Written by Rachel Reid - Volunteer
We have truly entered winter here at the RSPB Lochwinnoch which has been evident by the snowy and frosty days. This also means that the reserve has seen the arrival of many winter migrants. Very excitingly there has been huge numbers of waterbirds during November with a whopping 1593 counted as part of The Wetland Bird Survey on the 18th of November across the reserve. These numbers have included large numbers of wildfowl on the Barr Loch and Aird Meadow Loch including more than 550 Wigeons, 230 Tufted Ducks, 80 Goldeneyes as well as smaller numbers of Pochards, Gadwalls and Great Crested Grebes. Many of these birds have migrated to spend the winter in Scotland and will come from Scandinavia, Iceland, Greenland and Siberia to join the small year-round local populations. The large number of waterbirds during winter can make for some spectacular sightings and sounds.
Great Crested Grebe
The scrape was busy with large numbers of birdlife including over 70 Teals and 50 Snipe counted. Snipe can be seen throughout the year, but there is an increased chance of spotting them during the autumn and winter. Their numbers grow during these months as they are joined by birds from as far east as Russia. Large numbers of Shovelers were also sighted on the scrape on the 25th of November. The Shoveler is a dabbling duck that is commonly seen particularly during the winter. The UK is home to more than 20% of the north-west European population making the Shoveler Duck an amber list species. Large numbers of Whooper Swans have been spotted on both the Barr Loch and the Aird Meadow Loch. Whooper Swans will arrive in the UK from Iceland in late autumn and will return north again in the spring. They will often feed on fields during the day eating crops before heading to roost on open water. Whooper Swans are smaller than Mute Swans, and you can tell them apart by their long bill which is mostly yellow with a black tip.
Whooper Swans flying over reserve, Photographed by Richard Bennett
On the 18th of November visitors were lucky to catch a glimpse of the usually elusive Water Rail. The Water Rail is a fairly common bird found in freshwater wetland however they are highly secretive during the breeding season. They are much easier to see during the winter when they are more numerous and widespread. As the colder weather takes hold and the soft mud they feed in becomes frozen they are often forced into more visible spots as they search for food.
Water Rail, Photographed by Mark Turnbull
Jays have become a more common sighting for visitors on the Aird Meadow trail. This colourful member of the crow family is very distinctive with their blue wing patches. They can often be found in autumn searching for acorns which they will then store for winter. Reed Buntings have been spotted using the fen, which is the ideal habitat for them. In the winter Reed Buntings will join mixed flocks of buntings, finches and sparrows to feed on seeds on farmlands. The majority of Reed Buntings in the UK are year-round residents, although there are a small number of migrants that will arrive from Scandinavia.
Female Reed Bunting on the edge of the scrape, Photographed by John Stevenson
There were some fantastic sightings of Grey Herons on the Aird Meadow Loch and on the channels. This included an amazing sighting of a Grey Heron catching a Pike close to the Channel Hide. In the winter Grey Herons are solitary birds, often spotted in flat open areas in contrast to the breeding season when they are sociable birds while nesting. Grey Herons are incredibly patient while hunting and can be seen standing for long periods of time while stalking their prey.
Heron catching a Pike, Photographed by Ian Johnstone
Other sightings in November included both a Slavonian Grebe and a Snow Goose spotted on the reserve on the 29th of November. A female Kestrel was on the scrape on the 28th of November. There were some wonderful sightings on the Great White Egret around the reserve during November, particularly at the Barr Loch. Winter thrush species have started to arrive at the reserve with sightings including both Fieldfares and Redwings. Birds are not the only wildlife that was spotted on the reserve last month, two Otters were seen on the Barr Loch on the 8th of November and there was a lovely sighting of two Roe Deer on the very frosty scrape on the 28th of November.
Other notable sightings included a Ring-necked Duck, Scaup, Common Scoter and Bar-tailed Godwit.
Roe Deer on the scrape