Nest Box Monitoring and Weekly Update

This week was a mixture of monitoring nest boxes erected by the Friends of Glasgow's LNRs and travelling further afield!

It started with nest box monitoring on Tuesday at Hogganfield Park LNR - none of the boxes appeared to be being used although one did attract interest from a pair of Blue Tits. Sadly one of the boxes has been destroyed, no easy feat! 

 

Other birds were clearly paired up ...

 

Woodpigeon

 

and/or on nests ..

 

Mute Swan (plus Coot)

 

It was good to see and hear a variety of summer migrants such as Swift, Swallow, House Martin, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler but the highlight had to be Garden Warbler.

 

In total, I managed 43 different bird species within the LNR.

 

On Wednesday we travelled to Islay!!!! On the crossing from Kennacraig to Port Askaig, I added to my year list with excellent views of summer plumaged Great Northern Diver, Guillemot and Gannet ...

 

Port Askaig

 

Thursday was back to my local patch and an impromptu litter pick at Bingham's Pond (one bag easily filled) and checking the nest boxes - nothing to report. However, two pairs of Coot were actively feeding their one youngster and the pair of Mute Swans are still sitting....

 

 

Finally, today and checking the boxes at Dawsholm Park LNR - 11 'tit' boxes, 5 'starling' boxes and 2 'bat' boxes. 4 pairs of Blue Tits and 4 pairs of Great Tits were using the 'tit' boxes whilst another one had fallen to the ground - so will need to be re-erected. No birds were using the 'starling' boxes' and a pair of Blue Tits were using a 'bat' box!

 

Other species clearly breeding included Stock Dove ..............

 

Stock Dove

 

And on my way home, proof that the local Ravens had bred again - photo of juvenile ..

 

 

As ever, a look at recent sightings from Greater Glasgow, courtesy of the SOC Clyde Grapevine:

 

Tuesday 19 May 2015
Five Shovelers (four drakes) at Bridgend Farm Pool, near Kirkintilloch.