Gulls and more!

Following two unsuccessful trips to Cardwell Bay, Gourock, it was third time lucky on Monday 13 February 2017. I travelled down by train and managed to locate a Bonaparte's Gull that has been reported off and on as being in the bay or even on the grass at Battery Park.

Bonaparte's Gull - Cardwell Bay - 13 February 2017

 

I also saw a Little Gull, once again (see previous post). At one point a Black-headed Gull, the Little Gull and Bonaparte's Gull were swimming side by side allowing comparisons to be made!

 

The third unusual gull to appear was a Mediterranean Gull although by now the light was terrible ..........

Mediterranean Gull (foreground) - Cardwell Bay - 13 February 2017

 

On Wednesday we joined the RSPB Glasgow Group outing to RSPB Loch Leven with Judith and Mike and saw 50+ bird species. I was pleased to find a 'red head' Smew and then Judith found a male! We got all of the group onto both birds albeit they were distant.

(See http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/glasgow/reports/437950/ for a detailed report). But for me the real star was this Red Squirrel

 

 

 

On Thursday evening I was made most welcome by the Glenmore Ski Club who had invited me to talk about 'Glasgow's West End Wildlife'. It is always good to have a receptive and appreciative audience.

 

Finally, we got the train down to the SEC on Friday and located two Chiffchaffs, one of which was a Siberian. The Siberian Chiffchaff is not yet considered to be a separate species but is the eastern race (tristis) of Chiffchaff. The subtle differences can be 'seen' in these 2 photos ............

 

Siberian Chiffchaff - SEC - 17 February 2017

Chiffchaff - SEC - 17 February 2017

 

I close with some more recent sightings, courtesy of the SOC Clyde Grapevine:

Friday 17 February 2017
36 Siskins feeding on alders at Festival Park, Glasgow.

Wednesday 15 February 2017
A 1st-winter Glaucous Gull and an adult Mediterranean Gull at Balgray Reservoir gull roost, also a Scaup.
Two Chiffchaffs (including a Siberian Chiffchaff) between the Armadillo and crane at SECC, Glasgow.
Two Nuthatches at Pollok Country Park.

Tuesday 15 February 2017
The drake American Wigeon still on Woodend Loch, Drumpellier Country Park, Coatbridge.
30 Waxwings at Sainsbury's, Darnley, Glasgow.