Saturday 2nd February

Brief trip to Castle Loch, looking for willow tits.  Not seen but did see nuthatch (2), treecreeper (several) and log-tailed tit (up to 50).  Standing in front of a tree and just waiting certainly better than wandering around in the marshy undergrowth, which is bound to make noise. No bird on tree stump today.

Met birder who said he had heard willow tit and last year had seen one at the feeders on the west bank.  This is slightly contrary to info on the yahoo D&G birdwatching group, which suggests the feeders are too near the road to attract willow tit. Had been planning to try West bank anyway and just saw more of the usual range of birds on feeders, but a pleasant day.

Yesterday an excellent view of sparrowhawk in close pursuit of a sparrow across the rooftops while I was waiting for a bus.

Also on my last visit to see mum on Monday this week, two male bullfinches in the tree outside her window.

Friday 1st February

Excellent view of sparrowhawk in close pursuit of a sparrow across the rooftops while I was waiting for a bus.

Also on my last visit to see Mum on monday this week, two male bullfinches in the tree outside her window.

Sunday 20th January

Trip to Lochmaben looking for willow tits but just a few common tits and a couple of redwing in the trees by bird hide walk.  Then from the hide spotted a bird with hunched posture on a raised tree stump on north bank.  Didn't look much like a heron as beak not noticeably yellow and appeared to have white and buff frontal colouring.  There has been a passing bittern in the area but it would be highly unlikely to pose so visibly. I'm feeling a bit mixed about the new binoculars.  Although I think I'm getting some sort of a view of birds at greater distances, I'm having trouble indentifying them. Hopefully it's just a case of getting used to them.

Also quick visit to Eskrigg Nature Reserve, where there were also no willow tits, but did see gs woodpecker, nuthatch and two treecreepers.

Tuesday 8th January

Bike ride to Mitchellslacks.  Frustratingly several birds were seen but not identified during the course of the day.  Great grey shrike not present but a couple of smaller, reddish birds were on one of its perching places - possibly crossbills?  Also one brownish bird of prey gliding between the conifers. Too slight to be goshawk and had pointed wings - merlin??

One bird on skulking on moor by second cattle grid may have been a grouse, but hardly got a look at it.

On way back saw a large flock of thrushlike birds at distance, flitting between trees and grassland. Suspected redwing but could not identify positively.  One bird I saw on the other side of the road appeared to have red head and breast markings in a similar patter to a linnet.  But another with it had a clear white tip to its tail feathers - probably just a chaffinch.

Overall just one of those days.

Tuesday 1st January

Walk at Threave Castle to test out new binoculars.  Very swampy near hide where I have seen hen harriers before at this time of year, so not much doing.  Walked on to the river where there was a reed bunting and a couple of red kites plus two goldeneye (probable - not great with ducks) travelling very fast downstream on river. Just upstream of the castle there seems to be a have been a second attempt at an osprey nest*.

Some geese on far side of river I took to be greylags (including one leucistic) although these are not mentioned on the information boards but they weren't the greenland white-fronted geese people have been seeing.  Also took an extra walk to Lamb Island where there was a tree I didn't recognise that had dark pinnate leaves and was full of berries.  It looked a certain target for waxwings.

*Note:  I later learned it was being constructed by wardens as the original nest is becoming unstable.

Saturday 29th December

Two attempts  to fish River Sark for chub over the past ten days.  First time the river was running heavy and coloured.  One dipper seen while walking the banks.  Tried to catch Gretna starling roost but only saw a couple of small flocks.

Today pretty much a repeat story, except river was a little lower.  Still struggled to keep bait stable in the hotel swim.  Starlings almost as elusive as before.

Wednesday 5th December

Walk through Locharbriggs end of cycle track waiting for new car keys. Visual conditions very pretty.  Goldfinches around and main tits including long tailed. Some dunnocks about too.

On Sunday revisited St Michael's Churchyard. Waxwings still around same location but in smaller numbers.  Today only around 15 in tree. Still have not got close enough to see the fancy wing and tail coverings.