Some notable records from today's walk along the river were singing Goldcrest (1), Wren (3), Greenfinch (3), Chaffinch (5), Collared Dove (2) and Stock Dove (4). The number of Black-headed Gulls present in the local area definitely seems to have dropped in recent days. Similarly, the winter Mallard flock seems to be in the process of dispersing. Four Palmate Newts were showing in the pond (I have had up to eight present over the past week). The garden Siskins seem to have gone, as do most of our visiting Chaffinches (although Bullfinches and Goldfinches continue to visit in good numbers).

Today turned into a lovely, calm, soft, mild spring day (even though it is technically still winter). All the usual species were singing locally, but because today's walk took place later than usual, plenty of what I would regard as mainly evening singers were heard. These included three Mistle Thrushes, a Song Thrush and three Blackbirds. Most remarkable of all was a Redwing heard giving its fluty song. I always liken it to a shortened Golden Oriole song - quite unlike the conversational buzzing which I have often heard late winter birds indulging in. Five or six of these birds have spent the winter in the area and the singing bird today was with three others in tree tops. After singing from one group of trees, the bird flew about 300m upriver and began singing again. The other notable sighting of the evening was of a group of canoists camping beside the river - not something you see very often in suburban south west Glasgow.

A pair of Teal and a female Goosander were on a quiet stretch of the Cart through central Paisley today. 

A single Siskin was in the garden today with an exceptional seven Bullfinches. A Chaffinch was singing along the river, together with the regular Mistle Thrush. Wrens seem to be making a comeback with four heard (including two in full song). Probably the most prominent singer was Dunnock. All the local males seem to be joining in the few pioneers now. Most surprising find was a Treecreeper in the conifers on the edge of Pollok Wood. I usually find them over on the other side of the patch.

Heard my first singing Goldcrest of the spring today, following my first Blackbird yesterday. Two Mistle Thrushes were showing well on the playing fields this lunchtime. Six Stock Doves were along the path and two Greenfinches were singing in the park - but mostly the wildlife was keeping out of the wind and rain which arrived today.

Paid another visit to the patch of Winter Aconite in Darnely Woods this morning. The flowers were still quite closed (the sun hadn't really penetrated that far into the wood) but the whole colony was significantly more advanced than last time with very few unfurling stalks. Altogether I counted 193 flowers (some photographs here). What I hadn't noticed before is that several of the plants around the edge of the patch are markedly smaller than those in the middle. I need to read up to try and find out why. Also in the wood were Jay, Nuthatch, Great Spotted Woodpecker and singing Robin, Chaffinch, Wren, Dunnock, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Coal Tit and Mistle Thrush. Up at the dams end of the park, some highlights included two Dippers on the lade and at least nine Pied/White Wagtails and two Oystercatchers on the banks of Ryatt Linn Reservoir.

The Kilpatrick Braes, being only 4.5 miles from the Glasgow boundary, are a magnet for weekend exercisers trying to comply with Lockdown rules. As a result, conditions this afternoon were not ideal for seeing much wildlife. Nevertheless it was a pleasant afternoon (apart from the strong wind) and it was good to see so many people enjoying the fresh air. A female Stonechat and three Ravens were the pick of the birds seen.

The only dry spell of the day was early in the morning. Several species were taking advantage of the break in the weather to sing, most notably Greenfinch, Stock Dove and Mstle Thrush. The Black-headed Gull flock on the playing fields reached a good total of 66.

A night of incessant, heavy rain was followed by a day of the same. Most of the usual species were in the garden, but numbers were definitely down on recent totals, presumably due to the weather.

A Mistle Thrush and three or four Dunnocks were singing along with the regular Robins, Blue and Great Tits and Woodpigeons in a rainy Shawlands this afternoon. Greenfinch, Goldfinch and Chaffinch were all singing in Queen's Park during a brighter spell.

A male Sparrowhawk was soaring low over the houses around Mosspark Railway Station this afternoon.  Three Siskins were bossing the garden feeders again.

Today's exercise walk was west into the farmland bordering Glasgow Airport and produced some interesting records including three Yellowhammers on stubble, five Pied Wagtails on a flooded field, Skylarks at two sites, four Great Spotted Woodpeckers (including two drumming birds), flocks of Greylag Geese, Pink-footed Geese and Fieldfare and a good mix of ducks consisting of Mallard, Teal, Goldeneye and Goosander. Back home, a Kingfisher was fishing the river in the half light just before dusk.

Ventured just outside Glasgow for my exercise walk today - into East Dunbartonshire at Milngavie. In dull but mild conditions, singing birds consisted of Woodpigeon, Dipper, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Starling, Robin, Mistle Thrush, Dunnock, Greenfinch and several Chaffinches. Back home, additional singers were Wren, Goldfinch and Collared Dove. A Little Grebe was on the river at dusk as eighty Jackdaws gathered for their roost.

A calling Great Spotted Woodpecker was the most notable record from today's walk along the river. This evening, well after dark, some Pink-footed Geese flew over the estate, calling nervously as they passed.

A Treecreeper was feeding beside the path in Kelvingrove Park this afternoon while two Dippers were chasing eachother over the river.

The two drake Goosanders on the river today were showing some signs of rivalry today with some growling and head extending. Seven Bullfinches were in the garden. The local Carrion Crows were dive-bombing something in a tree behind the house (probably a Buzzard - they seem to be the main target of their ire).

Two Buzzards were soaring in the sunshine over south Cardonald this lunchtime. A Stock Dove and a Nuthatch were singing in Pollok Park.

The recent snowy weather has resulted in significantly fewer birds coming to the garden feeders (presumably they have moved to areas providing better feeding). However a Great Spotted Woodpecker calling from trees across the river was a welcome change.

A good fall of snow overnight meant the landscape was fully covered this morning. Took my exercise walk along to Honeybog Hill in Ralston to look at the view. On the way, two Fieldfares were in the grounds of Ralston primary school. Two Skylarks flew over on the way up the hill. Then a Short-eared Owl was flushed by a dog walker and soared away pursued by a Carrion Crow.

The Greenfinches and Chaffinches visiting the garden feeders have now acquired their full breeding plumage.

After quite a long search, Darnley Wood once again produced a lovely patch of flowering Winter Aconite. The patch seemed smaller than last year, but a number of plants were still unfurling and there may have been others still to emerge. 

Four Goosanders, two Mallards, a Moorhen and unusually a Greylag Goose were under the Humbacked Bridge below the Botanic Gardens this lunchtime. Later, a Dipper called as it flew along the river. At dusk, a female Chaffinch crept up onto the deck and went to roost under one of the sunchairs.

Yet another day of incessant rain and cold winds. The playing fields at Moulin were flooded and had attracted an excellent count of 111 Black-headed Gulls as well as a Pied Wagtail (very scarce hereabouts).

Day three of cold wind, rain and occasional sleet. Even the number of birds coming to the garden feeders has been impacted (although a juvenile Woodpigeon with six adults was a bit of a surprise). A second female Blackbird has arrived to join the two sparring males and previously lone female.Snowdrops are flowering in the woods.

A second wet and windy day in a row with significantly fewer birds showing as a result. A flock of 35 Starlings were possibly newly-arrived birds but a flock of 30 Goldfinches were probably local birds that have been flocking up periodically all winter. Four Stock Doves was a fairly average total. At dusk, 150 Jackdaws swept and spiralled over the back of the estate for ten minutes before splitting into two groups and dropping down into Pollok Wood and the Silverglade Birch wood respectively.

Monday, February 02, 2021

A miserably wet and windy day (with sleet) meant birds were few and far between, although seven Stock Doves along the river was a good total. 

Six Siskins were feeding on spilt seed on the back lawn this morning. Ten species were singing along the river at lunchtime.