Trip reports

LONGHAVEN SWT RESERVE

Friday, 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.

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