Part-time Birding!

Since my last post things have been a bit hectic trying to fit in birding with other commitments!

I am pleased to say that the Friends of Glasgow's LNRs proposed BioHavens project at Hogganfield Loch has taken another significant step with all parties agreeing to a launch date of Wednesday 6 April 2016 - see this link for more information
https://www.facebook.com/friendsofglasgowlocalnaturereserves

Also note that their AGM is on Monday 18 April 2016 in the Hopkirk Building, Botanic Gardens, Glasgow from 7.15pm.

Away from 'Friends' work I managed to visit Banton Loch near Kilsyth on Wednesday 2 March 2016 - the X86 from Glasgow Buchanan Street stops at the Colzium/Lennox Estate and its 5 minutes from there.

Banton Loch - 2 March 2016

 

I managed good views of a Green-winged Teal and took a few record shots ..

 

Drake Green-winged Teal

 

This Robin also posed for me ....

 

Robin

 

..  just as I was leaving the loch. Thereafter, I spent a short time exploring the Colzium-Lennox Estate before heading home for a late lunch.

 

The following day we both travelled up to Arrochar (on the Oban bus). The distant hills were lightly covered in snow, set against a blue sky; a beautiful sight ...

 

 

But on closer inspection the shore line at the end of Loch Long was covered in litter ..

 

 

We soon found our target bird, Glaucous Gull ...

 

Glaucous Gull

 

...so we then went for a walk along some of the paths near Kenmore Woods where we picked up a Jay as well as some common woodland birds. As we were both attending the RSPB Glasgow Group evening meeting, we decided to leave early and were back home for lunch!

 

Technical problem: normally, I can increase the display size of the photos easily but for some reason I am not being allowed to do so. Hopefully, I can sort this out before my next post. In the meantime, please remember you can click on the photos and create a slide show which should enhance the viewing of the photos.

 

Finally, some recent sightings courtesy of SOC Clyde Grapevine:

 

Saturday 5 March 2016
An adult Iceland Gull again at Wickes, London Road, Mount Vernon.
A single Barnacle Goose with 4,000 Pink-footed Geese between Barbeth and Badenheath Farms, Cumbernauld.
A pair of Stonechats at Cathkin Marsh SWT Reserve.
A female Blackcap again at feeders in a Hillview Drive, Clarkston garden.
A male Blackcap, now in sub-song, in a Hillfoot Drive, Bearsden garden.

Wednesday 2 March 2016
The drake Green-winged Teal still on Townhead Reservoir (Banton Loch).
No sign of the Mediterranean Gull on the Clyde at Dalmuir, but an adult Little Gull there this afternoon, viewed from Park Quay, Erskine.
Ten Mandarin Ducks (eight males) on the River Leven at Balloch.
Six Shoveler (five drakes) at Bridgend Farm Pool, Kirkintilloch.
A male Blackcap and a Stock Dove in a Hillfoot Drive, Bearsden garden.