Two Nuthatches and two Chiffchaffs were among the birds in song when I passed through Linn Park this morning. 

Some highlights of today's walk around Hogganfield and Frankfield Lochs were breeding-plumaged Shoveler, Gadwall and Teal, the returning Red-necked Grebe, a Jay and flowering Dog's Mercury, Marsh Marigold and Blackthorn.  

Two Rooks were combing the playing fields at Moulin this evening, intently picking over the grass for (I assume) leatherjackets and other prey items. I wondered if they were locally-breeding birds. One or two pairs are about here all winter and sometimes appear in the summer months too. I guess it is possible that there is a tiny nesting colony somewhere nearby. A few years ago, two or three pairs set up a short-lived rookery in Murdieston Park which persisted for a few years before dying out.

A singing Chiffchaff and my first Peacock butterfly of the year were the highlights of a mooch around the edge of Newton Mearns today.

Impressed again by the Mall's Mire Community Woodland which I happened to walk past again today. Great how local communities are reclaiming these neglected parcels of land.

Birds along the seafront at Troon this afternoon included a Meadow Pipit, two Pied Wagtails and four Linnets. 

Three Rabbits were careering hectically around on the lawn outside an office block in Govan this afternoon. I wonder if it was a female evading the attentions of potential mates. In any case it was nice to see what can be a shy species, out in the open, in the middle of they day, with city traffic thundering by.

Three Redwings were in trees near the house today. According my data from Birdtrack (BTO, below), these birds are likely to be among the last of the spring.

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Buzzard and Greenfinch were new on this week's "heard from isolation" list today. 

Much the same selection of birds was active outside the house today as yesterday. Interesting to notice how the Magpies and Jackdaws, absent all day, start to gather at the first sign of dusk. 

Today was the first day of a full-blown covid infection, so the only natural connections available were the songs of Collared Dove and assorted other species outside the bedroom window. Unfortunately our intended week in Moray will have to be abandoned.

The Chiffchaff which began singing yesterday has been singing most of today. Heard that an early Willow Warbler has reached Glasgow too.

Two pairs of Coots were occupying nest platforms at Murdieston Dams this morning. Arriving home, a Chiffchaff singing from trees opposite the house was my first of the year.

Thursday, March 17, 2022

Yesterday's Mistle Thrush pair were chasing off an intruder from what I took to be their nest tree this afternoon. The pair of Goosanders were back on the river under the Cardonald Place footbridge. Jackdaws were taking nest material into an old woodpecker hole in a dead Spanish Chestnut and a Moorhen was dragging away a stick about twice its body length.

Wednesday, March 16, 2022

A pair of Mistle Thrushes were seeing off a third bird at Moulin playing fields this afternoon. Two Collared Doves were singing and a pair of Long-tailed Tits were in the same hedge they were defending yesterday.

Tuesday, March 15, 2022

Up to eight Greenfinches were singing in and around Rosshall Park this afternoon. Stock Doves were at two sites with one singing bird. No Mistle  Thrushes were located today and the Redwing flock seems to have moved on.

The Clyde opposite the Jubilee Hospital was quite bleak this morning but a few whistling Wigeon, two singing Skylarks and two skiens of Greylag Geese brightened things up a little.

Greenfinch and Goldfinch were singing on Glasgow Green this morning. This afternoon, a strong wind dissuaded most of the local birds from singing, although a Nuthatch called again for the fourth day running. 

Nearly fifty Redwings were in the trees along the river this evening. They were chattering and trilling away, this time in the company of two singing male Greenfinches. It is fascinating to observe these birds in spring as they get ready to migrate north. I have been watching them in south west Glasgow for the past ten years or more and the flocking together and communal singing are annual events. Two Redpolls and a singing Blackbird were slightly unusual.

Chaffinches were singing near the visitor centre at Mugdoch Park when we arrived there this morning. Lots of Lords and Ladies was spring up near the path down to Craigton Dam. There were only Mallards and Tufted Ducks there but Mugdock Loch held Cormorants, Mute Swans and Goldeneyes as well. A Grey Heron was on the "frogspawn pond" and sure enough, there was plenty of frogspawn there but no sign of any frogs. Birds encountered on the way back included Great Spotted Woodpecker and Nuthatch. Later, eight Moorhens were on the stretch of the canal just west of Clydebank Shopping Centre and flowering plants nearby consisted of Marsh Marigold, Red-flowering Currant and Greater Periwinkle.

Twenty Redwings were chattering in the treetops late this afternoon and including a few flutey notes here and there. A Mistle Thrush was singing nearby and seemed to be the trigger for the Redwings to gather and vocalise.

A Collared Dove has begun to sing regularly (from early morning!) from the railway line opposite the house. Another is singing over at Bonnyholm Bridge.

An analysis of the birdtrack data from Monday's Badenoch and Strathspey walk produced the following:

Day total: 33 bird species:

Greylag Goose

At least 21 in a flock alighting on Loch Alvie (with more present but out of sight).

Mute Swan

A presumed pair feeding, washing and preening in close proximity on the Bogach.

Mallard

A pair flying together and at least five others on the water at the Bogach.

Goldeneye

Breeding-plumaged male and female together on the Spey under the iron bridge at the start of the Logger’s Road path. Flew away with characteristic whirring wing noise. Seven more at the Bogach including a presumed pair swimming and diving together and a party of five birds (possibly unpaired) also swimming and diving together. At least three also on loch Alvie.

Goosander

A male and two females (all in breeding plumage) swimming and fishing together on the Spey south of Lynwilg.

Woodpigeon

Two singing in south Aviemore. One seen south of Lynwilg and singles singing at the Bogach and near Ballinluig. One heading west over fields south of Aviemore at 16:00.

Black-headed Gull

At least twenty (probably many more) flying west (with at least ten Herring Gulls) over south Aviemore late in the day (16:30), presumably heading to roost on Loch Insh.

Common Gull

One heading west over fields south of Aviemore at 16:00.

Herring Gull

At least ten (probably many more) flying west (with at least twenty Black-headed Gulls) over south Aviemore late in the day (16:30), presumably heading to roost on Loch Insh.

Kestrel

One dashing over trees and farmland (rough sheep grazing) near Kinakyle in the morning.

Great Spotted Woodpecker

One drumming in Scots Pine stand south of Lynwilg. Another drumming near the Bogach and assumed to be this species as Green Woodpecker (which is also present here) does not tend to drum very much. One flying from one patch of trees to another south of Loch Alvie.

Oystercatcher

A pair flying together, low over Grampian Road calling loudly at 16:45. One calling near Loch Alvie earlier in the day.

Woodcock

One flushed from the undergrowth near the Bogach. It rose with a clatter to chest height then flew away fast through the trees, making two Snipe-like grunting “chip”s as it went. It appeared chestnut-coloured and large.

Buzzard

Two soaring and mewing excitedly together over woodland close to the Bogach. A bird heard calling from the top of Tor Alvie earlier in the day may have been one of this pair.

Jackdaw

3-4 pairs foraging on grass in front of hotel in the morning. Later, around 100 in a flock with Rooks, wheeling over Grampian Road and congregating on hotel roof before presumably going to roost (16:45). Previously, at least 30 (probably more) heading south west (to roost?) over south Aviemore about 16:30. Ten over the woods near the Bogach and two near Ballinluig.

Rook

In the morning, two pairs picking up beakfuls of moss and grass from the lawn in front of the hotel. Others flying around the rookery with much calling. One pair over a sheep field south of Aviemore. Later, around 40 in a flock with Jackdaws, wheeling over Grampian Road before presumably going to roost (16:45).

Carrion Crow

One heading west over fields south of Aviemore at 16:00.

Coal Tit

Three in path-side trees south of Aviemore. Four more (three singing) south of Lynwilg. Two (both singing) near the Bogach and four (none singing) near Ballinluig. Three with a mixed tit flock near the Duke of Gordon Monument on Tor Alvie and another singing nearby. Two (one singing) in the western part of the Kinrara estate. Day total: 19 including seven singing.

Blue Tit

Four in path-side trees south of Aviemore. Eleven more (two singing) south of Lynwilg. Three of these were foraging and moving through path-side trees as a group. One at the Bogach and eight (four singing) between Ballinluig and Tor Alvie. Three with a mixed tit flock near the Duke of Gordon Monument on Tor Alvie. One singing near fields south of Aviemore at 16:00. Day total: 31 including seven singing.

Great Tit

Four (one singing) in path-side trees south of Aviemore. Eight more (but none singing) south of Lynwilg. Two more (neither singing) at the Bogach. Three on the north side of Tor Alvie including one singing and a pair scolding me as I passed. Seven (two singing) in the western part of the Kinrara estate. One singing south of Loch Alvie. Day total: 25 including four singing.

Long-tailed Tit

Four south of Lynwilg including a pair foraging/moving together and calling (phritt, phritt). Two more at the Bogach and three with a mixed tit flock near the Duke of Gordon Monument on Tor Alvie.

Goldcrest

Two with a mixed tit flock near the Duke of Gordon Monument on Tor Alvie.

Wren

One in the western part of the Kinrara Estate and one singing near the Bogach.

Mistle Thrush

One singing in the distance, both in the morning and the afternoon, south Of Lynwilg. Two foraging in a sheep grazing field nearby before flying up and away together.

Blackbird

A male feeding under path-side bushes south of Lynwilg and making the characteristic rustling sound among the dry leaves.

Robin

One singing in Aviemore. Three (including singing birds) in south Aviemore. Seven more (most singing) south of Lynwilg and the same number (again most in song) on the north side of Tor Alvie.

House Sparrow

A few chirruping behind flats on Grampian Road.

Bullfinch

One (the only one of the day) calling in open woodland near the base of Tor Alvie.

Greenfinch

One singing in treetops south of Aviemore. Another singing in woodland on the north side of Tor Alvie.

Chaffinch

One singing in Aviemore. Eight singles in south Aviemore including six in song. Nineteen more (seven singing) south of Lynwilg. Two of these birds (possibly a pair) were flying together over the treetops. Five (two singing) on the slopes of Tor Alvie.

Goldfinch

Two calling in treetops south of Lynwilg (not encountered very often in the course of the walk).

Lesser Redpoll

Thee with a mixed tit flock near the Duke of Gordon Monument on Tor Alvie.

Siskin

A single calling south of Aviemore and another calling south of Lynwilg.  Five (including two pairs) on the way up to Tor Alvie and two more overhead on the way down.

Mole

Fresh molehills on ground close to the Spey south of Lynwilg

Sheep

Being grazed on (poor looking) pasture fields and in sparse Birch woodland over grass.

Juniper

Making up a large proportion of the under-story (beneath Scots Pine, Aspen and Birch) on Tor Alvie.

Great Woodrush

Fresh green leaves showing well in the mostly brown woodland floor by the Spey near the Old Bridge Hotel.

Blaeberry and Bog Myrtle

Both showing what appears to be fresh green growth.

Cowberry

Surprisingly many plants still bearing last year’s red fruit.

Foxglove

Numerous rosettes of leaves among boulders on the southern approach to Aviemore.  The plant is a biennial. In the first year, only a leaf rosette is formed. The flower spike only develops in the second year.

Impressions of Badenoch and Strathspey in March:

High pressure resulting in a sunny day with blue skies and wonderful views of the snow on the high tops (but a stiff westerly wind making it feel cold).

Even on a sunny day, shadows noticeably lengthen from about 15:00.

Some birds are singing (fewer than in the Glasgow area) but most are contact calling, scolding, chasing or just quietly foraging).

The landscape is pedominantly green (conifers), brown and straw-coloured.

Few people are about in the countryside - just the odd cyclist or walker. 

A Grey Heron lurking in the impressive Malls Mire Community Park was the highlight of a wander around Polmadie and Govanhill in the sunshine this morning.

 

 

Although the level of birdsong was some way behind where it is here in Glasgow, nevertheless there was plenty of evidence of spring behaviour during a walk south of Aviemore today. The weather certainly helped with blue skies and sunshine (but also a cold west wind). The rookery at the MacDonald Aviemore Resort was full of activity with at least two pairs of birds picking up beakfuls of moss and dried grass from the hotel grounds. Jackdaws were wandering around in loose pairs but were back in a large flock by the end of the day. A pair of Mute Swans were washing and preening together on the Bogach and look likely to breed there. Other waterbirds in pairs were Mallard and Goldeneye but a male and two female Goosanders together on the Spey presumably still had a decision to make. A pair of Buzzards were mewing loudly as they soared over Kinrara and, back in Aviemore, a pair of Oystercatchers were piping over Grampian Road. At least two pairs of Long-tailed Tits were established but I noticed several other birds of this species in three tit flocks I came across in the course of the day. Similarly a pair of Great Tits scolded me when I walked through their territory but others were still unpaired. Singing birds included Chaffinch (probably the most frequently heard), Great Tit, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Wren, Mistle Thrush, Robin and Woodpigeon. A pair of Mistle Thrushes flew over a sheep field together and at least two Great Spotted Woodpeckers were heard drumming. Other notable sightings included a Woodcock flushed from woodland north of the Bogach, a Kestrel over the waterworks at Kinakyle, a sizeable flock of Greylag Geese on Loch Alvie and both Lesser Redpoll (3) and Goldcrest (2) in a tit flock on Tor Alvie. No plants were found in flower. However several species were showing some fresh greenery including (I think) Foxglove, Great Wood-rush, Blaeberry and Bog Myrtle. Back in Aviemore at the end of the day, many Jackdaws (perhaps 100+) and Rooks (40+) had formed into a flock and were swirling noisily over the hotel rooftops. Herring Gulls and Black-headed Gulls were funelling west, presumably to roost on Loch Insh.