The proper winter finally arrived with weather to match, snow, hail, wind, rain, thunder and lightning all in the mix. Some good birds were seen though despite this with the yearlist even managing to increase by one, taking the total to 122 species, courtesy of a barnacle goose seen amongst canada geese at Castle Semple Loch on 8 Dec. The day before this two long-tailed ducks were present there, not a first for the year for the recording area with one having been seen at the start of the year though the last record prior to this year was in 2005. Castle Semple Loch held good numbers of wildfowl in the period with on the 3 Dec 86 goldeneye and five pochard counted whilst on the 5th 40 goosanders were present. The goosanders were often fishing close in just off the car park here, affording great views of this handsome duck. Similarly good numbers of waterbirds remained at the Barr Loch too in the period especially wigeon, teal and coot once again, as well as two shoveler on 4 and 7 Dec and five gadwall on 7 Dec. The slavonian grebe, present there since the 12 Nov, was last reported on 2 Dec.
Goldeneye by Ben Hall (rspb-images.com)
A scarce though almost certainly under-recorded species on the reserve, a woodcock, was at the Barr Loch on 3 Dec . Another scarce resident, water rail, once again proved to be prominent in the period with at least five different calling birds reported from Dubbs Trail, Aird Meadow and Barr Loch. At least two different hen harriers were seen between 4-13 Dec including the first adult male to be noted in the recording area this winter.
Hen harrier by Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)
Angus Murray