Wild in Aberdeen - City and Shire (4 Viewers)

[delia todd]

Oooh!!! Well done Jimmy. Super pictures to get of a Lifer - many congratulations laddie.

 

[Gander]

Very nice! Well done. :t:

 

[Stonefaction]

Any tips on where is best around Portsoy-Fraserburgh area for Black Guillemot? Also if Findlater Castle is the likeliest spot in the Portsoy area for White Billed Diver. Anything else around in the northeast corner of Aberdeenshire (from Aberdeen to Portsoy) of interest? Heading up that way tomorrow but want to maximise the opportunity so any help very welcome. Thanks in advance.

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

Any tips on where is best around Portsoy-Fraserburgh area for Black Guillemot? Also if Findlater Castle is the likeliest spot in the Portsoy area for White Billed Diver. Anything else around in the northeast corner of Aberdeenshire (from Aberdeen to Portsoy) of interest? Heading up that way tomorrow but want to maximise the opportunity so any help very welcome. Thanks in advance.

Not too sure on the Portsoy stuff (though I think Black Guillemot is reasonably common on that coast). There's been Spoonbill and Green-winged Teal at Strathbeg and King Eider on the Ythan recently, so those are probably worth looking for.

 

[Stonefaction]

Thanks, Andrew.

 

[Ian Bell]

Troup Head for the Gannets and Auks,Is worth a visit Barry and you may be lucky and pick out a Black Guilliemot on the water below.

 

[Ian Bell]

"Elvis" the King Eider was on form this morning on the Ythan,trying to "woo" the female Common Eiders but none really looked "all shook up".A single Whimbrel and summer plumaged Dunlin were about the best of the waders.As I am getting older,I tend to reminisce and compared to when I first started visiting the Ythan In the 1970s,the number of Terns seem to have risen but the Common Eider have dropped largely In numbers.Perhaps the years have clouded my judgement. |8||

 

[Ian Bell]

The city centre Peregrine's breeding has been a success this year again.Adults and young now flying/screeching around for a few days now.

 

[delia todd]

That's great news. Thanks lad.

 

[wokka]

Ythan Trip report

Good afternoon,

My name's Pete and this is my first post to this section. I'm new to birding, but really enjoying it. I live in Kintore but i'm spending a lot of time on the Ythan, and find the variety and volume of birds there really useful for getting my eye in to all the different waders.

I had a great morning on the Ythan Estuary and surrounding area today, probably my best to date. I was fortunate to catch up with the Cranes at Collision crossroads, Greenshank, Little Egret, Spotted Redshank, Black tailed Godwit, Ruff, Golden Plover, Ringed Plovers and the other usual waders.

I've attached a few pictures from today.

Cheers

Pete

 

[Farnboro John]

Good afternoon,

My name's Pete and this is my first post to this section. I'm new to birding, but really enjoying it. I live in Kintore but i'm spending a lot of time on the Ythan, and find the variety and volume of birds there really useful for getting my eye in to all the different waders.

I had a great morning on the Ythan Estuary and surrounding area today, probably my best to date. I was fortunate to catch up with the Cranes at Collision crossroads, Greenshank, Little Egret, Spotted Redshank, Black tailed Godwit, Ruff, Golden Plover, Ringed Plovers and the other usual waders.

I've attached a few pictures from today.

Cheers

Pete

Cor, those Cranes are nice. Where is Collision Crossroads?!!

John

 

[delia todd]

Bit of a misspelling there John. Collieston - map link there.

Unless someone knows different, of course LOL

 

[wokka]

Whoops, dam auto corrrect!😀

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

If drivers get distracted by the Cranes, it could easily become Collision Crossroads! But, I suspect it's Collieston Crossroads.

I've not seen anything as good as Pete lately, though I did see my first Pink-footed Geese of the autumn yesterday evening - around 90 flying almost straight up Union Street in the centre of Aberdeen.

 

[Ian Bell]

Great photos Pete. :t:

 

[Farnboro John]

Bit of a misspelling there John. Collieston - map link there.

Unless someone knows different, of course LOL

Just stopped laughing.... I may have a look on my way to Shetland.

John

 

[Kincraig]

I've spent the last three days wandering through the hills in front of or behind a Duke of Edinburgh group, making sure that they didn't manage to injure themselves or get too lost. Despite carrying all of our kit and food for the time we're out, I always accept the extra weight of a set of good binoculars so that I can use them to a) find out how the group is progressing, b) spot the deer in the hills and c) watch the birds.
Today we had a relatively short walk round the back side of the Cairn O'Mount from Glen Dye to the Clatterin Brig and saw, amongst the meadow pipits, grouse and partridge, numerous raptors. Kestrel, sparrowhawk, red kite, buzzard and a rough legged buzzard. That last one is a new one for me, but I watched it for around 2 minutes and saw it from above, side view and below. A great day out in the hills.

 

[Jimmycq]

Loch of Skene area, a nice flock of finches round the back of the loch, advised to me whilst down the loch yesterday and still there about 2 hours later so may still be around today, circa 50-100 including Chaffinch, Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting, Brambling, a few Tree Sparrow around as well. NJ 77020 07106

 

[delia todd]

That was a grand outing you had yesterday Jimmy.... it must have been lovely to see so many assorted finches.

May I wish you and your family a very happy 2019.

 

[Jimmycq]

Best wishes to you as well Delia, long time no see, need to arrange another bash sometime. ☺