Caerlaverock Wildlife highlights, Monday Dec 28th
Road access from the east (M6, Carlisle, Annan etc) is now ok, but there are some pretty large puddles on the roads so do take extra care. The water is completely over the road at Bankend near here, but is easily passable with care. Visitors should also be aware that the avenues are wet but drying, so wellington boots remain the sensible option. Barnacle Goose nos have swollen to around 11,500 visible from the Farmhouse Tower. Whoopers remain constant at around 120. The Ring-necked Duck is yet again showing well on the Whooper Pond. The even longer staying male Green-winged Teal is again on the Folly Pond. Up to 8 Little Egrets can be found dotted around. Recent rainfall has been heavy, so there are large temporary pools in most fields, with a good broadcast of birds, including hundreds of Curlews, Lapwings and Golden Plovers. Two Merlins overflew the meadow in pursuit of each other(!) this morning
High Tide today is at 14:03, 9.4mtr
Around the reserve today:
Barnacle Geese: 11,500
Whooper Swans: 133
Whooper Pond
Whooper Swan 120
Mute Swan 50
Ring-necked Duck 1♂
Mallard 50
Tufted Duck 40
Wigeon 45
Gadwall 2
Canada Geese 100
Greylag Geese 40
Folly Pond
Green-winged Teal 1♂
Teal 200
Wigeon 300
Mallard 16
Shoveler 30
Gadwall 2
Redshank 100
Avenue Tower
Flood Ground:
Teal 150
Wigeon 200
Mallard 35
Gadwall 3
Grey Heron 1
Lapwing 600
Golden Plover 400
Curlew 170
Saltcot Merse Observatory
Hen Harrier 1♂ - seen most days
Little Egret 3
Barnacle Geese
Over the high tide:
Dunlin 3000
Knot 1000
Golden Plover 700
Grey Plover 200
Shelduck 3000
Pintail 1000
Scaup 1000
Peregrine 1
Merlin 2
Back Pond Hide
Kingfisher 1
Peter Scott Trail
Water Rail 2
Avenues & Feeders
(notable species)
Redwing
Fieldfare
Yellowhammer 25
Brambling
Reed Bunting
Sparrowhawk
Song Thrush
Coal Tit
Long-tailed Tit
Goldfinch
Greenfinch
Bullfinch ♂
Linnet
Siskin
House Sparrow
Tree Sparrow
Treecreeper
Lesser Redpoll
Great-spotted Woodpecker
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steven.cooper@wwt.org.uk
