174 Bird Species seen in Scotland in 2025, so far

Following on from a visit yesterday (28th) to RSPB Baron's Haugh Reserve near Motherwell, my 'Year Bird List for Scotland' now stands at 174 species with the addition of both Wood Sandpiper and Green Sandpiper - record shots follow:

Wood Sandpiper

Green Sandpiper

Also note that the Millichen page - see the link at the top of the page - has been updated.

Autumn Birding and Easterlies

Since the last post, I've visited Hogganfield Park LNR (to help with the Friends of Glasgow's LNRs wildfowl feeding); Kilminning, Fife Ness and Pettycur Harbour (with Stephen and Lynda); Baron's Haugh RSPB Reserve and Dalzel Woods (twice, once with Lynda, Judith and Mike); Aberlady Bay LNR, Musselburgh Lagoons, Hound Point and Dalmeny Estate woodland path and RSPB Skinflats (all with the RSPB Glasgow Group). With a few easterlies forecast, I was hoping for one or two goodies and I wasn't disappointed.

Highlights included: Red-breasted Flycatcher and Manx Shearwater in the Fife Ness area; Arctic Skuas from Pettycur Harbour; Pintail, Blackcap and Chiffchaff in and around Baron's Haugh; Little Egrets at Aberlady Bay; Great Skuas and Pomarine Skuas (distantly) from Hound Point and stunning views of a Yellow-browed Warbler which I found on the Dalmeny Estate woodland path from Hound Point to Queensferry.

A few photos, mostly taken with my phone: 

Wildfowl feeding - Hogganfield Park LNR 21/09/19

Snipe - Baron's Haugh RSPB Reserve 27/09/19

Aberlady Bay LNR - 28/09/19

Musselburgh Lagoons - 28/09/19

Queensferry - 29/09/19

Skinflats RSPB Reserve - 29/09/19

Baron's Haugh RSPB Reserve 1/10/19

So some great birding, in cracking locations and with good company. In total, 94 species seen with Red-breasted Flycatcher and Yellow-browed Warbler the star birds, literally only a few yards away. What will be next?

Yet More Birding and it is still dark and dreary!

The last post seemed to work well with the latest news coming first so I will start with today's news: a small flock of around 20 Waxwings in Westerlands, Anniesland although I only had flight views.

Yesterday was our weekly trip with Judith and Mike and we travelled to Baron's Haugh RSPB Reserve. We managed to see a good range of birds and timed our departure to coincide with the rain arriving! The highlight was a Little Egret which was a reserve first for all of us ..

Little Egret - 27/11/18

On Saturday (24th) we travelled with the RSPB Glasgow Group down to he WWT Reserve at Caerlaverock. The weather was excellent and it only started to rain shortly after leaving the reserve. As expected we had excellent views of wildfowl …

Barnacle Geese - 24/11/18

Wigeon - 24/11/18

Scaup with Tufted Ducks - 24/11/18

We also had a glimpse of a Great White Egret and up to 9 Little Egrets but the highlight for me was a Merlin perched on a post, seen from the Salcot Obervatory Tower.

On the Friday, I travelled to Knightswood Park and Bingham's Pond, both in Glasgow. I was looking for 'ringed' birds - which will the subject of a separate post - but was also struck by the fact that a small flock of Greylag Geese can be seen grazing at a Glasgow Park …

Greylag Geese - 23/11/18

Moving on to Bingham's Pond and I added to my year Pond list with a Raven flying over, 'cronking' and being harassed by gulls.

I also visited Hogganfield Park LNR on Saturday 17th to help with the Friends of Glasgow's LNRs wildfowl feeding event. There wasn't any time to do much birdwatching other than from the viewing/feeding platform. However, this Great Black-backed Gull stood out …..

Great Black-backed Gull - 17/11/18

However, the real surprise turned out to be a group of 3 Shelduck which were a personal first for me for both Hogganfield Park and Glasgow.

Distant record shot - 3 Shelduck - 17/11/18

So, my Hogganfield list now stands at 106 (including feral/introduced species) and my Glasgow list 147.

So despite it still being dark and dreary, all in all it was a good week. 

Roll on December!

PS remember to click on the photos to produced a slide show and enhanced viewing.

It's Autumn - from a birdwatching point of view!

Since my last post, things are slowly beginning to happen with birds on the move.

The highlight for me was a Sooty Tern at the Ythan Estuary in Aberdeenshire - thank you bus pass. I also discovered you could get a bus to the Collieston junction and then walk to the Waulkmill Hide upstream of the estuary (allow c30 minutes). Here I saw 2 Osprey, a Little Tern and 6 Greenshank, a sign that waders are on the move.

Sooty Tern with Sandwich Terns - Ythan Estuary - 26/7/18

View from Waulkmill Hide, Ythan - 26/7/18

Closer to home, I spent a few hours at Hogganfield Park LNR on the 25th and noted that wildfowl numbers were starting to slowly increase with 19 Pochard present as well as 16 Gadwall not to mention this Little Grebe .. 

Little Grebe - Hogganfield Loch - 25/7/18

On Tuesday (31st) we travelled through to Baron's Haugh RSPB Reserve and with the water levels low there was plenty of mud exposed with a juvenile Little Ringed Plover and 9 Green Sandpipers being the highlights, with a total of 35 species recorded.

Green Sandpiper - Baron's Haugh - 31/7/18

Finally, through to Musselburgh Lagoons yesterday and 42 species recorded with Wood Sandpiper taking pride of place whilst managing to avoid the frequent swoops of a Peregrine! I also saw 22 Black-tailed Godwits one of which was ringed. I sent off the details late last night and a response was received first thing this morning! The bird is an adult that was ringed last autumn and is likely now returning from breeding in Iceland. 

It was ringed on 23/9/17 at Terrington, the Wash estuary, Norfolk; re-sighted on 26/9/17 at Snettisham, the Wash estuary, Norfolk with no further records until mine.

Finally, some records from the Greater Glasgow area courtesy of a trawl around the internet!

3 August 2018

Six Black-tailed Godwits, 11 Redshank, and a Common Sandpiper at Balgray Reservoir.

Six Common Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Redshank and 4 Black-tailed Godwit at Gartloch main pool, this morning. 

1 Common Sandpiper, 24 Black-tailed Godwit and 300+ Lapwing at Frankfield loch, this morning.

28 July 2018

1 Mediterranean Gull, briefly, in Victoria Park in the morning.

Happy Birding New Year

Like many bird watchers, I keep lists - year lists, site lists, and garden lists. At the beginning of the year I sat down and spent a wee bit of time looking back on 2017 and the birds we encountered in Greater Glasgow and also the rest of Scotland. 

With the use of BirdTrack it is now a lot easier to explore your records and compare your bird sightings with previous years. For example, I saw 69 species at Hogganfield Park LNR in 2017; this compares to 68 in 2016 and 63 in 2015. I also recorded my 100th species at Hogganfield in 2017.

Needless to say, the listing has started again and of course Hogganfield Park LNR has been visited as well as other local sites such as Bingham's Pond and Victoria Park. We also travelled a bit further afield, with Peter and Stephen, to Baron's Haugh RSPB Reserve and Strathclyde Loch...............

At Hogganfield Park LNR there were 4 Great Black-backed Gulls present, three of which are represented below ...

3 Great Black-backed Gulls with Herring Gulls - Hogganfield Park LNR - 5 /1/18

This Kestrel gave great views before going off and successfully hunting ......

Kestrel - Hogganfield Park LNR - 5/1/18

Baron's Haugh was looking good in the sunlight and we did manage to see a Tawny Owl as well as the usual species. 

Baron's Haugh RSPB Reserve - 6/1/18

From Baron's Haugh, we headed over to the nearby Strathclyde Loch and thankfully located the famous Ring-billed Gull which has returned for its 4th 'winter'. It remained fairly distant so I had to settle for this record shot .....

Ring-billed Gull - Strathclyde Loch - 6/1/18

 On the 8th, I walked to Victoria Park and found that most of the pond was frozen ....

Victoria Park - 8/1/18

There were still good numbers of waterbirds present with this Little Grebe showing particularly well ....

Little Grebe - Victoria Park - 8/1/18

 Another sighting of note was this ringed Black-headed Gull. I have sent off details and will hopefully receive information about where and when the bird was ringed from the relevant ringer ...

Back-headed Gull - Victoria Park - 8/1/18

Finally, I couldn't help hearing the screech of the 'local' Ring-necked Parakeets and I located 3 within the park boundary, away from their nest hole ...

Ring-necked Parakeet - Victoria Park - 8/1/18

So the year is less than 2 weeks old and my bird list stands at 51. Other people have also been out birding and their records, from the Greater Glasgow area, and courtesy of the SOC Clyde Grapevine, follow:

Wednesday 10 January 2018
11 Gadwall on Hogganfield Loch.
Two Jays flying across River Clyde from Erskine Wood to Bowling. 

Monday 8 January 2018
A male and a female Scaup still on Waulkmill Glen Reservoir.
Two Barnacle Geese with about 1,000 Pink-footed Geese at Boclair Farm, Milngavie.

Sunday 7 January 2018
The 2nd-winter Yellow-legged still at the Balgray Reservoir, roost, also 44 Goosanders.
Four Crosssbills in Mugdock Country Park.
A remarkable19 Ring-necked Parakeets at roost in Victoria Park, Glasgow.

Tuesday 2 January 2018
A male and female Scaup still on Waulkmill Glen Reservoir, also two Stonechats.

Year Listing and Exhibitions

At the beginning of 2017, like lots of people, I wondered how many birds could I see, in Scotland, in a year. Needless to say this takes a lot of planning, goodwill and luck; it also helps if you are retired!

So on Sunday (14th) I headed off to Baron's Haugh RSPB reserve on the River Clyde and the nearby Carbarns Pool to try to add to my list. The reserve was busier than usual with a good few folk all trying to see the reported Great White Egrets. I was lucky. After about 5 minutes one came into view - it had been feeding in a channel not visible from the hide - stood for a few moments and then flew off!

I managed this awful record shot of it flying towards Merryton .................

From Baron's Haugh, I walked along the River Clyde walkway towards Carbarns Pool and saw a distant wader. I was told by other birders, standing next to a large electricity pylon, that it was the Wood Sandpiper that we had all been hoping for. I always like to be sure about bird sightings and managed to get a closer look from the other side of the pool without disturbing any of the birds. Again, an awful record shot but enough to convince me I was looking at a Wood Sandpiper .......

On walking back along the river bank, towards the other birders still at the pylon, I was pleased to find my 'own' Garden Warbler, which meant 3 'new' birds for the day and year list of 181.

On Wednesday, we joined the RSPB Glasgow Group on their trip to Sallochy - thanks to Judith and Mike. I didn't take my camera on this trip and as usually happens when I do this, we got good views of Wood Warbler, Redstart and Pied Flycatcher!

The facilities at Sallochy have been improved and there are toilets and a range of interpretation signs - phone photos follow ...

 

On Thursday I popped down to the Kibble Palace in Glasgow's Botanic Gardens to check out the 'Kelvin in the Kibble Exhibition' and the Friends of Glasgow's LNRs display ..

 

 

The exhibition runs until 30 May 2017.

Finally, on Friday, I was invited by the RSPB Glasgow office to the launch of the 'Dear Green Futures' exhibition, this time in Kelvingrove Museum. It was good to meet lots of like minded people and applaud the winners of their photographic competition.

Reedbeds, Wetlands, Farmland and Woods

I visited a whole range of habitats this week and continued to see new birds for the year.

On Tuesday I went birding with Stephen and we visited the Tay Reedbeds, Errol, Guardbridge, Letham Pools and the Fife Coast. At least 50 bird species were seen with the star bird being Corn Bunting ....

Letham Pools

 

Poor record shot -  Corn Bunting

 

On Thursday we made a quick visit to Dawsholm Park LNR to check out the Friends of Glasgow's LNRs 'hazel hedge'. It seems to be doing fine and we also got super views of Great Spotted Woodpecker and a family of Song Thrushes.

 

Finally, yesterday, we travelled out to the RSPB Baron's Haugh Reserve with Mike and Judith and were pleased to see, eventually, 4 Green Sandpiper, 3 Common Sandpiper and 1 Dunlin, which suggests wader passage is starting. We also managed to see a Kingfisher on the River Clyde, a Water Rail skulking in the flag iris and two 'ringed' Black-headed Gulls.

 

Green Sandpiper

Skulking Water Rail

'Ringed' Black-headed Gull

 

We also bumped into Jimmy Maxwell at the Haugh and had an enjoyable chat.

 

I feel so lucky that I can enjoy this wonderful hobby with like-minded folk and in such a wonderful country.

 

PS remember you can click on the photos to get a slide show and enhanced view.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nature's Fair

Four different nature experiences in a week!

Tuesday it was Hogganfield Park LNR; Wednesday Dalzell Woods & Baron's Haugh RSPB Reserve; Friday Dawsholm Park LNR and Saturday the RSPB Nature's Fair at Musselburgh Lagoons.

Around 70 species seen and some excellent talks attended at the Fair. A few photos ...

Adult Grey Heron - Hogganfield Park LNR

 

Coot - Hogganfield Park LNR

 

Mute Swan turning eggs - Hogganfield Park LNR

 

Nuthatch - Dalzell Woodlands

 

Roe Deer - undisclosed site

 

More of my photos from the visits to Hogganfield and Dawsholm Park LNRs can be seen on the Friends of Glasgow's LNRs facebook site - click on the link on the right column.

 

Finally, a quick update of some recent sightings from the Greater Glasgow area, courtesy of the SOC Clyde Grapevine:

 

Saturday 21 May 2016
A Jay and two Stock Doves in a Blacader Drive, Gartloch Village garden.

Thursday 19 May 2016
A Wood Warbler in song at Linn Park, Glasgow.

 

 

 

 

Recent Sightings

We visited Baron's Haugh RSPB Reserve yesterday (15 September 2015) with Judith and Mike and got a good range of birds (at least 41 species) including a Little Ringed Plover, 5 Ruff, a Green Sandpiper and 33 Snipe.

Today I travelled through to Musselburgh (47 species seen) and added to the wader sightings with 2 Curlew Sandpiper and a Greenshank at the scrapes. From the sea-wall I counted 11 Great Crested Grebe, 8 Slavonian Grebe and one Red-necked Grebe. There were also a few Little Grebe on the boating pond - so almost a complete set of grebes!

I still haven't worked out why I can no longer upload photos so onto other recent sightings, courtesy of the SOC Clyde Grapevine unless otherwise stated:

Tuesday 15 September 2015
Two Ruff and two Black-tailed Godwits at Bridgend Farm Pool, Kirkintilloch.

Monday 14 September 2015
Two Ruff and four Black-tailed Godwits at the Longhaugh field pools.
A Greenshank at Newshot Island, also a Redstart in the hawthorn hedge there.
A Nuthatch calling in Rouken Glen.

Sunday 13 September 2015

Thomas Wright kindly advises that he spotted a Ringed Plover and White Wagtail together on the sandy bay near the swing park at Hogganfield Loch.

Weekly Update

Since my last post I have visited Baron's Haugh/Carbarns Pool (thanks to Judith and Mike); Bingham's Pond; Musselburgh Lagoons/River Esk Mouth; RSPB Loch Leven/Queensferry (thanks to Peter); and Mull!

Sand Martin colony - River Clyde near Baron's Haugh - 21 July 2015

 

A few of the 100s of Scoter - offshore Musselburgh - 24 July 2015

 

RSPB Loch Leven - 25 July 2015

 

Lochdon, Mull - 29 July 2015

 

Highlights included my first Ruff of the year at Musselburgh lagoons; Hummingbird Hawkmoth outside the visitor centre at RSPB Loch Leven; and a large group of Manx Shearwater from the Craignure-Oban ferry crossing.

 

Finally an update on recent Greater Glasgow bird sightings, courtesy of SOC Clyde Grapevine:

 

Tuesday 28 July 2015
A possible Hobby flying over Linn Park in the morning.

Monday 27 July 2015
An unusual record of a Kestrel over Cartside Road, Battlefield.

Saturday 25 July 2015
A report of a Corncrake calling at Hogganfield Marsh.
A Nuthatch at Cathkin Braes.

 

 

 

 

RSPB Reserve Birding

On Monday, I travelled down to Lochwinnoch RSPB Reserve by train and bumped into a good few birding friends - all looking for the pair of Garganey that had been seen on the Sunday. I also met a couple of ex-work colleagues, Ian and Carol, and had a good catch-up with them.

Sadly there was no sign of the Garganey when I was there, albeit they put in an appearance later in the afternoon!

However, I still saw some good birds, including the first Willow Warblers of the year and typical 'wetland' birds such as ...

Whooper Swan

Reed Bunting (male)

 

.............. and this not so typical wetland bird ....

 

Rook

 

Today we joined up with the RSPB Glasgow Group mid-week outing to Baron's Haugh RSPB Reserve, Dalzell Woodlands and Carbarns Pool which proved a great success with over 40 species seen including a good range of summer migrants - Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Sand Martin and Common Sandpiper - as well as birds entering or building nests - Blue Tit, Great Tit, Nuthatch and Treecreeper ....

 

Nuthatch - Dalzell Woodlands

Treecreeper (collecting nest material) - Baron's Haugh

Treecreeper (entering 'nest')

 

Other birds were singing or enjoying a meal ...

 

Bullfinch (female) - Baron's Haugh

 

...........whilst some were struggling to keep their eyes open ...

 

Tawny Owl - Baron's Haugh

 

Thanks to Judith and Mike for organising and leading an excellent outing.

 

Now an update of latest sightings in the Greater Glasgow area, courtesy of the SOC Clyde Grapevine:

 

Tuesday 14 April 2015

A female Scaup and still seven Whooper Swans on Hogganfield Loch.
Two House Martins at Newton Mearns Cross.

Monday 13 April 2015
An Osprey north over Peitches Moor, Mugdock Country Park at 1040 hrs.
A House Martin at Garscube Estate.


Also remember, click on photos to create enhanced viewing and slide show.