Post eclipse post

A brighter day in Collieston following a rather cloudy eclipse. A good movement of Kittiwake heading North seen mid-morning was notable. Otherwise it was a good sight to see displaying Long-tailed Duck and a number of groups of Red-breasted Merganser at high tide from the Inches Road in Newburgh mid-afternoon.
Last weekend the highlight was at least 2 Scandinavian Rock Pipit in among a flock of about 20 of that species in the Mains of Slains area.During the week there had been a small number of Goldcrests' in the Slains area as well.
The pictures below shows the brightest of these birds and maybe a more local bird at the bottom.

Scandinavian Rock Pipit, Mains of Slains, 14.3.15

Scandinavian Rock Pipit

Rock Pipit

Spring around the corner

Winter has retreated and we are just awaiting the first clear signs of spring migration. There has been no sign of the American Wigeon for 2 weeks or so, but over in Aberdeen the Harlequin has been seen again in Seaton park today.
A few pictures from a few weeks ago shown below.

Today at Cransdale saw 15 Red-throated Divers just offshore, and plenty of Auks lurking around.There were at least 5 Purple Sandpipers to be seen on the rocks. Late afternoon there was a dapper adult Little Gull passing south past the point.There was a Redwing this morning down the track towards Old Slains, and another 12 Red-throated Diver and a single Common Scoter seen there.
Meanwhile on the Ythan one of the now almost usual Little Egrets was still present at the Snub. Presumably the same bird was seen last week beyond Inchgeck Island.

Harlequin Duck, Feb, Aberdeen

Collieston , 1.3.15

Cransdale 8.3.15

Redwing, Mains of Slains, 8.3.15