An afternoon spent exploring Coulter Craigs and the Girdle Burn produced a good range of butterflies including Common Blue, Northern Brown Argus, Green-veined White, Small White, Small Heath, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Small Skipper, Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell. Birds included Linnet, Stonechat and Raven. A Common Lizard scurried away through the grass and on the way back to the car, a Stoat hared along the road in front of us. Back at Strathclyde Park, two Barnacle Geese were among the Greylags.

A Black-headed Gull moulting in juvenile plumage was with seven adults on Queen's Park Boating Pond today. I wonder where it was fledged. Another, similar bird was dead at the other end of the pond, reported to the relevant authorities. Both Tufted Duck and Little Grebe were absent (or invisible) today. At least one Swift was over Langside at 10pm. 

At least four Common Blue Damselflies were active around Town Dam during my belated WeBS count in Greenock today. Nearby, an Andrena bee was feeding on Yarrow. Later, the highlights of a walk along Lunderston Bay were Humingbird Hawk Moth and Eurasian Clearwing. 

Monday, July 20, 2026

There were two broods of half-grown Mallard ducklings on the river through Pollokshaws today. The single Broad-leaved Helleborine plant outside the garage next to Lidl has increased to three.

The Greater Knapweed in Pollok Park was in flower today and attracting Honey and Bumble Bees.

The Maximum Swift count for the year rose to 22 this evening with that number passing in a tight, screaming flock. 

A calling Water Rail was the highlight of a walk from Castlemilk to East Kilbride via Cathkin Marshes. Back home, thirteen Swifts over Shawlands just after sunset was a new record total for this year. 

I checked the pond in Maxwell Park today, but it appears that Tufted Ducks have failed to breed there (with no ducklings in Queen's Park either).