It’s been a while since I last posted, so thought I’d update on a few things. I haven’t had any time for proper birding since I got home from Shetland – part one of my Shetland Trip Report can be seen in the post above this – but I still managed to pop into Inchgarth Reservoir on Sunday evening.
Inchgarth Reservoir is situated within Aberdeen city itself, but on the western outskirts. Having stayed with a friend who lives nearby the previous night, I got my Dad to give me a lift home that evening so that we could stop off via Inchgarth to see if a long-staying Slavonian Grebe was still present. In the crisp, evening light it felt almost wintery, and the array of birds on the reservoir reflected this, with an array of ducks and a mixed Larus group spread along its still bowl. This is one of the prime wintering sites for Goosander in the region, and there was 17 on there that evening. Interspersed amongst these were 8 Wigeons and 4 Tufted Ducks. 2 Little Grebes were amongst the main posse of Goosander, and we were glad to see that this was where the winter plumage Slavonian Grebe. It was quite distant, but conditions allowed for lovely views of this bird nonetheless, the contrast between its black upperparts and white underparts accentuated by the sun. Interestingly enough it never dived, keeping relatively still and not moving far. This allowed me to get a few digiscoped pics, which can be seen below. Definitely a worthwhile detour, given that this was just the second Slav Grebe we had seen in the region and a valuable year tick.
winter plumaged Slavonian Grebe, Inchgarth Reservoir (7/10/12)
Inchgarth Reservoir on a beautiful evening (7/10/12)
One of the other birding related events that has happened this week is the arrival of the October edition of British Birds, which features one of my Sandhill Crane photos. I’ve had these photos published in newspapers (including Sunday Express) and in the Scottish Birds Journal, but to get this photo published in arguably the most serious birding journal in Britain makes me feel the most privileged.
Sandhill Crane photo in British Birds, October 2012, Vol 105
I am heading off down to Norfolk for two weeks as part of my October holiday, starting tomorrow evening. Beforehand I will be staying with Sim and birding with him and fellow young birder Andrew Kinghorn on Sunday. Hopefully some good birding is on its way both patch wise and in general. With a bit of luck all that will be accounted in here over the next few weeks, but will interspersed with my Shetland Trip Report.
For now…
Thanks for reading,
Joseph
Lothian Young Birder 