Western Scotland birding (1 Viewer)

[Brian Robertson]

Enjoying a few days in Dumfries & Galloway at the moment. Paid a quick visit to Caerlaverock on the way over, my first ever visit there. Good numbers of Barnacle Geese on the marsh along with sizeable numbers of Great Black-backed Gulls and a Little Egret flyover, an increasingly common site in Scotland. A few dozen Whooper Swans were around with as good a close-up as anywhere. A yellowhammer showed well by the visitor centre. Four snipe were also noted, well camouflaged. Later on, a Red Kite was seen from the car at Ringford.

It was rather windy on Saturday, didn't see too much. A red-throated diver was very close to the shoreline at Auchenmalg and a rock pipit was noted at Port William along with the predictable species. A quick look at The Wig, Kirkcolm revealed about 80 Brent Geese, 68 Wigeon and 39 Mute Swans with Oystercatchers and Curlews in the adjacent fields.

Many Lochs are pretty barren for birds but Elrig Loch was decent with small numbers of Greylags, Mute Swans, Mallard and singles of Goldeneye and Goosander. Probably plenty more, should've took my scope. A raven was also heard. A jay was seen from the road at Glenhapple. Wood of Cree is best in spring/summer but still held Great-spotted woodpecker, nuthatch, goldcrest and redwing amongst others. A stonechat was also seen from the road Southwest of Newton Stewart in the middle of nowhere.

 

[Brian Robertson]

Started the day with a trip to the harbour at Isle of Whithorn. Was half-surprised to see some chaffinches feeding amongst the seaweed and mud, don't think I've seen them doing that before. A few redshank, oystercatcher and curlew were present along with four turnstones and a pair of mute swans. A little egret was statuesque over the harbour, not an uncommon site in Scotland these days. There were also a few seals around.

A decent selection of birds were seen in Garlieston, a few miles to the north. Another Little Egret put in an appearance along with a pair of Gadwall but the highlight was 31 Brent Geese canoodling with the mallards. At least 13 snipe were present too. A red-throated diver was out in the bay beyond the harbour.

A brief look at Kilsture Forest near Wigtown produced little, very quiet in there although a Jay and Goldcrest were heard. Two female Goosanders were at the mouth of the Bladnoch River at Wigtown along with yet another Little Egret and a Grey Heron amongst the usual species. There was another Egret distant - there was a sighting of Great White Egret on the sightings board in the hide but it was too far away to be sure, even with the scope.

Brian