The last few mornings have been spent scanning along the Ythan Estuary a few hours before high tide and remarkably on both occasions, I've managed to dodge the torrential downpours. I've spent my few hours commuting between the 'Snub' layby and the Waulkmill Hide, both offering superb views across the upper reaches of the mudflats.
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| The Ythan is currently awash with Redshank |
Just sitting and listening to the calls of a huge amount of
Redshank which reside here, occasionally mixed with
Curlew, another species in good numbers and
Greenshank, also into double figures is a joy in itself but at this time of year, there is always the possibility of other waders dropping in at any time.
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| Greenshank just below the 'Snub' layby |
Although some do winter here along the Ythan
Greenshank numbers are beginning to rise and on both visits, I was well into double figures.
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| Record shot of Spotted Redshank feeding on the sandbanks |
Other waders recorded included my first
Spotted Redshank of the year, several summer plumage
Knot,
Bar-tailed Godwits,
Snipe, Oystercatchers, Lapwings, single
Ruff and no less than four
Little Egrets, the latter a particularly good number for the area!
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| One of three Ospreys during today's visit. |
Of course, there's more to the Ythan than just waders and today three fishing
Osprey's, the above photographed sporting a blue colour ring with the identification JF3, likely from one of the Scottish Osprey projects.
Other Images of the Visits...
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| Record shot of single Ruff seen Monday |
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| A Yellowhammer drops in during one session |
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| Another Osprey image |
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| Colour ring JF3 |
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| Bar-tailed Godwit |
