Good list of geese on today's survey. 1000+ Pinks in 2 flocks, mixed with 1 of the flocks were 3 Russian WFs & 3 Tundra Bean. There were 142 Greenland's present, as well as a scattering of Greylags and Canada. Ivan Lang.
A flock of Pink-foots, c200 off the Carsethorn road but I'm struggling to be sure of any tundras etc. Some look possible, seemingly longer necked but bill markings of the PFG seem to be variable to the extent of being similar to the scarcer visitors! Apart from that, a Dipper was beneath the little bridge over the Kirkbean Burn just where the road turns left to Carsethorn.
Oddly low numbers & poor range of spcs today. 2 Whimbrel still, 1 opp South Carse & 1 at Borron Pt rocks at the same time. 5 Grey Plvr & 2 Bar-tailed Godwit. No Knot today.
19th/20th. A Barn Owl and 11 Grey Partridge at Priestside (ed. well worth checking out). Also 80 Whoopers at Bankend (usual fields, saw myself + c50 off the Loop. PJ). Paul Massey. PS. Having checked images & texts on the Bean Geese seen yesterday, I believe those I saw were Taiga's. PJ.
Of some strain near border with Powfoot golf course, as seen from Moss Road on the Cummertrees Loop road. Possibly several+ but my ID skill of the Bean's is limited.
Are we to solely rely upon AI Merlin to tell us what bird's are present? A bird potentially (bird previously reported?) around Luce Bay, somewhere. Also 5 Stonechat & 3 Red-throated Diver. At WWT Caerlaverock a Peregrine again seen.
13th. A 1st-winter Russian WFG on the closed WWT Caerlaverock reserve reported. 14th. 3 GWF with pinks, north of the B721 at Dornock. 11 GWF again off Watchall Road Annan, with pinks.
5 reported off Balcary Tower yesterday. Ivan Lang reports "Was out at Balcary Heughs yesterday & observed a flock of 17 Scaup off the island out in the bay as well as c1000 Common Scoter, 7 Tystie, a Guillemot and 6 Razorbill. Dalbeattie Town Wood; Lesser Redpoll, Crossbill & 3 Mandy on the Loch."
Mandarin Duck still on Plantain Loch Dalbeattie. A Marsh Harrier over the Bruaich Hide, RSPB Mersehead yesterday & another over the Dee View Hide at Threave NTS today.