An afternoon visit to RSPB Mershead produced a respectable bird list as follows: Mute Swan, Pink-footed Goose, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Wigeon, Teal, Mallard, Pintail, Shoveler, Little Grebe, Lapwing, Curlew, Greenshank, Snipe, Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Skylark, Wren, Starling, Robin, Dunnock, Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch and Reed Bunting. Other highlights included at least 12 Red Admiral butterflies and a large dragonfly. The Hawthorn crop there is fantastic, and will soon be feeding winter thrushes. A stop off in Dumfries added Grey Wagtail, Grey Heron, Goosander, Black-headed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull and House Martin (39 species in total).