Caerlaverock

Nice to get a photo of a tree sparrow emerging from a natural hole for once, rather than a nest box!

Goose numbers at Caerlaverock seem well down at the moment, with more pink-feet than barnacles. Bird flu has been particularly bad this year and I heard that 25% of the barnacles have died over the winter, but even so that should leave around 20,000 birds. I didn't see much more than 1000 today, perhaps they're at Rockcliffe on the English side or at Mereshead.

These hides have been an ever present at Caerlaverock since my first visit in 1983 so sad to see them on their last legs now.