On my return visit to Aberdeen for a planned city break (as opposed to the previous unfortunate re-routing of a ferry), the weather was rather calm and almost dry. Whilst the point of the weekend was to catch up with family, this is a wildlife blog, so although binoculars were left at home, I did take along a small camera.
My companion had a 'twitch' list which included such intoxicatingly exotic species as Carrion Crow, Blue Tit, Great Tit and Magpie, these birds being difficult or impossible to see in Orkney. The crow was easy, spotted from the plane window as we taxied from the runway to the terminal at Aberdeen Airport. The other three species were encountered in Duthie Park, to the south of the city.
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| View from the Mound in Duthie Park, with the Winter Gardens on the left |
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| The Winter Gardens had plenty of actual exotic! |
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| I'm not sure whether the ants were exotic or Doric |
Another walk, this time eastwards towards the beach, brought a plethora of waders, all feeding unconcernedly amongst a throng of humanity (and their dogs) taking the air on the promenade. |
| Sanderling |
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| Purple Sandpiper |
There might have been a dolphin out in the bay, but without my binoculars, it was difficult to be sure. On more of a culinary note than an horticultural one, I can heartily recommend the Braided Fig as an excellent restaurant.
Magpies are as common as pigeons in Lincoln - but do you have pigeons in Orkney!
ReplyDeleteWe do have pigeons here! Mainly Rock Dove/Feral pigeon hybrids, although I like to think that some of these are possibly more of the Rock Dove persuasion. There are also some Wood Pigeons, despite there not being many woods. And human habitation tends to have Collared Doves. As far as I know, we don't have Stock Doves this far north, but I am still basking in the glow of seeing a Turtle Dove in a local garden in December.
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