A very wet start to the week - thankfully it got a whole lot better!

Sunday, July 02, 2006
Walked along the Cart as far as Pollockshaws Road this afternoon. Highlights were singing Chiffchaff just over the bridge (and audible from the house for the last week), flowering Meadowsweet and vetches (with Policeman's Helmet just starting), a Kinfisher under the M77, a Heron a little further on, 2 Woodpigeons, 1 Stock Dove and 7-10 Swallows feeding around the Highland Cattle enclosure at Pollock Park (where one of the females had a newborn calf) and 5 or so Sand Martins over the river there.



Saturday, July 01, 2006
Spent the afternoon at Mugdock Park. Particularly enjoyed the lovely wildflower meadow which surrounds the bottom dipping pond. Highlights there were Reed Bunting, Robin and Willow Warbler all in song, a possible Toad in a marshy spot and numerous butterflies including one which might have been a Pearl-bordered Fritillary (above).



The dipping pond there held Red and Blue Damselfies, menacing looking Dragonflies, Sticklebacks and Whirligig Beetles (above).



The top dipping pond was also very productive with a singing Chiffchaff, plenty of good-sized Sticklebacks, White Water Lilly (above) and (on the way back to the visitor centre) a fine Stinkhorn (below).



Also checked out the main pond near the visitor centre. Pleased to see a female Tufted Duck with two ducklings (below), both energetically plunge-diving (and picking insects off the water surface) while the female hissed nervously at 2 merauding Lesser black backed Gulls (below).



Also there were masses of Stickleback fry (possibly what the Tufties were feeding on), 7 Mallards (including large juveniles and eclipse males), another pair of Tufted Ducks, 2 Moorhens and flowering Yellow water Lilly (below).



Later (around 10pm), watched 7 Swifts screaming around the flats at North Kelvinside.

Friday, June 30, 2006
Kids in the estate found another Toad tonight (around 10pm). A neighbour tells me the whole area was a marsh before the houses were built.

Thursday June 29, 2006
A familiar sound caused me to look up from the bustle of Paisley's Glasgow Road this morning (around 10 am) to see 3 Swifts screaming over Mansionhouse Road end.