The drive back from Greenock to Paisley today was notable for Birdsfoot Trefoil in flower on a roadside wall. Late afternoon visitors to the garden peanuts included two Grey Squirrels and single Blue Tit, Great Tit and (unusually) male House Sparrow. A Magpie has been visiting the pond - possibly picking out tadpoles. Over the weekend, a juvenile Starling appeared, dead, on the back lawn. It was later carried off by a Lesser black backed Gull.
An evening walk along the river turned up singing Willow Warbler, Chaffinch and Chiffchaff, and flowering Garlic Mustard and Honesty. Lots of Kingfisher activity just behind the steading with 2 birds perched (and fishing) under riverside bushes and 2 or 3 flying up and downstream (including two apparently carrying food or faecal sacs).

Friday, May 25 to Monday, May 28, 2007
Spent a cold but enjoyable weekend at Auchenfoyle Farm in the West Renfrewshire hills (see photo for main habitat types - Rough pasture; Improved grassland; Conifer stands; River banks; Farm buildings; Uplands). Managed a fair bit of nature-watching between other activities.

Highlights as follows:
Lots of nesting birds around the farm buildings including Starling, Pied Wagtail and Swallow. Swallows feeding over the river together with House Martins and Swifts. Fledged Starling broods noticed on Sunday (4 young pursuing a parent, on foot, across pasture) and Monday (young birds flocking between conifer stands and pasture). [Incidentally, young Starlings were also fledging on Monday from nests on Islay, being monitored by BBC's "Springwatch"]. Conifer stands full of birds including singing or calling Willow Warbler, Song Thrush, Blackbird, Robin, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Wren, Woodpigeon and Pheasant. A brood of fledged Chaffinches scattered along the river, being fed by parents (other birds seen carrying food were Robin, Swallow, Pied Wagtail and Starling). Up to 2 adult Dippers flying up and down the river, and one seen to stop and feed a single juvenile on a rock. Constant "Chip chip chirrip" of Reed Bunting from one or two marshy spots. Also a single Grey Heron and up to 20 roosting Lesser black backed Gulls (including sub-adults). Distant calls of Curlew (several), Oystercatcher (3 together) and Cuckoo (one on Friday and Saturday). Plenty of Carrion Crows and Woodpigeons on slightly higher ground plus, on Sunday morning, 4 Ravens interacting together (possibly a fledged brood). A walk up Cairncurran Hill (see picture) on Sunday produced singing Meadow Pipit and Skylarks plus more mixed corvids (Rooks, Carrion Crows and at least 2 Ravens), 3 pairs of Canada Geese and one pair of Greylags (from the nearby reservoirs), and a big, hairy caterpillar. Lastly, a few flowering plants including Cuckoo Flower and Marsh Marigold, a lovely patch of Horsetail, jumping fish (Brown Trout) and a vole species (possibly Short tailed) under a plank of wood.

Thursday, May 24, 2007

Driving through Arkleston Farm at 8pm, pleased to hear a Yellowhammer singing from a wire (they are quite rare around here). Half an hour later, back at the Glade, a Blackcap was singing snatches of song as it clambered around a Willow searching for food.

Wednesday, May 23, 2007
This morning's B.I.G. survey of Cardonald Park Farm produced the following totals:
Lesser black backed Gull 2
Woodpigeon 11
Collared Dove 2
Wren 3
Dunnock 1
Robin 1
Blackbird 5
Song Thrush 1
Blackcap 1
Willow Warbler 1
Whitethroat 1
Goldcrest 1
Blue Tit 3
Great Tit 3
Magpie 2
Carrion Crow 2
House Sparrow 2
Greenfinch 2
Cormorant 1
Red Fox 2
Grey Squirrel 1