The day started in Greenock where two Common Gulls were fighting with two Lesser Black-backed Gulls for control of the building where they nested last year. The engagement was extremely noisy and vociferous with the Common Gulls repeatedly dive-bombing the lesser black-backs and screaming loudly.
Next stop was Muirshiel Regional Park. Two Buzzards were soaring over the access road to the main visitor centre. Around the car park were singing Coal Tit, Song Thrush and Wren. Two Dippers were courting on the burn, the female being particularly animated as she solicited food from her rather disinterested mate. Birdlife on the road to the Barytes Mine was scant, but at least three Ravens were in the area (one calling from a pylon and the other two having a territorial dispute overhead. Three Sylarks and two Meadow Pipits were disturbed from the heather. Two of the Skylarks immediately started song-flighting, my first proper song of the year (after hesitant sub-song at Arkleston last week). Back at the visitor centre, Muirshiel Pond held masses of frogspawn.
The final stop of the day was RSPB Lochwinnoch where the drake Smew was showing well with a supporting cast of Whooper Swan, Goldeneye, Goosander and Great crested Grebe.
News from South Cardonald is that Collared Dove, Chaffinch and Great Tit were all singing first thing, Redpolls continue to buzz in the treetops (as they have done for the past week or more) and there are now three clumps of frogspawn in the pond.
More adventures tomorrow....