Week 40

1 - 7 October 2025

During my big year, I will update my blog most weeks. This is the fortieth 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.

October 5 - Day 278: 199

Today, David Leslie brought me to the RSPB outing to Johnshaven. When we arrived, it was still quite windy, but it was just the remains of Storm Amy. We started with some VisMig (visible migration), spotting a few Swallows and many, many Pink-footed Geese. We then did some seawatching, spotting a couple of Red-throated Divers. As we headed south, we found a Hawthorn tree that seemed to accommodate every bird in the village! Everything from Blackbirds, House Sparrows, Dunnocks, Robins, Blue tits, Great tits, Chiffchaffs, and everything in between! Afterwards, we saw a couple Stonechats, and a Kestrel. As well as more Pink-footed Geese, we also watched as Pied Wagtails and Rock Pipits fed in the seaweed-covered rocks. Further on, we saw Tree Sparrows, a Yellowhammer, and even a few Crossbills. After a quick walk around the local woods, seeing only a Song Thrush and a Buzzard, we made our way back to the village. We passed some bushes on the way back, where we saw several Chiffchaffs. We also saw a Sparrowhawk. David Leslie had to leave for Banchory, so I went ahead of the group with him to retrieve my things from his van. I had three delicious slices of French toast that my mum had packed for me in the morning. I started a bit more seawatching and found a distant Arctic Skua, and, closer in, some Red-throated Divers. Thanks to Bob for making sure I arrived safely back in Aberdeen.

Day 278: https://ebird.org/checklist/S278610158

Seawatching from Johnshaven

Shag

Red-throated Divers

Proof that the Earth is round!
The wind turbines are below the horizon.

Week 39 - Scotland Big Year

Week 39

24 – 30 September 2025

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

September 27 - Day 270: 199

Today, we paid Loch of Skene a brief visit. We didn't see very much and didn't stay for very long, but I saw a couple of Whooper Swans and a drake Pintail.

September 28 - Day 271: 199

Today, by bike, I went down to Girdleness, to have a seawatch and search for some autumn migrants. I arrived around 8am, and started by making my way along the Dee, downstream towards the ness. I saw some Eiders, Goosanders, and a Chiffchaff. In Greyhope Bay, I noticed some Turnstones, Ringed Plovers, and Curlews, before arriving at the foghorn. The main things passing were Common Scoters (mostly S), and some Gannets (S), as well as the odd Red-throated Diver. After a while, I went down to St Fittick's Park, in search of passing songbirds. I watched a pair of Chiffchaffs, while keeping an ear out for any other birds. I got Dunnock, Goldcrest, Redpoll, Goldfinch, Bullfinch, Linnet, and, to my surprise, a few Fieldfares. After a while, I cycled back over to Girdleness, spotting a couple Moorhens at the wetlands, on my way. I slowly made my way along the road (now closed to cars) between the allotments and the Battery. When I reached Torry Battery, I met up with my dad and sister, who had now arrived. I had my breakfast in the Greyhope café, before cycling home. Leavng Girdleness, I saw Andrew Whitehouse, who would end up finding a Red-breasted Fly at St Fittick's that afternoon, and a male Blackcap.