Took advantage of the improving weather and the Mayday bank holiday to head up to Loch Katrine for a family day out. The persisting cold weather probably limited some bird activity, and the large number of people around may also not have helped. Nevertheless a good selection of common bird species revealed themselves including Canada Goose, Mallard, Red-breasted Merganser, Goosander, Common Sandpiper, Carrion Crow, Raven, Goldcrest, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Wood Warbler, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Treecreeper, Wren, Robin, Pied Flycatcher, Redstart, Grey Wagtail, Tree Pipit, Chaffinch, Lesser Redpoll and Siskin. Best of these were a very showy male Redstart which flitted between numerous perches as it sang and an equally animated male Pied Flycatcher. The Red-breasted Merganser record concerned a single male, fishing in one of the bays. Evidence of breeding activity included pairs of Common Sandpipers and Grey Wagtails at suitable sites, a Tree Pipit giving its “parachute” display and a pair of Canada Geese shepherding four newly-hatched goslings.