Boatbirder.com: January 2026

📖 I've Finally Broken Out! - 14/15/01/26

Wednesday, 14th November 2026,🌤️ 3C ~ Wind SW @ 10 mph ~ After what seemed like an eternity, I’ve finally made it out of the village! Thanks to the local farmers who worked tirelessly to clear the side streets and roads of snow, freedom is finally here. Kudos to them.

On Wednesday, I met up with David, Mark, and Rob for a stroll around the Ythan Estuary. We usually have our annual RSPB walk there on January 2nd, but had to cancel this year due to heavy snow. With high tide at 10 a.m., we opted to walk along the north bank of the river from the Waterside car park.

Rob, David and Mark - The three Musketeers!

As we looked upstream, there was a good selection of waders, including Curlew, Lapwing and Golden Plover, with Wigeon, Teal and Mallard also noted.

As we wandered downstream, we paused for a moment at the shelter, spotting Turnstone, Redshank, and Oystercatcher, along with a few Cormorant and the first of many Red-breasted Mergansers in the channel. Dozens of Teal and Wigeon were scattered about, and a fair number of Rooks lined the shore, likely from the nearby rookery.

One of many Red-breasted Mergansers along the Ythan.

Further along, we spotted a Kestrel hunting over the snowy fields, while Eider and Little Grebe fished nearby, before we reached the sand dunes. Our main targets there were Twite and Snow Bunting. It started off very quietly, but Mark eventually found a small flock of eight Twite that were quite obliging, giving us some photo opportunities. Along the shoreline, we spotted Knot, Dunlin, and Sanderling, as well as a few Bar-tailed Godwits mingling with the Curlews. Unfortunately, no Snow Buntings this time.

One of eight Twite seen today.

On the walk back to the cars, a Sparrowhawk crossed the river toward Newburgh, and we spotted a lone Meadow Pipit along the shoreline, followed later by a couple of Goldcrests in the pines, adding them to the day’s list. After Mark and Rob headed off, David and I headed up to the Snub car park, but the tide was still too high for much activity. We did manage to add Shelduck, Mute Swan, and Goldeneye, along with another pair of Little Grebes. It was great to get out again and start the year’s birding. Thanks to David, Mark, and Rob for the company.

Twite along the shoreline

Thursday, 15th November 2026,🌤️ 6C ~ Wind SW @ 11 mph ~ This morning, after a doctor's appointment, I decided to take a quick stroll around Fetternear, parking at the Business Centre. Having dipped a few times before Christmas in my search for Hawfinch, I was hoping to have better luck today. The paths were still a bit icy with the snow lying around, but I managed to make it to Bishop's Palace and back.

Still no sign of any Hawfinch, and I’m wondering if a sighting just before Christmas at nearby Moneymusk might have been the small group relocating, but we’ll see!

It was a pleasant walk, and I managed to add a few more year ticks. First, I spotted a couple of Dippers along the channels, as they often appear when the River Don is running fast. Then, I came across three gorgeous male Bullfinches and, just as I returned to the car, a Red Kite drifted overhead, ending another brief outing. On my short drive home, I noticed the surrounding fields, now thawing, were once again hosting the many Pink-footed Geese that frequent the area, having disappeared during the snow.

Dipper at Fetternear.

📖 No Thaw Yet! - 09/01/26

View from the back door!

Friday, 9th November 2026, ❄️ -1C ~ Wind Variable @ 2 mph ~ Since my last post on the 6th, there’s been hardly any sign of a thaw, and last night the temperature dropped to as low as -8°C. The main roads around the village are gradually being cleared, but unfortunately, our road remains challenging, with tractors and gritters struggling due to its narrowness and the snowed-in parked cars. The furthest I've actually been this year is the short walk along to the River Don.

Dazza's car

As you can imagine, the feeders are still taking a beating, and my supply is running low. I’ve placed an order, but I’m not holding my breath for it to arrive anytime soon.

I welcomed my first Bramblings to the garden on the 6th, and since then, I’ve had up to half a dozen feeding. A lovely surprise was spotting my first-ever Mistle Thrush in the garden, which appeared suddenly, fed briefly, and left after about an hour. There have been as many as a dozen Blackbirds enjoying the apples, and up to thirty Chaffinch, but still no sign of any Redpoll, Redwing, or Fieldfare, which are usually regular visitors.

My 1st ever Mistle Thrush in the garden

Here are a few more images... My Bird photos are taken through the window from my hide (The office window)

Taken from the kitchen window - 4 of the six Brambling

A few Greenfinches occasionally visit the feeders.

Goldfinch

Brambling - The guy's been around daily since the 6th.

📖 Major Incident - 06/01/26

Happy New Year from a beautifully snowy Aberdeenshire! As you might have seen in the news, some areas are buried under nearly half a metre of snow, so my 2026 birdwatching adventures have so far been limited to home and the nearby surroundings. While I write this post, we’re in the middle of our third round of Amber Warnings with no end in sight, and Aberdeenshire Council has just declared a major incident. The local community here in Kemnay has been incredible, with farmers out in tractors clearing roads and residents pitching in wherever they can to help remove snow and trapped vehicles.

My garden

View from Kemnay Bridge over the River Don

The garden feeders have been very busy, with a large number of Chaffinches visiting. I've also had at least ten Blackbirds making quick work of the apples I provide. Today, I recorded my first sighting this year of two Bramblings. However, species like Fieldfares and Redwings, usually regular visitors to the garden, have been noticeably absent, which is quite unusual for this time of year, especially considering the current conditions. Other missing regulars include Redpoll and Siskin have also been scarce. A Sparrowhawk has been through the garden on two occasions but left empty-handed both times.

I've added several photographs below; those of the birds are taken from my office window.