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Vicky Anderson
We had an early morning wetland bird survey this morning, otherwise known as a “WeBS” count This is a monthly survey across the UK coordinated by the BTO. It was also an Icelandic Grey Goose count, which is a coordinated count of all the pink-footed goose (and greylag) roosts in the country. We currently have a grand total of 22,260 Pink-footed geese using the reserve. There are also at least 2000 using a small loch and the beach just south of the reserve. If you were looking for a goose spectacular this morning, the place to be was at the ruined church at the south of the Loch, where 11,000 flew off south. Most of the Barnacle geese have moved on now, with just 5 seen on the reserve during the week, together with 10 Greylags. Some exciting other goose sightings today as well: a single Snow goose was seen amongst the Pink footed geese and 5 Dark bellied Brent geese were also seen on the beach. 5 White fronted geese were seen on the 8th. Whooper swan numbers are building up, with 500 counted this morning, including several family groups and the mute swan numbers are still good, 398. Shoveler numbers have peaked today at 58, along with 290 Coot, 100 Goldeneye, 290 Tufted duck and 74 Pochard. As is the way, sometimes on surveys you don’t always see all the birds using the reserve (there are lots of places for them to tuck away) However, last Sunday, 6th, was an excellent duck counting day, 1400 Wigeon were counted from bay hide, along with roughly the same number of teal and 27 pintail. Waders wise, we have good numbers of Snipe on the reserve every day, you just can’t see them very well! We see up to 15 when out checking the ponies and the Jack snipe seems to be favouring a particular spot. Last Sunday the Aberdeen rspb members group saw a Pectoral sandpiper from the Tower Hide. 3 Black-tailed godwits lingered until the 8th and 13 ruff were also seen that day. There are still good numbers of lapwing with 350 counted this morning along with 160 Curlew. There is nothing like a flock of Golden plover and there is nothing quite like the flock of Golden plover at Rattray at the moment, which numbers at least 3000. This is just off the reserve but worthy of a mention. It’s that time of year when all types of birds are on the move (generally in a southerly direction) and we have witnessed some visible migration this week. Small groups of redwing have been seen, A solitary Fieldfare, several wheatears are scattered across the reserve and in the plantation today there were at least 20 goldcrest and a Greater spotted woodpecker. Small numbers of our breeding Swallows are still flitting around the yard and garden and a very late Swift was seen the 7th, along with a chiffchaff.