Finally, after the past few weeks of atrocious weather, the temperatures have gone up and we have been treated to some sunshine. We weren't the only ones celebrating the new warmth either - a Fox Moth caterpillar was seen wriggling along the ground. There is definitely a spring feeling to the air and the number of birds we've been seeing has increased as well.
Our first Great Crested Grebe for a few weeks made an appearance at Fisher's Lane Outlet and another individual was seen swimming in Wig Bay later in the week. The male Lesser Scaup was with three female Greater Scaup on Monday but was not seen for the rest of the week. It was possibly present amongst the six Scaup that were seen on Thursday but unfortunately they were too far out to tell. Our regular flock of Pale-bellied Brent Geese saw a highest day-count of 208 last week and Teal were once again heard, if not seen, in the marsh. A slightly more unusual location, six Mallards took advantage of all the rain water and were seen swimming around in the middle of a flooded field.
 |
| A particularly smart-looking Jackdaw of the many seen during the week. |
The 'flash field' also was a favourite of some species this week; with 148 Oystercatchers being counted while feeding in this field one day. Another wader and another field: it was a pleasant surprise to see a Whimbrel feeding in the Twite fields. More typical waders stuck to their favourite haunts along the shore, with highest day-counts of roughly 40 of both Ringed Plovers and Turnstones. Scattered about along the tide line, a total of 5 Redshanks were also counted throughout the week.
Out on Loch Ryan itself, we've seen the most notable increases in numbers. We had highest day-counts of two Black Guillemots (coming into breeding plumage), 20 goldeneyes, seven Long-tailed Ducks, 23 Red-breasted Mergansers, 39 Shags and 28 Red-throated Divers. In amongst these divers was another species: an immature Great Northern Diver. Three Cormorants were seen during the week and the number of Eiders and Common Scoter remained fairly consistent from the previous week (highest day-counts of 115 and 168, respectively). On top of this, a Red-necked Grebe made the first appearance for this species this year.
We've not been the only birders taking our daily exercise at the Wig this week. Our regular contributor Gill has been out and saw Scoters, Eiders, Turnstones, Redshank and a large flock of Twite. Gill was also treated to hearing the delightful songs of a thrush and two Skylarks. I love to hear the song of a Skylark (I've not heard ay yet this year), so that must have been a lovely experience. Thanks again to Gill for sending us her sightings.
* If you don't like to see photos of dead birds then be warned that the following image is of a Sparrowhawk with its prey. *
 |
| A male Sparrowhawk clutches its hard-earned meal - we aren't quite sure what it has caught though! |
While none of them were singing, we managed to see a highest day-count of 11 Skylarks, as well as approximately 120 Twite (perhaps the very same flock that Gill saw). We also counted highs of 24 Goldfinches, seven Meadow Pipits and singles of Bullfinch and Pied Wagtail during the week. Moving into the woods we saw a Treecreeper and heard the high-pitched call of a Goldcrest. A Great Spotted Woodpecker put in an appearance twice and we had another Jay for a second consecutive week. Some more day-counts include four Mistle Thrushes (all in the Corsewall Estate woods), two Nuthatches, three Buzzards, 12 Redwings and over 70 Jackdaws. Back in our garden again and a Sparrowhawk was seen thrice during the week. Our garden wall once again made a good perch, although this time it was after a successful hunt!
Finally, I'll finish off with some sightings from Loch Connell. Thirty-eight Canada Geese were grazing in the adjacent fields, alongside five Curlews, 2 Greylag Geese and a flock of 134 Lapwings. Out diving in the Loch were 17 Goosanders (five of which were males), six Tufted Ducks, a Goldeneye and a Cormorant. On the Loch Margins, 173 Teal, 288 Wigeon, 41 Mallards and three Herons were seen, while two Shelducks made their way out onto the middle of the water. Gulls were fairly sparse, with 46 Black-headed Gulls and a single Herring Gull being counted.
That's all for this week. Things are starting to look up and I can't wait for the arrival of spring!
[All photographs are taken by and belong to Stephen Grover, please ask for permission if you wish to use them.]
No comments:
Post a Comment