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.