On Tuesday (8 April 2014) we visited Lochwinnoch RSPB Reserve in search of the two male Smew that had been reported. As you can see from the following photo we got stunning views from the remaining bird hide .....
Joking aside, they were clearly identifiable with binoculars. Back at the Visitor Centre, the staff were as friendly as ever and we got good views of a whole range of 'garden' birds coming to the feeders. This Collared Dove posed well and yes the small flecks in the photo are rain drops against the centre's large glass window ...........
Collared Dove - Lochwinnoch RSPB Reserve - 9 April 2014
We left the Centre and, braving the rain, walked to Castle Semple Loch. Here we found a 'tame' Whooper Swan ...
Whooper Swan - Castle Semple Loch - 9 April 2014
It had been ringed and I sent details off to local swan guru Bernie Zonfrillo .....
He was able to advise that the bird
has a dodgy wing. Apparently it can fly but not very well. It was rung on 28th April 2012 and has been at Castle
Semple since the winter of 2008.
From here we walked the footpaths in the Country Park, including the former railway line, adding Raven and Chiffchaff to our species list (36 seen at Lochwinnoch RSPB Reserve) before returning for the train home.
On the 9th, I managed a quick trip to Bingham's Pond, in between showers, and got yet another 'Bingham's Year tick' (no. 38) in the shape of a Greylag Goose ...........
Greylag Goose - Bingham's Pond - 9 April 2014
Yesterday was a 'mega outing' taking in Hogganfield Park LNR, with its loch and ponds; Cardowan Moss LNR with its wet woodlands, ponds and peat bog and Frankfield Loch.
At Hogganfield Park I saw 37 different species with a pair of Mute Swans on 5 eggs; Grey Herons also on nests and an incredible record of 21 Cormorant! A pair of Buzzards were soaring overhead and I heard and saw three summer migrants - Blackcap, Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler.
Moving on to Cardowan Moss LNR, I got really close to a Roe Deer, heard more Chiffchaffs and recorded 14 bird species in total ....
Cardowan Moss - 10 April 2014
Finally, I reached Frankfield Loch (a proposed Local Nature Reserve) where the water levels were high and I counted 16 different species ......
Frankfield Loch - 10 April 2014
Today, I spent a short time at Dawsholm Park LNR, with its two ponds and muddy trails. In between a few heavy showers/hail, I was pleased to hear Chiffchaff and Great Spotted Woodpecker and see this Mistle Thrush .............
Mistle Thrush - Dawsholm Park - 11 April 2014
I am now away for a lie down and will then prepare for Monday night's Friends of Glasgow's Local Nature Reserves free illustrated talk and AGM - for more information, see http://friendsofglasgowlnrs.wordpress.com
Hi Jim I was at Hogganfield on Thursday and saw around 20 cormorants in the tree. There was also three Great Black Backed Gulls. I spotted a rather odd looking goose in with the greylags. It looked a bit like a Chinese goose. Could it have been an escapee?
ReplyDeleteHi Peter, thanks for the comments. Five birds were 'dumped' on the loch in February 2012. They were all pinioned 'domesticated' geese - they couldn't fly. Three remain, one of which, at least is, as you say, a 'Chinese goose'.
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