BIRDS AT THE SPEY ESTUARY – JULY 2015 (1)

MUTE SWAN Eight on 2nd, dwindling to five on 11th-15th and only two by the end of the month.

GREYLAGGOOSE Only one sighting, of a single bird on 11th.

SHELDUCK Four adults on 2nd. A pair with four ducklings was first seen on 16th and all survived until the end of the month.

TEAL First back were two on 24th-27th, increasing to five by 30th.

MALLARD Up to 25 regularly on the estuary.

EIDER Maximum was 13 offshore on 2nd - more usually up to five until mid month after which none were seen.

LONG-TAILED DUCK A female remained around the river mouth between 11th-19th.

RED-BREASTED MERGANSER One on 2nd was the only record.

GOOSANDER The maximum count of the moulting flock was 165 on 16th.

RED-THROATED DIVER One offshore on 2nd and five on 19th.

GREY HERON One or two usually present but six on 15th and four on 30th.

GANNET Small numbers offshore - generally distant.

SPARROWHAWK One over the fields behind Tugnet on 31st.

OSPREY Seen daily - most together was three on 9th.

KESTREL One flew past the Dolphin Centre on 31st.

PEREGRINE One over the estuary on 30th.

[GYR FALCON On 28th an escaped falconry bird, wearing jesses, was first seen perched on the roof of a house in Spey Bay.It flew off across the estuary and continued west over Kingston.]

OYSTERCATCHER Very variable numbers as birds passed through the estuary. Never more than five until mid month when 27 on 16th. Still 19 on 19th, falling to three on 23rd but then an exceptional flock of 76 on 24th. Maximum of 11 in the last week of the month.

LITTLE RINGED PLOVER One on 24th.

RINGED PLOVER Only light passage evident through the month. Largest count was only 23, on 16th, with 21 on 14th and 28th. Ten or fewer on most other days.

LAPWING Best counts were 42 on 23rd and 34 on 31st.

DUNLIN Passage generally light. Numbers exceeded 20 on only three days, late in the month - 83 on 23rd, 46 on 24th and 76 on 27th.

BLACK-TAILED GODWIT A single adult in breeding plumage was seen on 2nd, 15th-17th and 27th. Apparent absence between these dates suggests that three individuals may have been involved.

BIRDS AT THE SPEY ESTUARY – JULY 2015 (2)

CURLEW The flock peaked at 359 on 27th. Absence, or a much smaller flock, is a consequence of birds feeding in nearby fields.

COMMON SANDPIPER As usual, good numbers on the estuary in late summer. Best days were 24 on 6th, 19 on 15th and 17 on 24th.

GREENSHANK One on 27th.

REDSHANK An exceptional flock of 38 paused briefly on 17th. Apart from 11 on 24th, no more than five were present on the estuary on any other day.

TURNSTONE The flock around the river mouth peaked at 19 on 14th and 21 on 19th.

KITTIWAKE A few were resting on the shingle on five days, maximum five on 27th.

BLACK-HEADED GULL The highest count was only 22 on 19th.

HERRING GULL Up to 100 in the first half of the month but a large increase thereafter with 1040 counted on 15th and 775 on 31st.

ICELAND GULL A 2nd summer bird was on the estuary on 15th.

GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL An increase in numbers observed from mid month onwards, with highest counts of 384 on 15th and 365 on 27th.

LITTLE TERN Exceptional numbers in mid month as birds dispersed from the Lossiemouth colony. First was one on 11th, then eight on 15th, 23 on 16th-19th, ten on 24th and none thereafter.

SANDWICH TERN Small numbers heard and seen passing offshore, occasionally up to five entering the river mouth.

COMMONand ARCTIC TERN A sizeable flock assembled at the river mouth, peaking at 132 on 23rd. Good numbers of both species early in the month but all 15 remaining by 28th were Common.

RAZORBILL Ten offshore on 6th.

LINNET A flock of around 150 built up during the first half of the month - often flitting around the shingle near the Dolphin Centre. Smaller numbers later in the month.