Some Breeding Success

Yet more trips around the country starting with a RSPB Glasgow Group outing to the SWT's Reserve Loch of the Lowes. 

The Ospreys have bred again ….

Osprey feeding young - 13 June 2018

.. and it was nice to see a juvenile Great Spotted Woodpecker close to the feeding station

Juvenile Great Spotted Woodpecker - 13 June 2018

Other sightings included Red Kite and at least 3 pairs of Great Crested Grebes on nests.

On the 17th, we visited the RSPB's Loch of Strathbeg with Stephen where we encountered breeding Common Terns, young Tree Sparrows, a Swallow on a nest, Osprey and a Scottish tick - Bearded Tit!

Common Terns

Juvenile Tree Sparrow

Swallow on nest

Distant Osprey

Reedbed where we saw Bearded Tits!

On the 20th back to local birding and a quick visit to Bingham's Pond where the cygnets had moved across the road, with their parents, to feed in the grounds of Gartnavel Hospital.

Meanwhile on the Pond itself there are still 3 juvenile Coot present …

Juvenile Coot - 20 June 2018

Finally, yesterday a first ever trip to Plean Country Park, with Mike and Judith, in search of Green Woodpecker and we were successful!!!!

So lots of different habitats visited, evidence of breeding success and 81 bird species seen, since my last post. 

Even More Birding in Summer - part 2

Following on from the last post, we now move on to a trip to Mid Argyll, thanks to Steven.

Mid Argyll:

A 'hidden' loch between Inverary and Lochgilphead

Beautiful Demoiselle Dragonfly

Pied-billed Grebe - an American vagrant

Leaving the 'hidden' loch

These trips were augmented by visits to Glasgow sites such as Hogganfield Park LNR and Bingham's Pond …..

Swan with crooked neck - Hogganfield Park LNR

Great Crested Grebe - Hogganfield Park LNR

Bingham's Pond

 ….. and by volunteering with the Friends of Glasgow's LNRs at their wildfowl feeding session and AGM.

During this period, 26 May-11 June 2018, I saw 100 bird species!

Even More Birding In Summer - part 1

Well, since my last post Glasgow (and Scotland) is still experiencing 'summer' which must be some record!

We have used this opportunity to travel further afield to places such as the Ythan Estuary, Colonsay and Mid Argyll as well as some of my usual Glasgow haunts. A photographic record - part 1 - follows:

Ythan Estuary:

Colonsay:

Part 2 to follow