Summer Migrants Arrive

A busy week, so here goes - my photographic record (click on photos for a slide show/enhanced viewing):

Monday 20 April 2015 - Bingham's Pond

Tufted Duck (drake)

Coot (on nest)

Mute Swans (on nest)

 

In addition to the wildfowl, these Marsh Marigolds caught the eye

 

 

Whilst this was a gruesome reminder of 'nature in the raw'

 

In total 16 bird species with Lesser Black-backed Gull being the only 'migrant'.

 

Wednesday 21 April 2015 - West Highland Way from Milngavie to Carbeth Huts via Mugdock Country Park

 

Mugdock Castle

Craigallian Loch

 

Whinchat

Cuckoo (heavily cropped)

 

In total 32 bird species with summer migrants consisting of Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Swallow, Cuckoo and Whinchat.

 

Thursday 23 April 2015 - Dams to Darnley LNR

 

 

Dipper

Wren

 

31 bird species in total with lots of Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers, at least 6 Blackcaps plus my first 2 Common Whitethroats of the year!

 

More photos can be found at https://www.facebook.com/friendsofglasgowlocalnaturereserves

 

Thursday 23 April 2015 - Balgray Reservoir

 

Willow Warbler

 

The Reservoir was really disappointing, only 18 bird species, with high water levels and some anti-social behaviour. On the bird front, two pairs of Great Crested Grebe were engaging in some neck dancing whilst the only summer migrant to be seen or heard was the Willow Warbler.

 

A pity that such a good week finished on a bit of a low.

 

I just hope that we haven't just had our summer for the year!

 

 

Huggy and Garganey Success

On Friday morning I arrived at Hogganfield Park LNR (Avenue End Road entrance) and was soon being serenaded by Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Dunnock, Wren, Robin, Blackbird and Greenfinch(!)

Chiffchaff - Hogganfield Park - 17 April 2015

Willow Warbler - Hogganfield Park - 17 April 2015

Greenfinch - Hogganfield Park - 17 April 2015

 

Lots of birds were nest building and a few already on their nests ..

 

Mute Swan - Hogganfield Park - 17 April 2015

Grey Heron - Hogganfield Park - 17 April 2015

 

I also met a Council officer regarding the small number of dead Mute Swans at the loch and was advised of the procedures being adopted to ascertain the cause.

 

In the afternoon I headed down to Lochwinnoch RSPB Reserve and this time was rewarded with great views of a pair of Garganey. Record shots follow:

 

 

I was also pleased to get nice views of a Great Spotted Woodpecker ..

 

 

Whilst at Lochwinnoch I bumped into Judith and Mike. After enjoying the birds we went for a nice coffee and I was grateful for a lift home! 

 

And I'll end with more updates for Greater Glasgow, courtesy of the SOC Clyde Grapevine:

 

Thursday 6 April 2015

14 Shovelers (nine drakes), two pairs of Gadwall and still 29 Pink-footed Geese at Bridgend Farm Pool.
A Nuthatch in song at Dougalston Estate, Milngavie with another calling nearby at a possible nest site.
A Cuckoo at Snypes Dam, Neilston.
Four male Swallows back on territory at Stables, Pollok Country Park.
Blackcaps, Willow Warblers and Common Sandpipers now fairly widespread.

 

 

 

 

 

RSPB Reserve Birding

On Monday, I travelled down to Lochwinnoch RSPB Reserve by train and bumped into a good few birding friends - all looking for the pair of Garganey that had been seen on the Sunday. I also met a couple of ex-work colleagues, Ian and Carol, and had a good catch-up with them.

Sadly there was no sign of the Garganey when I was there, albeit they put in an appearance later in the afternoon!

However, I still saw some good birds, including the first Willow Warblers of the year and typical 'wetland' birds such as ...

Whooper Swan

Reed Bunting (male)

 

.............. and this not so typical wetland bird ....

 

Rook

 

Today we joined up with the RSPB Glasgow Group mid-week outing to Baron's Haugh RSPB Reserve, Dalzell Woodlands and Carbarns Pool which proved a great success with over 40 species seen including a good range of summer migrants - Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Sand Martin and Common Sandpiper - as well as birds entering or building nests - Blue Tit, Great Tit, Nuthatch and Treecreeper ....

 

Nuthatch - Dalzell Woodlands

Treecreeper (collecting nest material) - Baron's Haugh

Treecreeper (entering 'nest')

 

Other birds were singing or enjoying a meal ...

 

Bullfinch (female) - Baron's Haugh

 

...........whilst some were struggling to keep their eyes open ...

 

Tawny Owl - Baron's Haugh

 

Thanks to Judith and Mike for organising and leading an excellent outing.

 

Now an update of latest sightings in the Greater Glasgow area, courtesy of the SOC Clyde Grapevine:

 

Tuesday 14 April 2015

A female Scaup and still seven Whooper Swans on Hogganfield Loch.
Two House Martins at Newton Mearns Cross.

Monday 13 April 2015
An Osprey north over Peitches Moor, Mugdock Country Park at 1040 hrs.
A House Martin at Garscube Estate.


Also remember, click on photos to create enhanced viewing and slide show.

 

 

 

 

Summer Migrants and Dawsholm Dog Dirt!

We had a pleasant surprise this morning with a male Blackcap in our garden - my second summer migrant of the year.

At Dawsholm Park LNR on Friday there were 2 Chiffchaffs calling and lots of other birds singing, exploring nest holes and in the case of Carrion Crows, already on a nest.

Robin - Dawsholm Park - 10 April 2015

Great Spotted Woodpecker - Dawsholm Park - 10 April 2015

 Bullfinch (male) - Dawsholm Park - 10 April 2015

 

Parts of the LNR were looking good ...............

 

 

...........whilst other areas had rhododendron starting to make a 'come back' following on from Council (Forestry Commission funded) attempts to eradicate it from the LNR ..

 

 

Also on the down side, there were lots of 'little messages' left by dogs and their owners and/or dog walking companies culminating in this depressing sight ....

 

 

.. all the plastic bags lying on the ground were full of dog poo. No further comments are required!

 

Finally, on a positive note and courtesy of the SOC Clyde Grapevine:

 

Saturday 11 April 2015

A singing Willow Warbler in a Hillfoot Drive, Barsden garden.

Thursday 9 April 2015

A Blackcap in song Pollok Country Park, where a pair of Nuthatches are on territory, also two Swallows.
A Blackcap and a Willow Warbler in song First Avenue, Netherlee.
A Swallow at Blackbyres Road, Barrhead.

 

 

 

 

 

 

More Local Patch Birding

On Tuesday (7th) I dropped in at Bingham's Pond hoping for a summer migrant or two but had no luck. However, two pairs of Coot were already on nests and the other wetland birds were being a bit frisky!

In the afternoon, I headed for Dawsholm Park LNR and this time was lucky with great views of a Chiffchaff. I also saw a Kingfisher and pair of Goosander on the River Kelvin whilst in the woodlands Stock Dove, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Treecreeper showed well.

A few images from Bingham's Pond follow:

Tufted Duck - Bingham's Pond - 7 April 2015

Moorhen - Bingham's Pond - 7 April 2015

Woodpigeon - Bingham's Pond - 7 April 2015

Finally, some records for Greater Glasgow, courtesy of the SOC Clyde Grapevine:

Wednesday 8 April 2015
Two pairs of Gadwall on Hogganfield Loch and still seven Whooper Swans.
A singing Willow Warbler in Linn Park, Glasgow, also pair of Nuthatches on territory.
A Swallow at the Stables courtyard, Pollok Country Park, also seven Fieldfares at the Lochinch playing fields.

Monday 6 April 2015
A Barn Owl flying west along the boundary of Gartloch Village, Glasgow at 2215 hrs.

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Balloch Revisited

Thanks to Judith & Mike we tried some birding around Balloch on Friday (3rd). 

A walk around Balloch Castle Country Park proved rewarding with a pair of Nuthatch being the highlight.

We also visited the area of Loch Lomond close to the Maid of the Loch and got excellent, albeit distant, views of the 1st winter Iceland Gull that I had managed to re-locate last month. Some record shots follow ....

 

In the photos you can compare the size difference with Great Black-backed Gull to the left and Lesser Black-backed Gull to the right.

 

We also managed nice views of the Mandarin ducks on the River Leven, which pleased Lynda as she hadn't come with me on last month's trip, although they were too far off to photo. So this photo from last month, of a female, will have to do!

 

 

Finally, some recent sightings from the Greater Glasgow area, as ever, courtesy of the SOC Clyde Grapevine:

 

Wednesday 1 April 2015
A first-winter Little Gull with Black-headed Gulls on the River Clyde behind IMAX at 1600 hrs.
391 Pink-footed Geese at Millichen Flood at 1545 hrs.