Thursday 23 January 2020

Weather Improves - Dry and Dull

In the last few days the weather has improved albeit still, in the main, overcast.

On the 15th we joined the RSPB Glasgow Group outing to Drumpellier Country Park and Hogganfield Park LNR, thanks to Judith and Mike.

We started as ever with a coffee, this time in the renovated and extended visitor centre overlooking Lochend Loch …..


On leaving the visitor centre, whilst it was dry, it was a wee bit dull. We walked around Lochend Loch and then paid a quick visit to Woodend Loch. I found a ringed Mute Swan ...


.. and have since discovered, it was ringed at Hogganfield Loch by the Clyde Ringing Group on 01.01.16 (1475 days after ringing).

We left the Country Park and then headed for Hogganfield Park LNR when the weather deteriorated further limiting photo opportunities. However, I did find a few Stock Doves sitting in the trees on the island, only my second ever record for this species at the LNR. My first was also on a RSPB Outing! 

Despite the conditions I did take a photo record of the floating 'gull' platform which has dragged its anchor and now sits close to the loch edge.


It has been reported and I've been advised that it should hopefully be back in place over the next few weeks or so.

Despite the dull day I saw c40 different species. 

Since then I have been back at Hogganfield for the wildfowl feeding session organised by the Friends of Glasgow's LNRs on Sunday the 19th. 


In addition to the usual wildfowl we had distant views of a Kingfisher which was a welcome bonus.

This week (22nd) we visited Strathclyde Loch, again with Judith and Mike and we caught up with the Ring-billed Gull which has made a welcome return


We then headed for Logoch (south of East Kilbride) in the hope of locating a Great Grey Shrike that had been reported. Sadly, the weather beat us, as this photo illustrates


So over the past week or so I recorded 50 species and added to my year list which stands at a very modest 87 species. Wouldn't it be nice if the sun shone for a week or so?

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