Royals and Oil...

 Our week away was into west Aberdeenshire, where we stayed in a tidy little cottage in Ordie, Royal Deeside. This is the first time we have been to this area, between Aboyne and Ballater but we were pleasantly surprised by it.

Whilst the area is a wooded, hilly or mountainous location, its not a particular wildlife hotspot, but when we are away we always see what we can find.

Over the week 55 bird species were seen within the 10km square. For us, the Red Kites, daily, from the house windows might have been the highlight as we still dont really get many in Northumberland. One short drive into Glen Muick SW of Ballater gave us nice views of two Golden Eagles, an adult and an immature squabbling over the hillside on and off for an hour.

Otherwise, sightings of Peregrine, Ravens, Dipper, Redpolls, Siskins and Crossbills and odd Spotted Flycatcher filled the days. The weather was pleasant enough with an occasional shower and heavier rain into the darkness but we could get out every day.

Early in our stay, nearby Balmoral was busy due to the King being in residence on his summer hols. The area is very affluent due to the Royal presence and that of Oil off Aberdeen too...

Red Kites, up to 4 were seen daily.

Golden Eagles, Glen Muick. 

The drive home was enlivened when I suddenly, about 10 miles away, remembered about the presence of a Marsh Sandpiper at Musselburgh for a week!

In we went and after a short walk we found the brick, Levenhall viewing screen over some small pools. The fw Marsh Sandpiper was on the very closest pool and was the very closest bird too! Fantastic views as it dashed about feeding like a hybrid Phalarope x Sewing Machine. This is only my second after one at Blacktoft Sands in July 2002, so I was well pleased to get it.

This is a great spot for migrant waders. In front of us with the Marsh Sand were  1 juc Spotted Redshank, 9+ Ruff, 8+ Curlew Sandpipers and 1 Wood Sandpiper .

Above - Marsh Sandpiper video, photo and Notes.

Where to start...

 This blog is getting ever more neglected. Its like a derelict house just left to decay.

If anyone is still out there in the barren wastes of blogland, I am continuing here when I get around to it, its just that there is always something else to do.

Right here goes, this is just some random things since last time...

So, recently I've started doing some short video clips on my phone, some digiscoped but this one is just hand held with me lying on the ground and this Water Shrew 18 inches from my nose end. It was on 18th August, we were sitting out after work when this little fellow came snuffling past along the base of the wall...Its a while since we've seen a Water Shrew in the garden.

While I am on with video's heres another. I enjoyed this Greenshank at Buston Links in great light on 10th August. Phone hand held to scope eyepiece. Stabilisation in Google Images is a Godsend!

There were more decent moths in the garden since my last post - 

I caught 5 of these odd Coeleophora in two nights. I had them as frischella /alcyonipennella but Tom Tams took the same on the last night and on Gen Det is was Coleophora alcyonipenella, First county records! 

This Teleiopsis diffinis was an unusually pink individual...Steve Palmer at the Gelichiid Recording Scheme has asked for a copy for the website.

A garden first Palpita vitrealis only the 2nd for VC68.

Scarce Bordered Straw only my 6th.
 

A few Heath Rustics have been arriving after an absence of a couple of years.

So we are off to Scotland soon for a few days so I might get some stuff there to blog about...watch this space...or not.