Birds on the Move!

Say goodbye to summer! From a bird's point of view it is now autumn and many are on the move.

If you are a fan of waders, start looking at pools and ponds as anything could turn up. A safe bet would be to visit Baron's Haugh RSPB Reserve near Motherwell.

Baron's Haugh - 31 July 2013

For example, over the last few days, Green Sandpiper, Greenshank, Ruff, Black-tailed Godwit and Snipe have been seen there (courtesy of SOC Clyde Grapevine).

Greenshank (photo taken in Dorset)

 

As well as looking out for waders, check for tit/warbler flocks in parks and even your garden. We have had a few Willow Warblers feeding in our Anniesland garden for a number of days now.

 

Willow Warbler - still from video - 13 August 2013

 

There's lots to see, so get out and enjoy Glasgow's wildlife!

 

 

 

Willow Warblers Arrive!

I suggested a few weeks ago that Willow Warblers would arrive at Bingham's Pond around about the 16th; well they arrived in some numbers yesterday (23rd). Eight birds, some in song, were actively feeding together in the trees on the north west corner of the pond. Also present in the same group of trees was a male Blackcap, Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit and 2 Great Tits. A poor, still photo from an 'attempt' at videoing one of the Willow Warblers follows...........

A male Sparrowhawk swooped low over the pond creating havoc with the feral pigeons whilst, soon after, 2 Swallows also flew over.

On the pond itself both Coot and Moorhen were on nests and the Tufted Duck numbers remained healthy with at least 43 birds present.

In total, I saw 23 species of bird in just over 1 hour. My running total for the pond is now 40.

I managed a very quick visit this afternoon (24th) and at least 2 Willow Warblers were still in song.

Sunny Hogganfield!

This is the first of two updates; its been a busy few days! On Friday (19 April) I visited Hogganfield Park LNR in the hope of seeing and hearing some new migrants. It was a beautiful sunny day..........................

...........but with a cold biting wind - so was it still winter or is it spring? It must be spring as I could hear at least 5 Willow Warblers in full voice; it is amazing that these small birds fly all the way from Africa to Glasgow every spring! There was also evidence of breeding with Grey Herons on their nests.........................................

Distant record shot of Grey Heron on nest

 

Whilst one pair of Mute Swans had also built a substantial nest...........

 

.................note the 'pan loaf' bread wrapper incorporated into the nest, just to prove it was in Glasgow.

 

However, while the evidence strongly pointed to it being spring, why were 2 Whooper Swans still present? They breed in Iceland and clearly felt that the time wasn't right for them to make the long journey to their breeding grounds (albeit they were clearly in the minority, as 20+ other birds had presumably already left).

 

Whooper Swan - Hogganfield Park LNR - 19 April 2013

 

Another species that was still present although in greatly reduced numbers were Goldeneye and they too should be moving on in the next week or so..............................

 

Male Goldeneye - Hogganfield Park LNR - 19 April 2013

 

Winter or spring, does it really matter? It was three hours well spent, birding in a Glasgow Park/Local Nature Reserve.