In this time of grey skies it is nice to see a bit of colour and the photos in this batch certainly do that: Dave Grant’s Kingfisher and Angus Hogg’s Med Gull against a blue sky (remember them?). Then we have Bruce Kerr’s intimate picture of a Woodpigeon feeding its young. And finally, for all you Pipit fans out there, we have a trio: Meadow, Rock and Water. I’ve grouped them together in the Wetland Birds section so you can look at the differences more easily. (Slightly interestingly: the Meadow Pipit picture is the first of this species since 2006.)

My thanks go to Dave Grant, Angus Hogg, and Bruce Kerr for their contributions to the Photo Gallery.

It’s that time of year when the various social clubs start their winter meetings programme and their secretaries remember at the last minute that it might be a good idea to tell people about it. Hence the recent request to update the Events list. (RSPB Central Ayrshire should be any day now…; North Ayrshire gave up a long time ago)

Update 12-Sep: RSPB Central Ayrshire finally made it.

After that lovely summer there’s been a pile of excellent photos sent in, and I apologise for the delay in publishing them – I’ve been far too busy sitting in the garden keeping the Chilean wine industry going! However, there are some stunning pictures and not just of the exotic stuff. Dave Grant even managed an addition to the Ayrshire Bird List with a photo of roughly 25% of a Grey Partridge. His photo of the Northern Bald Ibis will need to wait for the Great&Good to pronounce on its provenance.

My thanks go to Dave Grant, Angus Hogg, Bruce Kerr and Iain H Leach for their contributions to the Photo Gallery.

The Autumn 2018 issue of The Gannet, the club newsletter of the RSPB Central Ayrshire Local Group is now available: click here to download it .

The Autumn 2018 issue of The Stonechat, the club newsletter of the Ayrshire Branch of the SOC is also now available: click here to download it .

For all you gull fans out there, here’s a couple of photos sent in by Dave Grant for you to ID in our summer photo quiz.  Both taken in the same place in Ayrshire.  No prizes other than bragging rights.  The Editor’s decision is final, although obviously, bribes are accepted.  As usual, click on the thumbnail for the full-size image.  My thanks to Dave for the images.

With Spring approaching I’ve tried to clear my inbox with the last of this winter’s photos. I’ve limited it to one shot of a Glaucous Gull from the pile I was sent (Gull fans do like to show the details of every feather!). The one I’m really impressed with is Angus’s Jack Snipe: given they only show when you are about to stand on them, to get any photo let alone a nice one takes great reactions.

My thanks go to Dave Grant, Angus Hogg, Bruce Kerr and David Lynn for their contributions to the Photo Gallery.

Angus Hogg has kindly written an article looking at how Stonechats are faring in Ayrshire in the period 2013 to 2017.  This follows on the survey work done in 2013 following the severe winters that almost wiped the species out in Ayrshire.

Those of you paying attention will remember the challenge I set Angus Hogg about proving the breeding of Green Woodpecker in Ayrshire after he sent in some pictures for the Photo Gallery of juveniles in the summer.  Well, he delivered and has submitted a thorough and enjoyable article on the Green Woodpecker in Ayrshire giving its history and status in the county.  Enjoy the article and get ready to search next Spring.