Most notable sighting of today's walk from Kelvindale Station to the city centre (and back via Gilshochill) was actually virtually the first bird I saw - a Ring-necked Parakeet squawking from the treetops beside the canal at Kelvindale. Other good birds along the canal / river included Dipper, Grey Wagtail, Kingfisher and at least eight singing Chiffchaffs. Flowering plants included Common Dog-violet, Primrose and Few-flowered Leek. Less welcome (but perhaps only marginally so as the latter is also an invasive alien species) was American skunk-cabbage at two sites.