Caerlaverock WWT - American Wigeon - 2nd March 2010

When I was told at work I had to make a trip up to Cumnock I thought early start and call into Caerlaverock WWT on my way home. For once everything slotted into place and I pulled up into the car park for my first visit to this wonderful WWT site just befor 2pm.

WHOOPER SWAN

After a brief chat with the lady at the till I headed for the Sir Peter Scott hide to see what I could find. I settled down to what was at first a quiet hide, swan feed at 2 and it soon filled up with a party of German birders. I searched amongst the Wigeon and soon picked out the magnificent drake American Wigeon. Also on the Whooper pond were Mute and Whooper Swans, Greylag, Tufted Duck and Mallard.

ABOVE AMERICAN WIGEON AND MALLARD BELOW AMERICAN WIGEON AND GREYLAG

ABOVE AMERICAN WIGEON AND TUFTED DUCK BELOW AMERICAN WIGEON, WIGEON AND TUFTED DUCK

FEMALE WIGEON CHASES OFF THE AMERICAN WIGEON

Things were getting a little crowded plus I didn't have much time and wanted a little look around so I headed down to the Saltcot Merse hide. A single Barnacle Goose was in the field on the left with 5 more further down, Carrion Crow, House Sparrow, Reed Bunting, Chaffinch, Blue and Great Tit as well as one of my favourite birds as a child the Yellowhammer were all seen in numbers on the walk down.

ABOVE MALE HOUSE SPARROW, BELOW MALE REED BUNTING BOTTOM YELLOWHAMMER

From the hide I spotted Merlin, Redshank, Black-Headed Gull, Knot, Curlew, Redshank, Mute Swan and Lapwing. There were more Gulls about and waders feeding way out on the mud flats but I couldn't get a good view with my scope. As I left there were c200 Pinkfooted Geese feeding in one of the fields.
It's a shame I was limited for time as it looks a great place to visit and I'm more than sure I'll be back with Reece in tow.