Millichen - a wildlife haven

The Millichen area of Glasgow is located north of Summerston and is bounded by the River Kelvin, to the south, Balmore Road, to the east, Boclair Road to the north and the city boundary, to the west. It is bisected by Millichen Road. There are a number of farm buildings, cottages and steadings in the area and the privacy of the residents should be respected at all times.

Looking south east over Millichen and the 'steadings'

Millichen Road, looking east towards East Millichen Farm

Looking north with West Millichen Farm, on the left, and East Millichen Farm, on the right

The Millichen Area is the only place in Glasgow where you can regularly see Tree Sparrow and other 'red data' farmland birds such as Skylark, Yellowhammer and Reed Bunting. Today I saw (or heard) all four and managed to photograph three.

Yellowhammer

Poor record shot of Tree Sparrow

Poor record shot of male Reed Bunting

In addition to the resident farmland birds, the area can be good for migrants. Today there were only a few species present; those which breed in the area - Swallow and Grasshopper Warbler (photo follows)....

and those that pass through - at least 7 Wheatear were present (photo follows)

In total, I saw or heard 25 bird species and saw three species of butterfly - Orange Tip, Peacock....

and Small Tortoiseshell....

Millichen is best visited in autumn or winter, when there can be 1000s of geese and other wildfowl, but on a sunny day like today it can also deliver a positive wildlife experience.