Monday 3 May 2021

Birding from mid-April 2021 as lockdown eases

 Lockdown has started to ease but once again I have limited my visits to sites within Glasgow.

The highlight was my discovery of a Spoonbill at Hogganfield Loch on Saturday 1 May 2021. One had been reported by Dean Stables the previous Wednesday circling high over the loch. So, imagine my surprise and delight that it (presumably the same bird) was now roosting in the trees on the island!

Spoonbill - 1 May 2020

Other highlights from Hogganfield Park LNR included Common Sandpiper, Tree Pipit, White Wagtail and Skylark (a new bird or the same from earlier in the month?)

Common Sandpiper - 20 April 2021

Tree Pipits - 20 April 2021

White Wagtail - 20 April 2021

Skylark - 25 April 2021

My year list for Hogganfield Park LNR now stands at 81.

At Bingham's Pond, the hoped-for warblers and hirundines did not arrive other than Blackcap (male and female) although it was nice to see two broods of Mallard duckling and three young Coot.

Three of a brood of 8 ducklings - 26 April 2021

My Bingham's year list now stands at 45.

Finally, at Dawsholm Park LNR my year list has increased to 36. A pair of Grey Wagtails at the pond was a nice find whilst I was surprised to see a pair of Great Tits investigating a nest hole that a pair of Nuthatches had been patiently edging with mud. The last birds is a Stock Dove, not to be confused with the Feral Pigeon.

Grey Wagtail - 19 April 2021

Great Tit - 19 April 2021

Stock Dove - 19 April 2021

Despite the cold weather of the last few weeks, the summer migrants continue to arrive with Sedge Warbler, Grasshopper Warbler, Whitethroat and House Martin all added to my Glasgow year list which now stands at 88 species. 

The month of May normally turns up something unusual and it certainly made a good start with the Spoonbill! What next I wonder?