Birds around Newton Stewart, Scotland? (1 Viewer)

[tired_boy]

Hi there,

I am going to this area for a week from the 1st October. What kind of birds might i expect to see? Anything slightly out of the ordinary? Can anyone recommend anywhere in the area that is worth going to?

Regards

 

[delia todd]

Hi Tired Boy

There's a few entries on Opus here, which will perhaps keep you going until someone comes in with more specific info for you.

D

 

[tired_boy]

Thanks for the help - i would love to see a Peregrine. Birds of Prey are doing it for me right now.

 

[Binocularface]

Hi there,

I am going to this area for a week from the 1st October. What kind of birds might i expect to see? Anything slightly out of the ordinary? Can anyone recommend anywhere in the area that is worth going to?

Regards

Hi Tired Boy,

There are quite a few nice areas around Newton Stewart. If you have transport it will be well worth a trip towards Stranraer to look on Loch Ryan. If you need more details let me know.

Regards
Tristan

 

[markgrubb]

Just back from a weekend in Kirkcudbright-not too far from NS. there is a good downloadable birding booklet on the D & G area at http://www.dumgal.gov.uk/Dumgal/Documents.aspx?id=5396

We went to th RSPB site at Loch Ken- loads of red kite and with patience willow tits-fairly scarce in Scotland now-don't know if you have them in your neck of the woods

 

[Birdbox]

Beautiful looking area, this. I've passed along the road from Dumfries to Stranraer many times in the past but was always working and had little time to stop. Loch Ken obviously has potential and, as has been said, Loch Ryan should have one or two things.

Once crashed a van above New Galloway and was stuck in the town for 24 hours - a couple of walks produced a few bits but I was more surprised by a remoteness I'd previously thought could only be found much further north.

Whilst in the same job (and whilst being lost) I found a Grt Gry Shrike a little further up in Ayrshire. The coast road from Stranraer towards Ayr seems to be pretty good birding (and takes in Loch Ryan).

 

[IanF]

We've stayed in Dumfries and Galloway a few times though usually in the Spring. Prior to that I used to often spend a week in early September based in Newton Stewart or New Galloway fishing the smaller lochs.

If you're mobile then the Red Kite feeding station at Laurieston near Castle Douglas is well worth a visit. You'll see Kites in the area without visiting but not so many or so close.

Wood of Cree mentioned in the leaflet is usually pretty good, one of my favourite locations, though the summer migrants will be long gone by the time you visit. It's still a pleasant scenic walk and we did see an otter there.

The Red Deer range by Clatteringshaws Loch is pretty close to you - Buzzard and Golden Eagle can be found there as well as deer and mountain goats. The loch has a visitor centre and can be good for birds as well.

Loch Ken and Loch Dee I've had Red-throated Diver when I used to regularly fish the smaller lochs, usually in September.