Marsh Harrier and Otters
In the last fortnight, we've continued to have a significant number of raptors around: people have been reporting hen harrier, peregrine falcon and kestrel, as well as a marsh harrier!
These are a much less common occurrence here than other birds of prey. Marsh harrier like reed beds and marshes as well as farmland near wetlands so the kind of habitat we protect at WWT Caerlaverock suits them perfectly. However, they are scarce breeders in Scotland with most of the breeding populations residing in the River Tay area.
Other highlights include the variety of mammals spotted. An otter pup and its mother were on the Whooper Pond this week and gave our wardens quite a show. They swam right up to the glass and stayed for long enough for them to snatch some video (if you’re keen to see it, it’s on our social media). Roe deer, stoat and mink have also been spotted around site.
The barnies showed up nicely for the Dawn Flight Walk this Sunday, providing quite a spectacle for the attendees.
Photo credits Alex Hillier
Written by Marianne Nicholson
Saturday January 7th
Folly Pond
- Shoveler
- Mallard
- Teal
- Wigeon
- Curlew
- Black tailed godwit
- Red shank
- Lapwing
- Starling
- Oystercatcher
- Barnacle geese
Peter Scott Trail feeders
- Great tit
- Blue tit
- Goldfinch
- Chaffinch
- Wren
- Dunnock
- Tree sparrow
Back Pond
- Pair of goosander
- Moorhen
Sunday 8th January
Peter Scott Trail
- Long-tailed tit
- Sparrowhawk
Newfield Hide
- Curlew
- Several flocks of barnacle geese
Folly Pond
- Sparrowhawk
- Black tailed godwit
- Lapwing
- Tufted duck
- Redshank
- Curlew
- Pair of gadwall
Saltcot
- Pinkfooted geese
- Pair of red breasted merganser
- Shelduck
Corner by Peter Scott Observatory
- Yellowhammer
Avenue Tower
- Female goldeneye
- Little egret
- Fieldfare
- Pink footed goose
- Buzzard
Teal Pond
- Heron
- Little grebe
Feeders by carpark
- Lesser redpoll
Monday 9th January
Peter Scott Observatory
- Ringtail hen harrier
Folly Pond in front of Farmhouse
- Mink
Saltcot Merse Observatory
- Long-tailed tit
Whooper Pond
- Otter
Wednesday 11th January
Folly Pond
- Oystercatcher
Whooper Pond
- Pair of goosander
Sunday 15th January
Back Pond Hide
- Sparrowhawk
Peter Scott Trail
- Water rail
Newfield Hide
- Barnacle geese
- Curlew
- Oystercatcher
Whooper Pond
- Male goosander
Avenue Tower
- Ring tail and male hen harrier
- Marsh harrier
- Peregrine falcon
- Buzzard
- Kestrel
- Little egret
Paddock
- Male bullfinch
- Redwing
- Yellowhammer
- Female reed bunting
Teal Pond
- Little grebe
Folly Pond
- Curlew
- Redshank
Saltcot
- Merlin
- Male hen harrier
- Peregrine falcon
- Little egret
Monday 16th January
Peter Scott Trail
- Chaffinch
- Robin
- Blue tit
- Wren
- Tree sparrow
Whooper Pond
- Mute swan
- Whooper swan
- Mallard
- Tufted duck
- Wigeon
- Moorhen
- Canada goose
Tuesday 17th January
Folly Pond
- Raven
Saltcot Loaning
- Bullfinch
Thursday 19th January
Merse
- Roe deer
Friday 20th January
Peter Scott Trail Feeders
- Water rail
Newfield Hides
- Snipe
- Fieldfare
Saturday 21st January
Peter Scott Trail Feeders
- Water rail
- Green finch
- Great spotted woodpecker
- Stoat
- Great tit
- Blue tit
- Goldfinch
- Chaffinch
- Wren
- Dunnock
- Tree sparrow
Whooper Pond
- Rook
- Pied wagtail
- Wigeon
- Mallard
- Mute swan
- Whooper swan
- Moorhen
Newfield Hide
- Female bullfinch
- Fieldfare
- Snipe
Inland Bird Count 14/01/23
Whooper Swan – 118
Mute Swan – 24
Teal – 485
Wigeon – 282
Mallard – 82
Shoveler – 14
Tufted Duck – 6
Moorhen – 9
Canada Goose – 78
Greylag Goose – 1
Curlew – 10
Redshank – 38