Hogganfield Park LNR

This page provides information about one of the best birdwatching sites in Central Scotland - Hogganfield Park LNR in Glasgow.

All photographs on this page were taken at Hogganfield Park LNR and are copyright Jim Coyle. Click on photos to enlarge and create a slide show.

Location
It is located in the north east of Glasgow, some 5 kilometres from Glasgow City Centre. It is bounded by Cumbernauld Road (A80), Avenue End Road (B7053) and the 'Golf It' complex.

The main entrance, including free car parking, is at Cumbernauld Road adjacent to the 'Golf It' facility. Note, the 'Golf It' complex (including visitor centre, food & drink outlets, spacious car park and toilets) are open to all, not just golfers.

'Golf It 'complex - 2023

'Golf It' car park adjoining Park car park - 2023

Park car park and Guided walk - December 2013

There are also footpaths from  Gartloch Road, Avenue End Road (2); and from the junction of Avenue End Road and Cumbernauld Road. Various sign posts have been erected to help you navigate around the LNR.

Path from loch to Gartloch Road (golf course on the right) - September 2023

Gravel Path, from Avenue End Road to the lochside

 

Tarmac Path, entry feature and sign post, from Avenue End Road to lochside

It is accessible from Glasgow city centre by public transport (see Firstbus for details) to Cumbernauld Road (38C and 19) and Gartloch Road (38).

 

Description

The LNR is dominated by Hogganfield Loch, a large shallow water body with a wooded island.

Loch and Island - November 2023

The loch and the surrounding grasslands, marsh, pools, ponds, scrub and woodlands were declared as a Local Nature Reserve by Glasgow City Council in 1998.

Signage - April 2012

Loch
The loch supports a tremendous variety of birds attracted by emergent vegetation and a healthy population of invertebrates and fish.

You can see birds such as Great Crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye and Goosander at close quarters.  

Great Crested Grebe - April 2012

Goldeneye - February 2016

Male Goosander - November 2013

In winter, the star attractions are Whooper Swans, all the way from Iceland.

  

Whooper Swan - November 2023

Other wildfowl that show well, mainly in autumn/winter, include Gadwall and Pochard.

Gadwall - November 2010

Pochard - February 2016

Rare or unusual wildfowl have included Lesser Scaup, (Greater) Scaup, American Wigeon, Long-tailed Duck, Smew, Black-necked Grebe, Slavonian Grebe and Red-necked Grebe. 

Lesser Scaup - December 2008

 

Lesser Scaup and Tufted Ducks - February 2012

(Greater) Scaup - November 2020

Smew - December 2021

Slavonian Grebe - April 2018

Red-necked Grebe - October 2020

Red-necked Grebe - March 2022

Other unusual 'water birds' have included Spoonbill, Sandwich Tern, Black Tern, Mediterranean Gull, Glaucous Gull and Iceland Gull.

Spoonbill - May 2021

Sandwich Terns - September 2020

Mediterranean Gull (centre) with Black-headed Gulls - February 2011

 

Mediterranean Gull - November 2021

Iceland Gull - April 2012

Iceland Gull - February 2021

The lochside has also attracted a few wader species on passage.

Common Sandpiper - April 2016

Lapwing - August 2021

Ruff - September 2022

Grasslands

The Council has undertaken a series of projects to improve the grassland for wildlife. As a result, there are more wildflowers to be seen and these in turn attract a whole range of butterflies and other insects.

 

Peacock - April 2012

Comma - September 2023

 

Marsh and Shallow Ponds
A wetland complex of open water and marsh has been created on the eastern side of the reserve. This area is particularly attractive in summer with the flag iris, reedmace and rushes becoming alive with birdsong. In late autumn and into winter, Jack Snipe can be found in the marsh.

Open Water and Marsh - November 2013

A number of small ponds have also been created close to the footpaths.

'BBC Springwatch' pond - July 2010

Pond Dipping pond - July 2010

'Froglife' pond - December 2020

Common frogs use the ponds in spring and dragonflies and damselflies can be seen in summer.

Frogspawn - March 2022

Blue-tailed Damselfly

Woodlands and Scrub

A stand of mature trees can be found on the island in the loch and in recent years a small heronry has become established. There was also a small rookery but this disappeared some years ago when the local Buzzards decided to also nest on the island, albeit for only one year.

Areas of scrub have developed close to the marsh and pools and some large mature trees can also be found here.

Woodland and scrub next to pools - May 2011

Thousands of native trees have been planted and they have helped create a woodland corridor towards Gartloch Road. They support numerous insects and they in turn attract a range of woodland birds. 

In spring, the scrub and trees attracts summer migrants such as Sedge Warbler, Blackcap, Whitethroat and Willow Warbler. 

Sedge Warbler - June 2011

Whitethroat - August 2023

Willow Warbler - August 2016

People

The Reserve/Park was also improved for people with a viewing/feeding platform being installed in 2011 and the car park realigned to allow walkers to get access to the loch edge. Sadly, the platform has fallen into disrepair and is no longer accessible.

Platform shortly after it was opened - June 2011

 The loch edges have also been naturalised and new seating areas installed.

 

New seating and initial naturalisation of loch edge - March 2013

All of these improvement works for wildlife and people resulted in the LNR being the first LNR in the City to receive a 'Green Flag', in 2013-2014. The awards are granted annually by Keep Scotland Beautiful and the LNR also won the award in subsequent years up to 2018.

Hopefully, the above gives you a taste of what to look out for on your visit to this wonderful wildlife resource.

This page will be updated but for unusual sightings continue to use the 'Home' page of the Blog.