Migrants arrive!

Since the last post I've travelled to Ayrshire, Mull and local sites in Glasgow!

On the 9th we travelled down to Ayrshire with Judith and Mike. We were happy to see a few Sand Martins and Swallows overhead plus a Willow Warbler at Doonfoot/ Greenan Shore before heading for Rozelle Park. Here we were entertained by a pair of Nuthatch whilst  Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler and Blackcap were of note. I also got great views of common birds enjoying the sunshine ..

Robin - Rozelle Park - 9/4/19

Blackbird -  Rozelle Park - 9/4/19

On the 10th (and 16th), I walked along to Bingham's Pond where a brood of Mallard had hatched and two pairs of Coot are on nests ..

Coot - Bingham's Pond - 10/4/19

… whilst in our garden a pair of Bullfinch made a welcome visit ..

Bullfinch - 10/4/19

The next day, 11th, I headed for Hogganfield Park LNR and was saddened to see yet more fly-tipping on the edge of the park …

On the plus side, this female Wigeon was very confiding .. 

Wigeon - Hogganfield Loch - 11/4/19

I also managed to photograph yet another ringed Mute Swan and have discovered that the bird was ringed on 8 November 2015 at Figgate Pond, Edinburgh.

On the 12th, we travelled up to Mull as I had been asked by the Mull Bird Club to give a talk on the 'Birds of Glasgow'. On the sea crossing we were happy to see Gannet and Great Northern Diver plus lots of Razorbills.The next day we tried some birding but despite the blue skies it was a 'bit breezy' and so we retired to the warmth of the pub!

Mull - 13/4/19

On Sunday (14th) we travelled, thanks to Stephen, to the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park. Despite the overcast and cold conditions, we managed sightings of Osprey, Common Sandpiper, Little Ringed Plover, Crossbill and Black Grouse. 

Finally, on the 17th and 18th, I travelled once again to Hogganfield Park LNR. Over the two days I saw 39 bird species and added to my park 'year list' which now stands at 55.

Blackcap - Hogganfield Park LNR - 17/4/19

Cormorant - Hogganfield Park LNR - 18/4/19

Mute Swan - Hogganfield Park LNR - 18/4/19

Greylag Goose - Hogganfield Park LNR - 18/4/19 

With news of Garganey, White Wagtails, Grasshopper Warblers, Sedge Warblers, Redstarts and Pied Flycatchers having been seen recently in Central Scotland, the next few days are bound to see some good birds arriving. So get out and about and see what you can find. I'll certainly be doing that so apologies if there are no updates for a wee while!

Spring has arrived, albeit damp and chilly!

Nothing much to report since the last post.

Managed to see two Chiffchaffs at Hogganfield Park LNR on 29 March 2019, followed by three at the cycleway at Castle Semple Loch/Parkhill Woods and one at Lochwinnoch RSPB Reserve, both on 5 April 2019.

Chiffchaff - Hogganfield Park LNR - 29/3/19

On 31/3/19 I helped out at the Friends of Glasgow LNRs event at Hogganfield Park LNR and this pair of Mute Swans performed well …

I visited Bingham's Pond on at least 3 occasions in the hope that I might get a Sand Martin or Chiffchaff to add to my Bingham's year list but sadly, no sign. I did get a fly-over Buzzard which was good but nothing else unusual.

Finally, a trip down to Castle Semple and Lochwinnoch RSPB Reserve, with Judith & Mike, where the aforementioned Chiffchaffs were the star turn. Sadly, somehow we managed to miss a female Marsh Harrier that flew through but I did pick up a Raven.

It was good to see a number of floating islands have been installed at Lochwinnoch along with a Sand Martin bank - hope they prove successful

Finally, a few recent sightings from Greater Glasgow courtesy of the SOC Clyde Grapevine:

Saturday 6 April 2019
1,580 Pink-footed Geese at Millichen Flood, Glasgow.

Six Shovelers (four drakes) at Bridgend Farm Pool, near Kirkintilloch.

A Blackcap still visiting feeders in a Milngavie garden.

Friday 5 April 2018

Two Swallows at Balmore Pool.

Thursday 4 April 2019

1,920 Pink-footed Geese at Millichen Flood and six Tree Sparrows at West Millichen Cottages, Glasgow.