Sorry for the lack of updates, but since returning home from Poland three weeks ago, I've been focusing on catching up with my Scottish year list. To my astonishment, I also added four new Scottish lifers! I typically save those for my week in Shetland in October..
One of my regular birding spots is the Ythan River and Estuary, which is a fantastic location for spotting the occasional rarity. However, the past few weeks have been particularly exceptional. On June 2nd, an
American Golden Plover was spotted, followed the next day by a
Buff-breasted Sandpiper. As if that wasn't enough, a
Broad-billed Sandpiper appeared on June 11th. To top it all off, a
Bridled Tern graced us with its presence on June 12th. The latter was found by the wardens at Forvie NNR, who were completing a survey at the ternary. You can imagine their surprise when, amongst the usual mayhem of a tern colony, they spotted a
Bridled Tern, a mega-rare bird for NE Scotland and only the third record ever! An account of the find and some great photos of the bird can be found on the Forvie Blog
HERE.
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| My record image of an American Golden Plover, which I took from the Snub car park. |
In addition to 'twitching' the four rarities mentioned earlier, I have been exploring several local areas, including Fetternear Woods, Dalmadilly Ponds, and a drive to Muir of Dinnet. On the evening of Thursday, June 12th, after spending a few hours watching the
Bridled Tern, I headed over to Bullers of Buchan, where we took a group from the RSPB Aberdeen & District Local Group. Seabirds were the order of the day, particularly
Puffins. After an enjoyable visit, we concluded the evening with fish and chips in Ellon, a good end to a long but lucrative day birding.
Yesterday, Sunday 15th, Dazza and I headed off to the Cairngorms, Dazza's 'happy place', where we enjoyed a long walk at Glen Callater. The highlights here were a male Ring Ouzel, although distant and the many young birds we encountered: Northern Wheatear, Stonechat, Meadow Pipits, Grey Wagtail and Common Sandpiper.
Below are a number of images taken over the period.
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| Puffins at Bullers of Buchan |
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| Arctic Tern along the Ythan |
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| Little Tern from the Ythan ternary |
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| Fulmar |
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| Squabbling Kitiwakes |
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| Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary at Muir of Dinnet |
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| Juvenile Northern Wheatears at Glen Callater |
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| Northern Wheatear Glen Callater |
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| Male Reed Bunting |
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| Female Reed Bunting |
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| Juvenile Meadow Pipit |
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| Common Sandpiper calling to young |
The Ythan Purple Patch
