A stroll down the Water of Luce from viaduct to Luce bay: Many Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Common Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler and Blackcap. Nearer Luce Bay, I saw 2 Common Sandpiper and 40+ Mute Swan. A little upstream were a pair of Grey Wagtail. Swallows and House Martins were present but no Swifts. Rob Wadsworth.
I saw a post recently on a local forum asking whether GWs are increasing in D&G. I've regularly had sightings over the years in Shinnel Glen and intermittently in the various forests in Upper Nithdale. Interestingly I've had 5 sightings in 5 locations this week: Shinnerl Glen, from my garden in Moniaive (garden tick), The Hills on the A711 from Dumfries, Dalmacallan Forest and Shaw Wood (Maxwellton). The latter two probably the same bird(s). But I'm certainly seeing/hearing them more regularly. Ed. Answer should be found in either the D&G Bird Report or on BTO Birdtrack .
Nice picnic spot at the River Annan at Halleaths and in the hour I was there had 2 Kingfishers, 2 Ospreys, 3 Common Sandpipers and Sand Martins. Anna White.
12th. Caerlaverock WWT. Wood Sandpiper on the Folly Pond seen from the hide. It then flew out of view & we saw it distantly from the path down to the Salcot Tower. Scaup still on Whooper Pond. On the way home stopped off at Glencaple. A few waders there including 2 Whimbrel, 10 Curlew & 1 sumplum Curlew Sandpiper. Chris & Pat Baines.
Singing Lesser Whitethroat in hedges between car park & Sulwath Centre & Garden Warbler singing a short way down Rainbow Lane (track to beach from cottages). Gavin Chambers.
11th. New England Bay. Quiet apart from 1 solitary Whimbrel. Several Common Whitethroat, Sedge Warblers, Chiffchaff & Sandwich Terns. Grasshopper Warbler heard but not seen. 12th May. Wood of Cree. Main area & Barclye section. Wood Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Pied Flycatcher, Snipe, Jay, several Cuckoo, Tree & Meadow Pipits. The best for me as I rarely see them, 2 Whinchat. Heard but not seen: Grasshopper Warblers, Redstart & Mistle Thrush. Rob Wadsworth.
Again out in West. Unfortunately despite a gentle breeze, it was blowing offshore, so everything was mainly at a distance. No surprises on the bird front; 2 stunning GND, sumplum Bl-t Diver, 3 Manx Shearwater, 2 Puffin, 5 Tystie & 10 Fulmar. The Wig was quiet with small numbers of RBM & Sandwich Tern. Ivan Lang.
Green Woodpecker (male) this morning at KCNR following a tip yesterday from CK. Heard as soon as arrived at the wee car park and followed the "yaffle". Robbie Purdie. Ed. Heard one in Mabie Forest whilst doing a butterfly survey, also actually saw a calling Cuckoo. Also Garden Warbler now on site above & around Lochaber Loch .
8th. Was keen to see Red Grouse & we were fortunate to see 2 birds in flight. Locals told us RG are very scarce now & none were found up Mennock Pass, just Red-legged Partridges which the Game Keeper is putting down. Three Hen Harrier, 2♂️ 1♀️. Our first Whinchat of the year & a Cuckoo heard distantly. CB &CK.