Birding the Clyde area and beyond

Generally, another week of dull and dreary weather, but we managed out a couple of days - Lochwinnoch and Troon Harbour with Stephen on Sunday and Loch Lomond NNR and Craigendoran with Judith and Mike on Thursday. I also popped round to Cairnhill Woods on Monday.

Sunday was really good with Stephen getting two life ticks and I added to my year list with Purple Sandpiper and Golden Plover being the star birds. (Lynda doesn't do lists - she just enjoys the birds!)

Visiting Cairnhill Woods was a last minute, late afternoon visit but I was pleased with both the variety of common birds and the 30 Redwings appearing almost at dusk.

Sadly, the weather on both these days was not conducive to any photography!

However, we awoke to a clear blue sky on Thursday and our birding trip, to Loch Lomond NNR and beyond, provided excellent birds and scenery. We started by exploring some of the minor roads around Croftamie and picked up 4 species of geese, including 13 Barnacles.

After a much needed cuppa and hot roll, we headed over to the RSPB Loch Lomond Reserve and were pleased to discover that a new woodland trail has been opened. Lots of common woodland birds were seen with Siskins being the most notable .. 

RSPB Loch Lomond 'Hub'

RSPB Loch Lomond woodland trail

 

Our next stop was at Craigendoran in search of a reported Black Redstart. After a walk south along the shoreline, we found the Black Redstart - a record shot follows ...........

Black Redstart

 

...  as well as 2 unexpected Little Egrets....

 

Little Egret

 

The sunset provided a glorious end to an excellent day ..

 

 

I finish once again with some recent sightings, courtesy of the SOC Clyde Grapevine:

Thursday 26 January 2017
The 1st-winter Glaucous Gull still at the Balgray Reservoir gull roost.

Tuesday 24 January 2017
A Jay at Pollok Country Park.

Happy New Year

Yesterday (2nd) I popped into Bingham's Pond in the morning, managed to refill the feeders, see 25 bird species and avoid the worse of the hail stones!

In the afternoon I walked to Cairnhill Woods in Westerton. I bumped into loads of people including Emma who is chair of the Cairnhill Woods Group and had a pleasant afternoon birding in the sunshine. A few photos follow:

Entrance Sign

One of the paths

Mistle Thrush

If you go down to the woods today

Owl be your baby tonight

 

Other bird species of note were c20 Redwing and Great Spotted Woodpecker.

 

The woods were clearly well used and the local group had undertaken and/or commissioned a number of improvements just showing what a local community can do. I'll certainly be visiting again!