North of the Border again

1-2 Oct - A briefer than anticipated trip due to adverse weather, with a Munro followed by coastal birding. Mount Keen, the eastern-most Munro, held several confiding Red Grouse, and the woodlands in Glen Esk both Siskin and Redpoll, as well as a flyover Red Kite. An evening stop at Montrose Basin produced the expected large numbers of Pink-footed Geese coming in to roost, impressive in both sight and sound, and very atmospheric into the setting sun, a slightly surreal scene with Knot, Redshank,and Barwits scuttling around the flocks of stately geese, while more portly Curlews moved sedately. The next morning was a beautiful calm one on the Firth of Forth, and before returning home I had a couple of hours, producing flocks of waders, in the form of the usual Barwit, Oystercatcher, Redshank and Curlew, as well as Dunlin, Turnstone and Grey Plover. The smart drake Surf Scoter was still offshore from the Esk Mouth with Velvet Scoters, as was a Slavonian Grebe and a flyby Red-throated Diver amongst the loafing Eider. Gannets and Auks were flying further offshore. Longniddry and Aberlady also gave views of seaduck including several more rafts of Velvet Scoter and Eider, and a moulting Red-necked Grebe was here, with another flying Redthroat. Thousands more Pinkfeet were on the flats at Aberlady and flew inland in honking groups, and several Grey Plovers and a Little Egret were noteworthy here. Altogether an excellent foray to the coast, with a good mix of northern birds.