Starting with mammal sightings this week...another great sighting of an otter on the 10th swimming and fishing in front of Bay Hide. Most early mornings in the fields near the Starnafin Visitor Centre there is a group of up to 10 roe deer. I had a rather private wildlife moment with them this morning as they trotted in front of my car on the access track and then sheer panic set in amongst the group as they sprinted away from me.
A rather unusual bird sighting this week in the form of an osprey. It was seen by two different people. Firstly, over the village of St Combs on the 8th and 9th and then over Savoch Farm just west of the reserve on Saturday 10th. It is the earliest record of osprey in Scotland ever. I think its fair to say that this bird is a long way from where it should be at this time of year.
A pink- footed goose count is due next week, so still no news on current numbers using the reserve. A few times this week they have left very early in complete darkness so a count is going to be very difficult. Two white snow geese were amongst the ones that lingered on the "Low Ground" (wet grass and pools in front of Tower Hide) on the 8th. A single snow goose was seen on the 10th and again this morning. A handful of barnacle geese were seen on the dry grass fields mid week. Up to 20 shoveler were also seen on the Low ground yesterday. A single long tailed duck was seen on the Savoch water (this is the deeper water to the left of Tower Hide) and it was noted again on Sunday 12th. The American wigeon was seen several times last week but sadly the green winged teal has not been re-sighted. 12 Pintail and 2 scaup were seen from the Loch Hides on Friday 10th.
A quick count of our farmland birds last week, produced 70 ish reed buntings, 20 corn buntings, a mixed flock of about about 100 linnet and greenfinch and a small group of yellowhammer. These figures may seem disappointingly low, but the fact is there a lot of birds also using our neighbours fields at present. Ploughing has been late this winter (or early this spring, from another perspective) and good sized flocks have been seen feeding in stubbles and also recently turned fields. In other words there is plenty for them to eat on and off the reserve.
The little egret is still with us and has been seen daily from the visitor centre. The first Hen Harrier of the season was noted on the 10th hunting over the marsh to the left of Fen Hide. Photos were taken, and I have attached one. It's not the best picture, In theory, it could be something more exotic but we are settling on hen harrier. Our best guess is that it is a young male..but maybe "ringtail" is the safer conclusion.
The weather and the visibility was great for seawatching at the weekend. Several great northern divers and good numbers of red throated divers were seen at the north end of the reserve along with a flock of 20 redshank on the rocks and a fly-by of 30 sanderling.
Wader numbers on fields have been slow to build this year so far, but 65 curlew were noted today from Tower Hide and a similar sized flock were seen just off the reserve at Rattray at the weekend along with 30 lapwing.
There have been a few additions to the 2014 year list this week, the most notable a female stonechat seen near the airfield hides (aside from the unseasonable osprey which is worthy of a second mention!!!!)