Tag: bird notes
Leisure
House sparrow is most common garden bird
The last weekend in January 2020 was the RSPB Big Garden Bird Watch. This was the 41st year of this event. Individuals, families or groups not only took part in this survey of garden birds but some shared their results with me.
Leisure
Wintering flocks weather a wet January on Arran
In comparison to last January, January 2020 was milder and wetter. The first fortnight was marked by a prolonged spell of wet and windy weather culminating in Storm Brendan.
Leisure
Will we see an influx of winter waxwings?
It has been a number of years since there has been a winter influx of waxwings.
Leisure
In the depth of winter some signs of approaching spring
The mild weather of November continued into December. The month was however notable for some very wet weather with rainfall totals double those of December 2018
Leisure
First ever surf scoter is spotted on Arran
This, the 40th year of the Arran Natural History Society annual bird report, has been an outstanding year for bird records, with three new species recorded for the first time on Arran. In February there was a long staying water pipit, in June the black-headed bunting and in November a surf scoter.
Outdoors
Little egret a highlight of October migration
This is the third year in a row that this colonising species has been reported on Arran and it is the first time that records have included more than one bird.
Leisure
Osprey sightings are increasing on Arran
Through images on TV, the Osprey is a familiar bird plunging into water and rising with a fish in its talons. It is a fish-eating bird of prey with a cosmopolitan range. In the tropics and sub-tropics it is resident. The European population migrates to Africa after breeding.