First Birding of the Year

Despite still suffering from 'man flu', Lynda persuaded me that a bit of birding would do me good! So we caught the train to Balloch and, having received a tip-off (thanks Fiona), we headed straight for the Loch Lomond Shores area .....................

Loch Lomond Shores - 5 January 2015

 

Walking towards the Maid of the Loch we quickly found 2 Little Auks followed by the Velvet Scoter that has been around for a few days now. Despite the poor light and drizzle, I managed some record shots ....

 

Little Auks - 5 January 2015

Velvet Scoter - 5 January 2015

 

We also managed to see 5 Mandarin Ducks (4 male and one female) on the River Leven at Balloch before catching the train home - a really nice start to 2016 and a great way to forget you've got a cold!

 

Finally, a quick round-up of recent sightings from Greater Glasgow, courtesy of the SOC Clyde Grapevine:

 

Monday 4 January 2016
A Firecrest feeding amongst rhododendrons near the flatted mansion in Queen's Park, Glasgow.
A drake Green-winged Teal still on Banton Loch, Kilsyth and unusually a drake Red-Breasted Merganser.
Three Barnacle Geese at Boclair Farm, Bearsden.
Six Ring-necked Parakeets in a tree beside the clubhouse of Bishopbriggs Golf Course.
A Brambling, six Tree Sparrows and thirty Yellowhammers in a mixed flock of passerines at KIrkintilloch.

Sunday 3 January 2016
A drake Green-winged Teal still on Banton Loch, Kilsyth.
A drake Ruddy Duck still on Garnqueen Loch.
A Barnacle Goose with Pinkfeet and Greylags at Boclair Farm, Bearsden.