North-East Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Birding in North-East Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Location

North-East Scotland is one of the less populated areas of the UK. The region is bordered by the North Sea to the east and the Grampian mountains inland, with the towering Ben Macdui (2nd highest peak in the UK). The area's largest lake (or "loch") is the Loch Muick, near Ballater. The winding rivers of the Don and the Dee, flow from the Cairngorms NP down to the historic harbour town of Aberdeen. The region is rich in offshore oil and this industry employs a large amount of Aberdonian residents. North-east Scotland's blend of coastal, mountainous, and agricultural habitats creates a unique environment for birds.

Birdlife  

Due to its location in the UK's North, North-East Scotland is a great place for many types of bird. Charismatic Puffins breed on the many costal cliffs, and Golden Eagles can be found soaring in the inland valleys. As well all as this, Glaucous and Iceland gulls are regulars winter and passage visitors from the high arctic. Being so north, however, means that Little Egrets are only just starting to get established, and Woodlarks and Stone Curlews are great rarities.

Home, Sweet Home

In 2020, my mum got a 5-year position at the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. I started to get into birding around this time. As we would go for family walks around Aberdeen and further afield, I started to spot birds that I had seen in my field guide. Eventually I set up an eBird account and found much information on birding in the region. I also started borrowing books from the library, including bird atlases and more field guides. Since joining the RSPB local group, I have learned way more than I had ever expected. My local patch is now Girdleness, a wonderful migration hotspot, just outside of Aberdeen.