Ross’s Goose amongst the Pinkfeet at Loch of Skene this morning; left NE from the roost at 8.15. A nice selection of ducks also present, including Scaup, Shoveler, Gadwall and an influx of Teal, with 19 Whoopers also through. #birdingscotland

An unexpected Glaucous Gull at Loch of Skene this afternoon #birdingscotland

An estimated minimum of 1000 House Martins at Loch of Skene late pm - the highest ever count in NE Scotland, I think. Amongst them, a patch tick Black Tern (first there since 1983), with a Merlin also an overdue site first for me after a few frustrating possibles over the years. #birdingscotland

Small Blues (and a smart Common Blue) on the coast east of Macduff yesterday. I believe this extends the current known range c15km east along the north Aberdeenshire coast. Quail calling nearby too.

With these 4 (until they flew off high at 8am), my third Greenshank of the spring and the trilling of Common Sands, Loch of Skene felt a bit more like Highland than lowland Aberdeenshire this morning. #birdingscotland

A few from a brief work trip to Shetland.

A showy Euro/Russian White-front at Loch of Skene this morning - with Greylags and probably a returning bird. Also an ad Kittiwake early morning and the first Redshank of the year. A single Sand Martin (one yesterday too). #birdingscotland

A grey morning at Loch of Skene today, but highlights included lingering Ring-necked Duck and Scaup, and a Herald moth. #birdingscotland

A Black-throated Diver in Peterhead Bay late afternoon today, showing very well despite my poor photo. It even did a tour of the marina. A scarce bird in NE Scotland, with this being my first since 2021.

At least 2 Iceland Gulls at Peterhead this afternoon - a 1W on the Ugie estuary & an ad briefly at the mouth (flushed by a dogwalker) & then probably the same 1W in Peterhead Bay, where also a Puffin & a GN Diver. #BirdingScotland

At Loch of Strathbeg this morning, drake Ring-necked Duck & drake Smew both viewable very distantly from the Rattray end along with 6 Scaup & c40 Pochard still. Three GW Egrets on the Low Ground & probably another by the loch. Also, my Strathbeg Kingfisher. #BirdingScotland

A chilly but productive start to the day at Loch of Skene this morning. Drake Ring-necked Duck still present, with Canada Goose and Dipper as welcome patch year ticks. A pair of Stonechat still around the frozen margin.

A juv/1W Glauc & 3 Little Auks N past Girdle Ness this morning 08:20-11:20. Also 3 Great Northern Divers (1 N, 2 S) & 15 R-t Divers. Plenty of other gulls & Guillemots moving & c12 Gannets but very few ducks past. #BirdingScotland