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.