π΄σ §σ ’σ ³σ £σ ΄σ Ώ Wednesday 1st May 2024 π€ 10C ~ Wind NE @ 3MPH ~A new month has begun and spring migration is slowly taking shape up here in the northeast of Scotland. I spent the early morning at Girdleness, meeting David Leslie at the Torry Battery car park. Having left home in low cloud and poor visibility by the time I reached Torry conditions had improved slightly, sufficient at least for a spot of birding.
 |
| The view along the shoreline and the harbour entrance ~ Thanks to David for the photo |
We spent an enjoyable if not productive few hours searching the many gorse bushes around the Battery and golf course, as well as the local allotments and the harbour shoreline. Visibility was poor for sea watching but Kittiwake and Sandwich Terns were seen around the shoreline. Unfortunately, we didn't find anything noteworthy to get excited about. However, we did come across plenty of Meadow Pipits displaying, Skylarks singing, and Sand Martins, House Martins, and Swallows feeding low. We also spotted Willow Warblers, a couple of Blackcaps, and a brief singing Sedge Warbler before the rain arrived and we called it a day.
Back home and having almost dried off I decided to take a walk around Dalmadilly Ponds. I like the ponds in the rain! Normally I can get around both pools without seeing a dog walker, jogger or swimmer. It was actually a good visit and despite the rain plenty of Willow Warblers and a few Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs singing. My first Sedge Warbler for the Ponds this year was also noted.
 |
| Common Sandpiper ~ Not a particularly good day for photos. |
Below on the River Don my first Common Sandpipers of the year were busy chasing each other around but the highlight had to be hearing a Green Woodpecker across at Fetternear, quite the rarity up here and a bird I only ever hear in the spring. On the pools a dozen Tufted Duck, a Little Grebe and two Lesser Black-backed Gulls.
