Glasgow's Wilds Better: July 2020

Sunday, 19 July 2020

Still Birding Locally

Remember if you click on an image you can create a slide show and enhanced viewing of the photographs.

Since my last post I have continued to bird watch in Glasgow despite an 'easing' of the lockdown. This means visits to Hogganfield Park LNR, Dawsholm Park LNR and Bingham's Pond SINC (site of importance for nature conservation). In this time (2 weeks) I have recorded 54 bird species.

The star bird, Red-necked Grebe, has remained on Hogganfield Loch and I have managed a few slightly better pictures than those published in my last post!

Red-necked Grebe - Hogganfield Loch - 17 July 2020

I also managed to photo the following in and around the loch:

Redshank with Pochard and Tufted Duck

Ringed Greylag Goose

Grey Heron

Blackcap (playing hide & seek!)

I'm pleased, that despite the lockdown which limited my visits, I have managed to see 66 bird species at Hogganfield Park LNR this year.

My sole visit to Dawsholm Park LNR was a bit disappointing from a birding point of view but I did see this Red Fox

Red Fox

Nevertheless my year bird list for Dawsholm Park LNR stands at 45.

Moving on to Bingham's Pond and it was nice to find that the Tufted Ducks had bred again this year. Although subject to predation by the local Lesser Black-backed Gulls it looks as if at least 2 ducklings will make it. Meanwhile, sadly, two of the Mute Swan cygnets have been lost.

Tufted Duck family

Tufted duckling

Mute Swan family

Remarkably, for such a small area, I have recorded 41 species at Bingham's Pond already this year.

With autumn approaching(!), I wonder what will turn up next?

Friday, 3 July 2020

Hogganfield Special

After an exciting couple of days and two visits to Hogganfield Park LNR, I am devoting a whole post to this wonderful wildlife resource in the City.

On my first visit for many weeks, I was lucky enough to find a Red-necked Grebe - a first for the LNR!

It normally breeds in Europe and Western Asia and some can be found wintering off the Lothian coast in Scotland. So to get a bird in breeding plumage on a Glasgow loch at the end of June /beginning of July is very unusual to say the least.

Unfortunately the bird was distant when I found it (close to the island), it was clearly resting with its head down and the weather was dull and overcast. So my photos were poor to say the least but here are a couple, one of which also features another unusual duck - a moulting drake Scaup.

Red-necked Grebe with Tufted Ducks behind

Red-necked Grebe in middle with Scaup at the back and Tufted Ducks either side

To give a better idea of what it looks like, here's a photograph of a Red-necked Grebe I took in the east coast of Scotland, albeit beginning to moult into its winter plumage

Red-necked Grebe

In total, I saw 43 bird species over the two days and it was good to visit what is one of the best bird watching sites in central Scotland. I managed a few photos of other species with this Grey Heron posing at the car park.