Reserve Update Tuesday 26th December
A lovely day after all the rain yesterday. If you are visiting, it would be advisable to pack a pair of wellies as the path to Saltcot Merse Observatory is flooded.
The female Greater Scaup is still on Whooper Pond. Whooper numbers are currently down as they have moved to fields north of the reserve (some can be seen from Avenue Tower). There was a lovely view of a Merlin perched on a post on the Merse as seen from the Avenue Tower first thing, as well as a flock of over two hundred Golden Plover taking to the skies. Yesterday, the Newfield hide was especially good with over 20 Redshank feeding in the surrounding fields.
Named Whooper Swan arrivals:
YHS - Solway Siren
ZHP - Andrew K & YFZ - Ruth C A pair with 5 cygnets
YFS - Obi Swan Kenobi & YHZ - Princess Layer ( but she has lost her coloured darvic ring)
YSJ - Sheldon Whooper
YTG - Jack
Z6L - Rooby & Z7S - Bowie A pair with 1 cygnet
Z9F - Hendrick & Z6T - PP A pair with 1 cygnet
YRG - Lucky Linda
YSU - Nye
YPA - Eleanor
YSF - Topsy
YJL - Linda H
YTC - Margaret Ruth
APR - Elsie Barbara & YFB - Eric Anthony
ZGJ - Balthazar & YFP - BekahJo
YKJ- Hagar (lost coloured darvic ring)
YHV - Wowsie
YHD - Fionnaghal
Z4A - Argyll
YRK - Gylfi
YRN - Douglas Flintoff
YJF - Professor Sponge
YPK - Euan David
(Lost coloured ring) - New York Lady
ZDL - Rose (in with her mate and 2 cygnets)
YDK - Rowena (in with a mate and 1 cygnet)
Z5N - Andy
Z9T - Suzanne (in with her mate, possibly cygnets - so watch this space)
YHC - Charlie (in with a mate and 1 cygnet)
ZAB - Atty & YJH - Kate Two
APC- George
(Lost coloured ring)- Aspen
Z7G- Charners
YSK- Countess of Boulogne & YRS - Steven A pair with 5 cygnets
YFN - Fearn
(Lost coloured ring) - Snoopy
(Lost coloured ring) - Blackbill Cupcake
YHH - Lady Ela
ZGL - Elin
YPH- McMurdoston & YTF - Odette* A pair with 2 cygnets
Today's high tide is at 13:57, 9m.
Whooper Swans: 16
Barnacle Geese: around 4,000+
Around the reserve:
Whooper Pond
Whooper Swan 16
Mute Swan 71
Mallard 68
Gadwall 1
Tufted Duck 23
Greater Scaup 1
Wigeon 56
Teal 4
Canada Geese 53
Greylag Geese 1
Folly Pond
Teal 70
Wigeon 30
Shoveler 4
Teal Pond
Mallard 5
Wigeon 2
Shoveler 1
Little Egret 1
Roe Deer 2
Avenue Tower
Teal 203
Wigeon 138
Shoveler 4
Cormorant 1
Curlew 14
Lapwing 57
Redshank 1
Greylag Geese 53
Whooper Swan 35
Mute Swan 1
Little Egret 1
Saltcot Merse Observatory
Great White Egret 1
Kestrel
Buzzard 1
Peregrine 2 adults (pair)
Merlin 1
Marsh Harrier 1 juv
Hen Harrier 1 ♂ & juv/♀
Mute Swan 2
Barnacle Geese 2,000+ (leucistic 1)
Pink-footed Geese 2000+
Shelduck 210
Pintail 860
Red-breasted Merganser 13
Teal 90
Wigeon 124
Golden Plover 285
Dunlin 5000+
Knot 3200+
Lapwing 485
Oystercatcher 1630
Curlew 77
Little Egret 6
Grey Heron 5
Great Black-backed Gull 30
Hebridean Sheep 10
Longhorn Cattle 2
Avenues & Feeders
(notable species)
Brambling
Yellowhammer
Lesser Redpoll
Siskin
Bullfinch
Reed Bunting
Sparrowhawk
Coal Tit
Long-tailed Tit
Goldfinch
Greenfinch
Linnet
House Sparrow
Tree Sparrow
Treecreeper
Great-spotted Woodpecker
Goldcrest
Redwing
Fieldfare
Webcam
The winter webcam is now showing the Whooper Pond during the day and the badger feeding area from 5pm onwards.
https://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/caerlaverock/experience/webcam/
Twitter & Facebook
Follow us on Twitter @WWTCaerlaverock for instant WWT Caerlaverock bird news, wildlife news and upcoming events to your mobile phone or computer. This is a great way to get instant news as we update from our mobile phones as we are finding the birds.
You can also ‘Like’ us on Facebook https://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/caerlaverock/
rhiannon.hatfield@wwt.org.uk
