Spring at Last plus weekly update

I went for a walk along the Forth and Clyde Canal today, from Bearsden Road to Great Western Road, and at last there were a few signs of spring.

A narrow boat was getting ready to negotiate the locks............

 

We wondered what he thought about the litter............................

 

 

This Red Fox had no such concerns.............................

 

 

We saw a Chiffchaff, near Westerton Station, our first summer migrant of the year and small clumps of Marsh Marigold were also a welcome sight..................

 

 

Elsewhere during the week, courtesy of the SOC Clyde Grapevine, recent bird sightings included:

 

13 April 2013

48 Waxwings at Ormonde Drive, Netherlee.

1 Swallow at Balgray Reservoir.

6 Chiffchaffs at Dams to Darnley Country Park.

 

12 April 2013

2 Gadwall at Hogganfield Loch.

 

11 April 2013

A Swallow over Clairmont Gardens at 14.45hrs.

 

9 April 2013

An Osprey SE over Balgray Reservoir at 1100hrs plus a single Chiffchaff.

2 Jack Snipe, 20 Snipe and a calling Water Rail at Windlaw Marsh.

6 pairs of Gadwall and 2 Sand Martins at Gartloch Pools.

 

At last there appears to have been a small influx of summer migrants; let's all hope for a good spring and summer!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Garden Birds and a trip to Musselburgh

With the recent cold spell, our garden has attracted Siskin, Lesser Redpoll and Chiffchaff over the last few days, as well as the 'usual' species.

Poor record shots, taken through a glass window in bad light (!) follow:

Lesser Redpoll - 10 October 2012

 

Chiffchaff - 9 October 2012

 

Yesterday, 10 October 2012, I led a guided walk to Musselburgh Lagoons for the RSPB Glasgow Local Group. We had glorious weather and a big thank you to the 21 people who attended. Hopefully, you all had an enjoyable day with over 40 birds seen; the highlight for me being an adult winter plumaged Mediterranean Gull at the River Esk.

 

The Group enjoy lunch overlooking the Firth of Forth