Finally visiting the Musselburgh Lagoons this week. (1 Viewer)

[WhiteTailed22]

Been a long time coming but I finally have the chance to do a bit of birdwatching / photography at the Musselburgh Lagoons this week.

Quite happy to write a report afterwards if I have a successful day too.

As this is my first visit, the lagoons are fairly unfamiliar to me. Could anyone point me in the direction of the best spots around the lagoons for some birding? Main target is Long Tailed Duck and hopefully a good, varied amount of waders (wader photography is probably my favourite activity on Earth!).

Also, has anyone here been to the lagoons recently and able to report some sightings?

Thanks guys. Very excited.

 

[delia todd]

Hi WhiteTailed

It's some time since I was last there, but there's lots of information on our Opus article, including a map of the site for you to browse through, until somewith with more up to day knowledge comes in.

It;s a good time of year to go.

 

[WhiteTailed22]

Hi WhiteTailed

It's some time since I was last there, but there's lots of information on our Opus article, including a map of the site for you to browse through, until somewith with more up to day knowledge comes in.

It;s a good time of year to go.

Many thanks, Deila!

 

[delia todd]

You're welcome WT.

Sorry, though I seem to have forgotten to give you the link to the article... Musselburgh - BirdForum Opus

 

[david kelly]

There are landscaping works going on at the moment, so access to the seawall is restricted. There aren’t many Long-tailed Ducks yet but there are Velvet Scoters, Red-breasted Mergansers, Slavonian Grebes and a few Surf Scoter. The White-winged Scoter has been seen on the west side of the Esk Mouth. A small flock of Twite is feeding around the seawall, often perching on the new fence.

David

 

[WhiteTailed22]

There are landscaping works going on at the moment, so access to the seawall is restricted. There aren’t many Long-tailed Ducks yet but there are Velvet Scoters, Red-breasted Mergansers, Slavonian Grebes and a few Surf Scoter. The White-winged Scoter has been seen on the west side of the Esk Mouth. A small flock of Twite is feeding around the seawall, often perching on the new fence.

David

Cheers for the advice, David.

 

[david kelly]

1st winter male King Eider there this afternoon too.

David

 

[WhiteTailed22]

1st winter male King Eider there this afternoon too.

David

Thanks again, David.

On the topic of Long Tailed Ducks, when is generally the best time to see them in and around Musselburgh?

 

[david kelly]

Thanks again, David.

On the topic of Long Tailed Ducks, when is generally the best time to see them in and around Musselburgh?

Any time from now onwards. Best in calm seas at high tide.

David

 

[WhiteTailed22]

Any time from now onwards. Best in calm seas at high tide.

David

Thanks again, David. Will let you know how I get on.

Any particularly good spots for waders? Hoping to have a quick look at Aberlady Bay tomorrow as well.

 

[david kelly]

I saw the White-winged Scoter and the male Surf Scoter this afternoon, also had adult and juvenile Little Gulls, an adult Mediterranean Gull and a Great Northern Diver, as well as a Greenshank. If it’s high tide go to the Scrapes for waders. I looked for the young King Eider but it was too choppy and there were unusually few Eiders.

David

 

[WhiteTailed22]

I saw the White-winged Scoter and the male Surf Scoter this afternoon, also had adult and juvenile Little Gulls, an adult Mediterranean Gull and a Great Northern Diver, as well as a Greenshank. If it’s high tide go to the Scrapes for waders. I looked for the young King Eider but it was too choppy and there were unusually few Eiders.

David

Greenshank, that's brilliant. Haven't seen one of them in many years now - high on my list to photograph. Always thought they were wonderful birds.

Do you have much experience with Aberlady Bay at all?

 

[david kelly]

Greenshank, that's brilliant. Haven't seen one of them in many years now - high on my list to photograph. Always thought they were wonderful birds.

Do you have much experience with Aberlady Bay at all?

Yes but it’s a big place, birds can be quite distant. There are Black-tailed Godwits and Little Egrets there just now, plus thousands of Pink-footed Geese.

David

 

[WhiteTailed22]

Yes but it’s a big place, birds can be quite distant. There are Black-tailed Godwits and Little Egrets there just now, plus thousands of Pink-footed Geese.

David

Good stuff. I'll try my luck there anyway. I suppose the scrapes at Musselburgh might be more lucrative from a photography point of view. Many thanks again for the help, David. Hugely appreciated.