The Last Post 2014

It might be late December but the birding continues! Firstly, on Sunday  (28th) I visited the best little pond in Glasgow - Bingham's Pond. Once again I filled the bird feeders and a short time later watched intrigued as a family proceeded to place two 'cheesy wotsits' in the feeder ports thus inadvertently blocking the seed from flowing!

The pond itself was almost completely frozen ....
 

 

 ...... although there were still a good range of wildfowl and gulls present, albeit nothing out of the ordinary. This Moorhen, however, did amuse me with its antics .....

 

 

On Monday we travelled through to East Lothian calling in at Musselburgh and Torness as well as a few other locations, thanks Fiona, with the highlight being a small group of Grey Partridge in a field just yards from the car - sadly though, no camera!

 

Yesterday, I travelled through to Strathclyde Loch .....

 

Strathclyde Loch - 30 December 2014

 

.... bumped into a few other birders  and eventually saw the adult Ring-billed Gull that has been present for a few days (thanks for the use of your 'scope, Fiona). A record shot follows ...

 

Ring-billed Gull - Strathclyde Loch - 30 December 2014

 

There have also been a few interesting gulls (and other species) seen in the Glasgow area, details, courtesy of SOC Clyde Grapevine, follow:

 

30 December 2014

An adult Kittiwake at Prince's Dock, Pacific Quay, Glasgow.
A Stonechat at the north side of Balgray Reservoir.

28 December 2014

A Mandarin Duck back on the White Cart Water at Scottish Power, Cathcart, Glasgow.

 

27 December 2014

Two Stonechats in Robroyston Park LNR, Glasgow after an absence of five years.

 

26 December 2014

Six Gadwall on Gartloch Pool, Glasgow, also six Whooper Swans.
Nearby, three Stock Doves at Gartloch Village.

 

25 December 2014

17 Goldeneye on the River Clyde at Govan.

 

24 December 2014

An adult Mediterranean Gull on the River Clyde at Glasgow Science Centre.

 

Finally, thanks to everyone that has helped make this one of my most memorable birding years - wishing you all a prosperous and peaceful New Year.

 

 

A Christmas Eve Update!!

Well it is Christmas Eve and time to wish all my readers Happy Christmas and Best Wishes for 2015.

However, there has still been time for some last minute birding! Yesterday I travelled through to Musselburgh and was lucky enough to be able to photograph this 1st winter Iceland Gull on the River Esk (indeed there is a possibility it may be a Kumlien's Gull). There was a bit of a panic as I picked it up whilst having a phone conversation with a Council officer re-interpretation signs at Hogganfield Park LNR - apologies for cutting you short Cath!

Despite the poor light I managed these images:

Happy Christmas everybody!

Pre-Christmas Update

A lot has happened over the past few days so here goes!

On Wednesday (17th) we joined the RSPB Glasgow Group on their outing to Ardmore Point. The weather was reasonably kind and we saw lots of common waders and wildfowl in the north bay

Ardmore Point - North Bay - 17 December 2014

 

The highlight, however, was a male Long-tailed Duck off the Point.

 

The following day we made the long trip north to Loch of Kinnordy, thanks Fiona, and were pleasantly surprised at the habitat improvements that have been made to this RSPB Reserve.

 

Loch of Kinnordy - 18 December 2014

 

There were really impressive numbers of wildfowl, particularly Teal and Wigeon plus Whooper Swans, Goosanders, Goldeneye and Greylag Geese ...

 

 

There were also a nice range of woodland birds attracted to the feeders and being the festive season I have to include this Robin!

 

Robin - Loch of Kinnordy - 18 December 2014

 

From here we drove back south to Linlithgow Loch and managed to see the drake Lesser Scaup that had been reported as being present, along with another impressive range of wildfowl.

 

Yesterday I travelled through to Edinburgh and was luck enough to connect with four Waxwing in Princes Street!

 

Waxwing - Princes Street - 20 December 2014

 

An excellent way to end the week!

 

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

 

19 December 2014

A drake Wood Duck still on Banton Loch (Townhead Reservoir), Kilsyth.
Four Shovelers on Bridgend Farm Pool, near KIrkintilloch.

 

 

 

Hogganfield Park and another Video!

Since my last post, I've visited Hogganfield Park LNR and Bingham's Pond, despite the poor weather.

On the 12th, I was pleased to see 14 Whooper Swans including one juvenile on Hogganfield Loch.
  

Mixed wildfowl, including Whoopers - 12 Dec 2014

Juvenile Whooper Swan - 12 Dec 2014

 

Despite threatening weather, I managed a complete 'survey' of the Park, including the marshy pools, before the rain started!

 

 

And in the distance I could pick out the Campsie Fells dusted in snow ....

 

 

In total, I recorded 34 bird species, not bad for winter!

 

My visits to Bingham's Pond were to ensure that the Friends feeders were topped up although it was good to see up to 8 Goosanders present in amongst the usual wildfowl and gulls.

 

The poor weather allowed me to catch up with editing some more video footage and I've prepared another short film, this time featuring the wildlife of Dorset. It can be found here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEyYfuRiHTE

 

As with all my videos please view at highest resolution by adjusting small wheel icon to 1080pHD. If you like what you see I'll be talking about the 'Birds and other Wildlife of Dorset' to the RSPB Forth Valley Group next month.

 

The SOC Clyde Grapevine continues to provide interesting sightings and those from Greater Glasgow include:

 

16 December 2014

A report of an adult Ring-billed Gull at the pond at Barshaw Park, Paisley NS5064.

Unusually 15 Goldeneye on the River Clyde at Glasgow Harbour.

15 December 2014

The drake Green-winged Teal and the drake Wood Duck still on Banton Loch (Townhead Reservoir), Kilsyth.

22 Whooper Swans on Hogganfield Loch; nearby, another four on Gartloch Pool.
Three Nuthatches calling and chasing at White Bridge, Linn Park, Glasgow.

A Nuthatch in sycamores beside the Ranger Centre, Calderglen Country Park, East Kilbride.

14 December 2014

The Wood Duck of unknown origin still on Banton Loch (Townhead Reservoir), Kilsyth.

 

13 December 2014

A Brambling in a field at the south end of Twechar Marsh, near Kilsyth.

Chiffchaff and other sightings

Our surprise winter visitor - the Chiffchaff - continued to delight us up until the 7th (see post 5 December 2014) and I managed some video footage - see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8fzOtxcR2A

On the 6th, I joined other members of the Friends of Glasgow's LNRs at an event in Hogganfield Park LNR with 10 Whooper Swans proving to be the highlight on a dismal wet Saturday!

Swan feeding frenzy - Hogganfield Loch - 6 December 2014

Other recent sightings in Greater Glasgow, courtesy of the SOC Clyde Grapevine, include:

6 December 2014
The Wood Duck of unknown origin still on Banton Loch (Townhead Reservoir), Kilsyth.
A Ring-necked Parakeet in Tollcross Park, Glasgow.

Finally, I have a few photo calendars still available featuring 'Birds in the UK' - desk calendar at £3 and wall calendar at £6 plus p&p. If interested email me at j.coyle13@ntlworld.com

The Lothians

My latest video featuring footage from the Lothians. Please view at highest resolution.

Wild Goose, Wildfowl and Warbler chase!

Well we have had a surprise visitor to our garden over the past week - a Chiffchaff! We first saw it on the 1st and it was back again this morning (5th). There was a suggestion that it might have been a Siberian Chiffchaff but this was soon dashed by 'play back'. This photo was taken on the 2nd .......

Chiffchaff - 2 December 2014

 
Also on the 1st, I went in search of the Green-winged Teal at Banton Loch, Kilsyth. The bus journeys went to plan and I was soon overlooking a new birding site, from my perspective. Almost immediately I spotted  a Wood Duck that had been reported over the past week or so. It is more than likely an 'escaped' bird but it was still mightily impressive. Sadly I only had a small camera with me so these record shots of the loch (and the duck) will have to do.

 

Having watched the Wood Duck I headed along the path on the southern edge of the loch and made my way to the east end, bumped into Tommy Daniels and after a wee while was admiring a drake Green-winged Teal.

 

Tuesday was the best day of the week, weather wise, and typically I had agreed to attend a meeting with the Council and other conservation groups - why do these meetings never take place on rainy days?

 

On Wednesday, courtesy of Judith and Mike, we headed off to Loch Lomond NNR or Drymen-Gartocharn-Ross Priory to be more precise. Just north of Drymen we encountered good numbers of Pink-footed and Greylag Geese as well as 4 Barnacle Geese. The hedgerows and trees were full of Chaffinches and Goldfinches with other notable species including Siskin, Redwing, Mistle Thrush and Song Thrush. The nearby Gallowhill Wood was also impressive and we added Great Spotted Woodpecker there.

 

At Gartocharn we managed to get our fourth goose of the day when we counted 155 Greenland White-fronted Geese. Again, I only had a small camera with me but rest assured the small dots in the middle of the photo are geese!!!!!

 

 

A more acceptable shot of a Greenland White-fronted Goose (taken on Islay) follows ........

Greenland White-fronted Goose

 

We finished our birding in the grounds of Ross Priory with the highlight being a Peregrine perched on the top of a conifer!

 

Last night I attended an enjoyable talk from Gordon Jamieson at the RSPB Glasgow Group whilst today I popped down to Bingham's Pond to refill the 'Friends' bird feeder. I also noted that the numbers of Mute Swan have risen to 7 and added to my 'sunsets of the world' folder ............

 

Mute Swan - Bingham's Pond - 5 December 2014

 

Bingham's Pond - 5 December 2014

 

Finally, a few records from Greater Glasgow courtesy of the SOC Clyde Grapevine:

 

4 December 2014

A Stock Dove in a Blacader Drive, Gartloch Village, Glasgow garden.

1 December 2014

A male Blackcap in a Blacader Drive, Gartloch Village, Glasgow garden.
A Woodcock sadly flying into glass doors at SECC, Glasgow in the morning.

30 November 2014
14 Jack Snipe at Windlaw Marsh, near Carmunnock.

 

End of November

Well it's St Andrews day and at least we have finished the week on a bright note. Since my last update the weather has been generally typical of November - dark and dreary.

On Tuesday (25th) I attended the 'unveiling' of a Whooper Swan sculpture at Hogganfield Park - the sculpture being part of the 2014 Commonwealth Games legacy .....

The schoolchildren present certainly seemed to have a great time - see this link for more http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=14395

However, from a birding point of view it was dull and dreich ......

Hogganfield Loch - 25 November 2014

 

Despite the poor weather I did manage to see 33 species in just around 1.5 hours, including a Great Spotted Woodpecker which means my Hogganfield list for the year now stands at 66 species.

 

I travelled down to RSPB Lochwinnoch on Thursday (27th) and visited a part of the reserve I have not been to for some time - the Barr Loch. I even managed to get close to the southern end and was rewarded by large numbers of wildfowl, a few Snipe and a Buzzard.

 

Barr Loch - 27 November 2014

 

Sadly, soon after reaching this point it started to rain and it was a slightly bedraggled figure that returned to the Visitor centre!

 

I have also called in to Bingham's Pond a couple of times this week to re-fill the Friends of Glasgow's LNRs bird feeders and it was interesting to see how numbers of wildfowl fluctuate on each visit.

 

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

 

27 November 2014

17 Tree Sparrows at East Millichen Farm, Glasgow.

 

26 November 2014

A male Blackcap in a Blacader Drive, Gartloch Village, Glasgow garden, also a Jay in the nearby oaks.

25 November 2014
In Glasgow, an adult male Peregrine unsuccessfully hunting feral pigeons in George Square and another adult male at Red Road flats, Balornock.

Weekly Update

Another busy week with visits to RSPB Loch Leven, Fannyside Lochs and the Lammermuirs interspersed with evening meetings of the Friends of Glasgow's LNRs and the Friends of Botanic Gardens/Tree Lovers; not to mention birding from our kitchen window!

On Wednesday (19th) we joined other members of the RSPB Glasgow Group on an outing to RSPB Loch Leven. The weather was mixed with bright spells interspersed with showers and then eventually heavy rain. There were lots of common woodland birds, waders and wildfowl to be seen including 2 Whooper Swans from the Carden Hide ...

View from Carden Hide - 19 November 2014

 

However, the highlights must be the drake Smew on the Loch, albeit in the pouring rain, and a Red Squirrel on the feeder ..

 

Red Squirrel - 19 November 2014

 

On the Wednesday evening we attended an excellent illustrated talk hosted by the Friends of Glasgow's LNRs ( see https://www.facebook.com/friendsofglasgowlocalnaturereserves )

 

And on Thursday it was off on another trip to the Lammermuirs via the Fannyside area.

 

Lammermuirs - 20 November 2014

 

The Lammermuirs are south of Gifford in East Lothian and home to a few specialist species as well as the occasional rare visitor - last week we had distant views of a Rough-legged Buzzard! This week there was no sign of the 'buzzard' but we did spot a male Merlin and a number of Red-legged Partridge as well as 'lots' of Red Grouse ...

 

Red Grouse - Lammermuirs - 20 November 2014

 

On Thursday evening we attended an excellent talk by Malcolm Muir jointly hosted by the Friends of the Botanic Gardens and the Tree Lovers.

 

And finally a quiet day on Friday until a Chiffchaff appeared in the garden! It proved to be very mobile so difficult to photo; this was my best attempt ...

 

Chiffchaff - 21 November 2014

 

Tomorrow I am off to Hogganfield Park LNR for the Friends of Glasgow's LNRs farmland bird and wildfowl feeding event and hopefully the weather behaves itself and we get great views of the Whooper Swans, Reed Buntings and other species to be found at this wonderful reserve.

 

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

 

20 November 2014

Three Jack Snipe with 48 Snipe at Windlaw Marsh, near Carmunnock, also an adult male Peregrine.
18 Gadwall on Hogganfield Loch.

18 November 2014
A Jack Snipe at Windlaw Marsh, near Carmunnock, also a pair of Stonechats.

 

 

Bingham's Pond Update and Illustrated Talk

A late afternoon visit to Bingham's Pond today (17 November 2014) may have helped answer the question of why there appeared to be a swift uptake of food from the Friends of Glasgow's LNRs bird feeding station - the 'culprits' appear to be Grey Squirrels rather than hordes of hungry birds!

I can also report that there are no longer 6 juvenile Mute Swans at the Pond but there are now 2 adults and 2 juveniles. We await the next episode of our very own soap 'Swan lake'.

Finally, news of a free illustrated talk taking place on Wednesday evening (19th) hosted by the Friends of Glasgow's LNRs.

The venue is the Gilchrist Postgraduate Club seminar room in the Main Building of the University.

The main speaker is Eilidh Malcolm (Forestry Commission Scotland) with a talk entitled "Easterhouse Woods - past, present and future." 

Doors open at 18.30hrs for free tea and coffee.  

The evening will start at 19.00hrs with a brief overview of recent and forthcoming 'Friends' events with Eilidh commencing at 19.15hrs. Her talk will be of interest to anyone with a love of wildlife and will focus on Cardowan Moss and Bishop Loch LNRs. Also see this page for more information https://www.facebook.com/friendsofglasgowlocalnaturereserves

 

Cardowan Moss LNR

 

 

From Dorset to Glasgow

We've been away for a few days down in Dorset and despite the poor weather managed some birding. The highlights included c300 Brent Geese and 96+ Mediterranean Gulls (!!!!) at Ferrybridge and yet more Med Gulls at Radipole Lake RSPB Reserve, two of which were ringed ...........

Ringed Med Gull - car park Radipole Lake - 9 Nov 2014

 

However, the best sighting was of a Kingfisher from the hide at Radipole ....

Kingfisher - Radipole Lake - 9 Nov 2014

 

Back home, I can report that today there were 6 juvenile Mute Swans on Bingham's Pond, possibly the largest number since the pond was drained and naturalised some years ago. It will be interesting to see if any settle down and become the 'resident breeding pair' and chase-off all comers!

 

Finally, a few recent sightings from the Greater Glasgow area, courtesy of SOC Clyde Grapevine:

 

13 November 2014

A female/immature Black Redstart still at Lochcraig Reservoir, south of Newton Mearns NS528509, mainly near the tower, also a Brambling at  South Moorhouse Farm.
30 Tree Sparrrows at East Millichen Farm.

12 November 2014
A Woodcock flushed at Top Wood, Linn Park, Glasgow.

9 November 2014
A female/immature Black Redstart at Lochcraig Reservoir, south of Newton Mearns NS528509.
Seven Jack Snipe (one of which had been ringed in 23/10/12) and 60 Snipe at Windlaw Marsh, near Carmunnock NS603580.
A Nuthatch calling in Dougalston Estate, Milngavie.

8 November 2014
 A Jack Snipe in Hogganfield Park marsh, also eleven Gadwall and eight Whooper Swans on the loch.

 

 

Autumnal Millichen

After a good few months, today I made a welcome return to the Millichen area of Glasgow ....

Looking south-east over the Steadings and 'Flood'

 

In a three hour period I saw 29 different bird species with the highlights including some of the UK's 'Red Data' bird species that can still be found in this corner of the City

e.g. 2 Fieldfare, 4 Redwing, 20 Starling, 16 House Sparrow, 11 Tree Sparrow and 7 Yellowhammer.

 

Tree Sparrow - East Millichen - 5 November 2014

 

Other species of note included 5 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 110 Collared Doves, 3 Stonechat, a few Meadow Pipits (amber listed) and 7 Reed Bunting (also amber listed)  ...

 

Meadow Pipit - Millichen - 5 November 2014

 

Reed Bunting - East Millichen - 5 November 2014

 

All in all, a very enjoyable spot of birding on a beautiful sunny day.

 

Remember click on photos to create an enhanced view and slide show.

 

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

 

1 November 2014

A Nuthatch and a male Blackcap at NTS Greenbank Garden, Clarkston.

 

 

 

Feeding, talking and birding - a busy week!

It has been a busy few days since my last post.

On Sunday (26th) I helped the Friends of Glasgow's LNRs at their rain affected event at Hogganfield Park. That's me, litter picking and wrapped up against the elements ....

 

Lots of barley and wild bird food was distributed and 3 bags of litter collected - see https://www.facebook.com/friendsofglasgowlocalnaturereserves for more photos and information.

 

On Tuesday (28th) I was speaking on the 'Birds of Glasgow' at a meeting of Kelvin Probus. Thanks to the large audience for their kind comments and lunch!

 

Then on the 29th (yesterday) we managed a spot of birding thanks to Judith and Mike. We started at the RSPB Lochwinnoch Reserve and saw a nice range of birds on their feeders and a family of 6 Whooper Swans on the Aird meadow. As ever the staff were extremely friendly and helpful. We then ventured over to the Clyde Muirshiel Country Park and encountered 3 Stonechats, Ravens and a range of small woodland birds including Siskin. We finally reached Troon and had great views of a Kingfisher, spotted by Judith, and 3 Purple Sandpipers. A poor record shot of a Redshank, Purple Sandpiper and Oystercatcher follows ....

 

 

Compared to recent days of wind and rain it turned out to be a beautiful day illustrated here by the flat calm of the Clyde estuary, with Ailsa Craig on the horizon .....

 

 

Finally, a catch up of recent sightings in the Greater Glasgow area, courtesy of SOC Clyde Grapevine:

 

29 October 2014

14 Shoveler on Frankfield Loch.
Two Stonechats at Windlaw Marsh NS605580.

 

27 October 2014

Two Swallows at Hogganfield Loch late afternoon.

23 October 2014
A Jay in a tree next to the former Gartloch Hospital, Glasgow.

18 October 2014
22 Gadwall and four Shoveler on Gartloch Pool, Glasgow.

17 October 2014
30 Tree Sparrows and 122 Collared Doves at East Millichen Farm, Glasgow.