With the weather slightly changing for the worse, I spent an afternoon of occasional light showers and strengthening wind walking near Irvine beach. Highlights were two Sanderlings with the Turnstone flock on the breakwater, a single Stonechat, separate flocks of  Linnet and Meadow Pipit and a party of five Whooper Swans (three adults and two juveniles) flying low over the estuary.

I walked around the boardwalk at RSPB Lochwinnoch today and made the following notable (for me) sightings: a big flock of Tufted Ducks (57 birds in total); three calling Water Rails; single Dipper and Jay; a good count of seventeen Cormorants and brief views of a Great Egret. The latter bird was also reported on iNaturalist by @aegeanghost. 

With close to freezing fog settled on south Glasgow, it was lovely on the drive over to Hamilton via East Kilbride, to emerge into full sunlight around Castlemilk. Birds on the Heritage Loch were unremarkable but views in the glorious sunshine were excellent.

At least ten Tufted Ducks, the males now almost in full breeding plumage, were on the boating pond today. 

The high pressure system which has sat over southwest Scotland for the past week continues to bless us with mild, calm and clement weather. A late afternoon walk in Pollok Park produced several species calling on the way to roost including Great Spotted Woodpecker, the ubiquitous Blackbird and flocks of arriving Jackdaws.

Redwings seem to be everywhere right now with flocks in tree tops (dropping down to feed on berries) and birds flying overhead. Three separate Grey Wagtails were along the river in Langside/Battlefield but the reported Little Egret failed to appear.  

At least ten Tufted Ducks were on the Queen's Park boating pond when I checked today.