The Joys of Spring. Bird Report for April 2025.

In the birding calendar April is traditionally a month of change, when the arrival of summer visitors to our shores coincides with the departure of those that overwintered. On my local patch this inter-change of species is more apparent in some years than in others. Read on to check upon some of those migrant, and resident, birds…

A marked change was evident in the numbers of Pale-bellied Brent Geese seen about the Wig this month compared to last. A peak count of 408 (this itself is a sure sign of a passage of birds) on the 4th quickly curtailed thereafter to 42 on the 9th, then to a final count of 10, or so, birds on the 11th. Ordinarily I would expect a few birds to linger on into late April, with a scattering of sightings extending into in early May. For the latter month we will all just have to wait and see what transpires. A Dark-bellied Brent was with a handful of its paler cousins at the Scar on the 5th. Over 280 Pink-footed Geese were seen flying north on the 4th, whilst 364 were observed grazing in a field adjacent Loch Connell, on the 6th, and my final sighting of this wintering species being a noisy gaggle of 80 northward bound birds, on the 10th.

Presumably I was seeing the same three Whooper Swans on each of my visits to Loch Connell during the month, although on the 13th they were boosted by an additional four birds, making the peak tally 7. The same body of freshwater also played host to an unusually high count of 13 Shelducks on the 6th, whereas at the Scar, Loch Ryan, the peak was just two birds on the 22nd.

Siesta in the shade for a Shoveler

A drake Shoveler was a nice find at Loch Connell on the 27th. He half-slept at the water’s edge in the shade of an overhanging Sallow on the far side of the pool. On the near side, an energetic male Green-winged Teal dabbled in the company of six of its more common (on this side of the Atlantic, at least) Eurasian companions, Teal, and two drake Wigeon. What a splendid sight they all made. Earlier in the month there were considerably more Teal, and a few Wigeon, at Loch Connell, with highs of 107 and 18, respectively, on the 6th.

Given the present season there was, understandably, a considerable range in the number of Common Scoters on Loch Ryan. The peak count of 85 was logged early in the month on the 5th, with a very respectable 76 on the 29th. Goldeneyes were few, the majority having already departed for their breeding grounds. My highest count was just 14 birds on the 6th and a final singleton on the 8th. Even scarcer about the Wig than the aforementioned species was Long-tailed Duck, with just a single on the 3rd and another on the 23rd. Most years a few of these delightful waterfowl linger, to be seen in May, but given the relatively few birds that I have noted so far this year this year I shall not be holding my breath on that expectation. The general paucity of sea-faring ducks on Loch Ryan this month was made up for by an excellent showing of Red-breasted Mergansers. The 11th proved especially rewarding when out of a hazy morning mist I saw emerge two rafts of birds, one 144 strong, the other 77, making for an impressive total of 217. Scenes such as that are hardly ever bettered on my local patch - they are as rare as hen’s teeth or pots of gold that are said to be found at the ends of a rainbow. The sighting added to an existing catalogue of lasting memories, which I can call upon in times when I need to invigorate my spirit.

Not unexpectedly I saw few Slavonian Grebes about the Wig this month. I recorded the species on seven days up to and including the 23rd. Fortunately for me, just about all of the birds were in handsome breeding attire. Two, on the 11th and 18th, was my highest tally. I observed Great Northern Divers on three dates across the month: two on the 11th and 23rd, and a full summer-plumaged adult on the 29th. Red-throated Divers were of course more common and abundant than either of the two preceding species; their spring passage on Loch Ryan is noticeably protracted. High counts of 75 (including a tightly knit raft of 35) and 99 birds were logged on the 5th and 23rd, respectively.

Although a diversity of waders was recorded this month, they were generally low in numbers. Lone Bar-tailed Godwits were noted on five dates at the Wig, and a party of three was registered there on the 23rd. Close views of birds, on the 11th and 14th, allowed me to enjoy their stunning summer attire: sporting rich, brick-red underparts from chin to tail. The paucity of Curlews was notable, though not unexpected; birds typically vacate their wintering quarters for breeding grounds early in the year. 28 birds was my highest count (on the 1st), with my last sighting of the month being a singleton on the 13th. A smattering of Dunlin records punctuated the month. 10 seen in breeding plumage at the Scar (on the 24th) were a lively bunch, jostling within their ranks as they pressed ever forward along the beach at the edge of the tidal flow. Those few, however, were not the largest flock I encountered: that came a couple of days later, on the 26th, when a party of 40 paused momentarily at the Wig before heading northwards up the loch.

Gorgeous in summer plumage: Bar-tailed Godwit at the Scar

On the morning of the 15th, there assembled at the Scar 49 Golden Plovers. I presumed them to be ‘Northern’ birds, judging by the extensive amount of black on their underparts, but either way, they were very striking in appearance, and a delight to mine eyes. A Greenshank at the same locality, but on the 8th, was a welcome visitor. A few Lapwings continued to grace the freshwater shoreline of Loch Connell, with six being my highest count on the 13th. Ringed Plovers frequented the beach of the Wig; the largest flock I recorded was 70 birds strong, on the 30th. Also on this date, I unfortunately startled a Snipe into flight from the Estate marsh whilst out photographing some of the many yellow blooms of Mayblobs (Marsh Marigolds) which inhabit this rich environment. I am not quite sure which of us was shocked the most: usually it is Jack Snipe that flush underfoot, whereas Snipe typically flee many yards ahead of potential approaching danger. It was a sunny day so perhaps I caught it napping, dozing in the warm solar rays.

It seems to me that for some species no two years are ever quite the same - a genuine air of unpredictability and uncertainty as to whether a bird may turn up, or not. And on my patch I have always granted that particular niche to be the preserve of that northerly curlew, the Whimbrel. My first sighting of the month was a singleton at the Wig on the 19th. A few days later, on the 22nd, there was 18, followed by a lull of several days until the 29th when a high of 32 birds were registered along the shore.

Kittiwakes are true sea-faring gulls and as such they usually only ever turn up on Loch Ryan when they are blown through the comparatively narrow mouth of the loch by strong offshore winds from the west. Very occasionally however they are observed here at times of the utmost calm, such as occurred on the 24th of this month when I saw four adults birds passing the Scar. To explain this unusual happening I can only assume that they, like so many casual human road users, veer off course on a whim to see where the route may take them. Thus, the birds flying down the loch get to its southern end, at Stranraer, then turn back upon realising that the watery road they have been travelling has run out. (Kittiwakes, apparently, are not fond of journeying over land and hence rarely occur inland). Arctic Terns are also sea-going birds. Their arrival at the Scar was early this year, with me seeing four birds on the 17th. I had to wait until the 27th to encounter the next one here. Sandwich Terns were regularly observed onwards of the 3rd. I frequently counted 30 plus birds, with a peak of 40 on the 22nd and 30th.

Kittiwake fly-past

Gannets, on account of their size, whiteness, and habit of diving for fish from a great height, are conspicuous birds above Loch Ryan. As such I reckon this makes them prime candidates for more intensive study. Alas, there are ever only so many hours in a day and never enough time for a person to do all they may so desire; such a study, therefore, was always going to be beyond my scope, if you pardon the pun. Lets us hope, Gannets, that I shall see you tomorrow… for there is always another day when fresh opportunities may present themselves. In connection with such a study, I hypothesise - or, at least like to think - that the Gannets I see within a given day are all different birds and, thus, am never double counting any, so falsifying my data. Whether or not this be true, I shall probably never know. But such thoughts do invariably cross my mind, especially when, for example, I review the tally of 76 of these (heraldic) angels that I noted on the 14th and 19th of the month. Another thought, reader, you might consider: ‘if a bird has already visited the loch once in search for food will it do so again later the same day, or does it constantly move on to new pastures, so to speak?’

Next up, I report to you upon warblers - a distinct group, which in Britain at least has strong associations with springtime. A walk through the Corsewall Estate grounds and woodlands revealed to me a single Blackcap in song on the 6th; this rose to 5 on the 23rd, then to 10 on the 29th. The same area held 12 singing Chiffchaffs, also on the 29th. A Grasshopper Warbler was heard ‘reeling’ at the Estate marsh on the 20th. There may have been others but these days I struggle with hearing their high-pitched sounds unless they are close-to. Two Lesser Whitethroats (still a rarity on my patch) were heard singing from within scrub beside the shore of the sea-loch, on the 29th, whilst in a nearby wetland area my first Sedge Warblers (5 birds) of the season also heartily sang. I did not hear a Whitethroat until the 27th when, presumably, a returning bird occupied a known favoured site and proclaimed his stake to territory with a characteristic scratchy voice. Willow Warblers are always fewer in number in my neighbourhood than the similar-looking Chiffchaff; their descending fluty songs are however more pleasing to the ear than the monotonous namesake repetition of the latter. Six songsters were logged during the same walk that resulted in the fine chorus of birds which so marked the 29th.

The following selection are all what might best be described as common or garden birds. Generally, in this blog (and to which I have made reference in past posts) they do not receive the degree of attention by this author as those species which characterise either the Wig itself, or Loch Connell. They are just as important however for everyone’s consideration. From a ‘conservation’ perspective, I have always held the belief that by protecting the ‘everyday and commonplace’ the rare will automatically be saved as well. This concept will of course be alien to many folk and will undoubtedly be refuted by even more, but the principle truths are often the hardest to grasp. Does the phrase “you cannot see the wood for the trees” sound at all familiar and have any bearing to you? But ,I digress. Where was I?… Ah, yes, those common birds… and in this instance I focus your attention upon a few songsters. The entry into my logbook of 25 Blackbirds on the 29th may only be a small representation of those actually present in my neighbourhood but it was my peak count of the species during the month. For Chaffinches, the peak was 14 (which included 10 singing birds) on the 9th. Robins, which are generally silent and inconspicuous at this time of year (unless a person is prepared to rise early enough listen to the dawn chorus!) when they have offspring to feed it is best for them to keep a low profile. A tally of four on the 15th was my best count - and undoubtedly a case of gross under-recording on my part. On the 29th my entries for Song Thrushes was 13 (8 singing), and 19 singing Wrens.

This brings us to the final assortment of birds that I happened upon this April, and perhaps what better a species to introduce this section than a Corncrake, seen and heard singing on the 15th in the very same grassland that my last record of this species emanated, back on the 3rd of May 2022. Another rare encounter on my local patch was with a Cuckoo, heard calling on the 20th. Records of House Martins were few, the first being two birds observed on the 7th, with a maximum of four on the 28th. A Kestrel seen flying above the hill at Clachan Heughs, on the 29th, was a welcome sight of a species that is now scarce in the locality. My first Sand Martins of the month were logged on the 4th, when three were seen flying in over the sea, at the Wig; 10 was my highest count, at Loch Connell, on the 27th. The fields beside the Wig held 12 Skylarks on the 7th, five of which were in towering song flights. Three Swallows were noted on the 5th, with a peak of just six birds on the 23rd. A singleton Tree Sparrow visited my garden on the 9th but, alas, was not seen thereafter. Records of spring Wheatears at the Wig are no longer a sure thing; I am thus glad to be able report sightings of single birds on eight days, from the 3rd to the 17th. At least two different birds (based on plumage variations) are known to be attributable for these records, while the possibility of them all being separate is strong and should not be discounted, either. Three White Wagtails at Loch Connell on the 13th, and another seen on the Wig fields on the 22nd were my only records of this visiting species from abroad.

To Round-up : Teal, including a Green-winged, at Loch Connell

This article and the images were supplied courtesy of S. Grover.

The Essence of Light. Bird Report March 2025

Good numbers of Pale-bellied Brent Geese were present at the Wig throughout the month, peaking at 306 on the 1st, with the lowest count being 80 on the 31st. And for those readers with a penchant for more statistics, I throw in the daily average of 175 birds. There were 256 Greylag Geese at Loch Connell on the 23rd. Pink-footed Geese were clearly on the move: a high of 1800 plus, were noted flying north on the 12th, whilst 142 were observed roosting at the Scar on the 13th, with 20 there on the the 30th and a feeding flock of 600 birds in a grassland beside Loch Connell later the same morning.

A general lack of Mute Swans on Loch Ryan was notable: I saw a single bird out in mid-channel on the 1st. Loch Connell faired little better, with two birds present on the 23rd. Whooper Swans made up for their cousins absence on both sea and freshwater lochs, being recorded on ten days across the month. My highest count was of 47 birds resting at the Wig on the 31st. An improvement upon last month was the number of observations of Shelduck, although few birds were involved: just three at the Scar, on the 5th, was the best showing.

A drake and duck Gadwall was a nice find at Loch Connell on the 30th. The same site held a very smart-looking male Pintail and his duck, on the 2nd, 9th and 16th. Teal were also present here, with a peak count of 95 being registered on the 9th, whereas for Wigeon it was the 16th, when 138 were logged. Few of the latter species were seen at the Wig this month: 19 on the 12th being the largest assembly.

Very respectable counts of Common Scoter were made at Loch Ryan on the 1st and 16th, when entries in the log read 160 and 111, respectively. Goldeneye peaked at 33 on the 1st but after mid-month their numbers reduced considerably. Eider also peaked on the 1st, at 293. Long-tailed Duck at the Wig were few: my highest tally was 11 on the 7th; towards the end of the month (26th) I logged just a singleton. Tufted Duck were staple on my visits to Loch Connell this month. This of course is not always the case because the species is predominantly a winter visitor to this body of freshwater; come late-spring or early-summer they will likely have all gone. The numbers of birds involved was relatively consistent across my five visits here, with 11 being my highest count on the 30th. Also recorded at this site were Goosander. They however decreased in number as the month progressed, starting at a high of 13 birds on the 2nd, reducing to a singleton on the 30th. Of particular note was the sighting of a drake on the sea-loch, beside the Scar, on the 13th - an unusual location for this species. Red-breasted Merganser, on the other hand, favour these saline conditions, as supported by their near daily entry in my logbook and a peak count of 93 on the 26th.

Pair of Slavonian Grebes dancing

It was Loch Ryan, again, that held my only Red-necked Grebe of the month: an adult in fine breeding plumage at the Wig on the 9th. Slavonian Grebes were more common, although the low numbers present in the bay was a sure sign of their imminent departure to breeding grounds elsewhere. 13 birds on the 10th was my highest tally. A rare treat (on the 19th) was of two birds in nuptial plumage that engaged in a delightful courtship dance. That act, coupled with good viewing conditions, and aided by the use of a powerful ‘scope, enabled me to register their striking plumage in stunning detail. Is it not amazing how a drop of sunlight can transform a special encounter into an extraordinary and unforgettable one?

My only sighting of a Black-throated Diver on the sea-loch was of a singleton on the 1st. A Great Northern Diver was logged on five occasions up to and including the 14th, but not thereafter. Red-throated Divers were more frequently seen, with a high of 35 on the 1st. Although the majority of birds were still in winter dress, a few wore immaculate summer apparel, with rich, deep terracotta throat patches contrasting with silvery grey heads and hind necks and icy cold, stark white breasts. A sumptuous delight to gladden any sullen or weary heart!

Four sightings of Bar-tailed Godwit at the Wig might not seem to indicate much at all but I like to think they hint at the beginning of a passage of birds, especially when a party of five (on the 24th) graced the tidal mud, eagerly feeding in preparation for their long journey ahead to remote breeding grounds. From a distance they were uniform grey-looking, but closer inspection through a field scope revealed some warm brown feathering, especially on their underparts, where pale winter tones mixed with dappled brick-red plumage of emerging summer tones. Curlew, too, seemed to be on the move - indicated by the considerable variation in the number of birds I saw across the month. Some days they were absent from my log, but on most a handful or so were usual. A peak count of 42 at the Wig and Scar was registered on the 4th. A flock of 20 Golden Plover were at the Scar on the 2nd, with none thereafter until the 22nd when three birds were seen. A singleton Grey Plover was also at the Scar, on the 2nd and 4th of the month. The same location held a flock of 80 Knot on the 24th. They were there from first light ’til dusk, but were gone come the next day.

Four Lapwing were displaying at Loch Connell on the 9th. They flashed iridescent green, black and white in the morning sun which highlighted their forms as they tumbled earthwards before swooping up, only to tumble again and again. Presumably it was the same four birds I saw there throughout the month, although on the 24th an additional four birds (all female) swelled their ranks. In many ways, Oystercatcher at the Wig are like House Sparrow, Starling and Herring Gull in that to laypersons I speak to there seems to be a perception that they are ‘common’ and abundant everywhere they occur. The truth reveals otherwise, should people choose to accept, or contradict, it. Seeing lots of anything may give the impression of commonness, but, for instance, just how many is a lot - 10, 50, 100, or more? It is all a matter of qualification and interpretation, and in this respect everyone has their own opinion. The devil lies in the detail, as it is said. In the case of our black and white friend here, there are relatively few pairs of breeding Oyc’s (as some refer to them as) on my patch compared with, say, sparrows and Blackbirds, even though ‘a lot’(?) may seemingly occupy the fields and beaches. This surfeit of birds is likely to comprise of non-breeding residents, immatures, and visitors (birds of passage and/or wintering). Context here is all important. I would expect to see fewer birds during the summer months than at other times. A peak count of over 200 (which some might consider to be a lot) at the Scar on the 4th raised within me the very queries hinted to in my initial address to this pink legged, orange beaked wader.

Male Lapwing in display flight

It is rare - if not unheard of - for the highest number of Redshank recorded to exceed that of Ringed Plover at the Wig but that was exactly the case this month. The first mentioned species peaked at five (on the 13th), whilst the latter reached only four (on the 4th). It is likely that there were more of the latter species at large, which went undetected by yours truly. Snipe was recorded from within a parched grassland (on the 4th), a roadside verge (on the 13th), and at Loch Connell on the 16th (three birds) and 23rd.

I confess that I am rather partial towards gulls, and in my opinion there are few more handsome than Lesser Black-backs in full summer dress. What a delight therefore to see nine of them at Loch Connell, on the 16th, followed by 12 there on the 23rd. As any keen artist or photographer will tell you, ‘light is everything’, capable of turning the ordinary into something special. Sunshine certainly enhanced my appreciation of those birds that paraded in the adjacent field or paddled and drank at the freshwater pool. Compared with the aforementioned, Sandwich Terns are predominantly sea-faring birds, so to see them it is on Loch Ryan that one’s eyes must be focused. After a tern-free winter, I saw my first returning birds of the spring on the 23rd when three were at the Scar, rising to 12 birds on the 26th.

I had just two records of Razorbill: a singleton on the 10th, and two on the 16th. Gannets were a little late in arriving this year, with the first - a single bird - on the 11th. Barely a handful of bird followed thereafter until the 31st when I logged 41 over Loch Ryan. A usual amount of Cormorant were seen about the Scar (plus a few regulars at Loch Connell). One bird (on the 14th), however, stood out from the rest, being almost totally white headed. It is known that old birds in breeding plumage frequently show a greater amount of white feathering compared to younger ones - and this is feature is also typical characteristic of the continental form - but this particular bird outshone all others I had ever seen.

A rather special Cormorant

My first spring Blackcap of the year was heard singing from within shrubbery on the Corsewall Estate, on the 31st. A bit later than is usual, admittedly, but better late than never, ay! Chiffchaff were heard earlier in the month, with my first on the 19th, rising to five songsters on the 31st. It is not often for me to add a new bird species to my local patch list but that happened on the 30th, when I witnessed a party of five Crossbill passing low overhead, when I walked to Loch Connell for my usual weekly gander here. Quite why these finches were heading into a strong westerly wind, I know not … but then, perhaps, they were thinking the very same about my sluggish advance. Given the reasonable amount of suitable woodland within the locality you might wonder why I had not connected with the species until now, especially given my 15, plus, years tenure at Kirkcolm. One of life’s mysteries, I guess. All I know is that it felt good to finally lay to rest one bogey species that had eluded my endeavours for so long.

I had two sightings of Fieldfare this month (an indication, perhaps, of their irregular and somewhat haphazard occurrence on my local patch): 38 birds, on the 1st and two, on the 29th. Numbers of Goldfinch were up on last month - a consequence, no doubt, of a spring passage of birds, which seemed to be most evident in the latter half of March, when highs of 53 on the 23rd, 59 on the 26th and 58 the following day (the 27th) were logged. Great Spotted Woodpeckers made their presence known to me by ‘drumming’. On a still day the sound can carry a considerable distance. Sometimes a neighbouring bird would ‘knock’ in reply upon hearing the percussion of the first. Sometimes not. Either way, their advertisement through this action heralds the prospect of an advancing summer and marks the close of winter’s reign. Local folk had commented to me that they had birds drumming early on in the month but it was not until the 11th that I heard the sound for myself, when two birds pitched against one another, each responding in turn to the other drummer’s call.

It is not only bird song that signifies the arrival of spring, there are also visual clues, made by passerines such as the boldly marked Pied Wagtail. A sudden increase in their numbers is a sure sign that a change of season is upon us. The appearance on the 11th of a party of 13 birds in the Wig fields was a tell tale indication, and further supported by the presence of a stunning-looking White Wagtail compatriot. Northward moving Redwing were logged the 1st, 11th and 13th, with six, two, and four birds, respectively - not many, for sure, but better than none. Typically, March receives a boost in the number of Rock Pipits passing through. Alas, this year did not live up to expectation, with just a single bird observed on the shore of the Wig, on the 4th. I had to wait until the 23rd of the month to see my first returning Sand Martin of the year on my local patch; not unexpectedly, it was at Loch Connell. The first Swallow didn’t arrive ’til the 29th (above Kirranrae Farm) - the same day as my first Wheatear of the season (at the Wig). A different wheatear was seen at the same location as the first, on the 31st.

This article and the images were supplied courtesy of the author, S. Grover.

Is Your Birdwatching Enhanced by Madness? Bird Report for February 2025

Do you ever talk to yourself? … Well of course you do (if you are honest, that is), although you are unlikely to freely admit so to others, especially if you also find yourself answering your own questions (the first sign of madness, it is said). Each day I like to count the Pale-bellied Brent Geese that feed in the fields, some half-a-mile away from my house. When my view of them is unobstructed the task is a relatively simple one, but often as not the flock may be half-hidden behind intervening trees, which mask my view. On such occasions, I find myself muttering and moaning, even though I know the trees can neither hear, nor respond to my frustration by moving out of the way to afford me a clear, uninterrupted vista. Of course, all I have to do is to apply patience and wait for the geese to wander into a better position. When the wind is favourable and coming from the south, I sometimes hear the low, muffled conversation of the birds and wonder whether they are talking about me, and considering how best to confuse and disrupt my count. For them it would be easy - just a matter of closing ranks to consolidate the flock and then moving further out of view behind the trees, or else erupt into the air and then take refuge on the beach, which is out of my sight when the tide is high (the time when they feed in the fields). I am sure that they are not really so cunning and devious, or even aware that my gaze is ever fixed upon them … but nevertheless it doesn’t stop me from wondering, cursing, and arguing with myself. All in a day’s birding, what ho! Back to the actual counts … this month they have been pretty consistent in the number of Brents logged each day; the peak was 254 on the 16th. In comparison, Pink-footed Geese were frequently heard calling but not so often seen, though on the 22nd I did observe some 1,000 birds circling above the Connell fields before whiffling down to land behind the hill and out of my sight.

There were two Whooper Swans at Loch Connell on the 9th, one there the following week (16th) and back up to two birds the week after that (24th). Also on this last date were a further 12 birds, which I saw (from the parish cemetery) grazing in a distant field to the north of the village of Kirkcolm while journeying home from visiting the above freshwater loch. The cemetery is a splendid spot from which to see a diversity of species, as well as being able to see the distant peak of the volcanic mount, Ailsa Craig, which caps a point on the horizon to the north.

Shelduck at the Wig

Three Shelduck occupied the Scar on the 5th; one was present in the same general area on the 8th, 10th and 16th, and three on the grassland fields adjacent the Wig track on the 28th. A drake and duck Pintail were at Loch Connell on the 9th and still there on the 16th. Also here, but on the 3rd, were 118 Teal, along with 82 Wigeon. The latter species was also noted at the Wig on just one occasion this month - the 25th, when 12 birds were logged.

Loch Ryan held 121 Common Scoter on the 8th, which is a very respectable count for this site. My peak count of Eider here was 152 on the 27th, whilst Goldeneye seemingly overdid themselves with an outstanding tally of 92 on the 15th. Long-tailed Duck, as was to be expected, were present in far fewer numbers than the preceding species, with my highest count being just 11 birds at the Wig on the 25th. Loch Connell held a high of eight Tufted Duck on the 24th. A welcome visitor at the Wig was a male Velvet Scoter on the 20th. Goosander peaked at 19 at Loch Connell on the 16th, whilst Red-breasted Mergansers on the sea-loch seemingly struggled to reach a mere 59 birds on the 15th. It should be remembered however that Loch Ryan is large and poor weather (which dominated the month) affects both the number of birds present and hinders the effectiveness of their recording.

I had two records of Black-throated Diver this month: one on the 15th and another on the 21st. Observations of Great Northern Diver were fewer than in January; a maximum to three birds was logged on the 4th. Red-throated Divers were better represented, as was to be expected, with notable highs of 56 on the 5th and 65 on the 15th. At Loch Connell a pair of Great Crested Grebes gave an enchanting courtship display, where they danced in synchrony, accompanied only by the sound of the gusting breeze and what seemed to be a rapturous applause in the form of sonorous honking from a lakeside audience of Canada Geese. A summer-plumaged Red-necked Grebe at the Wig, on the 11th, was my only observation of this species, while my highest count of Slavonian Grebe in the same bay was 29 on the 15th. Many of the latter species were in moult from winter to summer, and a few had already completed that transition, sporting brick-red necks and golden ear-tufts. Lovely!

I am sure that Bar-tailed Godwits used to be more frequent visitors to the Wig during the winter. Climate change, and a consequence of that - short stopping (an action whereby migrants no loner travel as far ad they used to because of milder and more favourable conditions existing close to their breeding grounds) - is probably disrupting the migration patterns of many species, including waders. I had just one sighting of a ‘bar-tail’: a singleton at the Scar on the 3rd. Most of the Curlew that I ever see are probably not as long distance travellers as the preceding species. My daughter and me did however record a bird on the Wig fields that had been ringed in Norway. 140 was my highest count of this species, on the 22nd. Observations of Golden Plover were down to two, one of which was of 106 birds at the Scar on the 23rd. A close cousin of theirs, a Grey Plover (which, like the ‘bar-tail’, is also an arctic breeder), was also present at this same site, on the 27th. Lapwing were entered into the logbook on six dates, with high counts (on my patch, that is) of 160 and 112 at Loch Connell on the 3rd and 16th, respectively. A singleton was seen flying over the Wig on the 5th and 18 were noted settled on the Scar on the 20th. Also here, but on the 4th, were some 60 Ringed Plover, a lone Sanderling on the 20th, and in excess of 60 Turnstone on the 21st.

A tally of 52 Shag on the sea-loch was a respectable entry in the log on the 2nd. A Little Egret was seen about the Wig on the 4th and 25th, with one at Loch Connell on the 16th. The latter site held five Grey Heron on the 24th.

Raptors (diurnal birds of prey) are hardly what I would call everyday birds on my local patch (although Buzzard and Sparrowhawk are common enough, even if they are grossly under-recorded, especially the latter). My daughter and I enjoyed the sight of a Goshawk, which flew low over the village on the 20th. A Merlin was noted on the 7th and a female was seen briefly hovering over the water at Loch Connell on the 16th. A female Peregrine was at the aforementioned body of water on the 3rd and above the Corsewall House gardens on the 25th.

Goshawk over the village

Regular readers of this blog will know that the birds reported upon here are not necessarily restricted to those species that frequent Wig Bay, its shoreline, or the immediately adjacent land, but covers a wider area in the local vicinity, which I call home and colloquially refer to as ‘The Wig’. This way I can include the 14 Blue Tits that my daughter ringed (under BTO licence) in my garden, on the 5th, along with everything else I ever mention. Bullfinch are certainly not at home on the tidal washed shore but they have become more frequent of late in those other areas - most notably in garden and woodland - that I pass through; this species was recorded on eight days during the month, with a peak of five birds on the 6th. Fieldfare are not especially frequent visitors to my local patch, despite being common winter visitors elsewhere in Britain. 13 birds on the 9th and a single on the 11th were my only records during the month. Similarly, Grey Wagtail  was logged on two dates: a singleton on the 11th and 19th.

The highlight of the month - as some might perceive it - was a Hawfinch, which flew over my garden on the 28th. Was it perhaps the same bird recorded last month at the Wig? 

Luck is always a factor when it comes to spotting Long-tailed Tits, and with just one record of a single bird (on the 25th), I would have to acknowledge the truth in that. Whereas the aforementioned species may be relatively common - just under-recorded - the Magpie is a decidedly scarce bird about Kirkcolm. It was thus good to be able to reacquaint myself with this species on the 4th and 5th, when a lone bird was seen visiting gardens close to mine. The Meadow Pipit is another species that is considered to be common resident, but within the area treated here it is predominantly a bird of passage. Recorded on just four days, with a maximum count of three birds on the 25th, is perhaps an indication of the species’ patchy distribution on my home patch. Like the Fieldfare already commented upon, Redwing is another widespread winter visitor. Numbers of them about the village of Kirkcolm vary widely from year to year. Reasonable counts this month were 54 on the 3rd and 57 on the 4th. Skylark were registered on very few days, with 28 being the largest flock at the Wig fields, on the 3rd. On the same fields, but on the 26th, was a party of 30 Twite - a rare treat these days, and a fitting one on which to close this month’s posting. 

Until the next time, enjoy and savour whatever moments of happiness nature brings to you.

The contents and images are provided courtesy of S. Grover

Are the Good Old Days Gone? Bird Report for January 2025.

There was a time, not so long ago, when logging 50 species of birds, or more, in a day seemed easy for me to achieve without having to even try. That was yesterday, as it were. Today, it appears that considerably more effort is required should target chasing be a priority. Fortunately, that is not the case for me, nor has it ever been. It is a general but relevant observation that I make, without trying to be overcome by nostalgic sentimentality. This month more than 50 species were logged on five days, with a daily average of 25.

More than 200 Pale-breasted Brent Geese were recorded on 23 days during the month, either at the Wig or in grassland adjacent to the track leading to the wartime observation hut at the Scar. Flocks of over 250 birds were noted on three days, with a peak count of 316 on the 2nd. Consorting with them on the 1st were two Dark-bellied Brents, and a single bird on the 2nd. A hybrid Barnacle X Canada Goose was at Loch Connell on the 26th, where it mingled with its common compatriots, Canadas’. Whooper Swans were logged on five dates across the month, with a high of 36 at the Wig on the 24th. 

Two Dark-bellied Brents on a field beside the Wig.

                                                    One especially dark-flanked bird (on right)

My only record of Shelduck was of a singleton at the Scar on the 20th. Observations of Pintail were registered at Loch Connell on three dates: two females on the 5th and one on the 19th, with two ducks and a drake on the 26th. Also at this freshwater site were 268 Teal on the 5th, and 44 Wigeon on the 26th. The highest count of the latter, however, was 115 at the Wig (a place they had been absent from for much of the month) on the 31st. 

On a page in a guide book, or when seen as a digital image on a screen, Common Scoters and Eiders are very different looking birds, especially so the males. But out in the field - when the effects of weather, waves on the water, plus where the distance from the subject may be considerable, - identification becomes more complex. Other, more subtle factors then come into play. Inevitably, however, it is the observers’ experience that determines the threshold of the confidence level we each set ourselves. So then … drake Common Scoters are black and male Eiders are white and black. Right! Now throw into the equation female and immature types (plus eclipse plumages for good measure), add a little distance (which tends to reduce a persons perception of colour and patterns into a uniform toned shape on the water), and suddenly the potential for confusion becomes rife. The consequence of this in my case is that many small flocks, and individual birds, that are seen are never entered into the daily log because of the ‘uncertainty’ associated with them. My highest ‘confirmed’ count of Common Scoter was just 79 on the 21st, and that of Eider, 247 on the 8th. A very reasonable 60 Goldeneye were registered on the 20th, whereas my peak count of Long-tailed Duck was 12 on the 28th.

Loch Connell frequently holds several species that I rarely record elsewhere on my patch. Here on the 5th was a Pochard, a female Scaup, and 12 Tufted Duck. A drake Velvet Scoter was at Wig Bay on the 22nd, but I did not see it thereafter. Goosander on the freshwater loch, Connell, peaked at 24 on the 5th whereas the maximum count of Red-breasted Merganser on the sea-loch was 75 on the 21st.

Red-necked Grebes are mid-way in size between the smaller Slavonian and the larger Great Crested. However, when seen on their lonesome, with no other birds for comparison, they can give the impression of being large or small. Fortunately their general shape and bulkiness are usually sufficient to enable identification, with plumage details of secondary importance. This month, all sightings were of birds seen in the company of their aforementioned cousins, along with Red-throated and Great Northern Divers. Singletons at the Wig were registered on the 3rd and 21st, and an impressive - and notable - six birds (a party of four, with another two close by) on the 20th. 

Red-necked Grebes with Slav' and Red-throated Diver

Slavonian Grebes were recorded on 21 days across the month. It probably would have been more if not for the intervening weather effecting the presence of birds and viewing conditions. Nonetheless, my peak count for the species was a very satisfactory 43 birds on the 29th. Several of them were noted showing ‘transitional’ plumage, moulting from winter to summer dress. There was just one record for Black-throated Diver: a singleton on the sea-loch on the 22nd. Great Northern Divers were observed on 12 days, with a high of 3 on the 14th. The peak count of Red-throated Divers was 69 on the 20th, though generally the number of birds was far fewer with, I suspect, the weather strongly effecting their presence.

The fields beside the Wig held 178 Curlew on the 6th - a good count for this species. Golden Plovers were, not unexpectedly, scarce, with a high of just 24 birds at the Scar on the 28th. Grey Plover was more frequently sighted although fewer in number - two, to be precise - and with probably the same birds accounting for all registrations across the month. The cold and blustery weather undoubtedly accounted for the presence of over 80 Lapwing at Loch Connell on the 19th, and 46 there on the 26th. Back to the Wig there were 206 Oystercatcher at the Scar on the 22nd, a surprisingly high count of 14 Redshank on the 2nd, and some 80 Ringed Plover on the 27th.

The vast majority of gulls that are seen either on, or about, Loch Ryan are (in alphabetical order only) Black-headed, Common and Herring. The first mentioned, and especially the latter, are conspicuous birds in the town of Stranraer; the Common Gull, though present there, is easily passed over but is certainly obvious in the wider countryside during the winter. Like most gulls, this medium-sized species is readily logged by birdwatchers but not so regularly counted compared to so-called ‘key’ species, such as Red-throated Diver, Scaup and Slavonian Grebe, of which Loch Ryan supports nationally significant numbers. I confess, I tend only to count what I consider to be significant numbers of Common Gulls - based on many years of study - on my local patch. I logged 228 birds at the Scar on the 15th; not an especially high count, granted: but the largest concentration I had observed during the month.

With the exception of Black Guillemot, auk species are scarce on Loch Ryan during the winter. It will come as no surprise then when I report that just three Guillemot and two Razorbill were my only records, on the 20th.

Male Bullfinch in the garden

Of the passerines (the so-called, perching birds), the following are worthy of note. On the morning of the 4th a Black Redstart was watched for several minutes in the car park at the Wig, so constituting my first known record of the species at this location - an exciting find and a delight, I am sure, to all those who saw it. Seven Bullfinch were logged on the 4th, and four in my garden on the 8th, and six, also in my garden, on the 20th. Some 95 Chaffinch were observed during a walk through the Corsewall Estate on the 30th, including a flock of approximately 75 birds. A Hawfinch noted flying low over the Wig car park was, like the Black Redstart before it, an unexpected find. Four Lesser Redpoll turned up in my garden on the 3rd, following a long absence of entry into my logbook. Great to have some back! Siskin numbered 28 in a garden near to my own on the 23rd - my highest count of the species for a while. A party of 60 Skylark over the Wig fields on the 15th fortunately did not go undetected, making up for the otherwise paucity of sightings this month. 30 Twite, also on the 15th and at the Wig fields, were a welcome addition to the log. Lastly, 92 Woodpigeon observed feeding within a grassland on the 2nd might not seem a particularly large flock by anyones standard but it turned out to be significantly the highest count of the month.

This article and the accompanying images was provided courtesy of S. Grover.

Grey Days Have a Silver Lining - December 2024

On account of poor weather, or viewing conditions, on most days of the month the total numbers of all birds recorded was noticeably down on what otherwise might have been expected. In spite of this there was still much of interest to see. For those local rarity orientated birders among the readership highlights included Black-throated Diver, Black-necked Grebe, Dark-bellied Brent Goose, Pacific Diver, Red-necked Grebe, Surf Scoter and Velvet Scoter.

Good numbers of Canada Geese were in the vicinity of Loch Connell throughout the month, peaking at in excess of 320 birds on the 23rd. Pale-bellied Brent Geese were daily at the Wig, and on several occasions were observed in the grassland adjacent to the Wig track, where they both rested and grazed. Over 200 birds were regularly noted, whilst in excess of 300 were registered on five dates spread across the month. The peak count of birds came on the 18th when an impressive total of 532 were logged. Of particular note was the general lack of juveniles present in all flocks. A Dark-bellied Brent was seen associating with various flocks of its cousins, from the 22nd onwards. Its kin, however, did not always take kindly to the presence of an interloper within their ranks and on several occasions other flock members were seen to harass and chase the bird.

After a seemingly long absence from my patch Shelduck made a welcome return, when two birds arrived at Loch Connell on the 29th. The same site, not surprisingly, hosted the most Teal, with a peak count of 164, also on the 29th. Here, too, but on the 15th, were 117 Wigeon. Greater numbers of this species were to be found on the sea-loch, at the Wig, with 150 there on the 11th. I recorded relatively few Common Scoters on Loch Ryan this month, with 82 being my highest tally on the 14th. However, other species of scoter were also present, including a fine-looking male Velvet Scoter on the 1st and an female-type Surf Scoter, feeding close inshore at the Wig on the 16th. A respectable 49 Goldeneyes in Wig Bay was registered the 15th and over 260 Eiders on the 24th. Long-tailed Ducks, as usual, were highly mobile, making an assessment of their true numbers difficult. A party of 12 males was at the Wig on the 18th, whilst on other dates females and immatures were also observed. A Pochard was at Loch Connell on the 1st but not thereafter, whilst two female Scaup were also present here on the 23rd, and one on the 29th. More regular at this site were Tufted Ducks, with 12 birds on the 29th being the highest count. Goosanders, also, favoured this site, peaking at 20 birds (on the 29th). Loch Ryan, of course, was preferential for Red-breasted Mergansers: 75 were logged on the 2nd.

There were just two sightings of Black-throated Diver on Loch Ryan: singletons on the 1st and 11th. Observations of Great Northern Divers were more plentiful, being logged on 19 days across the month and with a maximum of four birds on the 30th. A bird showing all the features of a Pacific Diver was noted at the Wig on the 22nd. It was a disappointing month for Red-throated Divers on the sea-loch, with the highest count of just 11 birds on the 24th; the weather (affecting visibility) undoubtedly had a significant part to play here.

A surprise find was a Black-necked Grebe at the Wig on the 20th and again on the 30th. On the last date, side-by-side comparison with a 'Slav’ served only to emphasise the smallness of the former species. The size distinction was further reinforced when a Great Northern Diver surfaced close by, dwarfing both grebes. As mentioned in previous postings of this blog Great Crested Grebes are occurring in ever increasing numbers at Wig Bay, reflected by a tally of 42 birds on the 8th. I had just one record of a Red-necked Grebe: a singleton at the Wig, also on the 8th. Wintering Slavonian Grebes are something of a Loch Ryan speciality. The same prevailing weather conditions that influenced my sightings of Red-throated Divers were also responsible for the relatively few 'Slavs’ I logged: a high of 29 birds was registered on the 11th.

Parties or flocks of Golden Plover are generally infrequent at the Scar during December thus 159 birds on the 11th was noteworthy. By comparison much smaller numbers of Grey Plover are only ever recorded: four was my highest count at the Scar on the 1st. In many ways the ‘unpredictability of/associated with/ birdwatching’ is one of its great attractions. In the October posting of this blog I intimated that Lapwings on my local patch were on the way to becoming consigned to the pages of history. Well, this month they were, seemingly, back with a vengeance, even if only on a small scale. 50 were at Loch Connell on the 1st and another 41 there on the 29th. The Wig shoreline does not often harbour many Snipe but at high tide beside the car park, on the 3rd, an impressive gathering of 27 birds was logged. On the same day 51 Turnstones were upon the Scar.

In the wintertime on Loch Ryan Black Guillemots are typically widely dispersed: 58 was a respectable count on the 11th. On the same day a lonesome Razorbill made an appearance.

An adult male Hen Harrier at Loch Connell on the 1st burned an unforgettable memory to the hard drive of my brain. I watched the bird for several minutes quartering a swamp of Reed Sweet-grass. Its effort and persistence paid dividends when it dropped like a stone to the ground, returning into view moments later clutching a hapless Teal (a very large prey item) within its talons, then struggling to carry its prize to the bough of a collapsed willow where it began to consume its hearty breakfast. On the 14th I saw another bird - an immature male - come in off the sea-loch before heading overland in the direction of the freshwater loch (Connell).

Bullfinches made an impressive entry in this month’s logbook, being registered on no less than ten days. Two birds were in my garden on the 6th and the 20th, the remainder of observation were all of single birds. A noteworthy 74 House Sparrows were in my garden on the 2nd, followed by 79 on the 11th. Long-tailed Tits are infrequently sighted on my patch so a record of 10 on the 6th and 13 on the 30th were welcome additions to December’s tally of species. The fields beside the Wig held noteworthy flocks of 42 Skylarks on the 5th and 54 on the 24th. Also of note were seven Song Thrushes along the track leading to the hut at the Scar, on the 3rd and 11th, with a further 22 birds logged during the journey home on the latter date.

A murmuration of Starlings can be a spectacular spectacle, of that there can be no doubt, especially when on a grand scale. The town of Stranraer has only a small evening roost of this species but nevertheless the mass of swarming birds swirling in all directions in the sky is available for those who wish to experience the view. But out in the sticks, at Kirkcolm, comparatively small diurnal flocks is perhaps the best a birdwatcher can hope to see: winter flocks here, seen feeding in the fields, may not be large but it is important (or so I believe) to log them just the same: 350 above the Wig fields, on the 6th, was a more than reasonable quantity.

These days I rarely note many Treecreepers on account of their calls (like that of Goldcrests) being almost beyond my hearing, whilst visual sightings are subject to the vagaries of chance and luck! Two birds entered into the logbook on the 6th were thus much appreciated, as indeed was a flock of 36 Twite seen feeding in a field bordering the Wig, on the 24th.

Poor weather, particularly when prolonged, does seem to dampen a person's spirit somewhat and dull their appreciation of the bounty that is ever present. If, reader, your December passed with similar grey days then I hope that this posting has heightened to you better prospects for the New Year and the nature that you might be able to experience.

The contents of this blog were provided by courtesy of the author, S. Grover.