A good smattering of Wheatears being reported from England, plus the first singing Chiffchaffs in Scotland. Only sightings of note today were 1000+ Greylag Geese in fields between Houston and Formakin.

Confined to work all day, but managed a quick walk around the centre of Paisley at home time. A Moorhen and three Mallards were on the river and a Pied Wagtail flew over. Best of all, however, was an adult Peregrine which arrived flying downriver at rooftop height. Its flight was slow and deliberate, with oar-like strokes of its wings. As it passed overhead, it showed off the classic "Maltese Cross" silhouette. It then swept up to the top of a pylon and settled there, peering back over its right shoulder. Went back to the car for the binoculars and enjoyed some excellent views before having to head off to the "rugby run".

A quick walk around Shawlands before an early meeting at the Victoria Infirmary produced some interesting records including a Great spotted Woodpecker in Queen's Park and a Grey Wagtail on the Cart at the foot of Mill Brae. The latter has been extremely rare in my regular haunts in South West Glasgow over the past two years.

After my first for a long time yesterday, heard another singing Bullfinch today (in the Silver Glade estate). Maybe one just needs to get one's ear in.
News from the web is of Ospreys moving up through England (I mean Africa).

Notable sightings during today's walk along the Cart from Hawkhead to Cardonald included 30 Fieldfares and 60 Starlings at Mary Russell School, a drumming Great spotted Woodpecker (my first of the spring) at Hawkhead Estate Park, a singing Song Thrush near "the Tower", singing Mistle Thrushes at Hawkhead and Cairnhill, a Kestrel hunting over the field at Leverndale, a possible Kingfisher at Howford Bridge and a pair of Goosanders (still) near Rosshall School.

Had a bit of an urban Kingfisher sandwich today, with a single flushed from the Cart near Rosshall at 8am and another single heard on the Brock Burn in Darnley at dusk. Other notable records of a day mostly spent outdoors included my first (two) singing Blackbirds of the year, Bullfinches at two sites (including a very rare (for me) singing male), Butterbur in flower at Darnley Glen, two Grey Herons fighting near there, and two species added to my square tally for Mugdock Loch (Pied Wagtail and Siskin). Photographs from the day below:

Blossom near Bonnyholm


New footpath in Darnley Gorge

Brock Burn at the foot of Darnley Glen

Culvert at the foot of Darnley Glen

Looking south to the ridge below Darnley Glen Reservoir

Looking south over Gorse-covered hillside

Looking west to Dubbs Farm

Small reservoir near Parkhouse Road

Six Goldeneye were feeding on Cowdenknowes Reseroir at lunchtime, the male indulging in some half-hearted display. The majority of the Black headed Gulls had full hoods and Lesser black backed Gulls were back in force. The single Rook nest is now more or less finished.