Made a day of birding alone by foot round the Ness today, covering the whole area from the North Bank to Nigg Bay. It was a nice sunny start and I was well prepared for the cold weather. However, I wasn't prepared for a strong southerly wind which basted me for much of my visit.
Yet despite the deceivingly bad weather, the birding was rather good and emphasised the rewards of meticulous checking. The Torry warehouses did not hold any white-winged gulls as largely expected, so it was round to the North Bank. Things started quietly, but at the second breakwater a group of 78 Purple Sandpipers were widely spread amongst a few Redshanks. Walking past the second breakwater, I was pleasantly surprised to flush a single Knot from the rocks; a species I haven't seen too often at the Ness. Further on at Greyhope Bay, another 14 Purple Sandpiper were had, taking today's Purple Sand totaliser up to 92 .
I slogged my way against the wind to the Coo, where I managed to shelter and get some sea-watching in. Although not at sea, the undoubted highlight here and of the day was a Woodcock, flushed from right under my feet on the raised ground by the Coo/foghorn. It flew quite a way and appeared to land somewhere along the South Bank. This bird had almost certainly just come in off the sea; behaviour that's been witnessed country wide since this cold spell so this was fantastic to see. A half an hour seawatch produced a few commoner things, including 3 Red-breasted Mergansers (two drakes and a female) north, 7 Gannets north and a few Fulmars, Kittiwakes, and auks loafing about.
Round to Nigg Bay, which held a Red-throated Diver but not much else. I then turned back, heading across the golf course to try for the Short-eared Owl. As expected due to the wind I was unsuccessful, but I am sure it is still in the area. However, a Redshank scurrying around right at the heart of the golf course was interesting; presumably because it was sheltering from the wind. By Victoria Bridge there was a Sparrowhawk. All in all, a worthwile visit despite the weather.
Joseph
