15 November 09 Lochmaben

After yesterday's heavy rain, that was particularly bad in Dumfries & Galloway, the boardwalk to the hide at the south west end of the Castle Loch was submerged. A Kingfisher however, gave good views and small parties of both Siskin & Redpoll were evident. A Red Squirrel showed well close to the car park.

A female Long Tailed Duck showed from the hide and there was a good selection of wildfowl including plently of Tufted Duck & Goldeneye. A large flock of Greylag Geese were on the loch together with smaller numbers of Canada Geese.

Drake Gadwall on Castle Loch.

Female Long Tailed Duck from the hide.

There are several other smaller lochs in the Lochmaben area & Kirk Loch had been hosting a drake American Wigeon for over a month. True to form it was there showing distantly, & mostly asleep with its European counterparts.

Yankee Wigeon (always distant).

A sprawk was also seen adjacient to Kirk Loch.

In the afternoon I went back to the Castle Loch in the hope of seeing Willow Tit & Nuthatch but saw neither. There were some Pochard & 3 Great Crested Grebe. A Jay was seen from the car on the way home.