I spent an hour at RSPB Lochwinnoch this morning. Unfortunately the water level on the scrape had risen overnight and both the Little Stint and the two Black-tailed Godwits had moved on. Also, my identification skills were insufficient to enable me to locate the two juvenile Garganey which were present.

A wander round a very rainy Corstorphine produced only common urban birds. One of the Yews in the park there had produced a good crop of berries.  

Six Mallards were gathered closely together on the river under Shaw Bridge today, behaviour strongly suggestive of the presence of an Otter nearby. 

A walk up Meikle Bin today was rewarded with spectacular views as far as Berwick Law and Ben Lawyers. Birds included Swallow and Meadow Pipit.  

On Queen's Park Boating Pond today, a pair of little Grebes had a single juvenile, a pair of Coots had two chicks and two female Tufted Ducks were accompanying two juveniles.   

I counted at least eleven Swallows (including juveniles) flying around the artificial "cliffs" at Silverburn Shopping Centre today. Back home, an Oystercatcher called near the house. 

Two Ravens flew over the IKEA car park at Braehead this lunchtime. 

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Thursday, August 27, 2026

Queen's Park Pond today held four Tufted Ducks (two juvs), seventeen Black-headed Gulls (an increase) and a single drake Mallard in almost full breeding plumage (all the others are still in eclipse).