Late October Update

Well sadly the easterlies stopped, whilst the rain didn't; so not many photographs. I/we still managed out and about thanks to Stephen, Judith and Mike, RSPB Glasgow Group and public transport.

A photographic record follows:

Fife Ness - 4/10/19

Chiffchaff - Kilminning, Fife - 12/10/19

Blackbird - Kilminning, Fife - 12/10/19 

Robin - Balcomie, Fife - 12/10/19

Pink-footed & Barnacle Geese - near Airth, Forth 12/10/19

Path works - Dawsholm Park LNR, Glasgow - 16/10/19

Record shot - Linnet flock - Torness, Lothian - 20/10/19

Hogganfield Park LNR, Glasgow - 21/10/19

Pochard - Hogganfield Park LNR, Glasgow - 21/10/19

Record shot - Scaup - Hogganfield Park LNR, Glasgow - 21/10/19

Ringed Black-headed Gull - Hogganfield Park LNR, Glasgow - 21/10/19

RSPB Loch Leven - 24/10/19

Red Squirrel - RSPB Loch Leven - 24/10/19

Over the period, from 3 October 2019, I saw c80 species with the highlights being a Barred Warbler at Kilminning, Fife on the 4th; my first ever Jay at Dawsholm Park LNR on the 16th; Little Egrets, pale-bellied Brent Geese and a glimpse of a Barn Owl (in its box) on Holy Isle on the 19th; 40 species including Scaup, 10 Whooper Swans and a Blackcap at Hogganfield Park LNR on the 21st; and a good range of wildfowl, including Pintail, at Loch Leven today.

Autumn Birding and Easterlies

Since the last post, I've visited Hogganfield Park LNR (to help with the Friends of Glasgow's LNRs wildfowl feeding); Kilminning, Fife Ness and Pettycur Harbour (with Stephen and Lynda); Baron's Haugh RSPB Reserve and Dalzel Woods (twice, once with Lynda, Judith and Mike); Aberlady Bay LNR, Musselburgh Lagoons, Hound Point and Dalmeny Estate woodland path and RSPB Skinflats (all with the RSPB Glasgow Group). With a few easterlies forecast, I was hoping for one or two goodies and I wasn't disappointed.

Highlights included: Red-breasted Flycatcher and Manx Shearwater in the Fife Ness area; Arctic Skuas from Pettycur Harbour; Pintail, Blackcap and Chiffchaff in and around Baron's Haugh; Little Egrets at Aberlady Bay; Great Skuas and Pomarine Skuas (distantly) from Hound Point and stunning views of a Yellow-browed Warbler which I found on the Dalmeny Estate woodland path from Hound Point to Queensferry.

A few photos, mostly taken with my phone: 

Wildfowl feeding - Hogganfield Park LNR 21/09/19

Snipe - Baron's Haugh RSPB Reserve 27/09/19

Aberlady Bay LNR - 28/09/19

Musselburgh Lagoons - 28/09/19

Queensferry - 29/09/19

Skinflats RSPB Reserve - 29/09/19

Baron's Haugh RSPB Reserve 1/10/19

So some great birding, in cracking locations and with good company. In total, 94 species seen with Red-breasted Flycatcher and Yellow-browed Warbler the star birds, literally only a few yards away. What will be next?