Birding - Short update

My bird watching has been restricted to one short trip to Bingham's Pond and admiring the visitors to our garden.

At Bingham's, I was pleased to see that the 5 cygnets seem to be doing well. There were 2 young Coot that look as if they will make it; at least 2 independent juvenile Moorhen; a number of almost full grown Mallard juveniles and a new duckling. There was also a family of Wrens calling to each other in the surrounding bushes and trees.  The highlight, however, was a brief appearance of a Peregrine overhead before it sped off in the direction of Glasgow University!

This was only my 4th sighting of this incredible falcon at the Pond with previous sightings being 9 January 2005; 8 August 2004 and 26 January 2001. I hope I don't have to wait another 12 years before seeing my next one!

I don't have any photos of Peregrine taken in Glasgow so this poor record shot from Dorset will have to do .....

Peregrine - Durlston C.P.

Meanwhile, the garden is proving attractive to a range of species with at one point Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Chaffinch and House Sparrow all managing to cling to a feeder at the same time. Other visitors included Bullfinch and Lesser Black-backed Gull!

Greenfinch - our garden

Finally, some local sightings courtesy of the SOC Clyde Grapevine:

25 July 2017
Two Whimbrel (present since 17 July) in the area of Shieldhill Farm, near Eaglesham.

23 July 2017
A Whinchat at Lochcraig Reservoir, near Newton Mearns, also two Dunlin.

SINCs and WCs

Spent a couple of days visiting a few of the City's 'Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs)' and 'Wildlife Corridors (WCs)' as defined in Glasgow City Council's City Plan.

Firstly, I popped into my local patch - Bingham's Pond - which is described as being a locally important site (L-SINC). the pond was surrounded by a mass of colourful plants with Green-veined White butterflies and various species of bee enjoying a nectar boost!

The usual wildfowl were present with 60+ Mallard, Tufted Duck, Coot, Moorhen and Mute Swans. There has been some breeding success with a number of Mallard duckling and the 5 cygnets seem to be doing well ........

 

After Bingham's I checked out the Forth & Clyde Canal (a wildlife corridor) at Hamiltonhill Claypits (a SINC and part LNR)

 

Hamiltonhill SINC  with the area to left of the small inlet also being part of the LNR

Hamiltonhill SINC with the canal bank apparently destined for future development, albeit the land below the electricity lines is part of the LNR!

British Waterways offices, Forth & Clyde Canal wildlife corridor

 

Finally, I headed for Linn Park (a City-wide SINC and LNR and also part WC!) on the south side of the City. It is characterised by its mature semi-natural woods, mixed plantations and parkland trees, with associated wildflower meadows and amenity grasslands in an historical estate setting.

 

Signage

 

 

 

 

 

 

In addition, the White Cart Water (a WC) flows through the park and forms a core landscape feature of the LNR ........

 

 

 

So three different sites in different parts of the City and all proving that Glasgow really is the 'Dear Green Place'.

Mull's Wilds Better

Having checked the weather forecast we decided to travel up to Mull yesterday - 06.34 Citylink bus from Anniesland X to Oban; breakfast roll in pub; ferry from Oban at 09.50 arriving in Craignure at 10.45 where we met our wildlife guide, for the day, Peter Hall.

Our target species were White-tailed Eagle and Golden Eagle and Peter did not disappoint as we had great views of 5 White-tailed Eagles and 2 Golden Eagles. Record shots follow:

White-tailed Eagle

Golden Eagle

Whilst out with Peter we saw another 34 bird species, Red Deer, seals galore and a couple of Otters, with this one giving amazing views ....

 

We were lucky in that we had Peter to ourselves as another customer postponed on the day. His vehicle was extremely comfortable, not always the case on wildlife trips, and he had a nice relaxed manner - thanks Peter!

On our return to Oban we saw a number of seabirds with Manx Shearwater being the highlight.

Oban

We arrived in time for the 18.15 bus to Glasgow and we were back in the house by 21.00hrs!

What a great day.