Author Archives: Kev

Birding Map

The map below shows the extent of the county with some of the major towns (don’t use this map as a substitute for the Ordnance Survey:-). The County comprises the three districts of North, East and South Ayrshire (and no, I don’t know what happened to West Ayrshire:-) bounded by the Firth of Clyde. So if you see something in this area then it could appear in the county’s bird report! The range of habitat includes mountain, forest, urban, farmland and coastal. A large number of location reports have been compiled describing the best places to watch birds in the county. These locations are indicated by numbers on the map and are also used in our Birdwatching in Ayrshire and Arran booklet.

Irvine Harbourside and Bogside

Location and Access

This is an area of mudflat and salt-marsh at the confluence of the Rivers Irvine and Garnock. Part of it is a SSSI. The best place to view is from the car parks along the Harbourside at Irvine, NS 15 83. Irvine rail station is 0.5km away. Walk along the path to the harbour mouth.  

A second viewpoint is from the old stable block beside the old Irvine racecourse (NS 07 400). Get here by following the road for Bogside Golf Club and where the road doubles back to the clubhouse continue on for 200m to park (beware of the deep potholes and show courtesy to golfers). This area had been marked as the site of a land-raise dump but a public enquiry imposed sufficiently strict constraints to dissuade North Ayrshire Council from proceeding to date.

A third viewpoint is at the old ICI bridge at NS 298 99. This is reached by walking round the old racecourse from the second viewpoint. This point provides good views of the upper Garnock and its roosting waders and wildfowl. Do not cross the bridge to the industrial area.

Lots of parking spaces; disabled parking bays at Magnum. Flat paved surfaces alongside harbour wall. Pond behind Magnum: several places to park, paved flat surfaces. Racecourse: park on rough ground, good view over racecourse from car.

On local cycle route and National Route 7. This forms part of the Irvine Circular Trail.

Birds

The Flats are good at most times of the year (although summer is quiet). The best time to go is two hours or so before high tide as the waders get pushed up onto the mud in front of the car parks (note that the tide comes in quickly in the estuary and usually covers the saltmarsh by the time of high tide). The mudflats are great for passage waders (e.g. the amazing 69 Curlew Sandpipers in autumn of 1999) as well as Greenshank, Turnstone, Curlew, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Black-tailed Godwit. The Garnock is good for large numbers of Wigeon and Red-breasted Merganser over the winter. The large numbers of waders often attracts a Peregrine or two who can typically be found perched on trees washed down on to the salt marsh. Rarities have included Marsh Harrier, American Wigeon, Avocet, Pomarine Skua and Black-headed Bunting and the UK’s first accepted record of Barrow’s Goldeneye. An escaped Ross’s Goose has also spent some time in the area. A White Stork also flapped over the golf course as a highlight of the 2001 Bird Race.

Behind the Magnum leisure centre is the boating pond (NS 08 78). In winter this can be good for ducks including Scaup, Wigeon, Gadwall, Pochard, Tufted Duck as well as Mute Swan, Little Grebe and roosting gulls.

From the harbour mouth you can look into Irvine Bay to get terns, Eider, Shag, Manx Shearwater, Gannet and various divers in winter. In recent years this has been a favoured location for a male King Eider.

The race course area is superb for Short-eared Owl in the winter (up to 7 birds at a time, often very close). The marsh area is also good for hearing Water Rail. The Garnock upstream of the bridge over to the ICI plant is good for waterfowl (including a recent American Wigeon) and waders (particlarly Greenshank, Curlew Sandpiper and Black-tailed Godwit during passage).

RSPB Reserve

In March 2009, RSPB Scotland acquired a new reserve at Irvine, North Ayrshire with the support of SNH. The 19 ha site forms part of the Bogside Flats SSSI, designated for its saltmarsh and mudflat habitats and is the area between the railway and the River Irvine, behind the old Ayrshire Metals Factory (now housing development). The reserve is mainly grazed floodplain within a flood defence bund although there is also a small area of saltmarsh. The rough grassland is used as a foraging area by Hen Harrier and Short-eared Owl and the site provides a roost site for wintering wildfowl and waders.

This reserve is located within the Irvine Bay Urban Regeneration Area. This area has historically come under considerable development pressure, which continues today with ongoing pressure for new housing, industry and tourism development. Management by RSPB Scotland will ensure this area of the SSSI is protected from damaging development.

Other Information

The Harbourside has lots of pubs selling decent beer and food. The Maritime Museum, Magnum Leisure Centre and the recently refurbished Harbour Arts Centre are worth visiting.

Mud, Mud, Glorious Mud

Gill Smart, SWT

Knockshinnoch Lagoons has plenty of exposed mud at the moment. We lowered the sluices and cleared the vegetation earlier this month to attract the waders in to in front of the hide. I was there today and believe I saw a Black-tailed Godwit. It would be nice to have that confirmed by a “proper birder”. There were also more than 50 Teal and 4 Snipe. I’m sure there were other good things there that the more trained eye would have spotted.

Trabboch Loch and Stair

Location and Access

Trabboch (NS 438 220) and Stair (NS 438 235) are two tiny communities north of the village of Coylton and some 10 km east of Ayr. From Ayr, pass through Coylton on A70 heading east and take B730 north just after passing Coalhall and under a railway bridge. Trabboch Loch lies in a hollow on the west of the road. Park with consideration near the former Trabboch village school, now a community centre, and approach the loch on foot along the track to Drumclow farm which bisects the loch and surrounding marshland.

Stair Inn, a former coaching inn, lies in a hollow beside the bridge over the River Ayr and is surrounded by tall, mature, broadleaf trees which are alive with song, especially after a convivial visit by the birdwatcher. Excellent views of the river can be had from the bridge but have a care for traffic, albeit being light. The network of minor roads in the area provide excellent cycling but the nearest bus route is at least 2 km distant on the A70. The River Ayr Way passes through Stair as it comes along the Ayr Gorge.

Trabboch Loch: Scan from car park, single-track to farm is narrow, steep, rough and unsurfaced. Stair: Scan from car park (limited viewing).

Both sites on good network of byways linking through to Ayr and Cumnock, but beware of opencast mining traffic near Cumnock.

Birds

Trabboch Loch is an East Ayrshire Listed Wildlife Site. The mature stand of trees around the Stair Inn contains a rich variety of woodland species and the river can be scanned for Dipper, Wagtails and Kingfisher.

The small lochs have been very productive over the years including such birds as Smew, Wood Sandpiper, Long-tailed Duck and Common Crane. While these lochs are relative small they are well worth a visit if you are in the area as anything could turn up. They can be easily scanned from the track, though watch out for other road users.

It is probably the best site in Ayrshire for wintering Pochard with flocks of up to 40 birds. Waterfowl predominate especially in winter. Tufted Duck, Mallard and Little Grebe are common, though Scaup, Wigeon and Gadwall are regular winter visitors. Water Rail inhabits the reed beds and can regularly be heard. Winter flocks of finches and thrushes can be seen feeding in the fields behind the parking space.

In summer the dense undergrowth and nearby woodland play host to a number of passerines including Sedge Warbler, Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff and Reed Bunting. In autumn it is well worth checking the loch sides for waders.

A ‘scope is not essential for this site though binoculars would be very useful.

The Stonechat – Now In Glorious Technicolor!

The Stonechat is the magazine of the Ayrshire branch of the SOC. It is now being edited by Tony Scott and is available now for download  in lovely colour. This edition has an update on Irvine Bay developments, BTO Atlas status, a few envy-invoking trip reports and a whole lot more.

SOC Ayrshire Branch

Meetings are held on Tuesday evenings at Monkton Community Church and Pioneer Cafe. This is on Main Street near the cross roads in the village of Monkton by Prestwick. There is ample car parking in the adjacent public CP and the broad, little used, well-lit street. If you go too far along Main Street you will end up in British Aerospace – stop opposite the Wheatsheaf Inn! 7pm for a 7.30pm start.

Chairman: David Rackham
Secretary: Mrs Anne Dick

Publishes the annual Ayrshire Bird Report and Stonechat – the Branch newsletter.
Stonechat

RSPB Central Ayrshire Local Group

Meetings are in Hall B, Newton Wallacetown Church Hall, Main Street, Ayr on the third Monday of the month. Doors open at 7pm for a start time of 7.30pm prompt. Visitors are always very welcome. Local membership costs £6 per season (joint £10). Click on the links below to view the club’s newsletter, the Gannet.

RSPB North Ayrshire Local Group

Meets in Argyle Centre, Campbell Avenue, Saltcoats. The Centre sits behind Caledonia Primary School and is across the road from St Cuthbert’s Church and the 2 sets of ‘high flats’. Click here for a map of the Argyle Centre’s location. All meetings will start at 7.30pm sharp. Web Site.

Kerelaw Glen and Glen Banks

Location and Access

Much of the lower part of Kerelaw Glen is sparsely wooded and marred by signs of anti-social behaviour – especially vandalism and littering; however, the stretch of wooded glen upstream from Kerelaw Castle is one of Stevenston’s greatest natural assets. The wood is comprised mainly of Sycamore and Beech, and boasts a few impressive specimens. Although the relevant length of pathway is relatively short (200m), it is worth visiting – not just for the birdlife, but for the picturesque glen, attractive river cliffs, and historic castle and bridge.

It is possible to park in the neighbouring council estate – Campbell Avenue is the nearest street to the castle. Alternatively, one can park in the town centre and walk up to Kerelaw by following the river pathway starting at NS 267 421. If travelling by bus, one can alight at Stevenston Cross or in the neighbouring Hayocks housing estate (the No. 18 goes through Hayocks).

Upstream from Kerelaw Glen it is possible to follow the burn for a few hundred metres (look for the gap in the fence at NS 269 431). However, the path is informal at best and the birdlife in this Hawthorn scrub is not often inspiring. It is quite a pleasant stretch though and is worth exploring.

Glen Banks lies a kilometre upstream from Kerelaw. Unfortunately, one cannot simply follow the Stevenston Burn upstream to reach Glen Banks; from Kerelaw, it can be reached by following the network of country roads for one mile from Kerelaw (NS 269 431), under the bypass (NS 266 436) to the ford (NS 264 438). Glen Banks lies just upstream of the ford. This wooded glen is deceptively long and can be followed upstream for over 500m. Unlike Kerelaw, the wood consists almost entirely of Beech, Elm, Ash, and Hawthorn. Geological features such as river cliffs and a small waterfall add to the glen’s beauty. There is no formal footpath along the glen: it’s a bit of a scramble.

Birds

Some of the more interesting breeding birds at Kerelaw include Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Treecreeper, Coal Tit, Mistle Thrush, Tawny Owl, and Grey Wagtail. Kestrel and Sparrowhawk are seen throughout the year. Outside of the breeding season things are a lot quieter, but Tit/Finch/Treecreeper/Goldcrest flocks can often be encountered and Great Spotted Woodpecker are occasionally seen. Buzzard frequent the nearby countryside and occasionally visit the glen in winter.

The scrubby stretch of river immediately upstream from Kerelaw Glen supports a typical variety of breeding birds, including Willow Warbler, Whitethroat, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, and Song Thrush. In autumn, the vegetation provides feeding for flocks of Goldfinches and winter thrushes.

Glen Banks supports pretty much the same variety of birds as Kerelaw; however Great Spotted Woodpecker, Long-tailed Tit, and Goldcrest are more often encountered at Glen Banks.

In winter, the stubble fields between Kerelaw Glen and Glen Banks attract Linnet, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch, and the occasional Yellowhammer.

Notes

  • Scrambling up the glen at Glen Banks can be quite physically demanding: the burn has to be crossed several times, there is usually a lot of mud to be walked through, and there are several low-hanging tree branches to duck under or climb over. Choosing to explore the glen when the ground is dry will make things a lot easier.
  • Although there is no formal footpath at Glen Banks, cows sometimes graze in the glen and so there is a muddy livestock path leading almost all the way upstream. However, this is more of a hindrance than a help because it simply creates more mud to contend with.
  • For those who don’t fancy walking up the glen, there is often a surprising amount of birdlife in the area around the ford and it is worth spending a few minutes wandering about here.
  • Because of the small size of the woodland at Kerelaw, winter birding can be pretty hit-or-miss.