A walk around Barshaw Park this morning produced a site first in the form of a Nuthatch calling from near the top of the hill. Also notable were two Chaffinches in the Peace Garden. 

The usual walk around my home square found a single Grey Wagtail catching flying prey from a rock in the river and a notable increase in Mallards away from the park pond. Speaking of which, a Brown Rat was among the Grey Squirrels attracted to bird food scattered there. 

Howwood, like the rest of west central Scotland, was beset by heavy rain (with some thunderstorms) today. However a wander from Garthland Bridge up to Bowfield Road and back again (via an interesting, long vennel) produced a fair list of birds, the highlights being Canada Goose and Buzzard.

Quite a long walk from Largs to West Kilbride started in fairly clear conditions but ended in heavy rain. Nevertheless, some notable birds were seen along the way including Red-breasted Merganser, Gannet and Little Egret.

A male Pied Wagtail was searching for food in the car park behind Asda, Govan this morning. In the afternoon, a shed Ginkgo leaf on the pavement in Portobello led me to discover five trees growing at the town cross. I had never noticed them before.

On another surprisingly mild day, a single Raven low over the park was the highlight of a walk around Bishopbriggs.Goos numbers of Woodpigeons were feeding on Beech mast and the air was filled with (what I assumed were newly-arrived) Starlings. A flock high overhead may have been winter thrushes but were too far up to see.

Four species of gull were on Barshaw Park pond this morning. Although it was another calm day, the cold temperatures appear to have finished off the last of the bees - I couldn't find a single one. 

Monday, October 08, 2024

A Chiffchaff was singing quite strongly from the willows along the river at Moulin today.

The relatively settled weather of the past week or so has meant that my local trees have retained their leaves longer than normal. Consequently, we are being treated to a beautiful show of autumn colour.

A single Common Carder Bee was visiting the late-flowering Lobelias in the back garden today. Apart from the odd Buff/White-tailed Bumblebee, this is the only species I have come across for weeks.

A swirling flock of twelve Swallows plus Raven, Kestrel, Buzzard, Skylark and Meadow Pipit were some of the notable species on Craigluscar Hill today.

A Kingfisher called as it flew along the river in Shawlands today. A Ladybird larva was on the parapet of the Riverford Road bridge.

Wednesday, October 02, 2024

An afternoon walk around my home square produced most of the expected birds with a flock of Long-tailed Tits being the noisiest. I listened for Redwings after nightfall but to no avail. 

At least nine (and possibly as many as twelve) Little Grebes were around the island in the loch at James Hamilton Heritage Park today.