Three Day Trip

Over the May Weekend, I led a RSPB Glasgow Local Group outing to Northumberland & Cleveland. We left Glasgow on Saturday 25 May 2013 and arrived in the Druridge Bay area approximately 2 hours later. We spent most of the day exploring the various nature reserves that can be found there.............

 

We visited all four Reserves shown above spending most time at East Chevington NR

 

East Chevington (north pool)

 

........where we saw numerous wildfowl plus Common & Sandwich Tern, Little Gull and Marsh Harrier. We also spent some time at the other 3 Reserves.................................

 

Druridge Pools

Cresswell Pond

 

Hauxley NR

 

adding waders, warblers and wildfowl to our growing list which by the end of the day had reached c65 species.

 

On Sunday 26th we started at Dorman's Pool (now part of the RSPB Saltholme Reserve)

 

Dorman's Pool

 

...before moving on to view Saltholme West Pool from the A178 (the Reserve proper doesn't open until 10am).......................

 

Saltholme West Pool

 

At 10.30am we made our way to the impressive Visitor Centre. .......

 

RSPB Saltholme Visitor Centre & Main Pool

 

Here we met local volunteer  Lockhart Horsburgh and he gave us an excellent briefing about the Reserve and what we might see and where. His information was spot on and we all got to see 'our target birds' - Little Ringed Plover, Yellow Wagtail.......................

 

 

 

..Garganey...................................................

 

 

and Wood Sandpiper.................

 

 

We also enjoyed a series of wood sculptures..................

 

 

and views of birds such as Little Egret, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler and Reed Bunting.......................

 

 

Having spent c5 hours at Saltholme we headed for the nearby Cowpen Bewley Woodland Park ...........

 

 

.............where we were reliably informed we would be able to hear and perhaps even see a Nightingale! Whilst we were all pleased to hear the bird we did not manage even a glimpse, so here is a photo of the clump of trees/bushes it was singing from!

 

 

Having left the woodland we made the short journey to Hartlepool Headland where we added Little Tern and Red-throated Diver to our growing list of c90 species.

 

On the Monday morning we left our excellent Premier Inn and headed northwards to Holy Isle. Unfortunately, the sunshine and warmth of the previous two days was replaced by overcast and windy conditions, not conducive to photography!

 

We arrived c11am and started at the Snook.....................

 

 

.........here we added Wheatear to our list and it was good to see good numbers of Skylark in the area. From here we drove to the main car park which despite the weather was almost full. We walked around the island adding a few species such as Shag and Gannet. However, with the tide due to cut the island off from the mainland at 14.50hrs we decided to leave in good time and headed back to Glasgow via Musselburgh.

 

By the end of the trip the Group had seen 100 species, although of course no one saw or heard everything.

 

My thanks go to the other 14 on the trip especially Agnes, Karen, Peter and Alan who volunteered to do all the driving. Hopefully, everyone had a good time!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commonhead Moss LNR & Drumpellier Country Park

On Wednesday (22 May 2013), I led a guided walk from Drumpellier Country Park Visitor Centre to Commonhead Moss Local Nature Reserve in Glasgow.

I am pleased to say that 18 people turned up at the car park and heard Dave Garner, from Glasgow City Council, explain the background to the Moss; why it was purchased by the City Council and declared as a LNR; and the management works that had been undertaken, so far. Dave then returned to his office.

Having viewed Lochend Loch......................

Visitor Centre & Lochend Loch, Drumpellier Country Park - 22 May 2013

......we walked south through the park until we reached the junction with Commonhead Road and Gartcosh Road, and walked along Commonhead Road until we reached the Moss............

 

The LNR is well sign-posted, at this point, indicating how it forms a key link between Bishop Loch LNR and Drumpellier Country Park - all key components of the Seven Lochs Project.

 

 

We quickly saw evidence of some of the management works - birch scrub removal and the installation of dams to help re-wet the bog.........................

 

 

 

However, despite the bright conditions, it was quite windy and this seemed to have an adverse effect on our wildlife sightings. Nevertheless, it was good to explore this little known LNR on the edge of Glasgow.........................................

 

 

In total, we saw 11 species of bird, a single Roe Deer and 4 species of butterfly at the Moss, with our total bird count, including Drumpellier Country Park, being at least 28 bird species.

 

Thanks to all those that attended.

 

For more information about Commonhead Moss LNR see the following link http://friendsofglasgowlnrs.wordpress.com/local-nature-reserves/commonhead-moss-lnr/

 

West Highland Way - Milngavie to Carbeth (and back!)

Yesterday (20 May 2013) I decided to believe the weather forecast and went for a long walk along the West Highland Way (WHW). Thankfully it proved correct with it probably being the warmest day of the year albeit, for long periods, overcast.

Soon after leaving Milngavie, I could hear resident species such as Blackbirds, Song Thrush, Wren and Robin all singing loudly and proudly. However, the star was the long distant migrant, the Willow Warbler and its beautiful song. 

However, I had hoped for a few 'new' summer migrants to add to my 'year' list and was rewarded with 2 Garden Warbler soon after leaving the Allander Water. 

When I reached Mugdock Woods.............................

WHW at Mugdock Woods - 20 May 2013

 

......I was pleased to see a carpet of Bluebells...................................................

 

 

A bit further along.....................................................



 

WHW at Mugdock Woods - 20 May 2013

 

..............I was even more pleased when I heard the unmistakable song of a Wood Warbler. My patience was rewarded when I eventually saw two of these stunning little birds - my second new bird for the year!

 

Moving on, I eventually reached Craigallion Loch, just south of the huts at Carbeth......

 

Craigallion Loch - 20 May 2013

 

I had hoped for Osprey but had no luck with the only raptor being a couple of Buzzards. Here migrants included Tree Pipit, Whitethroat and Swallow all of which were showing well whilst in the distance I could hear a Cuckoo.

 

On the return walk I managed some poor photos of a couple of butterflies - a Peacock and a Green-veined White. Whilst there were lots of Orange Tips they never settled long enough for a photo!

 

Peacock - 20 May 2013

Green-veined White - 20 May 2013

 

All in all, it was a very enjoyable walk in some beautiful countryside and, as a bonus, I saw and/or heard at least 31 bird species.

 

I also encountered lots of friendly walkers, many from abroad and carrying huge rucksacks, just emphasising the popularity of the West Highland Way. If you haven't tried it, give it a go!

 

 

 



Bingham's, Dawsholm and More!

With the 'improved' weather over the past week, I managed to visit two of my local sites - Bingham's Pond, on the 15th, and Dawsholm Park LNR, on the 17th.

The pond was looking good......................................

Bingham's Pond - 15 May 2013

 

...........with the usual range of wildfowl and gulls, including the first Coot chick of the year!

2 Swallows were hawking for insects and it appears that, elsewhere in the Clyde area,   waterbodies are still attracting significant numbers of Swallows when normally, by this time, they would be on their breeding sites.

 

Wildflowers were also starting to bloom....................................................

 

Marsh Marigold - Bingham's Pond - 15 May 2013

 

..........and attracting a range of insects to add to the 17 bird species and Grey Squirrel, all seen in just under an hour.

 

Moving on to Dawsholm Park LNR, it to was looking good and some parts had obviously benefitted from a 'spring clean' by Council staff...................................

 

Dawsholm Park LNR - 17 May 2013

 

In 2 hours, I managed to see/hear 21 species of bird (and a Red Fox) with the highlights being Stock Dove, Goldcrest, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler and Blackcap.

 

On the negative side, it appears that none of the 16 nest boxes erected over the past 2 years by the Friends of Glasgow's LNRs have been occupied this year, so far.

 

Nest Box - Dawsholm Park LNR - 17 May 2013

 

Hopefully, this will change over the next few weeks - 8 out of 11 were used last year - I'll keep you informed.

 

Finally, some interesting reports from the Glasgow area, courtesy of SOC Clyde Grapevine, include:

 

17 May 2013

7 Swifts over Hyndland; a pair of Blackcap still coming to feeders for their 28th consecutive day in a garden in Mount Vernon; and a Stock Dove in a garden in Gartloch Village, Glasgow.

 

16 May 2013

A Redstart singing on the west side of Gartloch Woodlands, Glasgow at NS681668.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mull & Iona - wilds better and wetter!

Last May I posted that Mull & Iona were also 'wilds better'. Last week we spent 6 days exploring these islands; saw 100 birds, if you count the Swift near Loch Lomond, and proved again that indeed they are wilds better but this year they were also 'miles wetter'!

On Tuesday 7 May 2013, the only dry day of the six, we headed for Iona and the Ross of Mull.

Iona, as ever, was beautiful with its white glistening sands and roaring seas proving hypnotic.........................................................................

This Sanderling was as equally beautiful as it ran like a clockwork toy along the shoreline...

We heard lots of Corncrakes and were lucky enough to see two, this one posed the best................

On leaving Iona we headed for Fidden, south of Fionnphort, in search of waders and we were not disappointed with breeding Lapwing, Ringed Plover and Dunlin all seen. Two flocks of Whimbrel (18 and 7) were an added bonus as was this Curlew Sandpiper, a bird more common in Scotland whilst migrating south in autumn .....................

 

Unfortunately the rest of the week was spoiled by rain and unseasonally cold weather, so no photographs of the Great Northern Divers, Golden Eagles, White-tailed Eagles, Hen Harriers, Merlin, Short-eared Owl, Barn Owl, Golden Plovers, Woodcock, Great Skua, Arctic Terns, Rock Doves, Whinchats, Stonechats, Tree Pipits, Twite, Lesser Redpolls and Siskins that were amongst just some of the highlights.

 

Roll on May 2014!

Murder Most Fowl?

As promised! The latest in a series of short films shot in Glasgow. This features Bingham's Pond in Glasgow and three Moorhens, two of which are more aggressive than usual!

Click on the following link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dm3TQBYwGXE

The Colour Purple - my latest movie!

Following on from 'Goldeneye - the prequel', I have posted another 'movie' on YouTube entitled 'The Colour Purple' see the following link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJpAt5WR48E

It was filmed on location at Bingham's Pond in Glasgow and features a handsome leading male.

Other movies in the pipeline include 'Murder Most Fowl' and 'Not the Deerhunter'.

Normal service will be resumed in the near future!