fnh journal vol 24 - Forth Naturalist and Historian - University of Stirling

46 C.J. Henty
S 46 nests Kincardine in Menteith. 500 Blairlogie 16 Feb, 1000 Throsk 9 Nov (CJH
RD).
CARRION CROW Corvus corone (B,W)
Possibly the most widespread species of all: BBS shows 39 per 10 km in ‘Urban’
squares, 52 in farmland, 8 in conifer & 52 on moorland. Apparently large
switches in preferences among habitats this year, but overall rise since 1996.
S 34 Braes of Doune 20 Feb (MVB). Hoodies: 6 sites in the usual breeding range
L.Katrine-G.Lochay, usually less than 5 but 50 G.Lochay 19 Feb (NB DAC DT).
1 hybrid Lecropt 24 Jan (CJH).
RAVEN Corvus corax (B,W)
S 17 territories checked, 14 pairs. 12 successful pairs of which 7 raised 21 Y (PSA).
Collecting nest material G.Lochay 26 Feb (RAB). 12 G.Casaig 8 Aug (DJC).
Outwith of main breeding areas: Max 3 Thornhill Feb/Mar, Jul – Sep (SS DP). 1
Airthrey 22 Feb & 18 Aug (DMB). 3 Lecropt 9 Sep (DT).
STARLING Sturnus vulgaris (B,W)
Greatly under-reported (Ed). BBS shows most frequent in ‘Urban’ squares.
Overall 55% increase over 1999 – but possibly observability varies between
years with fledging date.
F 543 Denny 9 Jan. 600 on wet pasture Slamannan 27 Oct (NB). 1300 at Kincardine
Bridge roost 18 Oct, 4000 on 21 Nov but half left downriver (CJH).
S 220 Stirling roost 7 Mar. 700 at pre-roost Forthbank 17 Oct (AT).
HOUSE SPARROW Passer domesticus (B,W)
Under-recorded (Ed). BBS shows 78 per 10 km in ‘Urban’ areas, 28 on farmland.
Overall increased 70 % on 1999 data, back to 1994-96 level.
S 31 Blairlogie 14 Jan (CJH). 56 Dunblane 21 Mar (NB). Surveys on Thornhill
Carse showed 105 on 23 Oct & 120 on 9 Dec (DJC).
TREE SPARROW Passer montanus (B,W)
Scarce on BBS transects, only on farmland. Overall back close to seven year
average. Widely reported in small numbers from Thornhill eastwards.
F 14 Bonnybridge 12 Mar (MA). 9 Kinneil 17 Jan & 10 Sep, 15 Skinflats 3 Dec (DT
GO).
C In breeding season at Gartmorn, Rhynd (Alloa) & Blackdevonmouth (DAC
DMB). 20 Inch of Ferryton 10 Dec (CJH).
S 30 Lecropt 19 Sep & 33 on 16 Nov (DT CJH). 20 Drip Carse 27 Feb & 30 on 27
Nov (DAC IW). 27 Thornhill Carse 24 Nov & 34 on 9 Dec (DJC CJM DOE).
CHAFFINCH Fringilla coelebs (B,W)
BBS shows 94 per 10 km in conifers, 52 on farmland & 20 in ‘Urban’ squares,
overall slightly less than 7 year mean.
S 600 Kippenrait 16 Jan. 550 Kinbuck 25 Mar & 300 on 30 Dec. 450 Lecropt on 20
Feb & 350 on 31 Dec (MVB).
BRAMBLING Fringilla montifringilla (W)
Several moderate spring flocks, very scarce in autumn.
F Late bird, M Skinflats 7 Apr (AB).
50 Kippenrait 16 Jan. 20 Lecropt 20 Feb & 50 on 12 Mar (MVB). 1 Fallin 1 Oct &
3 on 6th (RD). 4 Mine Wood (BoA) 31 Dec (AT).
GREENFINCH Carduelis chloris (B,W)
Underrecorded. BBS shows 46 per 10 km in ‘Urban’ squares & 10 in farmland.
Overall as 1999 & close to 7 year mean.
F
S
80 Skinflats 23 Aug (DT).
150 Lecropt 4 Jan & 100 on 12 Aug (MVB DT). 67 Dunblane garden 18 Jan (NB).
16 Strathyre garden 28 Dec was highest count out of lowlands (DJC).