On the Right Track

Not much to report this week for a variety of reasons.

However, we paid a quick trip to our nearest LNR - Dawsholm Park LNR  - on Monday 20th and were pleased to see that the Council has upgraded a number of the footpaths. It is now possible to go for a circular walk in the park without wellies!

 

 

It wasn't so successful, however, on the bird front with only 4 species seen in c45 minutes.

 

On Tuesday we travelled with Judith and Mike to Mugdock Country Park for a coffee and then walk along the West Highland Way to Carbeth Loch. Unfortunately, the rain arrived earlier than forecast but we still managed a few bird sightings e.g. four species of tit, four species of duck, Goldcrest, Kestrel and Buzzard. This bird of prey proved to be a bit of surprise and then we saw its owner!

 

Harris's Hawk

 

It seemed quite happy sitting on the slopes overlooking Craigallian Loch but it eventually flew back to its owner.

I finish with some recent sightings courtesy of the SOC Clyde Grapevine:

Friday 24 February 2017
Two Nuthatches at the feeders at Pollok Country Park.

Wednesday 22 February 2017
A 1st-winter Glaucous Gull and an adult Mediterranean Gull again at Balgray Reservoir gull roost.
Two Greenland White-fronted Geese with 540 Greylags at Candrens Farm, Paisley, also 19 Whooper Swans.

Sunday 19 February
Two Chiffchaffs (including a Siberian) still at SECC, Glasgow.
18 Waxwings on Clarkston Road, near Stamperland shops in the morning, later seven in same area.
15 Waxwings at Ashtree Park, Pollokshaws in the morning.
Four Tree Sparrows at Newford Grove, Clarkston, also a Tawny Owl at roost.
A Stock Dove continues to visit a Cathcart garden.

Gulls and more!

Following two unsuccessful trips to Cardwell Bay, Gourock, it was third time lucky on Monday 13 February 2017. I travelled down by train and managed to locate a Bonaparte's Gull that has been reported off and on as being in the bay or even on the grass at Battery Park.

Bonaparte's Gull - Cardwell Bay - 13 February 2017

 

I also saw a Little Gull, once again (see previous post). At one point a Black-headed Gull, the Little Gull and Bonaparte's Gull were swimming side by side allowing comparisons to be made!

 

The third unusual gull to appear was a Mediterranean Gull although by now the light was terrible ..........

Mediterranean Gull (foreground) - Cardwell Bay - 13 February 2017

 

On Wednesday we joined the RSPB Glasgow Group outing to RSPB Loch Leven with Judith and Mike and saw 50+ bird species. I was pleased to find a 'red head' Smew and then Judith found a male! We got all of the group onto both birds albeit they were distant.

(See http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/glasgow/reports/437950/ for a detailed report). But for me the real star was this Red Squirrel

 

 

 

On Thursday evening I was made most welcome by the Glenmore Ski Club who had invited me to talk about 'Glasgow's West End Wildlife'. It is always good to have a receptive and appreciative audience.

 

Finally, we got the train down to the SEC on Friday and located two Chiffchaffs, one of which was a Siberian. The Siberian Chiffchaff is not yet considered to be a separate species but is the eastern race (tristis) of Chiffchaff. The subtle differences can be 'seen' in these 2 photos ............

 

Siberian Chiffchaff - SEC - 17 February 2017

Chiffchaff - SEC - 17 February 2017

 

I close with some more recent sightings, courtesy of the SOC Clyde Grapevine:

Friday 17 February 2017
36 Siskins feeding on alders at Festival Park, Glasgow.

Wednesday 15 February 2017
A 1st-winter Glaucous Gull and an adult Mediterranean Gull at Balgray Reservoir gull roost, also a Scaup.
Two Chiffchaffs (including a Siberian Chiffchaff) between the Armadillo and crane at SECC, Glasgow.
Two Nuthatches at Pollok Country Park.

Tuesday 15 February 2017
The drake American Wigeon still on Woodend Loch, Drumpellier Country Park, Coatbridge.
30 Waxwings at Sainsbury's, Darnley, Glasgow.

February 2017 - birding update from Scotland

Apologies for the lack of updates but it has been another busy and eventful birding week - thanks to Stephen, Judith & Mike and network rail!

A few photos ............

1. Maidens Harbour - 5 Feb 2017

 

Dog walkers wonder why Brent Geese stopped feeding and swam away

 

2. Stranraer - 5 Feb 2017

 

Very poor record shot of Cattle Egret hiding behind hay stack

 

3. RSPB Ken Dee Marshes - 5 Feb 2017

 

 

4. Lunderston Bay - 7 Feb 2017

 

'Interesting' Oystercatcher

 

5. Cardwell Bay - 8 Feb 2017

 

Little Gull

 

6. Bingham's Pond - 10 Feb 2017

 

Undertook the monthly WEBs count - sadly no photos.

 

7. Caerlaverock WWT Reserve -11 Feb 2017

 

Green-winged Teal

Tree Sparrow

 

By the end of the week my Scottish year list stood at 125 species!

 

Today, it was more 'relaxing' helping feed the wildfowl at Hogganfield Loch with the Friends of Glasgow's LNRs - apart from the cold, wind and sleet, we had a great time!

 

Finally, some interesting recent sightings from Greater Glasgow, courtesy of the SOC Clyde Grapevine:

 

Sunday 12 February 2017

21 Waxwings on berries at the junction of Snuff Mill Road and Old Castle Road, Cathcart, Glasgow.

 

Saturday 11 February 2017
An immature Long-tailed Duck again on Bardowie Loch, also 800 Pink-footed Geese nearby.

19 Whooper Swans and 18 Gadwall on Hogganfield loch.
700 Pink-footed Geese in an unsual location off Millhall Road, Eaglesham.
Two Chiffchaffs with Long-tailed Tits along the Clydeside shrub beds opposite the Armadillo at SEC, Glasgow.

Friday 10 February 2017
A drake American Wigeon still on Woodend Loch, Drumpellier Country Park, Coatbridge.
Two Chiffchaffs at SECC, Glasgow.
A male Blackcap in an Ailsa Drive, Giffnock garden.

Wednesday 8 February 2017
A drake American Wigeon still on Woodend Loch, Drumpellier Country Park, Coatbridge.
An adult Iceland Gull and a 1st-winter Glaucous Gull at the Balgray Reservoir gull roost, also still four Scaup.

 

 



 

 

 

Lochs and Wetlands Galore

Last Sunday (29th) we travelled north with Stephen, saw lots of birds and even had a chat with that well known twitcher and birder Lee Evans.

We started at Loch of Lintrathen, a SWT Reserve. It was a new location for both Lynda and myself and it came up trumps with American Wigeon and Red-necked Grebe ..........

American Wigeon - heavily cropped distant record shot

 



We then headed for the nearby RSPB Loch of Kinnordy Reserve. Sadly two of the three hides and footpaths were closed for health and safety reasons. The east hide was still open and afforded us reasonable views of the loch and a good range of wildfowl, including Shoveler. The feeding station was well stocked and allowed close views of  various species. More specifically, it was good to see more than just a few Tree Sparrows.

 

 

Our final stop, having encountered 4 Red-legged Partridge on the way, was Pitlochry and a small loch called the Cuilc. This lochan has played host to a drake Ring-necked Duck for the last two winters at least and today it also welcomed that well known birder, Lee Evans. Lee was on 'tour' with three other birders (clients?) and having left London a few days earlier had already twitched a number of rarities on their way north. No photograph of Lee but the Cuilc and Ring-necked Duck looked superb in the late afternoon sunshine ....

 

 

So after another excellent day's birding, my year list stood at 113 species!

On Wednesday, it was a lot closer to home with three hours spent at Lochwinnoch RSPB Reserve followed by an hour scanning the Clyde from Battery Park, Greenock. Thanks go to our good friends Judith and Mike.

Once again we met Lee Evans, this time at Lochwinnoch, on his way back south. Lee and  his accomplices caused a bit of a stir in the visitor centre. They left content having got their target bird - Smew.

RSPB Lochwinnoch - Aird Meadow - from hide

 

Brambling

 

From Battery Park we managed distant views of Red-throated Diver, Black Guillemot, Razorbill and Great Crested Grebe. Being high tide, only two wader species were seen - Oystercatcher and Curlew ..........

 

 

On the day we saw 50+ species with Brambling being my bird of the day and also being my 114th of the year!

 

More recent sightings, courtesy of SOC Clyde Grapevine:

 

Thursday 2 February 2017
A Little Egret still at the east end of Gadloch, Lenzie, also five Whooper Swans and a Ringed Plover.
A male Brambling still in a Hollows Avenue, Paisley garden.
A Stock Dove in a Sween Avenue, Cathcart garden.

 

Tuesday 31 January 2017
A Little Egret still at east end of Gadloch, Lenzie; nearby, 1,500 Pink-footed Geese feeding at Cardyke Farm.
14 Waxwings in a Montford Road, Rutherglen garden.

Monday 30 January 2017
A drake Scaup on Tannoch Loch, Milngavie.
A Little Egret still at east end of Gadloch, Lenzie, also a Jack Snipe and 1,000 Pink-footed Geese.
The 1st-winter Glaucous Gull, adult Mediterranean Gull and four Scaup still at the Balgray Reservoir gull roost, also 450 Lesser Black-backed Gulls.
30 Waxwings by the M74 at Polmadie junction.