Arrived at the estuary, having been dropped off at the car park by Raymond at 0900. Another freezing day, largely due to the south easterly wind blowing once again. I left the car park and started by walking along the boardwalk up to the viewing platform above the beach to get a good view over the whole estuary. I continued around the dunes for a bit and then headed down to the beach where I sought relative shelter once more on the north facing side of the dunes opposite the seals.
Not very busy at all wildlife-wise but there’s always the seals with the sanderling dashing around them. I thankfully got a chance to sketch the sanderling when they finally ran out of steam, stopping and resting on the tideline just beyond the haul-out! I also decided to draw a confiding drake eider on the water near me, as it was the only one around this end of the estuary and they are looking particularly smart now all the moulting has finished. Also decided to do a ‘reflections’ themed day with a sketch of a grey seal in the water by the haul-out. I had to report two incidents today unfortunately to Ythan Seal Watch of people disturbing the seals on the north side but, thankfully, it was only minimal disturbance and majority of the haul-out was unaffected.
It was absolutely freezing most of the day and I found myself having to resort to using those hand-warming pouches to stop them shaking (must be getting old as it’s something I thought I would never use!). I regularly had to get up and walk about a bit to keep the blood flowing and I also had a brief break when Raymond, Judy, Morgane and Paul came along the beach while walking their dogs.
I lasted until 2pm and headed back to Raymond and Judy’s house, cold but happy, where I was being collected by Innes to return home to Banchory.
INNER THOUGHTS: Again, despite the cold, it is an absolute joy being able to spend time out on the estuary among the wildlife. It’s difficult to express just how it makes me feel to sit amongst, draw and observe these creatures in an environment like this – especially with all that is going on in the world right now (in the USA in particular).
