Scottish Wildlife Trust Berwickshire Group
Newsletter March 2016
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Beyond The Border
Number 44: March 2016
Spring is always an exciting time of the year for plant enthusiasts with so many species coming into flower. Sweet Violet (Viola odorata) first appeared on the old railway-line to the NE of Kelso on the 2nd and ten days later Primroses (Primula vulgaris) were admired near Blackadder Mount, Duns. Early evidence of Common Scurvy-grass (Cochlearia officinalis) was noted along the coast at Broad Sands, North Berwick (13th) and Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) helped to illuminate ahedge at Highridge Hall (nr. Ednam/Kelso/16th) with the blossom appearing before the leaves
The abundant but odious invasive Few Flowered Leek (Allium paradoxum) had begun to bloom along riverside haunts near The Union (Chain) Bridge at Horncliffe by the 20th. Far more exciting was the discovery of Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris) beside The Eye Water (nr. Reston/22nd). It was delightfully described as being a “sizeable clump and so bright and cheerful”. Tuberous Comfrey (Symphytum tuberosum) was also in flower with some growingon The Braids (Liberton, Edinburgh/23rd). What I consider to be one of our most special early flowers is Wood Anemone (Anemone nemorosa) and a small drift of these wonderful plants (25th) were the stars of Ferry Glen at Queensferry, West Lothian.
Orange Ladybirds (Halyzia 16-guttata) are really attractive beetles and 2 of these were reported from Archerfield at Direlton on the 7th. Buff-tailed Bumblebees (Bombus terrestris) had emerged by the 13th with 2 queens at North Berwick but many more – together with Red-tailed Bumblebees(Bombus lapidarius) – were active in the following days. A Small Tortoiseshell was also spotted at North Berwick (13th) whilst it was a Peacock which was to be first to appear at Lamberton the following day. Once again both these species increased in both numbers and range soon after these dates. Common Frog were aplenty at Lamberton with 50+ spawning by the 12th. They had also stirred in the much later area of the Bowmont Valley (Cheviot Hills/29th) with 9 deposits of spawn found at Cocklawfoot and 19 deposits not far from The Castles.
Lamb Island lies just off the East Lothian coast and beside it swam a Red-throated Diver onthe 13th. Little Grebe frequented the River Tweed at Sprouston (max=2/all month), Yetholm Loch (3 pairs/10th), Romany Marsh (Yetholm/2/29th) and Hen Poo (Duns/3/end March). Sea watching from Rotten Brae (Eyemouth/29th) led to a 3-hour count of 161 passing Gannets. Cormorants are a near-daily sight along The Tweed at Sprouston but a tally of 22 of these birds was well above the norm.
Whooper Swans generally remained faithful to their regular feeding haunts and so the figures simply refer to the maximumnumbers encountered. Many herds diminished rapidly (or vanished northwards) after the middle of the month although sightings were possible right through to the end of March. Wark Farm (Wark-on-Tweed/1st) had the biggest gathering with 180+ whilst Gateside (nr. Redden) supported only 17 that same day. Other records came from the Sprouston area (15/8th), Birgham Haugh (Birgham/40+/7th), Redden Haugh (130+/7th), Folly Loch (nr. Ancrum/89/9th), Learmouth (nr. Cornhill-on-Tweed/50+/12th) near Union Bridge (Paxton/1/20th), Joshua Wood (Whitsome/53/23rd) and finally, nearby Whitsome Hill (23/29th). With Whoopers having moved on, the Gateside site was instead occupied by 72 Mute Swans from the 28th. Meanwhile 44 Brent Geese remained at Fenham-le-Moor (nr. Belford) until at least the 10th.
Mandarin Duck have certainly established themselves on the River Eye nr. Eyemouth with (15th) a count of 17 made. 22Tufted Duck, 75 Wigeon and a stunning male Pintail were amongst the waterfowl present on Folly Loch (9th). Elsewhere Gadwall continued to occupy both Yetholm loch (26/10th) and Romany Marsh (Pair/29th). We seem to hear little of Pochard in our immediate area but one male appeared on Yetholm Loch (10th), together with 32 Goldeneye that same day.
2 Ospreys were watched inspecting the Duns Castle Reserve at the end of March and small numbers of Red-legged Partridge were widely distributed around the Swinton area. A flock of 350 Golden Plovers arrived at Fenham-le-Moor on the 10th whilst the 50+ admired at Rumbleton (nr. Greenlaw/11th) was just one of a number of marginal areas where Lapwing could be admired. 25+ Dunlin rested alongside 30+ Knot in Granton Harbour (Edinburgh/22nd). Most Curlews remained in coastal areas (eg. 150+ beside The Firth ofForth nr. Hound Point, Dalmeny/25th)but “songflighting” was noted near Swindon Cottage and Cocklawfoot (both = Bowmont Valley/29th). A skulking Woodcock was flushed at Gordon Moss, nr. Gordon on 25th.
Fidra Island (East Lothian/13th) was bustling with Herring Gull and although viewed from the mainland, roughly 2000 appeared to be present. 3 Razorbills swam beside Craigleith and 5 beside Lamb Island together with 15+Guillemots at nearby Fidra on the same day. 4 Stock Doves arrived at Lamberton on the 16th and remained for the duration of the month.
Barn Owls were found in a number of their regular haunts but observers were good enough to also highlight some new territories. Records – all of singles – referred to Roxburgh Castle (nr. Kelso/7th), Spottiswoode (nr. Westruther/8th), The Law (Roxburgh/11th), Pistols Crossroads and Kelloe Toll (both near Allanton/17th.) Only one Short-eared Owl was reported this month with the sighting made at Fenham-le-Moor on the 10th, whilst at Swinton (01:00hrs/29th) a Tawny Owl sat on a fence post at The Harcarse road-end. A Kingfisher was regarded as a“regular”on the River Tweed at Paxton House and amongst the ‘drumming’ Great Spotted Woodpeckers was a male studied at Gardener’s Cottage, Blackadder Mount (nr.Duns/4th). A Green Woodpecker remained within the Duns Castle Reserve where it was heard ‘yaffling’ at the end of March.
A very early Swallow flew in the Bowmont Valley nr.Sourhope on the 29th. The availability of food is likely to have been a problem for this bird as soon afterwards hailstones began to fall. 3 Sand martins had appeared over Yetholm Loch the day before. A Dipper occupied astretch of The Bowmont water nr. Mowhaugh on the 29th. Redwings did seem to be scarcealthough 20+ were found atSaint Foin (nr.Birgham/9th). Fieldfares proved easier to locate and included 700+ nr. Thornington Covert (Branxton/6th), 30+ at Boghall (Carfrae, Lauderdale/8th) and 400+ at Saint Foin (9th). A Mistle Thrush was found at Lamberton (23rd) – already sitting on a newly-constructed nest. Long-tailed Tits remained close to a small thicket with a pair in Dalmeny Park (Dalmeny/25th). This was a site which they will almost certainly be using for breeding purposes in the near future. Both a Nuthatch and a Treecreeper were watched in the vicinity of the Roman Fort at Cramond (nr. Edinburgh/22nd). Ravens (max=2/2nd + 26th) frequented the Lamberton area whilst (29th) a lone bird drifted over Mowhaugh. Few Hooded Crows seem to linger within our area and so the finding (10th) of one at Kettelshiel nr. Westruther is a useful record.
Linnets are resident in the Sprouston area but 80+ (1st) was a bigger flock than is usually seen. Siskins and Lesser Redpolls visited the garden at 54 Easter Street, Duns. We are fortunate to have so many Yellowhammers in the Borders. Amongst the recent sightings was a flock of 100+ at Lurdenlaw (nr. Kelso/29th). Another large count was possible on Whaup Moor nr. Branxton, where 300+ Yellowhammers and 50+ Reed Buntings were feeding.
Common Pipistrelles flew on the evening of March 31 with one near Old Mill, Cornhill- on-
Tweed, 2 on Wark Farm and another 2 at Coldstream Mains (Coldstream). Many Grey Squirrels appeared both in and around Edinburgh but, once again, sadly no news of Red Squirrels was received. Groups of Brown Hares engaged in behaviour which included chasing, jumping and boxing. 5 Feral Goats were watched as they fed high on Easter Tor in the Cheviot Hills (6th). Other mammal sightings included a herd of 11 Roe Deer at Ednam East Mill (nr.Ednam/8th) and a Grey Seal fishing in Granton harbour (22nd). I was also lucky enough to encounter Badgers wandering about on the road with one at Swinton Mill (Swinton/3rd) and another near Maxton Bank (Maxton/7th).
Observers included:- Jimmy Cambell/Murray Henderson/Dr. David Long/James D. Lough/Ron McBeath/Roger Manning-Elspeth Ditcham/Christine Stanton/Brian Turner/Myra Watson.
ROGER MANNING
Thanks Roger for your reports and Chris for typing them up.
Bird Migration
Bird migration has fascinated mankind for a very long time, away back in the Bible the seasonal arrival and disappearance of birds was noted. In early times in this country it was thought that Swallows overwintered at the bottom of ponds, they would be seen going in to roost in reed beds on an autumn evening and the next morning they were all gone, people could not conceive that they were flying away to Africa and thought they must have gone under the water and from where they would then re-appear the next spring.
At the March meeting of the Scottish Wildlife Trust in Duns Tom Cadwallender attracted about 55 members for his talk on Bird Migration.
Birds which can find sufficient food here throughout the year will remain here and are residents. Some birds are partial migrants, the Robin in your garden in winter may be a local bird but it could just as easily be a continental bird which has decided to over-winter here, where-as some of our local birds may have moved south for the winter. Chaffinches and Siskins also move around depending on the local food supply in winter. Differential migration is when an entire population of birds move away to find food when none is available here.
The Sandwich Terns which nest on the Farne Islands and on islands in the Firth of Forth go to the coast of north-west Africa whereas the Arctic Terns will go all the way to the Antarctic oceans. One bird ringed on the Farne Islands was recovered in Australia, a round trip of 38,000 kilometers. If they live for 25 to 30 years how many miles must they fly ? Swallows will fly as far south as The Cape in South Africa but many birds such as Cuckoos, Ospreys, Sand martins and most Warblers over winter just south of the Sahara. They only fly as far as is necessary to find a reliable food supply as it is expensive in energy and in lives flying so far. It is thought as many as 5,000 million birds move from northern Europe to Africa each autumn.
A typical Sedge Warbler will weigh 11 grams in the summer, but just prior to migrating it will double its weight with stored fat, as it burns off its fat when migrating it will stop off at staging posts to recoup its weight again.
Some birds think that Britain is the ideal place to overwinter. Fieldfares and Redwings fly over the North Sea each autumn in vast numbers, as our winters are so much milder than in Scandinavia. Some other birds only migrate from Scandinavia if there is a lack of food there, Waxwings, Bramblings and Short-eared Owls have eruptions, winters when they come here in large numbers to avoid starvation. This winter has been a good one for spotting Short-eared Owls, there must be a shortage of Voles in Scandinavia and quite a number have been seen hunting on rough ground all along the coast from Holy Island to Edinburgh.
Many of our wintering geese have very specific wintering and summering destinations. The large and bold, black and white Barnacle Goose which winters at Caerlaverock in Dumfriesshire flies north to nest is Svalbard (Spitsbergen) whereas the population which overwinters on the Island of Islay nests in Greenland. The smaller Brent Goose which overwinters on the mud flats at Holy Island has a pale breast and nests in Svalbard whereas in the south of England there is a dark bellied race and they nest in Western Siberia. Sometimes these geese will mix and intermingle when they overwinter here but in general they will return to their proper destinations to breed.
Male Shelducks do not take part in the raising of their offspring and leave that task to the female ducks. After egg laying most of our drake Shelducks fly across the North Sea and summer in Holland and in the Germany Bite where they moult. Goosanders have a similar strategy, here the males leave the females to raise the offspring and they depart to the fiords in northern Scandinavia.
For a long time bird ringing has been the principal method of finding out where our birds go when they migrated, but the chance of a ringed bird being recovered on its overwintering ground is very small. New technology in the form of tiny satellite transmitters has revolutionised the following of birds on their migration and turned up a number of surprises. The small water bird, the Red-necked Phalarope, nests in very small numbers on some of our northern islands and it was assumed they wintered along the shores of the Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf where birds from Scandinavia are known to overwinter. Much to everyone’s surprise a Scottish bird with a tracking device flew the opposite direction and went via Iceland, Canada and the USA and overwintered on the Pacific coast in Ecuador.
Another amazing journey is that taken by Bar-tailed Godwits, some of the population of this wader breed in Alaska, from there they fly non-stop south, across the Pacific, all the way to New Zealand, a journey of some 7,700miles - flying non-stop for six days.
If you Google BTO Cuckoo tracking you can find a web site run by the British Trust for Ornithology and here you can follow the day by day movement of a number of Cuckoos with satellite tracking devices fitted to them when they were here in Scotland. Right now they have started their return journey and are just south of the Sahara. Similarly you can follow the migration of a number of Ospreys which fly to western Africa for the winter and are now returning back to Scotland to breed.
Ron McBeath
Next Newsletter will be out in early June