Tuesday 30th October

Walk at Threave Castle yesterday, nominally looking for willow tits.  Sort of broke the bind of hearing but not seeing birds as saw redwing, possible woodpecker and fieldfare in the high trees, several wrens, whooper swans, a couple of dunnock (are they another species that has gone down in numbers? - haven't seen one for ages) as well as blue tits and chaffinches.  Detoured back through the wood and also saw jay that had been screeching earlier. No suspect willow tits.  One bench near stepping stones hide is almost out of view of passing birds.  Several blackbirds went very close to me on way to tree nearby.

Very similar result re willow tit today on bike ride through Castle Wood - in fact only saw another jay, some wrens and incidental curlew on way back.  This area looks very attractive with lots of fallen trees, dead wood and damp patches for willow tit, but haven't seen much on several visits. Perhaps it hasn't settled down yet after recent makeover, although this is now two years ago.

Wednesday 10th October

Another trip to Annan by bike from Lochmaben, looking at stretch from Millhousebridge to just above Dalton.  Again some likely spots but no fish seen apart from one small trout (prob) moving and some fry when I put in bits of crumpet in a tree swim.

Saw a couple of salmon fishers who said most fish are still in the estuary, waiting for rain - seems a bit late to me.  Also said this stretch around bridge above Dalton can produce some big catches of grayling.

Things are a bit betwixt and between at the moment for me as day tickets not available until 15th November and no waxwings likely til around the same time.  The autumn sunshine has been enjoyable though, producing some nice light effects through the trees.