1st December 2017
Latest update from Iain:
At the Reserve on the 4th November were 70 Mallard and
19 Teal with Willow Tit up in the Orchard area. John Smith
briefly had 3/4 Waxwings on tree tops in the Greenwood
Close area on the morning of the 5th but alas did not
stay long. In the same area around a Yew tree were a number
of Fieldfare, Redwing, Blackbird and Mistle Thrush. Along
Auldton Road on the 6th were many hundreds of Fieldfare
which were observed by Garry. A comprehensive Reserve
list on the 9th was compiled by Dave Bradshaw including
a large mixed flock of Fieldfare and Redwing there were
also 12 Long Tailed Tits, 4 Coal Tit, 3 Blue Tit, 2 Great
Tit, 20 Chaffinch, 3 Pheasant, 5 Teal, 37 Mallard, 5 Moorhen,
4 Magpie, 10 Jackdaw, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Grey Heron,
Mistle Thrush, Wood Pigeon, Wren and Robin while a Cormorant
flew over the adjacent meadow. At the Community Reserve
on the 11th were 3 Cormorant, 7 Little Grebe, 4 Moorhen,
6 Mallard and a male Tufted Duck. On our Reserve were
33 Mallard, 21 Teal, a juvenile Mute Swan, 2 Grey Heron,
9 Magpie (record count), 6 Stock Dove, 3 Mistle Trush,
30 Redwing, 80 Fieldfare, 10 Goldfinch and 150 Siskins
feeding on the tops of the Alders. Once again the Auldton
Road produced a most unusual sighting in the form of a
Water Rail which passed in front of Garry. While at the
Reserve on the 15th we saw Ravens on 4 different occasions
which was noteworthy. A few days later while clearing
the main ditch myself and Dave accidently flushed a Woodcock
which was the first for the Reserve for many years and
was seen twice later as we continued clearing other ditches.
While having a well deserved tea break 12 Long Tailed
Tits put on a fantastic show at very close quarters. The
young Mute Swan was still on the Middle Pond while there
were 15 Teal and 3 Grey Heron. On the adjacent Community
Reserve was a male Wigeon, 4 Mallard, 3 Moorhen and 6
Little Grebe. A female Goosander was seen on the Birnock
Water near Claudios. At Moffat Manor Country Park on the
23rd Dave Bradshaw saw a record count of 12 Little Grebe
with 11 Mallard and 4 Moorhen with a Jay and a Raven in
the area. Afterwards up the Red Brae Dave saw 3 Bullfinch,
Grey Heron, Buzzard, 5 Blue Tit, 3 Great Tit, 6 Blackbird,
4 Chaffinch and 2 Robins. On the 25th Garry saw a Barn
Owl hunting over the Reserve as he headed back into town
late afternoon while on the Reserve were 25 Teal and 2
Roe Deer were seen again. Down at the Reserve on the 27th
were 31 Mallard, 16 Teal, 3 Moorhen, 10 Jackdaw, 4 Chaffinch,
Coal Tit, Pheasant and Mistle Thrush. During the month
Grey Squirrels were seen up Dundanion Road and the Chapelbrae
though Red Squirrels were seen up the Gallow Hill. At
the Reserve on the 29th I saw a female Merlin fly briefly
over the wetland area and a Raven went by. Along the Birnock
Water 2 male Bullfinch were seen and 3 male Pheasant and
2 Treecreeper were seen by Tom Thompson at Meadow Bank.
23rd
November 2017
Some recent reports from Dave Bradshaw for our
reserve
05/11/2017 - Fieldfare 10, Redwing 14, Long-tailed Tit
9, Pheasant, Jackdaw, Grey Heron, juvenile Mute Swan,
Chaffinch, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Tree Sparrows
3, Song Thrush, Robin.
09 /11/2017 - roughly 180+ Fieldfare, 60+ Redwing
30th
October 2017
LATE AUGUST ONWARDS UPDATE
A long overdue update.....sorry. The last 14 Swifts
were seen by Garry on the 25th August over Hunterheck.
On the 30th at the Reserve were 8 Magpies (record total)
and 1 Teal with 100 plus Chaffinch with a few Red Admiral
butterflies around and a Hawker dragonfly.
Eight Greylag Geese over Moffat on the 1st September.
Sue Powell from Annanside reported seeing a Hedgehog on
the 4th and at the Reserve on the 6th were 4 Teal and
2 Bullfinch. While out delivering papers on the 8th there
were 4 calling Chiffchaff and Bullfinches were at 3 locations
with a Raven over Old Carlisle Road and the same area
produced a sighting of a Red Kite from Evelyn Atkins.
The next day at the Reserve were 16 Teal, a Willow Warbler,
a Chiffchaff, a Willow Tit, 3 Bullfinch and 3 Magpies.
Numerous Swallows and House Martins moving through and
a flock of 150 plus Chaffinch feeding on wild seed with
a few Greenfinch and Siskins. On the 13th a flock of 25
plus Greylag Geese over Moffat and the first Pink Footed
Geese very high over Moffat the following day. At the
Reserve on the 16th were 3 Jays, 2 Grey Wagtail, 2 Lesser
Black Backed Gulls and Buzzard and Sparrowhawk with more
Pink Footed Geese moving through. Other sightings at the
Reserve on the 20th were 2 Willow Tits, 9 Teal and 5 Bullfinch.
5 Swallows were at Dumfries hospital and 2 calling Chiffchaff
doing my paper round on the 23rd. There were 20 plus Swallows
and House Martins moving through the Reserve on the 27th
which turned out to be the last of the year with 3 Chiffchaff
and a Willow Warbler still around and there were 29 Teal
on the wetland. The last day of the month saw 2 Roe Deer
at the reserve with 10 Teal, 5 Mute Swans overhead, 10
plus Long Tailed Tits and the Siskin flock was beginning
to build up.
At the Community Reserve on the 4th October were a Mute
Swan, 4 Mallard, 11 Little Grebe, 3 Cormorant, 1 Grey
Heron and 3 Moorhen. The Reserve held 10 Mallard, 12 Teal,
a Grey Heron, 9 Moorhen, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Buzzard, 6 Goldcrest,
12 Long Tailed Tit, 4 Magpie, 1 Mistle Thrush, 2 Bullfinch
and 2 Tree Sparrow. The Siskin flock was 80 birds at the
Reserve on the 7th with 17 Teal. At the Community Reserve
on the 18th were 3 Mute Swan, 2 Mallard, 4 Moorhen, 5
Little Grebe and 2 Jays with 200 plus Siskin on our Reserve
and a female Reed Bunting. The Teal flock was 42 birds
on the 21st at the Reserve. Garry had 114 Fieldfare over
Annandale Way on the 24th with 250 plus Fieldfare and
20 or so Redwing over the Orchard on the 28th.
29th
August 2017
A summary of various sightings by Dave Bradshaw over the
past few weeks -
Daer Reservoir
05/08/17 - Osprey with fish, Cormorant 5, Greylag Geese
8
Watermeetings 05/08/17 - Red-legged Partridge 2, Oyster
catcher and Juvenile.
Daer Reservoir 10/08/17 - same Osprey again with a fish
eating it on telephone pole. 20 Scotch Argus butterflies
Leadhills road 10/08/17 - Wheatear 3
Garden - Nuthatch, Sparrowhawk (seen last 3 days), Willow
warbler 2
Daer Reservoir 10/08/17 - Went back this afternoon and
to my surprise there was an Osprey on the telephone poles
again with a fish, apparently freshly caught as it was
still tail flapping as the bird was pulling it apart.
From the rings on it legs, especially the blue plastic
ring, it is the same bird as last Saturday.
BTO / WCBS
Butterfly survey 2017.NT0500
17/07/17 - Ringlet 66, Small Heath 1, Meadow Brown 1,
Small White 1.
21/08/17 - Red Admiral 2, Small Tortoiseshell 1, Peacock
3, Green-Veined White 7.
18/08/17 -
12 Long Tailed Tits flew from A701 cycle track over garden.
19/08/17 Dyke Farm Reserve - Willow Tit, female Teal,
Magpie 3 (meadow feeding station). A pair of Moorhen with
5 newly hatched young on Middle Pond.
23/08/17 Dyke Farm Reserve - Willow Warbler 5, flew from
plants by fence to first island by entrance gate.
29th
June 2017
From Dave Bradshaw, surveys carried out earlier
this month -
Stiddrigs, BBS square, 2nd Visit -
Skylark 4, Meadow Pipit 30, Wood Pigeon 3, Whinchat (3
Pairs), Lesser Redpoll 2, Goldcrest 1, Great Tit 1, Willow
Warbler 5, Blackcap 1, Wren 4, Mistle Thrush 1, Grey Wagtail
1, Pied Wagtail 2, Chaffinch 6, Siskin 1, Grasshopper
Warbler 1, Reed Bunting 2, Stonechat 2, Curlew 3, Starling
24, Robin 1, House Martin 1, Carrion Crow 5, Sand Martin
1,
Moffat, BBS square, 2nd Visit -
Wood Pigeon 9, Rook 14, Magpie 1, Great Spotted Woodpecker
2, Carrion Crow 24, Swallow 15, House Martin 8, Willow
Warbler 10, Wren 12, Robin 4, House Sparrow 23, Chaffinch
7, Goldfinch 7, Blue Tit 8, Sand Martin 22, Goosander
1, Grey Heron 1, Sedge Warbler 1, Jackdaw 34, Nuthatch
6, Great Tit 6, Pheasant 3, Chiffchaff 2, Goldcrest 2,
Garden Warbler 2, Stock Dove 1, Whitethroat 3, Spotted
Flycatcher 1, Blackbird 6, Song Thrush 6, Siskin 2, Pied
Wagtail 8, Blackcap 3, Starling 3, Linnet 6 (Adults Feeding
4 Juveniles) Reed Bunting 1, Collared Dove 2.
And some other sightings, 26th June -
Coatsgate area, Beattock -
Willow Warbler, Great Tit, Blackbird, Oystercatcher, Chiffchaff,
Spotted Flycatcher, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Linnet 8, Meadow
Pipit, Wheatear 3
9th June
2017
Some sighting reports from Dave -
02/06/17 - Our Reserve - Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Willow
Tit, Juv Chaffinch, Wren, House Sparrow,. Sand Martin,
Willow Warbler.
Leadhills Road - Short Eared Owl, Common Sandpiper, Snipe,
Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Curlew, Buzzard.
Wanlockhead - Ring Ouzel, Red Kite.
Mennock Pass - Red Kite, Buzzard (5 together), Wheatear
(3 pairs), Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Oystercatcher.
5/6/2017
- Our Reserve - Spotted Flycatcher, Blackcap, Willow Tit,
Treecreeper, Willow Warbler, Pied Flycatcher (feeding
young).
Dave managed to get photos of the Willow Tit and
we have included one here as many of you have probably
never seen one. It has recently become a 'regular' on
the reserve.
30th
May 2017
From Iain -
Kris Allan reported a Cuckoo calling from along the Waterside
on 13th May and one was heard one calling in the Eskdalemuir
area and the same observer heard a Grasshopper Warbler
at the Reserve. Tom Thomson had a Dunnock nesting in his
garden at Meadowbank Rise. Plenty Lesser Redpoll and Siskin
being reported in local gardens on the 14th and a Common
Cockchafer was seen and photographed (on her mobile) by
Eileen Burgoyne in her garden. A Mallard was taking her
brood of 5 ducklings to the ponds at the Reserve on the
14th. 
Simon
Tweedie reported the Greylag/Canada Goose pair at Earshaig
pond again on the 17th (which have been photographed by
Dave, shown here) and a Cuckoo calling from the direction
of Stidriggs. Katrina Ireland had a pair of Lesser Redpoll
and 7 Siskins in her garden along Ballplay Road. While
at the Reserve on the evening of the 18th Lorna spotted
a fine Roe Deer and a young Tawny Owl which had bred in
one of the larger nest boxes and the Pied Flycatchers
are back in the same box as last year. Jock had seen,
on one of his visits to the Reserve, a pair of Greylag
Geese on the wetland and 6 Greylag flew over the Reserve
on the 20th while a pair of Swallows are building a nest
in one of the top sheds where we have left open a hatch
above the door so they can get in and out. I heard a Spotted
Flycatcher in the direction of Dyke Farm. Anne Gibbard
heard a Cuckoo on the 23rd in the direction of the Well
Hill and the following day a Tree Sparrow was on feeders
up in the Orchard area and 4 Greylag flew over. On Saturday
27th a Red Kite was being mobbed by 2 Black Headed Gulls
over the town and headed off over the Gallow Hill and
Hugh and Marion Thompson had a fine view of this splendid
raptor while 7 Greylag flew over the Reserve and the Whitethroat
was calling along the roadside near the Reserve and a
Spotted Flycatcher was heard in the woodland area.
And some sightings by Dave Bradshaw -
Longbedholm 24/05/2017 :
Robin 5, Mistle Thrush 2, Carrion Crow 3, Buzzard, Pied
Wagtail, Lesser Redpoll, Dunnock, Wren, Grasshopper Warbler,
Roe Deer, 3 Brown Hares.
Earshaigs/Southern Upland Way 25/05/17 :
Willow Warbler 7 singing males, Tree Pipit, Robins (many),
Mistle Thrush, Swallows 4, Chaffinch, Lesser Redpoll,
Siskin.
19th
May 2017
Results of Dave Bradshaw's BBS surveys -
BBS 1km square Stiddriggs 11/05/17 :
Curlew 2, Wood Pigeon 1, Rook 2, Carrion Crow 6, Goldcrest
1, Great Tit 1, Skylark 7, Sand Martin 1, Swallow 5, Willow
Warbler 8, Mistle Thrush 1, Blackbird 1, Wren 6, Robin
2, Whinchat 3, Stonechat 6, Wheatear 1, Pied Wagtail 1,
Meadow Pipit 23, Chaffinch 7, Redpoll 3, Crossbill 5,
Goldfinch 1, Siskin 1, Reed Bunting 2.
Revisit 17/05/17 (this side of the river only, Transects
1- 4) :
Skylark, Whinchat, Grey Wagtail, Cuckoo, Redpoll, Robin,
Chaffinch, Reed Bunting, Meadow Pipit.
BBS 1 Km Square Moffat 14/05/17 :
Collared Dove 1 , Wren 8, Pheasant 7, House Sparrow 6,
Song Thrush 6, Swallow 14, Dunnock 1, Blackbird 8, Willow
Warbler 9, Carrion Crow 17, G S Woodpecker, Great Tit
5, Whitethroat 2, Oystercatcher 7, Chaffinch 7, Garden
Warbler 3, Chiff Chaff 1, Robin 10, Wood Pigeon 10, Jackdaw
32, Rook 5, Greenfinch 2, Goldfinch 5, Goldcrest 1, Grey
Wagtail 1, Sand Martin 1, Redpoll 4, House Martin 6, Blue
Tit 6, Blackcap 2, Goosander 1, Osprey 1, Pied Wagtail
1, Herring Gull 1.
Earshaigs 18/05/17 :
Wheatear & Meadow Pipit (Crooked Road), 9 singing
Willow Warblers, Robin, Song Thrush, Chaffinch, 
Canada/Greylag
Pair, Moorhen, Spotted Flycatcher, Redpoll, Siskin, Carrion
Crow.
Dave has sent
a few images, among them is this one of a male Lesser
Redpoll that we thought would brighten up the page! Such
colourful little birds.
13th
May 2017
Latest from Iain -
At the Reserve on the evening of the 20th were at least
three recently hatched Moorhens close to Jocks hide and
more Swallows and Willow Warblers were being reported.
On a Saturday morning run up to Watermeetings to Daer
Reservoir with Lorna we saw the following.....50-60 Lapwing,
80-90 Oystercatcher, 30 Curlew, 7 Redshank, 2 Ringed Plover,
1 Snipe, 2 Common Sandpiper, 9 Greylag Geese, 11 Mallard,
2 Goosander, 4 species of gulls, 6 Red Legged Partridge,
2 Buzzard, Kestrel, 5 Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 4
Swallow, 20 Sand Martin, 2 Wheatear, 25 Wood Pigeon, 30
Meadow Pipit, 3 Skylark, 7 Pied Wagtail, 8 Song Thrush,
7 Blackbird, 2 Treecreeper, 2 Raven and various other
tits, finches, crows, etc. On the morning of the 23rd,
2 Mute Swans flew over the town. Simon Tweedie reported
a Canada Goose paired up with a Greylag Goose up at Earshaig
pond on the 25th and at the Reserve the following day
were Willow Tit and Tree Sparrow. On the 28th at the Reserve
was a calling male Pied Flycatcher with more Sand Martins,
Swallows, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff around. A female
Mandarin duck was reported at Eskrigg Nature Reserve.
The month of May got off to a great start for Garry Tait
on the 2nd with three great sightings in one day.....a
pair of Kingfisher at Three Waters, a newly arrived Spotted
Flycatcher and a magnificent male Hobby at The Toot....this
raptor is being seen in our area on a regular basis these
days...any other sightings?? While washing the dishes
at home on the evening of the 5th a lovely Osprey flew
past the window.....pretty good. After our successful
Coffee Morning on the 6th the first Swifts appeared above
the town. A Tree Pipit was recorded up at Earshaig ponds
by Simon Tweedie on the 8th and the following day a pair
of Red Kite and an Osprey in the Camps Reservoir area.
At our Reserve on the 10th was the male Pied Flycatcher
(a pair had been seen the previous day) and Tree Sparrow
again...possibly 2 birds. On the Community Reserve were
2 Moorhen, 2 Oystercatcher, 3 Mallard, 2 LBB Gull and
2 Black headed Gulls. Garry had a Garden Warbler at The
Toot on the 11th and the pair of Red Kites were seen close
to Moffat once again.
And from Dave Bradshaw on the 9th -
Went the Quarry and our reserve this afternoon. Unusual
sighting - 1 Pink footed goose on first raft in quarry.
An Osprey circled over for a couple of minutes then drifted
off towards Beattock. Saw the male Pied Flycatcher at
our reserve and met two visitors in the reserve who had
seen both male and female.
Quarry - 4 singing Willow Warblers, Garden Warbler, Pink-footed
Goose, 2 LBB Gulls, 2 Canada geese, 1 Mallard, Osprey.
Our reserve - Blue Tit, Great Tit, 2 Blackbird, House
Sparrow, Nuthatch, 2 singing Willow Warblers, Sedge Warbler,
5 Sand Martins, male Pied Flycatcher, Chaffinch, Pheasant,
Mallard, Moorhen, Blackcap.
7th May
2017
We are delighted to inform you that our Annual
Coffee Morning, held yesterday, raised the impressive
total of £1810. This will go a long way towards
maintaining and improving our Nature Reserve. We have
recently undergone the provision of new paths, ponds and
seating around the Orchard area. The summer will be spent
largely on path maintenance and cutting back on intrusive
vegetation (leaving plenty for the wildlife). Later in
the year we are hoping to obtain a considerable number
of low-growing trees/shrubs and plant up a new shelter
hedge, a fairly major undertaking.
As always, our heartfelt thanks go to all who contibuted
to the various stalls, all who gave their time to running
them on the day and, of course, those who dealt with the
teas and coffees! We must, of course, also thank all those
who came in and spent their money on our offerings as,
without you, we would never have reached such a remarkable
total.
Thank you, one and all.
18th
April 2017
From Iain -
Ken Hines had an Osprey hunting over the River Annan near
Lockerbie creamery on the 10th April and the following
day he had a pair of Siskin and a male Lesser Redpoll
in his garden. These two species and Goldfinch are usually
at peak numbers in local gardens and many gardens have
been lucky to have these three colourful finches. There
were 3 Raven over Meadowbank Rise on the 15th while I
was out delivering. At our Reserve were 3 Willow Warbler,
2 Chiffchaff, 10 plus Sand Martins, 2 Buzzard, 1 Jay,
6 Moorhen, 11 Mallard, 2 Teal, Long tailed Tit and 3 Song
Thrush with at least 6 Rabbits which is the most for a
very long time. Summer migrants are slow arriving probably
due to our changeable climate.....which is not surprising!!
And from Dave on the 13th -
Field opposite Bankend Wood : 4 Linnets, 2 Meadow Pipits,
Wren.
Evan Water : Dipper feeding young under bridge, Chiff
Chaff.
Annandale Way over field from Barnhill road towards our
Reserve : 4 Sand Martins, 42 Meadow Pipits (walls and
barb wire full off them), Pied Wagtail.
Quarry : 2 Lesser B B Gulls, 3 Cormorants, 10 Oystercatchers,
1 Grey Heron
Our Reserve : 2 Teal, Buzzard, Nuthatch, 2 Greenfinch,
Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Blue Tit , Great Tit, Song Thrush,
18 Sand Martins over the field at the back, 2 Mallard.
1 Roe deer (meadow)
13th
April 2017
Latest from Iain - A Red Kite was seen near Dumfries
by Maurice Henderson on the 6th April. Garry Tait had
2 Wheatear and 4 singing Skylark up the Crooked Road on
the 7th while 8 Sand Martin were at the Reserve. Jim Marrs
had two first sightings for his garden in the form of
a Brambling and a Redpoll while Kate Warters saw a male
Bullfinch in her sisters garden in Reid Street.
Dave Bradshaw had a Wheatear up the Crooked Road on the
8th and signs of migration with at least 700 Pinkfeet
heading North in 20 minutes. The following day Dave had
the first 2 House Martins over Cornal Court and a Swallow
and Sand Martin along the Barnhill Road. I paid my first
visit to the Reserve for 8 weeks and 1 day, with Lorna,
on the Sunday night which was really good to do. The team
have done a brilliant job looking after the Reserve and
there were plenty birds around with 5 Sand Martins, a
Chiffchaff and a Willow Warbler around with 7 Teal, 16
Mallard, 3 Grey Heron and 5 Moorhen on the wetland. The
woodland was full of small birds such as Siskin, Redpoll,
Greenfinch and 2 Song Thrush among many others. At the
Community Reserve there were 2 Lesser Black Backed Gulls,
3 Canada Geese, 3 Little Grebe, 17 Oystercatcher, 2 Buzzard,
2 Swallows and 10-12 Sand Martins over the lochan. While
Dave was out on the 11th he saw a few Lapwing sitting
at the Watermeetings, Elvanfoot area but no Golden Plover
around while the Leadhills Road had Wheatear but no Red
Grouse around. The Mennock Pass had Raven and Wheatear
but no Ring Ouzel yet. An early morning visit to Earlshaugh
just North of the Beef Tub by Garry on the 12th rewarded
his efforts with 2/3 Curlew, 6 Black Grouse and a great
sighting of 5 Dotterel as they head North which was great.
12th
April 2017
Advance warning - access to our photo gallery is to be
discontinued soon. The number of 'hits' is so small that
it is not worth our while keeping it. The web space saved
can be made available for more current items instead.
Any objections from anyone?
4th April
2017
Some sightings that were inadvertently missed
out on Iain's previous report -
Garry had a Chiffchaff at our Reserve on 24th March. Lindsay
Bowman saw a Merlin up the Greenhillstairs on the 26th.
On the 27th Simon Tweedie reported seeing a Cormorant
on the Earshaig Pond for the first time there. There were
small numbers of Crossbill in the area and plenty Frogs
spawning. The same day Dave had a calling Chiffchaff at
Beattock and a Treecreeper was singing too.
And some sightings
by Dave on 2nd April -
Evan Water:
Chiffchaff, Dipper nesting under motorway bridge.
Barnhill road:
Chiffchaff 2, Pied Wagtail 2
Quarry (Community Reserve):
Cormorant 3, Oystercatcher 8, Lesser Backbacked Gull 2,
Moorhen 1
Our reserve:
Teal 2, Mallard 3, Grey Heron, Pheasant 1, Chaffinch 14,
Song Thrush 2, Nuthatch, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Wren. 4
Roedeer on meadow (3 female 1 male).
No further sighting of the Swallow at Beattock.
2nd April
2017
From Iain -
A reliable report of 2 Red Kites to the North of Moffat
on 30th March was noteworthy in an area with various 
sightings
over the last couple of years. John Smith had a Blackcap
in Greenwood Close on the 31st March. Garry reported a
number of Chiffchaff at our Reserve on the 1st April and
a pair of Reed Bunting were at the feeding station in
the Orchard area. Sand Martins were on the Nith at Dumfries.
Annie Will from Haas Cottage had two "melanistic"
female Pheasants in her garden at Beattock on the 2nd
April. Dave Bradshaw has a Swallow on wires outside his
house in Beattock which is pretty early (photo).
26th
March 2107 (updated)
Iain's report - On 9th February at the back of the Balmoral
Hotel, Garry saw 8 Brambling and 2 Crossbills which were
both good sightings. The following day Garry also saw
5 Oystercatcher on the rafts at the Community Reserve
with at least 8 Little Grebe on the lochan. On the 11th
at the Reserve we had a busy day chipping logs and branches
though the weather was wet and windy. There was a Willow
Tit near the Orchard with 30 Mallard and 20 Teal on the
wetland with 2 Buzzards around. While out on my last day
delivering before going into hospital for my hip replacement,
while out at Meadow Bank and Meadowbank Rise at least
350 Jackdaws and Rooks were leaving there nearby roost
site and 2 Ravens also flew over. A fair gap in sightings
due to my recovery period....sorry. Dave Bradshaw reported
that one of his neighbours in Cornal Court had up to 75
Siskin in his garden which is a fantastic total and must
have been an amazing sight. There was a good record from
Alan Roulston who saw a Green Woodpecker near the Reserve
in the trees where we park our cars on the 11th. If anybody
does see a Green Woodpecker please let us know as we think
there could be more around in slightly more rural areas
out of view from most humans....keep your eyes open. On
Sunday 12th many Pink Footed Geese were heading north
over the town. On the 14th an email from Ken Hines with
some of his recent sightings.....a Goldcrest on the cycle
path near the Evan Water bridge, a Cormorant over the
same bridge heading towards Moffat and on the Sunday his
first spring sightings of Oystercatcher over Telford House.
Also perhaps as many as 2000 Pink Footed Geese .....flying
around apparently looking for somewhere to feed as there
was a lot of thick low cloud perhaps preventing them flying
North. In his pond which is only 8 foot by 4 foot he also
had 20 plus Frogs spawning which was a good count and
shows that you do not need a huge pond to attract wildlife.
A Brown Hare was seen up Gallow Hill by Mr Muirhead on
the 15th. The first local Osprey of the Spring was seen
on the 17th heading up Moffat Water valley which was good
news. Ken Hines reported seeing a small pipistrelle bat
while driving into Moffat, near The Knowe... mid morning
on the 24th March which was noteworthy. I may have misplaced
or forgotten to write some of your records down and I
can only apologise for that.....hopefully normal service
will resume as I am almost back to work as normal and
the exciting Spring period is upon us.
John has a
couple of items to add - frogs arrived in his pond on
20th Feb, first spawn shortly after. Despite the pond
being, quite literally, under water a day or two later
(some 2 inches of fast flowing floodwater above the top
of the pond) the spawn survived. More frogs active (50+)
over the following few days. A single female Brambling
visited on 16th March. On milder days, an occasional bumblebee
around but the summery day yesterday (Saturday) brought
out quite a few. The warmth also brought out a few butterflies
with both Red Admiral and Peacock seen. Oddly, today,
despite being even warmer, had virtually nothing on offer!
Dave Bradshaw
visited the reserves on Friday (24th March)-
Our reserve - 8 Teal, 5 Mallard, 2 Buzzard, 2 Greenfinch,
3 Robin, 2 Song Thrush, 3 Blue Tit, 2 Nuthatch, 4 Great
Tit, 1 Treecreeper, 19 Chaffinch, 3 Stock Dove, 2 Pheasant,
1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Roe Buck (antlers about15 inches).
Quarry -
4 Mute Swan (2 adults 2 juveniles), 16 Oystercatchers,
5 Cormorant, 5 Mallard, 1 Moorhen, 2 Teal
Dave also sent
some cracking photographs - here are just four -
First is of a Garganey drake, second is a GreenWinged
Teal drake showing how colourful a bird it is, third is
a Little Egret and the fourth is a cheeky Woodmouse in
Dave's back garden.
12th
February 2017
The 2016 County Mammal Report (covering SW Scotland) has
been sent to us by Andy Riches. You can view it here.
Iain's latest
report -
7th January produced a Water Rail in the "stoorie
burn" at the Reserve which was the first there for
a while and there were also 12 Teal, 36 Mallard, 3 Grey
Heron, male Kestrel, a Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, 100 plus
Chaffinch, a Willow Tit, Magpie and Jay. Roger Grant reported
a Red Squirrel near St Anns bridge on the 11th and a Fox
and 3 Roe Deer were at the Reserve with 29 Redwing, 27
Teal, 4 Pheasant , 2 Buzzard and a Willow Tit. Garry reported
on the 13th that 2 Red Kites were above Ruxton's Dump
up the Edinburgh Road and a belated report of a Barn Owl
further up the valley a few days previous. At the Community
Reserve on the 14th were 2 Mute Swans, 1 male Tufted duck,
14 Mallard, 7 Teal, 9 Little Grebe and 3 Moorhen. Apart
from all the usual birds at the Reserve at least 1000
Pink Footed Geese flew over around 11am or tea time.....probably
lasted until 11.30am.....Garry reported a pair of Smew
on Fruid reservoir on the 16th which as an exceptional
record. On the 18th at home at Park Circle waiting for
Garry to pick me up there were in excess of 200 Chaffinch
in the trees beside the foot bridge. At the Reserve 2
Goosanders flew past and the male Kestrel put in another
welcome appearance. While delivering papers on the morning
of the 20th I heard a few Wigeon flying overhead. On the
morning of the 25th Alan Smith reported hearing an Oystercatcher
passing over the town and 20 minutes later while delivering
at Ettrick Drive I also heard one. At the Reserve that
morning were 33 Teal, 43 Mallard, 6 Moorhen, a Mute Swan
overhead and 800 plus Pinkfeet passing over. On 1st February
at the Reserve were 30 each Teal and Mallard and on the
Community Reserve were 10 Little Grebe, 12 Teal and 2
Grey Heron. On Sunday 5th John Smith had a Peregrine over
his Greenwood Close garden and a single Goldcrest too.
Bob McGoran reported a young/male Sparrowhawk sitting
on his garden wall after a failed attack which provided
good views and he said that he usually gets a female Sparrowhawk
visiting his garden. Richard Bligh also reported an Oystercatcher
at his workplace near Lockerbie on the 7th of the month.
Finally, a
few more of Dave Bradshaw's photographs. The Long-tailed
Tits were snapped in early January, the rest earlier this
month. The Herring Gull seems to have got quite a feast!
Long-tailed Tits |
Purple Sandpiper |
Dunlin |
Great Grey Shrike |
Herring Gull |
|
7th January
2017
We wish you all a very Good New Year!
A few items
for you this time. We kick off with the latest summary
from Iain -
On the 16th November at the Reserve were 20 Teal and good
numbers of Fieldfare while on the 19th a female Reed Bunting
was at Jocks Hide and 7 Whooper Swans were on the fields
adjacent to the reserves. At the Community reserve on
the 23rd were the usual Little Grebes, a Cormorant, a
Kingfisher and 8 Teal. At our Reserve were 2 Willow Tits
among very good numbers of other small woodland birds
and 7 Moorhen. 2 Grey Heron and a Buzzard. Tom Thomson
reported a male Bullfinch and a Pheasant among his garden
birds and I heard some Wigeon flying over the town at
night on the 27th. On 1st December Lesley Robson from
Hillside Terrace reported a single Brambling and a pair
of Bullfinch and the following day Dave Bradshaw reported
45 Waxwings at Heathall. On 3rd December Garry Tait saw
a flock of 28 Waxwings in Dumfries town centre. In the
morning at the Reserve were 16 Teal and a male Kestrel
with 3-4 skeins of Pinkfeet moving overhead. While out
delivering papers on the morning of the 5th I saw 3 Goosanders
flying over Dowding House. On the 14th Alan Beavan and
his wife reported seeing up to 6 different Red Squirrels
at Craigielands and up to 5 Buzzards up the Crooked Road
area. Mathew White reported an Otter up at Craigieburn
on the 15th and, the day after, John Smith had unusually
large numbers of Blue Tits feeding on a bush in his garden
at Greenwood Close while a Brambling put in an appearance
the following day. Garry Tait, while passing the Loch
of the Lowes, saw a family of 7 Whooper Swans and a Slavonian
Grebe, which was noteworthy, and they stayed for a while.
Richard Clarkson reported 8 Waxwings at Ecclefechan on
the 19th while at the Reserve on the 21st were 24 Mallard
and a count of 49 Teal which was excellent and there were
still over 40 Teal around on the 28th though they move
when the Reserve wetland is frozen. On the final day of
the year while working at the Reserve the full gang of
five.....comprising myself, Garry. John, Jon and Doug.....saw
a good flock of 150 plus Siskins and 40 Mallard while
on the way back to his van near the Water Bore Hole a
small group of 5 Waxwing were spotted by Garry which was
a great way to finish off 2016. While speaking to Dougie
McMillan in the shop on the 3rd January he was telling
me that he had seen up to 8 Woodcock at Lawesknowe which
was a good count. Our first visit to the Reserve on the
4th saw the wetland ponds mostly frozen and a count of
10 Teal were using the ditches for feeding and a pair
of Great Spotted Woodpeckers were displaying and chasing
each other up the Orchard area of the Reserve.
And some sighting
reports from Dave Bradshaw -
27/12/16 Quarry - Teal 3, Little Grebe 9, Mallard 38,
Cormorant 3, Long-tailed Tit 12, Wren.
01/01/17 Moffat Country Park - Mute Swan 6 (still has
last years young with them), Teal 3 (first time recorded
there), Mallard 8, Moorhen 9, Blue Tit 3, Wren, Little
Grebe 2.
02/01/17 Beattock village - Long-tailed Tit 10
02/01/17 our reserve - G S Woodpecker 2, Grey Heron, Great
Tit 9, Moorhen 2, Mallard 1, Coal Tit 2, Blue Tit 3, Robin
2, Blackbird 3
02/01/17 Quarry - Little Grebe 2, Mallard 8, Teal 5, Cormorant
1, Moorhen 1.
And
a selection of Dave's recent photographs:
Barnacle Goose |
male Green-winged Teal |
male Pintail |
Whooper Swan & cygnet |
Yellowhammer |
Twite ('Heather Linty') |
A request from Andy Riches: any further bird reports for
Castle Loch or Hightae Loch should be sent to him ASAP.
Also any further mammal reports should be sent to him
no later than 28th January. This is so that he can complete
the recorsd for 2016.
If you don't have contact details for Andy, please give
John a shout and he will put you in touch.
Website
changes
To free up space for new material, our archived news pages
for 2011, 2012 & 2013 are no longer posted on the
site. If anyone wishes to refer back to them, please contact
John. The pages are still held on our sources although
no longer published. Also removed are articles originally
published in the printed Newsletters. They too are available
on request. Other pages on our site may also be removed
or consolidated to free up space. For the more technically
minded, we have 100Mb of webspace available. Pictures,
as we receive them, can run to quite a few Mb each which
is why we reduce their size before publishing - and they
can still reach 1Mb each. This does not leave us with
a lot of leeway!
All
entries for 2016 have been archived. View by clicking
here or on
menu at left.
