We are now fully into winter here at the RSPB Lochwinnoch evident by the dramatic drop in temperature. The cold hasn’t put off the wildlife however and it's been an exciting month at the reserve for sightings. There have been large numbers of wetland species on the lochs including wintering ducks with large numbers of Goldeneye, Tufted Duck and Wigeon sighted. The Long-tailed Duck has been spotted on both the Castle Semple Loch from the board walk and on the Aird Meadow Loch. A Scaup was seen on the Castle Semple Loch as well as a female Lesser Scaup on the Barr Loch. Lesser Scaup are a scarce visitor to the UK, but some have been known to visit during the winter months. They are a medium size diving duck that are resident to North America.
Female Lesser Scaup on the Barr Loch, Photograph by Susan Wheeler
The scrape has seen plenty of activity this month with both Teal and Lapwing sighted. A Great White Egret has also been spotted on the scrape this month. Records of these magnificent birds in the UK were few and far between a few decades ago but now many choose to winter in the UK and a few pairs will even nest here. They can often be spotted standing in shallow water waiting for fish, insects and amphibians to approach and will then use their sharp bill to spear them. On the 4th of November a ringed juvenile Shag was spotted on one of the rafts on the Aird Meadow Loch among the Cormorants. These large, dark waterbirds will nest on cliffs around the coast but are rarely seen inland. They are often spotted perched with their wings held out, this is to dry their feathers off as they are not waterproof. They feed on fish which they catch while swimming underwater using their long bills which has a hook on the end.
Juvenile Shag, Photograph by Susan Wheeler.
There has also been lots of activity along the trails this month. Long-tailed Tits have been seen along the Aird Meadow trail. These tiny dainty birds are easily recognisable with their long tail and pretty pink, black and white colouring. In the winter they will form large flocks with other tit species and will roam woodlands, parks and gardens looking for food.
Long-tailed Tit, Photograph by Les Wood
The usual suspects have been seen along the trails and on the feeders this month in large numbers including Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit and Chaffinch. There has been an abundance of Robins spotted along the trails. Many people view the red breasted Robin as a winter mascot, although Robins are resident in the UK all year round some will winter here to escape the harsher weather in Russia and Northern Europe. Brambling have been spotted using the feeders at the Aird Meadow trail feeding station. The Brambling is a winter migrant and fly to the UK to avoid the harsh winters in Scandinavia and Russia. They will form flocks in the winter to search for food and are known to cover large distances, they have even been known to form mixed flocks with the closely related Chaffinch. They have been recorded forming huge flocks on mainland Europe with some flocks even containing millions of birds.
Brambling at the feeding station, Photograph by Ally Dowd.
Very excitingly we have had had Twite spotted in the reserve carpark which is a first for RSPB Lochwinnoch. Twite is a small brown finch and are closely related to the Linnet but with a shorter tail and stubbier beak. They have been red listed in the UK since 1996 due to a reduction in its breeding population.
Twite in the carpark, Photograph by Ally Dowd.
Other sightings this month include amazing views of a Water Rail on the reserve on the 28th of November. A family of 4 Whooper Swans were seen on the Aird Meadow Loch as well as Great Crested Grebe spotted on the Barr Loch. A Little Egret was spotted flying north on the 26th of November. There have also been lots of Redwing and Fieldfare feeding on the berries along the trails.
Water Rail, Photograph by Len McDonald.
Written by Rachel Reid - Volunteer