Bird Report for August 2025

Mute Swans are never an abundant species at Loch Connell: a count of nine adults on the 3rd was, although seemingly low, an exception and thus notable. On the nearby salt-water site of Loch Ryan this species is considerably more common. I recorded 56 birds on the 9th, rising to 90 on the 29th. Two adults with five, brown, grown-up sized cygnets in tow at the Wig on the 19th were presumably the same family of birds that originated from a nesting on the lake at Agnew Park, Stranraer; they had since paddled northwards up the sea-loch for five or six miles. A lone Whooper Swan (originally present with a friend, up to the 18th May, thereafter a singleton only) was present until at least the 17th of this month, but not seen since. It may have gone elsewhere, but is likely to have fallen victim to predation, such as by a fox.

I had just two records of Gadwall, both of which came from Loch Connell: a male on the 24th and two female types on the 31st. At the same site my best count of Mallards was 89, also on the 24th. The majority of these were drakes in eclipse plumage. The number of Teal at this freshwater site rose from eight on the 3rd to 40 on the 31st. Interestingly I saw two birds at the Scar, Loch Ryan, on the 23rd. The sea-loch hosted six male Common Scoters on the 29th, at least 140 Eiders on the 11th (the 23rd being the only date in the month that I did not record this species) and a series of good counts of Red-breasted Merganser: 70 plus, north of the beach at Kirkcolm on the 7th, 96 at Soleburn on the 12th, 84 at the Wig on the 18th and the largest tally (also at the Wig) of 140 birds on the 29th.

Having lived in the village of Kirkcolm for 17 years it is only this year that Great Crested Grebes have successfully nested at Loch Connell, raising a single youngster. The juvenile remained on site until at least the 24th, my last visit of the month. Adults of this species have often completed their breeding cycle come August, and begin to turn up on Loch Ryan, where numerous of them overwinter. Three birds was my highest count of them, on the 11th. Slavonian Grebes typically arrive later on the sea-loch than their aforementioned cousins. I was both surprised and delighted to register four birds, still in their nuptial plumage, on the 29th. Accompanying them was a fine-looking Black-throated Diver. The passage of Red-throated Divers through Loch Ryan began earlier in the month. I saw three on the 11th, rising to 14 on the 29th.

It was pleasant to log a reasonable selection of waders on my local patch, following a quiet summer. Singleton Bar-tailed and Black-tailed Godwits at the Scar on the 22nd and 18th, respectively, were somewhat less than I expected, or hoped, to see. I, however, had no such qualms regarding the lone Common Sandpiper that I logged at Loch Connell on the 6th and at the Wig on the 7th. This species used to be a more common and regular visitor but is now less predictable in its occurrence. Although Curlew numbers continue to fall UK wide, I was delighted to see 40 at Loch Connell on the 6th, a tightly packed bunch of 54 at Soleburn and 46 at the Wig on the 12th, and my largest single flock of the month, 73 at the Wig on the 19th. There are many factors that influence the numbers of Dunlin stopping off at Loch Ryan during periods of passage. In recent years I have witnessed smaller flocks of them, but on the plus side they at least still show up. Their ’dun’ colours help conceal them from predators and birdwatchers, alike. I spied my first juveniles of the season at the Scar on the 7th; they were in the company of other waders that had come to forage and rest on the shore as high tide approached. My peak count of birds however came on the 19th when I logged 36. Golden Plover are somewhat larger than the aforementioned species, potentially making them easier to spot. Their overall spangled brown tones camouflage them well on the ground, especially when seen against the combined similar hues of wrack, sand and pebbles at the Scar. From a distance ‘goldies’ can be almost invisible, their presence revealed only when one of them then raises its wings, revealing a ‘flash’ of white on the undersides and flanks. Applying patience allowed me to regularly record flocks, spanning the month, the largest of which comprised 57 birds on the 19th.

This month also saw Greenshanks being well represented, with 11 sightings registered. Most were of singletons at the Wig or the Scar, but three records were from Loch Connell, including a party of four birds on the 31st. The arrival of 16 Knot at the Scar, on the 1st, caught me by surprise by being somewhat earlier in the season than I had anticipated. More typically I encounter one, or maybe two birds, marking the start of their period of passage. Nevertheless, they were welcome visitors and as it turned out they represented my peak count of this high arctic breeder. Perhaps not surprisingly all of my Lapwing sightings were at Loch Connell, beginning with 14 on the 6th and maximum counts of 21 on the 16th and 24th. I had a very respectable count of 150 Oystercatchers at the Wig on the 23rd; in comparison, Redshanks were considerably fewer, with a high of just 16 (still a good number for this particular spot) on the 29th. Ringed Plovers were, naturally, present about the Wig and Scar in far greater numbers than the previous species, with 68 on the 1st and a peak count of 157 on the 29th. A juvenile Ruff put in an appearance at Loch Connell, on the 6th, and two birds were present at the Scar on the 17th. The very same shingle spit hosted a Sanderling on the 7th and four on the 19th and 23rd. A wisp of 19 Snipe was at Loch Connell on the 16th, with six there the following day and a singleton on the 24th. At the Scar 10 boldly marked, summer-plumaged, Turnstones were a veritable feast to mine eyes on the 7th. Come the months end (29th) many a juvenile, and adults with well worn plumages, formed a closely knit flock of 30 birds that flicked seaweed skywards with their strong bills as the company searched for morsels beneath the strewn vegetation along the strand-line .

It is appreciably more common for me to see Whimbrel on my local patch during the spring migration than during the autumn. This August, however, I had a spread of sightings across the month, four of which were of singletons (on the 1st, 2nd, 24th and 27th) and the others being five at Wig Bay on the 12th, and three at Loch Connell on the 31st. The wader highlight of the month was undoubtedly the Wood Sandpiper that I saw in the close-company of a Greenshank at the Scar on the 4th. I more typically associate this species with freshwater habitats, so it was both a huge surprise and a delight to see it pottering about in the shallows and on the shoreline of the sea-loch.

Gulls have traditionally been synonymous with the coast. They still are, of course, but for species such as the Common Gull their presence in my neighbourhood is strongly linked to the seasons. During the summer they can be near absent, while autumn shows an increase in birds as post breeding adults and offspring begin to pass through the area: increases in numbers can often be sudden and dramatic - much like the appearance of a rainbow after a heavy downpour. Over 150 birds in a grassland at Clendrie was one such spectacle, on the 27th. An immature Iceland Gull at Soleburn, on the 12th, was possibly the same individual that had frequented the locality during late-spring. It certainly seemed to be healthy enough in both appearance and actions in spite of its presence being unusual for the time of year. An adult Kittiwake was seen to pass the Scar on the 3rd and on the 30th. Lesser Black-backed Gulls became more frequent visitors; an especially well turned out party of six handsome adults caught my gaze as they half-dozed  the day away, loafing in grassland beside the Wig on the 7th. A juvenile Little Gull sat out on the Scar on the 14th was also much appreciated myself, being something of a rare treat on my home patch. Several observations of Mediterranean Gull were also not without merit: an adult flying above the middle of Loch Ryan, on the 8th; a different adult at Soleburn, on the 12th; a second-winter bird about the Wig on the 24th, and an adult in the same locality on the 27th and 28th.

Two Arctic Terns made a brief appearance at the Scar on 1st. Common Terns were logged on a few days across the month, with a peak of six birds at the Scar on the 14th. Also here was a Little Tern, which was a delightfully unexpected find on the evening of the 5th. It was outdone, however, by a party of six adult Roseate Terns on the 28th, and two juveniles of the same species the following day (29th). This bunch of sea-faring waifs would not be complete without inclusion of the most common and abundant of their kind to be seen in Wig Bay, Sandwich Terns. I observed this species almost daily, with especially notable counts of 42 on the 1st, 60 on the 12th, 74 on the 17th and 85 on the 28th - all on the Scar, of course.

Many days of rain coupled with generally poor visibility over Loch Ryan hampered my viewing of Black Guillemots. However, sometimes all it takes is for just one clear day and amenable conditions to unite in order to allow an insight to the number of these small, compact, auks  that occupy the loch. This month that day was the 21st. I successfully managed to log a minimum of 70 birds just by viewing through my telescope, from the comfort of my house. A crude exercise for sure, but experience has taught me that such a tally could probably be doubled if a more accurate  assessment of their status is required. It is considerably easier to assess the numbers of Gannets using the loch, on account of the species large size and conspicuous white and black plumage. 89 birds on the 1st was my highest count, which included four immatures and a ‘chocolate-brown’ juvenile. A Great White Egret at Loch Connell on the 17th was a pleasant discovery. I saw Little Egrets using the sea-loch on 11 occasions (an ever continuing improvement in the number of these white herons within the local area), including what to me was an impressive party of eight birds flying northbound across the Wig, on the 16th. Most memorable, however, was an adult bird that I saw perched in the top of one of the Sycamore trees in the playground of the village school - a most incongruous sight, I thought. The number of Cormorants present at the Scar clearly increased as the month progressed: 45 was my highest count of them on the 28th. Not to be outdone, I observed 60 Shags perched on the derelict pier across the water at Cairnryan, on the 7th.

Birds of prey always make for an impressive viewing. A Kestrel mobbing a juvenile female Peregrine that was perched atop a fence post at Loch Connell, on the 6th, made splendid entertainment, whilst an Osprey at the same location, on the 17th, captured my attention for the two hours I remained there, trying in-between times to record the waterfowl that were present at the site. This uncommon visitor to my patch proved too much of a distraction for me, as it also did for a pair of crows that near constantly badgered the bird from a respectfully safe distance…most of the time! The raptor perched in the top of a Sallow, where it seemed to me to appear impressively huge in such a small tree, especially when its whiteness was heightened by the strong rays of the rising sun, effectively making it appear even bigger. Despite being harried the bird remained put on its perch, preening and sunning and no doubt enjoying the advancing warmth of the day. Only when I packed up my gear and headed towards home for breakfast did the Osprey depart, sailing in the direction of Loch Ryan. Perhaps breakfast was also on its mind!

During a routine scan of the sea-loch from my house, I heard a loud thud on one of the windows in another room. I continued with my survey of the birds out in bay, after which I headed outside to see if the window-bashing culprit, or unfortunate victim (depending how you choose to look at it) could be seen. Immediately upon opening an exterior door I was confronted by a juvenile male Sparrowhawk, sat on the ground a few feet in front of me. Clearly it had stunned itself when hitting the glass at speed (no surprises there then… except to the started bird!) and had taken a few minutes to regain its composure. It flew off, none the worse for its experience. I was somewhat relieved by not having to go to its rescue and risk a confrontation with its sharp claws and beak!

The number of pairs of House Martins breeding within what I would consider to be the main built-up zone of the village of Kirkcolm has been at an all time low this summer - barely a handful. Fortunately, there have been ‘outsiders’ to swell their  ranks but even with these the number of birds has been low. The onset of the autumn passage helped swell the local population, with highs of 40 on the 3rd, 72 on the 13th, and a peak count in excess of 136 on the 18th. Sand Martins have always been few on my patch, as evidenced by just four birds at Loch Connell on the 17th. Swallows also seem to have shared the same poor year as their white dumped cousins: the monthly maxima was a tad over 60 birds on the 21st. In previous years Swifts have been but scarce visitors to my patch. This year, however, something extraordinary happened. At least one pair is known to have bred, meaning that sightings of the species were frequent throughout the summer. Their season is brief and birds depart for warmer climes early, so that come August most of their breeding areas have been vacated. I saw three birds on the 1st, a singleton on the 4th, and a final bird on the 13th.

Most of my observations of Chiffchaffs this month were of birds in my garden, with a notably better than average year if the number of records are an indication of anything. Four birds seen foraging amongst the shrubbery was pure delight on the 2nd. Two birds doing the exact same on the 29th rounded off the month nicely. A single Sedge Warbler and two Whitethroats were logged during a local walk on the 12th. I had only two records of Willow Warbler all month, both from my garden: one on the 3rd and another on the 11th.

Other observations that may be of interest to you, reader, are: 92 House Sparrows in my garden on the 28th; approximately 200 Linnets over the Wig fields, also on the 28th; a very poor showing of Meadow Pipits, with the highest count of just six birds, on the 27th; a return to song by Robins, with nine heard on the 19th; a pair of Spotted Flycatchers with three juveniles within the grounds of Corsewall House, also on the 19th; and lastly, a singleton Wheatear at the Wig, on the 7th.

This report is provided courtesy of the author, Stephen Grover

Bird Report for May, June and July 2025

Apologies are in order for my tardiness in not keeping this blog posting up to date: sometimes life and the many varied circumstances associated with its living conspire, interfere and disrupt even the best laid plans.

Although it is the so-called common species that form the bulk of any natural history dataset it is generally those species that we do not see often, or on a regular basis, which folk seek to learn more about. The following is thus not a summary but a selection of personal highlights of records of rare, locally significant, or key species, which I logged on my local patch during the three months covered by this report. The species are presented in alphabetical order within each month.

May 2025

Arctic Tern: singletons at the Scar, Loch Ryan, on the 1st and the 4th; a pair at the Cairnryan Pier on the 26th and 28th. Cetti’s Warbler: one singing, in suitable breeding habitat, on the 4th. This constitutes my first record of this Scottish rarity on my local patch. Eider: 242 males on Loch Ryan was the month’s peak count, on the 30th. Great Crested Grebe: a nesting pair at Loch Connell (on the 11th), present throughout the remainder of the month. Great Northern Diver: all records from Loch Ryan - an adult in breeding plumage on the 6th and 7th; seven birds (including a party of six) in full breeding plumage, on the 8th; a singleton on the 11th. Heron: two breeding pairs on active nests (on 2nd). Iceland Gull: an immature seen about the Wig, Loch Ryan, on the 19th. Kittiwake: five birds flying past the Scar, on the 25th. Lesser Whitethroat: one singing in suitable breeding habitat bordering the sea-loch, on the 8th. Osprey: a singleton observed flying over the Wig fields towards Loch Connell, on the 27th. Puffin: an adult on Loch Ryan, seen on the 3rd and 4th, was a rare treat. Red-throated Diver: recorded on the sea-loch on 13 days between the 1st (10 birds) and the 26th (one bird), with maximum counts of 26 birds on the 3rd, 4th and 8th. Sandwich Tern: highest count of 36 birds at the Scar, on the 1st. Slavonian Grebe: an adult in breeding plumage, seen almost daily in Wig Bay between the 8th and the 28th. Whimbrel: observed on eight days, between the 1st and the 28th, inclusive, with a maximum count of six at the Wig on the 4th. White-billed Diver: a smashing find of an immature at the Wig, on the 4th. Whooper Swan: three were at Loch Connell on the 4th, reducing to two birds on the 11th and then to a singleton on the 25th.

June 2025

Common Sandpiper: a walk along the shoreline of Loch Ryan into the town of Stranraer, on the 19th, turned up a single bird, foraging like a turnstone on the beach at Broadstone. Three Common Terns were at the Wig on the 10th, and one was at the Cairnryan Pier on the 25th. Eider: a female with two small ducklings was at the Scar on the 2nd, whilst 232 males were on the same spit of land on the 12th and a different female with two fully-fledged juveniles, on the 15th. With these two breeding records now archived in my data-base, I think it is safe to say that this has been the worst year of Eider productivity yet. ‘Where have all the Eiders gone’ could be a question the next up-and-coming generation of naturalists might be asking sooner, rather than later! Great Crested Grebe: a single chick was observed at Loch Connell on the 8th and was still present at the month’s end. Curiously, the adults seem to take turns to flight over the intervening hill to forage for food in Loch Ryan. Red-throated Divers on their breeding grounds are widely known to follow this practise but it is not something that I have ever associated with Great Crested Grebes. Little Egret: only one record this month - a single at the Wig on the 28th. Mediterranean Gull: two adults were in one of the grass fields beside the Wig, on the 13th; an adult and a first-summer bird were at the same location on the following two days (13th/14th); a different first-summer bird frequented Wig Bay on the 16th, and an adult and an immature were in the same general area on the 18th and 20th. Pacific Golden Plover: a stunning-looking bird in full-breeding dress, bearing all the hallmarks of this species, was present in the grassland beside the Wig track, on the 12th and 13th. This constitutes my first record of this species on my local patch. Red-breasted Merganser: numbers at Wig Bay were generally low but I made a respectable count of a flock of 44 birds on the 23rd. Whooper Swan: the lone bird from last month remained at Loch Connell throughout June.

July 2025

Arctic Tern: two birds on the Scar, on the 8th and six birds there on the 29th, followed by two birds the next day (30th). Bar-tailed Godwit: one at the Wig on the 15th. Black-tailed Godwit: a singleton at Loch Connell on the 13th; one at the Scar on the 15th, with three there on the 31st. Common Tern: three birds about Wig Bay on the 25th, nine on the 29th and a single on the 30th. Common Sandpiper: a party of five at Kirkcolm beach on the 17th. Eider: a count of 153 at the Scar on the 9th was only exceeded by 158 at the same location on the 29th. Golden Plover: just 18 birds at the Scar on the 15th was a rather poor showing. Greenshank: a singleton was at Loch Connell on the 20th and two were at the Wig on the 30th. Kittiwake: two adults flying past the Scar were unexpected visitors on the 29th. Lapwing: three at Loch Connell on the 13th and 20 there on the 20th. Little Egret: a total of nine were at the Wig on the 30th. Manx Shearwater: a disappointing two records only, with one flying past the Scar on the 10th and a party of three doing the same on the 17th. Mediterranean Gull: an adult observed at Wig Bay on the 3rd and 29th. Osprey: a single bird spent much of the day sat on the Scar, occasionally moving off to hunt in the bay before returning to its chosen post…or should that be, pebble, to rest! Red-breasted Merganser: high counts of 107 and 119 at the Wig on the 8th and the 30th, respectively. Roseate Tern: an adult flew about the Scar on the 29th. Ruff: three at the Scar on the 15th and one there on the 28th. Snipe: singletons at Loch Connell on the 13th and 20th. Wheatear: a first-winter bird was at Loch Connell on the 13th, and at the Wig on the 30th. Whimbrel: one at the Wig on the 17th and four there on the 30th. Whooper Swan: the same bird as reported on last month remained at Loch Connell throughout July.

This report is provided courtesy of the author, Stephen Grover.

The Joys of Spring. Bird Report for April 2025.

In the birding calendar April is traditionally a month of change, when the arrival of summer visitors to our shores coincides with the departure of those that overwintered. On my local patch this inter-change of species is more apparent in some years than in others. Read on to check upon some of those migrant, and resident, birds…

A marked change was evident in the numbers of Pale-bellied Brent Geese seen about the Wig this month compared to last. A peak count of 408 (this itself is a sure sign of a passage of birds) on the 4th quickly curtailed thereafter to 42 on the 9th, then to a final count of 10, or so, birds on the 11th. Ordinarily I would expect a few birds to linger on into late April, with a scattering of sightings extending into in early May. For the latter month we will all just have to wait and see what transpires. A Dark-bellied Brent was with a handful of its paler cousins at the Scar on the 5th. Over 280 Pink-footed Geese were seen flying north on the 4th, whilst 364 were observed grazing in a field adjacent Loch Connell, on the 6th, and my final sighting of this wintering species being a noisy gaggle of 80 northward bound birds, on the 10th.

Presumably I was seeing the same three Whooper Swans on each of my visits to Loch Connell during the month, although on the 13th they were boosted by an additional four birds, making the peak tally 7. The same body of freshwater also played host to an unusually high count of 13 Shelducks on the 6th, whereas at the Scar, Loch Ryan, the peak was just two birds on the 22nd.

Siesta in the shade for a Shoveler

A drake Shoveler was a nice find at Loch Connell on the 27th. He half-slept at the water’s edge in the shade of an overhanging Sallow on the far side of the pool. On the near side, an energetic male Green-winged Teal dabbled in the company of six of its more common (on this side of the Atlantic, at least) Eurasian companions, Teal, and two drake Wigeon. What a splendid sight they all made. Earlier in the month there were considerably more Teal, and a few Wigeon, at Loch Connell, with highs of 107 and 18, respectively, on the 6th.

Given the present season there was, understandably, a considerable range in the number of Common Scoters on Loch Ryan. The peak count of 85 was logged early in the month on the 5th, with a very respectable 76 on the 29th. Goldeneyes were few, the majority having already departed for their breeding grounds. My highest count was just 14 birds on the 6th and a final singleton on the 8th. Even scarcer about the Wig than the aforementioned species was Long-tailed Duck, with just a single on the 3rd and another on the 23rd. Most years a few of these delightful waterfowl linger, to be seen in May, but given the relatively few birds that I have noted so far this year this year I shall not be holding my breath on that expectation. The general paucity of sea-faring ducks on Loch Ryan this month was made up for by an excellent showing of Red-breasted Mergansers. The 11th proved especially rewarding when out of a hazy morning mist I saw emerge two rafts of birds, one 144 strong, the other 77, making for an impressive total of 217. Scenes such as that are hardly ever bettered on my local patch - they are as rare as hen’s teeth or pots of gold that are said to be found at the ends of a rainbow. The sighting added to an existing catalogue of lasting memories, which I can call upon in times when I need to invigorate my spirit.

Not unexpectedly I saw few Slavonian Grebes about the Wig this month. I recorded the species on seven days up to and including the 23rd. Fortunately for me, just about all of the birds were in handsome breeding attire. Two, on the 11th and 18th, was my highest tally. I observed Great Northern Divers on three dates across the month: two on the 11th and 23rd, and a full summer-plumaged adult on the 29th. Red-throated Divers were of course more common and abundant than either of the two preceding species; their spring passage on Loch Ryan is noticeably protracted. High counts of 75 (including a tightly knit raft of 35) and 99 birds were logged on the 5th and 23rd, respectively.

Although a diversity of waders was recorded this month, they were generally low in numbers. Lone Bar-tailed Godwits were noted on five dates at the Wig, and a party of three was registered there on the 23rd. Close views of birds, on the 11th and 14th, allowed me to enjoy their stunning summer attire: sporting rich, brick-red underparts from chin to tail. The paucity of Curlews was notable, though not unexpected; birds typically vacate their wintering quarters for breeding grounds early in the year. 28 birds was my highest count (on the 1st), with my last sighting of the month being a singleton on the 13th. A smattering of Dunlin records punctuated the month. 10 seen in breeding plumage at the Scar (on the 24th) were a lively bunch, jostling within their ranks as they pressed ever forward along the beach at the edge of the tidal flow. Those few, however, were not the largest flock I encountered: that came a couple of days later, on the 26th, when a party of 40 paused momentarily at the Wig before heading northwards up the loch.

Gorgeous in summer plumage: Bar-tailed Godwit at the Scar

On the morning of the 15th, there assembled at the Scar 49 Golden Plovers. I presumed them to be ‘Northern’ birds, judging by the extensive amount of black on their underparts, but either way, they were very striking in appearance, and a delight to mine eyes. A Greenshank at the same locality, but on the 8th, was a welcome visitor. A few Lapwings continued to grace the freshwater shoreline of Loch Connell, with six being my highest count on the 13th. Ringed Plovers frequented the beach of the Wig; the largest flock I recorded was 70 birds strong, on the 30th. Also on this date, I unfortunately startled a Snipe into flight from the Estate marsh whilst out photographing some of the many yellow blooms of Mayblobs (Marsh Marigolds) which inhabit this rich environment. I am not quite sure which of us was shocked the most: usually it is Jack Snipe that flush underfoot, whereas Snipe typically flee many yards ahead of potential approaching danger. It was a sunny day so perhaps I caught it napping, dozing in the warm solar rays.

It seems to me that for some species no two years are ever quite the same - a genuine air of unpredictability and uncertainty as to whether a bird may turn up, or not. And on my patch I have always granted that particular niche to be the preserve of that northerly curlew, the Whimbrel. My first sighting of the month was a singleton at the Wig on the 19th. A few days later, on the 22nd, there was 18, followed by a lull of several days until the 29th when a high of 32 birds were registered along the shore.

Kittiwakes are true sea-faring gulls and as such they usually only ever turn up on Loch Ryan when they are blown through the comparatively narrow mouth of the loch by strong offshore winds from the west. Very occasionally however they are observed here at times of the utmost calm, such as occurred on the 24th of this month when I saw four adults birds passing the Scar. To explain this unusual happening I can only assume that they, like so many casual human road users, veer off course on a whim to see where the route may take them. Thus, the birds flying down the loch get to its southern end, at Stranraer, then turn back upon realising that the watery road they have been travelling has run out. (Kittiwakes, apparently, are not fond of journeying over land and hence rarely occur inland). Arctic Terns are also sea-going birds. Their arrival at the Scar was early this year, with me seeing four birds on the 17th. I had to wait until the 27th to encounter the next one here. Sandwich Terns were regularly observed onwards of the 3rd. I frequently counted 30 plus birds, with a peak of 40 on the 22nd and 30th.

Kittiwake fly-past

Gannets, on account of their size, whiteness, and habit of diving for fish from a great height, are conspicuous birds above Loch Ryan. As such I reckon this makes them prime candidates for more intensive study. Alas, there are ever only so many hours in a day and never enough time for a person to do all they may so desire; such a study, therefore, was always going to be beyond my scope, if you pardon the pun. Lets us hope, Gannets, that I shall see you tomorrow… for there is always another day when fresh opportunities may present themselves. In connection with such a study, I hypothesise - or, at least like to think - that the Gannets I see within a given day are all different birds and, thus, am never double counting any, so falsifying my data. Whether or not this be true, I shall probably never know. But such thoughts do invariably cross my mind, especially when, for example, I review the tally of 76 of these (heraldic) angels that I noted on the 14th and 19th of the month. Another thought, reader, you might consider: ‘if a bird has already visited the loch once in search for food will it do so again later the same day, or does it constantly move on to new pastures, so to speak?’

Next up, I report to you upon warblers - a distinct group, which in Britain at least has strong associations with springtime. A walk through the Corsewall Estate grounds and woodlands revealed to me a single Blackcap in song on the 6th; this rose to 5 on the 23rd, then to 10 on the 29th. The same area held 12 singing Chiffchaffs, also on the 29th. A Grasshopper Warbler was heard ‘reeling’ at the Estate marsh on the 20th. There may have been others but these days I struggle with hearing their high-pitched sounds unless they are close-to. Two Lesser Whitethroats (still a rarity on my patch) were heard singing from within scrub beside the shore of the sea-loch, on the 29th, whilst in a nearby wetland area my first Sedge Warblers (5 birds) of the season also heartily sang. I did not hear a Whitethroat until the 27th when, presumably, a returning bird occupied a known favoured site and proclaimed his stake to territory with a characteristic scratchy voice. Willow Warblers are always fewer in number in my neighbourhood than the similar-looking Chiffchaff; their descending fluty songs are however more pleasing to the ear than the monotonous namesake repetition of the latter. Six songsters were logged during the same walk that resulted in the fine chorus of birds which so marked the 29th.

The following selection are all what might best be described as common or garden birds. Generally, in this blog (and to which I have made reference in past posts) they do not receive the degree of attention by this author as those species which characterise either the Wig itself, or Loch Connell. They are just as important however for everyone’s consideration. From a ‘conservation’ perspective, I have always held the belief that by protecting the ‘everyday and commonplace’ the rare will automatically be saved as well. This concept will of course be alien to many folk and will undoubtedly be refuted by even more, but the principle truths are often the hardest to grasp. Does the phrase “you cannot see the wood for the trees” sound at all familiar and have any bearing to you? But ,I digress. Where was I?… Ah, yes, those common birds… and in this instance I focus your attention upon a few songsters. The entry into my logbook of 25 Blackbirds on the 29th may only be a small representation of those actually present in my neighbourhood but it was my peak count of the species during the month. For Chaffinches, the peak was 14 (which included 10 singing birds) on the 9th. Robins, which are generally silent and inconspicuous at this time of year (unless a person is prepared to rise early enough listen to the dawn chorus!) when they have offspring to feed it is best for them to keep a low profile. A tally of four on the 15th was my best count - and undoubtedly a case of gross under-recording on my part. On the 29th my entries for Song Thrushes was 13 (8 singing), and 19 singing Wrens.

This brings us to the final assortment of birds that I happened upon this April, and perhaps what better a species to introduce this section than a Corncrake, seen and heard singing on the 15th in the very same grassland that my last record of this species emanated, back on the 3rd of May 2022. Another rare encounter on my local patch was with a Cuckoo, heard calling on the 20th. Records of House Martins were few, the first being two birds observed on the 7th, with a maximum of four on the 28th. A Kestrel seen flying above the hill at Clachan Heughs, on the 29th, was a welcome sight of a species that is now scarce in the locality. My first Sand Martins of the month were logged on the 4th, when three were seen flying in over the sea, at the Wig; 10 was my highest count, at Loch Connell, on the 27th. The fields beside the Wig held 12 Skylarks on the 7th, five of which were in towering song flights. Three Swallows were noted on the 5th, with a peak of just six birds on the 23rd. A singleton Tree Sparrow visited my garden on the 9th but, alas, was not seen thereafter. Records of spring Wheatears at the Wig are no longer a sure thing; I am thus glad to be able report sightings of single birds on eight days, from the 3rd to the 17th. At least two different birds (based on plumage variations) are known to be attributable for these records, while the possibility of them all being separate is strong and should not be discounted, either. Three White Wagtails at Loch Connell on the 13th, and another seen on the Wig fields on the 22nd were my only records of this visiting species from abroad.

To Round-up : Teal, including a Green-winged, at Loch Connell

This article and the images were supplied courtesy of S. Grover.

The Essence of Light. Bird Report March 2025

Good numbers of Pale-bellied Brent Geese were present at the Wig throughout the month, peaking at 306 on the 1st, with the lowest count being 80 on the 31st. And for those readers with a penchant for more statistics, I throw in the daily average of 175 birds. There were 256 Greylag Geese at Loch Connell on the 23rd. Pink-footed Geese were clearly on the move: a high of 1800 plus, were noted flying north on the 12th, whilst 142 were observed roosting at the Scar on the 13th, with 20 there on the the 30th and a feeding flock of 600 birds in a grassland beside Loch Connell later the same morning.

A general lack of Mute Swans on Loch Ryan was notable: I saw a single bird out in mid-channel on the 1st. Loch Connell faired little better, with two birds present on the 23rd. Whooper Swans made up for their cousins absence on both sea and freshwater lochs, being recorded on ten days across the month. My highest count was of 47 birds resting at the Wig on the 31st. An improvement upon last month was the number of observations of Shelduck, although few birds were involved: just three at the Scar, on the 5th, was the best showing.

A drake and duck Gadwall was a nice find at Loch Connell on the 30th. The same site held a very smart-looking male Pintail and his duck, on the 2nd, 9th and 16th. Teal were also present here, with a peak count of 95 being registered on the 9th, whereas for Wigeon it was the 16th, when 138 were logged. Few of the latter species were seen at the Wig this month: 19 on the 12th being the largest assembly.

Very respectable counts of Common Scoter were made at Loch Ryan on the 1st and 16th, when entries in the log read 160 and 111, respectively. Goldeneye peaked at 33 on the 1st but after mid-month their numbers reduced considerably. Eider also peaked on the 1st, at 293. Long-tailed Duck at the Wig were few: my highest tally was 11 on the 7th; towards the end of the month (26th) I logged just a singleton. Tufted Duck were staple on my visits to Loch Connell this month. This of course is not always the case because the species is predominantly a winter visitor to this body of freshwater; come late-spring or early-summer they will likely have all gone. The numbers of birds involved was relatively consistent across my five visits here, with 11 being my highest count on the 30th. Also recorded at this site were Goosander. They however decreased in number as the month progressed, starting at a high of 13 birds on the 2nd, reducing to a singleton on the 30th. Of particular note was the sighting of a drake on the sea-loch, beside the Scar, on the 13th - an unusual location for this species. Red-breasted Merganser, on the other hand, favour these saline conditions, as supported by their near daily entry in my logbook and a peak count of 93 on the 26th.

Pair of Slavonian Grebes dancing

It was Loch Ryan, again, that held my only Red-necked Grebe of the month: an adult in fine breeding plumage at the Wig on the 9th. Slavonian Grebes were more common, although the low numbers present in the bay was a sure sign of their imminent departure to breeding grounds elsewhere. 13 birds on the 10th was my highest tally. A rare treat (on the 19th) was of two birds in nuptial plumage that engaged in a delightful courtship dance. That act, coupled with good viewing conditions, and aided by the use of a powerful ‘scope, enabled me to register their striking plumage in stunning detail. Is it not amazing how a drop of sunlight can transform a special encounter into an extraordinary and unforgettable one?

My only sighting of a Black-throated Diver on the sea-loch was of a singleton on the 1st. A Great Northern Diver was logged on five occasions up to and including the 14th, but not thereafter. Red-throated Divers were more frequently seen, with a high of 35 on the 1st. Although the majority of birds were still in winter dress, a few wore immaculate summer apparel, with rich, deep terracotta throat patches contrasting with silvery grey heads and hind necks and icy cold, stark white breasts. A sumptuous delight to gladden any sullen or weary heart!

Four sightings of Bar-tailed Godwit at the Wig might not seem to indicate much at all but I like to think they hint at the beginning of a passage of birds, especially when a party of five (on the 24th) graced the tidal mud, eagerly feeding in preparation for their long journey ahead to remote breeding grounds. From a distance they were uniform grey-looking, but closer inspection through a field scope revealed some warm brown feathering, especially on their underparts, where pale winter tones mixed with dappled brick-red plumage of emerging summer tones. Curlew, too, seemed to be on the move - indicated by the considerable variation in the number of birds I saw across the month. Some days they were absent from my log, but on most a handful or so were usual. A peak count of 42 at the Wig and Scar was registered on the 4th. A flock of 20 Golden Plover were at the Scar on the 2nd, with none thereafter until the 22nd when three birds were seen. A singleton Grey Plover was also at the Scar, on the 2nd and 4th of the month. The same location held a flock of 80 Knot on the 24th. They were there from first light ’til dusk, but were gone come the next day.

Four Lapwing were displaying at Loch Connell on the 9th. They flashed iridescent green, black and white in the morning sun which highlighted their forms as they tumbled earthwards before swooping up, only to tumble again and again. Presumably it was the same four birds I saw there throughout the month, although on the 24th an additional four birds (all female) swelled their ranks. In many ways, Oystercatcher at the Wig are like House Sparrow, Starling and Herring Gull in that to laypersons I speak to there seems to be a perception that they are ‘common’ and abundant everywhere they occur. The truth reveals otherwise, should people choose to accept, or contradict, it. Seeing lots of anything may give the impression of commonness, but, for instance, just how many is a lot - 10, 50, 100, or more? It is all a matter of qualification and interpretation, and in this respect everyone has their own opinion. The devil lies in the detail, as it is said. In the case of our black and white friend here, there are relatively few pairs of breeding Oyc’s (as some refer to them as) on my patch compared with, say, sparrows and Blackbirds, even though ‘a lot’(?) may seemingly occupy the fields and beaches. This surfeit of birds is likely to comprise of non-breeding residents, immatures, and visitors (birds of passage and/or wintering). Context here is all important. I would expect to see fewer birds during the summer months than at other times. A peak count of over 200 (which some might consider to be a lot) at the Scar on the 4th raised within me the very queries hinted to in my initial address to this pink legged, orange beaked wader.

Male Lapwing in display flight

It is rare - if not unheard of - for the highest number of Redshank recorded to exceed that of Ringed Plover at the Wig but that was exactly the case this month. The first mentioned species peaked at five (on the 13th), whilst the latter reached only four (on the 4th). It is likely that there were more of the latter species at large, which went undetected by yours truly. Snipe was recorded from within a parched grassland (on the 4th), a roadside verge (on the 13th), and at Loch Connell on the 16th (three birds) and 23rd.

I confess that I am rather partial towards gulls, and in my opinion there are few more handsome than Lesser Black-backs in full summer dress. What a delight therefore to see nine of them at Loch Connell, on the 16th, followed by 12 there on the 23rd. As any keen artist or photographer will tell you, ‘light is everything’, capable of turning the ordinary into something special. Sunshine certainly enhanced my appreciation of those birds that paraded in the adjacent field or paddled and drank at the freshwater pool. Compared with the aforementioned, Sandwich Terns are predominantly sea-faring birds, so to see them it is on Loch Ryan that one’s eyes must be focused. After a tern-free winter, I saw my first returning birds of the spring on the 23rd when three were at the Scar, rising to 12 birds on the 26th.

I had just two records of Razorbill: a singleton on the 10th, and two on the 16th. Gannets were a little late in arriving this year, with the first - a single bird - on the 11th. Barely a handful of bird followed thereafter until the 31st when I logged 41 over Loch Ryan. A usual amount of Cormorant were seen about the Scar (plus a few regulars at Loch Connell). One bird (on the 14th), however, stood out from the rest, being almost totally white headed. It is known that old birds in breeding plumage frequently show a greater amount of white feathering compared to younger ones - and this is feature is also typical characteristic of the continental form - but this particular bird outshone all others I had ever seen.

A rather special Cormorant

My first spring Blackcap of the year was heard singing from within shrubbery on the Corsewall Estate, on the 31st. A bit later than is usual, admittedly, but better late than never, ay! Chiffchaff were heard earlier in the month, with my first on the 19th, rising to five songsters on the 31st. It is not often for me to add a new bird species to my local patch list but that happened on the 30th, when I witnessed a party of five Crossbill passing low overhead, when I walked to Loch Connell for my usual weekly gander here. Quite why these finches were heading into a strong westerly wind, I know not … but then, perhaps, they were thinking the very same about my sluggish advance. Given the reasonable amount of suitable woodland within the locality you might wonder why I had not connected with the species until now, especially given my 15, plus, years tenure at Kirkcolm. One of life’s mysteries, I guess. All I know is that it felt good to finally lay to rest one bogey species that had eluded my endeavours for so long.

I had two sightings of Fieldfare this month (an indication, perhaps, of their irregular and somewhat haphazard occurrence on my local patch): 38 birds, on the 1st and two, on the 29th. Numbers of Goldfinch were up on last month - a consequence, no doubt, of a spring passage of birds, which seemed to be most evident in the latter half of March, when highs of 53 on the 23rd, 59 on the 26th and 58 the following day (the 27th) were logged. Great Spotted Woodpeckers made their presence known to me by ‘drumming’. On a still day the sound can carry a considerable distance. Sometimes a neighbouring bird would ‘knock’ in reply upon hearing the percussion of the first. Sometimes not. Either way, their advertisement through this action heralds the prospect of an advancing summer and marks the close of winter’s reign. Local folk had commented to me that they had birds drumming early on in the month but it was not until the 11th that I heard the sound for myself, when two birds pitched against one another, each responding in turn to the other drummer’s call.

It is not only bird song that signifies the arrival of spring, there are also visual clues, made by passerines such as the boldly marked Pied Wagtail. A sudden increase in their numbers is a sure sign that a change of season is upon us. The appearance on the 11th of a party of 13 birds in the Wig fields was a tell tale indication, and further supported by the presence of a stunning-looking White Wagtail compatriot. Northward moving Redwing were logged the 1st, 11th and 13th, with six, two, and four birds, respectively - not many, for sure, but better than none. Typically, March receives a boost in the number of Rock Pipits passing through. Alas, this year did not live up to expectation, with just a single bird observed on the shore of the Wig, on the 4th. I had to wait until the 23rd of the month to see my first returning Sand Martin of the year on my local patch; not unexpectedly, it was at Loch Connell. The first Swallow didn’t arrive ’til the 29th (above Kirranrae Farm) - the same day as my first Wheatear of the season (at the Wig). A different wheatear was seen at the same location as the first, on the 31st.

This article and the images were supplied courtesy of the author, S. Grover.