A lost cause this week as I tried to identify a goose as something rarer, maybe it is but I can't prove it, and I've lost the will to search any further.
Most photos are from the Lurgies and I've posted four showing the fluctuations in the water levels at Murton on the same date, one year apart. Neither are helpful for most of the regular birds other than the Greylags which use the lochs to roost and preen. The dabbling ducks can't feed in the deep water, and the waders can't when there's no water!
Just the three videos, too windy and wet!
Canada type Goose Grey Plover, Maryton Pink-footed Goose juvenile
My first thought on finding a Canada Goose at the Lurgies was "could this be a Todd's" afterall it's weeks since the feral Canada Geese left and it's known that an odd few follow the Pink-footed Geese on their migration. Unfortunately it doesn't meet the criteria, although it did look smaller than the UK birds, I'd need to see it with one of them to compare the size accurately. Later, after disappearing down a online search "rabbit hole" I looked at Lesser Canada Geese and found a number of photos taken in Canada of that species which muddied the waters even more. They appear more rare in the Uk than Todd's, based on that I gave up!
Chiffchaff on the Lurgies path, one of at least three which have been around the same spot for at least a week
I think this is a particularly dark juvenile Pink-footed Goose, seen at distance from Maryton
There were two Grey Plover juveniles also at Maryton
Still a few Guillemots on the Basin, this one was one of three at the Old Harbour
Grey Wagtail on the Lurgies path
Little Egret, distant at the Lurgies
Tree Bumblebee on the sunflower the birds planted in my grden, more research needed as I've never seen one this late, the early nests usually disperse in July. Apparently there are very few records of second broods which would suggest this one is a queen building up reserves for hibernating over winter
Buddy's Loch at Murton 7/10/2022, very low after the dry summer and I was told there is no water getting into any of the water features due to the feeder burn being too low and the ditch is full of sand. Only Greylag Geese (560) and a few Lapwings, Teal and Wigeon on the loch
Buddy's Loch 7/10/2021, very high
Wetlands at Murton (car park hide) 7/10/2022, the lowest I've ever seen this and its been mostly the same throughout the summer
Wetlands 7/10/2021, only two small islands above the water and the invasive Willows in the water
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