Page 7 - Out Birding Winter 2024

Acton Bridge 30/07/2024
Ten members met at Li􏰀le Leigh near Northwich in Cheshire, for an evening stroll along the Trent and Mersey Canal, returning by the River Weaver. On this warm evening, we saw a flock of Lapwing flying over the valley, Goldfinch, Linnet and Chiff- chaff along the canal, and Reed and Sedge Warbler in the well-established reed beds along the banks. The canal was rather quiet, we saw Mallard. Moorhen, Stock Dove and Wood Pigeon. The fields between canal and river were hos􏰁ng Crow and Rook, and Blackbird, Robin, Wren, Common Whitethroat, House Sparrow and Great Tit were seen in the hedgerows. The highlight of the evening was a Hobby crossing the land and having a go at some small birds.
Returning along the River Weaver, we saw Black-headed and Lesser Black-backed Gull, Stonechat. Back at the Acton swing bridge, a Mute Swan and five cygnets were hopeful for more than compliments. The air was full of Swallows and a single Pied Wagtail was seen.
We saw 25 species, not bad for this 􏰁me of the year. Two other members joined us for dinner at the Leigh Arms, a good end to a lovely walk. Thanks to Carl for organising and leading.
Pat Blundell
Ythan Estuary, Blackdog and Montrose Basin, 24 & 25/08/2024
We were five people who assembled in Old Portlethen on the Friday evening, with Paul and Richard travelling from Yorkshire and Ian from North London. A􏰂er a jolly evening, we woke to a dry day with a s􏰁ff southerly wind. An unexpected calling ‘flyover’ Yellow Wagtail was an unexpected garden 􏰁ck for Andy.
We travelled north to the Ythan Estuary mouth where we were greeted by two Osprey searching for fish over the river while a healthy selec􏰁on of waders scurried over the mud and sand, including Knot, Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Bar-tailed and Black- tailed Godwits. Further up the estuary, at Inches Road, there were more waders including the previous species: a juvenile Li􏰀le Gull and a Li􏰀le Ringed Plover added some quality to the day’s mix. Con􏰁nuing up the river, we saw a number of Green- shank and two Li􏰀le Egret from a river-side lay-by, and we counted four Osprey perched and actually catching a fish while a Peregrine put in a brief appearance. By now, the in-coming 􏰁de was pushing birds off the mud flats, but we saw a distant Marsh Harrier and a Kestrel.
Our last stop on the river was at the ‘Fisherman’s Car Park where we saw four Water Rail on the reed fringes, two late Swi􏰂 overhead. An O􏰀er swam down-river before spo􏰃ng our fabulous group and retreated the way it had come. We looked at the nearby Meikle Loch where we saw another Water Rail and a number of eclipse Tu􏰂ed Duck and Goldeneye. Our final stop of the day was at Blackdog where we saw about 500 Common Scoter and similar numbers of Eider, all moul􏰁ng, and at least five Red- throated Diver. A􏰂er a fantas􏰁c Ashvale fish supper, we saw a Short-eared Owl
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