I originally went to the Ythan to see Little and Arctic Terns, but also hoped to get a photo of the King Eider I'd filmed off Earlsferry in Fife some weeks ago. The terns were found quickly and eventually the King Eider stopped preening and was briefly active in the river.
Although known as "Newburgh Seal Beach" the north bank regularly held up to 1500 seals thanks to the area being out of bounds to people, there were no seals within range unless with binoculars. Around 300+ were on the low water mark to the north of the river, and none in the river. Perhaps the seals got flushed by inconsiderate humans too often and its forced them to move, maybe it's because the sand has been washed away from where they hauled out.
It's worth noting that a charity has taken over the very much improved car park near the golf course and is charging £3.00, I can't remember for how long. You can only pay with a card which I didn't have with me! Mind you I only noticed I was being asked to pay when I found a note on my windscreen!
Two videos showing the King Eider, one with more zoom across the rivers width.
King Eider preening film 1 King Eider film 2
King Eider preening film 1 King Eider film 2
Little Tern
Little Tern
King Eider 2nd year drake
Already moulting into eclipse plumage
A bit tighter view from my P1000
Arctic Tern
Arctic Tern
Common Tern
With a Sandeel
Common Tern
Sandwich Tern with a Sandeel
With a small sprat like species
Black-headed Gull looking a bit pale and drab until you see the photo below
Eider creche, I'll leave readers to count them
This "Eider" is a bit of a puzzle, it's very pale and I've checked a photo from 2014 which appears to be the same bird. It may just have a pigment challenge, but I wonder could it be the hybrid daughter of Elvis the original drake King Eider
Barrel Jellyfish which appears to be out of place, the web speaks of it being seen off the south coast of England and Ireland
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