A visit to the harbour has a distinctive winter feeling about the birds now, if you decide to ignore the unseasonal temperatures that are being experienced this year. Although this unseasonal weather has resulted in lower than expected numbers of many of our regular winter visitors there is still a full range on show to keep the most avid birder occupied whilst avoiding the regular showers.
Dark Bellied Brent Goose (above) and Goldeneye (below)
The Dark Bellied Brent flock is now a regular sight around the harbour and is occasionally joined by a family party of Pale Bellied Brent. This race/species of Brent is distinct in the much pale look to its belly. They either come from Spitsbergen, Greenland or high arctic in Canada (where as the Dark Bellied Brent summers in Russia) which normally winter either in Ireland (Canadian population) or in the north east (Greenland and Norwegian population). Along with the Brent the resident Feral Canada Geese can be seen drifting around the wet grasslands, a close look at the flock many reveal a Greylag Goose or two and if you are lucky there has been a single White-Fronted Goose, which has joined them for the winter.
Pintail
Winter farmland birds have been scarce especially the winter thrushes however if you listen in the evenings you may be able to hear the call of migrating Redwing. There has also been a few Fieldfare which have joined the continental blackbirds and song thrush which have arrived to escape the “harsh” continental winter! Over on the north side of the reserve the linnet flock has increased to 300 and there is a small flock of reed bunting. The grassland verges around the reserve are regular patrolled by Kestrels. The recent dull days are then brightened up by the flash of colour by a passing Kingfisher.
Kestrel (above) and Linnet (below)
Kingfisher (above) and Reed Bunting (below)
The Warden, RSPB Crook of Baldoon