📖 ❄RSPB Loch of Strathbeg 27/02/25

Once again, the aurora graced our skies on Monday evening allowing me to take these hand-held iPhone images from home. 

Aurora looking across towards the Bennachie Hills.

Thursday 27th February 2025 🌤️ 7C ~ NNW @ 15MPH ~ It was a beautiful spring-like day, and its always good fun to spend time with David, Mark, and Rob. A few notable rarities had been reported further along the coast in the past few days, so we initially headed to Peterhead in search of Tundra Bean Geese. Two had been reported among a flock of Pink-footed Geese. When we arrived at the designated area of the report, unfortunately, there was no sign of any geese at all, so after a short drive around we decided to continue on to Peterhead Marina.

Aerial view of Peterhead Marina & Bay

Upon arrival, it didn't take long for us to spot the Black-throated Diver, which had been frequenting the area for the last few days. We managed decent scoped views, and after it had been diving for food for what seemed like an age, it finally paused on the surface for a while preening. We had a short walk along the footpath and managed to gain slightly better views allowing us a few record shots. Long-tailed Duck, Guillemot, Eider and Razorbill were also noted during our stay. 

Black-throated Diver - Peterhead Bay

We then drove a little further around the coast to St. Fergus where there's usually a good flock of geese to be found. We weren't disappointed with literally thousands to look through. No sign of any Bean Geese during our exhaustive search but the sight and sounds of thousands of Pink-footed Geese is always spectacular!  

Just a fraction of the Pink-footed Geese on show.

From here we drove on to the south end of the Loch of Strathbeg for a quick look across the loch from St. Mary's Chapel. Almost immediately I spotted the drake Ring-necked Duck hanging around with a number of Tufted Duck. There's somewhat of a mystery regarding this bird as there's also a Ring-necked Duck often reported at Loch of Skene, which David and I saw on February 13th. Is it the same bird commuting? Interestingly both birds have never been reported on the same day! Plenty of Pochard, Wigeon, Teal and Goldeneye, plus a couple of Long-tailed Ducks, as well as Little Egret, Great White Egret and a single Shoveler. The latter a little scarce at the moment and a year first for me. 

Our Final stop was Strathbeg VC to look for the Glossy Ibis first spotted yesterday. With the access road being resurfaced and closed we walked down to the centre negotiating the construction works and skirting around the newly laid concrete. The centre was locked so we scanned from the benched area looking across Starnafin Pools. Four Little Egrets as well as a Marsh Harrier, Peregrine and Sparrowhawk, with both causing the usual havoc. Also Gadwall and hundreds of Teal and Wigeon along with a few fly by Whooper Swans and more Pink-footed Geese. There was also a couple of Roe Deer actually in the fenced perimeter, looking quite desperate to get out, goodness knows how they actually got in! 

Whooper Swans

A movement in the reeds turned out to be a Common Crane, for such a large bird amazing how they can blend in. This is a really early record for Strathbeg, although it was first spotted on Saturday. 

Luckily as we were about to leave the Glossy Ibis flew in right over our heads and landed on the pool in front of us - at one point David had the Crane and Ibis in the same scope view - something that would have never even been considered up here a few years ago. Delighted with our day out, David needed to get back for the school run so we headed south for home. Thanks to Mark Sullivan, David Leslie and his Dad Rob for the company and especially to Rob for driving - Hope you get the car cleaned soon 😉

Black-throated Diver at Peterhead