Walk along Nith this morning from Kingholm Quay and around the pylon area. Highlights were Whitethroat, Sedge Warblers, Grasshopper Warblers (heard only) and House Martins. Swifts over Brownrigg Loaning near Tarff Valley complex this afternoon. Robbie Purdie. 

Better ex late than never! c20 Whimbrel on the final day of April. 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 6 Little Egret, c30 Ringed Plover & 20 Dunlin. A roe deer exploring the foreshore & 2 harbour porpoise breaking against the tide. All this despite kayakers, fisher folk & village dog x2 walker moving the birds off their feeding grounds. Respect? My ass. PJ

Cuckoo at Auchenroddan this morning. Showing well on and off for the 2 hours I was there. Constantly harassed by small birds. Also Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Whitethroat and Stonechat in big numbers. With Sedge Warbler and a couple of Garden Warbler as well. Woodcockair, Hoddom. 2 Redstart remain, however a bit of patience needed to pick them up in your bins. Bill Jamieson. 

10am. Low tide. 3 Scaup, 2♀️, 1♂️. PJ

2 in Haugh of Urr this morning. Anna White.  Ed. House Martins returned to bro's house in Bankend 2 days ago. They nest between his rafter ends. 

1 Wood Warbler singing. Take centre path up c100m. Also at least 8 Pied Flycatcher and 8 Redstart, Grasshopper Warbler in wet field where path enters the fell. Mark Bannister. 

29th. 3 Wheatear in ploughed/tilled field c1.2km west of Borgue on minor road to Coo Palace, where Lapwing pair also displaying. 3 Swift over Kirkcudbright in evening. Mark Bannister. 

RSPB Crook of Baldoon. There was a Grasshopper Warbler singing during an early morning survey, in fields south of the car park as well as a fly across Great White Egret. At lunchtime a ring tailed Hen Harrier flew west over the car park. Ivan Lang. 

28th. RSPB Crook of Baldoon. Ring Ouzel at the southern end of the reserve. Ivan Lang. 

A couple of hours seawatching at IoW was quiet but there was some movement. Highlight was 34 Manxies, a trickle of Gannets, couple of Common Scoter, 5 RTD and a few Auks. Ivan Lang.

Alyn had 4 Swift over Castle Loch, Lochmaben this afternoon. Gavin Chambers.

WWT Caerlaverock. Still on Folly Pond. Roughly processed pic from a few days ago. 

Some will be aware of the bird reported by Robbie Purdie today. "It was in field by Annefield Cottages, Amisfield, DG1 3NZ. Great views and following the farmer in the tractor so feeding well and looks like it will be here for a while. [However] It took off on a circular flight over the field but then lost sight." Ed. BirdGuides reports it's been there for 2 days, which is possible, but there's no other known report of the bird being there yesterday, tmk. 

0630-0730. Avocet 11, Greenshank 1, Whimbrel 4, Little Gull 2 (1 adult & 1, 1st winter). Ian Irving. 

Showing well on Folly Pond, WWT along with 2 Black-tailed Godwit. Mick Whitehouse & Nancy Harrison. 

22nd. Reed Warbler, WWT Caerlaverock, Saturday last. Garden Warbler, Bladnoch, yesterday. Garden Warbler, Carlingwark Loch, today.

Probable Marsh Harrier over Hogus Point but maybe Osprey. Looked overall brown, even into the light & heat haze. Heading west. 4 Whimbrel maybe more, couple of Little Egret, dozen each Dunlin & Ringed Plover. 2 Sandwich Tern a way offshore. Several Swallow around the village. PJ

Anyone thinking of visiting need to know that the route from Hollands Farm (aka Reedbed Ramble) to the hide is closed. It's closed for the breeding period of 10th February (could be March, memory failure), to the 30th June. Due to "Schedule 1" bird species breeding. I suppose there are signs on the merse linear path too 🤔. 

This afternoon. Osprey sitting, Peregrine in castle, Buzzard, Red Kites, 4+ Sedge Warbler, Blackcaps, Willow and Chiffchaff, Water Rail in marsh, Goosander, Mallard, Shoveller, Wigeon males. Ian Bainbridge. 

Summer Plumage Black Guillemot fly past at the small auk/Kittiwake colony at Balcary this afternoon. First I have seen there. Stuart Housden. 

From the quayside, 6 Common Sandpiper, 2 Whooper heading upriver, 2 White Wagtail. PJ

As reported yesterday, Cuckoo calling again this afternoon at KF. Distant, Nith end of the reserve. No sighting but will persevere. Robbie Purdie.  WWT. Green-winged Teal still on Folly Pond 1530+ but frustratingly furthestmost south, central & westerly zones, feeding with Eurasian brothers and sisters. PJ

With the sunny warm weather everything was in full song around the nature trails. A number of Pied Flycatcher singing/observed, excellent views of Wood Warbler, Dipper on the river, and Tree Pipit at the top of the scrubland trail. Quick trip to Barclye, Pied Fly and singing Redstart in the woodland, whilst on to the open pasture a Whitethroat and Gropper. Ivan Lang. 

3 Great Northern Diver off Corsewall Point and a stunning male Long-tailed Duck in summer plumage in Stranraer Harbour being vocal amongst several Eider. Gavin Chambers. 

Cuckoo calling from trees beyond boardwalk. Janis Fraser. 

Still present Folly Pond WWT in the rain 4pm. Too distant for a better pic. Also 3 Swallow, 1 Sand Martin, c15-20 Golden Plover, several Black-tailed Godwit, singing Blackcap, Chiffchaff & my first Willow Warbler. GWE flying over fields. Following pic from & © Robbie Purdie.

I'm emailing to let you know about two training events we have coming up in south west Scotland which may be of interest to you, or potentially to folk you know. I'll be delivering training on bird songs and calls and BTO surveys and schemes in East Ayrshire and then in Dumfries & Galloway on the weekend of the 26th and 27th April. Full details below. The events are free, informal, and- we hope- fun. You can find out more and book your place here:  https://www.bto.org/about-bto/national-offices/bto-scotland/events Registration closes at lunchtime on Wednesday 23rd.  I realise you may already be confident with your ID skills and may also take part in the Breeding Bird Survey. If that's the case then thank you very much, please feel free to pass this around your birding network so we can reach as many folk as possible. I hope you're enjoying the spring and seeing all our migrants returning! Happy birding, Steve.  Steve Willis  (he/him) Development and Eng...

Green-winged Teal on Folly Pond at WWT this morning. Close views from Folly Pond hide. Robbie Purdie. 

The warm weather today has seen an increase in migrant activity. First thing a Grasshopper Warbler was singing out on the lagoon north of car park, as well as several Sedge Warbler around the site. Later the first migrant waders turned up on the Lagoon with a Common Sandpiper and 3 Black-tailed Godwit in SP. Out on the marsh, at least 7 Wheatear and at the top of the tide a Sandwich Tern was fishing. Ivan Lang. 

Vagrant Greenland White-fronted Goose at RSPB Crook of Baldoon yesterday. Garden Warbler at RSPB Wood of Cree today.

Common Whitethroat singing in snatches at Barnkirk Pt., Newbie 17th. Sedge Warbler from Fishing pier at Vendace Bay, Castle Loch, Lochmaben 16th. Several Pied Fly, 3 Redstarts, Tree Pupit all in Langholm Long Wood on dates from 12th. Steven Cooper. 

Redstart in Woodcockair, a cold, damp April morning. Also Blackcap, Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler with a good number of calling Nuthatch. Bill Jamieson. 

"1-2 Tree Pipits NX 67745 59396 (Waterside Woods W side). Cuckoo heard calling in the W distance from NX 60668 59859 (Knocktinkle viewpoint). May be same bird reported from Carstramon Wood. Sadly, still no Green Woodpeckers!" 

Loch Enoch. Black-throated Diver, possibly two. Dotterel, two on path below Merrick summit. Peter Roberts. 

Suspected "eagle species" sighted north of Port William 19:40, 13th. On the coast and hunting on coastal vegetation. Observed through telescope but sadly no still images. Judith Pressley.

Have used this from Pet Supermarket before & this is excellent VFM atm if you feed birds.  https://www.pet-supermarket.co.uk/Bucktons-Premium-No-Mess-Blend-Wild-Bird-Food-Seed/p/I9680375?_kx=W1D0YzkGUKMMLu5VV3hd53ofn9-pdTrRhFU5rumBJQc.VQW9J7&utm_campaign=PS-UK-Promo1to1-NewOffers1to1-15-04-2025&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Klaviyo PJ

A pleasant couple of hours at Wigtown Wetlands. A fly over Med Gull and Sedge Warbler NFY. Also Whimbrel and couple of Common Sandpiper. Ivan Lang. 

Male Pied Flycatcher there today. Robbie Purdie. 

Scripted text below, but yes, I added my name. PJ 👍. " Did you know the government's new Planning and Infrastructure Bill could give businesses the green light to trash habitats and threaten nature? I just added my name to demand growth that doesn't come at the cost of our priceless environment. Will you take 2 minutes to join me? https://foe.uk/v9oem Thanks!" PJ

Check out D&G based Lisa's fine bird & wildlife prints on her website. Lisa Hooper SWLA Hoopoe Prints

Hen Harrier (2), male and ringtail, Wheatear, Stonechat, Pied Flycatcher and Willow Warbler. Report & image © Bill Jamieson. 

501 (exactly) Scaup there reported. 

2 males and a female at Wigtownshire County golf club this morning until at least 12.30. On pool in field east of entrance road. Nigel Willits. 

Kevin Peace reports ; "My first Swallow this year over Dalry this morning." 

One reported for yesterday in Corsock. 

Tidal roost count. 13 Sandwich Tern, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 80+ Ringed Plover, 25+ Redshank, 4 Turnstone, 7 Dunlin, 100+ Knot and 1 Little Egret. 3 Swallow flew west and at least 2 harbour porpoise off the Point. Lorna Lomas. 

LRP & Common Sandpiper back. Plenty Lady's Smock & Orange Tip, plus Peacock on the wing. PJ

Green Sandpipers remain at Hoddom golf course and Mein Water. 2 Common Sandpiper have now joined the winter bird on the river. Also Swallow (2), Sand Martins in good numbers, Blackcap seem to be all over the place along with Chiffchaff. Bill Jamieson. 

Mainsriddle. Actually heard one singing near the house yesterday. 

Southerness 07/04/25. Short-eared Owl quartering over golf course at 1825. Also seen briefly on 08/04/25 at 1740. Lorna Lomas. 

Sandyhills. Two male White Wagtail on grass behind the bay at 1215. Lorna Lomas. 

One close in to Carsethorn from living room window and picked up a second further out purposely heading north up the Nith at height. Gavin Chambers. 

Pied Flycatcher singing at Wood of Cree this afternoon while about 50 Fieldfare chuckled through the wood. Decent flock of Pink-feet at Palnure feeding this morning while driving past. Gavin Chambers. 

Highlights included male Wheatear, many Guillemot, Razorbills, Kestrel and Kittiwakes making a welcome racket. Robbie Purdie. 

Generally quiet with no movement along the coast at Corsewell Point. A single Swallow, House Martin, a single Red-throated Diver and a couple of Great Northern Diver. At the Wig, a handful of Sandwich Tern, a couple of Common Tern. Despite the good weather not much signs of migration. Ivan Lang. 

5 Willow Warbler, 15 Chiffchaff, 1 Swallow & a Red Squirrel. Barry O'Dowd. 

Sunday pm, 6th: imm Peregrine, 6-8 Swallow. Many Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Blackcap. Ian Bainbridge. 

Nothing unusual on the foreshore. Barely anything but the reliable Whimbrel. 1 Swallow over heading north. 2 later seen flying north over the former Kirkhouse Fishery (now Wilding Saunas, for the benefit of humans only🙄). The presumed Osprey platform on a former WW2 lookout (I think), will require security fencing if the local kids aren't to use the site for the play den it clearly is. PJ

Sunday 6th. 7 Sand Martin, 5 Swallow, House Martin, 2-3 Wheatear, Peregrine, Stonechat, Gannets, Black Guillemots... Ian Bainbridge. 

4th. Small movement of birds through the Mull in the morning in a stiff cold easterly wind. Mainly Sand Martin, Linnet and Goldfinch with a few Swallow, Siskin and Reed Bunting. House Martin just north of Drummore and c130 Sanderling in New England Bay. Gavin Chambers. 

Barry O'Dowd reports a bird over Kirkcudbright around 3pm today. 

Weekend coach trip to Dumfries and Galloway 21st to 23rd February 2025. See report here;  link to Manchester Birding

Redstart singing from the top of an oak tree beside the Giants Footprint, Dalry. RKP 

Common Sandpiper, Willow Warbler singing and Sand Martins digging nests. River Ken, Dalry. RKP (Kevin Peace). 

Pair GW under Devorgilla Bridge at The Old Bridge visitor centre. Also a Dipper or Kingfisher (no bins) fly-by upriver over the caul & single Sand Martin. PJ

1 singing at Lane Burn, Cardoness.