📖 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.