A topic that came up for discussion the other night at the meeting of local birders was, where have all the Arctic Terns gone? There used to be quite a few pairs along the top of Loch Indaal, but they appear to be a lot fewer this year. I have not noticed folk walking along being "dive bombed" by the Terns protecting their patch so far!
Carl was commenting today on the drake Eiders starting to gather together into male only groups on the edge of Loch Indaal as they enter eclipse. Yesterday he saw an Eider with 4 ducklings at Gortan. Today at Gartmain, the tide was well out as he passed by, with plenty of Bar tailed Godwits still around, but with the tide being out, counting proved difficult as they were spread out over a larger area than normal.
1 comment:
I think disturbance levels from cars, people and dogs along the Strand have been steadily increasing over the years and that the Arctic Terns, notoriously fickle in where they nest from year to year, have simply moved out.
Malcolm
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