March - still in lockdown

Another month and we are still in lockdown although there i some light at the end of the tunnel - it's a very long tunnel! So birdwatching still limited to the Glasgow area with 16 visits to Bingham's Pond - mainly to check out the status of the Ring-necked Duck -5 visits to Hogganfield Park LNR, 1 visit to Cardowan Moss LNR and one to Frankfield Loch proposed LNR. Taking each in turn:

Bingham's Pond: I saw 35 species during the month making a total of 41 species for the Pond so far in 2021. The highlight was the drake Ring-necked Duck, from North America, which was regularly seen during March. Other highlights included the pair of Greylag Geese that popped in just for one day and clear indications of spring with thoughts turning to breeding!

Ring-necked Duck

Coot on nest

Blue Tit examining nest box

Greylag Goose

Hogganfield Park LNR: I saw 50 species during the month with the year total now standing at 63 species seen. Highlights included continued sightings of Iceland Gull and Scaup and the first Chiffchaff of the year. A pair of Oystercatcher and a pair of Teal were also notable. However, the main highlight was the appearance of another drake Ring-necked Duck which was a first for the loch. This bird had been seen at nearby Frankfield Loch and the Gadloch before it eventually spent a day of two at Hogganfield.

Record shot of distant Ring-necked Duck

Pair of Teal

Scaup

Chiffchaff

Iceland Gull

Pair of Oystercatcher

Cardowan Moss LNR and Frankfield Loch: These sites can be readily accessed, after visiting Hogganfield Park LNR, via a series of footpaths from Avenue End Road and Cumbernauld Road.

It was nice to see that one of the nest boxes at Cardowan Moss was being investigated by a Blue Tit, whilst the highlight at Frankfield Loch was a distant drake Shoveler.

Blue Tit investigating nest box

Record shot of drake Shoveler

Frankfield Loch

As we enter April, more migrants should arrive any day now and lockdown should be easing a little over the next few weeks. In the meantime thanks for reading my blog and stay safe.