A wander round Newlands Park confirmed what I had found elsewhere this month - that birds, and especially the smaller passerines are virtually invisible. Presumably this is due to the need to protect young and to undergo moult. Ironic really when one considers that their populations are probably at their peak right now, immediately after the breeding season.  

A Grey Wagtail was at its usual place under Shaw Bridge. A Brown Rat was running along the path there.

Today was the day of the annual open day of the Speyside Fields for Wildlife (SFfW) charity. Prior to meeting up I walked through the pine forest adjacent to Nethybridge where I found two calling Crested Tits. The tour around SFfW sites produced Scotch Argus butterflies at both Delliefure and Easter Tulloch. A little later, Swallows nesting at Straanruie were on their second brood and one pair of House Martins on their third, while a Redstart called from nearby woods. At Milton Loch, both Moorhen and Little Grebe were feeding young but the only Tufted Duck present was alone. Unfortunately the eclipse viewed from Boat of Garten was completely obscured by cloud. Heading south, a Roe Deer was beside the A9.

Elder Park produced few birds this lunchtime. Later, two Swallows were still over Shawlands.  

A Great Spotted Woodpecker and two Mistle Thrushes were unusual finds on a walk around Langside this afternoon.

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Sunday, August 09, 2026

The Tufted Duck brood seems to have settled at four ducklings, although the little ones are still vulnerable to gull attack. A Little Grebe was still showing interest in the the secluded spot under overhanging water plants. 

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Saturday, August 08, 2026 

A Swift over Pollokshaws today may turn out to be my last of the year. 

A walk around the Tradeston area of Glasgow today failed to turn up any unusual birds but was quite good for plants. Grass verges held Bird's-foot Trefoil, Field Scabious, Wild Radish, Common Ragwort, Red Clover and Red Campion. Derelict land meanwhile supported Buddhlia (both purple and white forms) and Common Toadflax (with more of the latter at two sites in Finnieston this evening). 

I spent an hour at RSPB Lochwinnoch this morning trying to find the reported eclipse Garganey amongst thirty or so eclipse Teal. Needless to say I failed miserably. However in the process I enjoyed good views of feeding Snipe and sleeping Mandarins.