Video Update

I have updated the list of videos that I have uploaded to YouTube - see the Videos page of the Blog.

More will follow over the next few weeks.

Thanks to all those that have viewed them.

As a taster some unedited footage from Bingham's Pond in Glasgow

Another Mull Trip

With the weather forecast 'iffy' for the rest of the week, we travelled up to Oban by bus first thing on Monday (22nd) morning, boarded the 10am ferry and arrived on Mull at c10.45am.

We walked to the Lochdon area and spent a good few hours there before returning via the woodland and paths around Torosay Castle. We caught the 5pm ferry and were back in our house by c9.30pm having seen just over 50 birds.

The highlights included White-tailed Eagle; a stunning male Hen Harrier (seen twice); Short-eared Owl (a year tick); and most surprisingly a dark phase Pomarine Skua (from the ferry).

I got rather 'close' to a Red Deer and five Spotted Flycatchers were a pleasing sight as were the Siskin and Lesser Redpoll. All-in-all a great way to spend a Monday!



Red Deer - Mull - 22 June 2015
 

Short-eared owl - Mull - 22 June 2015
 



Torosay Castle Woodland - Mull - 22 June 2015

 

 On Tuesday night I was speaking at the West End Festival and am pleased to report at least 52 people attended. The talk appears to have gone down well, with the audience making a generous donation to the Friends of Glasgow's Local Nature Reserves - see https://www.facebook.com/friendsofglasgowlocalnaturereserves/posts/460753637434110

Since then I have popped into Bingham's Pond a few times to keep an eye on the breeding birds - only 3 cygnets, a few broods of Mallard (one duckling succumbing to a Lesser Black-backed Gull) and 2 young Coot and one young Moorhen.

The Ythan and the Clyde - Two Recces

We started the week on Tuesday with Judith and Mike and a recce of potential birding sites for the RSPB mid-week outings. We visited various sites, particularly along the Clyde e.g. Boden Boo, and enjoyed views of common birds. These sites also had good car parking and footpaths so we concluded that at the right time of year they should provide an enjoyable day's birding.

During the day we also found a pair of Little Ringed Plover, but that location will have to remain secret. This photo, taken outwith Scotland, will have to suffice ....

 

Moving on to Friday (19th), having already visited Islay and Mull/Iona in recent weeks using public transport, Lynda and I tried another far-off destination - the Ythan Estuary in Aberdeenshire.

 

 

The estuary held 100s of seals and 4 species of terns, including Little ..

 

 

There were also huge numbers of Eider ducks but more importantly, after much searching, a drake King Eider ...

 

 

The estuary and surrounding gorse proved home to a nice selection of birds including Yellowhammer and Linnet but the star was obviously the King Eider.

 

We travelled back into Aberdeen for a snack and returned later that evening and wondered would this be of interest to those that attend the mid-week Group - as potential additional outings - or could we start a public transport birding group?!

 

 

 

 

West End Wildlife - Free Illustrated Talk - 23 June 2015

Advance notice of a free illustrated talk being held as part of the West End Festival.
Details: 'West End Wildlife' - 23 June 2015 - Hillhead Library, Byres Road, Glasgow. Commences 6.30pm. Speaker: Jim Coyle (me!)

A few typical illustrations follow:

Greater Glasgow's Lake District!

What a difference in the weather - sunshine, no wind and nice temperatures -  a great time to visit Glasgow's 'lakes'!

On Tuesday (9th) I walked the West Highland Way from Milngavie to Carbeth Huts and back. Good views of warblers and woodpeckers including a Green Woodpecker!

Record shot - Green Woodpecker

 

Whilst in  in England, Green Woodpeckers can be seen in gardens, here they are quite rare so I was really chuffed to not only see one but to photograph it as well!

I was also pleased to snap one of the most photogenic lochs in the Glasgow area - Craigallian Loch ..

Craigallian Loch - 9 June 2015

On Wednesday we headed off with the RSPB Glasgow Group to the Loch Lomond NNR and another photo opportunity ...

Loch Lomond - 10 June 2015

 

The highlight on this walk were 2 Ospreys and a pair of Redstarts ...

 

Finally on Thursday, I was asked to accompany Council staff and Green Flag judges around Hogganfield Park LNR and the loch was looking absolutely superb ....

 

Hogganfield Loch - 11 June 2015

 

It was particularly nice to see some breeding success ...

 

Mute Swans - 11 June 2015

Great Crested Grebe - adult and young - 11 June 2015

 

Hopefully, the judges agree that the Park/LNR was looking superb and renew its 'Green Flag' status.

 

Latest Sightings Update - Greater Glasgow Area

Our two days in Mull were superb but what has been seen locally over the last few days - all reports courtesy of the SOC Clyde Grapevine:

Sunday 7 June 2015
An Osprey flying west with a fish at Loch Ardinning at 1140 hrs.

Saturday 6 June 2015
150 House Martins, 50 Sand Martins, 50 Swallows and 10 Swifts feeding over Hogganfield Loch during wet and windy conditions.

Friday 5 June 2015
An Osprey drifting NW over Mugdock village at 1640 hrs.

Thursday 4 June 2015
A Ring-necked Parakeet in the grounds of Leisuredrome, Bishopbriggs.  

Mull and Iona Video

We managed two days on Mull and Iona last week - brilliant birds (67 species) including Corncrake and White-tailed Eagle.

I managed to photograph and even video a few of these species and here is the link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GInax5ak8Uk

and a photo of an Iceland Gull (1st summer) taken on Iona ..