Tuesday morning add 2 p-b brent geese. Afternoon. Stranraer harbour; 1 r-td, 4 black guillemot, 1 guillemot, 4 little grebe, 3 gc grebe, 2 goldeneye, 2 drake scaup, 1 rock pipit, 3 rbm. Stranraer; Loch Ryan from Broadstone Road (dead end road). c250 scaup inc 1 hybrid male, 1 tufted male & 1 female tufted/hybrid?, 2 horned grebe, 1 drake l-t duck (resplendent), c25 eider, c20 com scoter, 3 rtd, 2 shag plus 10+ gc grebe, goldeneye, rbm. Marvellous murmuration from 1645 too. Good spot. PJ

31/01 16:46 ; Great Egret, WWT Caerlaverock. One flew over towards Saltcot Merse Observatory (15:30). Per BirdGuides

31/01 : Greater Scaup, 1st-winter drake still from Sir Peter Scott Hide (13:14). Per BirdGuides

31/01 13:15 : Caerlaverock WWT. Male again from Avenue Tower (13:12). Per BirdGuides

Tuesday morning. Very blustery which I think has blown most birds into hiding. Around Bishop Burn & west, off Cairnryan Road : 2 scaup, 3 twite, 1 rock pipit. 😳🤷PJ

I've attached a pic of the 2 Bitterns together (neither in focus!) at Castle Loch this morning. Cheers Dave Pullan. Ed. Thanks to Dave P 😊👍

Wigtown LNR - male HH quartering the marsh looking east from the hide. No GND found in usual or other recently reported locations Loch Ken. A flock of wild goats was all that I spotted along the A712 to Newton Stewart. Unlucky me! PJ

I'd agree with leucistic Common Gull, which I think was photographed at closer range at Loch Ryan in the last year... I think. Gavin

A good 50+ still at Ken-Dee Marshes today but difficult to find see on far, undulating ground. Found by CK viewed from first farm gate south of the RSPB car park. No time to find Russian bird if present 😟 PJ

2 Bitterns standing 20 yards apart at Vendace Bay, Castle Loch, Lochmaben this morning. Also 1 Great White Egret. Dave Pullan. Ed. Great that someone else has seen the 2 👍PJ

Bird sightings from yesterday, 28th.  Bishop Burn, Stranraer – the highlight was a Red-necked Grebe out on the bay at low tide. Also good numbers of Scaup, a couple of Black Guillemot & Slavonian Grebe. The Wig Loch Ryan ; summary =  all three common divers present, Slavonian Grebe & Long-tailed Duck the highlights. The most interesting bird was a pure white gull out with a raft of Common's & Black-headed in the main channel. First picked up on the tide line with common gull, with clearly pink legs, & a pale base to the bill & dark tip. It quickly disappeared but reappeared out in the channel an hour later. There seemed to be an accentuated & long primary projection, the bird did fit a 2 nd or 3 rd CY Iceland Gull. However the size seemed a bit on the small size, possible the bird report in October at Stranraer as a possible leuctisic Common Gull. Thoughts appreciated . Ivan Lang

29/01 12:42 ; Caerlaverock WWT, 1st-winter drake on Whooper Pond. Via BirdGuides

Bittern showing well viewed from jetty with info boards alongside B7020. Rob Purdie. Ed. Look for 2 birds!

Great White Egret on jetty rhs of hide on Castle Loch. Seen from car park on A709 11.15am. Rob Purdie. Ed. A favoured place if undisturbed .

20:45 : Great Egret, Castle Loch NR; one again from road (14:30). Per BirdGuides

Cairnryan ; one offshore. Per BirdGuides

One of the Bittern at Castle Loch yesterday. Result of the very distant view point. Seen again today via BirdGuides. P

The elusive Smew returns. Castle Loch ; adult drake again (11:30). Per BirdGuides

Male traversing Wigtown LNR & RSPB Crook of Baldoon this afternoon. Per BirdGuides

I saw something I've never seen before today at Point of Lag - a Snipe swimming on the sea! very strange. Paul Donald

Hooded Crow still around on Brownrigg Loaning street lamp near Ciceley Commercials this afternoon. Also many thanks to Colin & Pete for the heads up on the Bittern sighting - a lifetime first for me. Robbie Purdie

Last years bird seams to have hung around. Junction of Brownrigg Loaning and Annan Road favouring the top of street lights. Colin Kinnear

RSPB Mersehead, female still from Meida Hide. Per BirdGuides

Both birds seen separately, different locations but same zone, at the same time from around 1450 until 1510 at least. PJ

That's 2 birds! c1250, second bird flew across scope view coming out of Vendace Bay, landed & disappeared, of course. See map for approx location. Birds seen either side of the marker, in a "zone" if you like. P Bittern location

Castle Loch. Showing well 1225 in reed area within Vendace Bay but island/castle promontory side. Also, viewed from memorial benches at northern, bowling green end. At last! No Smew though. P

1st winter Russian White-fronted Goose among 139 Greenlands in fields by Ken Dee car park (Best to walk along road 100m or so towards small white cottage). Great Northern Diver on Loch from layby with notice board by Livingstone House. Gavin

Mixed bag of birds starting at Cummertrees Loop with 8 Pintail, 80+ Wigeon, 300+ Barnies, 50+ Pinks. Large number of Black-headed Gulls on first pool but no Med which I have had here before. Forestry car park - 800+ Barnies. East of Brow Well [Twaite] - 100+ Whoopers. Model plane field 50+ Whoopers. Male Peregrine on church in Dumfries . High tide roost with Oycs, Redshank, Dunlin, Curlew, Black-tailed Godwit, Shelduck, Wigeon, Teal, 21 Pintail. Southerness - Grey Plover, Golden Plover, Dunlin, Purple Sandpiper, Turnstone, Sanderling, Curlew, Oycs, Redshank, 3 Red-throated Divers, 2 RB Mergansers. 60+ Skylark on Southerness Golf course.

RSPB Mersehead. Some will know already I'm sure. Female still present, viewable from the Meida Hide. Per BirdGuides

Ringtail hen harrier hunting on Kirkconnel Merse this morning with good views from Glencaple Quay. CK

BTO Dumfries Message from Andy Riches. If anyone would like to take part in the BTO Woodcock Survey please check for available sites at https://www.bto.org/our-science/projects/woodcock-survey or contact me directly at BTODumfries@gmail.com . Thanks.

South of access road to the signposted Drungans, along New Abbey to Beeswing road. Certainly a dozen birds on the ground with perhaps a dozen more in the beech trees chomping on beechmast found. Rather sensitive flock though, with quite a significant flight-distance. So getting close isn't possible & scope required. P

22/01 17:03 : Castle Loch NR. Adult drake still halfway along west side at dusk; also Great Egret north-east of car park (16:35). Per BirdGuides

41 birds in total including 5 tufted duck (2 more than normal) & 2 drake hybrids. Otter showed nicely too. Single black-tailed godwit & good numbers of teal, wigeon & pintail to the north of village. Peregrine was having a go at a downed redshank, with a crow repeatedly flushing it off water & peregrine diving in, but eventually gave up & sat on merse. Nice mixed flock of chaffinch & brambling along New Abbey to Beeswing Road, at least 9 of the latter but could have been much more. Gavin

A flock of 17 birds this morning off Carsethorn included 4 tufted/hybrids = 13 Scaup. P

From 13th golf tee. 1 fem stonechat on boulders, 1 bar-tailed godwit on roost rocks, c2000 knot, c30 grey plvr, c20 sanderling plus other usuals working ebbing tide. Good scope views of all. ☺️👍

Smew on Castle Loch now amongst Swans, Wigeon & other ducks. G.Buchan Image link ; Smew Map link

Only an idiot would be out along the beach in today's rough weather! 4 Purple Sands (4!😳) along shore towards 13th golf tee west of the lighthouse ebb tide. P

Easily 5-6000 between East Preston & Loaningfoot. Maybe more.

Not great numbers or variety & best birds were 2 whimbrel, 8 knot & about 6 bar-tailed godwit. Stopped by Powillimount to be greeted by the glue-sniffing & litter dropping remnants of the visiting social scum that pervade society, everywhere! Just a few usual coastal suspects found of course in rough conditions. P

An immature White-tailed Eagle this afternoon in Kilsture Woods, near Garlieston. Flushed from a tree at the edge of the wood, then seen well but briefly in flight, it landed in a tall tree where it was mobbed by buzzards & crows, then flew off low and lost to sight. For those of you who use what.three.words , it was around ///horns.named.dictation Ed. No idea! Don't use or need it as I understand grid references etc but if anyone is wondering, you'll need..... yes, another app!

Well, what did I say? I spent hours there yesterday, also checking Kirk & Mill Lochs & saw neither the drake Smew nor any Bittern, which has also been reported at CL today! Per BirdGuides.  Ed. I don't believe it. I'm giving up birdwatching, I'm clearly no good at it! PJ

Castle Loch : one flying north over loch just off A709 car park 1545. PJ

Kind words from Mr Luck! "Hi Peter, A few photos, of the Water Pipit & RND at Mersehead, for the D&G Birdnews blog. Keep up the good work! Cheers , Paul Massey"

RSPB Mersehead: Water Pipit in field opposite track to Meida Hide, with flock of Mipits, Pied Wags & Skylarks. Also Jack Snipe flushed, by Sparrowhawk, off pools in front of Meida Hide. Paul Massey via Twitter

Female Ring-necked Duck still showing from Meida Hide at RSPB Mersehead 12:15 hours. Paul Massey via Twitter

Keep a lookout for ; " A juvenile/immature was photographed along the beach at Mersehead on Wednesday & I understand seen around the Isle of Whithorn yesterday. Believed to be one of the Isle of Wight birds. Photos on Facebook (RSPB Dumfries & Galloway and D&G Wildlife & Birding). Gavin "

Update : Drake Smew still at Castle Loch at dusk - in SE corner of Loch. Also adult Whooper Swan. Paul Massey via Twitter. Ed. Having reviewed my mental compass bearings  🙄 , this DOESN'T mean Vendace BAY, = SW corner or "arm" of the loch. Presumably viewable from the hide. PJ

Still at least 3 Purple Sands at Point of Lag, & a Greenshank there. Paul Donald

Someone anonymous has found the drake Smew today at Castle Loch. Frequenting the north end of the main loch. It may have been there yesterday, as I didn't look too much at the very northern corner & it's not easily viewed from the usual positions. Important to check then from the bowling green end ✒️

RSPB Mersehead : Ring-necked Duck still from Meida Hide.

18/01 17:11 Mersehead RSPB female still from Meida Hide; also Hen Harrier mid-afternoon (14:00). Per BirdGuides

Spent all day at Castle Loch NR wondering if I might be lucky with Bittern. At 16:40, whilst watching the gathering Goldeneye in the centre of the main loch, a/the drake Smew flew in with a couple of Goldeneye right in the scope view! Unbelievable! Maybe the recent drake has been spending time at Kirk Loch or somewhere else locally? 🤔. Anyhow, despite better late than never, it made my all-day visit worthwhile 😁👍. Also about 12 Whoopers late pm. No Willow Tit, no Bittern! Boardwalk to the hide is above water but treacherous due to ice on the surface ⚠️. PJ

RSPB Mersehead. Fem Ring-necked Duck still this morning from Meida Hide. Rob Purdie via Blog. Ed. Don't bother with Bruaich Hide as not viewable from there plus ice-cover.

Large flock of pied wagtail 100 yards south of Kingholm Quay in first field LHS. I counted over 100 but could easily be 150 as they were pretty flighty. CK

I've heard that the Ring-necked Duck has been reported again by visitors at Mersehead, this time from Meida Hide. Gavin Female Ring-necked Duck from Meida hide at Mersehead confirmed. Hanging out with a male tufted fairly central in the widest open water zone, 10 'o' clock from hide. With freezing temperatures, sooner it's found & seen the better. Well found by finder! PJ

WWT Caerlaverock : ringtail & male again today. [Presumably from Saltcot Observatory Tower hide]. Per BirdGuides

FYI, the December 2022 update was published on 9th January.

YESTERDAY : Greenland White-fronted Goose. 165 at White Loch, Castle Kennedy, I believe. Per BirdGuides

Nothing unusual but good to see the male hen harrier seen earlier quartering WWT ground from there. Also c2000 golden plover late pm alighting on the river-meets-estuary. PJ

Viewed from the super NNR hide, ringtail & male hen harrier interacting in mobbing resting buzzard on WWT merse. Also likely marsh harrier there & best viewable from Saltcot Observatory Tower hide I'm sure. Definitely 1 peregrine on NNR merse perched upon driftwood as usual & another, maybe 2 peregrine on WWT merse driftwood. Pair stonechat on NNR walk, reed buntings & 1 little egret. NO PFG + SNOW GOOSE! Also 2 red fox NNR. PJ

Carsethorn to Borron Pt.  Best birds; 1 greenshank roosting tideline, 2 whimbrel (finally), 2 bartail, c15 grey plvr, c30 ringed plvr, 1 little egret, 8 rbm, 2 gc grebe, c75 wigeon, c120 lapwing. PJ

Total birds = 46 so unless there's a 5th hybrid etc, that's 42 scaup.

Good close look at the scaup today in ideal conditions. 42 plus 2x fem type hybrid perhaps & 2x male hybrids. Also a fine male merlin yonder Carse Bay merse looking for a linnet etc. PJ

Images courtesy Paul Massey. 

Also 2 Hen Harrier at Caerlaverock NNR: adult male from Hollands Farm boardwalk & ringtail from Castle Wood hide. Paul Massey via Twitter

Caerlaverock NNR. In fields SW of Hollands Farm, with c.700 Pinkfeet, until 16:15 hours at least. Park in NNR car park at Hollands Farm & walk down track to boardwalk to view. Paul Massey via Twitter

40 Scaup currently snoozing off the village with 2 drake hybrids (see photos), 1 female & 1 moulting drake Tufted Duck. Gavin

A rough afternoon. Maybe 30 black-tailed godwit & typical WWT species. White head & necked leucistic barnie, dark body feathering so that's 3 barnie leucistics I've seen this winter. Nothing unusual in a short visit & in such conditions.

42 scaup offshore plus 2 'white-faced' fem tufted I believe & possibly the 'hybrid' Aythya. Not clear to me. 1 greenshank roosting with redshank on the rising tide mud bank. P

Resplendent male Mandarin spotted by CK on high tide waters edge briefly. Hauled itself out of the river & out of sight. PJ

One found by CK, western reed fringe of Vendace Bay, Castle Loch. No drake Smew found & wellies definitely needed to get to the hide. PJ

A look on Edingham Loch just east of Dalbeattie produced 25 Goldeneye, 7 Teal, 2 Tufted Duck, 4 Little Grebe & 1 Grey Heron. Drove back via Milton & saw 2 Stonechats, one at Mosside & one at Kirkgunzeon. Only Geese noted being a few feral Greylag & Canada. Chris & Pat Baines

Falling tide pm.  1 greenshank on mud looking towards Drummains Reedbed. c50 scaup offshore (if the raft was all scaup - blustery for a steady scope!). Also 1 imm/fem sparrowhawk in Carsethorn village. PJ

RSPB Crook of Baldoon ; American Wigeon back on lagoon north of track this afternoon briefly. Ed. Welcome back Ivan Lang!

Sad to report only 1 Purple Sandpiper found, initially on the rocks just off the lighthouse. Too rough at the point itself. Bird flew west, I refound it only for it to be driven off by a village dog owners bird-chasing mut. Nice to see the Respect : Protect : Enjoy poster initiative & message getting across. Luckily refound the bird at the 13th golf tee roost, amongst 3000+ dunlin, +knot & 32 golden plvr there. However, lost it among the throng but noticed a dunlin with some leucistic feathering on its mantle. PJ

WWT Caerlaverock. Female on east [side] of the reserve this morning. Via Twitter

Bird later swam to near shore by first large lay-by on A762 on left heading north from Mossdale, right opposite the Galloway Activity Centre. Did some fishing then drifted north mid-loch again. PJ A762 https://maps.app.goo.gl/qpw18rUPKbVSMGDp8

Still present Loch Ken. Just north of Galloway Activity Centre mid-loch. Viewed from A762 lay-by. See map. PJ 55°02'19.5"N 4°06'32.2"W https://goo.gl/maps/Ff4EL6to5qrae5wA8

Bittern flushed from reeds near the castle at Castle Loch & flew to south east corner of the loch at 1.30pm today. Drake Smew also showing well near the hide this afternoon. Stephen Kings

Adult Mediterranean Gull flew south over lagoon having been attracted to soil spreading taking place just north of main lagoon. Gavin

Looks like the plugs been pulled from Bruaich Hide as most of the water, & the RND, has disappeared. Sad but true 😔 P

A mixed flock [of finches] with a few Bramblings south of Drungans Road end (Beeswing to New Abbey road). Anna W

One flew over Cardoness this morning. Per BirdGuides

Drake smew still on Castle Loch by hide but path under around a foot of water so take care. Colin Kinnear Ed. Wellies (watertight!) clearly required for the brave attempting to get to the hide! You've been warned. 

Castle Loch Lochmaben. Still present & probably viewable from the hide but viewed from A709 car park. Fishing in reed zone. See map. PJ 55°07'00.8"N 3°25'46.8"W Drake Smew

150+ Brent Geese, enjoying flood water in the fields at the Wig, Loch Ryan 2.00pm. Maisie Welsh

Brief visit to Castle Loch this afternoon & by good fortune a birder had the drake Smew in his scope in Vendace Bay, cavorting with Wigeon and Tufted Duck. It flew towards the Bowling Green end & we did not see it again. Nuthatch & Long-tailed Tits along the footpath. Chris & Pat Baines

Exploring Loch Ryan, Stranraer. Wig Bay Point - 21 Slavonian Grebe, 11 Scaup, 7 Long-tailed Duck & 5 Great Northern Diver. Stranraer Beach - Black-throated & 2 Great Northern Diver, 72 Scaup, Red-necked Grebe, 3 Slav Grebe & a very close Bottle-nosed Dolphin. Marc Hughes via Twitter https://twitter.com/marcbuzzard/status/1609937618334109696?s=20&t=suijCGibLC9wORXjhl60aA

1400hrs Fem still on remaining open water from Bruaich Hide Mersehead. PJ

01/01 10:12 : Stranraer, 11 still off Bishop Burn. Per BirdGuides

Thousands of Pink-footed Geese & Barnacle Geese plus superb drake American Wigeon as the first dawn of 2023 broke at Crook of Baldoon RSPB. Marc Hughes via Twitter

To kick off the new year, the old year has to be swept up. 31/12. 76 Greenland White-fronted Geese between Bridge of Dee & Lamb Island, Threave Estate. Per BirdGuides