Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Caerlaverock on the Solway Firth
In a Christmas holiday dominated by Woodcock and Jack Snipe and fruitless searches for Tree Sparrows in the snow, the main birding focused around a four day stay in the farmhouse at Caerlaverock WWT reserve in Dumfriesshire photographing and watching Icelandic Whooper Swan. On the merse we saw Hen Harrier, Merlin, Peregrine and various waders and wildfowl. Flocks of Barnacle Geese were sparse and in low numbers due to the pasture being frozen hard. Most geese were feeding way out from the observation towers. The highlights must have been the Badgers coming to feeding just inches from the window at night and the Woodock that flew in under the floodlight, settled for 10 seconds and then vanished into the night. Last year was Winter of the Waxwings. This year must surely be Winter of the Woodcocks.
A Proper Winter
More photographs from Christmas & New Year in southwest Scotland. Locations from top to bottom are: Troon, Firth of Clyde; Dean Castle, Kilmarnock; Irvine Harbourside; Bringan Ford, Craufurdland Water; Dean Castle Country Park; View from Loudoun Hill; Troon, Firth of Clyde; Dean Castle Country Park; Dean Castle Country Park; Assloss Bridge, Fenwick Water; River Irvine, Shewalton; Dean Castle Country Park; trig point on Loudoun Hill; Craufurdland Water; Ballast Bank, Troon.
Thursday, January 07, 2010
Catching up with 2010
Just arrived back in London this morning after two weeks home in Scotland with the best winter weather for 14 years. Conditions were beautiful for birding, photography and even just walking in the countryside. Lisa and I stayed in the farmhouse at Caerlaverock WWT on the Solway Firth for three nights to the constant sounds of Whooper Swans and Barnacle Geese. More to come later...
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Ayrshire Bird Report 2008
I am sending the Ayrshire Bird Report 2008 off to the printers this week and it will be available in early January 2010. More details to follow in due course.
Contents (120pp):
Breeding Warblers in Culzean Country Park 1978-2008 (Katie Walker & Aidan Maccormick)
The Water Pipit in Ayrshire (Angus Hogg)
The Kestrel in Ayrshire 2008 (Gordon Riddle)
Sparrowhawk Breeding Details 2008 (Ian Todd)
Chronological Summary (Angus Hogg)
Systematic List (compiled by Fraser Simpson)
Recent Rarities in Ayrshire (Marsh Tit by Iain Hamlin)
Gazetteer of Sites in Ayrshire (compiled by Fraser Simpson)
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Saturday, December 12, 2009
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