Around Caerlaverock, Wed 9th Dec
18mm of rain overnight so we're still pretty waterlogged; visitors therefore are advised to bring wellington boots. Vehicle access from the east (Carlisle/M6) is open now, though care must be exercised under the rail bridge at the western end od Cummertrees. "Rosd Closed" signs are still up on the approach to Bankend, but the flood waters have fully receded there, so it's easily passable.
On the high tide a little earlier there were sizeable flocks of Dunlin (3000+) and several groups of several hundred Golden Plover. 110 Redshank are on Folly Pond currently along with 400 Wigeon and 200 Teal and of course the Green-winged Teal. Male Ring-necked Duck remains on Whooper Pond, along with 30 or so Tufted Duck and 100 or so Whooper Swans. Barnacle Goose numbers are currently at about 8000. Little Egrets number up to 8
Around the reserve today:
Barnacle Geese: 8000- including 1 hybrid
Whooper Swans: 118
Whooper Pond
Whooper Swan 100
Mute Swan 51
Ring-necked Duck 1♂
Greater Scaup - no sign yet today
Mallard 50
Tufted Duck 35
Wigeon 30
Gadwall 2
Little Grebe 1
Canada Geese 40
Greylag Geese 20
Folly Pond
Green-winged Teal 1♂
Teal 200
Wigeon 400
Mallard 6
Shoveler 26
Gadwall 2
Avenue Tower
Flood Ground:
Teal 150
Wigeon 200
Mallard 35
Gadwall 3
Grey Heron 1
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
Peregrine 1
Merlin 1
Back Pond Hide
Kingfisher 1
Peter Scott Trail
Water Rail 2
Avenues & Feeders
(notable species)
Redwing
Fieldfare
Yellowhammer
Brambling
Reed Bunting
Sparrowhawk
Song Thrush
Coal Tit
Long-tailed Tit
Goldfinch
Greenfinch
Linnet
Siskin
House Sparrow
Tree Sparrow
Treecreeper
Lesser Redpoll
Great-spotted Woodpecker
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steven.cooper@wwt.org.uk
