Over the weekend, we had an excellent two days birding with Stephen.
We started in the mid-afternoon at Frankfield Loch in Glasgow where we managed to see the reported Blue-winged Teal. For those that don't know what it looks like, here is a photo I took in North America.
If you haven't been to Frankfield Loch it is worth a visit as it normally has a good range of birds and, of course, anything can turn up; Pectoral Sandpiper and Osprey have been recorded in recent years!
From Glasgow, we headed north to the Ythan Estuary where we spent the evening birding at 3 different locations - near the estuary mouth, Inch Point and north of the road bridge.
We were rewarded with Little Terns, 3 Spoonbills and a drake King Eider.
The following morning we set off for the Buller's of Buchan and 'seabird city' ..
Here we added Puffin to our year list and had superb views of Kittiwakes, Fulmars, Guillemots and Razorbills on the cliffs and in the water.
The cliffs offered a wonderful spectacle but we couldn't help thinking there were fewer birds than on previous visits.
On the return to the car, we added Tree Sparrow which we found on bird feeders in a local garden!
Leaving the seabirds, we headed further north to the RSPB Loch of Strathbeg Reserve where we were treated with superb views of a Common Tern colony. Other birds seen from here included Buzzard, Dunlin, Lapwing, Gadwall and Shoveler ….
… and close-ups of yet more Tree Sparrows, Goldfinches and a Lesser Redpoll on the bird feeders
Having spent some time at the Visitor centre we drove to the car park for the Fen Hide, although note you can walk.
Walking to the Hide from the car park, we came across a number of butterflies including this Painted Lady ..
On reaching the hide, we had good views over the loch and reedbeds ..
.. and I managed this poor record shot of a distant Marsh Harrier .
.. a nice way to finish our trip.
Thanks to Stephen for all the driving and organising the accommodation.
PS apparently the Blue-winged Teal is still at Frankfield Loch!
If you haven't been to Frankfield Loch it is worth a visit as it normally has a good range of birds and, of course, anything can turn up; Pectoral Sandpiper and Osprey have been recorded in recent years!
From Glasgow, we headed north to the Ythan Estuary where we spent the evening birding at 3 different locations - near the estuary mouth, Inch Point and north of the road bridge.
We were rewarded with Little Terns, 3 Spoonbills and a drake King Eider.
The following morning we set off for the Buller's of Buchan and 'seabird city' ..
Here we added Puffin to our year list and had superb views of Kittiwakes, Fulmars, Guillemots and Razorbills on the cliffs and in the water.
The cliffs offered a wonderful spectacle but we couldn't help thinking there were fewer birds than on previous visits.
On the return to the car, we added Tree Sparrow which we found on bird feeders in a local garden!
Leaving the seabirds, we headed further north to the RSPB Loch of Strathbeg Reserve where we were treated with superb views of a Common Tern colony. Other birds seen from here included Buzzard, Dunlin, Lapwing, Gadwall and Shoveler ….
… and close-ups of yet more Tree Sparrows, Goldfinches and a Lesser Redpoll on the bird feeders
Having spent some time at the Visitor centre we drove to the car park for the Fen Hide, although note you can walk.
Walking to the Hide from the car park, we came across a number of butterflies including this Painted Lady ..
On reaching the hide, we had good views over the loch and reedbeds ..
.. and I managed this poor record shot of a distant Marsh Harrier .
.. a nice way to finish our trip.
Thanks to Stephen for all the driving and organising the accommodation.
PS apparently the Blue-winged Teal is still at Frankfield Loch!
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