Wednesday 27th November

Bike ride from Crocketford - Balcary. Birds now showing better after cold weather on leafless trees, but still no special sightings.  Suspected linnet early on but light was too poor to make out the colouring.  Some sort of diver on Carlingwark Loch and curlew heard at Balcary.  On the way back some very light coloured birds on a farm field, perhaps immature gulls. Approaching Corsock Road saw what I took to be a small buzzard and did wonder momentarily if it was another merlin.  Maybe something to watch for infuture as I frequentlly spot 'baby buzzards' and pass on without thinking about them any more.

A feature of this ride was a much improved performance after having re-started subutamol on medical advice - covered 50 miles in round 4.5 hours - and the last few miles were pretty slow!

Sunday 17th November

Walk from Mossdale to Loch Stroan as there are supposed to sometimes be hen  harriers there.  No sign of much at all except for some long-tailed tits and, not for the first time over the past few weeks, a suspicion of some redwings fleeing from the trees but not clear enough view to confirm.  I wonder if the hen harriers concentrate more on the shoreline if the tide is out.

Friday 1st November

After another Wednesday bike ride that didn't reveal any more than a red kite close to Castle Douglas, decide to venure out for a second ride, this time deliberately taking a bit more time about it and aiming eventually for Castle Loch on the off chance of a willow tit.

Following the road to Ae, was pretty sure (85%) I saw a couple of goldcrests in the foliage of an oak tree where the road turns and rises.  Behaviour and size were right, plus the fact that they never settled and I briefly caught sight of what I took to be the headstripe, which however appeared white in the poorish light.

Then there was a good view of one of a pair of kestrels, hovering repeatedly over the hedgerow as I followed it along the road between Shieldhill and Templand.

But, once again proving that you can succeed when you least expect it, the willow tit turned up on the feeder at Castle Loch within about 15 minutes of arriving.  Difficult to see because of opposing sunlight and only making fleeting visits, but absolutely unmistakeable.

Having thus achieved two of the key targets for the winter in the space of a week, I am left pondering what else I can look for this winter!  Goshawk is however likely to prove much more difficult to track down.  Short-eared owl might also be a possible.

Thursday 24th October

Took advantage of a break in the rain to get in a fishing trip to Bruce's Acre but it proved hard going, perhaps due to colder temeratures and increased brightness. Some splendid prawns did nothing on the feeder and I could only get annoying touches on the pole.  In fact I nearly blanked but things did change once the sun went behind the trees.  After and before missing several bites on meat, I managed to foul hook a beautifully green-coloured barbel with ruddy fins that weighed all of 1.5lbs but size somehow didn't matter and I felt quite jubilant.  This was on an old groat left over in some frozen hemp.  As the only other fish I hooked - another barbel judging by its strong run - got off, the one further highlight of the day was that a merlin flew over the waters.

That is to say it was a merlin if I got it right as it wasn't hanging around for an identity parade, but I know sparrowhawks and kestrels well enough to be confident.  The only area of doubt was that I perceived it to have a pale rump, but it may be I was seeing the side of its underbody as it flashed through the air.  So that was a birdwatching first even if the brevity made it hard to get unduly excited.

Most other anglers seemed to struggle on the day.  On reflection it was a day for smaller baits and finer tackle, so my approach was too crude.  But I had a strong feeling that the presence of groats in the swim attracted barbel.  The other learning point was that I must face up to the fact that I need to try much larger hooks when fishing meat.  The meat was working in the last couple of hours but the bites were lightning fast and the hook always came back bare.

Wednesday 23rd October

Time against me on today's bike ride, so did not find much time for investigation. However there were as always these days goldfinches and several buzzards, plus a couple of sizeable starling roosts in spite of the early time of day and a swan sitting by what was basically a large puddle.  But the most interesting thing I spotted was a group of grey wagtails picking stuff off up the road.  Pied wagtails are always doing this, but this is the first time I've seen greys doing it.

Wednesday 16th October

Deliberately slowed down bike ride to try and see a bit more birdlife. Reasonably rewarded with good close-up of buzzard, a view of male dipper that flew straight under the bridge I was standing on and a very brief sighting of a hovering kestrel. Also saw four yellowhammer in hedgerows between Kirkgunzeon and Beeswing - first sighting for a long time.

Wednesday 9th October

Last week a wet bike ride with few sightings, but did catch a glimpse of late willow warbler in the hedgerow near Old Bridge of Urr. Also field full of greylag geese.

With some time to spare went for a brief ride along the Caledonian Cycle Path (W) the day after and caught a quick sighting of a linnet just past the footpath to the Garden Centre. Several others singing but not easy to see.

On the Friday made a trip to Eskrigg in pursuit of willow tit but again no success although red squirrels plentiful and all the usual suspects were on the feeders including nuthatch and gs woodpecker. Lots of coal tits. Monthly recordings mention willow tit and wood warbler, but not willow warbler (why?).

A few red admirals on the wing on a mild start to autumn this year.  Today they were settling on the road whilst out cycling. Also song thrush in front garden.