A male goosander, a stunning saw billed duck which are increasing in number. Photo by Dennis Morrison
Gannet, the first returning bird seen in January. Photo by Dennis Morrison
January 2018 had a mean temperature more than a degree colder than the previous January and had almost twice as much rain as last year with snow at times even to low levels. While the weather was not conducive to being out of doors, almost 100 species were reported. Highlights included: a pair of goosander at Fisherman’s Walk on 12th, four little grebe in Loch Ranza on 17th and a merlin on Braehead Farm on 20th. Two of our more secretive species were also re-ported: a water rail by Sliddery Shore on 12th and three moorhen at Port na Lochan on 22nd. In addition there were reports of all three divers including: two great northern diver in Catacol Bay on 18th, six black-throated diver off Largymore on 22nd and a red-throated diver off Sandbraes on 29th.