White-winged Scoter and Blyths Reed Warbler SE Scotland - 30th June

 I left the site of my overnight stop in Dalwhinnie to drive the two hour or so drive to Musselburgh, arriving at 1130.

I met Steven Fryer and several other birders at the sea wall and tried in vain for an hour or so to make out some detail on three Scoters.  Various people claimed one was the White-winged Scoter and left, satisfied, but I wasn't sated.  I went to get some lunch and returned nearer to the River mouth an hour or so later.


This time, as I approached the gathered birders which again included Steven, they relayed that the White-winged Scoter was right out in front and closer in.


We watched for 30+ minutes as it gradually drifted closer, eventually coming right into the mouth before finally flying off back towards the sewage pipes.  The other three scoter species were still present around the corner so, and included two Velvet Scoter at least. 


Also present was a group of 90 Red-breasted Merganser, and several hundred Eider at least. 

Before heading to the Borders, I checked the lagoons where the usual species can be found.

At just after 5pm, after another hours drive, I arrived at the river near Upsettlington.  I set out right away, expecting to find a group of twitchers at the location provided but was surprised to see i'd be by myself.  The only singing warblers were Whitethroat and Blackcap, and I was sure I'd missed the bird given it had probably been busy with visitors the previous day as it was a Sunday. 

It had been said to be singing non-stop so I was disappointed, having been inspired by the first and only time I heard one singing at night from my previous campervan in Finland during a long road trip in Spring 2019. 

But after about 30 minutes I heard a few odd sounds that couldn't be put down to Blackcap or Whitethroat.  And then, there it was, chasing a Whitethroat then perching, the Blyth's Reed Warbler!  It went on to perch on the wall, post, a branch and wild flora on multiple occasions although barely singing at all.



 Some time later, one of the birders from the Scoter arrived for his second helping of this warbler.  


Also present here, Kingfisher, Little Egret and Goosander.

I went back to my van to make dinner at 6.30pm, and drove to my stop for the night near to Coquet Island in preparation for the following day's boat trip.



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