Ring Necked Duck

I was the 2nd car in the car park at 09:45 this morning but by lunchtime there were no spaces at all. I have rarely seen Caerlaverock busier. I am supposing it is something to do with the exposure it got from Autumnwatch ?

Overall it was an unremarkable day. What Barnacle Geese there were were in far flung fields or out on the merse. Most of the fields are still flooded & presumably less attractive to the Geese.

Barnacle Geese - from a previous visit

 Best bird was the 1st winter Ring Necked Duck. During the swan feed it stayed right at the back of the pond perhaps adding to its credentials as a wild bird.

Drake Ring Necked Duck

Even at distance it was easily picked out but the contrast between the grey flanks & the white on the breast. To continue the American theme, the drake Green Winged Teal was also on the Folly Pond.

Little Grebe

Drake Scaup

Drake Wigeon

South Cathkin

I have signed up for the 2016 Patchwork Challenge. I am hoping that it is going to encourage me to get out more locally. I have named it "South Cathkin" and it covers both Cathkin Marsh & the Heritage Loch. I have no idea how many species I am going to see & I am hoping I am going to stick to it.

The Heritage Loch is a popular local spot for walkers & joggers. There are lots of dogs & children & I am going to try & pick quiet times to visit it. Cathkin Marsh is a long standing SWT reserve & will be much quieter. I know both areas fairly well but had a bit of a trial run today. Goldeneye, Goosander & Snipe were the best at Heritage.

Common Snipe - I hope to see Jack in 2016

At Cathkin Marsh, Short Eared Owl have been the attraction of late. Today there were 3 birds present. A Raven was also of note.

Yellowhammer & Reed Bunting are present in small numbers

Short Eared Owls

Opportunities of late to get out have been restricted by the awful weather. Any time I've been free its been chucking it down. The forecast for today was much better but it dawned quite foggy & so it was late morning before I ventured out.

First stop was Hogganfield. There was nothing particularly unusual & I spent most of my time trying to take Gulls in flight & some of the wintering ducks.

Mid afternoon I headed to Cathkin Marsh in the hope of seeing some of the 5 Short Eared Owls that have been seen regularly of late. There were 2 birds present almost constantly. Getting a decent shot was another matter.

There were also 3 Stonechat, 2 calling Water Rails & a small mixed flock of Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting & Chaffinch.