Better Late than Never - July 2022 Bird Report

This article and the images contained within were provided courtesy of the author, S. Grover

The mixed family party of Canada Geese (adult pair with two juveniles of their type plus four adopted Greylags) mentioned in the previous blog post remained intact at Loch Connell until at least the 24th of the month.  Parties of other Greylags built up in number at the same site, to a high of 164 on the 31st.  Also here, the two Pink-footed Geese of last month were still present on the 17th.

Numbers of Mute Swans on Loch Ryan remained pretty constant throughout the month at 30, or so, birds. Splinter groups could be seen around the shore-line, from the Rhins of Galloway Hotel on the eastern side, to Soleburn and the Wig, on the west. These offshoot groups were regularly observed paddling across the width of the loch, whilst when moving between northern and southerly stations they were just as likely to be seen commuting the distance by flying. Presumably the pull of the tide influenced the birds chosen mode of travel. Either way, the why’s and wherefores of their movements engaged me intently for the month’s duration.

Seven adult Shelducks at the Wig, on the 6th, were probably birds that had briefly halted their journey to their moulting grounds elsewhere.  The party of three juveniles accompanied by an adult at Bishop Burn, on the 17th, were more than likely to have been of local origin, however. Loch Connell held two Teal on the 10th and, surprisingly, three Gadwall on the 17th. On Loch Ryan Common Scoters were noted on just two occasions: six on the 19th and 14 on the 27th. At the same site, on the 1st, a count of 236 male Eiders was made, reducing to 169 on the 28th. The only young of this species were on the 2nd, when a party of six females was observed accompanying a recently hatched duckling at the Wig. The largest assemblies of Red-breasted Mergansers here were 69 on the 9th and 68 on the 27th; all of the birds were male, either moulting into, or already in eclipse plumage.

Juvenile Shelducks are a stark contrast to their parents

Records of Red-throated Divers were few, as is expected at this time of year. There were two adults in breeding dress on the 16th, one on the 27th, and 13 birds on the 28th.  Great Crested Grebes were more frequent visitors with the first seen on the 14th, rising to 12 at the Wig on the 27th. The only Little Grebe was a singleton at Loch Connell on the 31st. July is typically witness to the arrival on Loch Ryan of post-breeding Red-necked Grebes.  A fine summer plumage adult was present at the Wig from the 12th to the 15th.

Red-necked Grebe (and Great-crested Grebe in the background)

The appeal of Gannets is easy to understand: they are large and spectacular; these characteristics guarantee them attention from birdwatchers and non-birdwatchers, alike. They are daily visitors to Loch Ryan at this time of year and no matter whatever the hour in the daylight, when my gaze is drawn towards the loch, I am assured of seeing at least one of these awesome creatures.  A count of 53 on the 6th and 51 on the 30th were likely representative of the numbers visiting daily.  However, given that the large Gannetry (in excess of 30,000 nesting pairs) on Ailsa Craig lies just nine miles to the north, I often wonder in amazement where the rest of the colony find food for breakfast, elevenses, luncheon, afternoon tea, dinner and supper!  Assessing the true number of birds visiting Loch Ryan is .. ultimately … informed guesswork, with a little data extrapolation thrown in for verisimilitude.  The same rules that apply to estimating the abundance of Gannets are valid for most other species, too, including Cormorants: 45 was my peak actual count for the month, on the 22nd.  In comparison, the maximum for Shags was 11, on the 25th.

July typically marks the start of the return passage of waders, supplementing those that have summered closer to home.  A single Bar-tailed Godwit was at the Wig on the 27th.  Loch Connell held two Common Sandpipers on the morning of the 10th, and three were present at the Corsewall  Burn outlet at the bottom of Fisher’s Lane on the 18th.  Curlews were widespread throughout the month, with 37 about Wig Bay on the 2nd and 47 there on the 27th.  Only a small number of Dunlins were observed at the Scar, with a maximum of six on the 19th.  Two Greenshanks beside the Wig Car Park on the 27th were a welcome addition to the month’s tally of waders.  The only Lapwings observed were at Loch Connell, with four on the 9th and 31st and a singleton on the 17th.  Oystercatchers were ever present: a high of 103 at the Scar on the 20th, whilst a downy chick was seen at the Wig on the 27th.  Also from this location came a smattering of observed Redshanks, with the highest count being eight on the 27th.  More numerous were Ringed Plovers, although flock sizes were small, peaking at 20 birds at the Scar on the 24th.  A pleasant surprise was the sighting of five chicks at the Wig on the 27th. An early Ruff made an appearance at the Scar on the 24th.  Here also, and on the same date, were two ‘red-coloured’ Sanderlings (adults in stunning breeding apparel); 10 more were seen on the 28th dashing along the shore between the pulsing surf that washed over the flats of the Wig.  The first Snipe of the ‘autumn passage’ was seen at Loch Connell on the 9th; another was there on the 17th.  Turnstones are all too easy to overlook as they rest amongst the pebbles and seaweed on the beach of the Wig; two dapper birds, in crisp breeding plumage, caught my eye as they foraged at the tide-line, on the 24th.  On the same date, but at Loch Connell, the seven-note whistle of a Whimbrel gave away that bird’s presence to me.

Greenshanks helpfully live up to their moniker

As with the increase in waders about the Wig, July also saw a rise in the number of Common Gulls passing through, evidenced by a flock of 38 at the Scar on the 21st.  Sightings of Lesser Black-backed Gulls also rose, as expected, although this is not reflected in the highest count of just four birds at the Wig, on the 20th.  The number of Great Black-backed Gulls was small: the largest gathering was seven on the 12th and 30th; however, the range of plumages and variations shown by all of the individuals I assessed across the month suggested to me that many more birds were in fact passing through.  Mediterranean Gulls have become a regular component of the July avifauna in recent years.  Unfortunately I rarely travel in to Stranraer - where most of this species of small gulls seem to congregate - so have to content myself with the few that turn up on my doorstep.  A second year bird seen following a tractor and plough was thus a nice find on the 20th.  A couple of days later, on the 22nd, a more notable species in the form of a Yellow-legged Gull graced the Scar.  I say ‘more notable’ because the identification of this species is fraught with difficulties, and detailed observations and clear photographs of key features are needed by the Scottish Rare Birds Committee.  Common Terns have been distinctly absent about the Wig, even though they are known to breed at Stranraer, a small flight away for them.  Just two birds were seen on the 4th.  Sandwich Terns were observed daily about the Scar, with 28 there on the 9th and 23 on the 21st.

A Yellow-legged Gull, sporting its titular appendages

Razorbills are typically scarce on Loch Ryan in July: just two on the 3rd were noted.  Black Guillemots, however, are more frequently observed, especially around their breeding haunts at the Cairnryan Pier and the former Stena Port in Stranraer.  Away from these areas they can be elusive, a consequence of their small size making them difficult to spot against the sun-glare reflecting on the water of the sea-loch.  Good viewing conditions and an obliging juvenile close in-shore at the Wig secured me a record of one bird, on the 27th.

Owls, too, are generally inconspicuous at this time.  A desire to snap a night-time photo’ of the docked P&O Ferry, with all its lights and the illumination from the Terminal reflected in the loch, had me out in the garden on several occasions with my camera pointed in the appropriate direction.  On one evening, the 13th, a Tawny Owl came and perched nearby, followed minutes later by a Barn Owl on the shed roof; the latter made a raucous hissing sound which I can only assume was a response to the pulsing emissions of coloured lights emanating from my camera’s LCD screen as it continually updated a preview of the digital image being captured.  A very different record of events in more than one sense!

Kestrels used to be one-a-penny, everyday birds when I was a lad.  A lone bird hunting over the estate marsh, on the 18th, was a stark reminder of how very different their circumstances are today.

The world is also a changing place for Swallows and House Martins.  Their fortunes do not look promising, at least not at the local level.  There have been very few about the village of Kirkcolm this year.  A flock of 21 juvenile and adult Swallows was witnessed on the 2nd, whereas House Martins mustered just 15 birds, on the 30th.  As for Swifts … a singleton over the Scar, on the 6th, sums up their woeful state.

Young Siskins lack some of the colour of the adult birds

An unexpected visitor in my garden on the 6th was a Spotted Flycatcher, which made a few aerial sallies after insects from the top of the leafless birch.  In greater supply, fortunately, were Robins, with birds heard calling and singing from both gardens and copses.  It was a welcome relief from their near silent state of the previous month. Siskins, also, have become more vocal of late - mostly streaky adolescents engaged in acrobatic searches of the outer branches and twigs of many different species of trees that are found within the village.

Next month should see a more pronounced passage of birds as the autumn migration gets underway in earnest … we hope!