Laurieston and WWT Caerlaverock Sunday 28th February 2010 · Derek Charlton · Added 9 March 2010

Raptors and much more were seen on a very enjoyable club trip to Laurieston and Caerlaverock.  The weather was fine and bright as 23 members made our way north. A brief stop and leg stretch at Dumfries brought our first Lesser Black-backed Gulls of the year along with Little Grebes and a male Goosander.  From then on the trip turned into a "raptor fest" with 9 species seen by members throughout the day. 

As usual, Common Buzzards were everywhere with 80 seen throughout the day; mostly at the road side, with 20 Red Kites seen on the road to Laurieston. The first hour on the moors was pretty quiet apart from several distant Ravens, but our fortunes quickly improved with a Golden Eagle seen soaring across the valley. Moments later a fantastic male Hen Harrier gave stunning views hunting low over the moor, a few members missed the eagle but everybody managed a good view of this stunning raptor! 

Next stop was Caerlaverock where the main attraction was the American Wigeon. The duck didn't disappoint; giving excellent close views. Along with the expected Whooper Swans and Barnacle Geese, Peregrines, Water Rails, a female Hen Harrier and female Merlin were all seen throughout the afternoon. 

The journey home was brightened up with spectacular views of several hundred thousand Starlings coming in to roost at Gretna, bringing to an end a superb club trip. 

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