Water Rail at Johnston Gardens

The Johnston Gardens Water Rail

21 February 2026

Today, I was hoping to go out to see the rare Egyptian Goose, that has been hanging out with Pink-footed Geese near St Combs. My dad, however, is heading to London tomorrow, on Sunday, so he doesn't have time to bring me. Instead, I decided to go to Johnston Gardens, in the South-West of Aberdeen, since I had received a tip about a Water Rail that was giving great views feeding with the Mallards, at the park. My sister, Maya, was keen to join me, so we headed out by bike, carrying our camera and some dried mealworms, to encourage it coming into the open. Soon, however, my sister got too tired and had to be picked by my dad. I continued and soon arrived at my destination. 

Once I had arrived, I could immediately hear many birds singing, such as Great Tits, Coal Tits, Blue Tits, Robins, a distant Stock Dove, and more. When I arrived at the bench, where the bird was being seen. I set up my bike, took out the mealworms and began waiting. Fortunately, it didn't take long before the Water Rail left the confines of a small rhododendron bush by the water, and joined the already numerous Mallards. I was treated to point-blank views of the Water Rail, as it fed and walked around a mere metre in front of me.

Water Rail with a mealworm

Water Rail

Water Rail

Water Rail

After that lovely encounter, I heard a Goldcrest calling loud and clear nearby. I traced the sound and saw a beautiful male Goldcrest, recognisable by its bright orange (instead of yellow), crest. I tried taking a few photos, but with the bird moving so quickly, I only got a few alright ones. Finally, just as I was packing up, a couple photographers arrived, and I showed them where I had seen the Water Rail before. 

Male Goldcrest

The eBird Checklist I made contains all the photos I took on the day, including more Water Rail photos.

The Return of the Sunshine

13 – 15 February 2026

After over 20 days of grey skies, the sun finally reminded the people of Aberdeen that it exists.

Fri 13 February 2026

Today, on the infamous “Friday the Thirteenth”, I decided I had had enough of sitting at home, so I got dropped off at Girdleness by my dad, at 9:20, and started with a seawatch. I soon gave up, however, since not many birds were passing the foghorn that morning. My main targets for the day was seeing the long-staying Pale-bellied Brent Goose that had been regularly seen feeing on seaweed and moss on the South Breakwater.  I was also hopeful to spot the Great Northern Diver that has been spending its winter in Aberdeen Harbour. 

I started by walking towards Torry Battery, seeing Skylarks and Meadow Pipits in Walker Park, and some waders in Greyhope Bay. The mixed wader flock consisted mainly of Oystercatcher, Purple Sandpiper, and had the odd Curlew, Redshank or Turnstone mixed in. Sadly, since some maintenance work was being done on the South Pier, so the Brent Goose must have found another place to feed, out of sight. However, the old south breakwater was full of birds, probably ones that would have been on the main breakwater. They consisted of Great Black-backed Gulls, Herring Gulls, Common Gulls, a single Shag, some Eiders, more of the same waders I had seen earlier on, and a few Ringed Plovers. 

Shag

Afterwards, I went to St Fittick's, where I was relieved to finally see my first Jackdaw and Dunnock of the year. I also managed to get a great-quality audio recording of some Coal Tits. I also saw many of the common woodland birds here, such as Great Tit, Blue Tit, Robin, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Long-tailed Tit, Wren, Blackbird, and a couple of Song Thrushes.

My Coal Tit Recording

(click to open Maucauly Library)

Back at the foghorn, I saw a Red-throated Diver, which seemed to only surface every twenty minutes(!), 2 Guillemots, some Cormorants, and a raft of Eiders. 

Guillemots

Sat 14 February 2026

Today, we met up with our friend Raymond, at Logie Buchan, on the Ythan. Once we arrived, at around 11am, we joined him and Steve, for a spot of ringing. We were mainly catching Blue Tits, Great Tits, Goldfinches, and Chaffinches, but also managed to get a couple Siskins, both a male and a female, which were the first I've ever ringed. Meanwhile, some other birders were watching a flock of geese near Slains, with a few Tundra Bean Geese, so we decided to go there, after ringing.

When we arrived, we soon saw one of the many geese species in this flock, the Snow Goose. Along with the Snow Goose, there were Pink-footed Geese, White-fronted Geese, a Brent Goose, and some Barnacle Geese. Despite thorough searching, no one in the group of birders we were with could find the 3 Bean Geese.

Barnacle Goose

White-fronted Goose

White-fronted Goose (trust me)

After that, we went to the Snub Layby, just as we got word that just after we had left, a juvenile White-tailed Eagle flew over and scared all the geese away! At the Snub, we saw a few Teal, a single Greenshank, some Bar-tailed Godwits, and some Goldeneye.

Teal at the Snub

Bar-tailed Godwit at the Snub

That evening, at Tarves, on the Ythan, we saw our 6th and final goose species of the day: Greylag Goose.

Sun 15 February 2026

Today we headed out with Ian Broadbent, to look for Jack Snipes, at Inchgarth Reservoir, in the outskirts of Aberdeen. Just minutes before we arrived, we received a message from Ian on the ABZ Scarce Bird WhatsApp Group, that a Slavonian Grebe was on the reservoir. When we got there, I spent much longer than necessary getting ready, but we luckily managed to get splendid views of the “Slav Grebe” as it fished reasonably near to us. At times, we could even see the stunning red eye that comes with their otherwise rather drab non-breeding plumage. On the reservoir, we also saw a few Wigeon and a juvenile Mute Swan.

Slavonian Grebe

After that lovely encounter, we walked towards the flooded fields, where we would try to look for the Jack Snipes, and seeing a Buzzard along the way.

Buzzard

Before long, we flushed a couple Common Snipes, which was a good sign. Ian flushed another Snipe, before he suddenly shouted, “JACK SNIPE!”, we watched the Jack Snipe, which was noticible smaller than the Snipe, fly across the sky and land again in another part of the field.

Jack Snipe

After that, we saw a Pheasant, and two more Snipe, but weren't able to reconnect with the Jack Snipe. When we were back at the entrance to the reservoir, we saw a few gulls, and the Slavonian Grebe was still present, we also were greeted by a flock of boisterous Long-tailed Tits.

After that, we went to Aboyne, since the sun had started peeking out from behind the clouds and we weren't going to miss an oppourtunity like that. We had a short walk along the Dee and went for cakes at the Spider on a Bicycle, which had some of the best hot chocolates I've ever had.

Ring-necked Duck - Lifer!

My lifer Ring-necked Duck

11 February 2026

Loirston Loch, Aberdeen

Today, after many reports of a drake Ring-necked duck at Loirston loch over the past week, my dad and I decided to try to get this nemesis species of mine, which I have dipped on multiple occasions, most notably in October of last year. Since arriving from French Polynesia, I had a lot to catch up on with homework, and when the half-term began, I fell ill, and we had to stay at home. The weather clearly isn't wanting us to go out birding, since with the record for the longest ever period without sunshine in Aberdeen (over 14 days), was just set. The previous record was set nearly 70 years ago.

© Met Office UK

However, while my sisters were at their friends' house and my mum at work, we made the most of my dad's lunch break, to try to see this bird. When we arrived, I instantly saw a few Wigeon and Goldeneye, as well as the large flock of Tufted Ducks in the distance. I tried scanning the ducks on the water, looking for the Ring-necked Duck, but without luck. When passing though security at the airport in Tahiti (Fa'a'ā International Airport), my tripod handle was taken away, since it was considered to be a “tool”, since then, I wasn't able to stabilise my tripod when using my scope. With this disadvantage, I had to approach the birds, and, before too long, I spotted the drake Ring-necked Duck, in a small group of Tufted Ducks, I tried my best to take a photo, and managed to get a few record shots.

Ring-necked Duck (centre)

with Tufted Ducks and a Coot (front)

Ring-necked Duck (centre) 

with Wigeons, Coots, and a Tufted Duck.

Unlike the Tufted Duck, which is common in nearly all of Europe, the Ring-necked Duck, is a vagrant from North America. It breeds in Southern Canada, and some northern US states. It winters in the Caribbean, southern USA, and Mexico.

Ring-necked Duck range map

It can be differentiated from Tufted Duck, by its grey flanks with white “spur”, its crown, which it peaked at the back of its head, and the rings on its bill, which aren't apparent in its European counterpart.

Birding in Tahiti

Edgar Joly

In this post, I will be writing about birding on Tahiti and Mo'orea, two islands in the Windward Islands, an archipelago belonging to French Polynesia, an overseas territory of France. The capital city of the islands, is Pape'ete, on the largest island of Tahiti. Unfortunately, it is not the best for a birding holiday, due to the lack of species diversity, though it has its fair share of endemic species, which are worth seeing.

Map of French Polynesia

Moorea

Moorea is Tahiti’s “wilder sister”, being less populated and less built-up. The island is also much smaller. To see many birds, a good site to visit is Opunohu Valley. Here, you have a chance of seeing, or more likely, hearing a Grey-Green Fruit Dove. This species is endemic to Tahiti and Moorea, and spends most of its time in higher altitude areas. Another species you have the chance of seeing here, is Young’s Society Kingfisher, a subspecies of Society Kingfisher, found on Moorea. The nominate subspecies is found on Tahiti. Unlike the nominate race, the Young’s Society Kingfisher has a brown back, as opposed to the blue back in birds from Tahiti.

Grey-Green Fruit Dove

Upon entering Opunohu Valley, you will come across a series of small fishponds, a great place to see many interesting bird species. The fishermen there will often let you walk right in and show you some of the birds. These can include Pacific Black Duck, Wandering Tattler, and Pacific Golden Plover. The locals also leave out food for the Black ducks, in the evening, and they can come within a few feet of you. While visiting these pools, you may also see Great Crested Terns and Pacific Reef-Herons, though these two species, as well as the Wandering Tattlers, are fairly regularly found around the coasts of Tahiti and Moorea. 

Pacific Black Duck

Tahiti

Tahiti is the largest island in all of French Polynesia, and is home to nearly 70% of Polynesian people. It is also home to two endemics, and two near-endemic bird species. By far one of the best locations to see as many of the birds as possible is Papeno’o Valley. Among the valleys in the Windward Islands, this is one of the rare ones open to the public. Here, as long as you come with a guide, you can expect to see Grey-Green Fruit Dove, Society Kingfisher, Crimson-backed Tanager, Tahiti Swallow, and, rarest of all, Tahiti Reed Warbler. The Tahiti Swallow was formerly considered a subspecies of the Pacific Swallow/Welcome Swallow complex, but was recently split following taxonomic advancements.

Tahiti Reed Warbler

Tahiti Swallow

For most visiting birders, including myself, the main target species, is Tahiti Monarch, this bird is one of the rarest in the world, now only found in 3 small valleys in Eastern Tahiti; Maruapo Valley, Hopuetamai Valley, and Papehue Valley, the latter being the species’ stronghold. Its current extent of occurrence is roughly 4 km², meaning a single cyclone or tropical storm could be the end of this rare and magnificent species. On the other hand, the MANU-SOP (Ornithological Society of Polynesia) are working around the clock, ensuring the survival of the Tahiti Monarch, and safeguarding their future. To see this species, you will need to contact MANU, via social media, or their website (manu.pf). Due to their low population (<100) they are regarded as Critically Endangered. When trying to find Tahiti Monarch, you have good chances of also seeing Tahiti Swiftlet, endemic to the Society Islands.

Tahiti Monarch

Tahiti Swiftlet

The canal at Rue Francis Puara Cowan in Papeete is a well-known site due to the presence of Little Heron of the subspecies B. A. patruelie, only found on Tahiti and the Society Islands.

Little Heron (Tahiti)

To see the Black-headed Weaver on Tahiti, go to the Vairai Park, in Punaauia, where they breed. You should be able to see them, especially in the middle of the day, when they go to bathe in the stream in the North-West corner of the park.

Black-headed Weaver

To get good view of Black Noddy, you can visit the “Black Noddy Tree”, in Taravao, where a colony of about 50 birds can be seen all year round. They are used to people and will fly down to the busy road, to collect nesting material. 

Black Noddy

If the seas are calm, and you book a tour, then you can have the chance to visit Tetiaroa Atoll, North of Pape’ete. Here, the guides will bring you to Bird Island, where you can see the countless breeding birds here. These include Red-footed, and Brown Booby, Lesser and Great Frigatebirds, Great Crested, White, Sooty, and Grey-backed Terns, and Brown, and Black Noddies. The wooded areas are also home to Long-Tailed Koel (aka New Zealand Cuckoo), from November-January. The Bristle-thighed Curlew, is also found, from September to May, when it can be seen feeding on the beaches, and preparing for its long migration to back to Alaska.

Tetiaroa Atoll from above

Ornithologie en Polynésie Française

Edgar Joly

La Polynésie Française est un ensemble d'îles dans l'océan Pacifique du Sud. C'est un territoire d'outre-mer de France, situé entre les îles Cook et l'île de Pitcairn, des territoires britanniques. L'aéroport de Faa'a, près de Papeete, la capitale, relie Tahiti et ses îles au reste du monde. Souvent un endroit où les touristes viennent se détendre sous un palmier ou se baigner dans des eaux paradisiaques, la Polynésie est aussi un endroit magnifique pour l'observation des oiseaux.

La Polynésie Française

Moorea

La sœur « sauvage » de Tahiti, Moorea est moins peuplée et plus connue pour sa nature que Tahiti. Pour voir des oiseaux, les meilleurs endroits sont dans la vallée d'Opunohu, où vous pouvez trouver des Ptilopes de la Société, une espèce endémique à Tahiti et Moorea. Leurs cris peuvent être entendus d'assez loin et résonnent dans la jungle dense. Si vous êtes très chanceux, vous pouvez même les voir perchés ou volant entre les arbres. Dans la même vallée se trouve le Martin-chasseur de Young, une sous-espèce endémique à Moorea, qui n'a pas le bleu sur le dos contrairement au Martin-chasseur vénéré de Tahiti.

Ptilope de la Société

À l'entrée de la vallée d'Opunohu se situe une série de lacs artificiels, où les habitants pêchent des crevettes. Ici, on peut voir des Canards à sourcils, des Pluviers fauves, des Aigrettes sacrées, des Sternes huppées et des Chevaliers errants.

Chevaliers errants

Canard à sourciles

Tahiti

Tahiti est la plus grande île de Polynésie Française. C'est aussi là où habitent presque 70 % des Polynésiens. Sur cette île, il y a trois espèces endémiques : le Salangane de Tahiti, la Rousserolle à long bec et le Monarque de Tahiti. Pour voir des oiseaux, les meilleurs endroits sont dans les vallées, mais beaucoup sont inaccessibles au public. Pour voir le plus d'endémiques possible, allez à la vallée de Papenoo, au nord-est de Tahiti. Un guide est essentiel, et un véhicule 4×4 aussi. Ici, vous pouvez voir, en arrivant dans la vallée, des Tangaras à dos rouge. Originaire du Panama et de Colombie, cette espèce a été introduite en 1923. Un autre oiseau commun dans ces endroits est l'Hirondelle de Tahiti, qui faisait partie de l'espèce d'Hirondelle messagère avant d'être séparée en 2023. Mais l'oiseau le plus spectaculaire que vous aurez la chance de voir dans la vallée de Papenoo est la Rousserolle à long bec. Les jeunes sont les plus curieux et plus faciles à voir que les adultes noirs. Une cousine de la Rousserolle à long bec est la Rousserolle de Moorea, qui n'avait pas été documentée depuis 1921.

Rousserolle à long bec

Hirondelle de Tahiti

Pour voir les deux autres endémiques (Salangane et Monarque), il faudra aller dans la vallée de Papehue (contacter MANU). Les Salanganes sont assez faciles à voir, et dans cette vallée, vous pouvez observer leur colonie, l'une des trois connues. Les Monarques de Tahiti sont faciles à observer et sont parfois très curieux. Il y a plusieurs nids dans la vallée, où l'on peut rester et regarder les adultes nourrir leurs jeunes avec des insectes. Cette espèce est en danger critique d'extinction car il reste seulement 25 à 100 individus dans le monde entier. Heureusement, les efforts de MANU aident les populations de Monarques à augmenter.

Monarque de Tahiti

Nid de Monarque

Salangane de Tahiti

Le parc de Vairai, à Punaauia, est un petit parc urbain où se trouve le Tisserin à tête noire, l'un des plus jolis oiseaux de Polynésie. Ces oiseaux viennent d'Afrique subsaharienne où ils construisent des nids avec des brins d'herbe.

Tisserin à tête noire

Le canal sur la rue Francis Puara Cowan à Papeete est un endroit reconnu pour la présence de l’Héron des mangroves de la sous-espèce B. a. patruelie, sur Tahiti et les îles de l’archipel des Sociétés.

Heron des mangroves

En conclusion, la Polynésie française est un endroit où beaucoup de touristes viennent se détendre, mais ne prêtent pas attention aux oiseaux. La meilleure période pour visiter est l'été ou l'automne, car c'est pendant la saison sèche, et votre chance d'arriver dans une semaine de pluie diminue. Durant notre séjour, en janvier, il a plu pendant quelques jours, sinon, on a été assez chanceux en termes de temps.