Clyde Birding

I've only managed out bird watching a few times since the last post. On the 22nd, I headed for Mugdock Country Park and spent a good few hours birding and hoping to see a Spotted Flycatcher. I did have good views of Jay, Tree Pipit and various warblers but, despite it normally being a good place to see flycatchers, none were to be found.

On the 27th, I travelled to Hogganfield Park LNR and, despite the rain, spent a good 2 hours there. The wildfowl seem to have done well on the breeding front -  Mute Swan, Mallard, Coot and Moorhen all being successful - and it was also particularly pleasing to see that at least one of the young Great Crested Grebes, hatched on a Friends of Glasgow LNRs biohaven, had survived .........

Yesterday we travelled with Judith and Mike to the Loch Thom area and visited three adjacent sites ...

Gryfe Reservoir

Gryfe Plantation

Greenock Cut

Loch Thom

 

We saw around 35 species including evidence of breeding success ....

 

House Martin

 

I also finally got a 2017 sighting of a Spotted Flycatcher, in fact two sightings with this one feeding young ......... 

 

Spotted Flycatcher

 

 A nice way to finish the day!

 

 

 

 

Ythan Estuary and More

On Thursday (15 June) we attended the Evening Times Streets Ahead Awards Ceremony  in the Winter Gardens, The People’s Palace, Glasgow. And I was thrilled that the Friends of Glasgow's LNRs, of which I am chair, won the ‘Glasgow City Council Environmental Initiative Award’. The following photo, courtesy of Cath Scott, shows some of the 'Friends' and Councilor Susan Aitken ............

After the celebrations on Thursday night it was an early start on Friday morning travelling up to the Ythan Estuary in Aberdeenshire. We hoped to see King Eider and we were successful ......

King Eider with Eider

We were really pleased to see 4 species of tern, including Little, and stood mesmerised watching them feeding just a few yards away.

The 'headless' tern!

We also had superb views of Yellowhammer and Stonechat, birds that will feature in my 'West End Wildlife' talk on Tuesday evening - West End Festival, Hillhead Library, Byres Road from 18.30-19.45hrs. Free entry! Hope to see you there.

Spring (!) Birding at Hogganfield Park LNR

Not much to report since the last post thanks to our 'magnificent' spring weather! So, I've spent a lot of time sorting out photos from various trips and updating bird records.

However, I was invited to accompany GCC officials and Green Flag 'judges' around Hogganfield Park LNR on 5 June 2017 and was only too pleased to assist. Obviously this was more of a walk around the LNR rather than intensive bird watching but I still managed to see 36 bird species plus a Roe Deer. It was also good to see that there has been some breeding success ..................

Mute Swan plus 3 cygnets

Pair of Mallard plus 5 duckling on old swan's nest

Juvenile Coot

One of a family of Whitethroats

 

Coot and newly hatched young

 

Best of all, from my point of view, was a pair of Great Crested Grebe that have built a nest, once again, on one of the Friends of Glasgow's LNRs biohavens ..............

 

 

I've said it before and will say it again; Hogganfield Park is a great place for wildlife - please pay it a visit.



West End Birding (and Breeding)

Following on from our recent travels, it was back to some local birding at Bingham's Pond and Victoria Park.

At Bingham's Pond, the pair of Mute Swans and 5 cygnets seem to be doing well; there is one young Coot; a female Mallard is trying to protect her brood of 4 ducklings and Blue Tits are still entering one of the nest boxes erected by the Friends of Glasgow's LNRs.

Bingham's Pond - 20 May 2017

 

Bingham's Pond - 1 June 2017

At Victoria Park pond, there are three pairs of Coot on nests and at least one brood of Mallard duckling .............

Victoria Park - 31 May 2017

 

Victoria Park - 31 May 2017

 

However, the highlight has to be my first ever sighting of a young Ring-necked Parakeet in its nest hole and confirmation that they have successfully bred this year........

 

Victoria Park - 31 May 2017

 

This also reminds me that I am giving a talk on 'West End Wildlife' at the West End Festival on Tuesday 20 June 2017 in the Hillhead Library from 6.30pm. All welcome and its FREE.