Wet weather reduced the number of birds recorded on a walk along the Kelvin in Glasgow today, although a couple of groups of Mallard and a Goosander seemed unconcerned.

A significant influx of Blackbirds has occurred into the area with double figures in the park where one or two would be more typical counts.

The land around Torphichen Preceptory this morning had typical village birds including Collared Dove, Greenfinch and Jackdaw. Later, Linlithgow Loch had very good numbers of Cormorants and Little Grebes and quite a few early Goldeneye.

 

 

Saturday, November 27, 2021

A Redwing and a Blackbird were sharing a Rowan tree on Bank Street this afternoon.

A Sparrowhawk was flying along one of the avenues of trees in Craigton Cemetery this morning. Later, both Blue Tit and Great Tit were in full song in Pollokshields.

Thursday, November 25, 2021

Redwings are still in the area with ten over the house this mornng. Not so welcome is the Brown Rat seen in the estate after dark.

A very wet walk along the river nevertheless turned up a Brown Rat taking scraps left for birds and single Mistle Thrush and Redwing in the treetops.

A flock of 15 to 20 Redwings flew over the house at dusk. Earlier, a Great Spotted Woodpecker was near the pond. 

Today saw a change to much colder weather with frost on the grass along the river well into the morning. Nevertheless the brighter weather tempted a few Wrens and Robins to sing and a male Feral Pigeon to display to two females. The day ended witha glorious sunset.

A wander along Candren Road near Linwood this afternoon in glorious autumn sunshine produced a Pheasant, a male Kestrel and several groups of Redwings, the latter in roadside hawthorns. However Pied Wagtail was probably the bird of the weekend with single birds on winter territories in two Cardonald schools, Clydebank Shopping Centre and Linwoood etail Park (two sites).

The Forth and Clyde Canal, as ever, proved to be a very productive site for birdwatching. Waterbirds consisted of Mute Swan, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Goosander, Moorhen and Little Grebe. The Goosander group consisted of an adult male, an adult female and a probable juvenile female. The male was in full breeding plumage as was the male I saw on the river in south Cardonald last week. In contrast, the single male on Cowdenknowes Reservoir last week and many of the males in the large flock on Gartmorn Dam yesterday were in transitional plumage. I wonder if these are younger birds (possibly in their first winter and without a winter territory) whereas the ones that have completed their transition are more mature males already established where they will be spending the winter. Also notable in what is quite an urban setting were several interesting fungi on canalside trees and several Broad-leaved Helliborine plants with heavy seed pods.

 

Some of the highlights of today's walk around Gartmorn Dam were good views of Gadwall (among seven duck species present), a screeching Jay and a hunting Sparrowhawk. A duck with broad orange bands down each of its flanks was not a male Shoveler but an aberrant Mallard. One that got away was an almost certain Green Woodpecker which gave only very fleeting views. Interesting plants included a waxcap on the reservoir embankment, Candlesnuff Fungus on rotting logs and two Greengage bushes in fruit along the northern shore path.

 

 

The Brown Rat problem in the local park remains a concern with ten together in one spot this afternoon. A few Redwings are still around and four Chaffinches were feeding on the path near the old Cook School.

Today's walk around the dams in Murdieston Park produced three newly-arrived species consisting of Little Grebe (one bird in winter plumage), Goosander (a male moulting into breeding plumage) and Goldeneye (also a male moulting into breeding plumage). A Raven over was also notable.

The first natural connection of the day was a Raven calling loudly outside the house shortly after it got light. Later in the day, a walk around Monklands Hospital, Airdrie produced a good-sized flock of Redwings (with Blackbirds and a Song thrush in tow) and a Reed Bunting visiting a garden backing onto the marsh at Mosside.

The only birds present during a walk in Hamilton this morning were the typical birds of Scottish towns including House Sparrow, Dunnock, Robin and Blackbird.

Sunday, 14 November, 2021

A pair of Goosanders on the river this morning were the first local birds of the winter. A calling Greenfinch was also the first I'd noticed for a while. Driving around East Kilbride tonight, three separate Red Foxes ran across the road in front of the car. 

Two Goosanders and two Cormorants were on the Clyde opposite Glasgow Green this lunchtime.

A wet and miserable day limited natural connections to my local area where a Herring Gull and a couple of Rooks were the only things remotely unusual. 

The Brown Rat problem in Rosshall Park seems to be getting worse with at least six of them in one small area near the pond. 

A few Siskins were calling during today's walk to Renfrew and back via Yoker and Partick. 

Four Brown Rats were in Rosshall Park this lunchtime, the most I have seen there in several months. Chaffinches were feeding on Beechh mast. The Japanese Maple has now passed its best.

Highlights of a very rainy walk along the Clyde at Bothwell castle today were two Cormorants and three Goosanders. A fallen tree was covered in Dead Man's Fingers (Xylaria polymorpha).

Two Mistle Thrushes were feeding on the Rowan tree near the entrance to the estate. Meanwhile, small groups of Redwings continue to pass over.

Heavy rain made natural connections in the south of Glasgow hard to come by. However flocks of Long-tailed Tits called at three sites along the way.

A good selection of common birds was at Devilla Forest today, the best being Grey Heron, Common Buzzard and Redwing. Fungi included a single specimen of Fly Agaric. Later, some good birds along the coast at Culross included Shelduck, Wigeon, Teal, Bar-tailed Godwit, Knot and Dunlin.

Thursday, November 04, 2021

At least one Mistle Thrush is still in the area after last week's mini-influx.

Carron Glen, this morning, turned out to be excellent for fungi. Best were probably the Elfin Saddles under Beech trees not far from the entrance to the reserve. They were fresh specimens looking like they were made out of meringue. Also of interest (at least the ones I could identify) were Porcelain Fungus and Candlesnuff Fungus. Plants in flower were few (only Herb Robert) but some still with green leaves included Woodruff, Dog's Mercury and Wood Sorrell.

The local birds are getting noisier with Robins and Wrens singing and Dunnocks and Great Tits calling. A walk along the council-cut grass beside the river produced at least three species of waxcap. 

Water levels on the river have dropped significantly, now that the weekend's rain is starting to abate. Nevertheless the river is still devoid of any birds due to the very fast rate of flow. Presumably the Mallards and Moorhens are hidden on the banks, waiting for levels to drop further.