Ken Dee, Caerlaverock & Mersehead–A great way to end 2011

We don’t get over to the east of Dumfries & Galloway very often due to work so decided on a couple of nights away to end the year after the Christmas rush.

Red Kite

We stopped off on the way to Dumfries at RSPB Ken Dee Marshes. We had visited before many years ago when we were staying at Livingstone Cottage not far down the road and had cycled here. The weather, I remember had been very hot, but today it was bitterly cold and very wet.As we approached the car park there were several Red Kites above, I managed to snap this one as we got out of the car.

Our next sighting was a beautiful Jack Snipe, our first, unfortunately far too fast for me to get a photo!

Bluetit

We walked briskly to the first hide where lots of small birds were on the feeders

Male Chaffinch

Great tit

The view from the hide and a break in the weather

Nuthatch

Plenty of Nuthatches here, we don’t get them at home in the far west of the county.

 

 

Birch Polypore (Piptoporus betulinus)

Willow Tit

Can be distinguished from the Marsh Tit by the paler flash down the wing, the matt black head and not so neat bib.

We don’t get these at home either!

 

Coal Tit

Red Squirrel

RSPB sign asking visitors to “respect the activities of shooting parties” !!!

Next morning we were up early and headed for WWT Caerlaverock. We stopped at the Castle Wood car park first for a walk and spotted these geese overhead. Plenty of birds in the woods including Jay and Bullfinch.

We then headed for the main WWT Centre, where there were hundreds of Barnies on the approach Road.

Barnacle Geese

Roe Deer

Green-winged Teal (right)

Teal

Whooper Swan…

…dabbling

Nearly feeding time for the Mutes and Whoopers waiting patiently!

Tree Sparrow

Very pretty Mallard female

With her mate.

The WWT staff keep getting reports of a Snow Bunting…

 

…but its just a leucistic Chaffinch!

Still waiting!

Another family flying in

Splash!

At last-feeding time!

Canada Geese tucking in…

…and a Wigeon

Longhorn Cattle grazing

Roe Deer

We managed to spend a good 5 hours at Caerlaverock, we stayed until the light was fading and saw a flock of Yellowhammers in the hedgerow

Next morning, ignoring yet another miserable wet day, we set off early for RSPB Mersehead. We were keen to visit as we had heard so much about it as Kirsty (our sons girlfriend) works there. As soon as we arrived we saw Barnies coming into land right by the car park.

We headed for the first hide, out of the rain and saw several Yellowhammers…

…and Reed Buntings by the path

Female Reed Bunting

Male Reed Bunting

We spent some time in both of the hides watching the ducks including Shoveller, Pintail and Goldeneye.

We then decided to brave the weather and do the circular walk to the beach. Lots more Barnies along the way.

The beach was great although bitterly cold..

…so we walked briskly back to the Visitor Centre for a hot coffee, a chat with RSBPB staff member Hannah and watched the birds through the window.