9th May 2015 Seaton Park, Aberdeen & Ythan Estuary

We made the 12 hour overnight drive to Aberdeen that included stopping to sleep for an hour. Arrived at Seaton Park to light rain but calm conditions but unfortunately couldn’t find the Harlequin Duck although 3 Otters, a Dipper and 3 Goosanders were seen. Drove to the Ythan Estuary where JFC immediately picked out the adult drake King Eider off Inch’s Point. Left Aberdeen on the 5pm overnight ferry bound for Kirkwall and Lerwick seeing a large offshore flock of Arctic Terns with many seen resting on the sea and 6 Puffins. Crashed out on the floor of the bar - as usual!

Eider c.500

King Eider 1 adult drake

Goosander 3 (2 drakes)

Bar-tailed Godwit 1 s/p

Guillemot c.200

Razorbill c.100

Puffin 6
Dipper 2
Grey Wagtail 2

Drake Goosander on the River Don in Aberdeen (JFC)

On this occasion not the drake species of Duck we wanted to find perched on a rock mid-river!

Dipper on the River Don in Aberdeen (JFC & BK)

Eiders and drake King Eider at the Ythan Estuary (JFC)

Drake Eider on the Ythan Estuary

 Adult drake King Eider on the Ythan Estuary

JFC leaving the Eider flock on the Ythan Estuary

Sailing out of Aberdeen harbour

Farewell Girdleness

Razorbills and a Guillemot