Tuesday, 15 April 2014

Millichen and Recent Sightings

Yesterday (14 April 2014) I spent almost 2.5 hours in the Millichen area of north Glasgow. I made the visit partly because I hoped to add a few more early summer migrants to my year list and more importantly because the sun was actually shining!

Eventually I was not to be disappointed as I spotted a Wheatear quickly followed by another and another.... eventually counting 8 birds all in a field just south of Millichen Road. At West Millichen Farm, two Swallows were flying together in formation.

In addition to these summer migrants it was good to see that the area still holds small numbers of typical 'farmland birds' including some that have declined throughout the UK over the last 30 years or so. I counted 2 Skylark, 15 Starling, 25+ House Sparrow, 5 Tree Sparrow, 6 Yellowhammer and 2 Reed Bunting all showing signs that they are likely to breed (or are already breeding) in the area.

In total, I managed to see 24 bird species which was a bit disappointing but made up by the quality on view.

There were also Roe Deer, a Brown Hare and Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell butterflies present - a photo of one of the Small Tortoiseshell's follows ...

 
Later in the evening I attended the AGM of the Friends of Glasgow's LNRs. There was an excellent turnout with over 30 people present and Joe Connelly (Countryside Ranger, Dams to Darnley CP) was a well appreciated guest speaker. See the Friends web site at http://friendsofglasgowlnrs.wordpress.com for more information.
 
Finally, some other recent sightings in the Greater Glasgow area, courtesy of SOC Clyde Grapevine:
 
15 April 2014
Two Common Sandpipers at Waulkmill Glen Reservoir (Dams to Darnley CP).
 
14 April 2014
A pair of Nuthatches, male in song, at Fairways, Dougalston, Milngavie.
A House Martin over the River Kelvin at Balmuildy Bridge.
 
13 April 2014
Nine Swallows hawking over Rouken Glen Pond in the morning.
 
11 April 2014
Two Swallows over the White Cart Water at Scottish Power, Cathcart, Glasgow; nearby a Peregrine over Cartvale Road.
 
10 April 2014
A Blackcap in song by the White Cart Water between Carmichael Place and Millbrae Road, Langside, Glasgow.
 
9 April 2014
Two Willow Warblers in song at Duchray Park, Riddrie, Glasgow.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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