A walk around Barshaw Park this morning produced a site first in the form of a Nuthatch calling from near the top of the hill. Also notable were two Chaffinches in the Peace Garden. 

The usual walk around my home square found a single Grey Wagtail catching flying prey from a rock in the river and a notable increase in Mallards away from the park pond. Speaking of which, a Brown Rat was among the Grey Squirrels attracted to bird food scattered there. 

Howwood, like the rest of west central Scotland, was beset by heavy rain (with some thunderstorms) today. However a wander from Garthland Bridge up to Bowfield Road and back again (via an interesting, long vennel) produced a fair list of birds, the highlights being Canada Goose and Buzzard.

Quite a long walk from Largs to West Kilbride started in fairly clear conditions but ended in heavy rain. Nevertheless, some notable birds were seen along the way including Red-breasted Merganser, Gannet and Little Egret.

A male Pied Wagtail was searching for food in the car park behind Asda, Govan this morning. In the afternoon, a shed Ginkgo leaf on the pavement in Portobello led me to discover five trees growing at the town cross. I had never noticed them before.

On another surprisingly mild day, a single Raven low over the park was the highlight of a walk around Bishopbriggs.Goos numbers of Woodpigeons were feeding on Beech mast and the air was filled with (what I assumed were newly-arrived) Starlings. A flock high overhead may have been winter thrushes but were too far up to see.

Four species of gull were on Barshaw Park pond this morning. Although it was another calm day, the cold temperatures appear to have finished off the last of the bees - I couldn't find a single one. 

Monday, October 08, 2024

A Chiffchaff was singing quite strongly from the willows along the river at Moulin today.