Eyecatching Pied Flycatcher

The last flurry of the haar during last weekend brought a stunning male Pied Flycatcher and a

Lesser Whitethroat

 Lesser Redpoll

Pied Flycatcher, Kirkton, Collieston

Whinchat, Kirkton

Whinchat to Kirkton, and another Ring Ouzel to Cotehill. There were at least 6 Lesser Whitethroats in the Collieston area which was a very good count for this early in our Spring. Since then the migrant numbers have gradually diminished but there are still a striking number of singing Chiff-chaffs and Willow Warblers around the village, as well as at least 2 Blackcaps. No sign now of any Lesser Whitethroats. During last weekend as well there was a small influx of Lesser Redpolls.

The haar wrecks some birds

After 5 days of the haar, with brief respites, there was bound to be some spring visitors grounded. Over the last few days there has been 3 different Lesser Whitethroats, Brambling, a small number of Willow Warblers and Chiff-Chaffs and yesterday a Ring Ouzel at the Sandloch. Two dapper Little Gulls at the Slains pools first thing were good to watch ranging over the misty fields.
Today as the fog lifted mid afternoon there was a flurry of activity with a new Lesser Whitethroat, Black Redstart and best of all a Hawfinch ranging around the feeders in Hightown (thanks Meg for this).

Where's my sky gone? Fogbound Skylark

Little Gulls, Slains Pools 

Lesser Whitethroat

Hawfinch, Collieston 26.4.14

Hawfinch, Collieston 26.4.14

Spring Colours

Some light easterly winds the last few days resulted in some more migrants appearing locally. These included 2 Lesser Whitethroats in the Kirkton area, as well as a handful of Wheatear and a few Swallows on the move.  There is an adult Little Gull on Meikle Loch currently, which apparently has been present for some days. Wildfowl include 2 pairs of Gadwall on Meikle, and at least 3 pairs of Pintail on the upper Ythan. Aside from this the bright conditions today meant good viewing of some of the other local birds, including Yellowhammers and Reed Bunting in striking summer plumage dotted around the village.
Finally keep your eyes open for the two Raven patrolling the village occasionally

Male Yellowhammer

Lesser Whitethroat

The second bird...

Meadow Pipit

Male Reed Bunting

Skylark

Ravens have also been reported in the reserve apparently. This is a relatively unusual occurrence for the Collieston area.

Here they come again!

Here at the breezy end of the village, we've logged a small selection of spring arrivals in the same vein as Collieston Birder's recent exploits - Chifchaffs and Goldcrests seem to be the order of the day, with one of the former in the garden yesterday (nice). In addition, a lone Sand Martin was busily forging its way north over Forvie this morning, with at least six Sandwich Terns at the ternery nearby.

On Sand Loch this week, the long-staying female Scaup was joined for a while by a handsome drake, the first one (in adult plumage at least) that I've recorded here.

Hopefully things will gather pace on the migrant front from now onwards...

And the Spring comes slowly up this way.

The more clement conditions have brought a gradual taste of spring. A number of pairs of Yellowhammer have taken up territories around the village, and their singing can be heard everywhere just now. There was also a Corn Bunting singing at Kirkton at the weekend , which was a reminder of times past.Over the weekend likewise the easterly winds brought in 2 or 3 Chiff-chaff, and there were also a small number of  Goldcrests to be seen. On the lochs intermittently over the last few weeks there have been both Goosander and Red-breasted Merganser though none hanging around for long. A pair of Gadwall are back on Meikle Loch as well.
Best bird of the weekend was a female type Black Redstart in the Kirkton area as well, and last seen Monday in the churchyard.

Sand Loch comings and goings

A Slavonian Grebe was a nice surprise on Sand Loch yesterday afternoon, along with the usual Tufties and Goldeneye. No sign this morning despite a brief search, although a pair of Goosander were present - moderately unusual here.

Nearby, the Coastguard's Pool on Forvie NNR had Little Grebe and a pair of Wigeon yesterday.

Signs of spring

No spring arrivals to report quite yet. Having said that many birds are in song now with the advent of brighter, longer days. The 3rd Winter Iceland Gull reappeared at the weekend after a long absence, still showing the suggestions of grey markings in the primaries, though very subtle.

Increasing numbers of Red-throated Diver off Cransdale with a brief count at around 30 birds on Sunday, and also Long-tailed ducks scattered liberally around including a few spectacular males.
No sign of the Ring-necked Duck on Meikle Loch for some weeks now.

3W Iceland Gull, Cransdale, Collieston