The Ythan and the Clyde - Two Recces

We started the week on Tuesday with Judith and Mike and a recce of potential birding sites for the RSPB mid-week outings. We visited various sites, particularly along the Clyde e.g. Boden Boo, and enjoyed views of common birds. These sites also had good car parking and footpaths so we concluded that at the right time of year they should provide an enjoyable day's birding.

During the day we also found a pair of Little Ringed Plover, but that location will have to remain secret. This photo, taken outwith Scotland, will have to suffice ....

 

Moving on to Friday (19th), having already visited Islay and Mull/Iona in recent weeks using public transport, Lynda and I tried another far-off destination - the Ythan Estuary in Aberdeenshire.

 

 

The estuary held 100s of seals and 4 species of terns, including Little ..

 

 

There were also huge numbers of Eider ducks but more importantly, after much searching, a drake King Eider ...

 

 

The estuary and surrounding gorse proved home to a nice selection of birds including Yellowhammer and Linnet but the star was obviously the King Eider.

 

We travelled back into Aberdeen for a snack and returned later that evening and wondered would this be of interest to those that attend the mid-week Group - as potential additional outings - or could we start a public transport birding group?!