Redhead Smew still on Carlingwark Loch. Black Redstart going anti-clockwise around the farm building adjacent to the Sulwath Centre at RSPB Mersehead. Bird gave great views once I'd refound it. I first saw it briefly by the "coaches" sign before it flew up & over the roof. Great start to 2026! 😊👍

Happy New Year Everyone! A big thank you to everyone who has been submitting bird records to various sources throughout 2025.  Looking at BirdTrack data entered currently (easiest source for me to check quickly), there has been "231 species from 91559 records, 2416 complete lists, 3006 places". Note that this includes various hybrids and unknown gull/waders etc as different species. For the 2025 Bird Report, we will start downloading data from the various sources (BirdTrack, eBird, iRecord/iNaturalist) from the 31st January 2026, so please enter your remaining data before then if you'd like them to be considered for the bird report. Any data submitted after download is still important and we'd encourage any data (whether 2025 or older) to be entered. If you have any questions with regards data, please don't hesitate to get in touch with us via our recorder email found here:  https://www.the-soc.org.uk/pages/local-recorders-network-area/dumfries-and-galloway ...

3 ♀️ Scaup & single Greenshank hanging around the Carse Pow inlet low tide.

Rogun Wolhuter has seen a Kingfisher at the caul as well as the usual waterbirds there, inc Grey Wagtail.

FYI the November update was issued on Dec 21st. https://awanderroundthewig.blogspot.com/2025/12/the-gift-of-birds-report-for-november.html?m=1

Steven Cooper has got a Marsh Tit coming to his garden feeders at Langholm. Single Brambling too. Very good news 😊👍. Lucky Steven! Images © Steven Cooper. Question is, how do we explain the pale wing panel if it's a Marsh? The tail end is obviously forked, a Willow feature.  Other features do indicate Marsh. Lack of an obvious bull-neck (though I think there's a partial bull), blending cheek into breast. Is it possibly a hybrid?  Are the pale wing panels an aberrant Marsh feature? Responses received say that the guide books aren't reliable & Willow features, in particular pale wing panels are NOT exclusive to the Willow. Other features suggesting Willow are also considered variable, so given the overall elements for ID, MARSH TIT is what it's considered to be. 

No, not Goose Drones but the UK-wide influx of the Russian White-fronted Goose continues in D&G with at least 2 still off Watchall Road, Annan. Chris Baines has a picture or 2 of some.

Rogun Wolhuter has seen a GWE preening in the reeds there today.

27th. Ross Ahmed has found ; Greater White-fronted Goose 10 (Ed. Russian?), Pink-footed Goose 400, Common Goldeneye 5, Red-breasted Merganser 3, European Golden Plover 40, Northern Lapwing 300, Ruff 1 - In fields with Northern Lapwing and European Golden Plover, Peregrine Falcon 1, Meadow Pipit 6, Rock Pipit 2.

Seen half-past midnight off M74 by Gyorgy Szimuly. https://maps.app.goo.gl/yXJ3pngbyUh1g3KGA

27th. 6 reported seen from Watchall Road, Annan. Fields south of the Tesco supermarket or thereabouts. 

Christmas Day. Female type Scaup, 40+ Goosander, 15+ Goldeneye, 40+ Tufties, 22 Cormorant at west end usual Canada's and Greylags, Redwings feeding in roadside hawthorns. Ian Bainbridge.

Great White Egret seen there today by Mark Humphreys.

RSPB Mersehead. Due to a lucky flushing of the duck onto open water,  I saw the American from Meida Hide. All too briefly though, as it resited itself out of sight in the rushy grass! Approx here; https://maps.app.goo.gl/mtaabo5XgYzdiUz26

Weekend-style golfer & fishermen presence. Maybe 20 Goldeneye & under 10 Wigeon. 1 GWE here;  https://maps.app.goo.gl/eyenbUVPgcqwkmrF6

Rather dire today for c1-2hrs. 1 GWE in Vendace Bay, 3 Whoopers, c30 Canada's, c100 Wigeon, c20-30 Tufties, c15 Goldeneye, possibly 20+ Teal - some hidden amongst reed edges, 1 Goosander + Mallards, Cormorant, couple of Coot or so inc Heron, several Swan. Anything else hidden or elusive.

Alyn has had a Snow Bunting over the Mull of Galloway heading for lighthouse (not sure if it stopped or not). Gavin. 

RSPB Mersehead. Drake allegedly seen today but eluded my eyes yet again. Not in plain sight.

Just 1 Purple Sandpiper seen on the point with a couple of Grey Plover & Little Egret. 13th golf tee, c500-1000 Dunlin, a dozen or 2 Sanderling, several Knot, Rock Pipit & at least 22 Grey Plover. Huge amounts of timber washed up & usual trawler/farmer plastic etc. Appalling. 

Carlingwark Loch still. Presumably the SW swan corner nearest to Threave Gardens entrance.