A

Satuurday, March 08, 2025

My first Chiffchaff of the year was singing near Bonnyholm Bridge with another bird calling nearby. At least three Chaffinches were also singing in that area with another next to my house. Two pairs of Stock Doves (feeding together) plus two males in song were along the river path. Later, a Greater Black-backed Gull called loudly as it flew low over the estate.

A

My usual walk around Pollokshaws produced only the regular birds but was more notable for spring flowers including Dandelion sp, Lesser Celandine (my first of the year), Common Whitlowgrass, Primula sp, Golden Crocus, Spring Crocus and Narcissus sp. 

Some minor car trouble necessitated a trip to Inverclyde this morning. A good walk along the shore at Port Glasgow produced a Red-breasted Merganser in summer plumgae, courting Eiders, both Cormorant and Shag, Redshanks and Dunlins roosting on rocks and evidence of a good population of House Sparrows among the scrap yards along Anderson Street and Mirren's Shore.

I took a day away from doing  home improvements to go walking around Aviemore. Highlights of the trip north were a glorious, pink sunrise in Glasgow, a Red Kite near Dunblane and a single Lapwing in a flooded field near House of Bruar. Apart from the latter, roadside Common Gulls, Black-headed Gulls and farmland waders were virtually non-existent. The windy weather reduced the number of birds I was able to detect in Aviemore, but Greenfinch was a notable singer and seven Herring Gulls were resting on floodwater in a field at the old waterworks. A Grey Wagtail on the Spey was notable. Rooks were either absent or very quiet, although one over the coach at Dunachtonmore was carrying a stick. Most obvious singing birds during the walk to Whitewell and back were Chaffinch and Robin. Slightly less common species were hard to find but included Great Spotted Woodpecker and Pheasant. Juniper was widespread in the forest and up to ten spikes of Yellow Bird’s-nest (long gone over) were a nice surprise near Coylumbridge. Single Common Toad and Common Frog crossed the path in front of me, and a Wood Ant was active at the entrance to its nest. A Peregrine on a well-known crag was also exciting. Heading home, four Greylag Geese near the new waterworks and a Red Kite just before Stirling were the highlights.

A busy day working on the house meant that natural connections were limited to the songs and calls coming from birds in my local housing estate. A male Coal Tit continues to hold territory nearvy, as do male Song Thrush and Blue Tit. I am looking forward to the first Chiffchaff song which should come in the next week or two. 

Today's walk around Crookston castle produced several interesting sightings including five Rooks at a new site for a potential rookery, a single Jay flying from the castle grounds into the glen below, ten Redwings moving through the treetops and a group of Greenfinches singing excitedly.

A pair of Coal Tits continue to frequent the back garden, raising the possibility that they may be planning to nest nearby. Mammal count for today was three (Roe Dee, Brown Rat and Grey Squirrel). Best birds were four Stock Doves and my first local singing Chaffinch of the spring.