Birds were hard to come by on a drizzly walk from Johnstone to Lochwinnoch today. Commonest (or most readily detected) was Robin with many birds singing in the rain (it doesn't seem to deter them). A Cormorant was on the ornamental pool opposite the Kenmuir Hill Temple and a male Reed Bunting was a little further along the path to Lochwinnoch.  

All six Tufted Ducks on the main pond in Queen's Park today were drakes. A Nuthatch was calling near the south gates.

Heavy rain fell for most of the day, but eventually stopped mid-afternoon. Robins had been singing while the rain fell but a Stock Dove only started up when the rain stopped.

Singing birds along the river today consisted of Wren, Robin, Blue Tit, Great Tit and Woodpigeon. A Raven called as it flew over the field north of Leverndale Hospital. Several pairs of Mallards (at least three) were newly on the river, co-inciding with a big drop in the number on the park pond. Interestingly, a female with newly-hatched ducklings was photographed on Bingham Pond, Glasgow today.

A Coal Tit became the latest species locally to respond to the mild weather by breaking into full spring song.

A singing Stock Dove was a notable record from this afternoon's walk around my home square. Also interesting was a Buzzard flushed from one of the path in the park. It may have been hunting the Brown Rats which are attracted to seed scattered for local birds.

The local birds have settled into a bit of a doldrum with very little in the way of arrivals or departures. The very mild weather of late has presumably been the cause.

An improvement in the weather was presumably the reason why several Blue Tits and at least one Wren were singing along the river today (in addition to the 'usual' winter singers: Robin; Starling; Feral Pigeon).

Thursday, December 23, 2021

On a day of continuous rain, even the ducks were staying under cover. The Feral Pigeons were gathered on the school roof and the Black-headed Gulls were strung out along the high fence around the school playing field. A single Redwing flew over and good numbers of Goldfinches were in the treetops. Otherwise, all was grey and exceedingly drookit.

Four Goosanders and a single Common Gull were the best birds during a rainy walk around Auchinlea Park this afternoon. Heading home, a Kestrel was hovering over the edge of the motorway exactly where the M74 joins the M8. 

The local Redwings were feeding on Moulin Playing Fields this lunchtime. Previously, I had only ever seen them feeding in and under trees around here.

Monday, December 20, 2021

The highlight of today's WEBs count in Greenock was (only) a single Goosander. Notably, Lesser Black-backed Gulls seem to have completely left the area with the only large species present being Herring Gull.

On a dreich day in south Cardonald, most birds were staying well under cover.

A Kingfisher and five Goosanders were on the Kelvin late this morning.

A Nuthatch was calling at its usual spot near the southwest corner of the park. Meanwhile Redwing numbers appear to have picked up locally. 

The Pied Wagtail which seems to be wintering in the grounds of the local high school was flitting around the adjacent playing fields this lunchtime. The regular flock of six Stock Doves was along the path.

A flock of at least fifty Siskins was feeding on fallen Alder cones along the Clyde behind Braehead Shopping Centre this lunchtime.

Six Stock Doves in one flock and a Buzzard mobbed by corvids were the highlights on my home patch today.

Small numbers of Siskins continue to reveal their presence in the local area by their calls. A walk around a less-visited part of the square found numerous Redwings and at least one Fieldfare exploiting berry-bearing trees in house gardens.

Two Blue Tits and a Great Tit were singing well in some mild weather this morning. A couple of Siskins were buzzing from the treetops.

Saturday, December 11, 2021

A very damp walk in Bellahouston Park only turned up a few brave Robins and Wrens and a Blue Tit in full song.

Today's walk was between Burntisland and Dysart. Some interesting birds included fifty Bar-tailed Godwits near the start of the walk, both Buzzard and Sparrowhawk along the way and around fifty Goldeneye near Dysart Harbour. Unfortunately I failed to scan for the Humpback Whale which was apparently seen by several observers. Plenty of plants were still flowering, especially in sunnier spots (https://twitter.com/stuart_milligan/status/1470173927691493381).

A few each of Siskin and Chaffinch on today's walk around my home one kilometer square may have been newly arrived migrants. Fewer Redwings were present compared to the last few days.

Birds in woodland just north of Wishaw this lunchtime included a mixed flock of Redwings, Fieldfares and Blackbirds and at least three Bullfinches seeming to feed in a Rowan tree.

Two Bullfinches and a Mistle Thrush were the highlights of a rainy walk along the river. The cover art for the next New Naturalist book has been released.

 

 

Redwings, Fieldfares and Starlings were swirling around the treetops in Hamilton this morning. Back home, the park pond was full of Mallards still displaced from their usual river habitat.

Notable species on today's walk around my home square consisted of three Stock Doves feeding quietly in long grass, a Red Fox sleeping in the sunshine and a Nuthatch calling near the regular nesting tree. 

A Buzzard flew low over the house this afternoon, chased by around 20 to 30 corvids. A Lesser Redpoll was heard as well.

Friday, December 03, 2021

A walk around Auchinlea Park in Easterhouse found the pond full of waterbirds, with Goosanders and Moorhens present in particularly impressive numbers. The old trees near Provan's Hall had lost numerous twigs in the recent storm and one of these had a nice growth of Witches Butter (Tremella mesenterica). Most of the twigs had at least three different species of Lichen growing on them. These ancient trees seem to be a wonderful source of local biodiversity.

 

 

31 Snow Buntings and a Stonechat were in the skiers' car park on Cairngorm this morning. The Stonechat, a male, was in its rather subdued winter plumage (pale orange breast, dark grey face and dull brown back) - presumably feather-wear will reveal its spring colours in due course. Another Stonechat, two Crested Tits and a distant Golden Eagle were seen on the way down to Glenmore. The day had started with a walk around Aviemore. Rooks were active at their colony and there were Redwings and Fieldfares in the woods by the Youth Hostel. Glenmore held most of the species typically associated with a Highland village in winter including two flyover Siskins.

Notable birds in Queen's Park this morning consisted of a Nuthatch calling excitedly in the treetops and a Little Grebe fishing on the main pond.