More Sunny December Birding!

Remarkably we have had a few more sunny days since my last post!

This has resulted in a few visits to Hogganfield Park LNR, Bingham's Pond and Balloch, not so sunny, but at least dry!

At Balloch, on the River Leven, I managed to connect with three Mandarin Duck (2m, 1f), although it was a bit dull for photography …

14/12/18

I managed two visits to Hogganfield (in the sunshine) and it was nice to bump into and have a quick chat with some fellow birders and bird photographers …

On the 10th I found a dishevelled Magpie apparently using a litter bin as its shelter ..

… a Grey Heron sitting atop a tree next to a path …

… and another ringed (2CK2) Black-headed Gull ..

Later in the week (16th) I helped out once again with the Friends of Glasgow's LNRs monthly wildfowl feeding and Bird ID event ……

At Bingham's Pond, I recorded the usual suspects ….

Goosander (female) - 9/12/18

Mallard (drake) - 9/12/18

Coot - 9/12/18

However, in addition to the wildlife, I was pleased to see that the Council had started to resurface the footpath around the pond ……

Resurfacing footpath - 9/12/18

Yesterday the footpath was complete and looking good …..

17/12/18

17/12/18

A big thank you to everyone involved for getting this done.

Finally this will probably be my last blog before Christmas, so 

Happy Christmas to you all 

Sunny December Birding!

What do I mean by the heading? Well it was sunny on the 3rd and a trip to Hogganfield Park LNR proved rewarding with my 82nd species for the year at this wonderful urban reserve. 

The species was Lesser Redpoll and 9 of these small beauties fed above my head, close to dusk.

Other sightings included Roe Deer, Kingfisher, Buzzard, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, 31 Gadwall and the obligatory Whooper Swans!

Roe Deer

Gadwall and Mallard on 'biohaven'

Kingfisher

Gadwall

The wildlife was once again excellent but at this time of year, if it is bright and clear, it is worth waiting to catch the sunset. Who would have thought that this photo was taken in Glasgow? Remember to click on the photos to create a slide show and enhanced viewing.

Hogganfield Loch

Weather permitting, I'll certainly be back to this wonderful LNR before the end of the year. I'm certainly looking forward to the Friends of Glasgow's LNRs next wildfowl feeding session on Sunday 16 December 2018 from 10.30am until c1.30pm - meet at the viewing/photographic platform next to the car park.