Quite a change in the weather here in West Central Scotland. The cold, dry conditions of last week have been replaced by wind and rain. Bellahouston Park this morning was full of birds with flocks of Redwings, Mistle Thrushes, Fieldfares, Jackdaws, Rooks, Magpies and Woodpigeons all looking for food. Plenty of roosting gulls were on the playing fields and smaller birds in the trees.
At Mugdock this afternoon, the first Goldeneye of the winter were on Mugdock Loch (5 very nervous birds - all either females or eclipse males). Mugdock reservoir had a pair of Goosander, again with the male in eclipse. The trees there are a riot of colour with everything from canary yellow to scarlet. The "signature" natural connection of this time of year is the sight of black-spotted Sycamore leaves on the damp woodland floor.
News from the web is that the first Waxwings of the winter have appeared in Highland and Northants (first birds I heard of in 2006 were on Shetland, also on 27th).