Auchenreoch Loch. Lesser Scaup female still present giving excellent views through the trees at the car park next to Inn on the Loch. Ivan Lang. Ed. Is this what we have had at Auchenreoch Loch?  https://youtu.be/yscayzXKl6A?si=BhlV59f2ylC0n-D_

7th. Max & Ben Gibson have seen ; Short-eared Owl early doors from Castle Corner. Also 2 Stonechat. At WWT, Peregrine, Fieldfare & Redwing, Tree Sparrow, Grey Wagtail (& also around The Caul from Whitesands, Dumfries).

A Peregrine was mobbing a Short-eared Owl over the lagoon south of the car park. Ivan Lang. 

Castle Loch ; Very little & any Bittern present a no-show this pm to 4pm. Apart from a flyover GWE, 3 GC Grebe, c50 Wigeon, c40 Tufted Duck, about half a dozen Goldeneye, c12 Mutes, 2 Goosander. Kirk Loch ; probably the same GWE fishing well in town corner showing v well. Also c15-20 Tufties, c12 Goldeneye, c10 Goosander, 9 Mutes & a few Wigeon.

 

My first bird this season in the Mainsriddle garden. Splendid male👌. Brown cap & male Blackcap still too.

2 birds reported at Soulseat Loch (Stranraer-ish) last Saturday, 1st.

The usual Dumfries Hooded Crow in a garden along Annan Road, opposite Brasswell Car Sales (east of Brownrigg Loaning). Paul Massey.

Yellow-browed Warbler at Lady Bay, Loch Ryan, today. Initially calling in first large tree on right if walking back up track. Gavin pp Alyn Chambers. 

Browny still coming to the pears today in the Mainsriddle garden.

Bittern & Great White Egret both present, plus 26 Goldeneye, 94 Tufted Duck & a roost of c.1,500 Starling. Paul Massey.

Brent Goose (Pale-bellied). 211 reported Nov 02, 2025 10:42 by Dominic Mitchell at Soleburn, Loch Ryan. Ed. Dominic's been on tour & reported a pair of Greater Scaup on Auchenreoch Loch. I suspect they're one of the drake hybrids & what is surely the ♀ Lesser Scaup.

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At least 40 Greenland Whitefronts at Threave Estate. Seen from Upper Marsh hide 1120-1300. Also 1 Willow Tit. Linda Gibson.

3 GWE still at WWT Caerlaverock & 1 from Drumburn viewpoint. A Marsh Harrier at WWT Caerlaverock & 2 at RSPB Mersehead seen from both hides. Reports by Elizabeth Olgilvie, Steve Milner & Geoff Begg.

Spotted Redshank remain at Barnkirk Point. 2 birds this morning, on the river opposite the steel works, still on site when I left at 1230. Bill Jamieson.

1st. Other than the confusion Aythya ducks, there were c20 Little Grebe, c30 Goosander, single Gadwall, a hybrid Canada Goose & c12 Mandarin flew in & swiftly disappeared behind the willows at the southern end. I understand someone breeds them beyond the southern end of the loch?

Auchenreoch Loch. I reckon there could be 3 birds. There's 2 with clean white flanks & 1 with dirty grey & also with a dirty grey/brown mantle. The 2 pictured are hanging out with what I thought was a Tufted & always a very close 3some. Due to the size difference, I think the o/a nicely chocolate brown female could well be a Lesser Scaup ♀. The 2nd clean white flanker is hanging out with a bigger tufty flock. All 3 males are identical otherwise, with principally green sheen but purply nearer the bill base & depending how the light catches the head. What do you think?

Late pm, very little & the few duck there were, were all at the western end with the swans. Very odd. However, a Kingfisher darted over the water & I got good close views of an Otter, swimming across the loch & into the Carlingwark Lane Canal & away.

20 seen at WWT Caerlaverock yesterday, 31st.