November Blog

I really can’t believe how quick 2025 has been. It doesn’t seem that long I wrote by first blog of the year and next month I’ll be writing my last of the year. October was a busy month so let’s get started.

I visited The SOC’s HQ Waterston House, it wasn’t a Birding trip this was an event of celebration as it was Waterston House’s 20th anniversary as HQ for The SOC. There was something for everyone, arts & crafts for kids and live music throughout the day, by the time I arrived a local choir were just getting started so I stayed and watched them and they were really good.

I had a few days up in Oban for my Dad’s Birthday I had a great time though weather wasn’t kind but managed a trip to a Beaver Centre. At the centre they had a bird table with feeders which were attracting Great, Blue & Coal Tit, Chaffinch and Nuthatch. The biggest surprise was seeing a Red Squirrel. After that had a walk to a hide, sadly there were no birds and no Beavers but did see evidence of them ie chew marks on trees,

Whilst I was in Oban I heard on social media that a Spoonbill had been spotted at Musselburgh Lagoons. Birders had been successful seeing it so the day after I came back from Oban I decided to go twitching for it myself. After a quick stop off at The River Esk having my lunch that was attracting the eye of a Herring Gull, I walked along to the hides at Musselburgh Lagoons. I decided to go to the old hides first because that was where it was last seen, so I went to the middle hide that was full of Birders. I took my place and waited patiently, there were Oystercatchers, Shovelers, Lapwings & Curlew but sadly no Spoonbill. However an eagle eyed Birder pointed out that there was a Marsh Sandpiper out there. That made up for not seeing The Spoonbill as it is a rare bird to Scotland and it was a first for me. Sadly there was no sign of the Spoonbill in the other hides so an unsuccessful twitch but also a good day Birding.

I had a great morning at my local patch Cammo Estate Nature Reserve. It was busy with families so it took awhile for birds to show themselves though the highlight was seeing a Jay flying over and a Nuthatch on the tree but it was great to see the place starting to change into their autumn colours and fungi appearing.

This was a place I had been planning on returning to for 12 years and that place was RSPB’s Lochwinnoch Nature Reserve. I had been planning on going back since my last and first visit in 2013 but never did happen until now and I had a great time watching lots of birds at the feeders from Great & Coal Tit and Chaffinch. On the loch I saw Mute Swans, Coot, Mallard & Wigeon, on the path saw Crow, Magpie & Wren it was a great day though bit quiet but it’s prompt me to go back. I promise not to wait another 12 years I will return in the Spring in 2026.

Last week I visited Faggate Park as it was the only dry day of the week. Sadly I didn’t see a lot of birds except Mute Swans & Mallards but the biggest surprise was seeing my first Kingfisher of the year so that was worth while.