Buzzard

Buzzards are becoming more and more common in the city. However, I was still surprised to see one  sitting on a fence post at Kelvindale railway station early this afternoon.
 
Years ago you had to visit places like Mull to see them and now they breed in the city!

A photo of a Mull bird follows......................................................

Hogganfield in the Snow

Today was the second last winter feeding event to be held by the RSPB Glasgow Local Group at Hogganfield Park LNR in Glasgow. Normally these take place between 12 noon and 2pm. However, due to the poor weather conditions (and lack of visitors) four of us only spent 45 minutes there today, albeit the usual amount of barley was fed to the swans and other wildfowl. Yet again there were 32 Whooper Swans present, a really impressive number for a city site. However, viewing conditions were poor with a northerly wind blowing snow straight towards the viewing/feeding platform. A record shot, to prove we were there follows!

A dreich Hogganfield Loch - 10 February 2013

 

A big thank you to John (GCC- Countryside Ranger) for also helping. See you all on 10 March 2013 for the final winter feeding session of the season.

Black-headed Gull from Poland!

Just a quick update, following my sighting on Friday of a ringed Black-headed Gull at Bingham's Pond.

A check of the various bird ringing web sites indicates that the bird was ringed in Poland, probably prior to 2009!

I have requested more details and will keep you posted.

Fun & Games at Bingham's!

Firstly, a Mute Swan update - as regular readers will know, the female swan was taken to Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue Centre as it had a damaged wing. I then received reports of the male being seen in Great Western Road and then disappearing. More recently, courtesy of Graeme, I was advised that 2 Mute Swans were back on the pond.

This morning, I paid a visit and two swans were present. A male Mute Swan, probably the resident bird, favoured the north edge and a female the southern edge. They did not interact in any way. Then the fun began! Two other Mute Swans arrived separately - one immediately interacted with the male and the other with the female - photos follow............................................

For a short period there was peace and harmony and then the male bird (and new female) decided they didn't want to share the pond...............................................

 

 

The male eventually chased off one of the other birds and started on another just as I was leaving.

 

In addition to the 'swan soap story', I got nice views of a Common Gull, with the Black-headed Gulls...............................................................................

 

 

 and a ringed Black-headed Gull, I'll let you know more when I get further details....

Finally, there were also a good smattering of birds in the trees including Treecreeper (my first here since October 2010), Goldcrest and Long-tailed Tit.

Thank you and Weekly Round-up

Firstly, I would like to thank everyone who attended my talk at the Renfrewshire RSPB Local Group on Friday evening. Your hospitality and kind words are much appreciated. Hopefully some of you will be inspired to visit Dorset and see for yourselves the wonderful number of birds and other wildlife to be found there - the Red Squirrel image seemed to go down well, so....................................................................................................

Red Squirrel - Brownsea Island, Dorset

 

I've not managed out too much recently but I can report, courtesy of SOC Clyde Grapevine, that there have been one or two interesting bird sightings in the Glasgow area over the past week:

 

Saturday 2 February 2013

A Ring-necked Parakeet in King's Park, Glasgow at midday, and a Dipper in song along the White Cart Water in the centre of Cathcart.

 

Tuesday 29 January 2013

50 Waxwings feeding, with large numbers of Fieldfare, on cotoneaster tree hedge at Fastnet Street, Cranhill, Glasgow.

20 Waxwings on Titwood Road, Crossmyloof, Glasgow at 1035 hrs.

Mention of the Ring-necked Parakeet in Kings Park gives me an opportunity to show another photo from my Dorset talk...............................

Ring-necked Parakeet - Studland, Dorset

 

Thanks again to everyone at the Renfrew Group and perhaps I shall see you in Dorset!