A Coastal Adventure to Cairnbulg 15/04/26
Don’t let a gloomy forecast deter you! Despite the distance from Aberdeen and outlying villages, plus some ominous clouds, nine hardy souls from our RSPB Aberdeen & District Local Group headed north to Cairnbulg and Inverallochy. What began as a potentially damp day turned into an excellent outing, proving that the North East coast always has a few surprises up its sleeve.
Coastal Classics & Early Arrivals
David was leading the group for a 10am start today, and I arrived early, just after nine, to find another early member of the group already there. We took a quick walk around the harbour before the other arrivals and spotted a scarce for the area Dark-bellied Brent Goose flying overhead, shortly followed by a couple of Swallows. Given the drizzly weather and biting wind, I couldn't help but wonder what the Swallows were making of the conditions.
The day kicked off at the harbour, where the rotting seaweed was a hive of activity for Rock and Meadow Pipits, Pied Wagtails, and Starlings. Out on the choppy water, we were treated to the sight of Long-tailed Ducks diving alongside the resident Eiders. Several Gannets were also putting on a display.
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| Rock Pipit |
As we trekked toward the Waters of Philorth, the waders stole the show. Highlights included: Purple Sandpipers blending seamlessly into the rocky backdrop. A Godwit double feature saw both Bar-tailed and Black-tailed Godwits, the latter flaunting their striking white wing bars. Amid a cluster of Turnstones, a solitary Knot stood out. We celebrated our first Northern Wheatears of the year and spotted half a dozen Sandwich Terns—moving through.
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| Black-tailed Godwit in laden skies |
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| A single Knot in the gloom with Turnstone & Purple Sandpiper. |
Bay Bonuses & Pelagic Views
From one vantage point, we scanned the sea looking out toward Fraserburgh, which revealed the "bonus species of the day": a pair of Slavonian Grebes bobbing about in the choppy waters. Nearby, a Red-throated Diver demonstrated its fishing skills, barely surfacing before disappearing again.
Sheltering from the wind at the harbour hut, we watched a Great Skua (Bonxie) low in the water power eastward, a welcome year-first for everyone. The sea was alive with movement, featuring hundreds of Kittiwakes, Guillemots, and Razorbills, while Fulmars effortlessly skimmed the crests of the waves.
The Strathbeg Extension
To round off the trip, the group detoured to Loch of Strathbeg. The timing was perfect; The group caught sight of the Taiga Bean Goose near Savoch Farm just before it tucked out of view. At the reserve itself, the "rarity run" continued for some who ventured down to the Dunbar Hide with Spoonbill and a Great Egret. I stayed at the visitor centre to enjoy my lunch, where the elusive Cinnamon Teal of unknown origin appeared at Starnafin, and I finished the day around at the bench with a flyover Crane and a trio of raptors: Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, and Sparrowhawk.
The Final Count: What could have been a washout ended with over 60 species recorded (43 at Cairnbulg alone). This trip reminded us all that fortune favours the "hardy!"
