Birding Glasgow and the east Coast

In between yet more internet/TV problems, I've managed a bit of birding as well.

We started last Sunday at Hogganfield Park LNR helping out at the Friends of Glasgow's LNRs wildfowl feeding and Bird ID event. Spot the 2 Whooper Swans and 2 Tufted Ducks in with the Mute Swans ….

Sadly, a Goosander had got caught up in some fishing line …..

We have reported it and hopefully it can be rescued and rehabilitated.

Moving on to the 29th and I travelled over to the pond at Knightswood Park hoping to see if I could pick out and report 'ringed' gulls. It is always fascinating to find out where birds have come from - I once found a ringed Black-headed Gull at Bingham's Pond that had been ringed in Poland! Sadly no ringed gulls so I had to settle for these 2 Mute Swans ..

Dark green ring white letters NZN on left leg, metal ring on right leg W35019

Metal ring on right leg W39653

I have sent off the information to the relevant ringer and will report the outcome.

On Tuesday we travelled through to Dunbar with Judith and Mike on a 2 day trip. On Tuesday, we visited the Torness and Skateraw area with the star bird being a Black Redstart.

From Torness with St Abbs in the distance - 30/10/18

From Torness looking towards Barns Ness with the Bass Rock in the background -30/10/18

On the Wednesday we visited Barns Ness, Belhaven Bay and Seafield Pond. At the Pond we encountered good numbers of wildfowl with a Scaup being the highlight ….

Caravan park and Seafield Pond - 31/10/18

3 Wigeon and 2 Moorhen

Teal

Scaup

Despite changeable weather forecasts we were fairly lucky with the weather whilst we were away but there wasn't the hoped-for 'fall' of birds. Better luck next time!