SOLWAY: Balcary Point & Auchencairn Bay 5 June 2008.

Rock Dove, Balcary Point 5 June 2008.

We started 5 June birding out at Southerness Point with Common Scoters passing east constantly. Must've been over a thousand flying past in streams of up to 200 at a time but mostly tens or so. Apparently huge numbers spend the summer in the Solway moulting offshore.
In the afternoon we drove to Auchencairn Bay. The doves out on Balcary Point were a bit of a mix but we managed to find one or two resembling Rock Doves. There were a few less convincing birds flying around too it has to be said.

Auchencairn Bay.

Small groups of Guillemots were offshore as well as a few Kittiwakes, Fulmars and smaller numbers of Razorbills.

Mrs B in pensive mood at Balcary Head.

Looking east from Balcary Point - Southerness Point can just be seen in the distance.

With the rain setting in we headed back towards Mersehead where we could at least watch from the hides. Very little on show here but the Pied Fly' that had been found earlier in the day burst into song once or twice as we walked to the Meida Hide. Apparently this is just the second reserve record.