October Blog

It doesn’t seem that long ago since I was writing my last blog but quick as a flash September went in very quickly. It was a very busy month for me so I’m looking forward writing this month’s blog.

After a month off from Birding I was eager to get back out for the Autumn & Winter season. It felt right to kick things off where I ended my Spring & Summer season, that place was my local patch Cammo Estate Nature Reserve. It was great to be back though it was quiet bird wise but I did see Robin, Woodpigeon, Magpie & Crow.

My next Birding trip took me to a brand new location, a location I have been planning on going for quite some time but I felt I need to go. That place was Aberlady Nature Reserve, I realised it’s not far at all by bus so I was there in no time and I was quite impressed from it. The first bird I saw was a Little Egret at the bridge followed by a Grey Heron. I carried on walking through the path of the reserve all the way to Aberlady Bay, other species I saw were Graylag Geese, Jackdaw, Sand Martin, Black Backed Gull & Oystercatcher. I really enjoyed my trip there and is now going to be a regular place for me to go to.

I wasn’t going home just yet I had to visit The Scottish Ornithologist’s Club known as The SOC’s HQ Waterston House before catching the bus back home.

The following week I had a great full day Birding at Musselburgh, starting at The River Esk which was full of Canada & Graylag Geese as well as Mallards, Mute Swans, Feral Pigeons, Black Headed & Herring Gulls.

After I had my lunch I walked to my next destination Musselburgh Lagoons. I knew from social media and Birdforum that new hides had been built so I wanted to see what these were like before I went to the regular hides. I have to say after seeing them I was impressed with the new views that looked over other lagoons. At each hide I saw more Graylag & Canada Geese, Mallards, Mute Swans, Shelduck & Little Egrets.

At the regular hides I watched Lapwings, Curlew, Redshank, Cormorant, Black Headed & Herring Gull I had a great day.

On the first day of Autumn I decided to return to my local patch as it was a beautiful day and it turned into a fantastic morning. For the first time I spotted a Goldcrest, I have seen that bird before but I have never seen one at my local patch ever so that was a great start. Turns out I saw a lot more during my time there. Other birds I saw were Woodpigeon, Mallard, Jackdaw, Magpie & Stock Dove.

The next day I had a great morning on The River Almond & Cramond Beach, although it was quiet on The River Almond I did see Heron, Mallard & Robin.

When I arrived at Cramond Beach I was thrilled to see the tide was out which means lots of birds are visible and indeed they were. There were not many Waders around except the odd Curlew & Redshank, the majority of birds I saw were mainly Black Headed, Herring & Black Backed Gull. The main star was a Little Egret, I have been spoilt seeing a lot of them this month it was also exciting to see it because I have never seen one at Cramond so that was great to see.

Before I headed home I went through the Walled Garden between Cramond Kirk & Cramond Kirk Hall and to my excitement I saw a Nuthatch at close range hammering on a tree it was indeed another great Birding Day.