Weekly Update

Another busy week with visits to RSPB Loch Leven, Fannyside Lochs and the Lammermuirs interspersed with evening meetings of the Friends of Glasgow's LNRs and the Friends of Botanic Gardens/Tree Lovers; not to mention birding from our kitchen window!

On Wednesday (19th) we joined other members of the RSPB Glasgow Group on an outing to RSPB Loch Leven. The weather was mixed with bright spells interspersed with showers and then eventually heavy rain. There were lots of common woodland birds, waders and wildfowl to be seen including 2 Whooper Swans from the Carden Hide ...

View from Carden Hide - 19 November 2014

 

However, the highlights must be the drake Smew on the Loch, albeit in the pouring rain, and a Red Squirrel on the feeder ..

 

Red Squirrel - 19 November 2014

 

On the Wednesday evening we attended an excellent illustrated talk hosted by the Friends of Glasgow's LNRs ( see https://www.facebook.com/friendsofglasgowlocalnaturereserves )

 

And on Thursday it was off on another trip to the Lammermuirs via the Fannyside area.

 

Lammermuirs - 20 November 2014

 

The Lammermuirs are south of Gifford in East Lothian and home to a few specialist species as well as the occasional rare visitor - last week we had distant views of a Rough-legged Buzzard! This week there was no sign of the 'buzzard' but we did spot a male Merlin and a number of Red-legged Partridge as well as 'lots' of Red Grouse ...

 

Red Grouse - Lammermuirs - 20 November 2014

 

On Thursday evening we attended an excellent talk by Malcolm Muir jointly hosted by the Friends of the Botanic Gardens and the Tree Lovers.

 

And finally a quiet day on Friday until a Chiffchaff appeared in the garden! It proved to be very mobile so difficult to photo; this was my best attempt ...

 

Chiffchaff - 21 November 2014

 

Tomorrow I am off to Hogganfield Park LNR for the Friends of Glasgow's LNRs farmland bird and wildfowl feeding event and hopefully the weather behaves itself and we get great views of the Whooper Swans, Reed Buntings and other species to be found at this wonderful reserve.

 

Finally, some recent sightings from Greater Glasgow, courtesy of SOC Clyde Grapevine:

 

20 November 2014

Three Jack Snipe with 48 Snipe at Windlaw Marsh, near Carmunnock, also an adult male Peregrine.
18 Gadwall on Hogganfield Loch.

18 November 2014
A Jack Snipe at Windlaw Marsh, near Carmunnock, also a pair of Stonechats.