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Natural Connections

Modern life in Scotland is increasingly busy. The connections our ancestors had with nature and the land are being lost. As leisure time shrinks, or is filled with hi-tech experiences, opportunities to experience nature become fewer. And yet it is possible to connect with nature on a day to day basis. All around us, the great web of life continues to hold its shape, and nature continues its eternal cycles. Keep looking, listening, smelling, touching - and keep experiencing natural connections.

Monday, January 04, 2016

A walk along along the shore at Erskine produced 35 species, namely Mute Swan, Wigeon ,Teal, Mallard, Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Little Grebe, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Curlew, Dunlin, Redshank, Little Auk, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Feral Pigeon, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Goldcrest, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Wren, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Robin and Grey Wagtail. More details to follow.












The highlights of the walk were four Little Auks seen in the vicinity of Erskine Bridge. The first bird was near the entrance to "Erskine Harbour". Then a little later, two birds were seen flying up the Clyde just opposite the Erskine Bridge Hotel, followed by a single back downstream.
The first bird arrived from the west (downstream) and belly-flopped into the water just east of the slipway at the mouth of "Erskine Harbour" near a female Goldeneye. Its most notable features were its black-and-white appearance, black cap extending to the face just below the eye, rounded head (no suggestion of a bill), white "collar" extending behind black face, under chin and onto breast. The bird was noticeably small, approximately half the length of the female Goldeneye it alighted beside. When the Goldeneye drifted off, the bird took to the air and belly-flopped again near the other species. Eventually it took off and sped round the "corner" into the Clyde (heading upstream).
Around 13:50, two more birds were observed flying upriver opposite the Erskine Bridge Hotel, before a single was seen flying back downstream. The two birds flying upriver were quite high and showed noticeably dark underwings. These sightings co-incided with a movement of the speces into west Scotland following the recent arrivals on the east coast.

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