📖 Upstream River Don 09/04/2025

Wednesday, 9th April 2025, ☁️ 8C ~ Wind N @ 8MPH ~ Clouds pushed in from the northeast overnight, and temperatures dropped, making my local walk upstream along the River Don this morning a chilly affair.

My local River Don looking west towards the Bennachie Range. 

After not spotting any Hirundines locally this year, I was surprised to see so many Sand Martins feeding over the river and the surrounding fields today. I suspect that the low cloud cover had brought them closer to the ground. Some of the birds were clearly local breeding pairs, as I noticed one or two already excavating holes along the riverbank.

A Sand Martin pauses briefly on the wires that overhang the river.

Despite the cooler weather, several Skylarks were singing above me, and I disturbed a few Meadow Pipits as I walked by. By the time I arrived at what I refer to as "the lagoon"—an area of water that backs up along the river—I had also recorded sightings of three Grey Wagtails. I noted four Lesser Black-backed Gulls, along with a mixture of Black-headed, Herring, and Common Gulls around the gravel banks. 

One of three Grey Wagtails today.

I spotted a Kingfisher perched on a distant willow tree, which was a lovely sighting for my area. However, what truly captured my interest was a small, calling wader. I was fairly certain it was a Little-ringed Plover, an uncommon visitor but becoming more frequent in northeast Scotland. Eventually, I caught sight of the bird on the edge of the gravel bank and captured a few record images. I was 99% certain, but when I got home and processed the photos, the yellow eye ring confirmed my suspicions. This was a first for my local patch.

Little-ringed Plover

In the distant fields, a large movement of Pink-footed Geese, obviously now feeding up in preparation for their upcoming journey north to Iceland. Also noted were a few other waders: five Oystercatchers, three Curlews, two Lapwings and eight Snipe around the marshland areas.

Oystercatcher

As I walked back along the riverbank, a Common Sandpiper flew by noisily, stopping briefly before continuing downstream. Five Goosander and seventeen Teal were also noted on the river, and a flock of eighteen Linnets passed over. 

A few more images - Not the best day for photography...

A distant Kingfisher.

Common Sandpiper along the river bank.