The rookery in Cardonald Cemetery has failed to appear this year, and I saw no sign of any Rooks when I walked through there this morning. Chaffinches were singing strongly with starling and Wren making up the support.

Today was notable for my first local Blackcap in song this spring. The bird was in a small tree next to the pond in Rosshall Park. Other good sightings consisted of a pair of Stock Doves, three pairs of Long-tailed Tits fussing around their nest sites and (heading back to my house) a Sparrowhawk in display flight.

The rookery in Bishopbriggs Park consisted of nine either completed or partially-completed nests when I checked this afternoon. Birds were seen bringing in sticks and mating on the platforms. A total of four Chiffchaffs were singing along my route between the sports centre and Woodhill. Other notable birds were Nuthatch, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Little Grebe. Interesting plants consisted of Coltsfoot, an Arum species and flowering Pink Purslane.

Highlights of this afternoon's walk from south Cardonald to Shawlands included three singing Chiffchaffs, two singing Nuthatches, a flyby Kingfisher and a Common Buzzard soaring over the people waiting at the bus stop on Corkerhill Road. Bluebells were flowering in Pollok Park.

Gannet, Sandwich Tern and Linnet were all good sightings at Irvine harbour mouth this morning. Later, two Black Guillemots were off the esplanade in Greenock.

A wander around Strathclyde Loch this afternoon failed to produce any early hirundines (probably too windy). Earlier, I found a new Chiffchaff territory about 300m east of the one nearest my house which has been occupied for the past 20 years. The other territory I know of locally is about 300m to the southwest. Another good local record was of a Sparrowhawk calling from a section of Pollok Wood.

A walk through Holyrood Park, Edinburgh this morning failed to produce any of the Fulmars (albeit small numbers of late) that nest on inland crags there. I could see no sign on Salisbury Crags, although I have still to check the Gutted Haddie and the Lion's Haunch.