Trip reports
Montrose Basin
Sunday, 24 February 2008
It was a glorious day - a bit windy and certainly cold but bright blue skies. Indeed the heat on the bus journey going up to Montrose lulled a few of us into thinking that spring had come early. I for one sauntered into the visitor centre with just a fleece on top, leaving warmer layers, hat and gloves on the bus. A few minutes outside though, despite the attractions of large numbers of waterfowl such as wigeon, eiders and goldeneye, resplendent in excellent light, and I was scuttling back to the bus to dress more appropriately!
The morning was spent mostly in the very well equipped and modern visitor centre which offers fantastic views across the basin. Without a doubt the highlight of our morning was a great view of the avocet which had been on site since early January. Keeping company with a number of oyster catchers, it was easy enough to spot - particularly with the help of a number of enthusiastic volunteers and staff at the Centre. Although the RSPB symbol bird is increasing in numbers in favoured locations in the south, it remains a very rare bird in Scotland so to see one in such favourable conditions was a real treat.
The other morning excitement was caused by the report that the Lesser Yellowlegs, a rare North American wader which had been present on the reserve since last November, was showing well further round the bay. Off we raced and a lucky few of us were treated to a reasonably good show of the bird, complete with what looked like a single yellow leg!! Unfortunately it then moved into a deep sandy gully, with only a bit of its head showing, where it remained. Oh well, the joys of birdwatching!
Great crested grebe, greenshank, red throated diver, red throated merganser and large numbers of pintail, looking very dapper in the morning sunshine, contributed to our morning list. We then set off for the far side of the reserve in the company of one of reserve's wardens, whose expertise and local knowledge were much appreciated. Two hides offered good views across the estuary and we saw more wigeon, teal, at least 9 little grebes, mallard and heron. The afternoon's highlight had to be a sizeable flock of twite, close enough to see their distinctive yellow bills, although a great view of 3 green sandpipers - another bird not seen that often - was a close runner-up. Also contributing to a great day were a single snow bunting, large numbers of mute sand whooper swans, and a good few skylark. Fresh air, a bit of exercise, beautiful views, good company and fantastic birds - what better way to spend a Sunday?
Morag King