Late October Update

Well sadly the easterlies stopped, whilst the rain didn't; so not many photographs. I/we still managed out and about thanks to Stephen, Judith and Mike, RSPB Glasgow Group and public transport.

A photographic record follows:

Fife Ness - 4/10/19

Chiffchaff - Kilminning, Fife - 12/10/19

Blackbird - Kilminning, Fife - 12/10/19 

Robin - Balcomie, Fife - 12/10/19

Pink-footed & Barnacle Geese - near Airth, Forth 12/10/19

Path works - Dawsholm Park LNR, Glasgow - 16/10/19

Record shot - Linnet flock - Torness, Lothian - 20/10/19

Hogganfield Park LNR, Glasgow - 21/10/19

Pochard - Hogganfield Park LNR, Glasgow - 21/10/19

Record shot - Scaup - Hogganfield Park LNR, Glasgow - 21/10/19

Ringed Black-headed Gull - Hogganfield Park LNR, Glasgow - 21/10/19

RSPB Loch Leven - 24/10/19

Red Squirrel - RSPB Loch Leven - 24/10/19

Over the period, from 3 October 2019, I saw c80 species with the highlights being a Barred Warbler at Kilminning, Fife on the 4th; my first ever Jay at Dawsholm Park LNR on the 16th; Little Egrets, pale-bellied Brent Geese and a glimpse of a Barn Owl (in its box) on Holy Isle on the 19th; 40 species including Scaup, 10 Whooper Swans and a Blackcap at Hogganfield Park LNR on the 21st; and a good range of wildfowl, including Pintail, at Loch Leven today.

East Coast Magic Part 3

I've just finished an intensive week of birding travelling through to the east with Stephen, Peter and Lynda. Originally we had hoped to spend a few nights away but that fell through so we got to fall in love (!) with the M8 and its traffic.

The weather wasn't conducive to taking photos plus I was concentrating on bird watching/finding - you really can't do both well, at least that's what I've found.

We added to our year list, and in Stephen's case 'life list', saw some rare birds and missed a few and on one occasion -  Great Grey Shrike at Skateraw - this was literally by seconds!

On Monday, we looked at the weather forecast and concluded we needed somewhere with hides! We headed for Vane Farm/Loch Leven RSPB Reserve where our best find was a Scaup on Loch Leven. Note one of the hides was closed due to storm damage. In the afternoon we travelled down to Pettycur Harbour where according to the forecast it would be dry and thankfully, it was. We spotted a couple of Great Skuas as well as lots of common sea birds such as Guillemots and Gannets. This juvenile Gannet came incredibly close to the harbour wall ……

On Tuesday, we visited Musselburgh Lagoons and were successful in finding the Little Stint and White-winged Scoter, but not the Jack Snipe that others had seen earlier!The White-winged Scoter is from North America and very similar to 'our' Velvet Scoter so we were pleased we got good enough sightings to distinguish it from its more common cousins. Record shots follow ….

Little Stint (2nd from right) with Dunlin and Lapwing

White-winged Scoter (3rd from left) with Velvet Scoter

The next day it was on to Torness and Barns Ness. The winds were forecast to eventually turn to a south easterly direction and we hoped that might bring in a few unusual birds. We didn't find anything unusual at Torness although a Wheatear proved some birds were on the move. However, there were 100s of Linnets and Goldfinches using a field planted with sunflowers …

We also saw one of the local Peregrines ..

Having explored all the bushes and shrubs, as well as the sea wall and shore, we headed to Barns Ness where the tide was coming in and allowing us close views of common waders with this solitary Golden Plover standing out ..

Our final day was Thursday (we had Friday off to recover). We started at Musselburgh Lagoons in the hope of seeing Jack Snipe but once again we were 'unlucky' but we did see our first Barnacle Geese of the autumn.

With the winds remaining in an easterly direction we soon headed off as we were convinced we would find something unusual at Torness and/or Skateraw, and we did -  a couple of Yellow-browed Warblers - one at Torness and one at Skateraw. They were difficult to see, although we could hear them calling, as they moved through the sycamores but we eventually got good enough views to confirm their identity.

We also got our first Redwing of the year at Skateraw. Record shot only ….

Sadly, whilst looking for migrants at the waterfall we missed a Great Grey Shrike which flew in, landed on a fence post for a minute or two and then flew off towards a dung heap on the crest of the hill, just as we emerged from the wood. We saw the photos so know it wasn't a wind-up! Despite intensive searching it wasn't relocated.

So, despite missing a few species it was a great week's birding in all sorts of weather. I reached 200 species in Scotland for the year including a UK tick with the White-winged Scoter and had some fun on the way.

And finally, thanks to both Stephen and Peter for doing the driving and to Lynda for being the sensible one!

PS remember to click on each photo to get a slide show and enhanced viewing of the pictures.

From Cairngorm to Loch Leven AND Glasgow lochs

Firstly, remember you can click each photo to get a slide show and an enhanced view of each picture

The heatwave continues with the temperature in Glasgow reaching 31C!

To cool off, I headed to Aviemore, Glenmore Forest Park and Cairngorm last Monday, again courtesy of my travel pass.

Glenmore Forest Park

Cairngorm

Cairngorm looking down to Loch Morlich

There were only a few birds around with this pair of House Martins, building a nest at the ski centre, a highlight ….

Yesterday we travelled to Loch Leven, thanks to Peter, and for a change walked up the hillside path from the RSPB Visitor Centre to get stunning views over the reserve and loch

We also called in at the Tay reedbeds and were rewarded with views of a Marsh Harrier!

The rest of the week was spent in Glasgow, mainly in our garden where we had a garden first - Large Red damselfly…

……. but I also managed a visit on Wednesday to Hogganfield Park LNR, Cardowan Moss LNR and Frankfield Loch

Hogganfield Loch

Great Crested Grebe - Hogganfield Loch

Cardowan Moss

Ringlet - Cardowan Moss

Frankfield Loch

Lapwing resting  - Frankfield Loch

Remarkably, I saw more birds visiting the Glasgow sites (46 seen) than on the other two trips, proving that Glasgow is Wilds Better!

Gulls and more!

Following two unsuccessful trips to Cardwell Bay, Gourock, it was third time lucky on Monday 13 February 2017. I travelled down by train and managed to locate a Bonaparte's Gull that has been reported off and on as being in the bay or even on the grass at Battery Park.

Bonaparte's Gull - Cardwell Bay - 13 February 2017

 

I also saw a Little Gull, once again (see previous post). At one point a Black-headed Gull, the Little Gull and Bonaparte's Gull were swimming side by side allowing comparisons to be made!

 

The third unusual gull to appear was a Mediterranean Gull although by now the light was terrible ..........

Mediterranean Gull (foreground) - Cardwell Bay - 13 February 2017

 

On Wednesday we joined the RSPB Glasgow Group outing to RSPB Loch Leven with Judith and Mike and saw 50+ bird species. I was pleased to find a 'red head' Smew and then Judith found a male! We got all of the group onto both birds albeit they were distant.

(See http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/glasgow/reports/437950/ for a detailed report). But for me the real star was this Red Squirrel

 

 

 

On Thursday evening I was made most welcome by the Glenmore Ski Club who had invited me to talk about 'Glasgow's West End Wildlife'. It is always good to have a receptive and appreciative audience.

 

Finally, we got the train down to the SEC on Friday and located two Chiffchaffs, one of which was a Siberian. The Siberian Chiffchaff is not yet considered to be a separate species but is the eastern race (tristis) of Chiffchaff. The subtle differences can be 'seen' in these 2 photos ............

 

Siberian Chiffchaff - SEC - 17 February 2017

Chiffchaff - SEC - 17 February 2017

 

I close with some more recent sightings, courtesy of the SOC Clyde Grapevine:

Friday 17 February 2017
36 Siskins feeding on alders at Festival Park, Glasgow.

Wednesday 15 February 2017
A 1st-winter Glaucous Gull and an adult Mediterranean Gull at Balgray Reservoir gull roost, also a Scaup.
Two Chiffchaffs (including a Siberian Chiffchaff) between the Armadillo and crane at SECC, Glasgow.
Two Nuthatches at Pollok Country Park.

Tuesday 15 February 2017
The drake American Wigeon still on Woodend Loch, Drumpellier Country Park, Coatbridge.
30 Waxwings at Sainsbury's, Darnley, Glasgow.

Weekly Update

Since my last post I have visited Baron's Haugh/Carbarns Pool (thanks to Judith and Mike); Bingham's Pond; Musselburgh Lagoons/River Esk Mouth; RSPB Loch Leven/Queensferry (thanks to Peter); and Mull!

Sand Martin colony - River Clyde near Baron's Haugh - 21 July 2015

 

A few of the 100s of Scoter - offshore Musselburgh - 24 July 2015

 

RSPB Loch Leven - 25 July 2015

 

Lochdon, Mull - 29 July 2015

 

Highlights included my first Ruff of the year at Musselburgh lagoons; Hummingbird Hawkmoth outside the visitor centre at RSPB Loch Leven; and a large group of Manx Shearwater from the Craignure-Oban ferry crossing.

 

Finally an update on recent Greater Glasgow bird sightings, courtesy of SOC Clyde Grapevine:

 

Tuesday 28 July 2015
A possible Hobby flying over Linn Park in the morning.

Monday 27 July 2015
An unusual record of a Kestrel over Cartside Road, Battlefield.

Saturday 25 July 2015
A report of a Corncrake calling at Hogganfield Marsh.
A Nuthatch at Cathkin Braes.

 

 

 

 

Weekly Update

Another busy week with visits to RSPB Loch Leven, Fannyside Lochs and the Lammermuirs interspersed with evening meetings of the Friends of Glasgow's LNRs and the Friends of Botanic Gardens/Tree Lovers; not to mention birding from our kitchen window!

On Wednesday (19th) we joined other members of the RSPB Glasgow Group on an outing to RSPB Loch Leven. The weather was mixed with bright spells interspersed with showers and then eventually heavy rain. There were lots of common woodland birds, waders and wildfowl to be seen including 2 Whooper Swans from the Carden Hide ...

View from Carden Hide - 19 November 2014

 

However, the highlights must be the drake Smew on the Loch, albeit in the pouring rain, and a Red Squirrel on the feeder ..

 

Red Squirrel - 19 November 2014

 

On the Wednesday evening we attended an excellent illustrated talk hosted by the Friends of Glasgow's LNRs ( see https://www.facebook.com/friendsofglasgowlocalnaturereserves )

 

And on Thursday it was off on another trip to the Lammermuirs via the Fannyside area.

 

Lammermuirs - 20 November 2014

 

The Lammermuirs are south of Gifford in East Lothian and home to a few specialist species as well as the occasional rare visitor - last week we had distant views of a Rough-legged Buzzard! This week there was no sign of the 'buzzard' but we did spot a male Merlin and a number of Red-legged Partridge as well as 'lots' of Red Grouse ...

 

Red Grouse - Lammermuirs - 20 November 2014

 

On Thursday evening we attended an excellent talk by Malcolm Muir jointly hosted by the Friends of the Botanic Gardens and the Tree Lovers.

 

And finally a quiet day on Friday until a Chiffchaff appeared in the garden! It proved to be very mobile so difficult to photo; this was my best attempt ...

 

Chiffchaff - 21 November 2014

 

Tomorrow I am off to Hogganfield Park LNR for the Friends of Glasgow's LNRs farmland bird and wildfowl feeding event and hopefully the weather behaves itself and we get great views of the Whooper Swans, Reed Buntings and other species to be found at this wonderful reserve.

 

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

 

20 November 2014

Three Jack Snipe with 48 Snipe at Windlaw Marsh, near Carmunnock, also an adult male Peregrine.
18 Gadwall on Hogganfield Loch.

18 November 2014
A Jack Snipe at Windlaw Marsh, near Carmunnock, also a pair of Stonechats.

 

 

Mega rarity!

I led another RSPB Glasgow Local Group outing yesterday (11 November 2012). The planned location was the RSPB Loch Leven Reserve. However, by mutual consent we headed for Kilminning and were all lucky enough to get great views of the long staying Eastern Olivaceous Warbler. It was good to see it actively feeding and preening, despite some reports earlier in the week that it was looking tired and weak.

 

 

Record shots of Eastern Olivaceous Warbler

Some of us also saw a Barred Warbler which was an added bonus.

At mid-day we headed for Loch Leven and were most impressed by the recent improvements to the habitats and visitor centre. On the loch we got distant views of Smew plus lots of other wildfowl. From the Carden Hide there was a nice group of Whooper Swans plus a Black-tailed Godwit in amongst the Teal and Lapwing. A late walk along the Loch Leven trail, east of the hides, turned up a Blackcap.

All in all a cracking day both from a birding and weather point of view!