Week 34 - Scotland Big Year

Week 34

20 – 26 August 2025

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

August 21 - Day 233: 193

After my first day back to school, on Thursday, my dad picked me up to drive up to Macduff of a pelagic boat trip. We wrapped up for an Antarctic expedition before meeting the other birders. Our charter boat was the “Seacat”, the same one used for the White-billed diver tours in April/May. As we went out of the harbour, we didn't see very much, other than a few Gannets and the odd Guillemot. Later on, we had a Puffin encounter, with one sitting on the sea near the boat. It was when we reached the Southern Trench and started throwing out chum, that the birds started to come in. Firstly, many Gannets started to circle the boat and dive into the water, right in front of us! Then came the Fulmars, which tailed the rear of the boat, watching for any scraps left by the Gannets. Before long, we had our first Manx Shearwater, followed by three more. A Great Skua also came to see what was going on, but soon left. Eventually, we headed back towards Macduff, however, we still we were throwing out chum, in case in of the rare seabirds in the North Sea would come in. Soon enough, a dark shearwater flew past the boat and circled around; Sooty Shearwater! I admired this bird (a lifer!) as it flew right past us countless times. Often close enough to take photos from a phone! While we were watching the Sooty Shearwater, I was alerted of a Pomarine Skua overhead. I snapped some photos since this was yet another lifer! After watching the Kittiwakes, Gannets, Fulmars and the one Sooty Shearwater, flying behind the boat, we had a couple of distant Arctic Skuas. Sadly, it was soon becoming rather late, and we had run out of fish to feed the birds. So the birds soon left. But the Sooty Shearwater, now accompanied by a second bird, couldn't leave without a final goodbye, as they glided over the water's surface, effortlessly. Back in Macduff harbour, we saw some Swifts, before leaving the other birders and heading back to Aberdeen.

August 23 - Day 235: 194

Today, we weren't planning very much until news came in of a Balearic Shearwater heading north off Todhead, from Paul Baxter. We therefore decided to go to Girdleness, to see if it will pass on its trajectory northward. When we arrived, Rob Leslie and Andrew Whitehouse were already looking for it. I set up my scope, while my dad and sister went back home, and started watching. We had many Manx Shearwaters, as well as a Great Skua and 2 Arctic Skuas. Some Whimbrel were also going past. Eventually, Andrew spotted a suspicious shearwater. Indeed, upon further inspection, it was confirmed to be the Balearic Shearwater. I barely saw it for half a second, but I couldn't have asked for much more. I had got 4 year ticks in just over a week! 

Day 233: https://ebird.org/checklist/S268791460

Day 235: https://ebird.org/checklist/S268953295

Gannet

Pomarine Skua

Sooty Shearwater

Great Black-backed Gull

Kittiwake

Kittiwake

Fulmar

Fulmar

Gannet

Gannet

Great Skua

Week 33 - Scotland Big Year

Week 33

13 – 19 August 2025

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

August 14 - Day 226: 190

On Thursday, an RSPB outing was due at the Ythan Estuary. With my dad away working in Oxford, my mum took to the wheel and drove us up for a day on the beach. Arriving in one piece, we soon met the other birders and started walking along the new boardwalk. When we arrived at the point, we realised that the haar would make spotting birds very difficult. Despite hearing many Sandwich terns, they all seemed like ghosts flying around us. After, Daryl Short, the reserve warden, gave a short talk on how the season went for the birds nesting at Forvie NNR. It turned out to be one of the best years since he'd been working at the reserve, with one of the highest fledgling rates of Sandwich Terns, Little Terns and other species. By the time he had finished, the fog had lifted to clear blue skies. As we scanned the shingle, we saw Dunlins, Sanderlings, Ringed Plovers, a Knot, and a few Curlews. We then walked to the Tin Hut, where we saw our first Whimbrel of the day, as well as a Bar-tailed Godwit and some Golden Plovers and Redshanks. Because of a report of three Spoonbills at Tarty Burn, we went there instead of completing the loop. I went with Rob Leslie and Mark Sullivan - thanks for the ride! - since my mum and sisters wanted to stay. We soon got the Spoonbills, although they would often hide in a narrow channel, where we could not see them. While waiting for them to pop up again, I took some time to appreciate the Lapwings, Greenshanks, and Grey Herons, which were giving good views. We also watched as up to three Ospreys dived into the river to catch fish. Back at the car park, I noticed a large flock of Lapwings and other waders flying around. I looked up to see a Peregrine Falcon circling above us. I quickly let the word out to the other members of the group, and we watched this impressive hunter glide over the estuary.

Some more birders had to leave, but those remaining went to the Snub lay-by, where we saw many of the same species, as well as some Greylag Geese and Canada Geese. We also counted up to 8 Ruff in a flock of Redshanks and Lapwings, a welcome surprise! While eating my sandwich, I noticed a raptor flying over head, to my surprise, it turned out to be a young Marsh Harrier, not a very regular species on the Ythan.

Afterwards, we drove up to St Combs beach, where we proceeded to walk over the to the small boat haven, where the bird had been seen. Unfortunately, there weren't any birds in the harbour, since some children had been playing in the water. After a bit of waiting David Capon, who had been on site, left to check Cairnbulg, if there was any sign of the bird. We stayed, along with Ron Macdonald, and were joined by Ruth Howie and David White. While waiting for the bird, we watched Gannets dive into the water, and the passing Fulmars. Eventually, we gave up and went for an Ice cream in Inverallochy, to call it a day. 

August 16 - Day 228: 190

Today, we decided to head up to the Ythan, to see what birds, in particular, waders, were about. We started at Inch Point, where we watched Greenshanks, Grey Herons, and a Little Egret, feeding at Foveran Burn. We then went to the Snub lay-by, where we saw up to three Ospreys (most likely the same ones as last time) fishing up stream. There were also a few Ruff, some of which allowing close views as they fed near the water's edge. After that, we drove up to Cruden Bay, where we had lunch before going back home.

August 17 - Day 229: 191

The next day, we drove up Deeside, to arrive at Glen Tanar, near Aboyne, mainly in search of Golden Eagle. We hiked the Old Pine trail, going down to the bridge over Tanar water. After having a picnic on the rocks, by the stream, we walked a few more kilometres, spotting a Scotch Argus Butterfly, and some regular pinewood species, such as Coal Tits, Great Tits, Blue Tits, Long-tailed Tits, and Goldcrests. Once we had arrived at the viewpoint, I started scanning the horizon for raptors. Just as we were about to leave, I noticed a speck in the distance; Golden Eagle! Unfortunately, by the time I had set my scope up on it, it had gone behind a distant cloud and we could no longer see it. Near the car park, we heard a Jay, and had a flyover Goshawk, our 4th raptor species of the day, along with Buzzard and Red Kite.

Day 226: https://ebird.org/checklist/S267317741 ; https://ebird.org/checklist/S267318220

Day 228: https://ebird.org/checklist/S267626576

Day 229: https://ebird.org/checklist/S267880796

Greenshank & Redshank

Spoonbill

Spoonbill

Grey Heron

Juvenile Ruff

Scotch Argus

Tanar Water

Week 32 - Scotland Big Year

Week 32

6 – 12 August 2025

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

August 9 - Day 221: 188

Today, we woke up at 7am, to go to Girdleness where we would meet Raymond. When we arrived, he saw him checking Shag darvic-rings from the foghorn. While watching the Shags, we also saw Razorbills, juvenile Kittiwakes, a Fulmar, and some Turnstones. We then walked down towards Torry Battery, where we ringed some Swallow chicks. After a short walk along the beach, we walked up to the café, spotting a juvenile Buzzard, a very unusual sight here, getting chased by gulls, terns, and even gannets, out to sea. While having some drinks in the café, an Osprey flew past the window, my second patch tick within an hour!

August 10 - Day 222: 189

After reports of an American Golden Plover at Peterhead, for the past two days, on Sunday, we finally decided to give it a shot. But, with a Curlew Sandpiper in partial breeding plumage on the Ythan, we had to stop. Despite having left my scope with Raymond yesterday, and not having it today, I managed to pick the Curlew Sandpiper out in the flock of Dunlin and Ringed Plovers, with little difficulty. Even though I managed to get reasonably close to the bird, the light wasn't great, so most of the photos are back-lit. Other birds in the vicinity included Golden Plovers, a Greenshank, some Lapwing, and a Grey Heron. 

Afterwards, we arrived at Peterhead to find a large flock of at least 100 Golden Plovers, out on the rocks, despite a thorough search, and with Mark Sullivan helping us out, neither of the two birds (one now believed to be a Pacific Golden Plover), were anywhere to be seen. We did however spot an Arctic Skua and saw many handsome Golden Plovers in their pristine breeding coats. After lunch, we headed back south, stopping at Meikle loch in search of Ruff. Without a scope, spotting was very difficult, and without any definitive evidence, I dismissed them as Redshanks. I did, however, spot a young Kittiwake, a rather unusual bird to see inland.

Day 221: https://ebird.org/checklist/S266014414

Day 222: https://ebird.org/checklist/S266402540

Dark Green Fritillary

Curlew Sandpiper ; a lifer!

Devil's Bit Scabious

Week 31 - Scotland Big Year

Week 31

30 July – 5 August 2025

During my big year, I will update my blog most weeks. This is the thirty-first 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.

August 1 - Day 213: 198

Today, my dad brought my grandpa and I to Wytham woods, before work, in search of Marsh tit. We soon discovered, however, that it was shut until 10am and that we needed a permit to enter. In the half hour we were there, we heard Treecreepers and a Nuthatch, before deciding to go to Farmoor Reservoir, instead, and it was a good idea, to say the least!

We took the bus from Botley, which we missed by just a few seconds, and arrived at Farmoor village 9:20am. We arrived at the reservoir 20 mins later. Before very long, I noticed a small yellowish wagtail. Later that day, I was able to confirm my suspicions of a juvenile Yellow Wagtail. Moments later, I noticed a “Larus” gull, feeding on a dead fish. I snapped some photos, confirming with some other birders that it was a Yellow-legged Gull! I then continued walked across the causeway, spotting an adult and juvenile Dunlin. I processed to walk back to the east side of the reservoirs. I walked around the north reservoir, since a female Ruddy Duck had been seen earlier that morning. I took some time to photograph a juvenile Common Tern and to show a female Red-crested Pochard to a walking group. They told me that some birders had just shown them the Ruddy Duck and pointed me in the right direction. Indeed, the next group of birders had cameras pointed at the large flock of Great-crested Grebes. The showed me the Ruddy Duck, in the flock of grebes, not only a year tick but a lifer! I continued walking, seeing some Chiffchaffs, the Yellow-legged Gull, an Egyptian Goose, a massive group of Coot, 5 Little Grebes and a couple Cormorants. At this point, I had been satisfied with my sightings and the calories I had burnt off! Therefore, my grandpa and I took the bus back to Botley, where we had lunch with my dad. We then proceeded to take 2 more buses back to our home.

August 2 - Day 214: 199

While my sisters were at some friends house, my parents, grandpa and I went to London Luton Airport again. On the way, we stopped at Aston Rowant NNR, in the Chilterns, in search of Silver-spotted Skipper and Chalk Hill Blue. My goal was to see a total of 10 butterfly species that day. Our first was Gatekeeper, followed shortly by Green-veined White, Small White, Large White, Meadow Brown, and Speckled Wood. Then, we saw a Small Heath, and, while I was trekking through the chalk grasslands, I noticed my first target: the Chalk Hill Blue (lifer!) as well as a Common Blue. My next target was going to be harder to find, but after a little while, I noticed on the path in front of me, a Silver-spotted Skipper. I later saw some more and a Six-spot Burnet moth. Birdwise, I got my first Green Woodpecker of the year. #UK 199!

At College Lake, that afternoon we didn't see much other than a Brimstone, Red Admiral and a Hobby.

August 3 - Day 115: 200

On our way up north from Oxford, we stopped at RSPB Baron's Haugh, in South Lanarkshire, in search of some Scottish year ticks. I saw a couple Nuthatches before entering the Marsh hide. There were Mallards, Teal, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Coot, and, to my delight, 3 Green Sandpipers. Happy with our sightings, and needing to hit the road again, we put an end to our short but fun birding session.

August 5 - Day 117: 200

Today, due to a storm yesterday, we went to Girdleness to see what was kicking about. Unfortunately, seconds after our arrival, it started raining. Therefore, my dad and sisters stayed in the car while I got out to do some seawatching. As I was getting my scope out of the car, I noticed an immature “Larus” gull, with a pale head and broad, black terminal band. Over the three years I've been birding for, I have seen too many self-proclaimed Caspian Gulls, but this one was different. Deciding not to do any seawatching, I followed the gull, getting distracted by a Painted Lady and a pale-morph Arctic Skua. While scanning Greyhope bay, I saw a flock of Turnstones, Kittiwakes, and some Sandwich Terns. Suddenly, the gull flew past and I managed to get some record shots. 

Day 113: https://ebird.org/checklist/S264195631

Day 114: https://ebird.org/checklist/S264510726 ; https://ebird.org/checklist/S264512133

Day 115: https://ebird.org/checklist/S264842197

Day 117: https://ebird.org/checklist/S265448933

Juvenile Yellow Wagtail

Yellow-legged Gull in flight

Dunlin adult in breeding plumage

Dunlin juvenile

Juvenile Common Tern

Female Red-crested Pochard

Female Ruddy Duck

Large flock Coot

Little Grebe

Yellow-legged Gull

Cormorants

Leucistic Mallard

Chalk Hill Blue

    

Silver-spotted Skippers

Large White

Gatekeeper

Male Brimstone

Green Sandpiper

Green Sandpiper

Green Sandpiper

Painted Lady

Caspian Gull?!?

Week 30 - Scotland Big Year

Week 30

23 – 29 July 2025

During my big year, I will update my blog most weeks. This is the thirtieth week’s recap. This week, we took some more time off to go to Oxford. The number next to the day indicates my year list at the end of that day. Birds written in italics indicate year ticks.

July 26 - Day 207: 192

After waking up at 6am this morning, my dad and I went to my local patch, when we're in Oxford: Otmoor RSPB. Over the past few weeks, a Glossy Ibis had been seen. We arrived at 25 past 6, being some of the first on-site. Before long, a couple of white birds flew over the wetlands; Cattle Egret. We kept walking, until we arrived at the first screen. Due to the drought in the region at the moment, there were a couple muddy banks, where a pair of Little Ringed Plovers were feeding. In the tree at the centre of the pond were countless Cattle Egrets and some Cormorants. Swimming in the deeper water was a Great Crested Grebe, with its chick on its back, a Pochard, Mallards, and a Gadwall. Suddenly, a flash of blue landed on an overhanging branch, Kingfisher! We said goodbye to the birders there and walked to the second screen, spotting a Gatekeeper butterfly on the way. Once we had arrived, we immediately noticed the Common Terns, that were nesting on a platform. While I was setting up my scope, I took interest in a dark bird, wading through the shallows. My dad asked if it was the ibis. I lifted my binoculars and, low and behold, the Glossy Ibis was there! I got some great digiscoped photos, as it waded near an area of reeds. Back at the first screen, we let the other birders know of the Ibis at the other screen, and sat down to see if any other birds had turned up. We saw some Snipe, Lapwing, and Marsh Harriers. Back near the car park, we met some other birders, watching a Cetti's Warbler.

July 27 - Day 208: 193

On our way to London Luton Airport, to pick up my grandpa, we stopped at Wilstone Reservoir, near Aylesbury, for a bit of birding. It was very hot when we arrived, and we had to put on a lot of sun cream, but it was worth it. I saw Greylag Geese, Canada Geese, a Pochard, Tufted Ducks, Mallards, Lesser Black-backed Gulls and Herring Gull, from my first scan. We walked along the bank, spotting Little Egrets, Little Ringed Plovers, a Lapwing, and some Common Terns. We walked around to the perpendicular bank, where we saw many of the same species, as well as a Grey Heron.

With still some time to kill, we went to BBOWT College Lake, where we saw the same kinds of bird, as well as a Hobby.

July 28 - Day 209: 194

The next day, while my dad went to work, my grandpa and I walked to Port Meadow, after a reasonable walk, we arrived. I was immediately surprised by the free-roaming cattle and horses, they didn't seem to bother much about the people, but they would not stop walking right in front of my scope! As I scanned some geese in the distance, I noticed a couple of Egyptian Geese and a Greylag x Barnacle Goose. Other than some more Egyptian Geese and their chicks, and many Pied wagtails, there wasn't much to be seen.

Day 207: https://ebird.org/checklist/S262757321

Day 208: https://ebird.org/checklist/S263203793 ; https://ebird.org/checklist/S263205239

Day 209: https://ebird.org/checklist/S263338615

Little Ringed Plovers at Otmoor

Snipe feeding

Common Tern adult and juvenile

Glossy Ibis

Glossy Ibis

Glossy Ibis

Cattle Egrets

Kingfisher perched on a branch