Boatbirder.com: July 2026

📖 Breaking the Hex 29/07/26

Every birder has "bogey birds"—those frustrating species that seem to dodge you no matter how close or how often they are reported on your local patch. Since moving north six years ago, one local adversary has been Bonaparte's Gull (Chroicocephalus philadelphia).

1st-summer Bonaparte's Gull

Despite being a rare but near-annual transatlantic visitor to the Aberdeenshire coastline, every single individual seems to time its appearance with uncanny precision around my absences or general bad luck. Whenever one is picked out, I’ve either been away or managed to arrive just as the bird takes flight into the blue.

Today, that six-year stretch of missing out on one particular species finally came to an end.

While most gulls nest in colonies on sea cliffs, islands, or ground scrapes, Bonaparte’s Gulls construct stick platforms high up in boreal conifer trees—often miles away from the nearest coast in the vast taiga forests of Alaska and Canada, where I've seen many adult and juvenile birds during my visits. Seeing one resting on a rugged Scottish rocky outcrop after an ocean crossing is a brilliant reminder of just how far these tiny wanderers travel.

The catalyst came late yesterday evening when news flashed up of a 1st-summer bird spotted at Whinnyfold. With a reasonable weather forecast and no major commitments on the schedule, Rob Leslie and I headed over mid-morning.

There weren't actually that many gulls around when we arrived at the dedicated spot, but after a half hour or so, it suddenly appeared—distinctive, delicate, and unmistakable when it perched up on rocks. We managed good, prolonged views through the scope as it actively fished and then dropped in right below us, preening.

Breaking a long-standing local hex always feels good, but doing it overlooking the Aberdeenshire coastline with many Auks, Kittiwakes and soaring Fulmars makes it all the better.

One off the local hit-list at long last!

NEW Scottish Life-List Since Relocating Permanently to Aberdeenshire in October 2020

📖 Glen Lethnot 09/07/26

After a car share at Stonehaven, thirteen of the RSPB Aberdeen & District Local Group headed to a new venue for the group, just south of the Aberdeenshire border, to explore the stunning Glen Lethnot. If you've read my previous post, you'll know that it was my turn to lead the group, and I completed some reconnaissance for the trip last week.

Glen Lethnot - c/o David Leslie

The weather could not have been kinder to us—in fact, with temperatures soaring and the wind dropping to nothing on occasion, it was almost too hot at times! But the wildlife certainly didn’t disappoint, delivering a wonderful list of species and some truly unforgettable moments.

The Group in search mode - c/o David Leslie

The birding began before we even arrived at the Waterhead car park. A roadside field was absolutely teeming with birds, including Oystercatcher, Lapwing, and Curlew, alongside three Buzzards resting on the ground. Just a bit further on, we had a wonderful treat: a covey of Grey Partridges scurrying across the road—two adults safely escorting eight tiny youngsters!

As we pulled into the car park, we were greeted by a Red Grouse perched on a roadside rock, a charming welcome. As we set off on foot, taking the same track that leads northwest alongside the Water of Saughs, the air was filled with the sounds and sights of Stonechat, Meadow Pipit, and Grey Wagtail. This was shortly followed by a real highlight as a Ring Ouzel burst out of the bracken, flew across the stream, and perched obligingly on a fence post, giving the entire group fantastic, clear views.

A young Stonechat.

A Common Sandpiper patrolled the riverbank, while Pied Wagtails flitted about feeding. A solitary Grey Heron was spotted fishing in the waters. Plenty of Wheatears, including several juveniles, were seen, and as we scanned the ridges, the sky came alive. We enjoyed frequent sightings of Red Kites, some in heavy moult. We also came across a family of Kestrels and watched a Buzzard successfully take a Red Grouse. Walking along the heather, we were often startled by family groups of Red Grouse bursting out from almost under our feet, all with well-grown young, likely hiding from the Buzzard!

Two of many Red Grouse during the visit.

Just as we were about to pause for a well-earned hydration break, the sky delivered something spectacular. Looking up, we spotted two massive raptors soaring, a magnificent pair of Golden Eagles! Though distant, they put on a wonderful show. Moments later, a Peregrine Falcon was noted to add to the raptor fest. After walking a little further up the glen, we returned to our original break spot for lunch. Just as we were packing away our flasks, the Golden Eagles reappeared—and this time, they came incredibly close. We watched in awe as they were actively mobbed by Kestrels, providing a jaw-dropping comparison of the sheer size difference between the species. One of the eagles briefly touched down on the hillside before taking off again, circling directly over our heads. It was a genuinely breathtaking, unforgettable moment for everyone present!

Golden Eagle being closely monitored by the local Kestrels.

Heading back toward the cars, we caught one last brief glimpse of the Ring Ouzel. Before leaving the car park, a quick stroll across the bridge up to look at a small copse added some lovely smaller species to our day's list: Spotted Flycatcher, Siskin, Chaffinch, Robin, plus dozens of Sand Martins lined up perfectly, perched on the wires!

We had planned a stop at Craigendowie on the drive home to look for Whinchat, but the birds had other ideas—we managed to spot our first one on a roadside fence before we even got there, sitting beautifully atop the bracken. We still concluded the trip at Craigendowie, which was buzzing with activity.

Whinchat along the roadside.

We added Skylark to the daylist, along with more Ravens, and we were treated to lots of Redpolls and Siskin flitting around the trees. We concluded by scoping one last distant Whinchat on a fence line to round off a truly perfect day. A huge thank you as ever to David and Rob and everyone who came along and made it such a memorable, sharp-eyed, and sociable day out in the heat of the hills!

A Few More Images of The Day...

Juvenile Wheatear.

Golden Eagle low pass.

Juvenile Wheatear.

📖 The "Forgotten Glen": Glen Lethnot 01/07/26

In preparation for leading an upcoming RSPB Aberdeen & District Local Group outing on Thursday, July 9th, I headed out today to do a bit of reconnaissance. My destination was the beautiful Glen Lethnot in Angus. A new destination for the group!

Tucked away northwest of Brechin, Glen Lethnot is nestled perfectly between Glen Clova to the west and Glen Esk to the east. It has a fascinating cartographic history; for many years, it wasn't even shown on most maps until the Ordnance Survey finally restored it around 2010! It is a stunning, peaceful landscape, extending east and southeast from the slopes of Ben Tirran (

896\text{m}

) down to meet the fertile Valley of Strathmore. The Water of Saughs flows through its upper reaches, transitioning into the West Water as it moves down the glen.

I began my visit at the Waterhead car park, taking the track that leads northwest alongside the Water of Saughs. The first species of note was a pair of Red Kites drifting lazily overhead. The heather and tracksides were alive with the sounds of summer; Meadow Pipits were everywhere, accompanied by plenty of fresh juveniles, and I soon came across a family of Stonechats chattering away near the rocks.

One of many Meadow Pipits today.

Female Stonechat living up to its name.

As I walked further along the track, four Red Grouse suddenly appeared quite close. I froze, taking my time to photograph them as they blended into the gravel and heather. It was a real bonus to get so close to a bird I often see on my travels.

Red Grouse giving me a periscope stare!

Continuing along, a small raptor over the slope turned out to be a Kestrel, followed shortly by a couple of Ravens cronking over the skyline. Sand Martins were a constant feature of the walk, busy zooming along the riverbanks, where I managed to spot a few active nesting pairs. Further along the West Water, three Common Sandpipers bobbed on the rocks, including a very fresh-looking juvenile, alongside a colourful Grey Wagtail.

Adult Common Sandpiper

After about a mile and a half, the track begins to rise. I paused here for a coffee and to admire a beautiful trio of waterfalls nestled in a small copse of trees before heading back to the car.

My turnaround point and back to the Waterhead car park.

The immediate area was bustling with young birds: more juvenile Stonechats were busy exploring, accompanied this time by at least three juvenile Northern Wheatears. A Willow Warbler was still in fine voice, singing from the foliage, and then the highlight of the morning appeared—a lovely male Ring Ouzel. He flew right across my path, landed briefly on the fence line to give me a fantastic look, and then carried on up the rocky hillside before I even raised the camera!

Juvenile Northern Wheatear.

Around the Car Park & Craigendowie

Arriving back at Waterhead, and before moving on to my next stop, I crossed the bridge to inspect a small woodland plot nearby. It was well worth the look, yielding Spotted Flycatcher, Chaffinch, Robin, and a pair of juvenile Lesser Redpolls. On the fenceline along the water's edge, a Mistle Thrush and a single Starling.

On the drive back down the glen, I made a final stop at the Craigendowie roadside parking and took a stroll up the hillside track. In a small copse along the river, I was treated to another Spotted Flycatcher, this time busy tending to at least two juveniles.

A vigilant Spotted Flycatcher.

The open ground here was incredibly active. A Curlew patrolled the skies constantly, calling out its bubbling alarm, while a very bold young Oystercatcher literally walked in front of me on the track for what felt like an age. To round off an excellent scout trip, I picked up a Whinchat, accidentally flushed a couple of Black Grouse from their cover, and added Stock Dove and Lapwing to the day's tally. The only butterfly of the day was a single Small Heath.