Easterly winds at the beginning of last week brought a fall of migrants to the reserve, starting with a yellow-browed warbler in the Plantation on 15 Sep, followed by another two on Tuesday, along with two red-breasted flycatchers and a barred warbler. There was a red-throated pipit and a pied flycatcher at Rattray (the garden at the B&B proving quite productive!); a pied flycatcher found its way onto the reserve on Wednesday 17 Sep, along with a spotted flycatcher, and two yellow-browed warblers remained with them in the Plantation.
Pinkfeet and others on the Loch – Brian Sandison
A change in the weather slowed things down a bit, but north-westerlies brought more pinkfooted geese, with around 700 dropping in on the loch and dunes on the evening of Sunday 21 Sep, before dispersing into the local countryside. Around 300 barnacle geese passed though on Monday 22 Sep. Don’t forget the Goose Fayre on 11 Oct and our Dawn Goosewatches start on 2 Nov. Call us at the reserve on 01346 532017 to book a place!
Barnacle geese over Fen Hide – Brian Sandison
Flocks of waders continue to build up, with over 450 lapwing and around 300 curlew on Tuesday 17 Sep, and yesterday there were six golden plover, ten snipe, two ruff and a marsh harrier on the Low Ground, and three grey wagtails outside the Visitor Centre window.
The starlings are definitely gathering at dusk – a murmeration recorded by Brian Sandison.
On the domestic front, we’d like to welcome our new Habitats and Species Warden, Derren Fox, to the team!