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Natural Connections

Modern life in Scotland is increasingly busy. The connections our ancestors had with nature and the land are being lost. As leisure time shrinks, or is filled with hi-tech experiences, opportunities to experience nature become fewer. And yet it is possible to connect with nature on a day to day basis. All around us, the great web of life continues to hold its shape, and nature continues its eternal cycles. Keep looking, listening, smelling, touching - and keep experiencing natural connections.

Tuesday, July 01, 2025

Another day, another Stock Dove: This time a singing bird near the northeast entrance to Linn Park. Also present there were Kingfisher, Grey Heron, Dipper and good numbers of singing Chiffchaff and Chaffinch. Orchids (probably Common Spotted) were at three places in the park. Another singing Chiffchaff was in Newlands Park. The local Swifts were screaming around at 22:25 (presumably after a long day foraging somewhere warmer than here).

Monday, June 30, 2025

A walk to Pollok Park and back produced Stock Doves in the park itself (one) and along the riverside path west of Shawbridge (two). A white dove in a tree in the park was probably a Feral Pigeon but just possibly might have been an aberrant Stock Dove. Female Mallards on the river had, respectively, three and four ducklings. Single Chiffchaff and Blackcap were in song. A Red Admiral was over Shawhill Road.

Sunday, June 29, 2025

Oystercatchers were calling repeatedly from the roof of the shopping centre opposite today. A Stock Dove showed well in Queen's Park (where the Tufted Duck brood is now down to three) and a Pied Wagtail was (again) hunting next to Shawlands Bowling Club. At least five Swifts were over Pollokshaws Road.

Saturday, June 28, 2025

A short visit to Cathkin Marsh this morning found Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Sedge Warbler and Grasshopper Warbler all in song. Marsh Cinquefoil was in flower, Meadow Brown and ringlet buttelies were on the wing and two Swifts were hunting over the marsh.

Friday, June 27, 2025

The Tufted Duck family on the main pond in Queen's Park had relocated to the small pond when I checked today and the number of ducklings had dropped from eight to four. A Pied Wagtail in the Car Park of the Waverley Park apartments was my first for the locality since moving here.

Thursday, June 26, 2025

A Kingfisher was calling from the river near the Mill Brae bridge this afternoon. The cold weather of the past four days seems to have scared off the Swifts and Swallows that were so welcome just a week ago. 

Wednesday, June 25, 2025

Two Chiffchaffs were singing near Shawlands train station when I walked past there this evening. Cooler weather has arrived over the past few days, severely reducing the activity of pollinators and other insects.