Plants in flower in South Cardonald today consisted of Wild Garlic, Bluebell, Garlic Mustard, Sweet Cecily, Red Campion and Perennial Honesty.

Friday, April 29, 2022

On a lovely sunny day, Blackcap and Chiffchaff were both in song just off the busy Prospecthill Road in Mount Florida, Glasgow.

Some of the highlights of a wander around the outskirts of Carrbridge today included Oystercatchers and Curlews on farmland breeding sites, good views of a pair of Red-legged Partridges, a Hooded Crow x Carrion Crow hybrid, a snowy-white leucistic Woodpigeon, a pair of unidentified Crossbills and three chasing Rabbits.

The total number of bird species recorded was 39, consisting of Greylag Goose, Mute Swan, Mallard, Pheasant, Red-legged Partridge, Feral Pigeon, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Curlew, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Buzzard, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Carrion x Hooded Crow, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Goldcrest, Wren, Starling, Mistle Thrush, Blackbird, Robin, House Sparrow, Dunnock, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Unidentified crossbill, Goldfinch and Siskin.

Greylag Goose

Four on flooded filter beds north of Dalwhinnie.

Mute Swan

Pair on Loch Insh near railway underpass.

Mallard

One on river at Blair Atholl, one on flooded filter beds north of Dalwhinnie and three on field pond just south of Kingussie.

Red-legged Partridge

A pair running across a bare, ploughed field along the Carr Road.

Pheasant

A single heard in farmland along the Carr Road east of Carrbridge.

Feral Pigeon

Only one on a house roof in Dalwhinnie, three around Kingussie station and three more around Auchterblair Farm buildings.

Woodpigeon

One on pasture field near Newtonmore. One singing in Ellan Woods, Carrbridge. One near the centre of Carrbridge. A total of 83 (including a striking leucistic bird) on fields along the Carr Road east of Carrbridge. Most were feeding on ploughed fields in association with Feral Pigeons, Collared Doves and Jackdaws.

Collared Dove

Two singing in the Ellan Woods/Station Road area of Carrbridge, five more around the centre of the village and one at the start of the Carr Road. Two more feeding (with other pigeons) on a ploughed field beside the Carr Road.

Lapwing

One over moorland in Glen Garry. Four around Dalwhinnie, near a marshy pool and on sheep pasture.

Oystercatcher

Three on a pasture field just east of Blair Atholl. One on a pasture field near Newtonmore. One over the centre of Carrbridge and two singles on ploughed fields along the Carr Road.

Curlew

One calling from farmland along the Carr Road.

Black-headed Gull

A single on a horse field along the Carr Road and ten more on farmland near the River Dulnain.

Common Gull

Three on moorland near the River Garry through Dromochter.

Buzzard

One over pasture field near Newtonmore.

Jackdaw

Singles in Blair Atholl and Dalwhinnie. Three around Kingussie station. Six around the centre of Carrbridge. A total of 23 on ploughed fields, sheep pasture and a horse field along the Carr Road.

Carrion Crow

One at Auchterblair Farm along the Carr Road east of Carrbridge.

Carrion x Hooded Crow

One in a horse field along the Carr Road east of Carrbridge.

Rook

Around ten on pasture field near Newtonmore.

Coal Tit

At least four in the Ellan Woods/Station Road area of Carrbridge, seven around the centre of the village and ten along the Carr Road. Eleven more deeper in the forest consisting of nine in Feith Mhor and two in Crannaich.

Blue Tit

Four in the vicinity of the centre of Carrbridge.

Great Tit

Three in the vicinity of the centre of Carrbridge and two along the Carr Road. One more deeper in the forest at Crannaich.

Long-tailed Tit

One in the Ellan Woods/Station Road area of Carrbridge.

Willow Warbler

Five singing birds in the Ellan Woods/Station Road area of Carrbridge, eleven in the square centred on the village itself and four more along the Carr Road. Four more deeper in the forest consisting of one at Feith Mhor and three at Crannaich.

Blackcap

One singing in the Ellan Woods/Station Road area of Carrbridge.

Goldcrest

Two in the vicinity of the centre of Carrbridge. Two more deeper in the forest at Feith Mhor.

Wren

Four in the vicinity of the centre of Carrbridge. Four more deeper in the forest consisting of one at Feith Mhor and three at Crannaich.

Starling

Two (including one in song) around a cottage at Auchterblair Farm along the Carr Road east of Carrbridge.

Blackbird

Three around Kingussie station and one in the Ellan Woods/Station Road area of Carrbridge. Four in the vicinity of the centre of Carrbridge.

Mistle Thrush

One on a pasture field near Newtonmore and another in similar habitat near Auchterblair Farm east of Carrbridge.

Robin

One in the Ellan Woods/Station Road area of Carrbridge, three around the centre of the village and one along the Carr Road. Many in song. Five more deeper in the forest consisting of four at Feith Mhor and one at Crannaich.

House Sparrow

Twelve around the centre of Carrbridge, four more at the start of the Carr Road and at least twelve in hedges at Auchterblair Farm.

Dunnock

Two around the centre of Carrbridge.

Pied Wagtail

One in the centre of Carrbridge.

Meadow Pipit

A group of at least four in a pasture field along the Carr Road, feeding on rutted ground and then flying up to the low branches of scattered Scots Pine trees. Another single over a ploughed field at Auchterblair Farm.

Chaffinch

At least three singing males in the Ellan Woods/Station Road area of Carrbridge, fourteen in the square centred on the village itself and 23 more along the Carr Road. Many in song. Two more deeper in the forest consisting of one each at Feith Mhor and Crannaich.

Unidentified crossbill

Two “chupp”-ing in the treetops at Feith Mhor.

Greenfinch

One singing in the Ellan Woods/Station Road area of Carrbridge, another in village itself and another along the Carr Road.

Goldfinch

Two calling along the Carr Road.

Siskin

Fourteen in the square centred on Carrbridge (most detected by their flight call) and fourteen more along the Carr Road. Twelve more deeper in the forest consisting of six at each of Feith Mhor and Crannaich.

Rabbit

Three engaged in animated chases around a pasture field along the Carr Road east of Carrbridge.

Birds in the forest south of Carrbridge around Feith Mhor and Crannaich consisted of Coal Tit, Great Tit, Willow Warbler, Goldcrest, Wren, Robin, Chaffinch, Unidentified crossbill and Siskin.

Birds around Station Road and the centre of Carrbridge, many in song, consisted of Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Oystercatcher, Jackdaw, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Goldcrest, Wren, Blackbird, Robin, House Sparrow, Dunnock, Pied Wagtail, Chaffinch, Greenfinch and Siskin.

Birds along the Carr Road east of Carrbridge (farmland backed by forestry) consisted of Red-legged Partridge, Pheasant, Feral Pigeon, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Oystercatcher, Curlew, Black-headed Gull, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Carrion x Hooded Crow, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Willow Warbler, Starling, Mistle Thrush, Robin, House Sparrow, Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch and Siskin (plus Rabbit).

Impressions of Strathspey in April:

Vegetation still relatively sparse compared to the situation in the central belt.

Waders, Gulls and waterbirds dispersed across the countryside.

Pigeons (and to a lesser extent corvids) still flocking up to feed.

Plenty of birdsong with Chaffinch, Robin and Willow Warbler dominant.

Insect life still very limited.

Increase in farming activity with many fields freshly ploughed.

Plants in flower still scarce and confined to Daffodils around habitations, a few early Dandelions and some gorse bushes.

 

Two Black Guillemots were making their summer "tinkling" call when I passed East India Dock in Greenock this morning. A little further along the waterfront, a big Grey Seal was lazily surfacing and submerging. In the evening, a social event in the centre of Paisley was enlivened by a Raven swooping across the high street.

Today's trip to Inversnaid on Loch Lomondside produced some excellent birds including Osprey, Cuckoo, Pied Flycatcher (4), Jay (3, including a bird perched out in the open at the top of a tall tree), Common Sandpiper, Red-breasted Merganser (at least two pairs on territory), Black Grouse and Grasshopper Warbler (4). Heading home, two Swallows were at Kinlochard, five Goosanders were at Altskeith and up to two Wood Warblers were singing at David Marshall Lodge (where there was an interesting patch of pink Wood Anemones).

A walk around a windy but sunny Linlithgow today produced eight singing Chiffchaffs, six singing Blackcaps and (up at Bonnytoun Farm) four Tree Sparrows and my first Swallow of the year.

Although the 10 to 20 Black-headed Gulls that wintered locally appear to have moved on, the species still passes through from time to time, for instance four birds this afternoon. Bird of the day however was Long-tailed Tit with vocal pairs at three sites including my own back garden.

Two Orange Tip butterflies were in the garden today. Six singing Goldcrests was a high total for my home patch.

A female Sparrowhawk was soaring over Whinny Hill, Holyrood Park this afternoon. Other good birds up there consisted of Linnet and Meadow Pipit.

Two Redpolls flew over the garden this morning - a species I seldom record here, although spring and winter are the peak seasons. 

An analysis of the birdtrack data from my Badenoch and Strathspey walk on 7^th April produced the following:

Day total: 41 bird species and two mammals:

Greylag Goose

Eight on cropped turf near Newtonmore Railway Station. Four separate pairs flying over fields on the outskirts of Kingussie. A total of 22 on the marshes around Ruthven Barracks including pairs flying over or occupying damp corners and 17 together in a marshy area. Twelve in front of the Lookout and two on fields behind. A single on cropped turf (with ten Pink-footed Geese) at Tromie Meadows and another two on cropped grass nearer to Tromie Bridge. Two from the train at Drumochter.

Pink-footed Goose.

Ten birds in small groups on cropped turf field.

Whooper Swan

Two birds feeding together on the marsh near Ruthven Barracks with another three in front of the Lookout.

Mallard

A single flew over fields on the outskirts of Kingussie. Small numbers including pairs were on channels and floods near Ruthven Barracks. A male closely attending a feeding female in front of the marsh-level hide at Insh Marshes.

Teal

A pair on a small pool out from the Insh Marshes Lookout.

Red Grouse

A total of four from the train (showing well against the newly fallen snow) at Drumochter.

Pheasant

One on cropped turf near Newtonmore Railway Station. Two singles near the feeders at the Insh Marshes Lookout.

Green Pheasant

A single feeding with a flock of Jackdaws on a dry part of Insh Marshes near Ruthven Barracks.

Feral Pigeon

One on a rooftop next to Dalwhinnie Railway Station.

Woodpigeon

Several small groups totalling fourteen birds in fields and woods on the outskirts of Kingussie. One bird in song. Small numbers (totalling ten in total) feeding on grass around Ruthven Barracks with two more near the Insh Marshes Visitor Centre.

Collared Dove

A single bird flushed from a tree overlooking Invertromie Meadows as a snowstorm approached was completely unexpected.

Water Rail

One squealing from the reeds in front of the marsh-level hide at Insh Marshes.

Oystercatcher

Two flying over Kingussie Station ahead of a snowstorm around 15:30. A single flying past Ruthven Barracks in the morning with ten more roosting on a bank of the Spey east of Kingussie. Birds at several inland sites on the way north including in Strathearn and Highland Perthshire.

Lapwing

Two on cropped turf near Newtonmore Railway Station. One displaying near Dalwhinnie Station. A total of 13 displaying and/or flying over the marshes around Ruthven Barracks. Four more at the back of the marsh near the River Spey.

Curlew

One on cropped turf near Newtonmore Railway Station. Two singles feeding on cropped turf on the outskirts of Kingussie. A total of at least four calling and flying over the marshes around Ruthven Barracks, two more at the back of the marsh near the River Spey, three in front of the Lookout, three in front of the marsh-level hide and one on cropped grass nearer to Tromie Bridge (all Insh Marshes).

Snipe

A single heard chipping down on the marsh from Ruthven Barracks.

Redshank

At least two birds heard calling and watched flying low over the marsh and alighting on the edge of flooded pools on Insh Marshes beneath Ruthven Barracks.

Black-headed Gull

Four on cropped turf near Newtonmore Railway Station. Two singles feeding on cropped turf on the outskirts of Kingussie and two more flying over near Ruthven Bridge. A total of 23 birds flying past Ruthven Barracks in small groups and alighting at various points on the marsh (presumably establishing nesting sites). Two more in front of the Lookout.

Common Gull

One on cropped turf near Newtonmore Railway Station. A total of 24 birds in small groups scattered across the marsh near Ruthven Barracks (presumably in the process of establishing nesting sites). Another seven in front of the marsh-level hide at Insh Marshes consisted of five mobbing two Buzzards and two mobbing a Grey Heron (presumably these were territorial birds).

Grey Heron

One stalking the reedbeds in front of the marsh-level hide at Insh Marshes before being chased away over the marsh by two Common Gulls.

Sparrowhawk

One, probably a female, flying rapidly over the marsh and into trees, pursued by a tight flock of ten Jackdaws.

Buzzard

Up to three birds attending the Rabbit warren at the Insh Marshes and flying across the marsh.

Jackdaw

A single at Dalwhinnie Railway Station. Two on cropped turf near Newtonmore Railway Station. A few pairs on the outskirts of Kingussie early in the day with at least 37 around the ancient trees (potential nest sites) next to the river at Ruthven Bridge. A flock of around 50 wheeling over Kingussie Station ahead of a snowstorm around 15:30. A flock of ten birds mobbing a passing Sparrowhawk at Ruthven Cottage. At least 24 circling Ruthven Barracks and a flock of 28 feeding together on a dry dyke at the back of the marsh.

Rook

Two birds attending nests in the rookery in pines beside the Gynack Burn south of Kingussie and a pair collecting dry grass from nearby fields.

Carrion Crow

Odd singles, pairs or small parties feeding on the marsh.

Coal Tit

One in song in pines on the outskirts of Kingussie. Five around the Insh Marshes Visitor Centre including four on the feeders and one in song.

Blue Tit

Two singles on the outskirts of Kingussie. Two at the Insh Marshes Visitor Centre feeders.

Great Tit

One at the Insh Marshes Visitor Centre feeders.

Long-tailed Tit

Two (presumably a pair) near Ruthven Bridge.

Wren

Two singles singing on the outskirts of Kingussie. Four more singles singing from woods north and south of Ruthven Bridge, one at the Insh Marshes Visitor Centre and two in open woodland near the River Tromie.

Mistle Thrush

Two (including a singing bird) on farmland near the River Tromie.

Blackbird

One at the Insh Marshes Visitor Centre and two on the way down to the marsh-level hide. One singing in open woodland near the River Tromie.

Robin

One heard singing near Ruthven Cottage, another four at the Insh Marshes Visitor Centre and three on the way down to the marsh-level hide.

House Sparrow

Small numbers on the outskirts of Kingussie. One heard near Ruthven Cottage.

Pied Wagtail

A total of three around Ruthven Barracks including two feeding on muddy ground around horses’ feeding trough. Three feeding on ploughed set-aside near the River Tromie (with Meadow Pipits and Chaffinches).

Meadow Pipit

A total of 103 birds feeding on a shinty pitch and an adjacent, flooded grass field on the outskirts of Kingussie. Six more heard or seen around Ruthven Barracks and two near the Insh Marshes Visitor Centre, either feeding in fields or flying over and seven feeding on ploughed set-aside near the River Tromie (with Chaffinches and Pied Wagtails).

Chaffinch

One in song on the outskirts of Kingussie. Five (mostly singing) near Ruthven Bridge and four singles singing in the vicinity of Ruthven Cottage. Six at the feeders at the Insh Marshes Visitor Centre and two on the way down to the marsh-level hide. Two feeding on ploughed set-aside near the River Tromie (with Meadow Pipits and Pied Wagtails) and two more in woodland nearby.

Greenfinch

One singing in the vicinity of Ruthven Cottage.

Lesser Redpoll

Two in trees near the path down to the marsh-level hide at Insh Marshes.

Goldfinch

Two calling and flying over the outskirts of Kingussie. A total of five heard twittering from treetops, mostly near habitations such as Ruthven Cottage.

Siskin

Two pairs on the outskirts of Kingussie in the morning. One of the pairs inspecting the roots of a tree in a damp hollow beside the Spey. At least eight chattering in the tops of bare trees behind Kingussie Station around 15:30. Four in treetops at Ruthven Bridge. A total of eight heard calling from treetops or flying, mostly near wooded areas such as at Ruthven Cottage. Two on the feeders at the Insh Marshes Visitor Centre and one in open woodland near Tromie Bridge.

Roe Deer

Three on the marsh in front of the Lookout and two more further out on the marsh.

Rabbit

Four out on the mound (eventually, once the sun appeared) but staying close to burrows. Two Buzzards attending the warren. A single and then at least four on cropped turf beside the railway just north of Dalwhinnie.

Impressions of Strathspey and Badenoch in April:

The weather is extremely variable. Sunny and bright but with stormy snow-showers arriving from the north.

Snow cover is localised with continuous cover from Newtonmore to Balsporran Cottage but absolutely none outwith these points.

Plenty of (human) visitors are about (although concentrated around the car parks), presumably as a result of the boom in “staycations”.

Still very few plants in flower. Just a few Coltsfoot flowers and some Cherry blossom around the cottages.