For once, a full day of sunshine coincided with a day off work, allowing some interesting natural connections. Highlights of a trip to Lochwinnoch and Castle Semple included Whooper Swans and Greylag Geese at the Old Schoolhouse, singing Reed Buntings at Aird Meadow, lots of Wigeon on Barr Loch and flowering Coltsfoot near the entrance to the RSPB reserve. A later visit to Balfron produced a pair of Oystercatchers looking like they might be planning to breed on a ploughed field. The full bird list for the day consisted of the following 37 species: Mute Swan, Whooper Swan, Greylag Goose, Wigeon, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye, Grey Heron, Buzzard, Moorhen, Oystercatcher, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Raven, Goldcrest, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Wren, Starling, Blackbird, Mistle Thrush, Robin, Dunnock, Pied Wagtail, Chaffinch, Bullfinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Siskin and Reed Bunting. Oh, and the first frogspawn of the year has appeared in the silver glade pond.