Autumn Highlights

Why the East Grampian Coast is great in Autumn.....

The great things of autumn are generally not associated with the coast; the Autumn leaves, children playing Conkers or hunting for Mushrooms, all great but not very coastal. So why go to the coast? Well, there is plenty to see and do, the seasons are changing here too!

In early autumn the weather can be surprisingly warm, so fun on the beach is still the order of the day although possibly a long walk is the order of the day rather than a swim. However, if you are one of those people who believe that a 30 mile per hour North Easterly is great beach weather as many surfers do, this can also be a great time.

Serious bird watchers may also view bad weather as a good thing. An Easterly wind with fog and drizzle or even rain can produce a fall, whereby huge numbers of birds are caught out by changing weather and go seriously off course. This can involve hundreds of thousands of common species as well as many unusual species. In early November a few years ago such an event lead to an estimated 3 million thrushes between Aberdeen and Peterhead. Rattray head and Girdleness are both good places to watch. For information on recent sightings please go to the Grampian Wildlife Web

Even if such conditions do not occur, the numbers of migrating birds arriving in the North East can be fantastic. Many robins make their way across the sea from Northern Europe. Another gem of a bird that arrives in large numbers is the Goldcrest, although they are smaller than a wren they travel over the sea to enjoy our warm winters, and make our summer visitors who fly away to warmer weather look like real wimps.

After being away for much of the summer the Bottlenose Dolphins will becoming more regular at the harbour, well worth a look from the Torry Battery. The Minkie Whale and White Beaked Dolphins that we see in the summer will now be heading for deeper water so will be much less frequent. One species that may, just may make an appearance is the Pilot Whale, let us know if you see one, and quickly in case we can get their before it leaves.

Remember that the East Grampian Seawatch land based surveys will still be taking place along with boat trips from Stonehaven.

So what are the very best things to do in autumn? Firstly go Goose watching at the Loch of Strathbeg, this really is the closest Scotland has to the Wilderbeast Migration. The sight and sound of over 70,000 Pink Footed Geese going to, or leaving the roost is simply unbelievable.

Although, a little later than Autumn, why not join the Aberdeen Beachwatch clean in early December.

 

The Coast on Film........

Photographing the coast may appear easy but quite often the results are disappointing.  To help you improve the quality of your photographs we have compiled a list of tips:

1. Equipment

Any camera, film or digital, can take great landscape and portrait photographs. If you are disappointed with your results try a couple of cheap simple things first before considering changing your camera;

• Firstly try using a tripod.  This simple device may well transform your photographs; it will make you think about your shots and will steady the image. On a digital camera, use the lowest ISO number and a landscape or high aperture setting along with a tripod.  With a film camera try a slow speed film; and

• Secondly clean your lens! If you like taking photographs close to the sea you camera lens may well become covered in salt from the sea spray.

2. When to go?

Timing is everything.....often the middle of a sunny day is not the ideal time for great photographs.  The image may look flat and have a slight blue tinge.  Wait until the late evening or get up early, the long shadows will combine with the softer light to give everything a warm, interesting look.

3. Don’t be a fair weather photographer

For truly dramatic photographs, bad weather rules! Waves breaking on the rocks and sunshine on the landscape whilst a black thunderstorm approaches make for fantastic images. But beware, your own safety is most important so do not get too close to the waves or become cut off by the incoming tides.

 

4. Portraits

Photographing people at the beach can give some great results but remember to ask for the person’s permission first.  This is especially true of children which, unless they are your own, are best avoided. If you intend to sell or exhibit your portraits, you will need a model consent form signed by the subjects

5. Wildlife

Getting good photographs of wildlife can be very challenging, but is possible with patience and luck.  A long lens is very useful. Three points to bear in mind are:

• keep disturbance to a minimum;
• try to put the animal in its natural environment; many very close-up shots end up looking like they were taken at a zoo; and
• remember to spend time just watching.  If you do go on any boat trips to see the marine wildlife in the area it is very easy to spend the whole time looking through a viewfinder and not actually enjoying the experience.

 

6. What to photograph?

This one is entirely up to you.

If you do get some great photographs and would like to see them on the cover of future newsletters and on the website, please get in touch.  Images should be in portrait format and remember to leave some space for writing, headlines etc.