A Sparrowhawk was displaying high over the eastern edge of Pollok Park this lunchtime. The Tufted Duck pairs on Maxwell Park Pond were staying close to eachother (unlike the Mallards which have mostly separated with the females presumably on eggs). In the afternoon, Kingfisher and Grey Heron were notable records for Auldhouse Park while a Grey Wagtail was singing above the traffic noise at Shawlands Cross. 

I managed to get away to take quite a long walk along the River Irvine below Darvel and Newmilns today. Highlight was a botanical one - Rustyback growing on an old wall on the edge of Darvel. Birds along the river included Dipper, Grey Wagtail and Nuthatch. Plants included Wood Anenome, Dog's Mercury, Opposite-leaved Golden-Saxifrage and Water Avens.

Sunday, April 05, 2026

Arriving at Gowanbank first thing, Song Thrush, Robin and Greenfinch were in song with Blackbird, Chaffinch and Goldfinch calling.

I spent a busy day in a wet and windy Darvel, East Ayrshire today. Bird highlight was a singing Treecreeper. Plants were Primrose and Coltsfoot. Mammals were Rabbit and bat sp. 

A busy day today meant natural connections were few.  A quick check of Moira's garden found only the original two plants in flower. A Nuthatch was singing near the Victoria Road gate.

The sun broke through this morning as I was paying a brief visit to RSPB Lochwinnoch. The Redshanks I had hoped to see were absent but at least four pairs of Shoveler plus the pre-breeding antics of Lapwings, Black-headed Gulls, Common Gulls and Canada Geese all made for an interesting time. In the afternoon I took my usual Thursday walk around one of my home squares of Pollokshaws. Highlights were botanical in the form of Fritillary, Cowslip, Wild Daffodil and Coltsfoot all flowering on a wide, grassy verge. Newly-flowering Cuckooflower and Opposite-leaved Golden-saxifrage were nearby.

Queen's Park was wet and miserable (but actually quite mild) when I wandered through today. Most of the usual birds were present with Stock Doves (as usual) one of the highlights. Some of the Fritillaries in the garden dedicated to the memory of Moira Jones are now fully open and created a lovely scene in spite of the weather. 

A repeat visit to the linear park along the River Manzanares today produced most of the same species as last time with the addition of a Pond Slider sunbathing on the bank. Some of the more exotic street trees there included Tulip Tree and Ginkgo.