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.