From the outset, it was our intention to create a garden that was attractive to wildlife, by planting trees, both native and non-native, along with shrubs and ground-level vegetation that provide both food and cover.
Measuring biodiversity is no easy matter, except with respect to the more obvious fauna and flora, of which birds are the easiest to quantify; though we have also kept tabs on butterflies, macro-moths, dragonflies, mammals, and plants.
Our current bird tally is 100, as of 15/10/19, where it has remained since 9/5/16 when a cormorant flew over the garden. This large, fish-eating bird appeared from the direction of the coast, ten miles away, and seemed to be heading to a point somewhere up-river of the croft – taking a shorter route than it would have had it followed the river from the estuary.
Another fish-eater, the osprey, is also recorded here from time to time, carrying its prey from a nearby angling lake to its nest on the Haddo estate.
We figure that 20% of this total results directly from the changes we have made to what was a strictly agricultural environment, compensating us, to some extent, for a very noticeable decline in what are generally regarded as farmland species – lapwing, curlew, oystercatcher, corn bunting and skylark in particular. This decline is attributed to changes in agricultural practice and has nothing to do with converting five acres to garden!
30% of the tally has been recorded as nesting in the garden, including buzzard, tawny owl, stock dove, and tree sparrow.
Most birdwatchers get particularly excited by raptors. Our ‘garden’ list includes, in order of frequency, buzzard, sparrowhawk, kestrel, osprey, peregrine, merlin; though this order has changed since we arrived here in 1983. Our first buzzard was observed on 16/8/95 when kestrel would have occupied the top slot. Now, this once-common falcon is seen here infrequently, whereas buzzards are a daily presence. It is tempting to assume that this is no coincidence though some ornithologists insist that the dramatic increase in the buzzard population has had no impact on their smaller ‘cousin’.
Rarities hold even more appeal for the average birder and we can list two very odd records: red-backed shrike (17/5/93) and little auk (26/1/88 and 4/1/16). As mentioned, our garden is located ten miles from the nearest coast but this diminutive oceanic species is occasionally blown inland on easterly gales.
Whilst rarities push the twitching button, the seasonal variation in our avifauna is a more dependable source of delight. Spring is still heralded here by the arrival of oystercatchers (overhead) in March, but our first trans-Saharan migrant nester is the willow warbler, which has turned up on the 21st April in three of the last five years. This year, for the first time, it was preceded by its almost identical relative, the chiffchaff, on the 5th – though this species has never nested here. (I should point out that much of our recording depends on a familiarity with birdsong.)
The first swallow also puts in an appearance around the beginning of the third week in April though it takes another week or so before all of our residents arrive. Sadly far fewer than usual nested this year.
At the other end of the season, when swallows are beginning to congregate in preparation for their African journey, the first pinkfeet can be heard high overhead - this year on the 15th September; though it may be another three weeks before the local wintering geese can be seen and heard on a daily basis, either flying inland from the estuary or grazing in the neighbouring fields.
And now, in mid-October, the winter thrushes – fieldfares and redwings – have arrived from the continent, along with robins and goldcrests which also, amazingly, can traverse the North Sea.
One of the most looked-for birds at this time of year is the waxwing which, due to our east coast location, is an occasional visitor, first recorded here 25/10/04. Having noticed them gorging on Cotoneaster berries on an Aberdeen street we are hoping that by including that shrub in our hedges and shelterbelts we can encourage this flamboyant species to show up more frequently.
So what can we expect to be number 101? Quite possibly it has already put in an appearance. Last year our oak trees, planted in 1990, bore their first crop of acorns, and it was from the wood I heard what I took to be the call of a jay (an acorn-eating bird). On investigation, I saw no jay, just a couple of magpies which, conceivably, could have made a jay-like noise. Being thoroughly objective I have not added jay to our list yet but I suspect it is just a matter of time before they become an Airdlin bird.
Another strong contender to fill the 101 slot is the red kite, which has been re-introduced at several locations in Scotland and would find a very suitable nesting habitat on the nearby Haddo estate (gamekeepers permitting). We are ready and waiting.