Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Goosanders in Kilmarnock

The past few winters have seen a few Goosanders (Mergus merganser) turn up in the unlikely location of Kay Park pond - a unassuming municipal feature near the town centre of Kilmarnock, Ayrshire. These large sawbills probably originate from the River Irvine (which is very high and fast at the moment). Last weekend produced a surprising 13 birds! Three adult drakes and 10 redheads. I haven't checked out the possibility that the ducks use Kay Park pond as a roost site but this may be true since two important roost sites (Craufurdland and Northcraig Reservoir) have been lost to 'modernisation'/development. Weather was overcast with heavy rain so just a record shot posted here. The birds are nervous of humans so please don't flush them off the pond.

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