There's not much to say about this week, the weather has been fantastic and so have the birds. The incoming migration of species might have slowed down (though we still found a new one!), but the bird diversity is higher than it has ever been before. Even from short local walks, we have been seeing tons of bird activity, as well as some right in our garden.
Last week I spoke of many breeding plumages, and this week it was the Great-Northern Divers turn to show off. Not only did we have 7 in one day (our highest recorded count of the year) but 6 individuals were in their majestic breeding plumage. Furthermore, we also have the return to the blog of a Great Crested Grebe. They have been absent these past few weeks so it's nice to see one back on loch. Another rare visitor this week were Red-necked Grebes. Previously we only had 2 records over winter, however this week alone we were able to match that! They were also in their summer plumage so showing off their distinctive colouration that gives them their name.
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| A Dunlin showing off its summer plumage, most noticeably it's black belly |
Another species showing off their summer plumage are the Dunlins. Over the winter we have had the occasional record of an individual or small groups of birds, but now those numbers have increased substantially. With flocks as large as 67 birds, they have been staple records this past week. Sanderlings have also been on the rise of late, with three instances of records across the week and a max count of 14 birds. Our other waders included a pair of Bar-tailed Godwits, some Turnstones and several flocks (20-40 birds) of Ringed Plovers.
On the loch itself, the final few species I want to look at are some of the ducks. Common Scoter used to be a daily record for us as they winter on the loch, often in large numbers. Most of these have since headed up north to breed, but we still had a flock of 54 this week which was nice to see. Also diminished in numbers, Long-tailed Ducks are still making their presence felt this week. These breed further north on Tundra's, but that hasn't stopped a few males displaying their chocolatey summer plumage.
We recently had a restock of bird food, so that means plenty of activity in our garden again. Alongside the innumerable House Sparrows and Starlings, we are also seeing Coal Tits fairly regularly in the garden, which is particularly nice. We have even found evidence of them nesting nearby, so hopefully they will continue to keep up these appearances. I occasionally see Coal Tits during my daily walk through the woods, but Blue and Great Tits are definitely the most prevalent. Another garden delight was the arrival of another new species for the blog, the Greenfinch. Whilst Chaffinches are very common and Goldfinches pretty regular, Greenfinches are practically a rarity locally, so it was very nice to see (and hear) one right on our doorstep.
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| A Coal Tit, you can just see its white nape which helps differentiate them from Great Tits |
Not that we have been lacking in things to hear this week. Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers all compete to be heard, resulting in a magnificent chorus that continues all the way around the Wig. Amongst them you can also hear Reed Buntings, Whitethroats, Sedge Warblers, and even a Meadow Pipit. There were plenty of birds flying about though, including Linnets, Nuthatches and a single Goldcrest. The fields, hedgerows and woods are all a hive of activity now, and these are just a taster of what can be seen.
Once again we've had a great week, a trend set to continue for the rest of the month hopefully. Perhaps the best news is we are now allowed to go out for prolonged durations, so you can bet we will be using this to the fullest extent and going even further afield than before. What new records this may result in, you'll have to check back in later for, but you be sure that we will have plenty of more exciting records in the coming weeks.
[All photographs were taken by and belong to Stephen Grover, please ask for permission if you wish to use them.]
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