Few birds were evident during a walk around Troon this morning, the exceptions being roof-nesting Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gulls (the latter, at least, with large mobile young) and Jackdaws, Starlings and House Sparrows. Back in Pollok, a single House Martin was the only hirundine of the day. 

For the second Friday running, I headed to Portmoak Moss for an early morning walk. The weather could hardly have been more different with last week's warm sunshine being replaced by heavy rain. Birds were different too with a flock of Greylag Geese providing the main interest instead of Spotted Flycatchers. Among the Greylags were two Pink-footed Geese, not the only out-of-season geese encountered today. Later, at least 30 Barnacle Geese (including what I took to be large juveniles) were in fields at Waterbutts Plantation. Nearby were a Tree Sparrow and a family of Sedge Warblers. Later, a Rabbit, a pair of Stock Doves, a few Red Soldier Beetles and a Cinnabar moth caterpillar were along the lochshore at Kinross. Four Lapwings and an Oystercatcher were on a sandy beach, a group of fifteen Tufted Ducks included around 50% juveniles and a female Mallard was escorting three half-grown ducklings which dived repeatedly.

With nature locked in the summer doldrums, the variety of bird species recorded in my home square continues to be low (only eleven species on my walk today when I can record 30+ on a typical spring or autumn day).  

An adult Moorhen with two large young was along the river adjacent to Moulin playing fields. 

A Great Spotted Woodpecker was calling near the bowling green this afternoon, the sound echoing across the whole area. The first fledged juvenile Lesser Black-backed Gull joined the summering flock on Moulin playing fields.

Monday, 26 July, 2021

I had to pop down to Greenock to do my WEBS count today so took the opportunity to walk down to the seafront to see what was about. Highlights around the dams were both Mute Swan pairs with broods, Coot still incubating and a Grey Wagtail on the overflow pond. As usual at this time of year, two or three Swifts were a constant presence over the west end of the town. Also nice was a good-sized aggregation of House Martins (perhaps 20 to 30 birds) around the colony on the houses along the esplanade. At least nineteen Black Guillemots were on the sea and a Peregrine was calling overhead. The Rustyback ferns near the cemetery had responded to the heat by shrivelling up completely (although I am certain they will revive as soon as the rain returns). One bonus was that the smaller plants in the colony were easier than usual to spot among the other wall plants (being brown rather than green) and I counted at least thirty.

 

The James Hamilton Heritage Park in East Kilbride was full of young birds today with families of Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mute Swan and Mallard all present.

 

A Grey Squirrel across the river from Cardonald Place Farm this evening was the first I'd seen locally for two weeks. Do they keep to the trees in very hot weather? The songs of lots of Woodpigeons and a few Collared Doves and Stock Doves are providing the majority of the soundtrack along the river path these days.

A great day out in Perth and Kinross began with a walk around Portmoak Moss near Scotlandwell. Lots of birds were present, the most notable being a Spotted Flycatcher feeding at least two fledged young, a calling Nuthatch, six species of finch and five of warbler.  During a breakfast break, at least 16 Swifts were swirling over Milnathort. Heading north to Hill of Condie, two Wheatears and a family of Pheasants were between Newhill and Golloch Hill. Birds on Condie and nearby Clow Hill included a boisterous family party of six Ravens, another family of fledged Spotted Flycatchers, a Little Grebe with two large chicks plus Jay, Buzzard and lots of Redpolls. A Common Lizard and a Green Lacewing were beside the path down to Clow Bridge. Commonest bird along the Water of May was Meadow Pipit. Nearer to Path of Condie, Swallows, Pied Wagtails and House Martins indicated the farm ahead and a single Tree Sparrow was on the path.

The very hot weather of late has kept many birds out of sight. Even regular singers have been quiet. Notable exceptions have included Collared Dove, Blackcap and Long-tailed Tit. A Kingfisher was on the Brock Burn.

At least five Collared Doves (including three singing birds) were around my home patch this morning. A Great Spotted Woodpecker called from Pollok Wood.

There were three broods of Mallard ducklings on the patch today - a female with four half-grown young on the pond and single females with four and five three quarters-grown young at the Bonnyholm weir. A single Stock Dove was singing among the Woodpigeons, Feral Pigeons and single Collared Dove.

A big tit flock, containing maybe twenty individuals, was the most notable sighting of today's river walk. In fact, I didn't actually see any of the flock, and only reached that estimate based on the calls being made and the size of the area of willow scrub from which they were emanating. A Ringlet butterfly was the first of this species I have seen locally (in over ten years watching) and reinforces my view that this has been a very good year for them.

Not much change in the birdlife along the local river, although a female Mallard with four part-grown young was possibly one I hadn't recorded before. Feral Pigeon numbers remain high (possibly indicating a successful breeding "season") and a few Rooks continue to assemble on the playing field.

Two Sandwich Terns were flying along the river Esk at Musselburgh today. The Mute Swan flock at the mouth of the river numbered over 130 birds, while eleven Bar-tailed Godwits in summer plumage were a nice addition.

Birds in Plean Country Park this morning included Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Stock Dove and Bullfinch. A Brown Hare and singing Yellowhammer were beside the road over to Torwood. Meanwhile, birds in Tor Wood included Crossbill, Siskin, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Nuthatch, Long-tailed Tit, Goldcrest and Bullfinch.

Two Swifts feeding quietly over the house this evening was the highlight of a sunny day in South Cardonald. Actually a more surpising visitor was a Great Black-backed Gull which swooped through the area along the river where 20 or so Lesser Black-backs come regularly to bathe.

Today's walk was a long one - from Wemyss Bay to Greenock via Cornalees Bridge. Highlights consisted of a pair of Whinchats with three chicks, a single juvenile Stonechat and a male Reed Bunting taking food back to its young. Insects included Meadow Brown, Ringlet and Small Tortoiseshell butterflies and two types of dragonfly (Golden-ringed and one of the Chaser species). Some interesting plants included Marsh Valerian, Marsh Willow-Herb, Marsh Thistle (including one plant with completely white flowers) and a Bitter-cress species (perhaps Large Bitter-cress).

Few birds were showing along the river once again. Neverthess, the local Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs continue to sing, intermittently, throughout the day. 

Numbers of birds along the river remain lower than of late, possibly due to the variable weather (sunshine and showers) but probably also because of the dense leaf cover which is keeping all but the showiest species hidden. Nevertheless a Grey Wagtail was a slightly unusual find.

It was a rainy afternoon along the canal at Old Kilpatrick this afternoon. Nevertheless, a female Mallard with three tiny young, a Moorhen with two small young and a pair of Mute Swans with six cygnets were all thriving in the conditions.

Notable sightings on the usual circuit around South Cardonald this evening included three recently-fledged Great Tit juveniles and nine newly-arrived Rooks.

The first tit flock of the year was near the river this evening. The Moorhen pair under the footbridge at Cardonald Place had two half-grown young. The pale female Mallard is still caring for her five (now large) young. A mangey Red Fox has been hanging around the estate all day.

Notable sightings along the river today consisted of a Grey Heron and the Hooded Cow × Carrion Crow (the latter looking like it has moulted its body feathers). A Common Spotted Orchid has appeared on the front lawn (the result of my not having cut the grass for several weeks).

Wednesday, July 07, 2021

A Moorhen had one large young on the pond at Chatelherault this afternoon. Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler and Blackcap were singing along the path down into Hamilton. Around 6:30pm, two Swifts were screaming over Shawlands, Glasgow. 

A pair of Moorhens under the Mosspark Station Footbridge this afternoon had three tiny chicks in their care. Earlier, four Long-tailed Tits visited the back and front gardens. A male Chiffchaff kept up his song for virtually the whole day. I seem to remember that the male sings while his mate build the nest (presumably for a second brood at this stage of the season). 

Today was the last day of my two weeks spent in Badenoch and Strathspey and Moray. The first stop heading south was the Speyside Centre near Skye of Curr where Willow Warblers and Siskins were calling in the forest and Curlews were bubbling from adjacent rough farmland. A Chimney Sweeper moth was a nice find and some interesting plants along the roadside included Scots Lovage and Common Valerian. The other stop on the way south was in Dunkeld where a breeding colony of Common and Black-headed Gulls was in full swing on a large shingle island in the Tay. Fledged juveniles of both species were evident as well as adults either incubating eggs or brooding small young. A single Common Tern was resting on the island and occasionally patrolling the river (there was also one over the Spey south of Rothes earlier in the day).

Breeding Mallard (a female with two young on a park pond) and Blackbird (a feeding male being pursued by two very noisy, newly fledged young) were the only notable natural connections of the day.

A few birds on rocks including juvenile Kittiwakes. A Brown Hare on the way home at 10pm.

Common Toad and Mountain Hare, breeding evidence for Greylag Goose, Mallard, Wigeon, Teal, Tufted Duck, Little Grebe, Moorhen, Lapwing and  Pied Wagtail, Speckled Wood butterfly, Common Tern fishing over freshwater and Buzzard predating a Sand Martin colony.

Peregrine, Raven family, single Puffin, Corn Buntings at two sites, Grey Partridge, Shelduck, Common Tern, Whooper Swans, Lapwing with young, Tree Sparrows, Rock Pipit, Stonechat, Meadow Brown and Small Blue butterflies, and Linnets everywhere.