📖 ❄Fetternear Woodland 14/01/25

 The weather finally broke on January 12th when the temperatures rose above freezing for the first time in days, and a rapid thaw ensued. 

Moonset over the Bennachie Hills from the kitchen window on the morning of the 14th. 

Tuesday 14th January 2025 ☀️8C ~ S @ 8MPH ~ Despite a bad calf strain, which I sustained during my visit to Forvie on the 10th I decided to take a local walk around Fetternear woodland. I was accompanied by David and Rob Leslie, as well as Mark Sullivan all from our local RSPB group. Despite the thaw, their was still plenty of packed ice and the paths were treacherous, but we managed to complete a pleasant walk around the estate without any mishaps, although my leg was in a bad way afterwards.  

One of at least nine Hawfinch at Fetternear.

One of our target species was Hawfinch, and we successfully connected around the Bishops Palace, noting at least nine birds in the treetops. We established that the birds were mostly feeding in yew trees, but they remained elusive during our stay and the best I managed was a treetop photo.

One of two Dippers along the burn.

We completed a circular walk back to the car park, at one point passing a small burn that flows through Fountain Wood and here we came across a couple of Dippers. They seem to prefer the channels when the River Don is a running a little high. It was an enjoyable walk with the usual woodland species noted, plus Stock Dove, Tree Sparrow and Yellowhammer in the open fields. We ended the morning with coffee and cake at Cafe 83 in the village.