Portsoy - White-billed diver

Another overdue visit with only one target in mind. Portsoy is a bit of a trek from North Herts but this journey was completed in a day with thanks to British Airways policy of carry-on items within the basic fare prices (£88 rtn). Taking advantage of loyalty points through Enterprise, the car-hire cost was a modest £22 for the day. The trip did require a 4.30am alarm call but with the scope set up by 11.20am, this was a steal of a trip.

The Dolphin Statue overlooks the sea facing north from the lovely coastal village of Portsoy. 

From the vantage point, small rafts of long-tailed duck in fine summer plumage were floating offshore with modest numbers of common eider, guillemot, kittiwake and Sandwich tern in the area.

It was generally a fine day, a modest southerly breeze, that was more than bearable, kept the temperature at a comfortable level with the sun desperately trying to break through.

Scanning the sea, two great northern diver flew past and single red-throated diver settled nearby but there was no sign of any divers with pearl bills.

Visits to the coffee shop and a brief change of vantage point was rewarded with a pod of common dolphin passing close by to the seawall.

Then after a couple of hours, the white-billed diver appeared distantly off a headland to the west. The views were distant but subtly contorted by the heat haze as the day began to warm. Within the dappled sunlight, the diver's bill could be seen glinting in the brightness. However, having travelled this far, this could not be the only sighting of this enigmatic seafarer.

Consulting Google Maps, there was an opportunity to access the coastal path at Redhythe Point. Driving over, and with a parking location found, the coastal path was accessed through a fallow field on the otherside of a metal gate. A few hundred metres took me to an area of soft grass with the sea dominating the landscape from east to west. 

The short excursion was rewarded with a single white-billed diver found feeding offshore, scope views allowing great views of this stunning bird as it drifted slowly west toward Cullen. In fine summer plumage, it was a privilege to observe it over a period of around 45 minutes.

A really great day all round, and a must visit for anyone interested in seeing some of our finest rare migrant birds.