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Showing posts from May, 2026

Little Stint

2 at RSPB Crook of Baldoon on the merse flash (not lagoon), north of the car park.

Recent Sightings

Fulmar off Brighouse Bay. GWE on River Dee at Threave NTS. Willow Tit at Castle Corner, Caerlaverock NNR. 2 Pied Flycatcher at Kirkcudbright Wildlife Park. Crossbill at Cairnsmore of Fleet NNR. Green Woodpecker at Shambellie House, New Abbey.

Last ditch May WeBS : Carsethorn to Borron Pt

Best birds several Whimbrel, 1 non-breeding plumage Knot, 2 Little Egret, half dozen Rgd Plover. Easily 20 or more painted lady butterfly along the beach. Whitethroat singing. Sand Martin colony ongoing. House Martins gathering beach mud. No disturbance. OMG! ๐Ÿ˜ฑ๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ‘Œ

There's something about water

3 Manx Shearwater over D&G Irish Sea waters. GWE at Threave recently.

Little Owl

Barry o'Dowd reports; 29th "I had a Little Owl this evening while surveying swifts in Kirkcudbright town centre. It landed on a chimney pot."

Arctic Skua

Seafield, high tide, Arctic Skua (dark morph), Gannet(2), Eider Duck (2). Bill Jamieson.

Castle Kennedy

3 Common Tern reported seen yesterday. Hopefully not decoys...

The Wilting Wig

The LR Wig report was published 26th. See here;  https://awanderroundthewig.blogspot.com/2026/05/seasonal-change-bird-report-for-april.html?m=1

WWT Caerlaverock

You'll probably know.  Email snippet; Dear supporter We are delighted to share some exciting news - WWT Caerlaverock is reopening.   After a period of closure, we can’t wait to welcome you back to experience one of Scotland’s most spectacular wetland reserves once again.  As a thank you for your patience and continued support during this time, you will be able to visit us on Friday 26 and Saturday 27 June. We will then reopen to all visitors from Thursday 2 July, initially for three days per week – Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. We will be open between 10AM and 5PM, with last entry at 4PM.

Threave NTS

Went to see both Osprey nests & birds today. I was clearly unaware that a second nest site had been built downriver, viewable from the Steppingstones Hide. And much closer viewing of the birds too, so great! Summer warblers in occasional song but hard to see. Best was 3 Spotted Flycatcher along the railway walk to the Lamb Island Hide. No miracle Black Reds I'm sorry to report. Peregrine in the air around the castle, which is open to visitors again.

RSPB Mersehead

Spotted Flycatcher at dead the tall bleached trees LHS as approach Meida Hide. Cetti’s Warbler loud and proud too. Robbie Purdie.

Recently

2 Ruff at RSPB Mersehead reported Sunday 24th. 2 Dipper & 2 Kingfisher at New Bridge near Cluden Water, SW of Holyrood. A Green Woodpecker, 3 Wood Warbler & 2 Tree Pipit at Mabie Forest. Osprey over Loch Ken. Redstart & Lesser Whitethroat at Threave NTS by the river which I'm sceptical about, but that's me. A Great White Egret near Steppingstones Hide there. 

Black Redstart??

23rd. Jรผrgen Zapp has reported 2 from the Lamb Island hide at Threave NTS. Is it at all possible? One would be hard to believe but 2?? At Threave??? " I have looked through my D&G Bird Reports and have found three previous May and early June, records of Black Redstart dating back to 1991. There will probably be others too. They were from Caerlaverock in 1994, Mull of Galloway, 2006 and Port William, 2011.   Most records are from October to March backing up its status as a winter visitor in the region especially in Wigtownshire and western Stewartry. I had one in my garden in Glencaple in 1977 probably attracted to the numerous caterpillars eating my broccoli plants but that would have been a bit later in the summer. I think that they still breed in southern England so it isn't surprising that an occasional summer vagrant turns up here. Best wishes, Duncan (Irving) "

The Human "Access-All-Areas" negative impact

https://search.app/?link=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c87qqg7jg9lo&utm_source=dsdf,agadiscoversdl,,sh/x/discover/m1/4&utm_campaign=share-sdl-aga-discover Breeding season bans required & it's decades overdue. Ground nesting birds are at the mercy of an out-of-control human population & associated development crisis. Assertiveness by the wildlife organisations has long been necessary in putting wildlife FIRST, & human recreational interests secondary & subordinate. Necessary, in an increasingly over-populated world which our "leaders" blindly purport & promote is the way forward. Bunch of idiots all. 

Glenkiln & what we all want

23rd. Stephen Parker reported ; A walk around the Glenkiln area at 6:30am. Cuckoo, Stonechat, Whinchat, Meadow Pipit, Siskin, Redpoll, Skylark, Red Kite, Willow Warbler, Whitethroat, Black Swan. Best of all, I had the place to myself. Ed. Joy indeed ๐Ÿ‘

Wigtown

Gropper singing in the reeds at Wigtown Wetlands. Ivan Lang. 

RSPB Mersehead

10 Pink-footed Geese flown east over RSPB Mersehead this morning, 8 Little Egret on wetland and Cetti's singing around Meida Hide. Gavin. 

The Crook

Quail singing somewhere in the southern fields early this morning on BBS at the Crook. Ivan Lang. 

Interesting Others

21st. 150 Manx Shearwater past Isle of Whithorn. 2 Osprey at Loch Kindar. 10 PFG still from Wigtown Harbour hide. There's a rumour that Graham Parker saw a Swift over Carsphairn ๐Ÿ˜‰. A Sandwich Tern was at Chapel Finian.

Yellow-legged Gull

Unconfirmed report yesterday of a bird off Whitesands on the Nith, Dumfries. Locals may wish to check it out ASAP?

Scottish Raptor Monitoring Scheme

Anyone interested in getting involved more with raptor monitoring may well be interested in the latest SRMS NEWSLETTER published April 2026. See here;  https://raptormonitoring.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Issue_32_April2026-1.pdf

A few bits

2 pair of Osprey now gracing Threave NTS. A must-see for all! 6 Common Tern at the Crook of Baldoon (hopefully NOT the decoys in place to attract them!). Wood & Garden Warbler, Pied & Spotted Flycatcher at RSPB Wood of Cree. Redstart & Spotted Flycatcher at Buckland Burn. Wood & Garden Warbler & Spotted Flycatcher near Loch Trool, Galloway Forest.

Storm Petrel

A bird flew past the Isle of Whithorn sometime today.

Golden Eagle

17th. Mark Humpheys reports; Golden Eagle soaring above Barrhill Woods and High Kirkland, Kirkcudbright.

Recent Sightings

13th-16th. Up to 18 Sandwich Tern at Portpatrick. Rock Pipit, Fulmar & Black Guillemot also. RTD & Eider in Lady Bay, Loch Ryan. RTD & 3 GND off Corsewall Pt. 2 Sanderling at The Wig perhaps unusual. Redstart & Grey Wagtail at Buckland Burn. Redstart, Pied Flycatcher & Wood Warbler at RSPB Wood of Cree. Marsh Harrier & Cetti's Warbler at RSPB Mersehead.

Corncrake

A bird overflying RSPB Crook of Baldoon this morning. Ivan Lang. 

Glen Trool

Green woodpecker seen and heard on 2 occasions over last week at Glen Trool. Jim MacKenzie.

Little Stint

Little Stint is back on north flash this morning, RSPB Crook of Baldoon. Ivan Lang.

Swift movement

13th. A day dominated by a strong movement of Swift with over 30 observed moving north over the Crook. Ivan Lang. 

13th Review

10th, 2 Little Gull secretly reported at Bob's Loch, east of Moniave here; https://maps.app.goo.gl/hkCrMB9xVPwhZe3e9?g_st=ac . Also Sedge Warbler. 10th-12th; Redstart, Pied Flycatcher, Wood Warbler, 3 Spotted Flycatcher at RSPB Wood of Cree. Redstart at RSPB Mersehead. Spotted Flycatcher at Buckland Burn.

The Wig update

Latest review for March published yesterday see; https://awanderroundthewig.blogspot.com/2026/05/winter-draws-nigh-bird-report-for-march.html?m=1

Little Stint

Little Stint with Dunlin on flash north of car park at RSPB Crook of Baldoon. Ivan Lang.

Marsh Harrier

Female seen "flying low & slow" from the Secret Shepherds Hut at Loch Ken.

Mein Water

Little Ring Plover this morning, at the footbridge. Also Osprey at Upper Brydekirk, with Swifts, House Martins, Swallows, Sedge Warbler, Whitethroat, Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Tree Sparrow & Reed Bunting. Bill Jamieson.

Recently Reported

2 Willow Tit nr the river at Wood of Cree. 6 GND from Black Head, Killantringan. Ruff & Spotted Redshank 9th still at RSPB Crook of Baldoon. Cetti's Warbler at RSPB Mersehead & Castle Wood, Caerlaverock NNR plus Water Rail at latter.

Little Stint

A bird at Port Logan at 6pm today. With small flock of Sanderling x5, Dunlin x1 & Ringed Plover x2. Flushed by incoming boat, but may have re-landed at northern end of bay. Lawrence Gray. 

Yellow-legged Gull?

7th. I'm dubious about this report at Powfoot. YLG has a grey mantle btwn Herring & LBB AFAIK. So not light grey. Also dubious because there's a confirmatory reliance upon Merlin for ID. "Light grey, yellow legs, large gull. Sound confirmed by Merlin. At least two, possibly four." Needs checking out IMO but given the report is for the 7th, possibly moved on. 

RSPB Crook of Baldoon

Spotted Redshank and two Ruff on flash north of car park. Ivan Lang.

Willow Tit

A bird nr The Hidden Mill B&B along Shirmers Burn, SE of New Galloway. Also Pied Flycatcher & Redstart.  https://maps.app.goo.gl/tJYPJAxR6ZKkHBLH6

Nightjar

Very early report received from Paul Massey. Almost impossible to believe; "Male Nightjar churring at Kirkconnell Flow NNR on evening of Wednesday 6th May, plus 3 roding Woodcock."

Common Tern

2 at Castle Kennedy & 1 at the old rail/ferry terminal at Stranraer.

Pectoral Sandpiper

Still at RSPB Crook of Baldoon. ๐Ÿ˜Š๐Ÿ‘. "On small merse pool south of the road". 

Dotterel

2 east of the summit of Corserine, Galloway Forest at 55.1548990, -4.3544990.

5th Update

25 House Martin at the Mull. 3 RTD inc 1 sumplum at Coo Palace. 2 Redstart at Buckland Burn still & a Green Woodpecker calling nr D&G Trailers at 55.1148090, -3.9739310. There were 2 Ruff at RSPB Crook of Baldoon. Greenland Wheatears at Leadhills & Mennock Pass. 6 GND from Corsewall Point. A Whimbrel along the Nith from Kingholm Quay. 

Pectoral Sandpiper

It's all happening at the Crook! A bird reported perhaps around the lagoon at the Crook of Baldoon this evening.

Ruff

RSPB Crook of Baldoon. Grey-headed Wagtail (I presume) present on island on lagoon north of car park until at least 15.15. Also summer plum male Ruff on flash south of car park. Ivan Lang.

Grey-headed Wagtail

1♂️ on merse north of the car park at RSPB Crook of Baldoon. Not Blue-headed, apparently. 

4th. Catch-up

5 Swift over Carlingwark Loch. Grey Plover, 25 Bar-tailed & 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 22 Knot & 2 Turnstone at Newbie. GND, Comm Tern & 7 Sandwich Tern & 14 Shag at Loch Ryan.

Balcary to Rascarrel Bay Loop

Lot's Wife, 1 Black Guillemot, 6 Fulmar, 5 Kittiwake, 2 LBBG, 1 Peregrine, Guillemots and Razorbills. East end of Rascarrel Bay, 2 Whimbrel, 1 RT Diver just offshore, 2 Rock Pipit, 2 Ringed Plover, 2 Wheatear. Heard a distant Cuckoo north of Loch Mackie. Lorna Lomas.

Early round-up 3rd

Cetti's Warbler reported at Parkmaclurg, Newton Stewart on 1st. 4 Swift at Kirkcudbright Wildlife Park. Whimbrel, 2 Wheatear & RTD at the Mull + usuals. Comm Sand at Loch Trool with 6 along the Nith from Kingholm Quay. 3 Tawny Owl around Kwik-Fit in Dumfries! Tree Pipit at Kirkconnell Flow woods. 2 Redstart along wooded Crichope Burn, sth of Gatelawbridge, east of Thornhill.

Drumlanrig Castle

3 Pied Flycatcher, Redstart & Cuckoo at The Nith Linns (see walk;  https://www.drumlanrigcastle.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2025/05/A3-Walks-Map-2025-sm.pdf ). "Jackie". 

Black-throated Diver

Sumplum bird at south end of Loch Ryan today.

Burrow Head

Highlight a Sooty Shearwater heading west past the Head at around 11.30. Also 32 Manx Shearwater, 4 Black Guillemot, 10 Scoter, 4 Fulmar, 69 Gannet, GND, c.150 Auks inc 1 Puffin, 48 Kittiwake, 6 Sandwich Tern & 8 RTD. Ivan Lang. 

Selected Sightings

2 Scaup, 2 Sandwich Tern, Eider, Black Guillemot & Guillemot from Broadstone Rd, Loch Ryan. Fulmar, Gannet, Razorbill, Guillemot & Kittiwakes, 2 Rock Pipit, 4 Whitethroat & 2 Swift at the Mull. Comm Tern & Whimbrel at the Crook of Baldoon. Com Sand at Canonbie. Rock Pipit at & a Red-throated Diver off the Isle of Whithorn.

Terns

1st. Pair of Common Terns at Bishop Burn, Stranraer this afternoon. Nigel Willits. 

Spotted Redshank

One briefly on the merse at RSPB Crook of Baldoon. Flew off!

Crook Harrier

Immature Marsh Harrier over the lagoon to the south of car park at the Crook this morning. Ivan Lang. 

Recent Sightings

6 Rl Partridge in fields, Dipper, Grey Wagtail & 2 Com Sand at Friars Carse. 2 Water Rail, Grasshopper Warbler & a PFG still at Caerlaverock NNR merse. 5 Wheatear at the Mull plus Guillemots, Kittiwakes, Fulmar, Med Pipits & Stonechat. Yellowhammer in Auchie Glen.

30th April

25 Whimbrel south of Doon Castle, South Rhins. 6 Common Tern at Garlieston Bay. 4 Swift over Lochside Rd, Dumfries. Cetti's Warbler still at Castle Wood, Caerlaverock NNR. 4 Whinchat & 3 Stonechat at Langholm Moor. 

Birdwatching Sites 
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