Hi Kat
great report, and super photos. Well done. I find it very interesting to read other peoples reports on what is my home patch. I reckon you did very well, at what is a fairly quiet time of year. I'm familiar with all the places you visited, and you saw just what I would have expected to be seen. Pity maybe you didn't spend more time on the Ythan estuary rather than a walk round Forvie Reserve, although to be fair, most of the waders have gone for now. I could have told you that Glen Tanar is not the most exciting place for birds, but very nice for a stroll. I was interested in your comment about oystercatchers nesting well inland. I believe they started doing this in NE Scotland about 50 years ago, and the practice may not be so common elsewhere. We live about 25 miles inland, and I look forward every year to hearing them piping during the night when they return from the coast. That's how I know spring is back! They were very late this year. Aberdeen harbour (well, out towards the lighthouse ) is a well known migrant hotspot especially spring and autumn. I've had quite a few good birds there over the years, and dipped on many more! I'm sure you would enjoy another trip up here, or a move here too. Feel free to make enquiries any time about local birding. There are some good web sites giving up to date info. Or you can have a look at my weblog, address below, to see what you might have seen!
All the best, Ken