Winter is near at the reserve which is evident by the high numbers of winter visitors. Canada geese have arrived in their large flocks. The Canada goose is an introduced species from North America well known for their distinctive black head and large white throat. They form large noisy flocks and can often be heard well before they are seen.
Canada geese in flight, photo by Richard Bennet
Greylag geese have also arrived in large numbers, these geese are the ancestor of most domestic geese in the UK. They are the largest of the geese that are native to the UK and can often be found in mixed flocks with Canada geese. Some greylag geese will remain in Scotland to nest during the breeding season while others will come to the UK from Iceland to spend the winter. There have also been a small number of barnacle geese spotted near the reserve. Whooper swans have also been sighted on the Barr Loch this month, whooper swans are a good indication of the changing of the seasons as they are winter visitors from Iceland. They make use of estuaries and wetlands to roost during the winter months making these important habitats to protect.
Greylag geese, Photo by Richard Bennet
There has been an abundance of species spotted on the lochs this month. There have been over 40 tufted ducks counted on the bar loch. There has also been wigeon spotted on the Barr Loch, many of these birds again visit the UK during the winter months and come from places like Iceland, Scandinavia and Russia.
Wigeon photographed on the loch
On the Aird meadow loch there has been gadwall spotted as well as shoveler ducks. Shoveler ducks are easily spotted due to their shovel shaped bill which they use to feed at the surface of the water. They breed in small numbers in the UK but become a lot more widespread during the winter months. Large numbers of snipe have also been enjoying feeding on the scrape in front of the visitor centre with an impressive peak count of 144!
Shoveler duck photographed on the reserve
Noisy robins have been making their presence noticed all around the reserve. Robins will sing nearly all year round and although they may look cute, they will aggressively protect their territory and chase intruders away. There have been over 20 siskin spotted on the Aird Meadow trail as well as large numbers of chaffinches. Large numbers of excitable long tailed tits have also been sighted around the reserve.
Long tailed tit on the reserve
Redwing have been spotted on the Barr Loch trail, Aird meadow and in front of the visitor centre. Redwing are another winter visitor to the UK and are also the UK's smallest thrush species. They are easily spotted flying in their flocks from their orange-red flank patches. The redwing population has unfortunately been in decline due to harsh winters and wet summers. In the autumn redwings will gather along the Scandinavian coast at dusk before making their journey across the North Sea to the UK. Excitingly a jay has been spotted numerous times along the Barr Loch trail. These stunning birds are well known for their distinctive black facial markings and their electric blue feathers.
In other sightings a great white egret was also spotted on the reserve on the 9th of October.
Great white egret
By Rachel Reid - Volunteer