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.