ISLE OF WHITHORN
Seabirds, waders and more in a picturesque spot
The Isle of Whithorn lies in the area known as the ‘Machars’. The harbour was once a flourishing port linked to Liverpool and beyond. Now it is very much a tourist destination.
WHERE TO WATCH 1
This picturesque harbour is a great place to come and look for birds, especially at low tide. The classic Oystercatcher is found all year round but mud attracts winter species like Dunlin and Ringed Plover with Curlew, Turnstone and even Knot in some years. High tide is likely to bring the potential of divers and sea duck especially in strong southwesterly winds.
2
Take a walk around the harbour, checking the local birds like Pied Wagtail, Swallows and House Martin along with Collared Dove. There is a record here of Rose-coloured Starling, so it is worth checking through the Starlings just in case! The warblers need checking too as
Yellow-browed Warbler has been found here in autumn. Iceland Gull has been found in the harbour.
3
The coastal walk around the area is a wonderful way of finding even more species with plenty of Yellowhammers, Whitethroats, Stonechat and Linnets using the Gorse for nesting. Both spring and autumn sees the passage of Wheatears either from our uplands or further afield like Greenland. Winter can see the finch and bunting flocks joined by Twite.
4
The Solway is well known for its skua passage and recent sightings of singles or small groups of Pomarine Skua have been noted here along with storm-driven Manx Shearwater and plenty of Gannets which nest locally on Scar Rocks out in Luce Bay. Sea ducks around the area can include Common Scoter, Red-breasted Merganser and Goldeneye.
5
Maybe not the largest of cliffs found around the area, but a number of seabirds do nest here, including both Black and Common Guillemot, Razorbill, Shag, Kittiwake and Fulmar, not forgetting Herring and Great Black-backed Gulls. Given the amazing rock structures around this coast another rare to find bird nesting in its traditional location is the House Martin on the cliffs as well as in the village.