnus vulgaris

Common in Kirkmichael and Pitlochry.

1, Kindrogan Field Centre, 14/06.

42, fledged juvs, Cateran Trail, between Enochdhu and Dirnanean Home Farm, 15/06.

pr, feeding young in nest, Dirnanean Home Farm, 15/06.

House Sparrow  Passer domesticus

Noted in Pitlochry, 09/06.

2 prs (min), Straloch area, 14/06.

2+ prs Woodend, 14/06.

Tree Sparrow  Passer montanus

pr, feeding young in nestbox, Tulloch, 14/06.

1, heard, Dirnanean Home Farm, 15/06.

Chaffinch  Fringilla coelebs

Abundant, though song much reduced compared with first week of June (in previous years).

Female collecting for young, 12/06.

Singing at field centre from 04:11h, 13/06; 04:14, 14/06 (both mornings overcast with low mist).

12 singing mm, Kindrogan Field Centre to West Lodge, 13/06.

Kindrogan Field Centre, Perthshire, Scotland  56° 44' 45.8" N  03° 32' 49.7" W  7 June 2016

Edited sample of a singing male with three song types, playing A-A-A B-B-B C-C-C.

Of 173 song strophes sung in 20 minutes, 78 were type A (medium, 2.49 sec), 50 type B (long, 2.82 sec) and 45 type c (short, 2.11 sec) with 31 switches between each type.

[File name: chaffinch113757ecut]

Chaffinch song types

Greenfinch  Carduelis chloris

m, present all week, Kindrogan Field Centre.

m, Straloch PS, 14/06.

m, Tulloch, 14/06.

Goldfinch  Carduelis carduelis

pr, daily at feeding station, Kindrogan Field Centre.

2, Glenshee, 12/06.

7, A924 Straloch-Enochdhu, 14/06.

Siskin  Carduelis spinus

Common. Juveniles noted. Displaying birds noted in most areas.

Female collecting nesting material, Kindrogan Field Centre, 10/06.

10, feeding station in garden, West Balnald, 11/06.

10+, daily at feeding station, Kindrogan Field Centre.

2, over A93 Old Military Road to Carn an Tuirc (1019m) - treeless landscape, 12/06.

4, drinking at River Ardle, Kirkmichael, 12/06.

12, Kindrogan Field Centre to West Lodge, 13/06.

11, A924 Straloch-Enochdhu, 14/06.

5, Cateran Trail, between Enochdhu and Dirnanean Home Farm, 15/06.

8, Cateran Trail through Calamanch Wood, 15/06.

Linnet  Carduelis cannabina

m, east of Moulin, Pitlochry, 16/6.

Lesser Redpoll  Carduelis cabaret

1, over Davan, 11/06.

2, over clearfell, Kindrogan Hill, 13/06.

1, over Davan, 14/06.

10+, including four feeding on roadside grass/plant seed heads, east end of Glen Brerachan, 14/06.

2, Cateran Trail, between Enochdhu and Dirnanean Home Farm, 15/06.

1 singing m, Cateran Trail through Calamanch Wood, 15/06.

Crossbill  Loxia curvirostra

8, forestry track around Creagh Thearlaich to Loch Curran, 13/06.

2, over field centre, 13/06.

6, Cateran Trail through Calamanch Wood, 15/06.

Bullfinch  Pyrrhula pyrrhula

Pairs or singles noted at Kindrogan Field Centre (2), East Lodge, Enochdhu, cemetery clearfell, Creagh Thearlaich.

Reed Bunting  Emberiza schoeniclus

1, east end of Glen Brerachan, 12/06 (TB).