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Spent a windy morning out on the Renfrewshire moors. Residual snow lying on sheltered slopes and some of the tops. Plenty of common birds (Chaffinch, Blue Tit, Blackbird etc) in the shelter belts, but absolutely nothing in the air apart from Woodpigeons and crows. Good views of a male Kestrel hunting along the access road to Muirsheil. Later, watched a small group of Goldeneye close in with the Mallards at Castle Semple. Also a single Common Gull there.Back garden birds today included a Woodpigeon, a female Chaffinch and the regular male Blackbird.
A light fall of snow in the glade last night - the first of the winter here. The weather is trying to turn more wintery, but still mild for the date.
Near gale-force winds in west-central Scotland today. Few birds about because of the conditions, but thought I saw a Raven beside the road over from Greenock to Kilmacolm. Days getting noticeably longer.
More rain today, and strong winds. Walked down to the esplanade to see if anything was about, but most notable sighting was a Feral Pigeon carrying nest material into a recess under the peir. On the drive back up the (now, dead flat) Clyde, noticed (probably) the highest tide I have ever seen, with even the Greater Reedmace bed opposite the sea-level fields partially inundated.
A pleasant, mild day today (Friday). Blackbird and Dunnock singing loudly above the Greenock traffic. Big influx of Black headed Gulls into the Clyde, with thousands on the sea between Woodhall and Finlaystone.
Latest offering from Collins...
Only managed out a few times over a very busy New Year period. However the back garden bird feeders were always busy, which was some compensation. The most regular visitors remain the three Dunnocks, now indulging in much wing flicking. A Robin has also taken up residence and spends a lot of time "bossing" the other species. Unusual visitors have included two Coal Tits and a pair of Chaffinches. The local Blackbirds continue to get ready for an early start to the breeding season with at least two males singing in the early hours of this morning.Yesterday, managed a quick (but unsuccessful) trip over to Glanderston Dam to look for the Black throated Diver. Only birds of note were around 20 geese flying down to Balgray Reservoir in small flocks.Today, dropped in to Glasgow Botanic Gardens and enjoyed 9 Goosander (4 males and 5 females/1st winters) on the Kelvin, with three Mallards nearby and a flock of Long tailed Tits overhead.
