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.
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