Dull and Dismal, Wet and Windy - but still Birding!

Let's not mention the weather; all I will say is that the camera has been left at home during my recent birding.

Firstly, on the one decent day (Thursday), I was tied up with unpacking and numbering nest boxes for the Friends of Glasgow's LNRs ...

These will be getting erected at Dawsholm Park LNR (2), Hogganfield Park LNR (1), Dams to Darnley LNR (6) and Bingham's Pond SINC (1). More information can be had from Friends of Glasgow's LNRs

On Saturday, I joined other intrepid members of the RSPB Glasgow Group on a sponsored bird race. Yes, Saturday the wettest, windiest day of the year so far!

Despite that, we had fun raising money for the RSPB and in our team's case (thanks Karen and Neil) we managed 60 species between us with Black Grouse, Crossbill, Tree Sparrow, Greenshank and Nuthatch some of the more notable species.

On to Sunday when I walked to Bingham's Pond for a combined Black-headed Gull count and WEBs survey. The gull count started at 9am and at that time it was dark and raining, so I left the camera at home. Big mistake! By the time I had finished, at 11am, the sun was out and some good photos could have been had.

As an aside, the Black-headed Gulls peaked at 115, with the lowest count being only 24.

Finally, if you didn't know, the Ring-necked Duck is still at Mugdock Loch, Milngavie and large flocks of Waxwings are still being recorded in the east end of Glasgow. If you have never seen a Ring-necked Duck or Waxwing before, here is what they look like - note these images were not taken this year. 

Good luck!