Feeding, De-littering, Photographing, Counting, Thanking, Speaking, Ringing and Birding!

It's been 'busy, busy, busy' since my last post.

On Sunday 18th, I helped the Friends of Glasgow's LNRs feed the wildfowl at Hogganfield Loch, did a spot of de-littering and took all the pictures at the event!

I travelled down to the local RSPB Local Group in Ayr on Monday evening to present my illustrated talk on 'The Birds of Dorset' - thanks to everyone for your warm welcome.

Little Egret (Dorset)

On Tuesday, I walked down to Bingham's Pond to undertake the monthly Webs count and also had a quick chat with 2 council workers - Stephen and Raymond. They were finishing a clean-up of the pond and its surrounds and had made a huge difference. They clearly cared about this small park and despite the cut backs in local government in recent years were still determined to do a good job - so a big thank you to them.

Bingham's Pond

On the bird front there was nothing too unusual although it is clear that the  resident pair of Mute Swans will soon be 'encouraging' their off spring from last year to leave!

Juvenile Mute Swans 

This Grey Wagtail performed really well and thanks to the lady and her dog that stopped and allowed me to take photos rather than disturb the bird!

Grey Wagtail

In the afternoon, I was back at Glasgow City Council and participated in a workshop on Strategic Habitats - say no more ..............

Back to birding on Wednesday with an outing to Castle Semple loch in the company of Mike and Judith and the RSPB Glasgow Group, and an excellent day list of c50 birds ......

Common Gull (Castle Semple loch)

We travelled further afield on Friday, thanks to Stephen, journeying north and calling in at Argaty, Scone Palace Grounds, various wetlands and Guardbridge in Fife. Again c50 birds with Red Kite, Great White Egret and Hawfinch the star birds ...

Scone

Hawfinch (Scone)

Finally, yesterday I made the journey across Glasgow to the Dams to Darnley LNR and a bird ringing session where birds such as Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit and Dunnock were caught and ringed by the Clyde Ringing Group.........

Coal Tit

Great Tit

After the ringing session, I wandered around the LNR ..........

Dams to Darnley LNR

... and managed some photos of this female Bullfinch ....

Bullfinch

A great week, with over 60 species seen and, more importantly, I bumped into lots of like minded folk on my travels and at the various events.... Scotland at its BEST!

Glasgow's Local Nature Reserves

Much to some people's surprise, Glasgow has 12 Local Nature Reserves as well as some 'proposed' Local Nature Reserves - details can be had via this link 
https://friendsofglasgowlnrs.wordpress.com/local-nature-reserves/

They provide excellent opportunities for walking and viewing wildlife.

Last Friday, I visited Cardowan Moss LNR, Frankfield Loch (a proposed LNR) and Hogganfield Park LNR.

I recorded over 30 species of bird and also had stunning views of Roe Deer. A few images follow:

Cardowan Moss LNR

Great Tit

Cardowan Moss LNR

Looking down on Frankfield Loch from path from Cardowan Moss

Frankfield Loch

Roe Deer

Grey Heron

Hogganfield Loch

If you've never visited these sites, I'd strongly recommend that you do!

Why not start this Sunday (18th) at Hogganfield Park LNR where there is a free wildfowl feeding event, starting at 11.30am - more details here  https://www.facebook.com/events/1796708687289507/

White-winged Gulls

I haven't managed much birding over the past week but, thanks to Stephen, we did go in search of white-winged gulls on Saturday.

The west coast of Scotland has seen an influx of such gulls over the past few weeks; mainly Glaucous and Iceland, with a few Mediterranean and even Little Gull, being reported.

So we spent the day travelling around the Clyde coast, with a stop at Lochwinnoch, hoping to see some of these cracking birds and, I am pleased to say, we were partly successful. In total, we saw c50 species including Red-throated Diver, Purple Sandpiper and Water Rail but the star birds were two juvenile Glaucous Gulls, in and around Troon Harbour ......

Bird 1

Bird 1

Bird 2

Bird 2

As well as in and around coastal harbours and bays, these gulls can be found on inland lochs, reservoirs, ponds and landfill sites, so keep your eyes open and you may be lucky!

I normally limit reporting sightings to those from the Greater Glasgow area, but today I've included some from further afield, all courtesy of the SOC Clyde Grapevine:

Wednesday 7 February 2018
A 1st-winter Glaucous Gull and two Iceland Gulls (a 1st and 2nd-winter) at Greengairs landfill, Airdrie.
The adult Ring-billed Gull again at Strathclyde Loch in the morning.

Tuesday 6 February 2018
An adult Little Gull and an adult Mediterranean Gull in Cardwell Bay, Gourock.
42 Greenland White-fronted Geese at Gartocharn.
Today's highlights amongst the 2000+ birds at Blackstoun Farm included a Merlin, 16 Twite, 21 Bramblings and still 400 Skylarks.
Still six Bramblings in a Hollows Avenue, Foxbar garden.
A Jay in Linn Park, Glasgow.

Monday 5 February 2018
At low tide, three adult Mediterranean Gulls in Lunderston Bay.

Sunday 4 February 2018
A 2nd/3rd-winter Iceland Gull with three Mediterranean Gulls amongst over 6,000 gulls in Lunderston Bay at low tide.

At Roughrigg Reservoir gull roost, an adult Ring-billed Gull, two 1st-winter Iceland Gulls, one very pale and the other with characteristics of Kumlien's Gull and a probable hybrid Glaucous/Herring Gull.