The start of a new year is often viewed as a new start. While we may not be able to wipe all things from the past, here at the reserve we can at least clear the species list and look forward to compiling the new one.
By the end of last year we had recorded a total of 118 bird species for the reserve. Although slightly down on the previous years total of 123 this was still an impressive list.
As you know the weather during the last few months of 2015 has been somewhat unseasonable, to say the least, and the start of 2016 seems to be no different. However, this has not hindered our efforts to get this new year off to a good start.
There have been some notable highlights for this first month of the year. Many of the December highlights stayed with us, most notable being gadwall and shoveler. Both of these species are relatively scarce on the reserve so it was good to see up to 4 gadwall and 7 shoveler (including two drake) on the Aird Meadow, often as close as the Lochall Channel, with at least 2 females still present on the 31st. Lapwing have been present throughout the month, with a peak of 130 birds on the 23rd. Other notable counts were around 400 canada geese on the 19th, an impressive total of 142 goldeneye on the 10th, 55 wigeon on the 6th and 185 mallard on the 9th, most of which were on the pond and Lochall Channel.
Cormorant numbers have also been building up during the month, reaching a total of 32 on the 22nd. They are most often seen roosting in trees on the bund, the strip of land that marks the boundary of Aird Meadow and Castle Semple Lochs.
The first hen harrier of the year put in an appearance on the 7th when a ringtail (a juvenile/female bird) flew over the Aird Meadow, most likely the same bird that was spotted several times during the last few months of 2015. Hen harrier have also been seen at roost on the Barr Loch, where on the 7th of the month a short-eared owl was also observed. Sparrowhawk have been a daily sighting during the month with both male and female birds being seen. Buzzard have also been regularly sighted.
There have been a few sightings of grey geese on the reserve, most notable being 15 pink-footed geese on the Barr Loch on the 14th. Pink-footed have also been seen with greylag geese as they fly overhead. Whooper swan numbers, however, have been relatively slow in building up with only a few being seen on most occasions, the only exception being a count of 41 on the 19th of the month. This does not include our resident whooper swan "Whoopie" who can be seen throughout the year.
Despite the rather mild conditions the feeding areas have been pretty busy during the month. Chaffinch numbers peaked at 120 birds on the 16th, with rook numbers in the region of around 100 birds. Goldfinch numbers have been increasing in recent years with a maximum count of 32 individuals being seen at any one time. Great spotted woodpecker are a daily highlight with visitors to the centre, many of them expressing their delight on hear drumming birds along the Aird Meadow Trail towards the end of the month. Reed bunting have also been gracing the feeding area with up to 11 birds being seen. Up to 10 long-tailed tit have also been seen daily at the feeders.
Other highlights on the reserve this month were a redhead smew, first recorded on Castle Semple Loch on the 24th of the month and later seen on Aird Meadow (we wait with anticipation for the return of the male), a water rail on the Aird Meadow on the 30th and a kingfisher flying along Dubbs Water on the 16th.
By the end of the month around 75 species were recorded on the reserve. Many of these were seen from the comfort of the visitor centre or the Aird Meadow trail. You don't have to walk too far to see many of the highlights on the reserve. Why not come along and see for yourself? You don't need to be an expert. There will always be someone here to help you identify the difficult species.
By Eddie Williams