Four large fish (possibly Brown Trout) including one around 40cm in length were in the Auldhouse Burn through Rouken Glen Park this afternoon. Flowering Ivy on Robslee Road had attracted a White-tailed Bumblebee, a couple of Common Wasps, around 20 Western Honey Bees and up to fifty Syrphus hoverflies. 

Today marked the end of my short break walking the West Highland Way. The journey down from Glence was uneventful. However during a short stop at the Falls of Falloch, I noticed some tourists remarking on a "caterpillar" they had found. It turned out to be the larva of a sawfly, probably Birch Clubhorn (Cimbex femoratus).  

Day 4: Sunday 

Day 3: Saturday

Today's walk began at Bridge of Orchy and continued over the hill to Inveroran, then around the edge of Rannoch Moor, ending at the Glencoe mountain Resort. Birds included Treecreepers around Inveroran, Meadow Pipits on the moors and a Grey Heron at Ba Bridge. Mammals were represented by a herd of 16 Red Deer (another was roaring from woodland near our accommodation in Glencoe). Insects included Broom Moth and Ruby Tiger Moth. 

Today's walking route from Tyndrum to Bridge of Orchy produced sightings of Raven and Stonechat among the commoner bird species. House Martins were still attending nests under the eaves of Bridge of Orchy hotel. Plants included Bog Asphodel, Butterwort, Yellow Saxifrage and Fly Agaric. In the evening, the lack of street lights produced a spectacular sky with a shooting star/meteor being the highlight.

Wednesday, September 24, 2025

I found puffball and earthstar fungi along the River Cart in Battlefield today. 

A Raven called as it flew over the bowling green in Pollokshaws today. I think today's record was my first from the new house.

I spent an amazing day on board the Clyde Charters boat touring around some sites in the Clyde. Highlights included feeding Gannets, at least three Harbour Porpoises and a single Peregrine (which I missed). 

Three Chiffchaffs were along the Forth and Clyde canal between Knightswood and Temple this morning: two calling birds and one in song. 

A pristine Kittiwake flying close inshore was the highlight of a brief visit to Greenan Shore this afternoon. 

At least one Guillemot and at least five Razorbills were among fourteen auks on Loch Lomond this morning. Inverary had four Ravens, two Jays and a Kingfisher, the latter down on the shore. 

Three Stock Doves gave good views at Baron's Haugh today. Calling Water Rail was also a good record for me. Shoveler, Gadwall, Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit and a few Swallows and House Martins made up the supporting cast.

Few birds were about on a rainy day spent in the West End. A pair of Magpies were high up on one of the museum towers - presumably not the one that the Peregrines roost on.

A flock of Black-headed gulls (nine adults and a first-winter bird) landed on the bowling green late morning and proceeded to pick food items (presumably emerging craneflies) from the surface. Later in the day, a walk around Pollokshaws produced nothing but corvids and gulls.  

A Kestrel was being mobbed by a corvid over the motorway just south of the Clackmannanshire Bridge. Later, eight Swallows were over farmland at Aberdona. Back in south Glasgow, a flock of Starlings commuted between the roof of the Linen Bank and a Rowan tree in a nearby back green.

Today felt like the first really autumnal day: heavy dew on the grass, skeletal remains of unbelifers, docks and other tall herbs, visible breath. However a Chiffchaff was in full song near Crookston Castle. Other notable birds in the Pollok/Crookston area consisted of Grey Wagtail (2), Great Spotted Woodpecker and Moorhen.

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Saturday, September 13, 2025

A Buzzard was close to Torphichen this afternoon. Later, a Chiffchaff was calling during the 5K race in Linlithgow.

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Two Kingfishers flew under the Riverford Road bridge when I looked over the parapet (as you do) this lunchtime.  

Two Speckled Wood butterflies were in a new (for me) area of Queen's Park when I walked through this lunchtime.  

Today's walk around the Dams To Darnley Country Park was notable for a singing Dipper, a Jay, four Red Darter dragonflies and a Silver-Y moth among other pollinators on Michaelmas Daisies.

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Tuesday, September 09, 2025

A walk around the southeast corner of Pollok Country Park this morning produced a Kingfisher flying along a tree-lined path (!) and two Painted Lady butterflies among the Red Admirals and Small Tortoiseshells in the ornamental gardens.

 

A Grey Heron and a Grey Wagtail were the highlights of my WeBS count in Greenock this morning. Later, a walk from Inverkip to Lunderston Bay produced at least thirteen Sandwich Terns (including at least two first-winters) and a Small Copper.

A few Siskins were slightly unusual on today's walk around my old patch in south Cardonald.

Two or three Brown Rats were among the water birds at Bingham's Pond this evening.

I had an errand to run in the east end so took the opportunity to drop in on Strathclyde Park. The two immature Terns reported yesterday (Arctic x1 and Black x1) were showing distantly as they swooped for insects over the loch. 

There were plenty of pollinators and other interesting invertebrates in the Gleniffer Braes today. 

A dead mouse outside our building was probably the victim of old of the resident domestic cats. Later, 28 House Sparrows were feeding on the bowling green.  

Tuesday, September 02, 2025

A walk through Blackmuir Woods near Whitehill in Hamilton produced Broad-leaved Helliborine by the dual carriageway and numerous Speckled Wood butterflies in the sunny glades. Two House Martins were feeding over Racecourse Road.

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Monday, September 01, 2025

Few birds were around during a very wet walk in Woodfarm this morning, but Robins are much more apparent now with seven birds in song or calling.