Collieston Birding: Autumn starts here

Sunday, 23 August 2015

Autumn starts here

The last 2 weeks has seen a big surge in wader numbers on the Ythan, with good numbers of a number of species, though Dunlin seem especially numerous this year. A lot of Ruff are now coming through as well, with a flock of 60 currently just off the estuary south of Meikle Loch. A highlight was the adult White-rumped Sandpiper (CNG) which was present around the Newburgh end for 2 or 3 days last weekend.
The heavy rain on Tuesday of last week, and the persistent easterly winds resulted in a good fall of migrants, with the Forvie sands getting the star bird in the form of an Arctic Warbler (PS) found on Wednesday late afternoon.
Surprisingly this was the first accepted of this species in the region since 1979 I think. Interesting to note that bird was on almost exactly the same date as this one, and nearby on the Foveran links.
Wednesday morning also brought a Lesser Whitethroat, Pied and Spotted Flycatcher, and good numbers of Willow Warbler to Kirkton. The number of Butterflies turning up as well was striking, especially Painted Ladies.
The fall continued to turn up interesting birds locally , with a Red-backed Shrike at the Sandloch, found by a fellow blogger, and then an Icterine Warbler on Saturday 22nd in the Kirkton roadside trees. Willow Warbler numbers were high, and also notable were the number of Whinchats with a count of 8 in and around the village yesterday. The remained a few Pied and Spotted Flycatchers also.
A Marsh Harrier flew over Kirkton yesterday, a Wood Sandpiper is just over the crossroads yesterday and today on the small flood.

There were 3 Little Stint to be seen on the upper Ythan Estuary yesterday, and there were various smaller groups of Ruff on the feilds and the Estuary.