Bill came down to the Crook to day to help with the fencing for a picnic area near the car park and asked if i would post the following.
Paul
"The first sizable flock of Whooper Swans arrived today at the Crook 8 has been our best count up to now - 65+ or as close as makes no difference! Some whoopers were grazing in the sheep field on the right immediately before the RSPB signboard/entrance on Shell Road. Great to see and hear this very visible sign that winter migration is well under way, though the 1300+ Golden Plovers at the Crook have been telling us this for some weeks now. They put on a fantastic - no other word for it! - swarming display over the old airfield stubble fields late on Monday, visible from Wigtown Harbour. Tonight there were 3000+ starlings taking part in their ariel antics as the came into roost. The things you see without a camera!"
Good to see the Whoopers back, weather looks good for next few days, worth a visit, other areas for waders, try Garlieston, walk left or right on the coastal paths the bay near Galloway Gardens, is good, also the harbour, at Isle of Whithorn, Wigtown Nature Reserve, can be good for Snipe, Starlings coming into roost worth a look.
Gentalis