TRIP REPORT FOR POINT OF AYR NOVEMBER 12TH

After the torrential rain the previous night the morning weather look far more promising.

A small group (7)set off along the dyke wall in sunshine with little breeze.

The high tide was two hours away but there was already plenty of bird activity on the shore.

Several stops were made along the route to view the birds that were already collecting at the roost site.

There was also a lot of activity in the trees and bushes along the walkway.

As we were walking into the sun it was difficult to identify the small birds flying in front of us,Green finch and chaffinch were identified.

One of the drainage ditches gave a good view of  a group of roosting Redshank and Dunlin.

A few yards from the platform which was the RSPB hide a stoat ran across the path.

The view from the platform gave views of the thousands of birds on the estuary, the numbers alone were impressive.

with very good close views of Pintail ducks.

However the high spots were two Short-eared Owls hunting and perched on the opposite  side of the 'point'. For some this was surpassed by three Brent geese (dark bellied).

After full high tide and a good time spent viewing the group returned with the sunlight now behind the flocks of small birds were identified as Linnets.

The morning had been successful and on my count 27 different bird species were seen and one mammal. The actual number of birds would however been in the thousands, the spectacle of birds on mass makes this area special.  on this occassion it was made even more memorable by the fine weather.

Helen Simpson

The Society

Formed in 1973 the aim of the Society is ' to stimulate interest in natural history and to play a part in the conservation of flora and fauna on Deeside and in the surrounding area '. Now a registered charity with a membership of over 500 the Society is in a stronger position than ever to further this aim.

Members receive a newsletter and programme card four times a year. Field meetings are held monthly throughout the year to places of special ecological interest and importance. During the winter a series of colour slide talks, held in the Connah's Quay Community Centre, give the opportunity to hear specialists on a variety of natural history subjects.

In 1974 the Society approached the C.E.G.B. at Connah's Quay Power Station to ask if a hide could be located on their land overlooking the river Dee. They agreed, and it was from such humble beginnings that a fine reserve was established.