Barnacle Geese

The vast flocks of geese that overwinter around the Solway Firth each year are back in their thousands. Over 8,000 Barnacle Geese have been counted at RSPB Mersehead and over 11,000 at WWT Caerlaverock, along with Pink-footed and Greylag Geese, as well as the lovely Whooper Swans. We’re delighted that they’ve arrived in plenty of time for our inaugural ‘Winter Birds of Dumfries & Galloway’ tour this month, which visits both reserves as well as a selection of other key locations in the area. Hopefully the unusual Richardson’s Cackling Goose that has been spotted amongst the Barnacles will stick around.

Ducks are currently showing off their breeding finery, while out on the beaches there are now thousands of waders feeding and roosting, including Knot, Dunlin and Oystercatcher. Inland the Hen Harriers have started to return to their winter roost sites too.

These species will all remain for much of the winter and there is another opportunity to catch up with this amazing wildlife in February, when we are running an additional departure of this tour.

Another winter tour that offers a fantastic wildlife spectacle is our ‘South Devon in Winter’ tour, with huge flocks of waders visiting the Exe Estuary each year; already Avocet, Golden Plover and Dunlin are all back in good numbers. Last year our groups also enjoyed views of Dark-bellied Brent Geese, Black and Bar-tailed Godwit, Grey Plover, Redshank, Greenshank and Snipe. Along with Siskin, Reed Bunting and shy Bullfinch, there is also the possibility of the rare Cirl Bunting during this tour too.

For details of all our UK winter breaks please click here.