This is a serious concern as these charismatic birds epitomise the uplands and are a barometer for the health of the area. Ring ouzels and a new vision for the Cairngorm ski area June 17, 2016 Nick Kempe 17 comments Approaching the abandoned ski tow in Coire na Ciste two weeks ago, partially concealed by the rows of abandoned chairlift seats, three men in flak jackets, each with a camera whose lense was the size of a telescope, were reclining on the ground. The severe winter on the continent in 1995/96 produced several records of both species. When you reach the point by the memorial check the rocks at high tide for roosting waders. * Bird News Pro and Bird News Ultimate subscribers receive full sighting details. Waterston House Knot has even been recorded once. Something far better than the funicular – it had us grinning for the rest of the day and not just because we had got better views than the men with enormous cameras. To filter/search please enter a phrase. If you continue to use this site we’ll assume you’re happy to receive all cookies. We don’t have large plains in Scotland except round the coasts maybe and those have always been relatively settled so wild herbivore numbers have been small. I am really concerned about this approach to managing Cairngom. In decline. The smaller waders tend to congregate up at the top end of the saltmarsh by the ternery in higher tides. Dr Graham Rebecca, RSPB Conservation Officer for north-east Scotland and a member of the research team, added: “The very serious decline of one of our characteristic mountain birds has caused concern amongst conservation bodies in the UK. The woodland holds very small numbers of Marsh Tits and even these may be a thing of the past. “This allows us to track the juvenile birds and monitor their movements, preferred habitats, diet and survival for around three to four months, after which the tags should stop transmitting signals and fall off. Very little is known about what the birds do in this period and before they migrate to south-east Spain and Morocco where they spend the winter. The scrapes give excellent views of wading birds with Wood Sandpiper, Black-tailed Godwit and Spotted Redshank regular in spring with both Temminck’s Stint and Little Ringed Plover being recorded in three of the last four years. The observer just cannot fail to marvel at this huge seabird city with its ever present volume of sound and smell! The Whooper Swans can be found in small herds at favourite sites in amongst smaller numbers of Mute Swans. Between 6,200 and 7,500 pairs of ring ouzels breed annually in the UK but the population … Rarer species recorded here include Avocet and Black Kite. 29. This led to a significant increase in deer numbers that what later reversed in parts of the estate (not Rannoch moor which was kept for hunting) through the introduction of new sheep breeds. It was built over 100 years ago and has become an important area for birds in the Lothians, particularly in the winter when good numbers of wildfowl can be found here. The contraction in distribution and number of Ring Ouzels breeding in Britain, the work of the Ring Ouzel Study Group, the introduction of conservation measures and the potential impact of climate change are all described. Good hunting. To filter Rejected records, type Rejected into the Search box, all columns can be filtered. The cover around the row of cottages is also worth a look with the old orchard formerly a good place for Barred Warbler in autumn, but sadly this was cleared to make room for more houses. It is ecologically different because the soils and ground vegetation have for a long time been affected by intensive human use and now in places, as in the bulldozing done by Natural Retreats,  in effect destroyed. All Rights Reserved. Musselburgh Lagoons, at the mouth of the River Esk, were formed in 1964 by the South of Scotland Electricity Board. If the theory of a reduced food supply is upheld, this could be having a serious effect on the ring ouzel’s condition prior to migration. It can also act as a good seawatching point and may be worth a try. Moorfoot. "[...] This is an invaluable book on a very important, but relatively little-known, species by two remarkably enthusiastic fieldworkers in a part of the country renowned for its beauty. The creation of montane scrub habitat in Coire Cas could help counter the steady drop in the number of visitors using the funicular. The best times to search through the flocks are from September until mid-April. But when we go to the Serengeti plains and see thousands of antelope, wildebeest, impala, etc, we do not say “there are too many animals because they are preventing the area being wooded”. In the winter months large flocks of finches can contain many Twite and Brambling. Skateraw lying on the north side of Torness Power Station has always held an interest with Lothian birders due to the occasional drift migrants attracted here. Seafield Pond is situated just over the otherside of the seawall. Thrushes, chats, flycatchers, starling, dipper and wren; Statistics Length: 24cm Wingspan: 40cm Weight: 110g Average lifespan: 2 years. In terms of wolves, 10,000 years of coexistence of wolves and deer in Scotland did not prevent natural woodland loss: what makes you think it would be any different today? This area held Short-toed Lark and Shorelark this spring and may be worth checking in future years for large pipits. Visitors coming to the ski area to see the wildlife won’t in themselves rescue what is a white elephant but it could be part of a different model of sustainable tourism which is based on recreational enjoyment of  the natural environment. Much of the Arctic, for example, is miles of not much! Several pairs of Great Crested Grebe nest in the Phragmites reedbeds of the West Bay giving excellent views of their spring courtship routine. Incidentally, Taylor, who went over Mt Keen on horseback in 1618 (the first Munroist??) To reach the Linkfield car park, join the A1087 at Beltonford roundabout on the A1 near Dunbar and head towards Dunbar. In winter Smew may be found in amongst the commoner species of duck which include Mallard, Tufted Duck and sometimes a few Pochard. It might even  put the “natural” back into “Natural Retreats”. This challenging project will hopefully help us understand the worrying decline in the ring ouzel population and provide information on how management of these areas could help ring ouzel populations thrive in the Cairngorms.” Access: From Barnton roundabout, by Barnton Hotel, take Whitehouse Road. These have included Caspian Plover, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, several White-rumped Sandpipers and Baird’s Sandpiper. For some reason, if deer eat trees, we see this as a ‘bad thing.’ There is no evidence of predators making herbivores extinct. Careful scrutiny of the flock can produce Mediterranean, Little or even Iceland Gull. Hopefully some provision will be made at this time! Planting trees that will develop into montane scrub won’t do any more damage on areas which have been extensively modified and could help stabilise them. We use cookies to improve your experience of this website by remembering your usage preferences, collecting statistics, and targeting relevant content. Once you have checked the area continue down to the car park and check the two sets of cover for migrants. Access: Whiteadder Reservoir is on the B6355 from Gifford just south of Haddington. On an average year I see a few Ring Ouzel, but always around boulderfields and often under crags, although these birds are normally associated with montane scrub zones. Framed by a friend. To the east of the town, opposite the caravan park, a small burn enters the sea here. Yellowcraig, to the north of Dirleton near North Berwick, is mainly used by dog walkers. Park by the trees before the farm, remembering that the farm is private, although permission could be sought for a more intensive search of the area. The shelter belt and scattered bushes within the campsite have held Radde’s, Pallas’s, Greenish, Reed and Icterine Warblers. Most observers have to make do with a wintering Peregrine or Merlin marauding the waders. Little Stint and Curlew Sandpiper are seen in good numbers in some autumns. Curlew Sandpiper and Little Stint are often the ‘bread and butter’ species every autumn. Access: From the A704 west of West Calder take the minor road for Woolfords. It is therefore vital that we determine what is behind their decline. My own favourite time of year being May when you just don’t know what to expect. 59. Offshore, Goldeneye are plentiful and in some years Little Auks have passed in good numbers. Indeed the small line of Hawthorns opposite the caravan park on the east side of the town has hosted Hawfinch, Hoopoe and Ortolan Bunting along with a number of commoner species. Nuthatch was however claimed here this year and hopefully their northward expansion will continue. Redstart can be found in spring, advertising their presence by song. The reservoir can hold good numbers of duck, particularly in the winter months, with Smew seen on odd occasions. Little Gulls are seen on passage. Other birds here have included White-billed Diver, Grey Phalarope and many Little Auks in winter gales. Speeding up rewilding is likely simple to create habitats the way we, or the powers that be, think they should be. Conservation status. There is an SWT hide overlooking the loch, but good views can be had from Hangmans Rocks to the west of the Car Park. Were there too many buffalo on the American prairies? In spring a migrant Red-backed Shrike may take up residence for a day or so. scientific literature through a combination of long-form articles, regular columns and reports, Many of us all know the well-known sites in Lothian, but how many of the lesser sites are known particularly to visiting birders. Planting trees behind the solid new fences would offer them protection from this threat but in time soften the harsh linear lines of the fencing improving the landscape. See my recent article in Conservation Land Management on all this. In winter grebes can be encountered alongside Scoter and Long-tailed Duck. In the past the water levels were regularly low affording excellent feeding opportunities for migrant waders. There is a car park on both the south-west and north-east sides of the reservoir. Shorelark were once more regular than currently with the last flock of thirteen birds seen in December 1991. Kingfisher is regular here, the best time being early morning before the dog walkers have arrived. It is thought that this is causing the ground to dry out during late summer and thereby reduce the availability of earthworms or possibly affect the berry crops on moorland. Gadwall and Shoveler are also reported throughout the year. Gosford Bay was formerly the best site in Britain for this species with a British record count of 11 here on 13 April 1989. Bittern have taken to wintering each year with two birds present in 1995. The Soc The ring ouzel project aims to investigate this possible explanation. Although much of the reservoir lies on private land it can be checked from the road skirting the north side. As a consequence, this also has the effect of giving the Lothians a rich avian population with 343 species recorded within its boundaries. This is thought to be due, perhaps, to the power station lights which makes it look like a Christmas tree at night. Ducks also feature strongly at times with good numbers of Wigeon and Teal with smaller numbers of Pintail, Scaup and occasional Velvet Scoter. There are still some very informative signs, including ones comparing Cairngorm with similar mountains in other parts of the world.