Inquiry and Exploration - November Bird Report

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

Recording on a local patch can provide fascinating insights into the world on our doorsteps, should we take the opportunity to explore and interpret our findings.  It is a complex subject for sure, which raises more questions than answers, but that is the nature of exploration and inquiry.  As an example, Friday the 10th of November 2021 was a remarkable day on my patch: not for the number of rarities seen (of which there were none by the way) but because of the number of bird species logged - 72!  The monthly average was 45.  Generally, anything over 50 is good going: over 60 is excellent: and above 70 is outstanding and a rare event indeed.

Onward with the monthly summary…

Recent years have witnessed a change in the pattern of Mute Swans visiting Loch Ryan and a reduction in their numbers.  Regular feeding of the swans at Bishop Burn resulted in a large year-round flock, but since this activity has been discouraged numbers have dwindled and most birds vacate the area in November, or thereabouts.  A high of 91 birds on the 2nd was not maintained  and numbers reduced quickly to just six birds at the month’s close.  The strong passage of Whooper Swans seen in October ended abruptly with just nine at the Wig on the 2nd, although a singleton remained at Loch Connell all month.  Also, at the same site, Greylag and Pink-footed Geese peaked at 112 and 428, respectively, on the 21st, whereas Canada Geese hit 150 here on the 15th.  Pale-bellied Brent Geese were present at Loch Ryan throughout November with over 300 birds logged on four occasions: 352 on the 16th and 18th, over 320 on the 26th and 300 plus on the 30th.  Ordinarily this species does not come onto the fields to graze until after New Year, but ten were noted doing so at the Wig on the 1st.  Amongst the busy flocks of Brent’s in the bay was a single Barnacle Goose on the 19th.

Shelduck have begun to trickle back, having been absent since they left to moult elsewhere.  It was somewhat reassuring to see eight birds sat on the Scar on the morning of the 23rd.  This, however, paled into insignificance when compared with the 79 observed at Piltanton during a WeBS count on the 7th.  Teal were ever-present at Loch Connell, peaking at 126 on the 15th.  On the same day, but at the Wig, 384 Wigeon amassed, pattering and grazing on the exposed flats.  The adjacent ‘Twite Fields’ also hosted four, plump birds on the 28th which, itself, is an unusual observation; indeed, I cannot ever recall seeing these fields being grazed by them before in broad daylight.

Common Scoters can at times be hard to spot, even on gentle sea swells.  Small groups may be seen close inshore but more typically they are found out in the mid-channel of Loch Ryan, appearing as nothing more than dark blobs in the distance; such shapes seen diving in unison are invariably this species; occasionally they come together en-mass, small parties flying in from all directions to form sizeable, and more conspicuous, rafts.  One such flotilla of 107 birds formed on the 18th.  If this species can be difficult to see then just think about how hard it can be to pick out any similar-looking Velvet Scoters hiding amongst them.  Patience and keen observation are key here - plus, of course, luck!  A male on the 4th was the only record.

A male (left) and female Lesser Scaup

In excess of 250 Eiders were counted on the 13th, and 27 Goldeneyes were seen in Wig Bay on the 19th; six of the latter species were at Loch Connell on the 28th.  Also on this date, but at the Wig, was a party of 12 Long-tailed Ducks; all but one of which were males in dapper winter plumage.  A small group of Scaup frequented the Wig throughout the month, with up to 17 birds present on the 19th.  This species was of course more abundant down at Bishop Burn, with over 200 birds reported to me on several occasions by various visiting birdwatchers.  Of considerable interest was a pair (drake and duck) of Lesser Scaup among their similar-looking and commoner cousins at the Wig on the 14th.  Unfortunately they were not seen thereafter but might easily have been hiding within the rafts of Scaup at the southern end of the loch, awaiting discovery.

On the 2nd of the month 81 Red-breasted Mergansers were registered in the daily log, with 70 of these uniformly spaced like you might imagine in your mind’s eye a naval armada to be arranged.  The only records of Goosanders came from Loch Connell, with six birds present on the 21st.  The same site also hosted two male Pochard on the 15th.

Of the three regular species of diver to be found on Loch Ryan the Black-throated is the least common: one on the 2nd and another on the 18th were therefore a treat.  Great Northern Divers were noted on six days across the month, including three on the 9th and 10th.  Red-throated Divers were daily visitors, with a high of 62 on the 13th.  Great Crested Grebes were seen more frequently than is usual, including 34 at Wig Bay on the 10th.  Equally respectable in numbers were over 30 Slavonian Grebes registered on three occasions: 31 on the 9th, 38 on the 10th and 33 on the 13th; on the last mentioned date there was an impressive 12 birds together at the Wig.  The only observation of a Red-necked Grebe came, not from Loch Ryan, but from Piltanton, where a singleton was noted during a WeBS count on the 7th.

Despite the fact that Little Egrets are becoming more common and widespread in Britain they are still scarce visitors about Loch Ryan.  One frequenting the Wig on the 15th and a singleton at Soleburn on the 23rd were the only observations made.  Probably the last Gannet of the year was seen on the 1st as it flew past the Scar.  Shags were considerably more abundant than Cormorants; in excess of 150 lined up along the pier at Cairnryan on the 10th.  Mediterranean Gulls were observed on five occasions: a 2nd winter bird on the 5th and an adult on the 15th, 18th, 21st and 28th (probably the same individual) frequenting the Wig fields in association with Black-headed and Common Gulls.

Mediterranean Gull (centre) with Black-headed and a Common Gull

An injured bird of prey was reported to me on the 20th, only a few hundred yards from my home.  Immediate investigation revealed an immature Buzzard, sadly deceased.  Very much alive, however, was a female Hen Harrier observed quartering the ‘Twite Fields’ on the 5th, 22nd and 28th.  A Kestrel hunting over the same area on the 16th, 20th and the 28th was a most welcome series of sightings;  as, too, was a male Merlin which flew at speed over my house on the 24th.

Generally, if there are any Lapwings about my local patch, then Loch Connell is the first place to check for them.  The discovery of 128 of them there on the 15th was a pleasant surprise.  Golden Plovers, on the other hand, are more typically observed on the Scar at Loch Ryan, so 30 at Loch Connell on the 7th was notable.  This species tends not to linger for long in November, so 200 plus at the Scar on the 1st were brief visitors.  Ringed Plovers were present throughout the month, with the highest count being 134 (92 of which congregated on the the concrete hard-standing in the ‘Twite Fields’ on the 5th).  In contrast to the aforementioned, Knot are scarce at this time, as evidenced by just ten birds on the 1st and none thereafter.  A lone Ruff at the Scar on the 6th was an unexpected bonus, as were two Greenshank at the Wig on the 22nd.  Almost as unexpected was a party of 21 Redshank huddled together on the shore of the Wig at high tide on the 10th.  Bar-tailed Godwits come and go with the changing seasons but are never guaranteed at any time: seven at the Scar on the 28th was, thus, noteworthy.  Curlews are a more predictable offering to the birder although numbers at Wig Bay seldom match those found along the shoreline to the south: 74 on the 17th was a more than respectable tally.  Snipe can be very elusive, often secreting themselves away amongst dense vegetation.  To see seven of them in plain view out on the pebbles and cobbles of the Scar, on the 22nd, was akin to a revelation.

Snipe forgo their camouflage and flaunt themselves upon the Scar

It would be premature of me to claim ‘the last Swallows of the year’ here at the Wig, but three on the 6th could be regarded as strong contenders.  Blue Tits are hardly head-line news and, as a consequence, receive little mention in this series of blog posts.  A party of ten in my garden on the 19th was worthy of a note, I thought.  Of course, there are undoubtedly many more that pass through the garden on a regular basis but noting the largest flock seen at any one time is at least a start in beginning to understand a species’ true status.

I can go for days without seeing or hearing a Skylark at this time of year; a flock of 22 over the ‘Twite Fields’ on the 6th was the largest count of the month.  A Chiffchaff was a nice find along Fisher’s Lane on the 10th.  Equally scarce in November are large parties of Redwings and Fieldfares; 40 of the aforementioned species was an exceptional number in my garden on the 13th and 26 of the latter, flying south on the 10th, were of interest at a local level.  Three Greenfinches along the Wig track on the 15th and one singing in my garden on the 21st and 26th were also records of significance.  Lesser Redpolls turn up now and again, usually just in ones and twos, so a roving flock of 20 birds at the estate marsh on the 20th were a delight to see.  Rather similar-looking and just as ‘twittery’ are Twite, which often occur in much larger groups: 160 plus, over the Wig fields on the 5th and 120 at the same place on the 23rd were notable.

With disrupted weather patterns becoming a norm these days, that which was once predictable is no more, opening the door for anything to fly in.  Could December offer that special something?  In the meantime explore your own local patch and follow the leads of inquiry that will follow.