Drake Scaup seen on Kirk Loch, Lochmaben. 29 GWF at West Freugh Airfield still. 1st-winter drake American Wigeon seen on the river Cree at Carsluith. 

After being absent for a couple of days the male American Wigeon was back on the lagoon this morning.  Also Green Sandpiper flushed from a ditch out in the fields, along with a Jack Snipe. Ivan Lang.  Ed. That's what I'd call a good day!  

Great White Egret on shore opposite car park on A709. Robbie Purdie. 

Stopped topping rushes for lunch towards the south of the reserve. There were 2 Dark-bellied Brent out on the bay and 8 White-fronted Geese over heading north. No sign of the American Wigeon today. Ivan Lang. 

Another(?) drake American Wigeon on the Cree at low tide seen from the layby at south end of Creetown. Currently on eastern side of river with 100s of Wigeon. Looks to be a 1st winter, certainly not the Crook bird. Gavin Chambers. 

132 reported at West Freugh Airfield & at least 6 at Wigtown LNR, up from the single bird recently seen there. Also today, Hen Harrier WLNR. 

Still present at RSPB Crook of Baldoon on the lagoon north of car park. 

600 Scaup at the Wig, Loch Ryan & not 1, but 2 American Wigeon at RSPB Crook of Baldoon. Presumably the 1st-winter drake joined the adult chap? 

The two redheads were together today, though I was viewing from car park area so very distant. It was interesting to see the two take flight & perhaps chase each other in circles, rising above the Loch for around 5 minutes before settling again. Very few Tufties around so feels like a flock have moved off with the RND. Gavin Chambers.

2 Great White Egret present this morning. One initially off Parton &  later at Mains of Duchrae with a second in a bay to the north of Balmaghie Church. Gavin Chambers. 

Haze impeded visibility today but a trip round the Wig produced 58 species. Some counts include: 1 Black-throated Diver, 73 Common Scoter, 8 Long-tailed Tit, 55 Goldeneye, 1 Great Northern Diver, 242 Pale-bellied Brent Geese (approx. 3% imms), 35 Red-throated Diver, 2 Reed Bunting & 22 Slavonian Grebe. A personal highlight was a colour-ringed Curlew from Norway. E. Grover. 

Interesting to see the ♀️ RND still present on the main pond adjacent to the Gretna Road A6071. Spoonbill, Todd's Canada & no doubt Red-breasted Goose all still present on Rockcliffe Marsh. Worth a day-trip. 

We still have the joy of 2 redheads at the southern end of Carlingwark Loch. Let's hope our birds don't get blown to Scandanavia this weekend! 

1st-winter drake on small pond on farm near Auchenmalg & the adult drake still on lagoon north of car park at RSPB Crook of Baldoon. 

No sign so far since first report. Common ♂️ with bright bill perhaps? Sceptical me. 

Afternoon surveying for the Greenland White-fronts. Initially checked around West Freugh locating a flock of 52, also around 1900 Pinks around the area. A single Hooded Crow & a female Brambling the other highlights. Pop in to Soulseat Loch where there were no geese around but a fine male Scaup put on a good show. Then to White Loch to see how many WF came to roost. Whilst waiting 3 Woodcock were around & a couple of Tawny Owl were heard. It was just getting dark when c.140 White-fronts arrived. Ivan Lang. 

Reported on Loch Ryan from Broadstone (road) but distant. Also American Wigeon still at RSPB Crook of Baldoon. Male Hen Harrier again at WWT Caerlaverock & a male also at Wigtown LNR. 

Late afternoon, 6 Twite feeding along tide wrack, 1 Greenshank, 32 Redshank, and c350 Oystercatcher along shoreline at high tide, one with a colour ring. Gavin Chambers. 

1430 to 1530. Not many birds today but notable were 2 lone Purple Sandpiper, not with the usual Turnstones, so maybe two more birds? Also watched an Otter  feeding along the incoming tide line between the lighthouse and the end of the rocks towards Mersehead before it disappeared into the golf course. Lorna Lomas. 

Dumfries bird sitting alone in tree on opposite side of the Annan road to Brownrigg Loaning 1345hrs. PJ

The December 2024 report was published yesterday, 18th Jan. See link below.  A Wander Round the Wig: Grey Days Have a Silver Lining - December 2024 http://awanderroundthewig.blogspot.com/2025/01/grey-days-have-silver-lining-december.html  

14 Twite showing well to the north of village around the shingle spit. 1 Whimbrel, 10 Red-breasted Merganser and 2 Great Crested Grebe. Gavin Chambers. 

If you haven't seen either of the 2 birds this winter, Martin Oates has kindly provided a pleasing image of one currently at RSPB Mersehead. 

American Wigeon still present on the lagoon north of car park. Ivan Lang. 

3 male Pochard on Milton Loch opposite Beech Cottage. Anna White. 

Great White Egret on Loch Ken near Balmaghie. Report & images courtesy of Martin Oates. 

Mediterranean Gull at Seafield at high tide this afternoon. Report & image courtesy Bill Jamieson. 

Male Hen Harrier reported there today. 

Best birds as usual; 2 Whimbrel (1 btwn Hogus & Borron Pts), c12 Grey Plvr, c15 Bar-tailed Godwit. Barely a gull to be seen. Nothing unexpected. PJ

470 Pintails below Drumburn viewpoint at lunchtime today. Lorna Lomas. 

Great White Egret flying south over Collin at 09:25 hours. Paul Massey. 

PFG & RTD, either side of the lighthouse today. 

4 Purple Sandpiper along beach, one extra! Thousands of Dunlin & Knot plus c500 Golden Plover in east Mersehead Bay. A few Grey Plover & Bar-tailed Godwit kicking around. PJ 1 x Purple Sandpiper 3 x Purple Sandpiper

Quick visit post HT. 250+ Golden & at least 5 Grey Plvr, 6 Bar-tailed Godwit. Usual others excluding Knot. Short visit to Mersehead again failed to confirm presence of the GWT. PJ

Carlingwark Loch, in fading light. Not that many Tufties around with a single flock c40 at the very southern end but no RND to be seen. One redhead Smew spotted, 140 Goldeneye, 5 Whooper Swan, 5 Goosander, 52 Cormorant roosting & a single Little Egret joining them. American Wigeon at the Crook of Baldoon on lagoon north of access track around midday. Gavin Chambers. 

Drake remains on the Whooper Pond WWT Caerlaverock. 

Drake RND has been photographed on the Whooper Pond at WWT Caerlaverock this afternoon (as per Facebook page). No apparent reports of the Carlingwark bird since the 11th. Gavin Chambers. AW still on the lagoon north of car park at RSPB Crook of Baldoon. 2 redhead Smew still in SW corner of Carlingwark Loch & c12 GWF geese at RSPB Ken-Dee Marshes. 

Male today at Wigtown LNR. 

At least 40 Greenfinch around gardens in Rockcliffe at start of path to Castle Point. Greenshank feeding on the tideline, Green Woodpecker flew off the rocky shoreline halfway to the point. Off the point, 600 Common Scoter, 6 Red-throated Diver and 2 Great Crested Grebe. Gavin Chambers. 

Someone's ID'd one in Maxwell Park, Dalbeattie. 

Good numbers of Crossbills showing well this morning. Interestingly though, several juveniles were noted, also Siskin, Redpoll and Goldcrest. Bill Jamieson. Ed. Earlier than usual breeding? 

2 redhead Smew and Ring-necked Duck still present in small area of open water at the south end. Ivan Lang. 

Male Hen Harrier showing well yesterday 10th. 

95 Greenland White-fronted Geese at Threave NTS "but mobile". 

Fem Scaup regularly diving in small area of open water to left of island as pictured. Also visible from A709. GWE in to roost on the island 4pm. 66 Mute Swan, 6+ Gadwall, 7 Goosander in the mix. Used to get Reed Bunting & Willow Tit on the feeder adj visitor cottage. None present today. PJ

Performing well on the corner of Brownrigg Loaning & Annan Road Dumfries. Reason it hangs out here is because there's food put out in the rear garden of Glenshee cottage, I believe. PJ

3 Greenshank flew by heading for a muddy creek. Also a couple of Little Egret, c150 Teal feeding along the tideline & c250 Wigeon on the merse. Plus c50 Shelduck, Curlew, Redshank & a few Lapwing. PJ

Ringtail again from Saltcot Observatory Tower hide, WWT Caerlaverock. 

Kind report from Debbie James of Cresswell, Dumfries. "Last year around this time we spotted a bird we couldn't identify as we couldn't see colours just the silhouette. A few months later a flash of bright green. This year we finally got photos and it's a Ring-necked Parakeet. It's brought a friend this year too. Not the best photos but you can see the colours, tail length and the red bill."

Been for a new year trudge around Mersehead. A few good birds; Water Rail & Kingfisher, 4 Stonechat, Red Kite, Tree Sparrows, c20-30 Fieldfare, Rock Pipit, couple Snipe, pair Bullfinch, c25 Pintail, c20 Shoveler, c40 Teal but didn't spot the American. Also Wigeon, Curlew, Redshank, Lapwing, Barnacle Geese & an injured Pink-footed Goose, Little Egret plus the common others. A good dozen Roe Deer, a couple quite close & unbothered. The rooks are nest building already & will have chicks by March. Nothing scarce at all. Still, a good outing & tiring walk. PJ

Ringtail Hen Harrier from the Saltcot Observatory Tower hide. Also a male HH there, somewhere. 

Both red-head Smew & the drake RND remain in the relatively same locations on Carlingwark Loch Castle Douglas. 

Great Northern Diver off Broadstone car-park, Stranraer. It's steep forehead and flat crown showing clearly despite choppy conditions. Nigel Willits. 

7th. Great White Egret at Barony Pond, near Parkgate the last couple of days. This morning there were also 7 Little Egret roosting on the island and yesterday 8 Goosander on the pond - 3♂️, 5♀️. Stephen Kings. 

Carlingwark Loch. 2 redheads at around 3.30pm when I passed. Both at south end but not together. One initially sleeping on the 'raft'. Gavin Chambers. ( Ed. Fabulous news! Perhaps the colder weather elsewhere has forced relocation? ). 

Great White Egret on Blackpark Marsh Threave NTS, visible from upper hide. John Allan. Smew still in SW corner of Carlingwark Loch, Castle Douglas. Also 2 GWE showing well at Castle Loch, Lochmaben. Bill Jamieson. 

6th. 92+ Greenland White-fronts, plus 15 Whooper Swan & a Willow Tit. Paul Massey. 

Drake Ring-necked Duck & redhead Smew at southern (SW corner) end of loch. Bittern on edge of reedbed towards SW corner of loch. Also, 6 Whooper Swan, 73 Little Grebe & an Otter. Paul Massey. 

Smew still present at south end of Carlingwark Loch this am. Robbie Purdie. RND still present north-east end at 1430. PJ. 

15 Twite on the small section of merse to north of Carsethorn village around midday. Gavin Chambers. 

A bird wintering again on the Bladnoch near Wigtown Hide. Ivan Lang. 

Still present on Carlingwark Loch Castle Douglas. RND with Tufties north end, Smew south end as previously reported. 

The images of this new bird (via WhatsApp group) show a bird with 1st winter traits and with enough detail to show it to be different from the Crook bird. It was seen with just 3 other Wigeon in a roadside field, so don't just ignore those few ducks when passing! Gavin Chambers. 

Ring-necked Parakeet sighted in my garden in Corsock today. It has been in the village for a while. Caroline Pridham. 

A 1st winter drake has been reported at Auchenmalg. Do we have 2 in D&G? 

3 roosting for HT off 13th golf tee, Southerness beach bordering east Mersehead Bay. On falling tide birds moved with Turnstone nearer to the lighthouse amongst rocks of their plumage colouration. Lovely! Nothing else to titillate. PJ

David Henshilwood reports: Smew, red- head, Carlingwark Loch south end, viewed from site of old hide in SE corner. 

Started out at Bishop Burn with good numbers of Scaup, a Long-tailed Duck & Goldeneye. Moved to the Wig where there was a Dark-bellied in with the Pale-bellied Brent. The GND showed well with a dozen or so Slavonian Grebe. However the big surprise was a female type Black Redstart, first located on the beach near the car park but was moving rapidly, feeding in the strandline moving towards the spit. Ivan Lang.  Sadly, it was also reported that quite "a number of people letting, even encouraging their dogs to chase the Brents and Oystercatchers. It’s quite depressing." Ed. Totally agree. This is the generation charged with preserving biodiversity & the Earth 🌍. 

Red-head Smew at south end & Ring-necked Duck still with Tufties at north end. 

Ring-necked Duck still showing well on Carlingwark Loch, 1430 today. 5 Little Grebe, several Goldeneye and a pair of Goosander also present. Catherine McEwan. 

Kirkconnell Flow - Crossbills. Carsethorn - Black-tailed Godwits. RSPB Mersehead - Hen Harrier and Marsh Harrier. Carlingwark Loch - Ring-necked Duck. Dalbeattie Colliston Park - Mandarin Duck. Robbie Purdie & Colin Kinnear. 

Male quartering the marsh at RSPB Mersehead. 

Upper Brydekirk. Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper remains, also Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail, Bullfinch, Redshank (1) and 5 Common Snipe. Bill Jamieson. 

The colour-ringed Dark-bellied Brent has gained a friend - 2 D-Bs present in the brent flock on 1st. 2nd: over 250 Pale-bellied Brents grazing in the fields but only 8 imm's (two 2nd winter, five 1st winter & one largely still in juv plum). Also 2 GND, 9 Whooper Swan, 14 Redshank, a Bar-tailed Godwit, 9 Rock Pipit, 1 Black Guillemot & 14 Twite (sadly, now a decent count for Twite in the Wig Fields).E.Grover. 

Showing well this afternoon (2nd Jan) in the bay by car park at Carlingwark Loch, though best viewed from road due to sun. Gavin Chambers. 

Wigtown Hide this morning GWE. Isle of Whithorn this afternoon SEO, Black Guillemot and 2 LTDuck. Ivan Lang.

Ring necked duck still present at Carlingwark Loch (Robbie Purdie). AM ditto RSPB Crook of Baldoon. 

24 Shoveller with Wigeon in Carsluith Bay. 30 Whooper on fields near Moss of Cree. Wigtown Hide : 6 Greenshank on riverside, 10+ Pintail on pond. Fields before Baldoon c800 barnies, 600 pinks, 100 Canada & a few Greylags, nice mix of ducks but missed the Am Wigeon. Garlieston Bay, 63 Brents, 300 Dunlin, 100 Redshank. Ian & Carole Bainbridge. 

The time when what was there in 2024 has to be found for the new year. American Wigeon still present on the lagoon north of car park at RSPB Crook of Baldoon. Ring-necked Duck still with Tufties on Carlingwark Loch. Hen Harrier at Wigtown LNR.