A walk from Paisley to Cardonald this lunchtime started with the rough section between the new estate at Hawkhead and the river. The land there is very damp (probably exacerbated by recent heavy rain) so the going was quite difficult. What was notable was the number of Common Toads present with a full-grown adult, a medium grown individual and several tiny toadlets all seen. Also present were good numbers of Peacock Butterflies. Meanwhile, five Stock Doves (two adults and three immatures) in a tight group at Rosshall Park were clearly a family group and suggest local breeding. Also in Rosshall Park, a loud "Tuc! Tuc!" call emanating from an Elderberry bush proved to have come from a Blackcap.
The afternoon was spent in Stirling city centre. Birds were unsurprisingly few and far between but a Buzzard was over Springkerse and Swallows were at six sites.