The widely-predicted thunderstorms ripped through Largs today, bringing torrential rain and flooding. However some calm weather followed shortly afterwards, allowing the nesting House Martins on Main Street and Aitken Street to attend to their broods. A female Mallard had small ducklings on the bank of the dangerously swollen Gogo Water (I was careful not to flush them), and judging from the racket they were making, a few pairs of Common Gulls were nesting on the rooftops in the town centre. 

Locherwood Community Woodland was alive with birdsong when I visited there this morning. Willow Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Whitethroat and Chaffinch were most prominent.

Four Swifts were over the Shawlands Arcade this afternoon.

Swifts are still quite hard to find locally, but one was over Shawlands Cross, two over Milbrae Crescent and one over Tantallon Road during a warm spell this afternoon. 

I spent a dawn to dusk day remembering my best friend and older brother Chris who would have been 69 today. I started at the flagpole in Queen's Park at 04:20, hoping to watch the sun rise over Glasgow. Unfortunately there was heavy, low cloud away to the east, obscuring any glimpse of the sun. The scene was perfectly calm, however, and I enjoyed having the park all to myself. I walked into the centre of Glasgow and spent some time watching and listening to the Peregrines on the City Chambers. I then caught the 06:55 bus to Aviemore. The journey north was fairly uneventful, and I made my connection to take me to Nethybridge for 10:45. I then spent the rest of the day walking through the Abernethy reserve to Glenmore. Interesting plants included Pyrenean Lily, Chickweed-wintergreen, Common Cow-wheat, Heath Speedwell and Common Milkwort. Invertebrates included a Wood Ant species, a Spider Wasp species, two Ground Beetle species and Chimney Sweeper moth. Best birds were Cuckoo, Crested Tit, Crossbill, Tree Pipit, Spotted Flycatcher, Raven, Redpoll and Jay. 

A walk around Queen's Park produced four Stock Doves feeding together. 

At least four Chimney Sweeper moths, a Ringlet and a Painted Lady were active in the field across the river from the stables in Pollok Country Park. Earlier, a Lesser Black-backed Gull had got hold of the carcass of a Feral Pigeon and was consuming it in the middle of the bowling green.

Friday, July 19, 2026

A mixed day in Edinburgh with heavy rain interspersed with showers. House Martins were nesting under the eaves of houses on King's Road, Portobello. Across the road, Swallows had a nest in one of the closes, the residents kindly having wedged the door open to allow access.