Sightings - 09/05/17
It was a good day for birds yesterday, it started with a Little-ringed Plover that dropped onto the folly pond island very briefly in the morning, before disappearing not to be seen again.
A Great Skua flew west past Saltcot just after high tide, so it is worth keeping an eye out as more Skuas as they start to move up the Solway in the coming weeks.
Finally two Wood Sandpipers were discovered on the flood ground late afternoon, feeding around the edges. This is a scarce passage migrant, on their way to arctic breeding grounds. One of the birds flew off very high, but the other continued to feed throughout the evening. There is no sign this morning however, the bird has probably moved on during the night.
Warbler numbers continue to build, with masses of Sedge Warblers singing down the avenues. Also fledged Blackbirds and Robins being fed by parents this morning.
Todays high tide is at 12:07, 8.8m
Around the reserve today:
Barnacle Geese: 6
Wildflowers
Blackthorn
Ramsons
Red Campion
Cuckoo Flower
Bluebells
Primrose
Insects
Peacock Butterfly
Large White Butterfly
Large Red Damselfly
Early Bumblebee
Tree Bumblebee
Common Carder Bee
Beefly
Drinker Moth caterpillar
Mammals
Brown Hare
Weasel
Roe Deer
Fox
Badger
Whooper Pond
Whooper Swan 2
Canada Goose 2
Mallard 15
Oystercatcher 2
Folly Pond
Teal 5
Mallard 10 - lots of ducklings here!
Oystercatcher 2
Shelduck 6
Moorhen 2
Black-tailed Godwit 3
Teal Pond
Little Grebe 2 - nesting
Mute Swan 2 - nesting
Swallows - nest building in the hide - enter slowly and quietly
Avenue Tower
Barnacle Geese 6
Pink-footed Geese 8
Mute Swan 2 nesting
Wigeon 4
Wheatear 1
Lapwing 8
Black-headed Gull 8 - nesting
Oystercatcher 2 - nesting
Shelduck 6
Longhorn Cattle 3
Saltcot Merse Observatory
Peregrine
Kestrel
Osprey
Buzzard
Skylarks singing
Barnacle Geese
Hebridean Sheep 10
Avenues & Feeders
(notable species)
Reed Bunting
Yellowhammer
Sparrowhawk
Coal Tit
Long-tailed Tit
Goldcrest
Goldfinch
Greenfinch
Linnet
House Sparrow
Tree Sparrow
Treecreeper
Great-spotted Woodpecker
Chiffchaff
Willow Warbler
Blackcap
Garden Warbler
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 http://www.facebook.com/wwtcaerlaverock.
Osprey Webcam
See live footage of our local Osprey nest here: http://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/caerlaverock/experience/ospreys/
The camera is online between 10am and 5pm daily.
joe.bilous@wwt.org.uk
