A November Diary 2020

With lockdown restrictions continuing, I limited my birding to three wildlife sites in Glasgow - Hogganfield Park LNR, Dawsholm Park LNR and Bingham's Pond SINC. Some of my sightings follow

Starting at Hogganfield Park LNR 

4 November 2020 - a bright day for once!

Hogganfield Loch & Island

Goldeneye

Whooper Swans

Gadwall

Red-necked grebe (in winter plumage)

17 November 2020 - as one would expect, a bit overcast.

Black-headed Gull (ringed in Poland in July 2019)

Smew (redhead)

19 November 2020 - amazingly, sunny once again.

Black-headed Gull (ringed in Elvanfoot, Scotland in June 2014)

Common Gull

Hogganfield Loch

25 November 2020 - a typical overcast day.

(Redhead) Smew still present

Scaup

So, with the sighting of the Smew, my Hogganfield 'year list' at the end of November stood at 88 bird species. 

Moving on to Dawsholm Park LNR

6 November 2020

Dawsholm Park LNR (Autumn colours)

Jay (an uncommon species in Glasgow, one of two present)

Buzzard (late afternoon)

10 November 2020 - very dull day

River Kelvin (northern boundary of the LNR)

23 November 2020 - another dull day with only my phone as a camera!

The small pond with a Dipper on the tree trunk (honest)!

30 November 2020 - notable for adding a 'year tick' to my Dawsholm list - Kingfisher - and a LNR 'first' in the form of a Teal! Both birds were on the River Kelvin.

Access improvements at the River Kelvin

Teal (record shot)

The sighting of the Teal means the all-time bird list for Dawsholm Park LNR stands at 73 (at least). Meanwhile, my personal 'year list' for the LNR stands at 51.

Finally, Bingham's Pond, which was notable for another brood of Mallard ducklings!

2 November 2020 - dull conditions and once again I relied on my phone for a photo - this time of 4 of the original 'October brood' of Mallard ducklings. There was a fresh brood of six I wasn't able to photograph them.

Mallard ducklings (hatched in October)

13 November 2020 - the four Mallard ducklings were still doing well and the Goosanders similarly showed no fear of humans.

Mallard youngsters continue to do well

Goosander (male)

Bingham's Pond

I didn't add any new birds to my Bingham's 'year list' and it still stands at 43, although there is still time to add a few more before the year ends.

Finally, sadly the Red-necked Grebe eventually left Hogganfield Loch during the month but we were compensated by a (redhead) Smew. 

All we need now is for a few white-winged gulls and some Waxwings to turn up over the next few weeks and we can finish this year on some sort of high-note.

Hogganfield Park LNR - An October Diary

During October, most of  my birding adventures have been spent at Hogganfield Park LNR with a few visits to Bingham's Pond and Dawsholm Park LNR.

A photographic record follows. Remember to click on the image to create a slide show and enhanced viewing.

1st October 2020

Buzzard 

Treecreeper

5 October 2020

Canada Geese 

Jay - honest!!!!

Marshy pools and scrub

13 October 2020

Whooper Swan

22 October 2020

Little Grebe

30 October 2020

Scaup

Red-necked Grebe

During the month I saw 49 species of bird at Hogganfield Park LNR, but didn't add to my Hogganfield year list which still stands at 87 species.

Hopefully, I'll reach at least 90 by the end of the year!

Bingham's Pond - under threat!

Bingham's Pond in the west end of Glasgow is identified as a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) in Glasgow City Council's Development Plan. As such it should be protected against any development that would adversely affect it.

A planning application to build a six storey block of 49 flats, in the car park of the adjoining hotel and directly overlooking the pond, has been submitted to the Council.

If you have concerns or are unhappy about this please make sure you use the word OBJECT in your comments to the Council. The deadline for comments is 29 October 2020. 

Details of the planning application can be found here

 Planning Application 

The Pond is a wonderful resource and popular with visitors, to the nearby hospital, and locals alike. The Friends of Glasgow's LNRs and local community have undertaken litter picks, clean ups and events over the past few years. It would be a great pity if it were to suffer due to the proposed housing development.

Hogganfield Park LNR - a September Diary

Following on from my last post when I started the month of September at Hogganfield Park LNR, this post is dedicated to the remainder of the month and a few of the sightings at this wonderful nature reserve.

Remember to click the photo to create a slideshow and enhanced viewing. 

Tufted Duck and Gadwall - 9 September

Little Grebe - 11 September 

Pochard - 11 September 

Seven Wigeon - 19 September 

Slavonian Grebe - 21 September 

Goldeneye - 23 September
 

Stonechat - 23 September 

Great Crested and Red-necked Grebes - 25 September

Scaup and Tufted Duck - 25 September 

Grey Wagtail - 29 September 

So another excellent few weeks birding at Hogganfield Park LNR with my 2020 year list for the LNR now standing at 87.

Thanks to everyone that visited the LNR and stopped for a chat - locals and visitors. It is good to know that the LNR is well loved.

Some Birding Firsts and Other Highlights from Glasgow

Since my last post I've continued to visit Hogganfield Park LNR on a regular basis with occasional visits to both Bingham's Pond and Dawsholm Park LNR. In this period I have seen 64 bird species. 

The visits to Hogganfield Park LNR have proved to be very productive thanks to the range of habitats to be found there; 53 species seen. Indeed my 'year list' for Hogganfield now stands at 81 bird species!

So I'll start with a few images taken at Hogganfield Park LNR:

The Sandwich Terns were a personal first for me at Hogganfield, whilst the Stonechat was my first there since August 2000. The last time I saw a Whinchat in the Park was in June 1997!

Moving on to Dawsholm Park LNR and a personal first and possibly a Park first in the form of a Spotted Flycatcher.

I haven't seen anything unusual at Bingham's Pond, but sadly there are only 3 cygnets left.

In other news, there have been sightings of various Mediterranean Gulls next to the SEEC, so I'm hoping at least one will drop in on Bingham's Pond and/or Hogganfield Loch! 

Remember to click on the photos for enhanced views and 'hover' over each image for details of the birds and when they were seen.