It's a momentous occasion for the blog this week, we recorded our 100th species of the year! We also had the onset of Storm Ciara but despite the gusty weather its been a very balanced week, with lots of records across all the families of birds.
This week's records start on Loch Connell, a small lake just outside of Kirkcolm that yields a surprising diversity of species. Its surrounding fields are a great spot for all sorts of birds to graze. These regularly include large flocks of geese, and this week there were over 450 Pink-footed Geese happily feeding. Amongst them were also small flocks of both Greylag and Canada geese, along with a lonesome Whooper Swan. Less conspicuous were the Curlews, of which almost 100 also fed amongst the grass. And on the loch itself was a nice selection of ducks, including Mallards, Tufted Ducks, and flocks of over 100 Wigeon and Teal.
Looking out on Loch Ryan and there was no shortage of ducks to see there either. Such numerous species included almost 300 Eider, approximately 50 Red-breasted Mergansers and over 250 Common Scoters. Slightly less prolific were the Goldeneye and Shelduck, but all seen on a regular basis. Finally, a pair of Velvet Scoters were spotted on Wednesday.
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| Male Eider on Loch Ryan |
We also had some seabirds on the water this week, perhaps sheltering in advance of the coming weather. A group of 4 Razorbills were recorded, along with our first Guillemot of the year. A more common sight were the Black Guillemots, of which 13 were recorded in a single day, including one bird in adult breeding plumage. And that wasn't the only bird with propagation on the brain, as individuals of both Slavonian Grebes and Long-Tail Ducks had similar breeding plumages. They must have been exceptionally keen since these plumages aren't normally seen until April.
Last week I mentioned the Hooded Crow-Carrion Crow hybrid, and this bird was seen again several times this week, alongside several regular Carrion Crows. We also had regular Jackdaws and Rooks, and even a pair of Ravens! That wasn't the end to the corvid compilation, however, as to round it all out, we had a new species for the blog with a pair of Jays.
It wouldn't be the Wig without some waders, and we always get a nice selection no matter the state of the tide. This week had all our regulars including Oystercatcher, Redshanks (a count of over 30 birds at Bishop burn) and Turnstones, as well as a lone Bar-tailed Godwit and a flock of over 40 Ringed Plovers.
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| A Ringed Plover wades in the mud |
From waders, we move into the woods and there was a nice surprise waiting for us. Alongside the commoner Great Tits, Coal Tits, and Goldfinches, we also had more records of Goldcrest and Nuthatches. New to the blog however was a Great-spotted Woodpecker, located by its distinctive "chip" call.
Woods weren't the only place thronging with smaller birds, however, as we had some great species recorded on the beach and surrounding fields. Groups of Rock Pipits were seen pretty regularly, along with a Stonechat and a record of 5 Skylarks. Skylarks can be hard to find in winter, though we should be seeing more soon as many will breed here.
This past week there has been a bit of a Waxwing fever, with some great records and photo's coming out of the Dumfries area. Not to be outdone, we had our own Waxwing on Saturday. They're quite rare out here on the Rhins and normally you would expect to see them slightly further inland, so perhaps it was taking shelter from the coming storm. They will go whenever there is food though, and Rowan Berries are a particular favourite of theirs so keep your eyes peeled, you never know where they might turn up.
It seems fitting to end this week on perhaps my favourite bird, the Peregrine Falcon. This was recorded on Friday as it came in off of the sea heading into Stranraer, and I'm sad to have missed it. We do have a local population, however, and you stand a good chance of seeing one further up near the mouth of the loch.
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| A Peregrine on the lookout for prey |
And that's another week of records! Hopefully, the stormy weather will soon pass and we can get out to do some birdwatching! You never know, it might have blown in something exciting and unusual as well. As always thanks for reading, and I hope you all have a nice week's birdwatching!
[All photographs were taken by and belong to Stephen Grover, please ask for permission if you wish to use them.]
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