Week 12 - Birding By Bike - Scotland Big Year

Week 12

19 – 25 March 2025

During my big year, I will update my blog most weeks. This is the twelfth week's recap. The number next to the day indicates my year list at the end of that day. Birds written in italics indicate year ticks.

March 23 - Day 81: 134

This weekend, since our car was due its MOT, we had to stay local. With Saturday being such a miserable and rainy day, we stayed at home, mostly. On Sunday, however, we managed to get out and cycled up to Seaton Park in search of Dippers. After arriving, we saw a couple of hybrid Carrion x Hooded Crows among the Carrion Crows and Jackdaws. As we walked up river, towards Persley, we saw a drake Goldeneye and a Black-headed gull, as well as a singing Chiffchaff, announcing the arrival of warmer temperatures. As we cycled along the River Don, we saw a pair of Stock doves in the trees, along with a pair of Goldeneye and a male Goosander. Further down river, we heard a Greenfinch and several Wrens and counted as many as 14 Black-headed Gulls, feeding on the river. As we cycled, we noticed a Grey Wagtail waging its tail on a fallen branch in the river accompanied by more Goosanders. Approaching Persley Castle and Walled Garden, we got excited by some Dipper droppings on a rock. Sure enough, within a few minutes a Dipper flew past us, calling loudly. #134! We stopped by the bank of the Don, for a short rest, seeing another Grey Wagtail and 3 Stock Doves, flying around. We were amazed by the number of vocalizing Chiffchaffs. On the way back home, we decided to stop at the "Granny's Kitchen, for a well-deserved lunch. My sisters and I had delicious ham & cheese paninis and my dad had a chicken one, along with the soup of the day, to warm up. Unfortunately, my mum was busy working, so she could not join us on this adventure. While racing through Westburn Park, I noticed that the burn had a pair of Mallards on it, my first time seeing them here.

Ps. Congratulations to my sisters (especially Klara) for cycling on many of the busy roads and up several hills.

Day 81: https://ebird.org/checklist/S220237616