We’ve had a great start to the New Year here at WWT Caerlaverock! Our Big Bird Challenge started on the 1st of January with the placement students being pitted against the wardens to see who can spot the most species of birds before the end of the month. On New Year’s Day, visitors and volunteers were invited to get involved and as you can see from the sightings list below, many were identified!
Highlights have included some large flocks of golden plover and lapwing. These flocks (sometimes of mixed species) form in the winter time because they communally feed as an anti-predator defence mechanism. This ‘dilution effect’ works because for any one predator attack, the larger the group of prey animals, the smaller the chance that any particular individual will be the victim.
Both species have suffered large population declines in the last century due to a reduction in traditionally managed grass and farmland, in particular the loss of mixed farming and spring cropping. Being able to provide suitable habitat for these birds during winter time is a super important part of the work we do here at WWT Caerlaverock.
Other highlights include goosander: they have been seen multiple times in the last fortnight. Part of the sawbill family, they have serrated beaks so they can catch fish. They have a penchant for salmon and trout making them come into conflict with fishermen. Goosander nest in holes in trees along the riverbank. Just like the golden plover and lapwing, they are gregarious birds and can form huge flocks, although we have only seen a few of them on site so far this winter.
Written by Marianne Nicholson
22nd December
Merse
PSO
23rd December
Merse
Saltcot Loaning
Folly Pond
27th December
Newfield Hide
Sparrowhawk
Folly Pond
Paddock
Avenue
Teal Pond
Corner field
Avenue Tower
Saltcot
Peregrine falcon
29th December
Back Pond
Saltcot
1st January
Newfield hide
Feeding station on PST
Corner by PSO
Paddock
Flying overhead
Teal pond
Avenue Tower
Folly Pond
Saltcot
2nd January
Newfield Hide
PST
PSO
Saltcot
3rd January
PST
01/01/23 Inland Bird Count
Whooper swan – 115
Teal – 366
Wigeon – 153
Redshank – 5
Common snipe – 1
Moorhen – 17
Mallard – 153
Shoveler – 27
Mute swan – 41
Greylag goose – 1
Canada goose – 134
Tufted duck – 7
Barnacle geese – 866
Shelduck – 3
Peregrine falcon – 2
Buzzard – 1
Golden plover – 109
Photo credit Alex Hillier