Caerlaverock wild highlights, Sunday Dec 20th
Another wild and wet night just past, with 33mm in the rain gauge, meaning that full access down the main avenue to the tower and Campbell Hide is realistically restricted to wearers of wellington boots. Visitors coming from the east/Carlisle direction should note that the road is blocked by flooding again at Cummertrees. Best route is travel a bit further on the A75 as far as Kinmount, then take the minor roads to Ruthwell. As per normal when conditions are very wet, there is a good broadcast of wildfowl and waders enjoying the temporary wet flashes. Barnacle Geese are plentiful, but rather dispersed into smaller flocks than may be typical. Ring-necked Duck and Green-winged Teal are at the usual Whooper and Folly Ponds respectively. Whooper Swan nos. were at about 100 first thing, with a sizeable flock in fields at nearby Upper Locharwoods
Around the reserve today:
Barnacle Geese: 5000- including 1 hybrid
Whooper Swans: 102
Whooper Pond
Whooper Swan 102
Mute Swan 48
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 300
Wigeon 300
Mallard 6
Shoveler 27
Gadwall 2
Avenue Tower
Flood Ground:
Teal 150
Wigeon 200
Mallard 35
Gadwall 5
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
