It will soon be Spring

Another relatively quiet week with some unexpected highlights.

Technically it is now Spring and certainly some birds are behaving as if 'spring is in the air'!

On the 27th I popped down to Bingham's Pond and noted a Moorhen on a nest whilst other Moorhen and Coot were safeguarding their territories by chasing rivals around the pond.

I also added to my annual Bingham's list by spotting a Lesser Black-backed Gull and a Sparrowhawk - all the gulls and pigeons suddenly flying up was the clue.

We went out on our weekly jaunt with Judith and Mike on Tuesday exploring the Drymen/Gartocharn area and enjoyed some sunshine but we only saw a few geese, albeit 3 species. We moved onto Millichen hoping that the 'flood' would be flooded and that we would get large numbers of wildfowl ..............

Millichen Flood - phone photo - 28 Feb 2017

 

There was plenty of water, but no wildfowl. One solitary Grey Heron, 53 Lapwing and five species of gull were the only wetland birds to be seen. However, we were thrilled to see a Short-eared Owl - a first for me at Millichen and Glasgow. Sadly I didn't have my camera with me so this photo of a SEO taken in Lothian will have to do!

 

 

Finally, I was woken up this morning with the cry, there's Waxwings in the garden ....

I managed a few shots of the five birds despite being bleary eyed ..........

 

A nice end to the week.

 

Finally, some other records courtesy of the SOC Clyde Grapevine:

 

Wednesday 1 March 2017
Five Waxwings at Lomonside Avenue, Clarkston.

A Short-eared Owl still at Millichen Flood.
Five Tree Sparrows at East Millichen Farm and three at West Millichen.

Tuesday 28 February 2017
The Siberian Chiffchaff showing well at SECC, Glasgow.