Written by Rachel Reid
Spring has officially arrived at RSPB Lochwinnoch, and March brought a wealth of exciting wildlife sightings across the reserve. The scrape has been particularly lively, with large numbers of Curlew recorded - 31 on the 6th and 43 by the 21st. The Curlew is Europe's largest wading bird and is instantly recognisable by its long, down-curved bill, brown mottled upperparts, and long sturdy legs. The UK breeding population of Curlews is of international importance, with around 30% of the west European population spending the winter months here. Despite this, the breeding population has experienced worrying declines throughout much of the UK.
Curlews on the scrape
A pair of Ringed Plovers were spotted on the scrape on the 17th of March. These small, short-legged waders are marked by their striking black and white facial patterns, orange legs, and a distinctive orange and black bill. While they typically nest on beaches around the coast, many have begun to breed inland in sand and gravel pits as well as former industrial sites. Many UK Ringed Plovers are resident all year, while others will pass through from Greenland and Canada during migration. Lapwings have also been seen displaying over the scrape this March. Males perform dramatic aerial acrobatics accompanied by their unmistakable "peewit" call, which is a classic sign of spring.
Ringed Plovers on the scrape, Photo by Ally Dowd.
March also brough some wonderful mating displays from Great Crested Grebes, on both the Barr Loch and the Aird Meadow Loch. During courtship, these elegant waterbirds perform a unique and graceful ritual involving synchronised heading shaking, bill dipping, and preening, culminating in the famous "penguin dance", where the pair rise upright out of the water, chest to chest, flicking beakfuls of water week at one another. It's an unforgettable spectacle and a sure sign that the breeding season is underway.
Great Crested Grebe, photographed on Aird Meadow loch.
Our ‘resident’ Great White Egret was spotted south of the Barr Loch on both the 6th and 7th of March, having now been present since October last year. Once a rare visitor to the UK, this continental Heron species has been gradually expanding its breeding range northward. Since 2010, sightings have increased and Great White Egrets can be seen all year round, with several pairs now breeding in the UK.
Great White Egret on Barr loch, Photo by Rick Bolton.
The trails have also been alive with birdlife over March. Chiffchaff have been singing throughout the reserve, their distinctive "chiff chaff chiff chaff" song is often heard before the bird is spotted. Most UK Chiffchaffs are summer migrants, breeding in the UK before flying to warmer climates in autumn including Sub-Saharan Africa. However, an increasing number of birds are now staying in the UK all year round and this is thought to be due to the country's warming climate allowing Chiffchaffs to survive the winter here.
Chiffchaff on the reserve, Photo by John Stevenson.
Treecreepers have been seenregularly throughout March. Treecreepers are very common birds but they are however challenging to spot. They can usually be found on tree trunks, climbing upwards and when disturbed they will freeze where they are, blending into the bark. These small birds will begin nesting in April, often building their nests in tree crevices using a mix of spider webs, moss, feathers, and grass.
Treecreeper on the reserve, Photo by Gerry Cor
Great Tits have also been scoping out potential nesting sites across the reserve. Many will make use of the artificial nest boxes that are installed across the Aird Meadow trail. Great Tits are cavity nesters meaning they will build their nests in holes within trees or other surfaces allowing them to readily use nest boxes, especially in younger woodlands without many mature trees with useful cavities. They will typically lay between seven to nine eggs in April or May, chicks will hatch after around two weeks and will leave the nest up to three weeks later. During this period, the young birds rely heavily on caterpillars, which provide the essential nutrients required for development.
Great Tit scoping out artificial nest box, Photo by Ally Dowd.
It hasn’t just been about the birds this March. Weasels have made several appearances around the reserve. As the UK's smallest carnivore, the Weasel is an amazing predator often feeding on voles, mice, and small birds. They can be distinguished by their long, slender body, short legs, and chestnut brown fur. They are a member of the mustelid family and are therefore close relatives of Otters and Stoats. Weasels will breed during spring and summer, and females can raise two litters per year, with three to six kits in each litter.
Weasel spotted on the reserve
Other highlights from March include a count of 36 Snipe on the scrape on the 27th, taking advantage of damp conditions to probe for invertebrates. Sand Martins have been seen flying around the reserve, early arrivals to Scotland. A female lesser Scaup has been recorded several times in the Barr Loch, amongst Tufted Ducks,and an intriguing possible hybrid drake Shoveler x Blue-Winged Teal was spotted multiple times in early March.
Possible hybrid drake Shoveler x Blue-Winged Teal, photographed from channel hide