Firstly, remember you can click on the photos to create a slide show (and enhanced viewing).
I may not have walked 500 miles, as per the Proclaimers song, but I've walked a fair wee distance this week whilst out birding!
On Tuesday, we walked from Anniesland to Victoria Park and back. It's been a while since we visited and we had good views of Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff and Blackcap.
We noticed a pair of Jackdaws with nesting material and watched them approaching a large hole when they were 'repulsed' by a Grey Squirrel! A good number of birds were either already nesting or collecting nesting material and we eventually recorded 26 species in the park including Ring-necked Parakeet.
Victoria Park
Grey Squirrel
Coot on nest
Ring-necked Parakeet
On Wednesday we travelled down to Culter Water, thanks to Judith and Mike. I was leading a RSPB Glasgow Local Group outing and I'm pleased that there were 16 of us in total. We walked from the parking area at Birthwood all the way to Culter Waterhead Reservoir and back and, in the process, saw at least 31 species. Sadly no Ring Ousel, but possibly the best day of the year, weather wise, so far!
Culter Water Glen
Culter Waterhead Reservoir
On Thursday, it was off to Hogganfield Loch to check on the BioHavens and obviously some birding - 35 bird species seen with Common Sandpiper being a nice surprise. The Havens seem to be doing fine and the plants are starting to grow.
Common Sandpiper
BioHaven - Hogganfield Loch
Finally, we travelled by train and then bus to the Carbeth Inn and walked back to Milngavie Railway Station. In doing so we walked part of the John Muir Way, West Highland Way and Clyde Coastal Path. Within Mugdock Country Park we saw our first Tree Pipits of the year and by the end of our walk we had recorded 34 species in total.
Craigallian Loch from West Highland Way
Record shot of distant Tree Pipit
I would like to say we feel a lot healthier from all this walking but ..............
Finally, another round-up of interesting sightings from the Greater Glasgow area, courtesy of the SOC Clyde Grapevine:
Thursday 21 April 2016
200 Pink-footed Geese north over Linn Park in the morning.
Wednesday 20 April 2016
A White Wagtail
at Ardoch Farm, Eaglesham and still five Fieldfares between Over Enoch and
Carrot.
Three Grasshopper Warblers (two reeling) at Mosswater LNR, Cumbernauld.
Single reeling Grasshopper Warblers at Littleton and Waulkmill Glen Reservoirs.
Tuesday 19 April 2016
An
adult Mediterranean Gull
at Ferguslie Park Gardens, Paisley.
A Short-eared Owl
flushed at Windalw Marsh, also a Sedge
Warbler.
A Cuckoo heard on Stockie Muir.
Single Tree Pipit singing at Mugdock Country Park.
Monday 18 April 2016
19 Shoveler (13 drakes), seven Gadwall and 260 Pink-footed Geese at Bridgend
Farm Pool. KIrkintilloch.
A Cuckoo heard on Kilpatrick Braes near Loch Humphrey.
