Autumn Highlights
Why the East Grampian Coast is great in Autumn.....
The great things of autumn are generally not associated with the coast; the Autumn leaves, children playing Conkers or hunting for Mushrooms, all great but not very coastal. So why go to the coast? Well, there is plenty to see and do, the seasons are changing here too!
In early autumn the weather can be surprisingly warm, so fun on the beach is still the order of the day although possibly a long walk is the order of the day rather than a swim. However, if you are one of those people who believe that a 30 mile per hour North Easterly is great beach weather as many surfers do, this can also be a great time.
Serious bird watchers may also view bad weather as a good thing. An Easterly wind with fog and drizzle or even rain can produce a fall, whereby huge numbers of birds are caught out by changing weather and go seriously off course. This can involve hundreds of thousands of common species as well as many unusual species. In early November a few years ago such an event lead to an estimated 3 million thrushes between Aberdeen and Peterhead. Rattray head and Girdleness are both good places to watch. For information on recent sightings please go to the Grampian Wildlife Web
Even if such conditions do not occur, the numbers of migrating birds arriving in the North East can be fantastic. Many robins make their way across the sea from Northern Europe. Another gem of a bird that arrives in large numbers is the Goldcrest, although they are smaller than a wren they travel over the sea to enjoy our warm winters, and make our summer visitors who fly away to warmer weather look like real wimps.
After being away for much of the summer the Bottlenose Dolphins will becoming more regular at the harbour, well worth a look from the Torry Battery. The Minkie Whale and White Beaked Dolphins that we see in the summer will now be heading for deeper water so will be much less frequent. One species that may, just may make an appearance is the Pilot Whale, let us know if you see one, and quickly in case we can get their before it leaves.
Remember that the East Grampian Seawatch land based surveys will still be taking place along with boat trips from Stonehaven.
So what are the very best things to do in autumn? Firstly go Goose watching at the Loch of Strathbeg, this really is the closest Scotland has to the Wilderbeast Migration. The sight and sound of over 70,000 Pink Footed Geese going to, or leaving the roost is simply unbelievable.
Although, a little later than Autumn, why not join the Aberdeen Beachwatch clean in early December.
Highlights Arkive