π΄σ §σ ’σ ³σ £σ ΄σ Ώ Tuesday 26th September 2023 π€️ 10C ~ Wind S @ 10MPH ~ I went to Rattray in the mid-morning in the hope of finding at least one decent autumn migrant, but unfortunately, the barren period continues. I couldn't find any despite thoroughly searching around the lighthouse cottages, it's been a poor autumn thus far! The only exception was a single Wheatear that I spotted along the fence line. However, a flock of around 500 Pink-footed Geese in the adjacent fields, along with twenty or so Barnacle Geese is always a treat to see at this time of year.
During the visit, the best sighting was a juvenile Arctic Skua flying south at a close distance during a short sea watch.
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| Just about managed to point the camera before these Bar-tailed Godwits made off! |
A few Sandwich Terns passed south and at one stage a group of seven Bar-tailed Godwits dropped onto the beach but moved off pretty rapidly. Also of note were plenty of Gannets, three Red-throated Divers and the usual hoard of Shags & Cormorants on the lighthouse gantry.
Arctic Skua...
