Working in Dumfries today so left home a few hours early and arrived at Castle Loch, Lochmaben just after dawn. The first birds seen were two Bullfinches and ten Redwings along the access road. Down by the waterside, parties of Whooper Swans, Greylag Geese and Pink footed Geese were heading inland. Birds on the loch included Goldeneye and Grey Heron. Small birds in the woods included Siskin, Redpoll, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Reed Bunting, Treecreeper and as many as six different Nuthatches. Two or three Willow Tits were giving their alarm call (which sounds to me like that of Whitethroat) but none showed themselves. All too soon, it was time to start work - but the experience of getting a lovely setting all to myself was well worth the early start.