Millichen Waders?

Despite the recent heavy rain the flood at Millichen still consists of a large puddle, so still no waders!

But after some patient birding, I did manage to turn up some passage migrants in the shape of 6 Whinchat and 2 Wheatear.

Poor record shot of Whinchat at Millichen Flood

 

There were also a few Meadow Pipits around, a flock of around 50 Goldfinch, 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Yellowhammer and a solitary Linnet.

Record shot of 2 Meadow Pipit at Millichen Flood

The most impressive count was one of around 100 Swallows, most favouring a fence line/drainage ditch at the 'Flood'.

Also at the 'Flood' were 2 Buzzards showing their contrasting size and plumage..

Very poor record shot of 2 Buzzard at Millichen Flood

At East Millichen I managed to find 2 more Reed Bunting and 4 Tree Sparrows in the hedges whilst a mixed flock of Canada and Greylag Geese flew low overhead.

A total of 28 species of bird recorded but still no waders!

Apologies for the poor photos but the birds were some distance away!

Record Count & Other Titbits!

It has been a busy few days since my last post - so here is an update.

On Sunday (19 August 2012) it was 'Wetland Birds Survey (Webs)' day so I headed down to Bingham's Pond to do my count - a simple job compared to those that count estuaries and reservoirs!

I have already reported how well Moorhen seem to be doing and this was emphasised with a record count of 27 birds (11 adults and 16 juveniles). There were also at least another 2 young birds!

Juvenile Moorhen at Bingham's Pond

Overhead, a Buzzard, presumably one of the Dawsholm Park birds, was chased off by a host of gulls.

The next day I met a Council officer at Dawsholm Park to discuss aspects of the Friends of Glasgow's LNRs event on Sunday 9 September 2012. I am pleased to say she was extremely helpful and that the proposed clean-up will be going ahead as planned. See http://friendsofglasgowlnrs.wordpress.com for more details.

I was also pleased to see a nice range of birds in the park including Sparrowhawk, Buzzard (as ever), Blackcap and 4 juvenile Bullfinches. This followed on from a sighting in our garden of a juvenile Bullfinch on the 18th.............................................................

Record shot of juvenile Bullfinch in Anniesland garden

This wasn't the only visitor to visit our garden for a snack - this Wood Mouse made short work of the peanuts in our feeder.......................................

Wood Mouse on feeder in Anniesland garden

 

 



Glasgow Doors Open Day

I have been asked to lead a guided walk around Bingham's Pond on Sunday 16 September 2012 as part of the Glasgow Doors Open Day Festival. The meeting point is at the steps from the entrance point at Great Western Road - the time 11.30am.

Whilst the walk is free, you have to book as numbers are restricted - to book a place go to  www.glasgowdoorsopenday.com and click on booking.

To whet your appetite, a few photos taken today at the Pond...........................

The view from the steps at Great Western Road

Adult and juvenile Coot

One of the numerous young Moorhen present at the Pond

Beautiful Bingham's

On a glorious day, the Pond was looking at its best, helped by the fact that Council staff had removed all of the weeds growing out of the base of the boundary walls.

I managed to see 13 species of bird plus the cayuga/farmyard ducks and, for once, lots of people!

There was yet another new brood of 3 Moorhen...........................................................

... plus at least 6 others that were now reaching almost full size.......................

There was still one Mallard duckling, now at a size where it looks as if if it will make it; whilst

the solitary young Coot is also almost fully grown.........................................

Other species included Willow Warbler, Dunnock and Goldfinch.

As I've said before, Bingham's Pond is truly a little oasis in the west end of Glasgow......

Millichen

As mentioned last week, Millichen can be good for waders in autumn (yes it's autumn folks!)particularly if the 'flood' holds water. So after the rain of the last few days, I was confident that there would be some areas under water, even if not 'flooded.' With the forecast being good for the next few days, I thought I should pay a visit this morning before everything dried out. I am pleased to say there was some water............................................

albeit, not much more than a big puddle! The brown shapes to the left of the picture, they had to be waders, well no; they were just 10 sleepy Mallard.

It was hard work this morning but I did eventually see 24 bird species, 2 Brown Hares and 4 species of butterfly. Again there were lots of Green-veined Whites...........................

and a couple of scruffy Meadow Brown..............................................

This also caught my eye, feeding next to the Green-veined White ..........

The highlight, however, was getting another view of a Grasshopper Warbler and managing a record shot...............................................................................................

So, no waders, but it is just a matter of time!

Bird Monitoring

When visiting Hogganfield Park LNR in June I managed to read the numbers on the ring of a Greylag Goose. I sent off details to the BTO and have since received details about the bird.

"It was ringed by the Clyde Ringing Group as age at least 1 year, sex unknown, on 2 June 2007 at Hogganfield Loch."

The BTO advise that ringing  not only helps generate information about bird movements it also helps us understand why bird populations increase or decline - vital information for conservation.

You don't have to be a ringer or an expert to help. The BTO organises various surveys where members of the public can participate.

The easiest is probably their 'Garden Birdwatch' survey whereby volunteers record the highest number of birds seen in their garden every week of the year - you can also record butterflies, mammals, etc. We participate in this and it proves to be enjoyable as well as informative.

Last week, we had a total of 14 different bird species visit our garden, including this Willow Warbler ...........................................

When you add the 'non-birds' we had a total of 18 species visit our small urban garden.

Indeed, thanks to their computerised records I know that, in terms of the species that they want us to monitor, we have had a total of 76 species visit our garden. We have had more but these include moths, hoverflys, etc!

Other monitoring and survey schemes are available such as BirdTrack which allows you to submit you bird records by location. In turn you can then download facts and figures for your specific sites. For example, I can view or download all my records for Millichen 2012 and this confirms that I have seen 52 bird species so far this year.

For more information see www.bto.org

Mid-summer Millichen

As mentioned in a previous blog, Millichen is best visited in autumn and/or winter, particularly after heavy rain. However, it can produce good bird/wildlife watching at any time and yesterday was no exception.

In summary, 26 species of bird, 4 species of butterfly and one mammal were seen.

Some summer migrants appear to have had a good season with good numbers of Swallows present at East Millichen Farm and Millichen Steadings. There were a few young Whitethroats and Willow Warblers present as well as a solitary Sand Martin and Swift.

It was also good to find a juvenile Stonechat after the last two winters had resulted in the loss of the resident pairs. The resident Yellowhammers, Reed Buntings and Tree Sparrows were all seen, as was a good flock of House Sparrows.

Looking west to East Millichen Farm, from Balmore Road

Young Common Whitethroat

Adult Yellowhammer, with food for young

There were large numbers of Green-veined White butterflies with also some Small Tortoiseshell, a few Meadow Brown and Ringlet all benefitting from the range of wildflowers and grasses that can be found here.

Orange Hawkweed

Green-veined White butterflies

Small Tortoiseshell

Over the next few weeks keep an eye out for passage waders, assuming that Millichen Flood actually holds some water. In the past, Black-tailed Godwit, Ruff, Greenshank and even a Pectoral Sandpiper have turned up!