Angus Hogg has sent in a nice set of pictures of the recent Waxwing invasion. This group was in Prestwick on 10th November and part of a larger group of birds. Click on the thumbnails below to see the full pictures.
Waxwing Invasion
Breeding Stonechats in Ayrshire
Angus Hogg
Following a prolonged, severe cold period during the second half winter 2009-10, it was obvious that many small birds had suffered a heavy casualty rate. Most inland pairs of Stonechats were wiped out and, based on evidence gathered so far, many of the coastal pairs suffered a similar fate. This kind of thing has happened before, and the species will, doubtless,bounce back. However, it would be useful to know just how bad the situation is prior to the recovery.
I’d be really grateful if anyone with observations of single territorial males, or breeding pairs of Stonechats anywhere in Ayrshire this year could send their records to me (please include the site name and, if possible, a grid reference) before mid November. I’m hoping to write up a short note in the SOC Ayr Branch Newsletter outlining the current breeding status of our county bird. The deadline for inclusion in the newsletter is late November.
Mud, Mud, Glorious Mud
Gill Smart, SWT
Knockshinnoch Lagoons has plenty of exposed mud at the moment. We lowered the sluices and cleared the vegetation earlier this month to attract the waders in to in front of the hide. I was there today and believe I saw a Black-tailed Godwit. It would be nice to have that confirmed by a “proper birder”. There were also more than 50 Teal and 4 Snipe. I’m sure there were other good things there that the more trained eye would have spotted.
The Stonechat – Now In Glorious Technicolor!
The Stonechat is the magazine of the Ayrshire branch of the SOC. It is now being edited by Tony Scott and is available now for download 
in lovely colour. This edition has an update on Irvine Bay developments, BTO Atlas status, a few envy-invoking trip reports and a whole lot more.