Trip reports
GLEN LETHNOT
Sunday, 6 July 2008
The rain stopped as soon as we set off and began to head up the path, but almost immediately we paused to look across the Water of Saughs at a rowan free in front of a wooded area where a number of birds were sighted including Willow Warbler, Dunnock, Meadow Pipit, Treecreeper, Coal Tit and Siskin. A Goldcrest was heard but not seen. We continued north-west along the track spotting both a Curlew and a Grey Heron flying just below the cIoud base which by now was beginning to lift towards the hilltops. Soon we began to see some species typical of the habitat - lots of Wheatears, including some recently fledged, and a number of Stonechats; we were also fortunate to see a few Whinchats. At the side of the water both Pied and Grey Wagtails were seen.
The weather continued to brighten and several raptors were spotted as Common Buzzards, a Kestrel and a family of Peregrine Falcons swooped along the ridge of the hill above us. A group of Rooks occupied a patch of low vegetation on one of the slopes.
Lunch was taken at the foot of Round Hill at a point exactly 2.11 miles from our start point and by this time we were bathed in bright warm sunshine. Afterwards. Paddy and I decided to take the high road back while the rest of the party retraced along the valley. On the ridge several Red Grouse were seen while in the valley a Song Thrush and a Dipper were added to the list.
The group re-assembled at the start point and a look around the area added House Martin, Robin, Common Sandpiper, Mallard, Starling, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Common Gull and Wren. A number of Lapwings were gathering in a small flock near the water and several Grey Herons were stalking around a field. Again close sightings of Mistle Thrush were made.
Returning to Edzell we stopped at a point where previously Redstarts had been sighted but unfortunately not this time. However, a Blackbird was added on the way back, bringing the total for the day to 38, seen or heard.
A good day on the Angus hills expertly led by Rodney Payne
Eric Melrose
LONGHAVEN SWT RESERVE
[11 July, 2008]
By the time a dozen of us assembled at Longhaven SWT Nature Reserve car park the morning promise in Aberdeen of a fine day had turned to heavy rain. While we waited for later arrivals a few Herring Gulls floated overhead and a check at the quarry gave some Black-headed Gulls and two Greater Black-backed Gulls on the water. The wet conditions underfoot made the path to the cliffs too dangerous so we decamped to the car park beside the river Ugie in
Peterhead.
Lapwings
The rain had stopped as we watched Swallows hunting over the water. A Pink-footed Goose accompanied some Whooper Swans with cygnets. A small flock of Common Terns occupied the sand under the bridge. At the edge of the water stood Lapwings, Redshanks and a Common Sandpiper. Herring and Black-headed Gulls stood around, near busy Starlings foraging in the grass.
We moved on to the Visitor Centre at Starnafin. Tree Sparrows were feeding their young by the bird feeder on which a Chaffinch was displaced by a Jackdaw. Swallows, House Martins and Sand Martins swooped above us. Indoors it was no warmer as all the windows were open because rain running down the glass would have obscured the view. A small group of Coots was partially hidden in long grass as were some Wigeon. Other ducks present were Gadwall, Shoveler, Mallard, Teal and Tufted Duck.
A Greenshank stalked across a pool in the middle distance, then several more were seen closer. Redshanks fed in shallow water. A partially hidden Ruff was a good sighting. A roe deer walked across behind a group of Starlings feeding in an area of wet grass. A Buzzard and a Woodpigeon appeared while Curlews were heard calling.
As Dave knew of a Glaucous Gull likely to be present at Fraserburgh Harbour he led us off, after lunch, to try our luck. It proved to be no search at all as the obliging bird was sitting on a bollard in front of the red bow of a boat. We got an excellent view as this background showed its all-white plumage to advantage. There was an absence of other birds and only the heads of a couple of seals showing intermittently in the water. As there was nothing further to detain us we moved round for a sea-watch at Rattray Head.
The sea was grey and fairly rough with waves breaking over the rocks. A House Sparrow braving the conditions perched on the rocks. There was very little on the water except several swimming Shags. Gannets were fishing, some coming quite close inshore. Lines of auks, just above the waves, were hurrying northwards. Kittiwakes, Guillemots, Sandwich Terns and assorted gulls were in the air. An Arctic Skua was picked up far out, then a further two and a Great Skua appeared also near the horizon.
We still had time so a visit to the Snub on the
Ythan on the way home was agreed. En route a Kestrel was added to list. It was bit warmer here. A large expanse of mud was exposed as the tide was out.
A row of Herons was spaced on the far bank behind some Greater Black-backed and Black-headed Gulls. Twenty Canada Geese squatted on the mud while several more consorted with a group of Greylag Geese. Ducks were represented by Mallard, Shoveler, Shelduck and Eider. Oystercatchers, Lapwings, Redshanks and Curlews were present in numbers. A Buzzard appeared over a hill in the distance.
To end the day we moved to the Inch with the large new buildings rather dominating the scene. A Red-breasted Merganser accompanied a group of the usual Eiders in the river while Cormorants dried out on a mudbank. Hunched Curlews and two Black-tailed Godwits fed on the mud. A Ruff showed well then a further three Black-tailed Godwits flew in. A semi-hooded Crow ended the list.
It had proved to be a good day, particularly after the unpromising start at Longhaven and thanks to Dave for his usual skilful leadership.
Bill Williams
A Trip To Coto Doòana
[April 2008]
In April thirteen members flew to Faro in southern Portugal then by hire cars to the town of El Rocío in Spain. El Rocío lies at the edge of the vast Coto Doòana National Park. Access to the Park itself is limited to controlled numbers on guided tours in transport provided by the park authorities. But surrounding the park are protected areas without controlled access and with visitor centres. It was these that we were interested in.
We stayed at a campsite on the edge of El Rocío in mobile homes which provided all the amenities and were reasonably comfortable for two people, but the three ladies who shared one were
rather cramped.
El Rocío is like a town in a western film, the houses mainly two storeys high, with verandas and hitching posts. This is a place of horses with wide streets of sand and dominated by a large, white church.
At the edge of El Rocío is a large, shallow, wet marsh in which horses graze. On our first morning we set up at its edge. On the water was a variety of species including Purple Heron, Red-crested Pochard, White Stork, Spoonbill and Black-winged Stilt. As a Black Kite and Slender-billed Gulls flew over we watched Bee-eaters in trees on the far side of the water. Another sighting was Ian Davies, a teenager from Massachusetts, with remarkable birding skills who frequently joined us on excursions.
On grassy wetlands bordering the town Glossy Ibis, Black-tailed Godwits and Spoonbills were joined a small group of Sacred Ibis: these were found later to be mainly escapes from collections.