So, we've been to Ken- Dee, we're still bewildered at having travelled down at silly o' clock, and still on a high after getting great views of the Kite. Sat Nav duly programmed for Caerlaverock, and the twitch is on. (It wsan't really a twitch for the GW teal, since I was going there anyway......)
Straight out from the reserve we get another kit, sitting in a tree, cue much pointing out of car windows, screechign to a halt in the middle of the road, and many, many furious galloway drivers. The only thing that beat that was when another one floated across in front of us, offering a wonderful in- flight view of its wings and tail. Already, this was turning into a damned fine day.
The drive to Caerlaverock took longer than I'd have liked, such was the excitement. Eventually got there, but before even parking the car a field turned black as thoudsands of barnacle geese took to the air in unison. A lifer for me, believe it or not, but more than that, truly one of the greatest spectacles I've seen.
Once in the visitor centre, the staff/ volunteers/ locals were unbelievably friendly. Take note, Lochwinnoch RSPB, that not only did these guys not suppress their good birds, they went out of their way to help us find them. The impression I got even at this early stage is that this is a place for folk who loves birds.
Anyway, walked briskly round to the Folly Pond, and this is where Bluebill's prior knowledge came in handy- the sheer scale of the reserve was daunting, but we found the pond within minutes. A well laid out, comfortable hide looked onto the pond, with seats, shelves, etc. And without holes knocked in its walls- how quaint, Baron's Haugh. the GW teal was exactly where we were told it was, I did a brief version of the dance of lifer shame. Even better, the bird then decided to swim toward the hide, moved onto an island, and showed ridiculously well. Lots of photos all round, good to see a mixture of old and young birders in the hide. Teal, wigeon, blackwits and barnies all present and accounted for.
From here, I took the chance to do a more expressive dance of lifer shame outside the hide- its tradition, innit? On to the whooper pond for the scaup, and the new Sir Peter Scott hide. The sign said it wasn't quite finished yet, but it was better than most hides I've been in (guardbridge in Fife, excepted) It has a lift for wheelchair users, for example, an audio system piped in from the pond, and I was assured it was fully soundproof, so nothing would frighten away the birds. This is a HIDE!! A lot of visitor centres could take note of this.
Anyway, the large bay windows gave wonderful views of the pond, with mute, whooper, canadas, mallard, moorhen, tufties, all within easy view. I got a few photos through the windows, and to be honest, its as if the glass wasn't there. A detailed and frantic scan of the pond failed to provide a positive ID of the scaup. A couple of likely suspects, but nothing definite enough to tick. Not to worry, though.
Moved on to the 'observatory' which is a multi- story hide looking out over the merse. The path down there was a bombing alley for the thousands of barnies flying over in formation. I read somehwere its good luck to be poo-d on by a bird. Thousands of geese flew over me, and I remained unsullied. You can draw your own conclusions about my luck....
Drew a blank for raptors from the merse, and by now hunger was making demands on us. A very reasonable lunch, with exceptionally friendly staff, and we were ready to try the scaup again. Still a blank, although we later found out that one of the 'likely suspects' was the scaup itself. Untickable, though.
Daylight ran out on us, and reluctantly, we decided to head home, some 11 hours after beginning our trip.
Thoughts:
Ken Dee is one of the best RSPB places I've been to, and I'm excited about what it offers in summer. Caerlaverock, which gave me 2 lifers, had me all emotional and philiosophical. A real birders place, but one thats serious about looking after birds as well. Brilliant facilities, brilliant volunteers, reasonably priced all told. Being somewhere like that was kind of like finding a home for birders- a place where you were among like- minded folk, folk who understood your own foibles, your lack of dress sense, the fact you are covered in mud and don't mind it, and that you can suddenly start dancing like a loon because you got a lifer tick.
It was also a damned good adventure, with damned good company. And my damned wonderful wife has just suggested I do it again in the spring!!!!
Straight out from the reserve we get another kit, sitting in a tree, cue much pointing out of car windows, screechign to a halt in the middle of the road, and many, many furious galloway drivers. The only thing that beat that was when another one floated across in front of us, offering a wonderful in- flight view of its wings and tail. Already, this was turning into a damned fine day.
The drive to Caerlaverock took longer than I'd have liked, such was the excitement. Eventually got there, but before even parking the car a field turned black as thoudsands of barnacle geese took to the air in unison. A lifer for me, believe it or not, but more than that, truly one of the greatest spectacles I've seen.
Once in the visitor centre, the staff/ volunteers/ locals were unbelievably friendly. Take note, Lochwinnoch RSPB, that not only did these guys not suppress their good birds, they went out of their way to help us find them. The impression I got even at this early stage is that this is a place for folk who loves birds.
Anyway, walked briskly round to the Folly Pond, and this is where Bluebill's prior knowledge came in handy- the sheer scale of the reserve was daunting, but we found the pond within minutes. A well laid out, comfortable hide looked onto the pond, with seats, shelves, etc. And without holes knocked in its walls- how quaint, Baron's Haugh. the GW teal was exactly where we were told it was, I did a brief version of the dance of lifer shame. Even better, the bird then decided to swim toward the hide, moved onto an island, and showed ridiculously well. Lots of photos all round, good to see a mixture of old and young birders in the hide. Teal, wigeon, blackwits and barnies all present and accounted for.
From here, I took the chance to do a more expressive dance of lifer shame outside the hide- its tradition, innit? On to the whooper pond for the scaup, and the new Sir Peter Scott hide. The sign said it wasn't quite finished yet, but it was better than most hides I've been in (guardbridge in Fife, excepted) It has a lift for wheelchair users, for example, an audio system piped in from the pond, and I was assured it was fully soundproof, so nothing would frighten away the birds. This is a HIDE!! A lot of visitor centres could take note of this.
Anyway, the large bay windows gave wonderful views of the pond, with mute, whooper, canadas, mallard, moorhen, tufties, all within easy view. I got a few photos through the windows, and to be honest, its as if the glass wasn't there. A detailed and frantic scan of the pond failed to provide a positive ID of the scaup. A couple of likely suspects, but nothing definite enough to tick. Not to worry, though.
Moved on to the 'observatory' which is a multi- story hide looking out over the merse. The path down there was a bombing alley for the thousands of barnies flying over in formation. I read somehwere its good luck to be poo-d on by a bird. Thousands of geese flew over me, and I remained unsullied. You can draw your own conclusions about my luck....
Drew a blank for raptors from the merse, and by now hunger was making demands on us. A very reasonable lunch, with exceptionally friendly staff, and we were ready to try the scaup again. Still a blank, although we later found out that one of the 'likely suspects' was the scaup itself. Untickable, though.
Daylight ran out on us, and reluctantly, we decided to head home, some 11 hours after beginning our trip.
Thoughts:
Ken Dee is one of the best RSPB places I've been to, and I'm excited about what it offers in summer. Caerlaverock, which gave me 2 lifers, had me all emotional and philiosophical. A real birders place, but one thats serious about looking after birds as well. Brilliant facilities, brilliant volunteers, reasonably priced all told. Being somewhere like that was kind of like finding a home for birders- a place where you were among like- minded folk, folk who understood your own foibles, your lack of dress sense, the fact you are covered in mud and don't mind it, and that you can suddenly start dancing like a loon because you got a lifer tick.
It was also a damned good adventure, with damned good company. And my damned wonderful wife has just suggested I do it again in the spring!!!!