Written by Rachel Reid - volunteer
There was plenty of wildlife to see at the reserve last month! The scrape has been particularly popular amongst the birdlife with many species including Curlew, Dunlin, Oystercatcher and Redshank recorded. One of the main highlights on the scrape in July was around 15 Black-tailed Godwits. These large wading birds have bright orangey-brown chests and bellies in the summer months, but their most distinctive features are their long bills and legs and the white bars on the upper side of their wings. The UK is home to a small breeding population of around 60 pairs of Black-tailed Godwits, and the species is red-listed in the UK and possess a near threatened status globally. The birds seen on our scrape are not UK breeders but migrants returning from spending their breeding season further north, most likely in Iceland.
Black-tailed Godwit on the scrape, Photo by John Stevenson.
Large numbers of 60+ Lapwings were seen on the scrape in a flock which now includes fledged juveniles which hatched on the reserve and in the wider area. Teal ducklings were on the scrape throughout the month. In the summer months Teal will breed in small numbers in the UK and this is mostly in the north. Teal are much more common in the UK in the winter where they gather in large numbers after migrating from the cold climates of the Baltic and Siberia. Migrating Greenshanks were also recorded periodically. This slim wading bird can be distinguished from other waders by its green legs and slightly up-turned bill. It is often seen on its own or in small groups and has a distinct 3 note call.
Greenshank on the scrape, Photo by John Stevenson.
The Barr Loch has begun to see an increase in wildfowl numbers in advance of autumn and winter, with sightings including large numbers of Tufted Ducks (420 on 29 July) and a small number of Pochards. It is evident that the Great Crested Grebes have had a successful breeding season, as a recent count resulted in a reserve record of 49 Great Crested Grebes, including18 young. Adult birds cannot be mistaken in the summer months with their stunning head and neck decorations, while in contrast the juveniles can be distinguished by their alternating black and white stripes which they lose when they become adults. It is wonderful to watch the adults allowing their chicks to hitch a ride on their backs when they are still small as a means of offering them protection.
Great Crested Grebe feeding young on the Barr loch, Photo by Len McDonald.
A Kingfisher was seen on the Dubbs trail on the 12th of July. These birds are incredibly striking with their bright blue back and metallic copper breast and can usually be spotted sitting quietly on low hanging branches over rivers and streams, and where they will suddenly dive in to catch small fish. There have been some stunning sightings of Osprey fishing around the reserve throughout July this large brown and white bird of prey is a summer visitor to the UK and will breed at sites across Scotland and the North of England. Ospreys are perfectly adapted to hunting fish and have a special transparent eyelid that protects their eyes when underwater.
Osprey with fish over the reserve, Photo by John Stevenson.
It's not just bird species that deserve some notice. There have been some amazing sightings of Otter on the Aird Meadow Loch. Otter populations are now flourishing across Scotland with numbers estimated to be around 8000. They are largely solitary, semi-aquatic mammals and will get most of their food from lochs, rivers or the sea. There have also been plenty of small mammals around the reserve particularly near the visitor centre and at the feeding station, including Bank Vole, Shrew and Wood Mice. Roe Deer have also been seen almost daily around the scrape and on the Aird Meadow trail.
Roe Deer on the scrape, Photo by John Simpson.
Other sightings include Spotted Flycatchers which have been seen from the Boardwalk and along the Aird Meadow trail. A juvenile Water Rail was spotted in the fen. The Black-headed Gulls have had a successful breeding season with many juveniles and fledged young spotted this month. A Wood Sandpiper was back on the scrape on the 10th of July. A Common Whitethroat was sighted near the start of the Dubbs trail on the 13th of July.
Common Whitethroat at the Dubbs trail, Photo by Ally Dowd