📖 Monster Wader Days: 18/09/26

Wilson’s Phalarope, 18 Wader Species, and Late Osprey on the Ythan.

The return of the Pink-footed Geese.

I've enjoyed a few remarkable days of birding along the Ythan this week. The estuary has been packed with waders, and returning Pink-footed Geese have been filling the skies. Among the highlights, I counted about 23 Ruff during my visit on Thursday, and today brought the first Whooper Swans of the season. However, the highlight of the week was the discovery of a Wilson's Phalarope at Meikle Loch on Wednesday. Earlier in the week, I had a couple of distant views of the bird, but today (Friday) I joined David Leslie, who had not yet seen it, and Mark Sullivan to see if we could improve our observations.

Ruff - Some good numbers along the Ythan currently.

Pulling into the car park at Meikle Loch, the initial news wasn't promising—a Peregrine, which we'd seen flying over the road bridge on route, had flushed the phalarope earlier, and it hadn't been refound. Thankfully, a quick scan of the shoreline revealed the Wilson’s Phalarope feeding alongside Lapwings at the far end. It was constantly on the move along the bank, occasionally dropping into the water to swim. Though still a long-range view, the softer light made for vastly superior views compared to yesterday's harsh glare.

The loch was bustling with activity as well: Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, double-figure Snipe, and a lone Whimbrel. The usual wildfowl was present, and a few Skylarks overhead were heading south.

Waulkmill Hide & The Snub

Curlew Sandpiper - I've managed to see several over my visits this week!

Moving on to Waulkmill Hide, we were greeted by thousands of birds covering the exposed mud. Our main targets here were Curlew Sandpipers, and it didn't take long to pick out three among the carpet of Dunlin. The mudflats were an absolute hive of activity, holding Bar-tailed Godwit, Black-tailed Godwit, Golden Plover, Greenshank, Redshank, and a mixed gathering of Greylag, Pink-footed, and Canada Geese.

At the Snub lay-by, a small flock of Whooper Swans had just alighted on the estuary water, my first of the season. A Peregrine overhead, likely the same bird as earlier, sent shockwaves through the wader flocks, while a surprisingly late Osprey fished directly over the main channel. Little Egrets and Grey Herons lined the banks, with Shelduck, Goosanders, and Eiders dotted the water, and another Curlew Sandpiper was tucked in with Redshanks on the far shore.

Tarty Burn & Inch Road

A quick check at Tarty Burn paid off immediately when Mark picked out a Spotted Redshank on the riverbank. It briefly vanished, but following the channel around the corner revealed not just one, but three Spotted Redshanks feeding together.

Our final Ythan stop at Inch Road pushed our tally over the top: Dozens of Knot feeding on the open mud along with hundreds of Golden Plover resting on the shingle banks and a handful of Turnstones working the rocky stretches, plus at least five Little Egrets gathered on the Foveran Burn

Final Tally

The Knot and Turnstones officially brought our daily wader total to an incredible 18 species. To cap off a brilliant morning, David spotted a pair of Brent Geese resting on the far bank just as we were heading back to the cars. A fantastic morning out with great company and a stellar lineup of autumn migrants.

A Few More Images of the Week...

Dunlin

Turnstone

Little Egret