Recent Sightings 17th-23rd July
The highlight of this week was a flock of common crossbills that our site manager saw by the avenue tower. Usually seen in coniferous woodlands it is likely that they were only passing through, but it’s still a great sighting.
A grasshopper warbler was also heard from the avenue, although it was keeping true to its skulking nature and not showing itself. They can be identified by their song, which resembles a louder version of the grasshopper insect.
Regarding birds of prey, a barn owl has been spotted in the trees around the Folly pond a couple of times. Whilst the reserve team were on the Saltcot merse they saw a sparrowhawk and peregrine falcon hunting, possibly after the big flocks of starling.
As the breeding season for birds is approaching the latter stages, it is worth keeping a lookout for juveniles and fledglings, including moorhen and mallard chicks frequenting the Back pond. A young great spotted woodpecker has been seen on the Peter Scott Trail. Other juveniles include; wren, song thrush, blackbird, blue tit, great tit, chaffinch, sedge warbler, pied wagtail, tree sparrow, house sparrow and robin.
If you go out onto the Walk on the Wild Side meadow trail, (in drier, sunnier moments between rain spells), common darter and emperor dragonflies can be seen hovering over the Teal pond and tracks amongst the vegetation. Large red and blue tailed damselflies have also been regularly seen in this area.
Juvenile robin by Ian Henderson (not taken at Caerlaverock)
Feature photo Crossbill by PublicDomainImages via Pixabay (not taken at Caerlaverock).
