05/11/2026
October wildlife highlights - winter visitors arrive at Lochwinnoch
By Rachel Reid
Autumn is well and truely here at RSPB Lochwinnoch, with beautiful autumnal colours spreading across the reserve and a noticeable drop in temperature. One of the clearest signs of the changing seasons was the arrival of the first Whooper Swans, with 17 birds spotted flying over the reserve on the 7th (Photo 1). Whooper Swans are mainly winter visitors to the UK, arriving from their breeding grounds in Iceland, although small number of pairs also breed in northern Britain. These impressive birds are well known for their loud, trumpeting calls, so can often be heard before they are seen. They also have a remarkable annual migration, with birds capable of flying hundreds of miles non-stop across the open ocean, sometimes at extraordinary heights.
There was also plenty of other waterfowl activity throughout October, with around 130 Tufted Ducks counted on the reserve (Photo 2). During winter, the UK's Tufted Duck population increases considerably as migrants from Iceland, Scandinavia and central Russia join resident birds. Males are particularly distinctive with striking black plumage, white flanks, bright yellow eyes and a long feather tuft on the back of the head while females are chocolate brown with smaller tufts. These compact diving birds use their powerful rear legs to propel themselves underwater, sometimes reaching depths of more than 10 metres in search for food. Tufted Ducks are also often seen alongside Goldeneye, another diving duck whose numbers increase during the colder months. These are just two of many species of migratory waterfowl and waders now returning to the UK, transforming wetlands, estuaries and reservoirs into important winter refuges.
A particularly exciting visitor was a Long-Tailed Duck spotted on Aird Meadow Loch on the 28th. Long-Tailed Ducks are relatively scarce winter visitors to the UK, arriving from their breeding grounds in the Arctic. Males are easily recognised by their long central tail feathers. They are highly skilled divers, capable of reaching up to 60 metres in search of molluscs, cockles, crabs, small fish and crustaceans. Most Long-Tailed Ducks wintering in Britain are found around the northern coasts, particularly Shetland, Orkney and north-east Scotland, with only a few individuals found on inland waters.
Three Scaup were also recorded Aird Meadow Loch on the 28th (Photo 3). These diving ducks are another winter visitor to Britain, usually favouring coastal waters and sheltered bays, although small groups occasionally appear on inland lochs and reservoirs. Scaup feed by diving underwater for molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates, sometimes gathering in large floating flocks known as rafts. They are closely related to Tufted Ducks and can look quite similar, but Scaup are generally larger, with a more rounded head and no distinctive tuft.
A Pintail, thought to be either a female or juvenile, was also seen enjoying the pools on the scrape on the 5th. These elegant dabbling ducks arrive in the UK in large numbers during winter before returning to their northern breeding grounds in Russia, Iceland, and northern Europe. These ducks normally live for an average of around three years however the oldest Pintail was recorded as living to 27 years of age.
Another exciting sighting came on the 18th, when a Slavonian Grebe was spotted on Aird Meadow Loch (Photo 4). During winter, Slavonian Grebes are usually found in sheltered coastal waters around Britain and Ireland, with important wintering areas around Scotland. Their breeding population in Britain is very small and largely restricted to a handful of lochs in the Scottish Highlands. During the breeding season, these beautiful birds develop striking black and chestnut plumage, with golden-orange head feathers, although their winter appearance is much more subdued.
A Jack Snipe was also spotted along the edges of the scrape on the 18th (Photo 5). These small elusive waders are similar in appearance to the more familiar common Snipe but are noticeably smaller with shorter bills. Jack Snipe are mainly winter visitors to the UK, spending the breeding season in wet bogs and marches across northern Europe. They are masters of camouflage, often remaining motionless among dense vegetation rather than taking flight when disturbed. Their long, sensitive bills allow them to probe soft mud for insects and other small invertebrates, making the muddy edges of the scrape an ideal feeding habitat. A Great White Egret was seen several times on the 30th mostly near the Calder Marshes area (Photo 6). The Great White Egret have become increasingly regular visitors to Lochwinnoch in recent years. Once considered only occasional visitors to Scotland, they are now being recorded more frequently as their population and range expand.
Although the arrival of wintering waterfowl and waders were the main attraction during October, there were still plenty of smaller woodland birds to enjoy along the trails. Long-tailed T**s were spotted regularly throughout October, often travelling in lively, chattering groups (Photo 7). These delightful little birds are rarely alone during winter and can form flocks of 20 or more individuals as they move through trees and shrubs in search for food. Weighing just 7 to 10 grams, they lose body heat quickly. In order to conserve warmth during cold winter nights, they huddle tightly along branches, lining up shoulder to shoulder. They also frequently join mixed species feeding flocks alongside Blue T**s and Great T**s.
Other sightings included large numbers of Canada Geese gathering on the Barr Loch. The first winter thrushes of the season, with both Redwing and Fieldfare spotted around the reserve. Pink-Footed Geese were also seen flying overhead, another sign that winter is on its way.
