Here’s a quick update on what’s been seen on the reserve so far in August;

A Little Egret was first seen on the reserve on the 8^th of August and has continued to be seen throughout the month, usually seen from the Lurgies path, sitting on Miss Erskine’s Bank. The Lurgies has also hosted Green and Wood Sandpipers throughout the month, the latest sightings being on the 23^rd. Ruff can still be seen at the Lurgies, with a maxima of 9 counted on the 17^th.

Elsewhere on the reserve, Greenshank sightings have become more common as the month has progressed, with 8 seen on the 22^nd. The first Golden Plovers since May were seen in front of the centre on the 25^th, with 12 counted. Osprey sightings have continued on a near daily basis, as they continue to fish at low tide before the head back to Africa.  Over 300 Canada Geese have been using the Basin as a stopover on their short migration back south, after spending the summer on the Beauly Firth. Common Terns have continued to be seen feeding in the Basin and temporarily stopping on the Tern Raft, however there have still been no signs of them attempting to settle, with it almost certainly being too late in the season to do so anyway.

In front of the centre there have been numerous warbler sightings, with a Whitethroat seen on both the 8^th and the 22^nd, a Blackcap on the 8^th and 18^th, a Sedge Warbler on the 8^th and a Garden Warbler on the 19^th.

Craig Shepherd

Visitor Centre Assistant Manager.