Another update about the breeding season from some of our key species! This one focusing on our cliff nesting seabirds in 2019. For those of you who might be less familiar with the reserve we have a small number of seabirds on the cliffs from Collieston all the way down to Rockend where the cliffs give way to beach.

The number of Kittiwakes nesting at Forvie has varied considerably over the years, with a steady decline in the late 1990s/early 2000s being followed by a partial recovery, since then numbers have fluctuated from year to year. This year we identified 387 nests which is a drop from last year but overall a fairly average total for this site in relation to the previous few years!

Fulmar numbers have also fluctuated widely at Forvie from one season to the next, with a breeding population of between 180 and 360 pairs in most years. The long-term trend has been for a slow decline since the late 1990s. This years census found only 56 fulmar sites the lowest total since recording began on site in 1986. The previous lowest total has been very recently in 2016 with 73 nest sites. There were higher numbers than previous years of fulmars loafing around on this cliffs not on nests so perhaps there was a chance for some late breeding attempts here to boost these numbers.

Both Guillemots and Razorbills breed at Forvie in small and relatively recently-established colonies. Both species increased steadily in numbers from the late 1990s up to 2012, and have fluctuated slightly from year to year since. 2019 seen an increase in both species over the previous year with 148 razorbills and 59 guillemots!

The Cormorant colony was first recorded at Forvie on this monitoring programme in 2002, with numbers increasing to a peak of 93 nests in 2006. Since then the population has become very variable between seasons, and the colony was abandoned altogether in 2017. 2018 seen the return of 2 nests but this season recorded no Cormorant nests in 2019. It would appear that there is an exchange of birds between local colonies each year, including one just to the north of Collieston village (personal observations of Daryl Short) so no nests this year does not mean that cormorants are not having a good year overall.

Two pairs of Shags nested at Forvie in 2019, both at the traditional nesting site on the stack at the Corbie Holes (unfortunately we don’t have any pictures of shags). This particular site has been occupied by a single pair most years since at least 2000! A second pair has been present in recent years since 2014.

Herring gulls on site have undergone an alarming decline between 2010 and 2011 (315 to 144 nests). Although the herring gull population somewhat recovered in the subsequent seasons the decline continued reaching the only 37 nests in 2019, and sharp decline from the 63 nests in 2018. Similar to Fulmars, this is the lowest breeding population recorded since surveying began in 1986, exceeding the previous low in 2016 of 45 nests. Since surveying began at Forvie in 1986, the breeding population of Herring Gulls has declined by some 95%.

For the ninth consecutive year, no Lesser Black-backed Gull nests were recorded, and no adults or immature birds were noted on the day of the survey. Although loafing birds can still occasionally be seen at Hackley Bay this species has become locally scarce in recent seasons.

One Great Black-backed Gull nest was located pictured above! We were lucky enough to see the little chicks around their nest area on top of a sea-stack, taking its place at the top, definitely an apex predator in the colony of seabirds. The numbers of GBBGs have been low at Forvie for some time, back in 2007 there were 7 nesting pairs but this year and in 2017 seen only one nest. Like with the other species the reason for the species relative scarcity in recent seasons is unclear, but there has been a distinct decline since seven nests were recorded in 2007.

All in all, the census for the seabird season provided some positive news but mostly a continuing trend of worrying news. Some of the species are holding their own, but species like fulmar and herring gull suffering further declines, peaking with their lowest nesting season yet. With the proximity of the tern colony on the south end of the reserve which overall is doing extremely well, food supply for the cliff nesting seabirds was likely not a problem as it seems to pose no issue for the terns which share much of the same food supply. When looking at these population trends like our loss of cormorants on site for example its important to take in the bigger picture. While it is a decline for cormorants at Forvie, further north along the coast might see an increase, so that bigger picture needs to be taken into account. We send all our data into JNCC as do other sites so that a full image of how the seabirds are doing can be assessed! This will help us understand how our seabirds are really doing looking into next season.

Eiders and the Ythan estuary have a steep history. As many of the locals know, there was a time that Forvie hosted the largest population of breeding eiders in the UK! Back in 1991 the spring peak population of eiders on the Ythan reached over 5000 birds.

Dating even further back the spring population of eiders grew from 3500 in 1961 to a maximum of 6700 in 1984. Since then the population fluctuated, sometimes substantially, but the dramatic decline of our sea duck began in 2005.

In 2005 there were over 5000 birds which by 2008 had dropped to just 2130 eiders. Since then there has been an overall steady decline. But where are we now? Having just prepared the 2019 eider report, we have had the chance to summarise the data gathered during surveys.

The 2019 breeding season has seen the lowest spring population of eiders in at least the last 58 years (could not find any older reports!) with only 1323 eiders. The last 6 or 7 years has seen on average a 5% decline year on year and this year and on the face of it this year has continued on this trend. The eiders of Forvie are still struggling to stabilize at a sustainable population. They are an iconic species on the reserve and it is sad to think the cooing along the estuary will continue getting quieter and quieter.

But is it all doom and gloom?

Part of the monitoring for eiders on reserve includes not only counting the peak population on the estuary and along the coast from Collieston to Newburgh but also nest searches and duckling/fledgling counts.

We found a total of 97 nests and later in the season 86 eider ducklings reached the fledgling stage. From here they will have a high survival rate, capable of flight to protect themselves. While Forvie had the lowest spring peak population, the breeding output and the number of fledged eiders in 2019 is marginally better than the previous three years. 86 fledged birds from 97 nests is actually quite a positive result! Particularly for long lived birds like eiders.

On top of this, although the spring peak population in total was at its lowest, the number of potential breeding females was higher than the previous three years! Normally the males outnumber the females quite heavily but this ratio can fluctuate quite a lot between years and this year seen then low end of that ratio. Likely a large portion of the missing males have been further north or south around other colonies.

So all in all, the eiders at Forvie had a promising year compared with the past few seasons. Coming into next year, hopefully we will see the return of many of the same eiders, the colony bolstered with the 86 ducklings fledged in 2019.

On a final note, food for thought on the eiders at Forvie. 86 fledged birds from 97 nests is an excellent result but why are there so few nests? This year seen almost 400 adult females on the Ythan at its peak. Skipping a breeding year for an eider is not uncommon to improve its own survival but only 1 in 4 decided to nest. This has been happening for a number of years consecutively. Considerable research has gone into the eiders at Forvie studying body condition of individuals, ringing projects, studying food supply etc. but unfortunately there hasn’t been a conclusive problem identified. This is undoubtedly a complex problem, and the the underlying stress around the future of the eider colony.

Forvie NNR host the tail end of one of the largest Sand Dune systems in the UK. The Dune system begins from near Aberdeen city up along the coast past Balmedie, Forvern Burn and half way through the Forvie NNR reserve before giving way to coastal cliff.

As hard as it is to imagine, these “shifting dunes” true to their name are mobile. The dunes move with the prevailing wind, sand added and recycled from far off the coast driven by the tide.

Since starting my position at Forvie I’ve been fascinated with the dunes. The southern end of the reserve is dominated by a large expanse of sand slacks and sand dunes, partially visible in the photo above. A bleak, lifeless environment on the surface but one of stark beauty which bursts to life with the arrival of the terns and gulls for breeding.

Over the last few months here I’ve met a number of wonderful folk that have previously worked here, my predecessors on the reserve. Each of them would mention after after many years of not seeing the dunes they can’t believe how the landscape has changed. I’ve had a glimpse of this recently through an old photo of the seal haul-out that was shared. At the time we did not know how old this photo was but we took another snap from roughly the same location to compare the changes.

The pill box has gone from being almost completely buried to being totally exposed – that’s a shift of at least 2-3 meters of sand deep being moved. Enough sand has been shifted to expose rock on the seal haul out where non was visible before.

Looking further into the background there is now an imposing ridge of sand with a drop onto the beach. All in all, who know how many thousands of tonnes of sand shifted changing the landscape. In the end the old photo was only taken in the summer of 2016 so this change occurred only over the last 3 years!

Even in my 5 months here, it sometimes seems to change overnight. I notice small changes over time but occasionally I find myself seeing new paths through the dunes wondering if that was there as I walked through yesterday, climbing a dune thinking this seems more steep – or was it my imagination? The dunes a labyrinth of sand, a puzzle being reworked by the wind.

These photos sparked a new appreciation for the dunes in me and their importance. Why is this dynamic nature needed on the coastline? Outside of the unique habitat that dunes create for flora and fauna, they act as a barrier against the seas. They are a natural defense against rising sea levels and given the current climate emergency they are becoming only more important on our coast, protecting inland areas from the seas and storms. Dunes are not our only natural defense on the coast. Cliffs protect inland areas from storm waves and wetlands reduce flood risks. In the end, I am all the more thankful for the dunes and our natural world here at Forvie.

After a period of solely westerly facing winds disspointinly for the birding community, we have over the last couple of weeks had a few days of easterly winds.

Along with days of strong easterly winds Forvie Beach is more inclined to collect marine litter, forced up the beach from the tide and the winds.

On a recent trip down to the beach we started seeing a number of large items that we decided to collect at a later date when the 4×4 was available. Having returned a few days later I was already struggling to see some of the rubbish and briefly thought maybe someone had moved it? Until i see the tail end of rope sticking out of the sand I realised that a lot of it had been buried by sand already!

It did make me pause and think, how much more rubbish has gathered under the sand? Buried and exposed over and over with passing storms, a landfill under your feet perhaps. Maybe some of this rubbish didn’t wash up recently but has been laying under the sand for some time until it was exposed again with recent winds?

Aside from that it was important to remove it. From some fish boxes and a good length of rope on the beach I made an impromptu roving bin, to collect marine litter as I made my way up the beach.

This leaking oil was definitely one of the saddest things that I’ve come across and very difficult to remove/deal with.

As I was writing this article someone brought a second leaking container of oil up to the office – 2 in 2 days, dangerous stuff

What I wasn’t expecting while I collected a few items along the beach was the response of people out for a walk on the reserve. While my intention was to collect a few large items various small groups were walking up the beach collecting smaller pieces and adding to the pile or taking it with them. To me, this is a big part of what working with SNH is all about, connecting people and nature. But this was inspiring in a unique way. There was no event, no planned beach clean – people took time out of there day on a whim and it soon reminded me of an impromptu beach clean. No one was asked to help, they simply did – they were connected people and nature.

Outside the visitor centre at Forvie there is a wealth of plant life from birds-foot trefoil, greater birds-foot trefoil, thistle, black knapweed, ragwort, rosebay willowherb, ox-eye daisies etc.. This diversity offers advantages to a wide variety of other life – from nectar rich flowers for pollinators to preferred food stuff of certain caterpillars. This in turn helps insectivorous species like our small birds, that also feed of the seeds of some of these plants as well.

At this time of year most of the flowers are out of season are dying off and seeding the ground, providing plenty of food for migrant and resident birds.

The plant life at the centre is self managing, gardening here is quite easy. With the seeds of these plants readily available we decided to collect a small portion to spread down at waterside car park.

There are areas there, verges of the car park, that host predominantly grasses docks and nettles. To help bolster a wildflower meadow we spread the small amount of seed collected on the edges of the vegetation – the roughed up edges to the vegetation have a better chance for new plants and small plants to sprout.

It may take a couple of years to notice any difference but hopefully some plants will start to take hold and help feed our wildlife.

If you are fortunate enough to have your own garden an unkept part to your garden, a small wildflower rich meadow, along with srubs etc. can massive contribution to wider wildlife. It helps connect wild areas for wildlife like Forvie to the wider countryside

While I was sorting photos to do some computer housekeeping as you will, I came across some photos of razorbills on the Forvie cliffs during this years breeding season.

Outside of having a good chuckle at the sight watching a big chick squeeze under a parent on such a tiny ledge, I also came to further appreciated a razorbills adaptations to nesting on the cliffs, living life on the edge (I hope you haven’t come to my blog for witty writing, that there is as good as it gets).

To think not only do the parents nest here but they can successfully fledge chicks that are moving around, curious to the their new world, all the while perched on a ledge that could be only a few inches wide.

While they are remarkable creatures and can nest on practically any crack, crevice or ledge, that doesn’t mean that they are always happy with their home. Or in this instance, their neighbors.

With the breeding season closed for the most part there is a small lull, if you can call it that, to catch up on other activities on the reserve. This is a brief moment in the scope of the year with wintering birds making there way to the reserve and the wider country.

One species that is arriving at force at the moment is the pink-footed goose. They breed further North in Greenland, Iceland and Svalbard. After they moult their feathers, families of pinkies set off on their migration south for better feeding. For me it is without a doubt one of the highlights of the autumn wildlife calendar. Seeing skein after skein flying overhead, their calls a beautiful autumn soundtrack!

It really started kicking of last week with flocks passing overhead all day. During October, Forvie NNR will start seeing its peaks numbers. They will start settling in and around the reserve in fields and lochs, finding resting sites at dusk and taking off for feeding grounds at dawn.

At its best, their numbers here can be North of 15,000 and it is definitely worth a visit to come down and see. A little closer to the best dates to see we will post another blog about the numbers around the reserve and how to best enjoy the spectacle.

But in the meantime, keep an ear open if you’re on the dunes for the familiar noise passing over head.

On the Ythan, various different species of use the estuary as a pit stop pre/post migration. It’s an important spot to rest, preen and feed for passage birds. An incredible number of Redshank pass through the Ythan in the Autumn and at the moment their numbers are increasing rapidly!

After having seen a juvenile Spotted Redshank earlier that day on reserve and reports that the juvenile bird was on the estuary we were rifling through the flocks of Redshank for any differently marked birds we came across this guy below with a yellow flag with the number 112.

Needless to say, I got excited what story this little bird had to tell. We sent off the sighting information to ringing groups and heard back shortly after from our local ringing expert. This Redshank was ringed as a juvenile 5 years previous on the Ythan in late August. We have breeding Redshank in the local area so it was quite possible it was a juvenile bird of a resident pair. Or did it originate from further afield?

After overwintering on the Ythan during its first year there were routine sightings of the bird in 2014 and 2015 from mid July to mid/late August but no sighting here during the breeding season until May 2016. There was a confirmed sighting of the bird photographed at Brekkusker Iceland! The remote North East reaches of the country.

It was then shortly after sighted again on the Ythan mid July 2016 so most likely the Ythan is and will continue to be a favoured stop off point for this little bird. It really is fascinating what we can learn from ringing so if you are out and about doing a spot of bird watching, it pays to keep a close eye for any tagged birds.