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.