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.