The end of November proved to be just as much a bird-filled period as the start of the month. The highlight was, like the bittern in early Nov, again only seen by two observers - a little egret that flew over towards the Barr Loch (viewed from the Aird Meadow hide) on 22nd. This is only the second record for the reserve and mirrors ,almost exactly, the first record - one seen very briefly at the Aird Meadow on Nov 6 2013.This took the yearlist up to 121 species.
Little egret by Mike Langman (rspb-images.com)
A chiffchaff seen briefly, though photographed, at the Dubbs Trail on the morning of the 30th was frustratingly not seen again. Frustratingly as the photographs obtained, and the description of the call, seem to indicate the bird could well be a siberian chiffchaff - a far eastern migrant to the UK and Western Europe and a potential bona fide rarity for the reserve. Hopefully it'll be refound in December.
More obliging was the slavonian grebe that remained throughout the period at the north end of the Barr Loch where large numbers of waterbirds generally were still to be found, mainly coot, wigeon, goosander and whooper and mute swans. Water rails were very prominent, though reports were largely of birds heard calling only. Potentially up to seven different birds were recorded during the period, from all areas of the recording area.
Water rail by Mike Richards (rspb-images.com)
Three woodcock were noted at the north end of the Barr Loch on Nov 28 with one then at the south end the next day. At least one ringtail hen harrier was recorded between the 19th-26th with reports from the Barr Loch and Aird Meadow, where very good views were obtained from the visitor centre.
Angus Murray