West End Walkabout

Today (23 March 2014) we went for a pleasant walk around our local greenspaces. Just as we were leaving the small wood on the edge of our estate we heard a Chiffchaff - a good start. A few minutes later and we were on the Forth & Clyde Canal towpath listening to and watching one of the local Ravens. This was quickly followed by great views of displaying (and copulating) Buzzards! Who would have thought 15 years ago that Ravens and Buzzards would be breeding almost side by side in Glasgow?

From the Forth & Clyde Canal we walked down to the River Kelvin walkway and continued on towards Dawsholm Park LNR ................................

River Kelvin Walkway - 23 March 2014

 

Shortly after taking this photo we saw a Sparrowhawk flying away and watched a pair of Long-tailed Tits and Blue Tits mob a Magpie. A few yards further along we encountered 3 Goosander on the river and a pair of Grey Wagtail, the male resplendent with its black bib.

 

Just as we approached the bridge at Dawsholm Park we heard then saw a pair of Dipper - it is good to know that the river isn't just a magnet for plastic bags!

 

View from bridge at entry to Dawsholm Park - 23 March 2014

 

Heading into the Park/LNR we soon saw another Chiffchaff and added Mistle Thrush to our day list. We also encountered a 'new art form'?

 

 

Not so much 'tie a yellow ribbon to the old oak tree' but 'tie lots of shirts and other assorted clothes to a harmless tree'.

 

We scanned the river hoping for Kingfisher but sadly were unsuccessful. However, the rhododendron clearance from a few years ago has certainly had a beneficial impact allowing great views of the river, albeit some seem to be growing back ..............

 

 

 

We left the river and headed towards the 'Highland Cattle' fields noting that the paths are still incredibly muddy and that even more trees have blown down since our last visit.  

 

As we reached the 'fields' we soon became aware of large numbers of Carrion Crows, Magpies and Jackdaws many of which were calling even more loudly than normal. We soon found out why .....

 

Red Fox - 23 March 2014

 

Sadly at this point my batteries ran out so I only managed one record shot before the fox decided to head back into the bushes.

 

As we walked home our day was made complete by a Great Spotted Woodpecker in the small wood on the edge of our estate.

 

Glasgow really is wilds better!

 

Its just such a shame that some people seem to think that tying bags of dog dirt to railings and trees is the 'done thing'.

 

 

 

 



Bingham's Pond and Latest Sightings

I called in at Bingham's Pond today (22 March 2014) in the hope of picking up a Chiffchaff or even a Sand Martin but no luck. However, there were 2 Grey Herons showing very well; a third made a brave attempt at landing but was chased off by one of the other 2 herons!

Close-ups of both birds follow:

 

Notice the different markings around the eye.

Recent sightings courtesy of SOC Clyde Grapevine include:

21 March 2014
A singing Chiffchaff at Cairnhill Woods, Bearsden.

18 March 20014
Two Nuthatches at the White Bridge, Linn Park.
Two Bramblings and a Jay coming to a Mugdock village garden.
A singing Chiffchaff at Castlemilk Park, Glasgow.

 

Hogganfield Park LNR - a March update

With the weather clearing up a bit on Monday afternoon (17 March 2014) I decided to spend a few hours at Hogganfield Park LNR.

As ever the birds were excellent, 33 species in just under 2 hours. There were still some Whooper Swans present (13) with also good numbers of Goosander (27). Other species included 17 Pochard, c15 Goldeneye and an excellent Hogganfield count of 18 Cormorant. It was also nice to see the return of Little Grebe and Great Crested Grebe, two species that normally breed at the loch.

Great Crested Grebe

 

Talking of breeding a few Grey Herons were on nests whilst Blue Tits were showing an interest in 3 nest boxes and a Great Tit was observed entering one!

 

They weren't the only species interested in 'breeding' ..........................

 

Common Frogs - Hogganfield Park - 17 March 2014

 

Finally, I saw and heard my second Chiffchaff of the year. This was my 48th bird species for Hogganfield Park in 2014 - not bad considering we are still only in March!

 

Sparrowhawk - The Garden Predator

In recent weeks we have been visited on a regular basis by a male Sparrowhawk.

He hasn't quite mastered the 'art of surprise' as he spends much of his time sitting on our bird feeder wondering why there are no birds in the garden! However, he has had a least two meals that we have witnessed.

A short video of this bird can be viewed on YouTube at the following link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ITnQzJ6QlU

As with all my videos please ensure that you view at the 'maximum' quality (1080pHD) which can be adjusted by clicking on the small 'wheel' icon on the bottom right of the YouTube screen.

Back to Normal!

Well after the joy of spring appearing to have sprung last week we are back to normal - dull and dreich!

Yesterday (16 March 2014) was WEBs count day and as ever I made my way to Bingham's Pond. There were some reasonable counts with 36 Tufted Duck and 34 Mallard. However, for the second visit running, no Mute Swans.

As mentioned previously Coot are already 'breeding' with one pair building an enormous nest .........................

 

In addition to the wetland birds, a male Bullfinch was a nice find bringing my 'year list' for Bingham's to 30.

 

Finally, despite the efforts of various birds there appears to still be some frogspawn .....

 

 

 

 

It's a Beautiful Day!

Yesterday (12 March 2014) I joined the RSPB Glasgow Local Group on an outing to the Endrick Mouth/Loch Lomond NNR.

We started in Gartocharn and after a coffee and scone, we headed towards the NNR, noting Ben Lomond in the background ........

 

After a pleasant walk, via the 'non-muddy route', we reached the lochside. A few Goldeneye flew off as we admired the beautiful scenery; I couldn't resist taking a shot of these 3 Canada Geese as they swam into view on an absolutely flat calm loch .....

 

 

We headed through the woodlands adding birds such as Goldcrest, Treecreeper and Long-tailed Tit to our list before stopping for lunch. Here we saw birds such as Whooper Swan, Teal and Oystercatcher plus a solitary Great Crested Grebe. After leaving our lunch stop, we had a few skiens of Greylag and Pink-footed Geese but no White-fronts.

 

There was clear evidence of the recent rains with the RSPB's latest acquisition Wards Pond having trebled in size due to the adjoining fields being under water ......

 

 

Soon it was time to return and bring an end to a great day ....  tremendous weather,  stunning scenery and great company, what more could you ask!

 

 

Balgray, Bingham's, Buzzards, Butterfly and a Bat - has Spring Arrived?

I visited Balgray Reservoir, part of the Dams to Darnley Country Park, yesterday (10 March 2014) in the hope of adding Great Northern Diver to my 'Balgray' list but sadly it was no longer present............................

Balgray Reservoir - 10 March 2014

 

However, there were signs of spring with Great Crested Grebe, engaging in their mating 'neck dance', as well as an apparent pair of Oystercatcher calling to each other and also a pair of Grey Wagtail.

 

I left Balgray to explore the remainder of the Country Park with the next stop being Ryat Linn Reservoir and a Chiffchaff - a record shot follows...............

 

Chiffchaff - Ryat Linn Reservoir - 10 March 2014

 

The bird was constantly flicking its tail and actively feeding, so please do not be too critical of my photographic attempts!  

 

At Waulkmill Glen Reservoir there were yet more Great Crested Grebe displaying as were some Goldeneye. From here I walked down the Darnley Glen (Dams to Darnley LNR) to Nitshill Road, adding a pair of Stock Dove to my list and noting that a new pond had been dug ........................

 

Dams to Darnley LNR

 

Today (11 March 2014), the local Buzzards were displaying over our house in Anniesland and a Small Tortoiseshell butterfly sunned itself in the garden! This inspired me to make a quick visit to Bingham's Pond where I recorded yet another personal pond first -  a bat species circling the pond, dipping to drink and then flying back towards the trees/houses!!!!!!

 

Thereafter, the birds proved to be just the supporting cast! Nevertheless, two Coot nests already built; Moorhens starting to display and the 'farmyard duck' chasing both male and female Mallards did suggest spring was in the air as did this floral display.............

 

Bingham's Pond - 11 March 2014

 

At this rate it will be autumn by June!

 

 

Recent Sightings 9 March 2014

Some really good records from the Greater Glasgow area courtesy of the SOC Clyde Grapevine:

 

9 March 2014
A Great Northern Diver at the south end of Balgray Reservoir,

An adult Mediterranean Gull on the River Clyde at Glasgow Harbour NS5466.
Nine Jack Snipe at Windlaw Marsh, Carmunnock, also three Water Rails.
Nine Jack Snipe at Cathkin Marsh SWT.

4 March 2014

A Black Redstart at South Cathkin Farm (not Cathkin Marsh SWT as previously reported).

I've personally seen 143 bird species at Balgray Reservoir - Great Northern Diver would be a 'new' bird for me for the Reservoir and the Greater Glasgow area, so a wee visit could be on the cards tomorrow!

Back at last and Cancelled meeting

Apologies for the lack of updates but we have been away for a nice holiday!

Firstly, please note that tonight's (6 March 2014) RSPB Glasgow Local Group meeting has been cancelled - www.rspb.org.uk/groups/Glasgow

Secondly, some interesting sightings whilst we were away, courtesy of SOC Clyde Grapevine:

5 March 2014
Two Bramblings in a Mugdock village garden.
A Brambling in an Ormonde Drive, Netherlee garden.

3 March 2014
400 Pink-footed Geese at West Millichen Farm.
A Ring-necked Parakeet in Kelvingrove Park, near Park Quadrant.

2 March 2014
The Nuthatch again at the feeders in the walled garden of Pollok Country Park.

27 February 2014

Three Scaup (one drake) on Bishop Loch, Glasgow.

At least six Stonechats (four males) at Windlaw Marsh, Carmunnock, also unusually a Water Rail in flight.

A Nuthatch coming to the feeders at the walled garden in Pollok Country Park.

Still a single Brambling at Muirlees Crescent, Milngavie.

 

25 February 2014

29 Whooper Swans and 9 Gadwall on Hogganfield Loch LNR.

250 Pink-footed Geese on stubble at West Millichen Farm, and a Shelduck on Millichen Flood.

Still two Bramblings visiting feeders in a Mugdock garden.

One Brambling in a Muirlees Crescent, Milngavie garden.

 

Finally, a wee photo from our holiday ........................

 

Hadeda Ibis