📖 Media Break 21/08/26

Coastal Wandering and Returning Waders

I have been taking a brief step back from social media and blogging recently, which I think is a healthy thing to do on occasion, but that certainly doesn't mean I have been lounging around at home. Quite the opposite, in fact. I have been out and about enjoying our spectacular Aberdeenshire coastline, including an RSPB visit down to St. Cyrus near Montrose, along with plenty of time spent exploring local spots.

Things on the birding front had been generally quiet around the patch, which is fairly standard for this time of year. However, that lull has shifted noticeably over the last couple of weeks. Autumn movement is well underway, and a steady stream of returning waders is bringing the coast back to life.

One of a small group of returning Red Knot on the Ythan

Over the past week, I have made a few dedicated coastal runs, starting with a trip to Girdleness. Unfortunately, I was unable to connect with the Caspian Gull that had been reported there over the previous weekend. Yesterday, I headed further north for a full day along the coast, taking in Cairnbulg and the always-reliable Ythan Estuary. My luck with target birds continued to be a little mixed, as I dipped on the reported Pectoral Sandpiper at Cairnbulg, but the sheer volume of activity on offer made up for the misses.

With large groups of resting terns gathered at Cairnbulg, which today held Sandwich, Arctic and Common, there is always a keen sense of anticipation. Where there are terns actively fishing for their young, skuas are rarely far behind. The seawatching delivered on cue, rewarding me with views of three Arctic Skuas harassing the locals, alongside a single, heavy-set Great Skua—always a treat to watch in action.

Arctic Skua harassing a Sandwich Tern with the Fraserburgh Lighthouse in the background.

The shoreline was bustling with a lively mix of waders. I spent some time watching several species, including: Curlew, Oystercatcher, Turnstone, Dunlin, Sanderling, Ringed Plover, and Bar-tailed Godwit feeding along the edge and amongst the seaweed. Offshore, the action was just as lively. Numerous Gannets were making spectacular, steep dives into the water, and it was particularly heartening to see so many young birds among them. The same encouraging numbers applied to the local Kittiwakes, while a few Fulmars provided their usual effortless display, shearing low across the wave tops without beating a wing.

It feels great to be out following the seasonal shift, and with passage birding only just getting started, there should be plenty more to report on soon, and my annual autumn visit to Shetland is approaching fast. 

Below are a few images of my recent outings...

Spotted Redshanks along Foveran Burn

Dunlin at Cairnbulg

Bar-tailed Godwit at Cairnbulg

One of Two Spotted Redshanks on Foveran Burn (Ythan Estuary)

Osprey fishing at Inch Point (Ythan Estuary)

📖 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 (896m) 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.

A Whinchat was my final photograph of the day as the rain arrived.

It was a thoroughly enjoyable day with an incredible number of juveniles on the wing—a fantastic sign for the upcoming group trip!

A Few More Images of the Day...

Male Stonechat

Red Grouse

Red Grouse

Red Kite in moult

📖 Visitors, Heat & New Horizons 26/06/26

I have to admit I’ve been a bit tardy on my posts lately! With visitors up from the south and family over from Spain, life has been beautifully busy—but I’ve still managed to sneak out on the odd occasion into the field.

When we have guests, it’s always a treat to take them to the Bullers of Buchan to see the Puffins. Everyone’s absolute favourite, and they certainly didn't disappoint! Living up here on the north-east coast of Aberdeenshire has plenty of perks, and recently, the European heatwave has been one of them. Apart from a blistering 29°C on the 23rd, unlike further south and west, we’ve enjoyed a spell of ideal weather ranging from 18–24°C with a gentle breeze, so for this I'm grateful!

One of several breeding Puffins at Buller's of Buchan

Exploring New Horizons: A Visit to Pitfichie

On Wednesday the 17th, I took a short drive to Pitfichie to meet up with a few other members of the local RSPB committee. Our mission was to explore the hillside and assess opportunities to boost biodiversity as part of a potential upcoming project. Though heavy showers dominated the earlier part of the day, the weather cleared into a warm, humid afternoon—perfect for bringing out the local wildlife. We enjoyed a fantastic array of sightings, including Roe Deer and Dark-green Fritillary butterfly. The birdlife certainly didn't disappoint either; our checklist for the walk included Osprey, Common Buzzard, Cuckoo, and Red Kite, alongside wonderful smaller species such as Stonechat, Tree Pipit, Yellowhammer, Siskin, Redpoll, and Common Whitethroat.

Yellowhammer

Dark Green Fritillary - Seen during my 2nd visit on Tuesday

Painted Lady - Seen during my 2nd visit on Tuesday

Discovering this beautiful spot—which lies just five miles from my front door—was an absolute revelation, and I have promptly added it to my regular patch birding walks. In fact, I couldn't resist a second visit just a few days later on the 23rd! This time, the weather played a completely different role, with the temperature soaring to a blistering 29°C, making for a much sweatier but equally rewarding trek.

📖 Unsettled Week 12/06/26

It has been an extremely unsettled and chilly week for June, delivering everything from sudden thunderstorms to heavy hail showers. That said, I managed to pick the absolute best morning on Tuesday for an early high-tide visit to the Ythan Estuary.

Ythan Estuary looking across towards the ternary.

The main goal for the morning was to meet up with Ruth Howie, a fellow RSPB Aberdeen committee member. We were hoping to spot a first-summer Bonaparte’s Gull that had been hanging around for the past few days, mostly visible from the 'Tin Hut'.

A Lively Walk to the Water

Even before reaching the estuary, the short walk down from the car park past the gorse bushes was absolutely alive with birdsong. Keeping me company along the path were Willow Warbler, Wren, Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler, Yellowhammer, and Meadow Pipit.

Meadow Pipit

The tide hadn’t yet reached its peak, leaving a stretch of exposed shingle that attracted a few waders. I spotted plenty of Ringed Plovers, a handful of Dunlin, and four Red Knots. The highlight was a lone Curlew Sandpiper, just beginning to take on its summer plumage.

Scanning from the Tin Hut

I met up with Ruth at the Tin Hut, and we settled in for a solid ninety minutes of intense optics work. We meticulously scanned the hundreds of Black-headed Gulls and Sandwich Terns lined up along the opposite shoreline.

The usual Eiders, some with young and sporting a mix of plumages, and Grey Seals lounged midstream, while across the water at the Forvie ternary, the air buzzed with activity. Arctic Terns, Sandwich Terns, Common Terns, and at least four Little Terns, the rarer of the four, were endlessly diving into the estuary, fishing for food to bring back to their siblings.

Little Tern on the prowl.

Our concentration was abruptly broken at one point when an Osprey glided overhead. It caused absolute mayhem, flushing everything in sight and temporarily putting an end to our careful scanning!

The Verdict

Suffice it to say, luck wasn't on our side with the Bonaparte's Gull—it managed to elude us completely and hasn't been reported since. However, the Ythan rarely leaves you empty-handed. We were well compensated for our efforts by picking out four Little Gulls.

An excellent morning on the extended patch with great company!

Braving the Elements at RSPB Fowlsheugh: Seabirds and Fish and Chips

This past Wednesday, the 10th, I joined our RSPB Aberdeen & District Local Group for what was supposed to be a leisurely evening stroll along the spectacular Fowlsheugh cliffs. The plan? Take in the incredible sights and sounds of the bustling seabird colonies, and top it all off with a well-deserved fish and chip supper in Stonehaven.

Nature, however, had other ideas! It turned out to be a rather wet and wild encounter, but a little rain wasn't enough to dampen our spirits (or spoil the views).

You can catch the full write-up of our soggy adventure over on the group's webpage here, but in the meantime, here’s a sneak peek of the evening in photos:

Heavy Hail in Inverurie - Taken by a group member who didn't quite make it to the outing!

Kittiwake collecting nesting material.

Razorbills

Puffin feeling a little sleepy.

📖 From Big Sits to Rare Vagrants 03/06/26

It’s been a bit quiet on the blog lately—life has a habit of getting in the way of birding exploits! But as spring officially rolls into summer, I’ve finally managed to get back out into the field and catch up with some absolutely cracking birds.

Here is a quick whistle-stop tour of where I've been and what I've seen over the last couple of weeks.

The Strathbeg "Big Sit" (Sunday, May 24th)

Typically, our RSPB group outings are frantic and fast-paced "Big Days." This time, we flipped the script and tried a Big Sit at the Loch of Strathbeg visitor centre, anything seen from the windows from 7 AM to 7 PM. I clocked in for the first half (7 AM – 1 PM), and the rewards from just looking out the windows were spectacular.

The Highlights: Garganey - Wood Sandpiper - Green Sandpiper - Ruff - Cuckoo - Common Crane - Spoonbill - Marsh Harrier.

Drake Garganey at Strathbeg

Curious about the final tally? You can check out the full report and final species count on our group website [HERE].

Mountain Air & Local Patches (Late May)

May 25th – Glen Callater: Dazza and I headed into our "happy place" in the Cairngorms. While the Ring Ouzels successfully evaded us today, we were treated to nesting Curlews, plus Wheatear, Stonechat, Grey Wagtail, Common Sandpiper, Raven, and Cuckoo. The absolute highlight, though, was watching a gorgeous family of Dippers.

Cuckoo

May 27th – Dalmadilly Ponds: A brilliant, sunny morning with David, Rob, and Mark on my local patch. It was a proper baby boom! We saw a Treecreeper bringing food to a nest, a Robin feeding its young, and the ultimate crowd-pleaser: a Little Grebe carrying young on her back. Throw in Sedge, Garden, and Willow Warblers, Chiffchaff, Whitethroat and Blackcap, and it was a perfect morning. Also of note, a couple of Ravens, which I suspect are nesting at the local quarry!

Garden Warbler

A June 3rd Double-Whammy!

I wrapped up my recent run today with an incredible double-header of scarce and rare birds:

1. Marsh Warbler (Longhaven): Reported singing first thing from the SWT car park, this beauty showed well on occasion and sang nearly the whole time I was there.

2. Baird's Sandpiper (Meikle Loch): First identified via a photograph yesterday evening along the Ythan, this mega visitor seemed to have relocated to Meikle Loch, where I was lucky enough to catch up with it this afternoon.

📖 A Morning Walk at the Ythan Estuary 22/05/26

Despite the overcast skies and a chilly breeze pulling in off the North Sea, I headed out this morning for a low-tide walk along the River Ythan. As it turned out, the grey morning had an absolute treat in store.

Reaching the mouth of the estuary, the Terns were out in full force, they were feeding at incredibly close quarters right where the river meets the sea.

Watching these agile seabirds dive, hover, and dart through the air with perfect precision is always a sight to behold, and I make it a tradition to visit at this time of year to see the action. I'm blessed to have the Forvie National Nature Reserve just a short drive away. The Forvie Ternery is a vital breeding ground, and during the summer months, it plays host to four distinct, beautiful breeding Tern species.

Sandwich Tern: The largest of the four and often the first to arrive. 

Sandwich Tern

Sandwich Tern

Common Tern: A master of elegance with its silvery-grey plumage and vibrant red bill tipped with black. Although this one was a little dishevelled after the dive.

Common Tern

Arctic Tern: Famous for undertaking the longest migration of any animal on Earth, recognisable by its blood-red bill and deeply forked tail.

Arctic Tern

Little Tern: Our smallest and rarest visitor, instantly identifiable by its tiny size and bright yellow bill with a black tip.

Little Tern

Moments like this are a wonderful reminder of how spectacular our local nature is. You don’t need blazing sunshine or perfect blue skies to witness something extraordinary—sometimes, a grey, breezy morning at low tide is exactly what you need to reconnect with the wild.