Encounters of a Hybrid kind - March 2024 Bird Report

In this month’s summary report I mention two hybrids I happened upon: one in particular got me thinking about the few that are ever reported compared with the actual number of birds that are surely at large within the population as a whole; some, no doubt, are very obvious whilst many, I suspect, are more subtle in appearance to human eyes. This was just a thought of mine but one which readers might like to ponder upon themselves.

Firstly, March star birds on my patch. But before we begin, a few words of caution. When we read, or hear about, ‘highlighted species’ in birding magazines, journals, blog postings, and elsewhere, there is a tendency to assume that such references relate only to ‘rarities’. The usage of them in this blog is, however, somewhat broader, to include an emotional response, as well as the more traditional interpretation. Consequently, this month’s highlights include American Wigeon, Red- necked, Slavonian, and Great Crested x Red-necked Grebe hybrid, Long-tailed Duck, Pintail, Tufted Duck hybrid, White-billed Diver and Whooper Swan.

Pale-bellied Brent Geese were present about the Wig throughout the month. Depending on the state of the tides I saw various sized flocks most days. I realised, however, that in order to more properly gauge the wintering population I would have to time my counts to coincide with the high tide, when the largest concentration of birds feeding in the Wig fields could be seen. Approximately 130 birds were consistently recorded across the month, with a high of 150 on the 29th. It is likely that additional birds were also moving through, although occasional sightings of the same two colour-ringed birds (not always easy to pick out, or read the codes on the rings, amongst active flocks) suggest at least some stability within the population at Loch Ryan.

Pink-footed Geese moving northwards were more often heard than seen but Loch Connell is a regular stop off for them and always worth a gander. There were 850 here on the 3rd, reducing to 228 on the 24th. This same site held 10 Whooper Swans on the 10th and a one colour-ringed bird on the 24th. This apparent paucity of swans on my local patch changed a couple of days later, on the 28th, when 248 Whoopers pressed eagerly northwards, low over Loch Ryan; their glistening white shapes could be seen from afar and as they closed in, passing by the Scar, their triumphant bugling calls filled the sullen sky.

Returning Shelducks to the area were few, with a peak count of just nine at the Scar on the 13th. Gadwall are scarce visitors, thus it was a pleasure to see a male at Loch Connell on the 3rd and 31st. I like to think that it was the same individual on both occasions, its grey plumage tones helping to conceal it from me and pass undetected on my in-between visits. The same site was frequented throughout the month by a drake and duck Pintail, which, presumably, were the same couple reported upon in the previous posting of this blog. This duo of uncommon dabbling duck species was further complimented by the addition another, a drake Shoveler, also observed on the last day of the month. More common ‘dabblers’ were also noted at this freshwater loch, including highs of 63 Teal, on the 3rd, and 60 Wigeon, on the 24th, not forgetting an unexpected rarity - an American Wigeon - on this last date. Perhaps the latter species was the same, returning, male observed here last year.

Loch Ryan, not surprisingly, was the place to enjoy flotillas of sea ducks. Common Scoters peaked at 138 on the 13th, and Goldeneyes, 34, on the 19th. A raft of 32 Long-tailed Ducks at the Wig made for a splendid sight, with birds in various states of dress, including several males in full, chocolate brown summer plumage. The popular guide book image of this fellow showing the long central tail feathers held pointing towards the heavens, was occasionally expressed by some courting birds I saw but for the most part their tails were depressed and lying on the water, giving the birds a very different demeanour. Tufted Ducks are typically a freshwater species. I encountered them on all my visits to Loch Connell during the month: 14 was my biggest count, on the 18th; however (and there is always an however!), one of their clan - a female - was not a pure bred bird to my eyes but a hybrid showing characteristics of Scaup parentage. The same site supported 16 Goosanders on the 3rd, steadily reducing in number during the course of the month to six birds on the 31st. This species was also seen on Loch Ryan, with a pair off the beach at Kirkcolm on the 26th. Naturally enough it was this same body of salt-water that was frequented by parties of Red-breasted Mergansers, including the 94 registered on the 19th.

A Little Grebe was a surprise turn up at Wig Bay on the 18th. At the same location a Red-necked Grebe was present on the 26th and 29th. I was fortunate to observe Slavonian Grebes here most days, often from some distances away in the comfort of my home. Down by the shore, however, it was easier to determine that the majority of those I noticed were immaculately turned out adults in full summer dress. Against the light the birds were merely silhouettes but under better viewing conditions the rich red tones of their necks and flanks, and the golden-yellow ear tufts, became plain to see and a joy to behold. Over the hill to the west, Loch Connell had its own delights and a very different surprise in store early in the month: the likes of which I have never seen before. It was a grebe, to be sure … but what I assume was a hybrid: I’m guessing a Great Crested X Red-necked Grebe cross. I confess that the majority of hybrids I ever encounter usually resemble more of one of the species involved with a hint of, or just a few characteristics showing of the other. This particular bird (seen on the 3rd of the month) was a mishmash, split 50/50. The accompanying sketch perhaps shows better these features than could any descriptive narrative.

Sketch and details of the hybrid Grebe

Should any of the British occurring species of Divers be on the hit list of any readers then Loch Ryan is the obvious location to search on my local patch. A winter plumaged Black-throated Diver was present on the13th; a high of four Great Northerns on the 26th; a peak of 21 Red-throats on the 29th, and a magnificent White-billed Diver close to shore at the Wig on the 22nd. 

March has never been the best of months for recording waders; nonetheless, a selection can always be found about the Wig. Few Bar-tailed Godwits were logged, with a maximum of four on the 8th. Curlews were still regular entries, including a peak of 42 on the 11th. Golden Plovers faired considerably better and numerous birds were well on their way to attaining the gorgeous breeding plumage for which the species is renowned. The largest flock noted was 150 plus, at the Scar on the 2nd; another respectable sized flock was 74 at the same location on the 29th. Sightings of Lapwings were restricted to Loch Connell, with a maximum of six birds on the 3rd. Ubiquitous Oystercatchers peaked at 191 in the Wig Fields on the 15th. Redshanks - never the most abundant of waders on my patch - were observed on just four occasions: a mere three at the Wig being my highest tally. No large flocks of Ringed Plovers were encountered but there was at least 20 at the Scar on the 15th. The seemingly prolonged wet weather that persisted through the month raised the water level at Loch Connell, resulting in extensive flooding of an adjacent area of marsh. This provided favourable conditions for several species, and is undoubtedly the reason why I was able to spy five Snipes here on the 24th.

Kittiwakes are irregular visitors to Loch Ryan: there occurrence is often associated with storm systems over the Atlantic, pushing birds closer to land than might otherwise happen. It is likely that this accounted for the 22 birds passing the Scar on the 15th. During the winter period Lesser Black-backed Gulls are not especially common in the vicinity of my home, as perhaps evidenced by just a single bird observed over the Wig on thee 20th, and two at Loch Connell on the 31st.

Whereas passerines, such as Chiffchaffs, might mark the arrival of Spring in wooded areas, for me it is Sandwich Terns that herald this same change in season along the coast of Loch Ryan. I saw two on the 28th and eight the following day. Razorbills also return to local breeding grounds at this time of year so it was not unexpected to spy a party of six on the 19th and seven on the 26th. The reappearance of Gannets, too, (after a winter absence) is also a sure sign of burgeoning Spring. Two birds over the sea-loch on the 10th were the first arrivals I noticed, rising to eight on the 29th.

A spring time Sandwich Tern

A pair of Herons that roost within the estate woods became more vocal, and conspicuous, as the month progressed. They were no doubt eager to enforce the nuptial duties ahead of them. A lone Little Egret frequented the Wig on the 1st and 24th, and small gatherings of Cormorants at the Scar became a regular feature during the month, with 17 there on the 29th. A number of them were particularly striking looking, with heads predominantly white and a short black crest forming a ridge along their crowns. Presumably these birds were older with both age, and one hopes, experience in their favour.

Rooks and Jackdaws don’t always generate a lot of interest or enthusiasm amongst the birdwatching fraternity. I have to admit, however, to having been fascinated by their behaviour and antics after witnessing a garrulous bunch in my neighbours garden. I watched them desperately cling onto suspended bird feeders in order to extract a morsel or two of food. This they did in the manner of any self respecting garden Blue Tit and House Sparrow might. They may not have been quite as dextrous or expert at it as smaller birds but their ingenuity and stubbornness in the face of adversity enabled them to conquer the challenge. Those quarrelsome birds on the ground below readily took advantage of the food that rained down upon them by the hammering blows struck by the raiders above. It made me chuckle and ponder: which were the smarter birds, those suspended on the front-line offensive or those in the rear-guard, below? Both tactics paid dividends, so I guess it matters not.

I heard my first, Spring, Chiffchaffs (two birds) in song on the 19th; a Greenfinch (still quite a rarity in my neighbourhood) in song on the 6th; my first Wheatear of the year at the Wig, on the 29th; and two Linnets (having been absent for most of the winter) on the 31st.

The contents of this article are courtesy of the author, S Grover.