A wander around the west end of Glasgow in the rain produced two fairly typical birds of the area: a Stock Dove singing from the wooded bank of the Kelvin and a Grey Wagtail flying over a tenement roof. 

The main pond in Queen's Park was solid with ice this lunchtime so all the waterbirds were crammed into the top pond. As usual in these bizarre times, the park was full of people, so many birds were staying in cover. Only two Song Thrushes moving through some undergrowth and a large flock of Long-tailed Tits were in any way notable. 

Highlights of a slightly longer walk in frosty conditions this morning consisted of another Raven sighting and five Pink-footed Geese calling as they flew over heading south. The Raven is interesting. All three birds I have seen over the past week were flying very low over the treetops (or rooftops) and not calling at all. I am much more used to them flying high over and announcing their presence with their far-carrying, croaking call. However this month's birds (or bird) are definitely being deliberately unobtrusive. I wonder if a local breeding attempt is being considered. The choice of site will be interesting as the tower at Leverndale is still covered in scaffolding.

Monday, December 28, 2020

Only a short walk today, but it was interesting to see six Goosanders gathered under the Cardonald Place footbridge at dusk (presumably they roost there).

A better weather day today (although with the occasional sleet shower) allowed a longer walk than usual, extending to Hawkhead estate and Hurlet Hill. Highlights were Teal and Canada Goose (both unusual locally) on the floods south of the Hurlet, a possible calling Peregrine near there and some interesting fungi in Bull Wood.

A storm arrived in west central Scotland overnight, resulting in high winds and lashing rain all day. A short walk along the river found good numbers of Goldfinch, Chaffinch and Stock Dove still present.

A flock of at least 20 Chaffinches was along the river this lunchtime. Singing birds consisted of Robin, Wren, Great Tit, Collared Dove, Woodpigeon and Feral Pigeon.

On a cold, frosty morning, three Buzzards were over the M80 on the edge of Glasgow.

An exceptional fourteen Stock Doves were along the river today (it was probably no coincidence that the lady who scatters birdseed along there had just passed). The Kingfisher was showing well on the pond again and four Redwings were in the treetops. A Nuthatch was singing. 

A visit to Mugdock Park this morning was made possible by the terms of the current Tier 4 regulations which allow leisure travel five miles outside my local authority. The area around the visitor centre was fairly quiet apart from the usual Blue Tits, Chaffinches etc. Six pristine male Tufted Ducks were on Craigend Pond (I wonder where the females are).

A Kingfisher showed extremely well on the park pond this morning. Single Collared Dove and Mistle Thrush were among the usual singers. A flock of over forty Goldfinches was exceptional. 

A female Sparrowhawk was over the glasshouses at Queen's Park this afternoon and a Great Spotted Woodpecker was in a tree near the north gate.

Five Collared Doves flying over constituted an unusual record just 0.5km from my home (they are currently uncommon in my part of this 1km square). Also notable were three Fieldfares (they have been particularly scarce hereabouts this autumn/winter).

Friday, December 18, 2020

There seems to have been an influx of Goldfinces locally with two large flocks along the river this afternoon. Three Goosanders, now all in full breeding plumage, remain around the Cardonald Place Farm footbridge.

A Mistle Thrush was singing sweetly and strongly at Moulin this morning, the first of the season locally. Other singers were Blue Tit, Starling, Robin and Woodpigeon.

A Grey Wagtail was calling from the roof of a tenement in Bank Street, Glasgow this afternoon. Otherwise, birds were mostly keeping out of the wet and blustery conditions.

Long-tailed Tits (two flocks) were evident on my local patch today, after having been posted missing for the past week or so. Wren, Robin, Woodpigeon, Blue Tit, Great Tit and Starling were all in song. 

The river was swollen following last nigt's heavy rain and yesterday's Little Grebe was nowhere to be seen. A finch flock near Bonnyholm Footbridge contained Chaffinch, Bullfinch and Greenfinch.

A Little Grebe was a new arrival on the river today. As one (or the same) has done in previous years, it was associating with the Mallard flock which winters near the Cardonald Place footbridge. Meanwhile a Sparrowhawk and a Buzzard were in the air together over Rosshall Park, being pursued by one and two Carrion Crows respectively.

Three Dippers were singing lustily along a 1km stretch of the River Kelvin through the west end of Glasgow this afternoon. A single Goldeneye was on the Clyde in front of the Transport Museum.

Five Goosanders remain on the river: two pristine drakes and three adult females. A single Nuthatch called in heavy rain.

An exceptional four Nuthatches were calling in Rosshall Park this morning. Five Redwings flew over the treetops. Blue Tit, Great Tit, Wren Robin and Starling all sang. Back home, a pristine male Greenfinch visited the bird feeder. 

On a reasonably bright day today, several species were singing including Starling, Robin, Blue Tit and Coal Tit. 

A rainy walk around King's Park this morning produced a lot of birds and some interesting fungi. Most notable among the birds were a Nuthatch and two treecreepers among a tit flock, at least two Stock Doves in song and a group of fourteen Bullfinches feeding on tree buds. Fungi included something that looked like Crimped Gill and possible Hairy Curtain-crust.

A day of larger-than-usual numbers of some of the less-common species today with three Nuthatches, five Goosanders and six Moorhens along the river. One of the Nuthatches was in a Monkeypuzzle - the first time I've seen this.

A Bullfinch was piping outside the house first thing. The bottom pond in Queen's Park was frozen over except fora small corner where all the Mallards and Coots were concentrated.

The Kelvin behind the Botanic Gardens was too swollen to accommodate even the usual Mallards. A Grey Wagtail and a Redwing were probably the pick of the birds in the gardens themselves.

Friday, December 04, 2020

A Buzzard was being mobbed by Carrion Crows over the park. A Nuthatch was down beside the path alog the river. Some Greenfinches and Siskins called as they flew over. Small numbers of Redwings remain in the area. 

Overnight snow was the first of the winter. The temperature did not rise above one degree all day. A Cormorant was on the river about half way to the railway station footpath.

Having to stay in all day for the plumber was not much fun. Only a Goldcrest hovering around an ornamental conifer brightened the day up a little.

Highlights of today's walk were a Grey Wagtail again on the river behind the house, two Redwings in the treetops (they are still lingering in small numbers - I wonder if the snowy weather forecast for later this week will bring more down), Herring Gulls apparently now having replaced the summering Lesser Black-backs and singing Collared Dove, Wren, Robin and Blue Tit.