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Carse Gut

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

The Nith at Whitesands

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

Loch Ryan Report

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

Marsh Tit?

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Steven Cooper has got a Marsh Tit coming to his garden feeders at Langholm. Single Brambling too. Very good news ๐Ÿ˜Š๐Ÿ‘. 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. 

Russian Invasion

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.

Castle Loch

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

Seafield

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.

Barn Owl

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

Russian White-fronted Geese

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

Auchenreoch Loch

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.

Threave NTS

Great White Egret seen there today by Mark Humphreys.

GWT

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

Kirk Loch

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

Castle Loch

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.

Snow Bunting

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

GWT

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

Southerness

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. 

Smew

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

Long-tailed Duck

Long-tailed Duck on Loch Magillie - unusual (locally) to see away from Loch Ryan. E.Grover.

RSPB Mersehead

Green-winged Teal on wetland, seen from Meida Hide but it's much closer to Bruaich Hide if its visible. Also 2 calling Cetti's Warbler from Meida Hide. Gavin.

WWT Caerlaverock

Last visit for this year. Saltcot Merse Observatory Tower hide. Marvellous male Hen Harrier perched up to give extra fine view in front of the hide. Pair Peregrine hunting together I think as in close proximity. Just 1 GWE also in front of the hide. c50+ Golden Plover. Nothing unusual but apparently a Black Redstart seen at "the Avenue (Loaning)". On the board but no date shown. Very well publicised, not (AFAIK). 

Mein Water

8 Green Sandpiper are currently at Mein Water. No sign of wintering Common Sandpiper this morning but was noted here last week. What I'm not getting, however, is the numbers of Fieldfares and Redwing usually associated with the time of year. Bill Jamieson.

Castle Loch

GND still at CL today.

GWT

13th. If the bird's still here at Mersehead, it's hidden in the snoozing throng. Nice Greenshank from Bruaich Hide.

Owl & Diver

12th. In roadside trees, Simon Pinder saw a Little Owl along the B725, Hetland to Clarencefield road. Mr Baines saw an imm GND at Castle Loch. Also 4 GWE there. 

Green-winged Teal

On wetland at RSPB Mersehead. Seen from Meida Hide but flew towards Bruaich Hide and still visible from Meida. Gavin. 

Pomarine Skua

An imm seen off The Isle of Whithorn today.

Carse Bay

2 Greenshank, 1 ♀️ Scaup, 1 Merlin in the chase over the merse. Usual Whimbrel off Carsethorn, several Black-tailed Godwit, a few Knot & the leucistic Oystercatcher which has been there a few weeks now or so. Oystercatcher seem wary & skittish, broadly keeping together.

WWT Caerlaverock

Charles Bennett has seen 2 Marsh Harrier put up a load of geese on the merse from the Saltcot Merse Observatory Tower hide.

Grey Phalarope

RSPB Crook of Baldoon. Grey Phalarope flying south on high tide. Ivan Lang.

Birdwatching Sites 
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