Weekly Update (w/e 25 May 2014)

Yet another busy week birding!

On Monday (19th) I visited Dawsholm Park LNR to check out the nest boxes erected by the Friends of Glasgow's LNRs (http://friendsofglasgowlnrs.wordpress.com) and I wasn't disappointed.

Eight of the eleven 'tit' boxes were occupied (4 pairs of Blue Tits and 4 pairs of Great Tits); whilst one of the five 'starling' boxes was occupied, albeit by a Great Tit family!

Although concentrating on the nest boxes I did manage some general birding and saw 25 bird species in total - with my year total for the LNR being 39.

I also managed to pop along to Bingham's Pond adding Swift and Starling to my 'pond year list' which now stands at 43 species!

A bit further afield on Tuesday as I caught a train to Cardross and spent c3 hours scanning the estuary from the 'path' that runs westwards along the river's edge.

This proved to be a super day once the tide started to come in. This brought in waders including 1 Whimbrel, 2 Sanderling, 4 Turnstone, 60+ Dunlin and 100+ Ringed Plover as well as the usual Oystercatchers and Curlew. I didn't have my normal camera but had brought along my wife's and tried some digi-scoping resulting in the following efforts  ......

Sanderling

 

Dunlin, Sanderling and Ringed Plover

 

I also managed to spot 3 Wheatear in an adjoining field, whilst off-shore there were c50 Common Terns and at least 8 Gannets actively feeding. Thirty four Red-breasted Merganser and 2 displaying male Goldeneye added to the mix. In total, 37 species identified!

 

On Wednesday it was back to birding locally with a visit to Millichen and Possil Marsh. The area known as Millichen Flood was looking good .......................

 

 

... and played host to birds such as Sedge Warbler and Reed Bunting. In total, I recorded 24 bird species in the Millichen area.

 

On Thursday, I helped with a recce of the Loch Katrine area and was pleased to find 5 Spotted Flycatchers and a small flock of Crossbill. We had time to venture further afield and at the RSPB's Garrison Farm we added Hooded Crow and Whinchat and eventually managed a Pied Flycatcher at Inversnaid. Thanks to Mike and Judith.

 

Despite my stamina beginning to wane, I attended the Kelvingrove Park BioBlitz on Friday and managed to record c20 common bird species. The highlight, however, was the bat walk in the evening when we saw and heard two species of bat!

 

And finally, an interesting local bird sighting courtesy of the SOC Clyde Grapevine:

 

21 May 2014

A Ring-necked Parakeet at the Milngavie road end of Kilmardinny Avenue, Bearsden at 1140 hrs.

 

 

 

 

A Local Twitch!

On Friday (16 May), I checked out the nest boxes at Hogganfield Park LNR and am pleased to report that 2 of the 6 are occupied.

Bumped into John Forbes and showed him around - Whitethroat, Blackcap, Reed Bunting etc - 39 species for the visit and a nice roll and sausage - thanks John.

Also met Sandy McNeil, doing the Webs Count, and he mentioned he intended to head to Buchley Farm Pool once he had finished the count. I had other things planned so didn't ask for a lift. Later that night the SOC Clyde Grapevine reported a Little Ringed Plover at the Pool!

So, Saturday morning, despite the rain, I reached the Pool and the bird was still there! You needed a scope to see it from the Kelvin 'walkway' plus the weather wasn't conducive for any sort of photography, so here's a photo of one I took earlier .....

Little Ringed Plover

 

Whilst walking back along the Kelvin I also saw a Garden Warbler, at Balmuildy Woods, Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler, Bullfinch and a Kingfisher, as well as the usual more common species.

 

Despite the rain and the mud, a great day!

 

Other reports from the SOC Clyde Grapevine:

 

16 May 2014

A Spotted Flycatcher at Cathkin Braes, near Carmunnock

 

15 May 2014

Two adult Little Gulls at Bridgend Farm Pool, near Kirkintilloch at 2015 hrs.

 

Summer Migrants Galore!

On Tuesday (13th) I walked from Milngavie Railway Station, via the Allander Water and West Highland Way, to Craigallion Loch. This was a repeat of  my recent walk when I picked up an Osprey!

I wasn't to be disappointed - there were Willow Warblers everywhere; I heard and saw a beautiful Wood Warbler; had good views of Blackcap and Garden Warbler; managed 2 Whinchat after much effort and eventually saw a Cuckoo (or perhaps two) having heard them repeatedly calling. Other migrants adding to the spectacle included Swallow, Sedge Warbler and Tree Pipit!

A few images follow:

Mugdock Wood - on the way out - 13 May 2014

 

Craigallion Loch (looking east) - 13 May 2014

 

Record shot - Tree Pipit (and insect!) - 13 May 2014

 

Mugdock Wood - on the way back - 13 May 2014

 

I also managed four species of butterfly and Roe Deer on the walk which was a prelude to a planned trip to Inchcaillioch on the 14th. Would the planned trip yield even more migrants?

 

We joined the RSPB Glasgow Group at Balmaha for the trip to Inchcailloch - thanks Fiona.

 

The island was a wonderful peaceful haven full of bird song. Quite frankly we didn't know where to look as songs and calls filled the air. The highlights for me were 2 Osprey and a pair of Redstart, seen eventually after some patient waiting after the rest of the Group moved off. However, we also had great views of Garden Warbler - I have probably seen more over the past few weeks than all my other sightings put together! Also of note was a superb Wood Warbler, Tree Pipit, Blackcap and great views of Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit and Treecreeper.

 

Again a few images follow:

 

 

 

Record shot - Garden Warbler 14 May 2014

 

 

All in all, stunning scenery over both days and some special birds.

 

Remember you can enlarge the photos and create a mini slide show by clicking on the photos (they also look better at a larger size)!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wet, Wet, Wet (part 2) and Updates

Despite the unsettled weather I managed a bit of birding over the past week; it is just a pity that I'm still reliant on my waterproof jacket!

On Tuesday (6 May 2014) I made my first visit of the year to Possil Marsh SWT Reserve in north Glasgow.

Possil Marsh - 6 May 2014

 

Possil Marsh - 6 May 2014

 

The birding was a bit disappointing with just 23 species albeit including my first Whitethroat of the year and Sedge Warbler. There were also a few butterflies around and I managed to record this Small Tortoiseshell .....

 

 

Moving on to Friday (9 May 2014) I spent just under 4 hours at Hogganfield Park LNR seeing 42 species of bird. Thanks to deteriorating overhead conditions, all 4 species of UK 'hirundines' moved in hawking for insects over the loch. It was good to see 10 Swifts in amongst the swallows and martins. Other 'summer' migrants included Garden Warbler (a personal Hogganfield first for me), Whitethroat, Willow Warbler and this Chiffchaff ...

 

Record shot of Chiffchaff - 9 May 2014

 

On the loch there were 40 Goosanders (!) and a couple of pairs of Great Crested Grebe ..

 

Record shot of pair of Great Crested Grebe - 9 May 2014

 

... as well as the usual Mute Swans, Tufted Duck, Mallard and Coot.

 

There were also good numbers of Orange Tip butterflies .....

 

Male Orange Tip - 9 May 2014

 

Despite the showery conditions, it was another excellent day at Hogganfield Park LNR.

 

Finally, I popped in on a couple of occasions to Bingham's Pond and managed to add another bird - Mistle Thrush - to my Bingham's year list which now stands at 41.

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

 

11 May 2014

Three Redstart territories at the SW edge of Strathaven.

 

10 May 2014

A Little Ringed Plover briefly at Bridgend Farm Pool, near Kirkintilloch as it flew off from the pool closest to the road, also a drake Shelduck on the main pool.

Two Gadwall on Hogganfield Loch.

 

9 May 2014

A drake Garganey on Bridgend Farm Pool, near Kirkintilloch.

40 Swifts at Balgray Reservoir

 

8 May 2014

A late Goldeneye on River Clyde at Bell's Bridge, Glasgow.

 

7 May 2014

Seven Shoveler (five males) and a male Gadwall on Bridgend Farm Pool, Kirkintilloch, but no sign of the Garganey.

A Jay at Loch Ardinning.

A Swift at Hyndland, Glasgow.

 

6 May 2014

A pair of Garganey on Bridgend Farm Pool, Kirkintilloch, also five Shoveler (four males) and three Gadwall (two males).

Five Swifts back at Netherlee.

 

5 May 2014

Two White Wagtails at Cathkin Marsh SWT Reserve, near East KIlbride, also two Water Rails.

Two Nuthatches again in Mugdock Wood. 

A Swift over Scottish Power, Cathcart at 1930 hrs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Poor Photos BUT Good Birds!

This time of year can be great for seeing and hearing birds, so despite the dull overcast conditions I have been out and about visiting well known 'birding hotspots'.

On Wednesday (30 April 2014) we travelled to Baron's Haugh RSPB reserve, Dalzell Woodlands and Carbarns Pool - thanks to Mike and Judith.

We were lucky to bump into Jimmy Maxwell, a well respected local bird watcher. At Dalzell Woods he explained there were now 8 pairs of Nuthatch and we were lucky enough to see birds in the vicinity of one of the nesting holes ....

Having walked through the woods enjoying the sight and sound of a host of species, we arrived at Carbarns Pool. There wasn't much on the Pool so we moved to the river edge and scanned the island on the Clyde spotting Garden Warbler, Bullfinch, Song Thrush and Long-tailed Tit whilst a Raven flew overhead. On our return we spotted another male Bullfinch and despite the drizzle I took a record shot ..............

 

Walking along the riverside walkway we spotted a Whooper Swan which apparently was suffering from a damaged wing and is therefore likely to spend the summer here. We spent some time in the hides adding to our list with Gadwall being the prominent duck although there was only one wader - a solitary Lapwing.

 

We left the reserve having seen a good number of species and arrived at the car just as the heavens opened - well judged!

 

On Friday I travelled by train to Lochwinnoch RSPB Reserve and climbed the tower in the Visitor Centre. From here you get a great view of the Aird Meadow and all of the works that have been undertaken to attract more birds ....

 

 

From here I spotted a pair of Garganey, that had been previously seen by staff, in a channel running from the right hand pool towards the main loch. Thankfully they swam along the channel to the Pool and everyone in the tower/centre got great views. A greatly magnified poor record shot follows ..........

 

 

I left the centre and walked around the various trails adding Sedge Warbler to my 'year list'. Another record shot follows .............

 

 

Finally, yesterday I travelled by train once again this time to Milngavie to walk the West Highland Way to Craigallion Loch. There were literally 100s of people on the Way -  a sponsored walk adding to the usual Way walkers, joggers, dog walkers and cyclists.

 

So, I decided to leave the Way and walked along a few paths in Mugdock Wood and was rewarded with views of a few Tree Pipits. Once the general commotion had settled down, I re-joined the Way and soon reached Craigallion Loch. Here I recorded more Sedge Warblers; I headed towards the huts at Carbeth and there seemed to be Willow Warblers everywhere and I even heard a Green Woodpecker.

 

I decided to retrace my steps rather than take the circular route and I was so pleased that I did; as sitting in a tree beside the Loch was an Osprey! The final poor record shot of this post follows ...

 

 

If you look really closely you can see the bird perched on the bare branch in the centre of the photo!

 

So a great finish to a nice few days of birding; it is just a pity that the weather was so dull and chilly.

 

Links

First of all I would stress I am talking about 'web site and page links', not a type of sausage!

Some of you will have already noticed but just to say I have added a new page to the Blog - videos. This should make it easier for people to view my wildlife videos rather than having to scroll through previous posts to find the links.

Secondly, I would mention once again the links to other blogs/sites that can be found on the right hand side of the blog. The 'raptor persecution scotland' blog is essential, albeit depressing, reading.

I shall finish with some positive news and some recent reports from the SOC Clyde Grapevine:

29 April 2014
A Hoopoe photographed in a private garden in Pollokshields.
17 White Wagtails at East Millichen Farm.