6 Appendix 3 – Results of breeding bird survey

Accipiter nisus

Eurasian sparrowhawk

1

A sparrowhawk was observed hunting in the Kelhead plantation. It is highly likely that this plantation supports a breeding pair.

Aegithalos caudatus

Long-tailed tit

2+

Long-tailed tits were found in both Braemoss wood and Kelhead plantation.

Apus apus

Common swift

Numerous

Swifts were observed flying above the scheme regularly and there are a number of potential roost sites along the scheme footprint.

Ardea cinerea

Grey heron

-

No heronries were found on site; however the watercourses are used regularly for foraging.

Buteo buteo

Common buzzard

2

Buzzards were observed hunting across the length of the scheme. It is expected that breeding pairs can be found in both Braemoss wood and Kelhead plantation.

Carduelis cabaret

Lesser redpoll

Amber list***

UKBAP Priority species**

1

A lesser redpoll was heard in Braemoss wood, which provides excellent breeding habitat for the species.

Carduelis carduelis

European goldfinch

3+

Goldfinches were observed in the small area of woodland near Searigg Cottage, Poppin Well wood and Kelhead plantation.

Carduelis chloris

European greenfinch

4+

Greenfinches were found in Carrutherstown, Braemoss wood, Braehill Oak wood and the area of Poppin Moss plantation and Kelhead plantation.

Certhia familiaris

Eurasian treecreeper

1

A treecreeper was spotted foraging in Braehill Oak wood.

Columba livia

Feral pigeon

Numerous

Feral pigeons were observed nesting at Nether Stenries and Stenries farms. They were also observed in pairs or more along the length of the scheme.

Columba palumbus

Common wood pigeon

Numerous

Wood pigeons were found in all areas of woodland and scrub within the scheme footprint.

Corvus corone

Carrion crow

Numerous

Crows were spotted on all surveys and along the length of the scheme. There are a number of nesting opportunities for the species and it can be considered that they are breeding in relatively high numbers.

Corvus frugilegus

Rook

Numerous

There is a large rookery in Poppin Well wood consisting of in excess of 10 nests. Rooks were found in large numbers in the surrounding areas with flocks of up to 35 individuals.

Corvus monedula

Eurasian jackdaw

1

A pair of jackdaws was observed to the east of Poppin Well wood.

Cyanistes caeruleus

Blue tit

12+

Blue tits were found extensively along the length of the scheme. Poppin Well wood and Kelhead plantation provide excellent foraging and nesting opportunities for titmice species.

Delichon urbicum

House martin

Amber list

D&G BAP Priority species*****

Numerous

A number of house martin nests were found at Nether Stenries, Upper Mains and Stenries farms. House martins were observed foraging over arable land for the whole length of the scheme.

Dendrocopos major

Great spotted woodpecker

1

A great spotted woodpecker was observed flying between Kelhead and Poppin Moss plantations.

Emberiza citrinella

Yellowhammer

Red list****

UKBAP Priority species**

10+

Yellowhammers were found extensively in hedgerows across the farmland surrounding the A75.

Emberiza schoeniclus

Reed bunting

Red list

UKBAP Priority species

D&G BAP Priority species

1

Reed buntings were observed in the marshy grassland opposite Stenriesgate.

Erithacus rubecula

European robin

5+

Robins were found along the length of the scheme in both scrub and woodland habitats.

Falco tinnunculus

Common kestrel

Amber list

1+

A kestrel was spotted hunting at several locations along the scheme and it is likely that it is breeding in one of the areas of woodland on site.

Fringella coelebs

Chaffinch

10+

Chaffinches were found extensively across the length of the scheme, with both adults and juveniles observed. Large numbers were found in both Braemoss wood and Kelhead plantation.

Haematopus ostralegus

Eurasian oystercatcher

Amber list

Possible

Anecdotal evidence has shown that oystercatchers used to breed within the scheme footprint, and during the surveys they were spotted flying along the scheme, however no evidence of their current breeding status was found.

Hirundo rustica

Barn swallow

Amber list

D&G BAP Priority species

Numerous

Barn swallows were found breeding on all farms along the length of the scheme, including in excess of 25 nests at Fostermeadows farm. Nests were also found in the derelict stables, garage and house at Stenriesgate.

Larus argentatus

Herring gull

Amber list

UKBAP Priority species

-

Herring gulls, although found in large flocks on site, are not expected to breed on site when there are an abundance of breeding sites on the Solway Firth.

Larus ridibundus

Black-headed gull

Amber list

Possible

Black-headed gulls have been observed on site. Whilst there are suitable nesting opportunities within the scheme footprint, it is expected that better opportunities are provided along the Solway Firth and breeding pairs are centred there.

Motacilla alba

Pied wagtail

4

Pied wagtails were observed in Carrutherstown, at Hardgrove Farm and at Upper Mains cottages. A dead fledgeling was found in the derelict property at Stenriesview. It is therefore expected that a breeding pair is occupying this area as well.

Motacilla cinera

Grey wagtail

Amber list

1

A pair of grey wagtails has been spotted on two occasions on -----.

Parus major

Great tit

5

Great tits have been observed exhibiting breeding behaviour in Braemoss wood, Braehill Oak wood, Kelhead plantation and Poppin Well and Poppin Moss woods.

Passer domesticus

House sparrow

Red list

UKBAP Priority species**

Numerous

House sparrows are abundant in Carrutherstown, nesting in the Carrutherstown Hotel, and have also been observed nesting at Nether Stenries and Stenries farms in large numbers.

Periparus ater

Coal tit

3

There are at least two breeding pairs in Kelhead plantation and a number of individuals have been observed in Poppin Well wood.

Phylloscopus collybita

Common chiffchaff

1

A single chiffchaff territory has been established in Kelhead plantation.

Phylloscopus trochilus

Willow warbler

Amber list

1

Willow warblers were found in Braemoss wood.

Prunella modularis

Dunnock

Amber list

UKBAP Priority species**

1

A single dunnock was observed in two surveys in an area of scrub between Braemoss and Braehill Oak woods.

Pyrrhula pyrrhula

Common bullfinch

Red list

UKBAP Priority species

2

A pair of bullfinches was observed in Braemoss wood and a second sighting was in Poppin Moss wood.

Regulus regulus

Goldcrest

Amber list

1

Goldcrests were found exhibiting breeding behaviour in Kelhead plantation.

Streptopelia decaocto

Eurasian collared dove

2+

Collared doves have been observed in Carrutherstown and in the land associated with the property at Stenriesview.

Strix aluco

Tawny owl

1

A tawny owl was heard at Stenriesgate and anecdotal evidence places the species regularly in the area of Braehill Oak wood.

Sturnus vulgaris

Common starling

Red list

UKBAP Priority species**

Numerous

Starlings were found to have been breeding at Stenries farm, whilst a dusk survey found a flock of over 500 birds roosting in an area of woodland to the south of the scheme.

Tadorna tadorna

Common shelduck

Amber list

-

A shelduck was observed passing over the scheme. It is not thought that there are suitable nesting opportunities for the species in the scheme footprint.

Troglodytes troglodytes

Winter wren

7+

Wrens were observed in substantial numbers in Braemoss wood, Braehill Oak wood, Poppin Well wood and Kelhead plantation.

Turdus merula

Common blackbird

9

Blackbirds were observed extensively along the length of the scheme in all areas of woodland and plantation.

Turdus philomelos

Song thrush

Red list

UKBAP Priority species

1

Song thrushes were found to be breeding in Braemoss wood.

Turdus viscivorus

Mistle thrush

Amber list

1

Mistle thrushes were found exhibiting breeding behaviour in Kelhead plantation.

Tyto alba

Barn owl

Amber list

Schedule 1*

D&G BAP Priority species

-

A full barn owl survey has been carried out across the farms within the scheme and no roosts were found.