The Return Journey
14/10/2009
Due to a mountainous pile of washing and the worlds worst washing machines and tumble dryers, the trip got off to a late start. I had about 6 miles to cover and less than 2 hours to do it in. I took the same route as yesterday, as I felt that if I persisted I would get my 2 favourite river birds.
On my way towards the Brig O' Balgownie, I got a sighting of my first Wigeon since uni began. It took until I had crossed the bridge and was on the return route on the north bank of the Don that I found the birds I was looking for. Within about a metre of each other: A Dipper, a bird that I never get bored of seeing, and a Grey Wagtail.
These were the only new birds I saw all afternoon. But there was some mammalian excitement. There were a number of Common Seal patrolling the sea along the beach. Also much further down, there was a Whale of some variety that had got stuck on a sand bar close to shore at low tide. Not technically beached and I presume it will have made its escape when the tide had come back in.
So, not the normal days birding at the beach, but thoroughly enjoyable nonetheless.
Thom
Trip Report
13/10/2009
With lectures and lunch out of the way by noon, I headed out to a new part of the Donmouth nature reserve. On the way up to Brig O' Balgownie, I stumbled upon a lone Hooded Crow, which amazed me as I didn't think that they ranged quite so far east. On arrival at the bridge, I found a juvenile Goosander hidden away in a secluded section of the River Don. It was on the return journey along the opposite bank of the Don that I saw my first Wren since starting uni.
The weather closed in at this point but I was rewarded for my persistence. As I made my way towards the mouth of the Don, I was overwhelmed by the sheer amount of activity in one bush. Although the only bird of note amongst the hustle and bustle within this plant was a Stonechat, which I can only presume is migrating south. I was then graced with the presence of a Sparrowhawk, which flung itself through the bush, failing to catch anything, before perching within a few feet of me.
I then moved on towards the beach, which (due to the torrential rain) was deserted. As the rain began to ease, birds seemed to appear out of the mist. I stumbled upon a Shag, a juvenile Black-Throated Diver and, most incredibly, a pair of Rock Doves.
The only other birds of note today were a pair of Peregrines which were flying around the rooftops of Marischal College.
I know the report didn't have too much readibility, but it was quite a miserable trip despite the highlights. Three hours in the rain alone really isn't the ideal way to spend an afternoon at the beach.
Thom
List Update
11/10/2009
The list page has finally been finished. I have put our lists on there for you to see. I'm just missing the Brent Res List, but that I'll have sorted soon. I'll also be sure to keep the lists updated as and when more things have been added to them.
Thom
October Update
02/10/2009
It's been a while since the first welcome but that is mostly down to a lack of birding during a particularly busy period.
I have moved to Aberdeen to start university and as a result there will be very little in the way of photographic updates. I will, however, be trying to update the lists page as I'm currently building an Aberdeen list and I'll chuck on our year lists and our life lists too.
Anyway, thats about all for now. I'll try and post more regularly from now on.
Thom
Welcome
17/08/2009
Hello all.
This website was created to give 2 birders a place to log their thoughts; their experiences; and, most importantly, their birding lists and photos.
This is a pretty uneventful first post mainly because I'm still putting the site together and also because the Scotland report has yet to be written.
Anyway, enjoy the site and feel free to wander around the pages that currently work. I'll post again when either the site is finished or when Nigel and I have the Scotland report ready for your approval.
Thom