Page 5 - Out Birding Feb 2025

We saw or heard 52 different bird species and two mammals. Excellent photos taken by Paul Bateson and Steve Jennings – look at the GBC page on Facebook. Thanks to everybody who came, a great day out, dry weather if a li􏰀le cool, excellent birding. Pat Blundell
RSPB Conwy 12/10/2024
Two of us met up on a bright and breezy morning for a walk round the RSPB reserve at Conwy. This reserve was created a􏰁er the building of the A55 tunnel and comprises two lagoons and numerous pools surrounded by reedbeds and grazed grassland and with stunning views of Carneddau Mountains across the estuary.
Heading for the first hide we heard and spo􏰀ed plenty of small birds including some Long-tailed Tits in the small trees and shrubs bordering the paths. From the first hide a large group of Shoveler could be seen on the lagoon, Li􏰀le Grebe, Moorhen and Lapwing on the far bank with a Redshank. A Curlew could be heard not far away.
Along the boardwalks to the next hide an impressive number of Li􏰀le Grebe on the lagoon as well as a number of juvenile Teal res􏰂ng on the bank and a pair of Snipe busying at the water’s edge.
Heading towards the coastal path bordering the inland estuary, the 􏰂de being well out now, we scanned the mudflats to add Li􏰀le Egret, Great Egret, Oystercatcher, Bar- tailed Godwit, Lesser Black-backed Gull and close to us on the rocks a pair of Rock Pipit. It was nice then to see the Curlew announce itself and fly down in front of us.
Unable to enter the final hide as it had been taken over by a large wasp nest, we completed our circular walk and back to the cafe to sit in the sunshine with drinks and cake.
A short walk by the quay with Herring Gull and Jackdaw to add to the list making 25 before it started to bucket it down.
Thank you Sue for joining me. Jan
A Run up the Coast 19 & 20/10/2024
Six members convened in Old Portlethen for this year’s event, an unashamed quest for autumn migrants both common and rare, and it did not disappoint. Firstly, John and Gavin eventually made it to Aberdeen much later than planned, no thanks to BA. Our first day was always likely to offer the best weather, so we set off for RSPB Loch of Strathbeg. At the visitor centre we enjoyed views across the lagoons where recently arrived Whooper Swan called excitedly and watched Li􏰀le and Great White Egrets fishing around the fringes. We managed the briefest of views of two Ca􏰀le Egret, well hidden in a field of ca􏰀le. We walked to a closer hide where we all managed slightly be􏰀er views of them. Three egret species in one place was something that none of us had ever experienced in this country. There were plenty of ducks, especially Wigeon, Teal and some Gadwall, Shoveler and a single Pintail. Also present were two Marsh
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