📖 🍂Easterlies - 27/09/2024

After my last update, we experienced a brief spell of north-westerly winds. These quickly shifted to easterlies for a number of days, a change that often increases the likelihood of more interesting occurrences along the Aberdeenshire coast. This change resulted in a significant influx of Yellow-browed Warblers, which breed in Siberia and make their way here annually as they head south-west.

Collieston - A real hotspot on occasions.

My regular birding areas have been abuzz with numerous sightings of Yellow-browed Warblers, including three spotted in the lighthouse cottage gardens at Rattray on the 21st, and additional sightings at Longhaven and Collieston. Regrettably, I missed the peak of these sightings, and my subsequent visits to Collieston, first with David Leslie on the 20th and then alone on the 21st, were unsuccessful, despite a thorough search.

One of the dozen or so Rock Pipits at Collieston.

Nonetheless, I did spot at least a dozen Rock Pipits at Collieston foraging on the seaweed and observed several large skeins of Pink-footed Geese arriving from the sea, which is always an impressive spectacle. Additionally, I enjoyed some spectacular Peregrine Falcon activity along the Ythan after David headed off early on the 20th.

Pink-footed Geese now arriving in large numbers.

On Sunday after having lunch at friends in Collieston, Dazza and I stopped at the 'Snub car park,' which offers great views of the Ythan River, just as a heavy rain shower had passed. Upon arrival, we were greeted by a Spotted Redshank right below the parking area. I quietly moved to the boot to grab my camera and managed to capture an image of the bird just before it took flight, its call echoing as it soared away.

Spotted Redshank at Snub car park 

On the morning of the 24th, I returned to Rattray, focusing on the lighthouse cottage garden. No sign of Yellow-browed Warbler but I was compensated by the sightings of a Lesser Whitethroat & Pied Flycatcher before the onset of rain. I then spent the rest of the morning at the RSPB Loch of Strathbeg nature centre, taking shelter. Despite the torrential rain, the birdwatching was quite rewarding, with sightings of two Marsh Harriers, a Great White Egret, two Little Egrets, three Ruff, a number of Snipe, and numerous Swallows grounded by the heavy rain before my departure. A quick stop at the Waulkmill Hide (Ythan River) on route home held all the regular waders, plus a nice year-tick in the form of three Dark-bellied Brent Geese. 

Local Cranes heading south.

Finally on Wednesday 25th our latest RSPB Aberdeen & Local Group outing was to the Ythan. A full report by Mark Sullivan can be found HERE on the groups website but one of the highlights for me was when we spotted a couple of adult Cranes slowly circling and drifting southwards. Likely a local breeding pair which had either not bred of failed.

A few more images from my recent outings...

Golden Plover over the Ythan

Grey Heron in gorgeous autumnal sunshine - Ythan

Peregrine Falcon - Hunting over the Ythan.

Peregrine

📖 🍂Autumn Update - 08/09/2024

After last week's excitement at Rattray, a sense of normalcy has resumed. The weather has settled down, and for much of the latter part of the week, the coast was shrouded in a sea harr. 

Recent outings included a tranquil morning at Balmedie with David and Rob Leslie on Wednesday 4th, a few hours along the Ythan, and a lengthy trek through the sand dunes at Forvie Nature Reserve on Friday 6th. Additionally, there was an RSPB Local Group trip to St Cyrus Nature Reserve on Sunday 8th.

One of many Curlew along the Ythan.

The usual variety of waders along the Ythan. A good number of Curlews have joined the abundant Redshanks, and Greenshank numbers have increased, with a small number expected to stay the winter. I had hoped to see my first Spotted Redshank of the year, but unfortunately not, although a report of a juvenile a few days ago. Additionally, I witnessed an Osprey successfully fishing before flying off across the fields with its catch. A juvenile Marsh Harrier was also seen, seemingly maturing into a male.

Osprey over the Ythan.

One of my goals during my walk at Forvie was to spot a Dark-green Fritillary butterfly; however, despite the favorable conditions, I was not successful. In fact, the only butterflies I observed during my walk were a few Small Heaths. I experienced greater success with Odonata, recording several Emerald Damselflies, numerous Common Darters, Black Darter and one Common Hawker.

Emerald Damselfly - Quite numerous at Forvie.

Throughout my walk, I noticed numerous Meadow Pipits scattered across the dunes, and from time to time, I encountered the occasional Stonechat, a single Sedge Warbler was also noted making for a rather tranquil walk.

♂Stonechat at Forvie NNR.

On Sunday, as we headed south from Kemnay through the dense coastal haar, the weather seemed unpromising, and I started to doubt we would see much. However, upon reaching St Cyrus, near the Moray border, the skies cleared up. A full report can be found HERE on the RSPB Aberdeen & Local Group website. For me the standouts included excellent views of a Peregrine Falcon and a Black-throated Diver, not that common off the Aberdeenshire coastline. 

As the week unfolds, a cold front is expected to move southward from the north on Tuesday, 10th, bringing with it strong winds and blustery showers. This could herald the arrival of winter migrants, such as Pink-footed Geese and maybe even an American Wader!

A few more images of the week...

Greenshank - Ythan

Sedge Warbler at Forvie NNR.

Black Darter - Forvie NNR.

📖 🍂Greenish Warbler - Rattray - 03/09/2024

The anticipated shift in wind direction to an east-southeasterly, which I referenced in my previous post, seems to have brought a good number of migrants to northeast Scotland. The movement started yesterday with the sighting of a Greenish Warbler at Rattray. Regrettably, due to airport duties for Dazza mid morning and a doctor's appointment in the mid-afternoon, I was unable to visit until later in the day. I arrived at around 4:30 pm, and following a day of heavy downpours, the conditions became flat and calm, and the sea mist began to roll in.

Despite the deteriorating conditions and dense fog, the visit was fruitful, offering decent sightings of the Greenish Warbler, two Pied Flycatchers, a Lesser Whitethroat, a couple of Willow Warblers and a Common Redstart, all observed in the garden of the lighthouse cottages. My intention was to visit again in the morning. 

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Tuesday 3rd August 2024 🌤️14C ~ SE @ 2MPH ~ I arrived at Rattray around 8:15 AM to find much improved conditions and a small gathering of familiar Aberdeenshire birders. Fortunately, the Greenish Warbler and its accompanying cast were still present, except for the Common Redstart, which seemed to have departed. There was a light breeze and the wind had backed to a more southerly direction. 

Greenish Warbler at Rattray

Greenish Warbler 

I devoted most time to observing the Greenish Warbler which was quite skittish from a photographer's perspective, but I ultimately succeeded in capturing a few reasonable photographs as it frequently flitted between the pines and sycamores. It was also fascinating to see Swallows still feeding young at this late stage of the breeding season with a constant flow of birds in and out of the outhouses.

Pied Flycatcher - Rattray

Gradually, my focus shifted to the other species present, capturing images of a dainty Pied Flycatcher, and soon after, a Lesser Whitethroat. Additionally, a couple of Tree Sparrows made an appearance during my visit.

Lesser Whitethroat - Rattray

Strolling around the parking area and along the fence line, I observed at least six Stonechats, a species that regularly breeds here, and spotted my first Whinchat of the year, although it remained mostly at a distance.  

Whinchat at Rattray

Shortly before the short drive to RSPB Loch of Strathbeg, a distant Hen Harrier was spotted, presumably the same one I photographed there on August 24th, which has been observed on multiple occasions since then.

Upon my arrival at Strathbeg, I caught up with Mark Sullivan, who had departed from Rattray just before me, accompanied by his wife and son at the nature centre. Fortunately, they had already located a Little-ringed Plover (not too common up here) and a Little Stint on Starnafin pools. It was wonderful to see all five Great White Egrets too, which, as mentioned in my previous post, successfully raised three offspring here this year. Observing all five, both the parents and their young, flourishing, was a delight. Additionally, the pools hosted seven Ruff, five Dunlin, nine Snipe, three Greenshank, and over a hundred Lapwings. 

Greenshank

After lunch in Fraserburgh, I took a brief stroll at Cairnbulg towards the Waters of Philorth where many Sandwich Terns were bathing, accompanied by a few Common and Arctic Terns. The wader numbers were low due to the tide, but I managed to spot Whimbrel, Curlew, Knot, Redshank, Oystercatcher, Dunlin & a fly over Golden Plover. To conclude a very productive day, a short sea watch was particularly quiet with just an Arctic Skua, but it was a treat to observe the many Gannets diving, including the delightful sight of many juveniles!

A few from Cairnbulg...

Common Tern

A couple of Whimbrel

Sandwich Tern

📖 🍂Autumn Begins - 02/09/2024

As we enter meteorological autumn and my favorite month, September, it's clear the summer of 2024 will be remembered up here in the northeast of Scotland for its rain, gales, and unseasonably cold spells, leading to a disappointing wildlife watching season. I've noticed a significant decrease in the numbers of butterflies and Odonata at my regular spots and although there have been some enjoyable birding moments, the overall experience has been rather uninspiring. For the second time this summer, the cancellation of an RSPB Local Group outing was necessary, this instance due to gales disrupting a planned sea-watching trip. The itinerary included a ferry journey from Ullapool to Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides.

Scotch Argus - Taken during a recent trip into the Cairngorms.

From a domestic standpoint, I'm delighted to report that the Swifts have had a successful breeding season in the village and have now left, signaling the onset of autumn. Meanwhile, the garden Robin has returned, zealously guarding his territory and being quite nosy while I was doing a spot of pruning yesterday. 

One of the few positive note from the summer is that Great White Egrets have successfully fledged in Aberdeenshire! Three chicks left their nest near the Loch of Strathbeg nature reserve recently, after what is thought to be the first ever breeding attempt in Scotland.

Possibly one of the Great White Egret parents taken at Strathbeg on August 2nd.

The onset of autumn migration has been marked by an influx of waders returning to the Ythan Estuary from their upland breeding areas. Presently, the Ythan is teeming with a significant population of Redshanks. Also on view have been some stunning summer plumage Red Knot, Black-tailed Godwits, juvenile Greenshank and during a visit to Inch Point on August 13th I managed to find my first Curlew Sandpiper of the year. There are also a few Wheatears coming through, including the one below taken at Girdleness.

Wheatear at Girdleness on August 28th.

My friend Theo, recently back from a guiding stint in Shetland, stayed with us for a few days. Along with my wife Dazza, we had a great day out on Saturday August 24th exploring the Ythan area, culminating at RSPB Loch of Strathbeg. The day's highlights included a Grey Plover in stunning summer plumage on the Ythan and, at Strathbeg, three Great White Egrets, four Cranes, three Marsh Harriers, three Spoonbills, and an impressive Hen Harrier. The waders we spotted included Dunlin, Green Sandpiper, Greenshank and a Ruff.

Hen Harrier from the Dunbar Hide at Strathbeg which took us by surprise.

Now if we are to believe the weather and in particular the wind direction we could be in for a few days of easterlies so who knows what may turn up to start autumn migration in earnest.

A few more images over the past few weeks...

Osprey over the Ythan

Hen Harrier at Strathbeg

Black Darter, Cairngorms

Lots of Goosander currently around the coast

Many juvenile Eiders and adults in moult off the northeast coast

Ringed Plover at Girdleness