Seven Lochs Safari

Another visit yesterday (20 June 2014) to part of the Seven Lochs Project area in north east Glasgow ................

I started at Frankfield Loch ...

... which is a proposed Local Nature Reserve, and noticed that the housebuilders have created a new path and a small 'viewing area' ..............

 

There were numerous pairs of Great Crested Grebe some still on nests and at least one pair with 2 young. One bird came quite close to the loch edge allowing this shot  ...............

 

 

There were also numerous pairs of Coot with young and a nice family of Mute Swans .....

 

 

There was some mud exposed and initially at least 40 Lapwing and an Oystercatcher so hopefully there will be a good wader passage later this year.

 

Leaving the lochside I walked along the path that runs west along the southern side of the loch and here .......

 

 

within a few feet of each other I managed to photograph: Six-spot Burnet moth ..

 

 

... Common Blue butterfly ..

 

 

... Meadow Brown butterfly ..

 

 

... Ringlet butterfly ......

 

 

..... Blue-tailed damselflies ...

 

Male

Female

 

.. and Emerald damselfly ..

 

 

So, having seen 28 bird species and numerous insects I left Frankfield and headed for Cardowan Moss LNR and I'm pleased to say that the Forestry Commission has created a new surfaced footpath link between both sites ...

 

 

Heading towards Hogganfield Park Local Nature Reserve I was pleased to see plenty of Ringlet and Meadow Brown plus Small Heath butterflies. Reaching Hogganfield Park I was pleasantly surprised to see a new entrance feature that had just been recently completed ...

 

 

At Hogganfield Loch there was evidence of successful breeding with a brood of 6 Mute Swans, a brood of 7 Tufted duckling, a brood of 2 Great Crested Grebe, at least 3 broods of Mallard, one brood of Moorhen and 3 broods of Coot with some birds still on nests, like this Coot ...

 

 

There was also good numbers of insects including this day flying moth .... a Silver-ground Carpet?

 

 

... all attracted by a magnificent array of wild flowers including these orchids .......

 

 

So yet again Hogganfield does the business with 33 bird species and a host of other interesting wildlife sightings ...

 

All in all, another great day wildlife watching on my doorstep, 43 bird species without trying and great views of a host of insects and wildflowers...... OK I'll repeat myself .....

 

Glasgow's Wilds Better!!!!!!!!!!!!