Written by Rachel Reid (Volunteer)
As 2024 draws to a close and we welcome in the new year, it’s the perfect time to reflect on some of the incredible wildlife moments we’ve experienced at RSPB Lochwinnoch this year. The year began with cold and stormy weather, but January brought several exciting wildlife sightings. One highlight was a Long-tailed Duck spotted on the Aird Meadow Loch. Long-tailed Ducks breed in the Arctic and will spend winter at sea often in large flocks, however they are known to also travel to inland lakes and reservoirs favouring deep water. Another highlight in January was the sighting of a Little Egret on the scrape. Little Egrets first bred in Britain in 1996 and have since successfully colonised much of southern Britain and Ireland.
Long-tailed Duck, Photo by Ken Ramsay.
February brought the first signs of spring as Goldeneye males began their captivating courtship displays in search of a mate. One of the months main highlights was a Common Scoter spotted on the Aird Meadow Loch. This sea duck has experienced significant declines in the UK, threatening its survival here. Common Scoter can typically be seen during winter, where they will gather in large numbers to feed at sea, often joined by migrating birds. Another exciting sighting in February was a Pintail observed from the channel hide. This elegant bird is a rare visitor to the UK and is most likely to appear during winter, often in the company of other duck species.
Pintail, Photo by Rick Bolton.
Spring arrived at the reserve, bringing with it a flurry of activity as bird species prepared for the breeding season. One of April’s standout moments was the sighting of 36 Black-tailed Godwits on the scrape. These large distinctive wading birds can be easily recognised by their orangey-brown chests and bellies, long beaks and legs and the striking black and white stripes on their wings. Black-tailed Godwits are known for their strong pair bonds which last for years, with faithful couples arriving at their breeding grounds every spring where they will mate and raise their chicks together. The first Mallard Ducklings of the season were also spotted in April on the Barr Loch.
Black-tailed Godwit on the scrape, Photo by Rick Bolton.
By May, the breeding season was in full swing, and signs pointed to a successful year. On the scrape, at least three pairs of Lapwing were nesting, with the first Lapwing chick of the season spotted at the end of the month. The Black-headed Gulls enjoyed another productive breeding season, with 39 chicks counted on the rafts on the Aird Meadow Loch. The star of the show in May however was a Wood Sandpiper observed on the scrape. These elegant waders are most likely to be seen in spring as a passage migrant. While migrating they will often pause at small, shallow wetlands rich in vegetation to refuel for the next leg of their journey, making this sighting a special treat.
Wood Sandpiper on the scrape.
July was a very busy month for wildlife sightings on the reserve. Over 60 Lapwings were observed, including several chicks and fledglings doing well on the scrape. The Great Crested Grebes also had a successful breeding season, with 18 juveniles counted on the Barr Loch. A standout highlight in July was the presence of a Greenshank on the scrape. This large and elegant Sandpiper is easily distinguished from other waders by their grey-green legs.
Greenshank on the scrape, Photo by John Stevenson.
Autumn brought many fantastic wildlife sightings. An amazing 88 Snipe were counted on the scrape in September. September also featured several sightings of a Great White Egret. Once considered a rare sighting in Britain and Ireland, this striking bird can now be seen year-round. Similar in size to the Grey Heron, Great White Egrets have longer legs and a longer neck, they also have a dagger-like bill which is yellow for most of the year. The first Whooper Swans of the season were also spotted on the reserve in September which added to the season excitement.
Great White Egret. Photo by Liz Leyden
As the days became colder and shorter in October, winter migrants began arriving at the reserve, bringing an influx of wildfowl. Among the highlights was a Slavonian Grebe spotted on the Barr Loch. In winter, Slavonian Grebes typically favour inshore coastal waters around Britain and Ireland. Notably, their wintering range has expanded significantly throughout the UK in recent decades. Another exciting October sighting was a Peregrine Falcon flying over the reserve. This powerful bird of prey is not a common sighting at the reserve. The Peregrine Falcon is the UK's biggest falcon species, they have taken full advantage of urban areas and will use industrial structures such as cathedrals for breeding.
Peregrine Falcon, Photo by John Stevenson.
November was a fantastic month for wildlife on the reserve, with the wetland bird survey counting an amazing 1593 waterbirds across the reserve. Among the species counted was Wigeon, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye, Pochard, Gadwall, Teal, Shoveler and large numbers of Whooper Swans, to name just a few. Visitors in November were also treated to glimpses of the elusive Water Rail, a shy bird that is often heard more than its seen. Adding to the excitement in November was a rare sighting of a Snow Goose. Snow Geese breed in Greenland, Arctic North America and Siberia and some will migrate south in the autumn to spend the winter on the Atlantic coast of the USA. While most Snow Geese in Britain are escapees from captivity, occasional wild individuals may arrive with flocks of Pink-footed Geese or Greylags.
Water Rail, Photo by Mark Turnbull.