A tad wet around Threave today. Still plenty of wildfowl in the extensive floods, including 76 Greenland Whitefronts on the hill east of Blackpark Marsh. Mr Whippy doing good business in Rockcliffe today. Colin Bushell via Twitter

A bit mobile at times but generally fishing not far from or sometimes amongst, the reed edge of Vendace Bay. Had to come away or get soaked. Not the best viewing conditions! P 55°06'54.4"N 3°26'06.1"W https://maps.google.com/?q=55.115108,-3.435031&entry=gps

31/12 Loch Ryan ; one from small car park on south shore; also 2 Great Northern Divers and 200+ Greater Scaup (09:31). Per BirdGuides

Drake Smew is present in Vendace Bay at Castle Loch, Lochmaben still. Great find by Gavins bro. PJ👍

Waxwing briefly trying to get to Mistle Thrush guarded rowan at north end of Maxwell Park (dead end), past entrance to golf club, Dalbeattie. Gavin

Reported as seen from the hide at Castle Loch this (yesterday) afternoon. Per BirdGuides

30 scaup on the incoming tide at Carsethorn along with the drake Tufted X Scaup hybrid (which I believe is a regular...) & 2 female Tufted Duck (don't think they're hybrids). Gavin

Drake(!) reported via BirdGuides at Castle Loch, Lochmaben. Ed. Usually found in the area of Vendace Bay.

4 Purple Sands, a Greenshank and a RB Merganser at Point of Lag yesterday. 12 Greenshank & 36 Pale-bellied Brents in Garlieston Bay. Paul Donald

Ring-tail Hen Harrier. RSPB Ken-Dee, flew from rush pasture on west side just before forestry entrance. Steve Hunt

Possible male Hen Harrier Saturday, Christmas Eve, according to BirdGuides

The Oct & Nov updates for the wandering Loch Ryan Wig blog have been published. I understand that there's a number of rosehip shrubs along the back road off the Carsethorn to Kirkbean road, heading to Nethermill of Arbigland. Waxwing hunters might be wise to check them out. Merry Christmas to you all & many thanks for all the contributions to the effort of sharing bird sightings in D&G during 2022. Cheers 🍻 🎄

Image taken by Michael Marko on 17th December. I've taken the liberty of tweaking & cropping it which hopefully doesn't cause upset 🤞. Another great pic from Michael 😊👍

Showing very well from Bruaich Hide Mersehead from 1445hrs. P

Forgot to mention the 12 scaup offshore Carsethorn first thing this morning. P

Scanned through a few thousand Barnies & found the leucistic bird but nothing unusual. P

Best birds in frustrating lighting through frustrating eyes; 2 whimbrel, c15 bar-tailed godwit, 1 black-tailed godwit, c20 grey plvr, c50 knot, c30 ringed plvr. PJ

Arrived Carsethorn 8:45am to do WeBS & found a single bird around the "bad corner" into the village. PJ

Following Gavin putting the news out spent about 1½hrs watching the female Ring-necked Duck from the Bruaich Hide but distant for photos. Did not see any other birders apart from dog walkers. (I guess Gavin came back for another look in the afternoon when I had departed). Looked for the goose flock this morning between Castle Douglas, Gelston, an Kelton but only saw some Pink-feet in flight & distant. A couple of birders looking for the Waxwings but had failed to see them when we left at 1300. Chris and Pat Baines

All I've heard is second hand info: "A water pipit, put up from water edge by reeds (beyond Bruaich Hide) by a crow." Gavin

13 Scaup currently drifting south past the village on the ebbing tide, 19 on Wednesday. On-going tide seemingly the best time to see them. Gavin

Report from yesterday. Two Waxwings still in Castle Douglas, mostly at St Andrews Drive near the large white house at top of hill , sometimes at St Andrew Street at the usual place... Michael Marko

Late report from yesterday. One found at RSPB Mersehead. Presumably seen from a hide but no further information. Via BirdGuides

A Snow Goose with 340 Pink's west of Loch. See attached map area marked in blue. Also the 2 Waxwing still present in St. Andrew's Street. Ivan Lang Snow Goose (map link)

RSPB Mersehead. Female type Ring-necked Duck from Bruaich Hide at back of wetland this morning. Gavin

The American Wigeon was back on the lagoon north of the car park this morning. Also 60 Twite in car park. Ivan Lang

Crook of Baldoon : adult drake still on lagoon north of car park. Per BirdGuides

Nice to finally see two Waxwings with Peter in Castle Douglas today. The Dusky Warbler will be a first for D&G also the Squacco Heron! Chris Baines

20/12 17:59 : Greenland WF Goose, White Loch, 132. Per BirdGuides. Ed. Presumably Castle Kennedy.

Still present northern end of Loch Ken from main information board lay-by on western side, Laurieston to New Galloway road. Bird distant towards eastern shore. However, choice of lay-by not critical as several are available & those with uninterrupted views will all be suitable. PJ

1215 - 1245pm+. 2 around corner of St Andrews St & St Andrews Drive Castle Douglas still. Birds frequented another berry tree in the garden of the large white house up on the left of St Andrews Drive. So worth checking there if birds seemingly absent from garage at no.4. Superficial interest only was shown in the pale ornamental berries on the edge of the open green area on the opposite corner. Sorbus berries adjacent to garage no.4 clearly of interest still. Also, man from Cally Gardens related to Chris Baines & I that he'd found a Dusky Warbler there recently but not reported it as it would be impossible to view. PJ

Not a day to be out & about but a raft of 39 goosander on the Nith in front of the boathouse was a good tally. Also of interest there was a confused black-headed gull with an almost complete black head. Later I shared sympathetic looks with a peregrine at St Michaels as the raindrops fell from our beaks. Colin Kinnear -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "D&G Bird News" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to dg-bird-news+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com . To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/dg-bird-news/CAJDiDhJr4rb8QYr%2B36Oa5n%2BYV_xMr_dOnJ%3D_f7TxnXdmioJXHQ%40mail.gmail.com .

I also saw 3 diff kingfishers in same stretch of the river last week. Dog otter been showing well at Castle Dykes/KPM Bridge around 8:30-9am most mornings. Also 3 little grebes at roosting with mallards, & redshank (at?) suspension bridge town side outflow pipe, feeding down to St Michaels section most days. Adam Murphy

Two of them again in fact. Martin H

Had a bit of a look around 11am. Very confiding bird. Also a peregrine round the corner on the old church next to the loch. Colin Kinnear

Still present Castle Douglas same place this morning according to BirdGuides

3 different Kingfishers between Castledykes Bridge and the Old Bridge in Dumfries today. The Peregrine was on St Michaels as usual. Anna W

17/12 17:29 : Mull of Galloway, one reported. Per BirdGuides

Single Waxwing at Castle Douglas again this morning and a male Bullfinch. Chris Baines

Received from Ivan Lang, taken yesterday & I hope he doesn't mind that I've loosely processed them for posting here today. PJ 👍

Loch Ryan today (16th): Black-throated Diver (off Marian Cottage), 13 LTDuck (12 drakes), c.530 Scaup, 25+ Slav Grebe, 21 RTDiver, 11 Black Guillemot, Ruff & Woodcock. Paul Massey via Twitter

Only 1 Waxwing in the usual place at St Andrews Street - there after lunch. Anna W

A single Waxwing this afternoon still at St Andrew's Street, Castle Douglas. Ivan Lang

Mainsriddle : another garden birdwatch produced returning ♂️ Blackcap briefly, 4 Fieldfare, 4 Redwing, 4 Long-tailed Tit, c20 Yellowhammer, c40 Chaffinch, c12 Blackbird, 2 Stock Dove, 1 gsw ♀️, 1 Mistle Thrush, 6+ Goldfinch, c12 Tree Sparrow, 1 Greenfinch, squabbling others, 1 Red Squirrel.

Laurieston : midday - male hen harrier flew over heading north. Mick Whitehouse & Nancy Harrison

4 scaup coming in on tide & a female type Marsh Harrier flew out into the estuary early afternoon. Gavin

Quick scan of Loch Ryan from Marian Dock: 7 LTDuck (6 drakes), Black Guillemot, 22 Slav Grebes & 34 Goldeneye amongst others. Paul Massey via Twitter

Walk up the river from Drumjohn to Toll Bar cottage saw 11 Teal. Walk from Kirkgunzeon bridge to Corra garage flushed one Woodcock. Hen Pheasant & Song Thrush visiting the garden this morning. Chris Baines

On one of my round trips of the village the freezing weather brought some lovely surprises. With a frozen Milton Loch, the birds are feeding in ditches and flying off as I walk past. A Green Sandpiper, 4 Snipe, a Grey Wagtail & a feeding Water Rail with a Moorhen in the ditch by the road at the north of Milton Loch, 80 yds from Auchengibbert Farm (they didn't see me so I got views for 10mins - never had a Water Rail there before). Anna W

Mainsriddle. Another day of staying out of the cold & watching the garden. Male Blackcap returned to feed on apple pulp but the Fieldfares weren't having that & chased him off! Mid-pm we had a new species for the garden tmk, 2 Snipe! They dropped in looking for some soft ground. After 1 had a bit of a wander, it disappeared into the shrubs. I shall be hoping for a Woodcock tomorrow! PJ

14/12 11:41 ; Loch Ken : still at south end off Livingstone House viewed from layby (11:38). Per BirdGuides

Now returned home & settling back to the birds in the garden. Today 2 feisty fieldfare bullying other thrush family, robins & starlings off the apples provided. At least 12 tree sparrows, couple redwings, 3 yellowhammer, 1 stock dove, 1 red squirrel, 1 red fox taking a couple of apples plus 1 red kite over. PJ

Waxwing still at St Andrew Street, Castle Douglas... Michael Marko

Maisie Welsh has sent a nice picture of a blackbird with feathering I've not encountered before ; "A Black-billed Blackbird with pale edges to the feathers. They usually come in with the thrushes, from Scandanavia or the Continent. Seen (Crook of) Baldoon." Maisie Welsh

No, not some Xmas-issue music must-have but 1 Waxwing at Castle Douglas.. junction of St Andrews Street & St Andrews Drive. Colin Kinnear

Rather "unfortunately", the 2 birds have been seen in a PRIVATE garden, with the rowan tree viewable from the road. Mick Whitehouse tells me that the location is " a few yards from the St Andrews Drive turn-off – as far as we could see there is only one rowan tree with berries in this stretch although a few cotoneasters too. Obviously anyone viewing should respect the resident's privacy but you don't need to leave the road ." You've been warned so please be mindful to adopt the required decorum. P

2 waxwings on rowan berries - St Andrew Street (B736), Castle Douglas. Mick Whitehouse & Nancy Harrison

Dipper on the river at Drumjohn. Also flushed 2 Common Snipe. 3 Bullfinches including 2 males in the hedgerow with a party of Long-tailed Tits. Chris Baines

1 Purple Sandpiper showing very well at high tide at Point of Lag today, 1 Golden Plover there too. Also 16 Pink-feet over Isle of Whithorn. Paul Donald

Possible 7 Taiga Bean Geese heading south across saltmarsh. Also lots of pinks around today. Ivan Lang

Report from YESTERDAY. Nothing rare to report but good numbers of Lapwing & Golden Plover with the Barnacles at West Preston Farm. Also a Raven croaking overhead. Southerness : On the falling tide, Grey Plover, Sanderling, Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Curlew, Knot & Redshank. Chris and Pat Baines

A Great Northern Diver currently feeding off Livingstone House, Loch Ken from layby just north of house (see map). White fronts were still showing really well in sunshine at midday. Total of 136. Gavin

c120 Greenland White-fronted Geese in field just south of Ken Dee Marshes car park as I write. Gavin

Slavonian Grebe at Wig Bay, Loch Ryan on a very cold day... Michael Marko.  Ed. Lovely birds 👌

Gretna Green : same location as yesterday. Colin Kinnear

Juvenile, Long-tailed Duck, on Loch Ryan at Marion Port. Maisie Welsh

1 ringtail and 2 male hen harrier. Ivan Lang

06/12 11:30 : Gretna : white-morph adult by B7076 just north-west of Gretna Green with c 700 Pink-footed Geese (11:15). Per BirdGuides

American Wigeon and Black-tailed Godwit at Crook of Baldoon, adult winter Med Gull Garlieston Bay and another Palmallet Loch, female Merlin showing well in front of Wigtown bird hide. Paul Donald

Distance record shot of the American Wigeon at Crook of Baldoon... Michael Marko

05/12 15:18 : Crook of Baldoon RSPB : adult drake still on lagoon north of car park. Per BirdGuides

04/12 19:55 : Great Egret, Crook of Baldoon RSPB : one again this morning. Per BirdGuides

Crook of Baldoon RSPB. Adult drake still on lagoon north of car park this morning. Per BirdGuides

Loch Ken, Great Northern Diver still present at northern end, giving close views...Michael Marko

Female Mandarin Duck on the Nith below Millennium Bridge this afternoon. Thanks to Colin Kinnear for the heads up. Robbie Purdie

Female Mandarin Duck on the River Nith at the entrance to Castledykes Park. Best observed from Troqueer side of the river. Colin Kinnear

Isle of Whithorn. Wednesday : per Mark Cocker. Seems our mini-invasion is not over yet. Paul Donald

03/12 12:19 : Soulseat Loch : possible female-type at south end although distant. Per BirdGuides

03/12 15:25 : Hen Harrier, 2 at Caerlaverock. Per BirdGuides.  Ed. Presumably WWT but could be NNR

03/12 11:24 : Crook of Baldoon RSPB : adult drake still on lagoon north of car park. Per BirdGuides

From YESTERDAY. RSPB Crook of Baldoon : 02/12 20:17 : adult drake still on lagoon north of car park this MORNING. Per BirdGuides

02/12 13:41 : RN Grebe, Stranraer one (10:30). Per BirdGuides

Apparently 4 last Monday, 1 male, at Mull of Galloway. Per BirdGuides

01/12 16:43 : Caerlaverock ; ringtail. Per BirdGuides. Ed. Presumably WWT.

GND still present on Loch Ken, near Galloway Activity Centre, but viewed from lay-by on western side of the loch. Near Balmaclellan: Brambling and siskins on feeders. Flock of c.20 crossbills overhead. Appear to be a lot of woodcock in at the moment when walking through woods. Alasdair Grubb

23 Whooper Swans adults and juveniles on flooded field at the side of the A711 east of Kirkgunzeon village this afternoon. Chris and Pat Baines

American Wigeon on lagoon North of car park at 13.44. Ivan Lang