Birdwatching in Ayrshire

Welcome to the Ayrshire Birding web site. This page contains any local bits of news and gossip that might be of interest to birdwatchers in Ayrshire, locals and visitors. The Ayrshire Birding web site contains a wealth of information, articles and images on Ayrshire's birds and butterflies. To explore the site click on the various options on the floating menu on the left. To submit any news please contact the site maintainer (preferably by email).

Updates to the Site

I've updated the Photo Gallery with an excellent set of pictures by Jim Conway and Jim Mackenzie. My thanks to them both. As always, if you have good pictures of any birds in Ayrshire (rare or common), please send them in.

Kevin Waite, 26 June 2009

Yellowhammer Survey

As part of my master’s research project on the ecology of granivorous songbirds in grassland dominated environments, I am undertaking a detailed study of yellowhammer ecology. This project includes an element of colour ringing and I was wondering if birdwatchers in the area could bear this in mind if seeing yellowhammer and check for colour rings.

If any sightings are made, please email me or telephone 01292 525326. Even if it is not possible to determine the full colour combination I am still very interested of hearing about the locations of any colour ringed bird.

Dawn Thomson, 12 June 2009

Stevenston Environmental Group Public Consultation

As part of the development of the Ardeer Quarry LNR management plan, Stevenston Environmental Group is holding a public consultation on the proposals for the reserve. Although the consultation is primarily aimed at local people, birders from beyond Stevenston might want to let us know their suggestions and/or criticisms.

Details of the proposals and the group’s email address can be found here.

Physical work cutting back scrub, felling trees, etc. will probably start at the end of winter. With all the red tape involved in creating a new wetland, I’m guessing that work won’t begin on this until at least the end of next summer.

Iain Hamlin, 20 December 2008

Update to the Ayrshire BDAP

I have updated my article on the Ayrshire Biodiversity Action Plan to incorporate some very helpful feedback received on the initial draft (thanks to everyone who responded). Please send any comments you may have on the new version.

Dave Grant, 23 August 2008

Garnock Flood Improvements

Local birders will shortly be working with the Scottish Wildlife Trust to draw-up a new management plan for the Garnock Floods reserve. Depending on the input of local birders, this new management plan may involve several major improvements to the site: for example, new, improved wader scrapes, a hide, better hydrological management, an improved grazing regime, etc. If anyone would like an input into the plans for the reserve, then please send me an email.

Iain Hamlin, 27 May 2008

BTO Bird Atlas 2007-2011

This project aims to map the distribution and relative abundance of all Britain and Ireland's birds during both the winter (November-February) and summer (April-July) seasons. This is going to a tough, but rewarding job, to ensure complete coverage of Scotland. We hope that all Scottish birders will help out. Recording is relatively straightforward with both paper and online recording forms. Full details can be found at www.birdatlas.net or by contacting the Scottish organiser.

Bob Swann, Atlas Scottish Organiser, 20 July 2007

Ayrshire Bird Rarities Committee (ABRC) Form

Should you be in the fortunate position of seeing a rare bird within the county then you'll be asked to submit a Sightings Form to the ABRC before the sighting is “accepted”. A PDF version of this form is available here for you to print, fill-in and then return to the Recorder. Using this standard form makes things a lot easier for the Recorder and the committee. For a list of what species the ABRC needs a form please consult the Ayrshire Species List looking for species marked with a § (Ayrshire rarity) or ‡ (Scottish/British rarity). This list is also published in the latest edition of the Ayrshire Bird Report.

Kevin Waite, 31 December 2006

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