First Pied Flycatcher heard calling on the reserve this afternoon. Willow Tit singing near Otter Platform. Gavin Chambers. 

2 on the Stab Pool at Carnsalloch, Nith. Later moved to the river shingle, where 3 were seen. Also Little Egret, 2 Sand Martin, Grey & Pied Wagtail, Med Pipit, several Buzzard, several spinning-displaying Goldfinch. PJ

Pair of Willow Warbler at the Isle of Whithorn. Many Chiffchaff. Rob Wadsworth. 

First Osprey of the year on the reserve. Interestingly appeared to have a white wing tag on right wing. If anyone knows any tagging scheme, I would be interested to get information on bird. Too distant to see any lettering. Ivan Lang. Osprey overflew Whithorn area this day. 

Whimbrel and Peregrine on the estuary above Kirkcudbright yesterday 7th. Barry O'Dowd. 

7th. Common Tern reported present at Threave & yesterday (6th), 6 House Martin at Wigtown LNR, apparently. A Common Tern also seen over Palmallet Loch, Whithorn. 

There were 10 Scaup (6m, 4f) lingering offshore when I got back from Mersehead at around 1pm. The flock didn't include the drake hybrid but I did spot it yesterday evening with 5 Scaup. Suspect this weather is pushing a few more into the bay. Gavin Chambers. 

Very high tide but some interest; a few Swallows & Sand Martin over the bay. A small flock of White Wagtail through. Out on the bay a single Sandwich Tern & a couple of Gannet. Ivan Lang. 

Stopped by to see if the HT had come over the top of the sea defence with the wind but not quite. Birds marooned on what was left of the shingle spit above water. Maybe 25-30 Ringed Plover & a Turnstone plus Oyster's, c30 Bl-t Godwit in the air above Carse Pow, 1 Sandwich Tern on shoreline & 5 Scaup (3 drake, 2♀️) + poss ♂️Tufted hybrid. A couple of sub-ad Gannet flew by at Powillimount & a couple of windswept Rock Pipit. 

My view on this Hooded type is that it is a Hybrid. The apparent blackness of the rump/uppertail coverts and dark speckling of the grey mantle feathers are a typical sign of a hybrid. It's harder to see in the photos, but the undertail coverts also appear dark and they should be a nice grey colour like the mantle and breast. Photo attached hopefully shows what I mean, the upper photo being Rob's and the second borrowed from the internet. Gavin Chambers.

4 Scaup (3m, 1f) lingering off Carsethorn, a Swallow overhead & a Harbour Porpoise worryingly trying to swim up the estuary on the outgoing tide and only just offshore. Hopefully its found some good feeding and will swim out when needed. Gavin Chambers. 

Sat on the car park I'd hoped for something to be blown up the Firth. But no! There were possibly 2 Arctic Skua way off in the haze heading in but otherwise, just a single fly-by Common Scoter, Rock Pipit & a pair of Ringed Plover flight-displaying. Around 2pm 5ad Gannet past close inshore heading out. Swallow fled by 1445hrs. 

Green Sandpiper remains on the river Annan, flooded field at Luce mains farm, near Brydekirk. A Red Kite was also noted here,. Also worth a mention were 2 Blackcap with Chiffchaff, now turning up everywhere but still only sporadic sightings of Sand Martins (ones and twosome's). Bill Jamieson. P

5th April, Monreith. Motacilla cinerea, alba and yarrelli all foraging together. Rob Wadsworth. 

5th. 2cy Scaup still at WWT Caerlaverock & a Tree Pipit "sound-recorded" over-flying Isle of Whithorn last night (4th). (Ed. Not by Merlin I hope, given it's evidenced unreliability). 

The southerly winds have brought a small fall of Sand Martin onto the lagoon north of car park. Ivan Lang. 

A question for those more familiar than I with our Corvids. Is this a Carrion/Hooded hybrid? Photo taken this morning (5th April) at the Isle of Whithorn. Rob Wadsworth. rsvp. 

A visit to Tarras Valley, Langholm this afternoon was rewarded with excellent views of 2 Hen Harrier, including a sky dancing male, which to me was one of the finest sights of many years birdwatching. Bill Jamieson. 

Janis Fraser reports 2 Black-tailed Godwit in summer plumage. (Ed. presumably Folly Pond). 

4th. A brief trip to Corsewall Point this morning yielded my first Manx Shearwater & Sandwich Tern of the year. Also seen, several Razorbill, Guillemot, a Red-throated Diver, 2 Black Guillemot & streams of Gannet. Rob Wadsworth. 

Castle Loch; Great White Egret disappeared into reeds on east shore. No Bittern seen in a couple of hours. Maybe dozen Goldeneye, 2 dozen Tufted Duck, 4 Goosander, half dozen Teal, single Wigeon, half dozen Heron. Kirk Loch; c40 or more Sand Martin, c60 Tufted Duck, half dozen Goldeneye, 4 Goosander, 20 Wigeon. PJ

After a long time gap, Pete Berry's recently visited D&G & has placed his trip report on the Manchester Birding website. You can read it via the DGBN blog. 

Sandwich Tern & a couple of Bar-tailed Godwits at Bishopburn. 4 Long-tailed Duck off Innermessan. 2 Velvet Scoter off Marianport plus close to shore, a superb Slav Grebe in breeding finery. Nigel Willits. 

20-30 c1330-1400hrs at Kirkconnell Flow, not far off boardwalk & flying between trees either side. 

Osprey over the River Annan this morning carrying a fish. Bill Jamieson. 

3 House Martin above Cannee Farm, Kirkcudbright, 1st april. Chris Carter. (not of X Files)