Page 11 - Out Birding Feb 2025

We didn’t see the water flood the marshes despite the forecast of a 􏰀de of almost ten metres. This phenomenon needs high air pressure and strong north-westerlies to push the water up from the estuary, neither of which we had, but it was s􏰀ll a good way to spend the morning with 28 species seen, and rounded off by bacon bu􏰁es, cake and coffee. Thanks to everybody who turned out with their sharp eyes, knowledge and good humour, including our two visitors from the West Midlands.
Pat Blundell
Llanfairfechan 30/11/2024
Ten GBC members met on the seafront at Llanfairfechan. Firstly, we did some sea viewing where, with the help of Mike's scope, Common Scoter, Eider, Razorbill , Shag, Great Crested Grebe and Red-throated Diver were spo􏰂ed.
We con􏰀nued along the coastal path west, where we spo􏰂ed many Wigeon and Oystercatcher, but also Redshank, Greenshank , Curlew , Pintail and Lapwing.
We were lucky to have a bright, dry and mild day, somewhat windy at 􏰀mes. Several of us went to a nearby cafe once we got back to the town. Thanks to Ros , Sue, Ruth , Kath, Lake , Mike, Jules , Jan and Alan for a􏰂ending and helping make it an enjoyable day birding.
Carl
Slamannan and Caldercruix 30/11/2024
In the heart of Central Scotland but feeling neglected and remote, the Slamannan Plateau is an area few birders would visit, except that it is the place to see one of our rarest wintering waterfowl: the Taiga Bean Goose. This was the first event here for quite a few years, some previous events having been rather bleak and not always successful in finding the birds.
This 􏰀me I wanted to do more than just the geese, so we started at Hillend Loch, Caldercruix. We took a walk along its southern shore but it soon became clear it was pre􏰂y empty of birds, save a few Goosander and single Goldeneye and Great Crested Grebe.
We decided to try our luck a couple of miles up the road at Lily Loch instead. We fol- lowed an uninspiring and soggy path between a quarry and a building site to where we could scan the loch. We quickly got on to a Great White Egret, a species that un􏰀l a sudden influx a few months ago was s􏰀ll a rare bird in these parts. It obligingly walked towards us despite being hassled by a Grey Heron. The loch also held lots of Canada Geese, a few Teal and Wigeon whilst a Kestrel hovered close by.
From here we made our way north across the plateau occasionally stopping to scan for any wintering raptors, but didn’t see anything of note. We parked on the minor road where the geese had last been reported a few days before. On first scan it looked like they were elsewhere but eagle-eyed Rik managed to spot them. The Taiga Bean Geese were quietly loafing in a rough pasture field, and in the end we counted a
11