At least one each of Willow Warbler and Blackcap continue to hold territories in my regular site of Pollokshaws. A female Mallard with two tiny ducklings on the river and a Blue Tit with fledged young were both good breeding records.

I'm still confined to the house with a heavy cold so my only natural connections have consisted of listening to the Blackcap. Willow Warbler, Chaffinch and Bullfinch song wafting through the window. Try as I might, I couldn't make out any Swifts passing over.

Single Willow Warbler and Blackcap continue to sing within earshot of my house.

I was confined to the house by a virus today, so my only natural connections were listening to the songs of Blackcap and Song Thrush outside.

A partially-leucistic Blackbird was probably the highlight of today's walk along the river.

Thirty Woodpigeons were feeding on Moulin playing fields when I walked by today (presumably they have chicks in the nest to feed). A female Mallard had a brood of three ducklins and was keeping to the edge of the river to avoid the attentions of the gulls.

Today's belated WeBS count at Murdieston Park found a pair of Mute Swans with three cygnets and at least two female Mallards with broods of ducklings. One was keeping to the margins but a less-clver bird was leading here one remaining duckling across the centre of the main dam, almost inviting the gulls to attack. A Dipper was near the settling pool.

Both Blackbird and Starling were carrying food back to nestlings in the square, Grantown-on-Spey, while I waited for my bus home this morning. Heading past Lynchat I noticed that the Black-headed Gull colony there was occupied by hundreds of birds.

Tree Pipits were singing as we arrived at Delifeure to sow wild flower seed on behalf of Speyside Fields for Wildlife. Singing Chaffinch and Willow Warbler added to the soundscape as they have done at almost all the sites I've visited over the past 48 hours. At ground level, a Common Lizard scampered away through the grass. The majority of the walk back to Grantown-on-Spey was along the banks of the Spey. Commonest birds remained Willow Warbler and Chaffinch. On the river, Mallard, Oystercatcher, Common Sandpiper and Gulls (Common, Herring, Lesser Black-backed and Black-headed) were ubiquitous. Some of the Mallards had broods in the shallows and it soon became apparent that the gulls were there to snatch any duckling which broke cover. I saw one taken by a Lesser Black back. Barnacle Goose was a less common but nevertheless notable feature of the walk. At least ten adults on the river at Easter Pollowick had three broods of goslings between them. Another four adults were on the bank (possibly on nests) and two were later seen flying upriver near Cromdale. Other geese included three feral Greylag Geese on the river and several pairs of wild birds, especially around Cromdale church. Goosanders were here and there in ones and twos, mostly female-types except for a single male. One female just upstream from the Barnacle Goose site had ten ducklings, all of which scooted away with their mother at my approach. Goldeneye were thin on the ground with three females together, then a couple of single females, a single male and finally a female (with an unusually large amount of white showing in its wings) shepherding a single duckling along the shallows. Most notable among the waterbirds was Red-breasted Merganser with a single male (transitioning to eclipse plumage) resting on a rock (and potentially protecting a brooding female) and a pair which flew up and down the river twice. Grey Wagtails (including a male gathering food) were at two sites but were greatly outnumbered by Pied Wagtails (including an adult feeding two fledged young). Common Tern was the biggest surprise of the day. A single bird was circling over the river, calling intermittently before alighting on a rock. It continued to call and in due course a second bird (presumably the male) arrived with a fish, fed the first bird then displayed briefly before heading away again. I concluded that this was a pair which might be preparing to breed locally. I will let the local recorder know. With heavy rain falling, the remaining part of the walk (through Anagach Woods) produced few good birds, although a Crossbill called overhead. Two Swifts in Grantown-on-Spey were screaming over the town centre, in spite of the rain.

Impressions of Strathspey in May:

Many plant species are flowering or completing their vegetative phase. Daffodils however have completely "gone over".

Pine pollen is everywhere. Even in the centre of Grantown, the puddles are ringed with the tell-tale creamy-yellow deposit.

Tuesday, May 21, 2024

Two Rabbits were in their usual spot on the lawn of the Strathspey Hotel when I arrived in Aviemore this morning. The rookery there was considerably less busy than previous years but I noticed some birds had movel (and were presumably  nesting in) some big conifers further along the road. A quick visit to Craigellachie turned up a singing Pied Flycatcher not far from the A9 underpass. A second bird was singing near the reservoir. In between, two Spotted Flycatchers were singing as they moved nervously around the canopy. Common Blue Damselfies and a still-to-be identified dragonfly were over Loch Puladdern. The floor of the wood was studded with colour from Chickweed Wintergreen, Dog Violet, Bitter Vetch, Yellow Pimpernel and Blaeberry. Back in Aviemore town centre, two Oystercatchers acted like they had a nest nearby, at least three Collared Dove were in song and five Swifts screamed over Tesco's in the sunshine. The commonest birds on the afternoon walk from Nethybridge to Grantown-on-Spey were Chaffinch and Willow Warbler, both in song. Starlings were often encountered flying back and forwards with food for their young. Blackbirds were also busy searching for food on many grass verges. Blackcap song was heard at several spots but I failed to hear any Whitethroats, Sedge Warblers or Grasshopper Warblers. A single Yellowhammer was some consolation. Lapwing was the most prominent of the farmland waders with birds seen displaying, mating (maybe a replacement clutch) and shepherding mobile young. The sedgy fields covered in buttercups between Balliemore and Balliefurth were most favoured by this species. Oystercatchers were mostly on pasture fields and Curlews seemed to favour the furthest away fields bordering the Spey. I only heard a single Redshank yodel once. A single Red Kite was the only raptor of the walk. Birds on the Spey were restricted to Mallard, Common Gull and Black-headed Gull until I reached the old Spey Bridge at Speybank. From there I started seeing odd Goldeneye and Goosander, plus Common Sandpiper, Dipper and two Call ducks. Another Call duck was on Grantown's Grant Park pond. Also present were Mallard (including two broods of ducklings), Moorhen and Little Grebe. I was welcomed into Grantown-on-Spey by the sound of House Martins and Swifts over High Street. With plenty of daylight left I headed up Gorton's Road to the Birch wood above Dreggie Farm. Highlight was the fantastic view of the Cairngorms (possibly the best I have found in 10 years of regular visits). However the verges were alive with flowering trees and plants,  and I also had some interesting invertebrate finds (a black Slug sp and Black Carrion Beetle).

A Raven called overhead for most of the time I was doing some garden work in Woodfarm this afternoon. I guess it is a non-breeder that has been resident in the area (I have heard what has presumably been the same bird on a couple of previous occasions). 

A Kingfisher was calling from the Brock Burn near Crookston Castle.  The local Whitethroat was singing for a second day.

First bird of the day was a male Whitethroat singing strongly from the "nature reserve" over the back garden fence. The species has summered most years since we arrived here (although less often in recent years), and has bred at least once. 

Beecraigs Country Park was bathed in sunshine today. Best birds were Kestrel and three Tree Pipits. the Greylag Geese on the loch had at least three sets of goslings between them. Butterflies were everywhere with Orange Tip the commonest. I also saw one each of Peacock and Speckled Wood. Two Banded Longhorn beetles were also notable.

At least one Swift was over Pollokshaws when I was there this lunchtime. 

First bird of the day was a Whitethroat singing necxt to Hillington Roundabout. This was followed by a Swift over the car park at Hogganfield Loch. The area around Torness Nuclear Power Station held Pergrine, Grey Partridge, Whinchat, Stonechat and Wheatear. Nearby, Skateraw produced Red-legged Partridge, Kestrel and at least three Yellow Wagtails. Finally, Tyninghame held Whimbrel, Little Egret, Great Egret, Ringed Plover and Dunlin.

Today started with a Lapwing chick being knocked about by a couple of Jackdaws (and another Lapwing) while (presumably) its parents tried (fairly successfully) to chase off the potetial assailants. The chick, which was in a field just south of braemar, was nearly flying so hopefully another day or two will see it safe. This afternoon's walk in the hills above Glenshee Ski Centre produced some predictable birds (Ring Ouzel, Meadow Pipit, Red Grouse) and some unpredictable ones (Dipper and Kestrel). Stars of the show however were around a dozen Mountain Hares. Plants included Trailing Azalea, Cloudberry and Nordic Moonwort.

There was plenty of evidence of breeding among today's records of birds on Deeside. However there were several highlights which involved other taxa. Two Red Squirrels were coming to feeders in the woods north of Braemar first thing. Then Ballatar provided some new birds for the trip: Collared Dove; Common Sandpiper and Swift. Several House Martins there were taking mud from a puddle to make their nests. The birch woods at Muir of Dinnet were alive with the songs of Tree Pipit, Willow Warbler and Chaffinch. Loch Kinnord had at least three pairs of Goldeneye and other good birds included Cuckoo and Great Spotted Woodpecker. Invertebrate highlights consisted of Two-banded Longhorn Beetle and Speckled Wood butterfly while the woodland floor was studded with the blue, violet, yellow and cerise of flowering plants. The Dee at Banchory held a single Dipper. Breeding birds there included Rook (feeding chicks in the nest) and Oystercatcher (a pair with two mobile young which I had to rescue after they became trapped  between a busy road and a high wall). As we headed back down the road, a Red Squirrel ran across the road at Haugh of Sluie, a Red Kite was over the Aboyne airstrip and two Lapwings were in a field at Tomidhu.

Today's outing to the Mar Lodge NTS estate was expertly led by Shiala Rao. The walk took us up through regenerating mixed woodland on a hillside previously dominated by Heather. Birds near the start (and end) of the walk included singing Willow Warbler, Chaffinch, Siskin, Redstart and Tree Pipit. A Cuckoo, a Pheasant and two Oystercatchers called from across the glen. An ant nest (species unknown) was heaving with activity. Interesting plants included Bog Myrtle, Petty Whin, Round-leaved Sundew, Dog Violet, Common Butterwort and Bog Beacon. As the trees thinned out, birds such as Meadow Pipit and Stonechat appeared. Further still, the ground flora began to be dominated by lichens, mosses, Deergrass and clubmosses. From the summit we had good views of an adult White-tailed Eagle being mobbed by a male Hen Harrier. Heading back down to the forest we heard or saw Curlew, Siskin, Willow Warbler, Meadow Pipit, Lesser Redpoll and Crossbill, before Redstart and Tree Pipit song began again. A passing raptor proved to be an Osprey. Birds encountered when we reached the floor of the strath (Strathdee or Upper Deeside) included Common Gull, Swallow, House Martin, Woodpigeon and Goldfinch.

First birds of today's Big Clyde Bird Day were Black Grouse and Cuckoo on a moor north of Glasgow. A long walk up the west side of Loch Lomond produced many common woodland birds (Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Gardn Warbler, Chaffinch, Lesser Redpoll, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Robin and Wren) but none of the Oak woodland specialists (Redstart, Tree Pipit, Wood Warbler, Pied Flycatcher) found on the east side. The shores of the loch held Common Sandpiper, Greylag and Canada Goose, Red-breasted Merganser, Goosander, Mallard, Grey Wagtail and Osprey. One of the lagoons held an Otter.The main target bird, Mandarin, was not located. However a trip to Jamestown found six males (including one in eclipse) lurking in their regular slot. Lang Craigs held calling Green Woodpecker and Cuckoo.

Best birds of a walk along the Fife Coastal Path between St Monans and Lower Largo were Stonechat, Linnet (many), Skylark (many), Reed Bunting and a possible Hobby. Best plants were Alexanders and Rock Rose and best invertebrate, a single Painted Lady. Earlier, a look around the perimeter of the airfield east of Crail produced singing Corn Bunting and two phrases of what sounded to me like Quail song.

Two resplendent drake Goosanders were cruising on the White Cart from Shaw Bridge to Auldhouse Park this lunchtime. Swifts have been reported from Milngavie, Hyndland and Clarkston today, although I heard none when I was out.

Some of the highlights of a walk around Mugdock Park today were singing Tree Pipit (2) and Skylark (1). Three Great Spotted Woodpeckers were bickering in the treetops, eight Swallows seemed to be attending nests in derelict buildings and an agitated Pied Wagtail near the castle probably had a nest or chicks nearby. Totals of singing birds included fifteen Willow Warblers, seven Blackcaps and a single Chiffchaff.

Tuesday, May 07, 2024

A singing Willow Warbler next to Auldhouse Retail Park was probably the most notable find during a walk around Pollokshaws and Langside today. Three Red Fox cubs were out playing on the lawn in front of one of the 80's apartment blocks.

The Rhododendrons around Balloch Castle were coming into their own today, although some had "gone over" and some still had buds to open. Notable birds included good numbers of singing Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff and Blackcap and my first Magpie anywhere north of the castle.

Three singing Stock Doves provided one of the highlights of this morning's International Dawn Chorus Day Walk in Queen's Park. In the afternoon, four Blackcaps and four Chiffchaffs were singing around Crookston Castle. A single Swallow was over Brockburn Road while the three nests in the small rookery there seem to still be active. 

The Moorhens on the park pond were feeding two chicks this evening. Two Stock Doves posed nicely on a low branch. 

Four Common Terns were feeding off Greenock esplanade first thing. At Locherwood, a singing Grasshopper Warbler was in the field in front of the car park. Up at the reservoir, a Tree Pipit was song-fighting from the treetops while a Cuckoo sang in the distance. Back at the carpark, three Linnets flew over.

Highlights of today's recce in Queen's Park for Sunday's dawn chorus walk were a single Stock Dove, a Nuthatch, a Chiffchaff and three Blackcaps.

Orange Tip and Small Tortoiseshell butterflies were on the wing in a sunny Kelvingrove Park when I passed through today. Annual Honesty (the purple form) was adding a splash of colour.