A hill of Gibeagan

The inclement weather earlier on in the week brought in a flock of curlew to the folly pond along with increased numbers of lapwing all escaping the harsher weather out in the Merse. They joined the snipe, black-tailed godwit (collective nouns for which include omniscience, pantheon or prayer), green sandpiper, and greenshank who are still enjoying the low water levels of the folly pond. Some Ruff have also been seen hanging around amongst the other waders. The Gaelic for Ruff is Gibeagan and the term for a group of them is hill.

Over on the Whooper pond a little grebe has been frequently seen, accompanied by three cormorants and of course the odd few mallards from time to time. A marsh harrier has also been spotted flying overhead.

3rd September

• Osprey
• Common sandpiper

• Curlew flock
• Lapwing flock
• 11 Black tailed godwit
• 6 Snipe
• 6 Ruff
• 5 Greenshank
• Peregrine falcon
• Sedge warbler

• Blackcap

• 2 Reed bunting

• Marsh harrier

5th September
Folly pond

• 4 Ruff
• 2 Greenshank
• Wood sandpiper

6th September
Folly pond

• Peregrine falcon

8th September
Folly pond

• Wood sandpiper
• Ruff
• Peregrine falcon

• Great white egret

10th September
Folly pond

• Greenshank
• Ruff
• Kingfisher

11th September
Folly pond

• Teal
• Lapwing
• 40 Black tailed godwit
• Northern shoveler
• 40 Dunlin
• 10 Ringed plover
• Sparrowhawk

• Shelduck

• Water rail

Feature photograph - Ruff by Alex Hillier

• Share this article