📖 Spring Update 08/04/2025

I am astonished that since returning home from Spain on March 27th, the weather here in Aberdeenshire has been more impressive than Spain's. That is, except for the temperatures; a persistent northeasterly wind has ensured that! 

Alongside my local patch visits, I was out with Rob Leslie and Mark Sullivan on April 2nd. We explored the area around Loch of Strathbeg, humorously referring to it as "a wild goose chase." Our goal was to scan the various flocks of Pink-footed Geese in search of anything unusual. However, there weren't many flocks to examine, and despite a thorough search, we found nothing of interest. 

Tundra Bean Goose - but unfortunately not from today! 

As my regular reader will know, things arrive a little later up here in northeast Scotland, and although they are around elsewhere, I'm still awaiting my first hirundines, usually the Sand Martins, which nest in a small colony along the River Don. Chiffchaffs have arrived in good numbers locally, and things are definitely starting to move.

One of five Chiffchaffs at Dalmadilly ponds.

During a walk upstream from the village on the morning of the fourth, I noted my first Osprey and Common Sandpiper of the year, both regular breeders here.  

Osprey & Common Sandpiper - Both are regular breeders locally.

Today, April 8th, I visited the Glen Tanar Knockie viewpoint in the Cairngorms with Rob and Mark to search for raptors. Once again, it was a glorious sunny day, and the highlights included seven Buzzards, an Osprey, and a Golden Eagle.