Summer Migrants Galore!

On Tuesday (13th) I walked from Milngavie Railway Station, via the Allander Water and West Highland Way, to Craigallion Loch. This was a repeat of  my recent walk when I picked up an Osprey!

I wasn't to be disappointed - there were Willow Warblers everywhere; I heard and saw a beautiful Wood Warbler; had good views of Blackcap and Garden Warbler; managed 2 Whinchat after much effort and eventually saw a Cuckoo (or perhaps two) having heard them repeatedly calling. Other migrants adding to the spectacle included Swallow, Sedge Warbler and Tree Pipit!

A few images follow:

Mugdock Wood - on the way out - 13 May 2014

 

Craigallion Loch (looking east) - 13 May 2014

 

Record shot - Tree Pipit (and insect!) - 13 May 2014

 

Mugdock Wood - on the way back - 13 May 2014

 

I also managed four species of butterfly and Roe Deer on the walk which was a prelude to a planned trip to Inchcaillioch on the 14th. Would the planned trip yield even more migrants?

 

We joined the RSPB Glasgow Group at Balmaha for the trip to Inchcailloch - thanks Fiona.

 

The island was a wonderful peaceful haven full of bird song. Quite frankly we didn't know where to look as songs and calls filled the air. The highlights for me were 2 Osprey and a pair of Redstart, seen eventually after some patient waiting after the rest of the Group moved off. However, we also had great views of Garden Warbler - I have probably seen more over the past few weeks than all my other sightings put together! Also of note was a superb Wood Warbler, Tree Pipit, Blackcap and great views of Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit and Treecreeper.

 

Again a few images follow:

 

 

 

Record shot - Garden Warbler 14 May 2014

 

 

All in all, stunning scenery over both days and some special birds.

 

Remember you can enlarge the photos and create a mini slide show by clicking on the photos (they also look better at a larger size)!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Poor Photos BUT Good Birds!

This time of year can be great for seeing and hearing birds, so despite the dull overcast conditions I have been out and about visiting well known 'birding hotspots'.

On Wednesday (30 April 2014) we travelled to Baron's Haugh RSPB reserve, Dalzell Woodlands and Carbarns Pool - thanks to Mike and Judith.

We were lucky to bump into Jimmy Maxwell, a well respected local bird watcher. At Dalzell Woods he explained there were now 8 pairs of Nuthatch and we were lucky enough to see birds in the vicinity of one of the nesting holes ....

Having walked through the woods enjoying the sight and sound of a host of species, we arrived at Carbarns Pool. There wasn't much on the Pool so we moved to the river edge and scanned the island on the Clyde spotting Garden Warbler, Bullfinch, Song Thrush and Long-tailed Tit whilst a Raven flew overhead. On our return we spotted another male Bullfinch and despite the drizzle I took a record shot ..............

 

Walking along the riverside walkway we spotted a Whooper Swan which apparently was suffering from a damaged wing and is therefore likely to spend the summer here. We spent some time in the hides adding to our list with Gadwall being the prominent duck although there was only one wader - a solitary Lapwing.

 

We left the reserve having seen a good number of species and arrived at the car just as the heavens opened - well judged!

 

On Friday I travelled by train to Lochwinnoch RSPB Reserve and climbed the tower in the Visitor Centre. From here you get a great view of the Aird Meadow and all of the works that have been undertaken to attract more birds ....

 

 

From here I spotted a pair of Garganey, that had been previously seen by staff, in a channel running from the right hand pool towards the main loch. Thankfully they swam along the channel to the Pool and everyone in the tower/centre got great views. A greatly magnified poor record shot follows ..........

 

 

I left the centre and walked around the various trails adding Sedge Warbler to my 'year list'. Another record shot follows .............

 

 

Finally, yesterday I travelled by train once again this time to Milngavie to walk the West Highland Way to Craigallion Loch. There were literally 100s of people on the Way -  a sponsored walk adding to the usual Way walkers, joggers, dog walkers and cyclists.

 

So, I decided to leave the Way and walked along a few paths in Mugdock Wood and was rewarded with views of a few Tree Pipits. Once the general commotion had settled down, I re-joined the Way and soon reached Craigallion Loch. Here I recorded more Sedge Warblers; I headed towards the huts at Carbeth and there seemed to be Willow Warblers everywhere and I even heard a Green Woodpecker.

 

I decided to retrace my steps rather than take the circular route and I was so pleased that I did; as sitting in a tree beside the Loch was an Osprey! The final poor record shot of this post follows ...

 

 

If you look really closely you can see the bird perched on the bare branch in the centre of the photo!

 

So a great finish to a nice few days of birding; it is just a pity that the weather was so dull and chilly.

 

West Highland Way - Milngavie to Carbeth (and back!)

Yesterday (20 May 2013) I decided to believe the weather forecast and went for a long walk along the West Highland Way (WHW). Thankfully it proved correct with it probably being the warmest day of the year albeit, for long periods, overcast.

Soon after leaving Milngavie, I could hear resident species such as Blackbirds, Song Thrush, Wren and Robin all singing loudly and proudly. However, the star was the long distant migrant, the Willow Warbler and its beautiful song. 

However, I had hoped for a few 'new' summer migrants to add to my 'year' list and was rewarded with 2 Garden Warbler soon after leaving the Allander Water. 

When I reached Mugdock Woods.............................

WHW at Mugdock Woods - 20 May 2013

 

......I was pleased to see a carpet of Bluebells...................................................

 

 

A bit further along.....................................................



 

WHW at Mugdock Woods - 20 May 2013

 

..............I was even more pleased when I heard the unmistakable song of a Wood Warbler. My patience was rewarded when I eventually saw two of these stunning little birds - my second new bird for the year!

 

Moving on, I eventually reached Craigallion Loch, just south of the huts at Carbeth......

 

Craigallion Loch - 20 May 2013

 

I had hoped for Osprey but had no luck with the only raptor being a couple of Buzzards. Here migrants included Tree Pipit, Whitethroat and Swallow all of which were showing well whilst in the distance I could hear a Cuckoo.

 

On the return walk I managed some poor photos of a couple of butterflies - a Peacock and a Green-veined White. Whilst there were lots of Orange Tips they never settled long enough for a photo!

 

Peacock - 20 May 2013

Green-veined White - 20 May 2013

 

All in all, it was a very enjoyable walk in some beautiful countryside and, as a bonus, I saw and/or heard at least 31 bird species.

 

I also encountered lots of friendly walkers, many from abroad and carrying huge rucksacks, just emphasising the popularity of the West Highland Way. If you haven't tried it, give it a go!