❄Upstream Encounter! 17/02/2025
Monday 17th February 2025 ☁️4C ~ Wind S @ 11mph ~ The last time I walked upstream along the River Don from home everything around the floodplain and marshland areas was frozen. However, today there was plenty of wet areas to explore, with my main target being Jack Snipe. The river was flowing slightly faster than normal after recent rains so I decided to begin around the floodplain and stroll back along the river bank. I don't possess a thermal imager and so I was going to do things the old fashioned way by walking around the perimeter of the wet areas and see what came out.
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| The floodplain and marsh areas with Bennachie Hills in the distance. |
It didn't take long before I spotted my first Common Snipe, and by the end of my observation, I had recorded eleven in total. The highlight, however, was when I nearly stepped on a Jack Snipe before realising its presence! I barely managed to capture an image before the bird flew, descending back into the marsh just a short distance away. With the job done I left him in peace. At least four Reed Buntings were also present.
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| Record shot of Jack Snipe. |
As spring approaches, activity is increasing with a large flock of approximately forty Curlews in the surrounding fields, along with a couple of Oystercatchers and a singing Skylark. Around the lagoon, an area of water that accumulates along the normal flow of the river, at least thirty Common Gulls and a similar number of Herring Gulls were washing off. Eight Teal, a couple of Mute Swans, Little Grebe, Cormorant and the usual congregation of Mallards were also present.
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| 'The Lagoon' An area of water that backs up from the rivers flow. |
It was an enjoyable walk back along the river with a few skeins of noisy Pink-footed Geese passing overhead. For me, the highlight came when a slight movement along the river's edge ahead turned out be dog Otter. He suddenly popped up, looking straight at me before dashing back into the river and disappearing. I never saw him again. It was of those magical, unforgettable moments, and I'm not sure who was more surprised during the encounter me or the Otter!
