Wednesday, 21 August 2019

'Autumn' Bird Watching

Over the past few weeks I have concentrated on bird watching rather than photography.

I have visited Hogganfield Park LNR and Frankfield Loch in Glasgow; Musselburgh Lagoons and Torness in Lothian; and Cardwell Bay and Parklea in Inverclyde. Thanks go to Stephen, Judith & Mike and the government's travel pass!

The Lothian trip was the most memorable as neither Stephen nor myself took our cameras, partly due to the very poor weather forecast and partly because we wanted to concentrate on bird watching and in my opinion you can't always do both well!

Of course the sun generally shone and we had great views of Pectoral Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, Surf Scoter and Yellow Wagtail. The birds didn't fly off and we could have had good photos instead of just good memories.

On the other hand, on a trip to Hogganfield Park LNR, when no rain was forecast, I encountered a torrential downpour

Hogganfield Park LNR - 13/08/19

Thankfully, it soon cleared up


The rain seemed to follow me around because we were caught in another heavy shower at Cardwell Bay on the 20th. This Wheatear, however, was a pleasant surprise


We also got distant views of two Ospreys at Parklea (east) which was a nice end to the day.

Finally, I managed a couple of hours today at Frankfield Loch and Hogganfield Park LNR but there was nothing too unusual to report other than a sighting of Ayrshire birder Angus Hogg who had decided to twitch the Blue-winged Teal that has hung around Frankfield Loch for a few months now.

I had been hoping for some waders but could only see Lapwing, albeit a good count of at least 310.

Lapwing- Frankfield Loch - 21/08/19

Other recent sightings from Greater Glasgow, courtesy of the SOC Clyde Grapevine, include:

Tuesday 20 August 2019
The drake Blue-winged Teal still at Frankfield Loch LNR, also a Green Sandpiper and a Greenshank.


Monday 19 August 2019
A female Mandarin Duck on Maxwell Park Pond, Pollokshields, Glasgow for its third day. 
The drake Blue-winged Teal still at Frankfield Loch LNR.

Friday 16 August 2019
The drake Blue-winged Teal still at Frankfield Loch LNR.
An Osprey catching a small fish at the Gadloch in the morning, then flying off SW.



Wednesday 14 August 2019
The drake Blue-winged Teal still at Frankfield Loch LNR.
An  Osprey (for a second day) fishing at Bishop Loch, and today flying off with a small perch in the direction of Drumpellier Country Park, Coatbridge.
An excellent count of at least 128 Collared Doves on wires at Wester Cleddens roundabout, Bishopbriggs.



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