Trip reports

St Abb's Head

Saturday, 28 June 2008

We had had a rather grey early start from Newcastle but as we travelled north the sky started to clear and we spent most of the day in glorious sunshine, with a westerly breeze strong enough to keep us pleasantly cool.
St Abb's Head nature reserve is owned and managed by the National Trust for Scotland. Soon after we arrived (to the sight of a Kestrel hovering above the hill) we were greeted by the warden, who explained that this Berwickshire reserve was probably the most accessible large sea bird colony on mainland Britain, yet it was often overlooked by travellers rushing north along the A1 to Edinburgh. We were told to expect to see Guillemots (in large numbers but probably fewer than the peak population reached in 2003), and Razorbills. In both cases the chicks were now fledging and the birds were staring to leave. Puffins were rather scarce but Kittiwakes were abundant and the young were not yet fledged. We would see Shags, Fulmars, and possibly Shearwaters and Skuas. Peregrine Falcons were also nesting on the cliffs. Inland we might expect Pipits and Skylarks, and around the freshwater Mire Loch, Sedge Warblers, Blackcaps and Reed Buntings.
Shearwaters and Skuas did not show, but otherwise we were not disappointed: we saw all of the species promised (but probably only one Puffin), and rather a lot more besides - a total of 50 species. (Members will remember that bird-lists are published along with this report on our website, or can be obtained on request from the newsletter editor or from Brian Moorhead.)
Among the highlights of the morning's walk along the sea cliffs were a close sighting of a Peregrine, and a Sandwich Tern diving. We sat to eat our lunch overlooking the seabird colony at the north side of the head, and were rewarded with a sighting of a Bridled Guillemot, a number of Kittiwakes with either chicks or eggs, and a Razorbill with a chick.
We walked back along the side of the freshwater Mire Loch, and were rewarded with sightings of (among other species) Reed Bunting and Sedge Warbler. We also eventually found a number of Northern Brown Argos butterflies - a local speciality.
All in all, a splendid day.
Clive Morphet

Bird List:
Fulmar
Gannet
Shag
Grey Heron
Mute Swan
Mallard
Kestrel
Peregrine Falcon
Common Buzzard
Pheasant (H)
Moorhen
Oystercatcher (H)
Lapwing
Curlew
Black Headed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black Backed Gull
Kittiwake
Sandwich Tern
Puffin
Guillemot
Razorbill
Feral Pigeon
Wood Pigeon
Collared Dove
Skylark
Swallow
House Martin
Rock Pipit
Meadow Pipit
Pied Wagtail
Wren (H)
Robin
Whinchat
Stonechat
Song Thrush
Blackbird
Blackcap (H)
Sedge Warbler
Chiffchaff (H)
Magpie
Rook
Carrion Crow
Jackdaw
Starling
House Sparrow
Chaffinch
Goldfinch
Reed Bunting
Common Tern

50 Species