Local clubs have been unable to hold meetings because of Covid-19 – and the Stewartry branch of the Scottish Ornithologists’ Club is no different.
However, the group has still been busy spotting and recording local birdlife. Dozens of species have been logged – but which one would members choose as their favourite?
Edna Elliot-McCall, from Gatehouse, picked the pied flycatcher as her special bird.
She said: “It’s a migrant which comes back in mid-April.
“The males come back first to search for a nest site then the females arrive.
“Galloway has protected ancient woodlands particularly in the Cree Valley and these habitats are perfect for these birds.”
Sarah Wood, also from Gatehouse, selected the yellowhammer, above, as her chart-topper. She said: “They are attractive little birds – the male is like a flamboyant sparrow.
“They are quite rare in the Stewartry in many respects.
“We had friends come up from Cornwall where they don’t see yellowhammers. They arrived in January and said ‘where are all these yellowhammers you keep seeing?’.
“As if on cue one appeared, then two, and soon we had eight outside the kitchen window.”
Corsock man Mark Pollitt plumped for the rook as his feathered favourite. He said: “Rooks are incredibly intelligent birds.
“They are really striking too – sleek black plumage and the way they’re feathered makes it look as if they are wearing long baggy trousers.
“When I’m working during the summer there’s a colony of rooks right above the office.
“They spend their day talking to each other and are my background soundtrack in the office.”
Geoff Packard, from Kirkcudbright, picked out a finch as top of the cheeps.
“They let you get quite close to them so you can have a good look. They are lovely little birds.”
