Girvan at Easter

It has been rather busy back at home but not on the bird front. The garden has had regular parties of finches and in some considerable numbers recently so I'm hoping we can finally get the nets out soon. The 'rides' had been block by a fallen willow but I've managed to clear that this last week.

We took a brief Easter break up to Girvan last weekend and though the weather was a bit inclement, managed to get a bit of birding in. A trip to get some DIY stuff in Ayr meant we just had to make a diversion to the Troon area where the Pectoral Sandpiper was still on a pool at Dundonald Camp. All three divers made an appearance - Black-throats in near full summer plumage off Turnberry, Red-throats off Girvan harbour and Great Northerns down at Ballantrae along with a pair of Twite. I managed just one image before a local black Labrador decided to investigate what I was doing!

Twite

There weren't all that many waders around. A few Ringed Plover were on territory but otherwise that side of things was quiet. Gannets and Sandwich Terns offshore were nice to see as always and the 13 Pale-bellied Brents were still present in Maidens harbour. On the way home we called in at Stranraer and then Wigtown where we timed our arrival to one of the biggest tides of the year. Lots of geese and a distant view of the long-staying Long-billed Dowitcher.

Ringed Plover

Rishton Reservoir has been quiet. Even with all the rain, the reservoir has dropped so I suspect that it's being drained again or that there's a significant leak. The exposed bank had yielded a Redshank but I've personally not seen any LRPs as each time I go down there are fishermen on it. There are four pairs of Great-crested Grebes at present but I can't wee then being able to breed with the water levels where they are.

The Christmas present has been in action a couple of nights - my first venture into Moth trapping - just the regular early stuff - Common and Small Quaker, Hebrew Character, Clouded Drab and Twin-spotted Quaker and a Chestnut - it's a start!