October review posted today. awanderroundthewig.blogspot.com [ http://awanderroundthewig.blogspot.com ]

Drake amongst Tufties at the town end of Carlingwark Loch.

Take a look at this activity I've found on the RSPB website: https://www.rspb.org.uk/whats-happening/news/tell-the-uk-government-they-must-do-better-for-nature   DO IT NOW!!

Bro saw a chiffy at WWT Caerlaverock on 25th.

Recap. 25th. Greater Scaup (9), Surf Scoter (3) "3 adult drake: 1 Balcary Point, 2 Rascarrel". Common Scoter (600). Common Greenshank (1). Red-throated Diver (10). Grey Wagtail (1). Rock Pipit (8). Ross Ahmed.

Water Rail (1). Hen Harrier (1), "Ad male" today early doors. Ross Ahmed.

Redhead today seen at south-western end of Carlingwark Loch. 3x 1st-winter Gtr Scaup still & Kingfisher. Ross Ahmed. 

24th. Caerlaverock NNR, 20 Twite somewhere. Castle Loch, single Kingfisher. 25th - Auchenreoch Loch, Greater Scaup. Ross Ahmed. A ringtail Hen Harrier was on the merse & ad ♀ Peregrine sat on post at WWT Caerlaverock seen by Chris Baines. 

Auchenreoch Loch, drake Aythya hybrid still. Castle Loch, 2 GWE around the edge. Caerlaverock NNR, Brow Well, Curlew Sandpiper on Lochar Water & from presumably Hollands Hide, 1 GWE & 1 Ruff. Latter amongst lapwings. Also found 3 drake Surf Scoters today along the Balcary to Rascarrel coastline. One distant from Balcary and two together off the cliff tops west of Rascarrel. With Common Scoters. Ross Ahmed.

I've some mixed feeling about "Country Sports" but blood-sport it should be correctly accredited to be. I can understand shooting pigeons and corvids, given the majority of landscape just so happens to benefit them, but some duck and goose, and woodcock and snipe, certainly NOT. Rough Shooting – Galloway Country Sports [ https://gallowaycountrysports.co.uk/rough-shooting/ ]. Is this activity allowed on the Carse Bay merse north of Carse Pow? Isn't that area the SWT reserve of Drummains Reedbed? So do SWT allow it or do they have no say in this inappropriate activity for the location (IMO)? PJ

Large number of waders today & virtually no gulls. Usual Whimbrel, c500-1000 Dunlin, c500 Knot several Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Grey Plover, c15 Snipe. Carse Bay. Wandered to the bench at Carse Pow. No Shorelark or Snow Bunting! Fabulous male Merlin failing to catch a wader, 1 Greenshank, Peregrine over back fields, GC Grebe, plenty Pintail, Wigeon, Teal, couple of RBM, maybe up to 1000 Dunlin & probably a few Twite seen.

A bird reported at Lochar Water, Brow Well today. A Peregrine was at Southerness yesterday per Rosie Filipiak.

Checked through the flock of Teal between Garlieston and Rigg Bay but no sign of the GWT. Nice to see fly by Med Gull and hunting Merlin. Ivan Lang. 

22nd. Rosie Holdsworth reports; "Male Hen Harrier quartering over the marshes, viewed for approx. 10 minutes".

Forgot to mention 3 Purple Sandpipers at Southerness Point yesterday 22nd midday. Initially to the east of lighthouse before moving west. Gavin.

Green-winged Teal found in Rigg Bay, Garlieston this pm.

Today. Returning ♀ Blackcap. 

Hooded Crow on lampost at junc with Brownrigg Loaning today at 1050. Lorna Lomas.

A bird has been recently reported in the broad area linked. The Raiders Road is closed for the winter, not reopening until Easter 2026. Viewing is only possible by walking along the old railway track walk, passing Stroan Loch. Attempted to find the bird with Robbie P & Chris B today, but no bird found in the clear sunny conditions. Stonechats, Buzzard, a few Reed Bunting & a flock of Fieldfare being the few birds seen. General area of Airie Burn.  https://maps.app.goo.gl/wzPuhhuimfpAnGaVA

Report of a bird in voice at Castle Loch, Lochmaben. Heard on the western side of the loch.