6 Appendix 3 – Results of breeding bird survey
6 Appendix 3 – Results of breeding bird survey
Latin Name |
Common Name |
Conservation Status |
Breeding Pairs |
Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
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. |
* Listed on Schedule 1, Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981
** UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) Priority Species
*** Amber list of Birds of Conservation Concern (Gregory et al 2002)
***** Red list of Birds of Conservation Concern (Gregory et al 2002)
****** Priority Species in Dumfries and Galloway BAP