Glasgow Birding and More

Time for another update; despite the dark, dreary days there's lots been happening since my last update on the 16th ..........

On Sunday (18th) I helped at the Friends of Glasgow's LNRs wildfowl feeding event at Hogganfield Loch. As ever it was good to see Whooper Swans up close and personal ...

 

This Mute Swan, with its crooked neck, caused us some concern and I contacted the Council .....

 

 

Their staff have looked for it but it seems to have moved on. Sadly, the swan that was rescued by the Ranger Service (see post on the 16th) had to be put down.

 

I paid a short late afternoon visit to my local Bingham's Pond on the 19th and was intrigued to see a female Goosander 'courting' a male Goosander - a bit early I thought ...

 

Video grab

 

He wasn't interested and she eventually 'gave up', but she did get a nice sun set!

 

Bingham's Pond - 19 December 2016

 

I travelled down to Lochwinnoch RSPB Reserve on the 20th in search of the elusive Hooded Merganser that has been reported from the Barr Loch and the nearby Kilbirnie Loch for a few months now. Success at last and a Scottish tick! Apologies for the poor quality, it's the bird closest to the far bank, but I think its worth showing .....

 

 

A Cormorant was a lot closer .......

 

 

And eventually, the sun tried to break through ...................

 

Barr Loch (RSPB Lochwinnoch Reserve) - 20 December 2016

 

I visited the RSPB Visitor Centre to give them the news that the merganser was present and the staff were most welcoming, the cup of tea was gratefully received!

 

The last few days have been taken up with Christmas (ho, ho, ho) and looking out for Waxwings which are being reported in good numbers throughout Glasgow. I've had a good few sightings but the weather has been poor stopping any decent photographs but here goes .....

 

24th - 66 Waxwings - Westerlands Estate (from our window)

 

25th -  56 Waxwings - Westerlands Estate (from our window)

 

25th - Some of the 63 Waxwings - Bingham's Pond

 

25th - One of 15 Waxwings - Dorchester Ave/Gt Western Rd

 

In all 3 locations a Mistle Thrush had taken 'ownership' of the berry bearing trees and were trying to see off the waxwings! Here is the 'Bingham's Pond' bird .........

 

 

As I type, c150 Waxwings are in our estate!

 

Other sightings from Greater Glasgow, excluding Waxwings, courtesy of the SOC Clyde Grapevine:

 

Sunday 25 December 2016
An unusual record of a Dipper feeding at a flood pool in a Nithsdale Road, Pollokshields garden.

Monday 19 December 2016
52 Jack Snipe (16 caught) at Cathkin Marsh SWT Reserve.

Saturday 17 December 2016
A female Mandarin Duck back on White Cart Water at Sinclair Drive, Battlefield, Glasgow.
A Woodcock in flight over Silverburn, Pollok, Glasgow at 1000 hrs.
A Tawny Owl roosting in a tree at Williamwood High School, Eaglesham Road, Clarkston.
Up to four Nuthatches in the area of the walled garden, Pollok Country Park.