Its been another fantastic spring week with even more migrants arriving, among them several new species for this blog. Starting further afield than usual, a single Yellowhammer was spotted just past Soleburn. Rather unusual in our area, this was a lovely record to add to the blog. More locally, the singing of Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs has now been joined by a few Willow Warblers and we'll expect to see this number increase as spring progresses. Our first Sand Martins, House Martins and Swallows of the spring were also this week - all on the same day no less! A slightly different migrant for this time of year was espied in the woods this week: six Fieldfares. While most of the migrants we speak about at the moment are coming into the country from warmer climes, Fieldfares are doing the opposite. Having over-wintered in the milder British climate, they are now heading back off to Scandinavia to breed.
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| Bar-tailed Godwit in Winter Plumage |
Not to be outdone, our waders also received some new migrant species this week. In amongst the regular Oystercatchers and Turnstones, a high of 60 Ringed Plovers rested on the shingle. Single Bar-tailed Godwits were also seen on the scar a couple of times this week, along with 12 Knots. Our lonesome Redshank was far eclipsed by the 30-50 seen at Bishop burn by Gill Deacon. Also at Bishop Burn, Gill saw 18 Knots, 90+ Curlew and 24 Bar-tailed godwits and, amongst these, she managed to see a single male Ruff. A delightful bird, this was the first Ruff around the loch that we know of for this spring. If you thought that would be it for waders then you are mistaken - for a visit to Loch Connell this week also included some nice wader sightings! Singles of Greenshank and Lapwing were seen on the exposed mud, with 4 Black-tailed Godwits looking handsome as they fed in the adjacent field. Loch Connell was also the sight of a further two new species for the blog: Coot and Whimbrel. The Coot, similar to last week's Moorhen, is less common around here than in other areas due to the lack of available habitat. The Whimbrel, however, is a migrating wader that is just starting to come through on spring passage. Similar in appearance to the Curlew, it is perhaps best separated by its characteristic seven-note call.
Keeping to our shore around the Wig and the birds are no less disappointing. A single Wheatear was seen this week, along with a smattering of Linnets and Meadow Pipits in the nearby fields. Out above (and on!) the loch, Sandwich Terns have been increasing in number daily, with a peak count of 28 birds this week. They join the also-increasing number of Gannets in plunging into the water for food. Less noticeable but still sitting out on the water are the usual Red-breasted Mergansers, Eiders and Common Scoters. Further ducks include the lone female scaup returning to grace our end of the loch and a superb count of 29 Long-tailed Ducks (the highest count for this year!). Most of these smart-looking ducks are now well underway into their moult from winter to summer plumage. Many people say that for Long-tailed Ducks, the winter plumage is by far the better looking, however, it cannot be denied that their chocolate-brown summer plumage is also a sight to behold. Perhaps unusually for ducks that we are more familiar with, the female also has two different plumages. Whilst not as showy as the drakes with their eponymous tails, the females nonetheless present an appearance of demure beauty - a far cry from the stereotypical 'brown duck'.
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| A nesting Collared Dove, eyeing the food we just put out! |
Whilst many species are heralding spring as they fly thousands of miles to be here, closer to home other species already have summer on their mind. The morning chorus, while beautiful to us, signals a battle between rivals as they compete to sing loudest and attract a mate. Robins and Wrens, Song Thrushes, Goldcrests and Great Tits; all of these species are worth keeping your ears open for at this time of year. Other species may have already paired up. The drumming of Great-spotted Woodpeckers has become less frequent in recent weeks and House Sparrows, Blue Tits and Starlings have been seen collecting nesting material in our garden. Blackbirds and Rooks are already collecting food to take back to small chicks and a Collared Dove is sitting on a nest right outside our neighbour's back door!
With that, it must be time to sign off for this week. Be it migration or the breeding season, everything is well underway and we look forward to seeing the changes that continue to occur as spring progresses.
[All photographs were taken by and belong to Stephen Grover, please ask for permission if you wish to use them.]
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