Birding in Greater Glasgow

Despite the week's poor weather forecast, broadcast last Sunday, I managed out most days to do a bit of birding. Originally, Monday was meant to be the only dry day so we headed out with Judith and Mike to walk in an around the West Highland Way between Mugdock Country Park and the Carbeth Huts. As well as seeing some of the more common woodland birds, we were rewarded with sightings of Osprey, Crossbill and Cuckoo. The birds were quite distant but thankfully I had my scope with me so we got excellent views. My Powershot did its best, but only record shots were possible ............

I called in twice at Bingham's Pond in the west end of Glasgow and was pleased to see two Swallows on both occasions.

Dawsholm Park LNR was my next port of call, to check out the nest boxes. Only 2 were being investigated, but the weather was poor so I'm sure I'll get better results next week. I also had the bonus of seeing a Kingfisher on the River Kelvin and great views of a Great Spotted Woodpecker

A visit to Dawsholm would not be complete without mentioning the dogs and I had a record count of 6 dog walking companies and 50+ dogs in c15 minutes!

The week was completed with Peter suggesting we head off to Loch Lomond. We encountered 700 runners along the West Highland Way, so decided to head off into Ross Wood and we had a superb walk and added Pied Flycatcher and Wood Warbler to our list of summer migrants

WHW runners

Pied Flycatcher

Wood Warbler

 

We also encountered some stunning scenery.....

 

What a nice way to end the week.

 

So what have other people been seeing? Recent records for Greater Glasgow, courtesy of the SOC Clyde Grapevine:

 

Saturday 30 April 2016
A singing Whitethroat at Balgray Reservoir where there was a feeding flock of 200 Sand Martins with only two Swallows and a single House Martin. 

Friday 29 April 2016
Nuthatches continue to colonise with 12 territories identified at Dalzell/Baron's Haugh, at least five at Pollok Country Park and one at Rouken Glen.

Thursday 27 April 2016
Wood Warbler singing at Gartloch Pool, Glasgow.

Tuesday 26 April 2016
An Osprey at Loch Ardinning.
Single singing Whitethroats beside Allander Water at Dobbies, Milngavie and Craigend Hill. Erskine.