Under the Weather

Well the weather has been poor and I've picked up a bug, so not much to report.

I ventured out on Sunday and a visit to my local pond for the Webs Count produced the usual wetland birds - Mute Swan, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Goosander, Moorhen, Coot, Black-headed Gull and a Herring Gull. However, I did add a new bird to my 'Bingham's Pond Year List' when I found a Treecreeper in amongst a 'tit' flock. The Pond's year list now stands at 40 whilst the 'Life List' is 69 - not bad for a small pond in the west end of the City.

It was also good to note that the vegetation at the 'pond dipping area' had been trimmed back, presumably by the Council - so no need for the volunteers from the Friends of Glasgow's LNRs to get involved this year!

Bingham's Pond - pond dipping area - November 2017

With nothing else to report, I finish again with recent sightings from Greater Glasgow, courtesy of the SOC Clyde Grapevine:

Monday 20 November 2017
Two drake Ruddy Ducks still on Hogganfield Loch.

Sunday 19 November 2017
The immature Long-tailed Duck still on Waulkmill Glen Reservoir.
Six Tree Sparrows at Millichen, also 320 Pink-footed Geese.

Saturday 18 November 2017
The immature Long-tailed Duck still on Waulkmill Glen Reservoir.
Still two drake Ruddy Ducks on Hogganfield Loch.

Bird Lists and More

Birding started in our garden when on the 8th and 9th, a male Blackcap was seen. The following photo was taken through a 'dirty' window in poor light! That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it! ...

Since then, I've paid two visits to Hogganfield Park LNR - one with the Friends of Glasgow's LNRs on the 12th (https://www.facebook.com/friendsofglasgowlocalnaturereserves) and the other on the 15th with the RSPB Glasgow Local Group(http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/glasgow/reports/448457/).

Both trips were memorable with Ruddy Duck seen on both occasions ............

...and on the 15th, I bagged my 100th species for Hogganfield Park LNR - a Stock Dove!

In between, I made an ambitious trip to try and see the Greenland White-fronted Goose flock near Croftamie by using public transport AND, thankfully, I was successful.

For those interested in the detail, it involved a train from Anniesland to Maryhill to catch the B10 (the Glasgow Buchanan Street to Balfron Service) on Maryhill Road. I got off in Killearn and walked a few yards to the B9 bus stop and waited c15 minutes for the scheduled Balfron to Croftamie to Balfron circular service. At Croftamie I walked along a cycleway towards a minor road and then explored the narrow lanes and roads before returning to Croftamie to catch the B9 back to Balfron and, within 2 minutes, the B10 back to Glasgow. I've proved it can be done but please double-check the timetables before attempting it!

I saw just over 30 species on this walk with good views of finches, tits and winter thrushes ....

Redwing, near Croftamie

 

But best of all, I caught up with the White-fronted goose flock, special thanks to Ian Fulton, and one even flew over my head ....

 

Greenland White-fronted Goose, near Croftamie

 

The 'goose' was the 211th species I've seen in Scotland this year!

 

Other sightings, courtesy of the SOC Clyde Grapevine:

 

Wednesday 15 November 2017
Nuthatches back at the feeders in the walled garden at Pollok Country Park.

Sunday 12 November 2017
Ten Ring-necked Parakeets going to roost at Victoria Park, Glasgow.
Two Jays in woodland near Colzium, Kilsyth.
A Jay in Waulkmill Glen, Glasgow.

Saturday 11 November 2017
Still large numbers of wildfowl on Woodend Loch, Coatbridge, including 60 Gadwall, 250 Wigeon and a remarkable 600 Coot.
28 Ravens at Bennan Loch, near Newton Mearns in the afternoon, also two Woodcock leaving their roost at dusk.

 

East, West, Scotland's the Best!

I started birding last week by going through to Aberlady Bay LNR, on the 31st, using the X5 bus from Edinburgh. The biggest surprise was the signage indicating that dogs were not welcome in the LNR ..........

 

 

 ... whilst offering a suggested alternative to dog walkers .....

These 3 Little Egrets posed nicely ............

 

 

We then travelled to the Loch Lomond area with Judith & Mike on the 2nd and managed a few landcapes and bird photos ........

 

Ben Lomond in the distance viewed from the viewing structure

Woodland path and railing

Meadow Pipit

Siskin

Finally, on the 5th, I travelled to Hogganfield Park LNR. The Whooper Swans have been slowly increasing in number and I actually saw another two flying in making a total of 19 birds, eight of which are juveniles .....

Whooper Swan family

 

It was such a nice day, I stayed for the sunset and was not disappointed ...

 

 

Finally, some more recent sightings courtesy of the SOC Clyde Grapevine:

 

Sunday 5 November 2017
A Red Kite at Cathkin Marsh SWT Reserve, also five (four ringed) Jack Snipe.
The immature Long-tailed Duck still on Waulkmill Glen Reservoir.
Three Jack Snipe at the east end of Gadloch.

Saturday 4 November 2017
Six Hawfinch (identified on call) over Shawlands, Glasgow, but no further details.

An immature Long-tailed Duck still on Waulkmill Glen Reservoir.
A ringtail Hen Harrier again at Cathkin Marsh SWT Reserve.
A Jack Snipe at Mosswater LNR, Cumbernauld, also a pair of Stonechats.
16 Whooper Swans in two flocks east over Dumbreck Marsh at 0920 hrs.
A male Blackcap in a Hillview Drive, Clarkston garden.

Friday 3 November 2017
An immature Long-tailed Duck on Waulkmill Glen Reservoir.

Thursday 2 November 2017
30 Pochard on Balgray Reservoir, also two Whooper Swans.
Two Jays at Cathkin Braes and a Stonechat, nearby, at Cathkin Marsh SWT Reserve.