Bike ride to Castle Douglas. Lone whooper swan sitting in field just past Crocketford. One strong flying bird of prey not identified - looked a bit dark to be a buzzard but low light was tricky.
Just one redwing in distance coming back over Glenkilns and none of the flocks of three weeks ago. Perhaps they are already going back to Scandinavia in the mild conditions. Also no waxwings around as far as I can tell from checking sites and occasional run past the churchyard.
Wednesday, 8 January 2014
Thursday, 2 January 2014
Thursday 2nd January 2014
Break in some terribly wet weather enabling bike trip to and through Ae Forest.
Started well with bullfinch and goldfinches before weather closed in. Suspected crossbill flying off in forest and may have heard some calling.
At home there has been a wren in the garden and a blackbird that has learned to 'walk on water' by clinging to the pond net to eat the fishfood from the surface.
Started well with bullfinch and goldfinches before weather closed in. Suspected crossbill flying off in forest and may have heard some calling.
At home there has been a wren in the garden and a blackbird that has learned to 'walk on water' by clinging to the pond net to eat the fishfood from the surface.
Wednesday, 11 December 2013
Wednesday 11th December
Several dunnocks around on way up Cairn valley and finally got a couple of decent sightings of redwing flocks in trees - enough to identify even though no clear sighting of red flanks. Some looked pinkish in the sun, probably a trick of the light. Nuthatch in trees by Cairn while I stopped for a rest and red squirrel further up - also saw one from the car last week, so they are on the move again. Birdwatcher on moors towards Corsock reported crossbills singing in flight and has seen green woodpeckers and ravens. Red kite and a lot of redwing on the way back plus some big chaffinch flocks.
Wednesday, 4 December 2013
Wednesday 4th December
Crocketford - Palnackie this week, though not at the same speed. A couple of kites and one reed bunting, again possible linnet heard. Also observed some birds high in a scots pine by Kelton that I could not identify - redpolls?
Wednesday, 27 November 2013
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!
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, 17 November 2013
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, 1 November 2013
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.
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.
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