Yesterday was a beautiful, warm, sunny day at Strathbeg (which admittedly was a little confusing, with it being only February....plus we’re not really used to weather like that!) and the RSPB Aberdeen local group were onsite for the day to help us out with various tasks.
First up was some hedge rescue work - clearing vegetation from a very much over grown hedge line and then after lunch planting trees up at tower pool hide. As you can see from the photos below it was a very productive and enjoyable day on the reserve, finished off nicely by the appearance of our regular short-eared owl which happily posed in front of tower pool hide for us.
Before - a slightly overgrown hedgerow....
....And after - a good job done!
A big thank you to the local group for all their hard work, it was very much appreciated.
The short-eared owl is still being seen regularly around the reserve, as is the ermine stoat, which is best seen from the visitor centre (check the drainpipe next to the right hand window as this seems to be a favourite spot!). The lower water levels have attracted a few more waders in, with up to 46 dunlin out on the low ground, a male hen harrier was spotted this afternoon and a female smew (redhead) has been reported from both tower pool hide and the south end of the loch in the past few days.
*Year list update....the grand total now stands at 103, with ringed plover as the new addition