Spring at Last - any summer migrants?

Since my last post, I've visited a number of Glasgow's interesting birding sites plus enjoyed a visit to Eglinton Country Park, near Irvine.

Firstly, a visit to Knightswood Park where the area in and around the pond is of particular interest as there is always a chance of spotting a 'ringed' bird. And yes another 'successful' visit with this ringed Black-headed Gull...…

Black-headed Gull - Knightswood Park - 18/3/19

However, unlike other birds I've found here which have been ringed in Norway or the Netherlands, this bird was ringed by a local ringer at Knightswood Park pond in January this year!

On the 20th we travelled, courtesy of Judith and Mike, down to Eglinton Country Park and met up with the rest of Glasgow RSPB mid-week outings group (20+). It was the first time many of us had visited this park and it proved to have a wide range of habitats. Whilst the bird numbers were disappointing, a view of a Jay was most welcome.

I've since made a number of visits to Bingham's Pond hoping for a Chiffchaff or maybe even a Sand Martin but to no avail. However, I did find a female Blackcap on the 23rd.

Other visits have included Frankfield Loch ..

…. Cardowan Moss LNR ….

.. and Hogganfield Park LNR where this Long-tailed Tit posed for a second or two …

I also saw a colour-ringed Mute Swan and I've just heard that it was ringed as a cygnet at Dedridge Pond, Livingston on 16 August 2017.

Sadly, the day ended with a sighting of a Goosander with its bill entwined by fishing line/tackle ...

I have reported it and hopefully the bird can be 'captured' and taken to Hessilhead for treatment.

Glasgow Birding

Note: please click on photos to create a slide show and enhanced viewing

The weather has not been conducive to birding but I've managed to avoid some of the showers and visited some local Glasgow sites.

Firstly, I travelled to Knightswood Park pond where, in poor light, I saw my first Goosander for the pond ...

Goosander - 7 March 2019

…. and another ringed Mute Swan. The swan had been ringed as a cygnet at Leyland Ponds, Wester Inch, Bathgate in September 2015.

On the 11th, I visited Hogganfield Park LNR and saw 35 bird species as well as clumps of primroses ..

Hogganfield Park LNR, with the Campsie Fells in the background

Primroses

Pair of Great Crested Grebes

Pochard

One of 20 Whooper Swans

I spotted BTO rings on two of the Whoopers and have since discovered that they had been ringed at the loch as 'juveniles' by the Clyde Ringing Group, one in November 2017 and the other in November 2018.

Centre bird - ringed November 2017

Ringed November 2018

I finished the week with a walk to Bingham's Pond. Here, the male Mute Swan was making it clear to his remaining offspring (two have already left) that they should be moving on soon!

Male Mute Swan in aggressive mode - 15/3/19

On the other hand, this female Mallard was proving to be attractive to a nearby male, although I'm not sure she welcomed his attention ….

So despite the weather, I managed to get out on 3 days for a few hours birding and picked up a nice selection of birds. However, hopefully, it won't be too long before the migrants start to arrive.

Celebrity Eclipse - Birds and other Wildlife from cruise to Argentina, Antarctica, Falklands and Montevideo

I have completed the final episode (part 5) of my video diary from our recent Celebrity Eclipse Cruise trip to Argentina, Antarctica, Falklands and Montevideo in Uruguay. 

The trip started on 18 January 2019 in Buenos Aires and ended when we returned to Buenos Aires on 3 February 2019.

This post provides links to all 5 episodes of the diary (previous posts are now deleted).

Days 1-3 Costanera Sur Reserve, Ceibas, Buenos Aires 

Days 4-8 Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego NP, Cape Horn, Drake Passage

Days 9-11 Antarctica

Days 12-13 Falklands, Bluff Cove, Gypsy Cove, Stanley

Days 14-17 At sea, Valdes Peninsula, Montevideo

A few images - King Penguin and Gentoo Penguins; Guanaco; and Black-browed Albatross - as a taster.