American Duo Still Present

I visited Frankfield Loch again yesterday (9 September 2013) with two friends who had never been before. Whilst we quickly saw a Ruff, 3 Dunlin and 2 Ringed Plover there was, initially, no sign of the Pectoral Sandpiper or Blue-winged Teal. I therefore decided to count the Lapwing flock ending up with an estimate of c.315 birds - an impressive count these days. I also counted 10 Shoveler and 7 Snipe.  

Whilst undertaking these systematic counts and after c 45 minutes, I eventually found the Blue-winged Teal hidden amongst the dead trees on the western-most edge of the loch. A further 45 minutes later, around noon, the Pectoral Sandpiper appeared from nowhere! Both these sightings made a gentleman from Alloa very, very happy! Other birders arrived from Edinburgh and Glasgow southside and they also enjoyed views of both birds. It was also good to talk to various builders/delivery drivers who all appeared genuinely interested in the fact that two 'rare' birds had turned up at the loch.

In addition to the birds mentioned we also saw a Water Rail and a few Swallows passed overhead on their long migration south.

Yet another photo of the loch taken today follows.....

 

If you look really closely you can convince yourself that there is a Ruff, Dunlin and Lapwing in the picture!

 

The area of mud seems to be increasing, so don't be surprised if even more waders turn up.

Rare Wader in Glasgow!

I visited Frankfield Loch in Glasgow yesterday (4 September 2013) following a tip-off  from the SOC Clyde Grapevine that a Pectoral Sandpiper had turned up the previous day.....

Frankfield Loch - 4 September 2013

 

There were clearly lots of waders present on the mud as well as good numbers of wildfowl..

 

Mud, waders and wildfowl - 4 September 2013

 

Initially, the Pectoral Sandpiper proved difficult to locate with only Ringed Plover and Dunlin obviously present. However, something spooked all of the birds and when they returned the Pectoral Sandpiper could be seen! In fact, it managed to 'disappear' on quite a few occasions only to return much to the delight of a small group of birders that arrived after me. A big thank you to these birders for offering me the opportunity to view this cracking bird through their 'scopes.

 

In the end I counted c180 Lapwing, 5 Ringed Plover, 3 Dunlin, 4 Snipe and one Greenshank plus a good few Shoveler. Unfortunately the 'Pec' was too far away for a photograph so I'll include a photo taken just last week whilst in Brazil!

 

Pectoral Sandpiper - Brazil - August 2013

 

Other species of note around the loch included lots of Common Darter dragonflies..........

 

Common Darter - 4 September 2013

 

From Frankfield I headed for Cardowan Moss and Hogganfield Park LNRs accompanied by one of the 'Pec' birders. At Cardowan we encountered a Red Fox, at least 2 species of dragonfly and a few butterflies, the highlight being a Small Copper...........

 

Small Copper (Dorset)

 

We then headed for Hogganfield Park and its excellent range of habitats and species which included a drake Ruddy Duck, good numbers of Gadwall and Pochard plus at least one young Great Crested Grebe still trying to beg for food from its parents.

 

An absolute super day - Glasgow really is Wilds Better!