A Garden of Delights: Bird Report for 06/01/20 - 12/01/20

Despite some less than ideal weather this week we've had some great records and counts, seeing almost 80 different species across the week!

We started off with a count of over 100 Twite, fantastic numbers for this time of year. A similar number of Scaup were recorded on Monday, and a few have been present on the loch all week. Continuing with the ducks, there have been high numbers of Common Scoter seen every day, with the highest count being 183. These are only as seen from the Wig, and so from other locations around Loch Ryan you may see even higher counts of some species.  Other ducks include regular sightings of Eider, Red-Breasted Mergansers, Goldeneye and an especially high count of Long-Tailed Ducks, with up to 16 birds being seen in the one day. This is a great time to get out and see them whilst they winter here.

 Long-Tailed Ducks - Loch Ryan

Alongside the ducks there is also a great selection of divers and grebes out there. Both Great-Crested and Slavonian Grebes were recorded, with as many as 11 Slavonian Grebes seen in one day. Diver numbers are even better, as Red-Throated Divers were recorded every day with counts as high as 17 individuals. This week there was even 1 Black-Throated Diver, as well as a high record of 5 Great-Northern Divers. 

I can't mention birds on the loch without acknowledging the gulls. This week has seen our usual repertoire of species, including Black-Headed, Common (with one flock of over 250 birds), Herring and Great Black-Backed Gulls. Amongst all of these we also had a rarity, with a Yellow-Legged Gull sighted on the Scar this Wednesday. 

Moving off the loch and onto the beach, its been a good week for waders. Alongside staples such as Oystercatcher, Turnstone and Curlew (with one count of over 200 Curlews) there were also 5 Grey Plover seen on the Scar. Soleburn really was the place for waders this week however, as it had high numbers of Knot, as well as records of a Greenshank on 2 separate days. It was just past Soleburn and the caravan park that we had a record of a Barn Owl one evening as well. 

The largest average count of the week goes to the Pale-Bellied Brent Geese, with daily counts from 70-208 being recorded grazing in the fields behind the beach. These often loaf around on the Scar before taking off and landing in the fields to feed. They aren't the only geese about however, as Pink-Footed geese were regularly seen (and heard) as they fly overhead.

Brent Geese grazing in the fields off Loch Ryan

The first signs of spring passage have begun to appear, with the record of a Gannet, which do not normally start to appear till February. However the Fieldfare and Redwing are yet to leave with small flocks of both seen. In a rare turn of events we had more Mistle Thrushes than Song Thrushes this week, perhaps a sign that they are starting to bounce back.

And of course alongside these we had our regular and common species. Including; Blackbirds, Starlings, House Sparrows, Carrion Crows (including a Hooded Crow Hybrid), Dunnocks, Pied Wagtails and Wood Pigeons. There are too many to list them all, but even such regular birds are good to see as its proof that they are not in decline and whilst common to us some are still nationally threatened.

Perhaps our most exciting records however have come from our own garden. A Brambling was certainly exciting enough, but then we had a pair of Tree Sparrows as well! Tree Sparrows are semi-annual visitors, however we don't normally see them this early in the year. And to top it all off, both species were seen again later in the week. As we live in the village of Kirkcolm, its possible that they're both still about and are touring the local gardens for feeders. Red Millet is a particular favourite of Tree Sparrows, so put some out and you might get lucky!. 

Tree Sparrows (left - identifiable by their complete brown caps and cheek spots) and a House Sparrow (right)

And that about wraps it up for this week. We've already had loads of firsts for this year, and of course there are plenty more records that I couldn't squeeze into this blog. If anyone is interested in the full records seen this week please let me know and I will endeavour to find a way to include our spreadsheet of records.

(All records and photo's submitted by Stephen Grover, please ask if you wish to use them)