A Grey Heron was wading, waist-deep in Maxwell Pond today, looking like a huge, long-necked duck. A Collared Dove nearby was slightly unusual. The cool, showery weather of the past week has seen my Swift sightings drop to zero.   

Swallows and House Martins, no doubt with broods to feed, were feeding frantically over Elder Park, Govan this morning, whenever a break in the cold, drizzly weather would allow. 

Some notable sightings from Queen's Park today included four Stock Doves sunbathing together on a small patch of grass and two Little Grebes patrolling the boating pond. 

A coffee stop at RSPB Loch Leven this lunchtime confirmed that Tree Sparrows were still present between the visitor centre and the car park. A Swallow's nest under the eaves had young ready to fledge. 

A morning walk around Carphin House found a female Mallard with eleven ducklings, a juvenile Little Grebe, singing Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler and Blackcap and a singing Stock Dove. In the afternoon, a trip to St Andrews revealed Seaside Daisy and Pellitory-of-the-Wall both extremely well-established in the harbour area. Birds were disappointing but included Fulmar, Sand Martin and House Martin. A Grey Heron on the Kinness Burn had drowned a Rabbit but seemed unsure what to do with it. 

Friday, June 05, 2026

Today was mostly spent getting to and settling in at Carphin House in rural north Fife. However a quick check of the birds in the area found Blackcap and Chiffchaff both in song.  

Today's walk took in Pollokshaws including Auldhouse Park. Notable sightings included a hybrid Carrion x Hooded Crow, a single Swallow, a female Mallard with three ducklings, a Grey Wagtail (possibly a juvenile) calling from a tree near the presumed nest site at Shawbridge and a total of at least 127 flowering spikes of Northern Marsh Orchid at Leckie Street.

Because this turned out to be such a busy day, I only had a brief time window to do a partial count of the singing birds in Newlands Park. Best was a Song Thrush. Later, a Mistle Thrush was singing outside the Victoria Infirmary.