Local Birding

Since my last 'birding' post on 28 February 2020, I have visited Millichen, RSPB Loch Lomond hub, Hogganfield Park LNR, Cardowan Moss LNR, Dawsholm Park LNR, RSPB Lochwinnoch, Castle Semple, and Bingham's Pond. In the process, I have logged 66 bird species with my year list slowly increasing to a very modest 92. 

A few photos follow

Millichen Flood - 29/3/20

Whooper Swans - Millichen Flood - 29/3/20

Dawsholm Park LNR - 3/3/20 - reinstated steps to River Kelvin

Cardowan Moss LNR - woodland management underway - 4/3/20

Hogganfield Park LNR - Oystercatcher on biohaven - 4/3/20

Hogganfield Park LNR - Blue Tit investigating recently erected box

Hopefully, over the next few months we'll get a settled period of dry weather and that will result in a good breeding season for birds.

Meanwhile, some recent sightings from Greater Glasgow, courtesy of the SOC Clyde Grapevine:

A male Blackcap (now in song) still coming to an Ormonde Drive, Netherlee garden.

1,700 Pink-footed Geese in two flocks at Boclair Farm, Bearsden.

A minimum of 20 Waxwings at Tesco, Milngavie.
51 Pochard on Bishop Loch, Glasgow is an excellent count in recent times, also 10 Gadwall on Gartloch Pool.
The female Blackcap still in a Bearden garden.

Spring has arrived, albeit damp and chilly!

Nothing much to report since the last post.

Managed to see two Chiffchaffs at Hogganfield Park LNR on 29 March 2019, followed by three at the cycleway at Castle Semple Loch/Parkhill Woods and one at Lochwinnoch RSPB Reserve, both on 5 April 2019.

Chiffchaff - Hogganfield Park LNR - 29/3/19

On 31/3/19 I helped out at the Friends of Glasgow LNRs event at Hogganfield Park LNR and this pair of Mute Swans performed well …

I visited Bingham's Pond on at least 3 occasions in the hope that I might get a Sand Martin or Chiffchaff to add to my Bingham's year list but sadly, no sign. I did get a fly-over Buzzard which was good but nothing else unusual.

Finally, a trip down to Castle Semple and Lochwinnoch RSPB Reserve, with Judith & Mike, where the aforementioned Chiffchaffs were the star turn. Sadly, somehow we managed to miss a female Marsh Harrier that flew through but I did pick up a Raven.

It was good to see a number of floating islands have been installed at Lochwinnoch along with a Sand Martin bank - hope they prove successful

Finally, a few recent sightings from Greater Glasgow courtesy of the SOC Clyde Grapevine:

Saturday 6 April 2019
1,580 Pink-footed Geese at Millichen Flood, Glasgow.

Six Shovelers (four drakes) at Bridgend Farm Pool, near Kirkintilloch.

A Blackcap still visiting feeders in a Milngavie garden.

Friday 5 April 2018

Two Swallows at Balmore Pool.

Thursday 4 April 2019

1,920 Pink-footed Geese at Millichen Flood and six Tree Sparrows at West Millichen Cottages, Glasgow.

Birding from West to East and points in between!

Since my last post I've had a cracking week's birding!

Starting on Wednesday (10th) with the RSPB Glasgow Group outing to Castle Semple Loch and Parkhill Woods. Twenty three people turned out for this trip, a testament to Judith & Mike's organisational skills .....

Some of the Group at Castle Semple - 10 February 2016

 

.......... and they weren't to be disappointed with at least 50 bird species seen by the Group. I personally saw 47 with this Black-headed Gull and its breeding plumage a reminder that spring is just around the corner ............

Black-headed Gull - Castle Semple Loch - 10 February 2016

 

After lunch, most of us moved onto the RSPB Lochwinnoch Reserve .........

Aird Meadow, RSPB Lochwinnoch - 10 February 2016

 

... where we sheltered from an unexpected sleety shower and also added species such as Shoveler to our list.

 

On Friday, I met a ranger from the City Council and helped map the bird and bat boxes at Dawsholm Park LNR. With it being a bright sunny day, lots of birds were singing and they reminded me how good this LNR can be - unlike my previous visit!

 

On Saturday, we travelled down to Ayrshire, thanks to Stephen. Thankfully, the weather forecast was correct and we enjoyed a brilliant day's birding - 49 species seen including some species I failed to connect with last year. A few highlights ....

 

Purple Sandpiper - Ayr

 

Black Redstart - Ayr

 

Brent Geese (pale-bellied) - Maidens

 

Record shot - Smew - Barnshean Loch

 

Record shot - White-fronted Geese (Greenland) - Martnaham Loch

Yesterday, I travelled through to Musellburgh by public transport and again the weather forecast was spot on - bright sunshine! Forty species seen including these ...

Reed Bunting - 15 February 2016

Bar-tailed Godwit - 15 February 2016

Skylark - 15 February 2016

 

Short-eared Owl - 15 February 2016

 

During this 6 day period I saw 83 bird species and my year Scottish List now stands at 107.

 

Closer to home, what has been seen in and around Greater Glasgow? All sightings courtesy of SOC Clyde Grapevine:

 

Monday 15 February 2016
A pair of Stonechats still at Cathkin Marsh SWT Reserve.
A Chiffchaff by the River Clyde near Glasgow Green.

Sunday 14 February 2016
A 1st-winter Iceland Gull at the recycling depot Carbrain, Cumbernauld.
Two Yellow-legged Gulls and a female Scaup still on Balgray Reservoir. also 124 Canada Geese.
Blackcaps coming to feeders with a male at Nithsdale Road, Pollokshields and a female at Hillview Drive, Clarkston.

Saturday 13 February 2016
A 2nd-winter Glaucous Gull  on waste ground adjacent to Wickes, London Road, Mount Vernon in the afternoon.
Two Nuthatches coming to the feeders in Pollok Country Park.

Friday 12 February 2016
Two adult Yellow-legged Gulls at the Balgray Reservoir gull roost, also still the female Scaup.
A male Blackcap still at feeders in an Ailsa Drive, Giffnock garden.
A Peregrine over Paisley Grammar School in the morning.

Finally, remember you can create a slide show by clicking on the photos.

A Busy Week, despite the weather!

I attended a Friends of Glasgow's Local Nature Reserves Committee meeting on Monday evening and I can advise that their AGM will be held on Monday 27 April 2015 - check out their facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/friendsofglasgowlocalnaturereserves

On Wednesday it was the RSPB Glasgow Group's mid week outing to Castle Semple Loch and Parkhill Woods. Despite the general weather forecast being 'iffy' we trusted the site specific forecast and it was spot on with the wintry showers not arriving until 3pm. We had a really pleasant walk and the staff at the visitor centre at Castle Semple were very welcoming.

Castle Semple Visitor Centre - April 2014

 

Parkhill Woods - 14 January 2015

 

We also had time to pop in to the RSPB Lochwinnoch Reserve and by the end of the day we had seen at least 41 species.

On Thursday it was up 'early' and off to a meeting at Hogganfield Park LNR. When I arrived it was still dry and I managed a photo of a few Whooper and Mute Swans with my phone...

 

Three hours later, at the end of the meeting, I encountered driving sleet and the planned walk around the loch was abandoned!

 

I should have been talking at the Forth Valley RSPB Group last night but thankfully it was postponed, although the talk will go ahead, weather permitting, in 2015-16.

 

However, despite the weather other brave souls have been out and about and recent sightings, courtesy of SOC Clyde Grapevine, include:

 

15 January 2015

A female Scaup and 14 Gadwall on Hogganfield Loch.

 

14 January 2015

A Yellow-legged Gull, now positively identified as a 4th-winter, coming to the Balgray Reservoir gull roost at 1600 hrs, also 370 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 112 Canada Geese.
A drake Pintail on Bridgend Farm Pool, near KIrkintilloch.
Two female Scaup, 20 Gadwall and 15 Whooper Swans on Hogganfield Loch.
A Woodcock flushed on Fereneze Hills, Barrhead.

13 January 2015
Two Barnacle Geese with 910 Pink-footed Geese at Millichen Flood, Glasgow.

12 January 2015
Three Blackcaps (one male) coming to feeders in a Sween Avenue, Cathcart, Glasgow garden.