Highlights of a windy walk around Irvine Beach, Harbour and Beach Park (apart from the company of son #2) were around a dozen Turnstones, near breeding-plumaged Red-breasted Mergansers and Wigeons, a single Kestrel and at least Sonechats. Non-birds included five Rabbits and three waxcap species (Meadow, Snowy and Blackening).

A rainy walk around my old patch including Rosshall Park and south Cardonald reminded me just how common Nuthatches are there. The bright red-leaved Acer near "The Caves" was around its peak (although diminished a little by recent heavy rain).

A Raven flew quietly over the bowling green towards Camphill this morning.

Hogganfield Loch this morning was windswept and not particularly interesting. I had hoped to find some wind-blown strays, escaping from Storm Beolo, but (thankfully for them) there was nothing to report. Nevertheless, two Whooper Swans, two Gadwall and six Great Crested Grebes tucked in close to shore were of interest. Back at Queen's Park, two Mute Swans were driven off the pond by the dominant male and one was caught in a Hawthorn tree for a few seconds. 

With Storm Boelo ramping up across Scotland, I was not surprised to find some new arrivals on Queen's Park Boating Pond this afternoon, namely five Goosander. The stormy weather may also have been responsible for the increase in the Mute Swan population to thirteen.  

It was difficult to find many birds in Kelvingrove Park in today's heavy rain. However a Grey Heron was showing well on the duck pond where around 25 Mallard were courting in spite of the conditions.

Today turned out to be a brief, high pressure respite between days of low pressure and their associated wind and rain. As it happened, I was able to get a lift to RSPB Lochwinnoch, so set about searching for the five Scaup and single Jack Snipe that had been reported there. The Scaup were subsequently located among the Tufted Ducks and Goldeneye on Aird Meadow. However I could only find two Common Snipe on the scrape. A calling Water Rail was a bonus.