Indeed, as the new title suggests, we've made our return to 'dry land' and have moved to our property in the heart of Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
After over 16 delightful years living on the water aboard our narrowboat 'Quidditch', we've made the transition back to 'Terra Firma'. Why Scotland, and more precisely the North-East? It was always in our long-term plan to settle back on land, with a preference for coastal proximity. For me, the primary draw is the birdwatching prospects. Additionally, my wife is originally from Aberdeen, which made it a natural choice when the opportunity to return presented itself.
Aberdeenshire spans most of the northeast corner of Scotland, covering a large expanse with a variety of habitats and a distinctive microclimate. This diversity, along with Scotland's numerous specialty species, offers superb birdwatching experiences. The region's granite and basalt cliffs, home to seabirds, are among the most spectacular globally.
MY NEW PATCH BY CAR
THE MOUNTAINS AND FORESTS (30-minutes)
The Cairngorm Mountains, foothills and native forests are just a 30-minute drive away and offer the opportunity of seeing some of Scotland's most cherished species including Scottish Ptarmigan (endemic sub-sp.), Scottish Crossbill (endemic sp.), Capercaillie, Black Grouse, Red Grouse, Golden Eagle, Crested Tit, Dotterel & Ring Ouzel to name a few.
THE COASTAL PASSAGE AREAS (30-minutes)
Starting at the Girdleness peninsula, just south of the entrance to Aberdeen Harbour and stretching northward to Peterhead, the coastline offers many essential sea-watching locations that are worth visiting year-round, especially during migration seasons. The coast of Aberdeenshire serves as a sanctuary for regular migratory birds and is home to a considerable number of rare species. Northeast Scotland is famous for having the highest number of bird species seen in a 24-hour period in Scotland and is second only to Norfolk in the UK.
YTHAN ESTUARY & FORVIE SANDS (30-minutes)
The Ythan Estuary & Forvie Sands will become a frequent destination for me. It is designated as a National Nature Reserve and a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The area features an expansive estuary surrounded by diverse habitats such as sand dunes, heathland, farmland, reedbeds, and mudflats. Eiders reside here all year round, with breeding taking place at Forvie, across the river. Four tern species also breed at Forvie: Arctic Tern, Common Tern, Sandwich Tern and Little Tern.
COLLIESTON (Hot Spot)
MY LOCAL PATCH
BENNACHIE
A short distance from the house is Bennachie, a range of hills with multiple summits, the tallest being Oxen Craig at 528 metres (1,732 ft). Although not exceedingly tall relative to Scotland's other peaks, its prominence is due to its stand-alone position and the flatness of the nearby terrain, making it a striking feature in the landscape from various vantage points. Bennachie boasts a granite ridge amidst upland moorland, bordered by diverse woodlands, and encircled by agricultural fields at its base, presenting an intriguing habitat to explore.
RIVER DON
The River Don is just a short walk from the house and offers some excellent riverbank walks. Dippers are a regular feature here and in the surrounding arable fields, there is a large wintering roost of Whooper Swans.
DALMADDILY PONDS
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| Aerial view of the Ponds ~ Photo from the Kemnay community page |
Just five minutes from the house is Dalmadilly Ponds which were originally agricultural farmland. In 1993 work began on quarrying the land for sand and gravel aggregates. The quarried area was allowed to flood naturally according to the existing water table when extraction was completed. The surrounding land has been restored to form a wildlife area for birds and a recreational area for walking and bird watching. This has been accomplished by planting hundreds of indigenous trees, the formation of footpaths around both ponds, and finally, two substantial bird hides have been erected, one at each pond.
This habitat holds great promise for observing rare species; however, the observation hides are now impractical as the footpaths are situated directly in front of them and they remain permanently locked. The layout is quite odd, suggesting that an early arrival is necessary to evade the surge of local dog walkers. Unfortunately, the ponds have become favored spots for wild swimming and leisure activities involving plastic dinghies, adversely affecting the local wildlife. It's disheartening to report that the upkeep of the site has declined, casting doubt on its continued status as a sanctuary for nature.
