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Natural Connections

Modern life in Scotland is increasingly busy. The connections our ancestors had with nature and the land are being lost. As leisure time shrinks, or is filled with hi-tech experiences, opportunities to experience nature become fewer. And yet it is possible to connect with nature on a day to day basis. All around us, the great web of life continues to hold its shape, and nature continues its eternal cycles. Keep looking, listening, smelling, touching - and keep experiencing natural connections.

Wednesday, October 21, 2026

Jays (at least two today) were still active and highly visible in Pollok Country Park today. As elsewhere, tit species are now noisier and easier to locate. 

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

With heavy rain in charge today, I only managed a short walk along the Clyde near Braehead Retail Park. Only a few gulls and Cormorants were braving the weather. 

Monday, October 19, 2026

A long walk from Woodfarm to Shawlands via Giffnock, Muirend and Newlands turned up some interesting finds including lots of colourful Acers, Snowy Waxcap and Collared Earthstar.

Sunday, October 18, 2026

A walk through Pollok Country Park today produced nice records of Wolf's Milk slime mould and Black Bulgar fungus. A few Common Carder Bees, Western Honey Bees, White-tailed Bumblebees and a single Red Admiral were also present on the last few flowers.

Saturday, October 17, 2026

Two walks through Queen's park at opposite ends of the day produced various birds (Robin, Wren, Song Thrush, Blue Tit and Great Tit) prompted to sing by the sunny weather and a single Ring-necked Parakeet seemingly going to roost in a Willow tree next to the small pond.

Friday, October 16, 2026

Only two Lesser Black-backed Gulls were still around the site of the breeding colony in Nether Auldhouse Retail Park today.  The Cherry trees in Morrison's Car Park were glowing scarlet in the autumn sunshine. A grey Heron was patiently watching the weir beside Riverford Road but neither it or I saw any jumping fish. I discovered a small group of Collared Earthstars in Nether Auldhouse Park and up to thirty Harlequin Ladybirds were on railings both here and at Shaw Bridge. 

Thursday, October 15, 2026

The only birds seen in Northfield today were Woodpigeon, Magpie, Goldfinch, Black-headed Gull and Carrion Crow. 

Wednesday, October 14, 2026

With a very strong wind blowing in from Ayr Bay, plenty of waders were sheltering on the rocks at the north end of Troon South Beach, the most interesting being twelve Golden Plover. At one point, the entire flock (also including Turnstone, Dunlin, Curlew, Redshank and Oystercather) took flight. The culprit was a Peregrine soaring overhead. 

Tuesday, October 13, 2026

My belated WeBS count in Greenock today threw up nothing remarkable. Similarly, my usual walk from Lunderston Bay to Inverkip detected relatively few birds due to the wild weather. A few distant Gannets and a mixed flock of Oystercatchers and Curlews in a sheep field were the highlights. 

Monday, October 12, 2026

While I was in the Killearn area today, I took the opportunity to visit the waterfalls on the Endrick Water known as the Pots of Gartness. Up to ten fish (most if not all Atlantic Salmon) leapt the falls during the half hour I was there. Also present were Grey and Pied Wagtails.  

Sunday, October 11, 2026

Five Tufted Ducks were on Queen's Park Boating Pond this afternoon.

Saturday, October 10, 2026

A good walk to Maxwell Park and then back via Pollok Park produced three Tufted Ducks, a single Goosander and two Jays.  

Friday, October 09, 2026

I spent several hours in the West Fife village of Culross today. Sunny spells brought hoverflies, wasps, the odd bumblebee and one Red Admiral butterfly out to feed on Ivy flowers. Some interesting (so far unidentified) fungi were in the precincts of the long abandoned west Kirk. 

Thursday, October 08, 2026

A short visit to Lochend Loch failed to produce yesterday's Grey Phalarope but single Shoveler and Goldeneye were reasonable compensation. A Redwing calling as it flew over was my first of the season.

Wednesday, October 07, 2026

A Dipper was singing from the Auldhouse Burn under the Thornliebank Road bridge this morning. A little later, Goldcrest, Song Thrush and singing Wren were the pick of the birds found in Auldburn Woods.  

Tuesday, October 06, 2026

Two Jays and a Common Buzzard were near the Hurlet Crematorium this lunchtime.  

Monday, October 05, 2026

A very rainy afternoon walking around (the open sections of) Balgray Reservoir Still managed to produce a nice selection of birds including Cormorant, Great Crested Grebe, Goldeneye, Goosander, Lapwing and Snipe. 

Sunday, October 04, 2026

A rainy walk over to Pollokshaws produced only corvids, gulls and a few House Sparrows.  

Saturday, October 03, 2026

Highlights of a brief stop at Loch of the Lowes today were Jay, Goldeneye, Wigeon and Cormorant.  

Friday, October 02, 2026

Fungi we're out in force along the banks of the River Tilt today but "no entry" signs blocked my attempt to check out the Blair Castle pond. The Cuilc only held Mallards and Moorhens. There were waxcaps on the golf course. No birds could be found at the Birks o' Aberfeldy due to torrential rain. 

Thursday, October 01, 2026

A Kestrel was outside Crieff and two Red Kites were south of Amulree this afternoon. Earlier, a walk up to the Knock of Creiff produced numerous good fungi including Amythest Deceiver and Fly Agaric.