Four Swifts were over the Shawlands Arcade this afternoon.

Swifts are still quite hard to find locally, but one was over Shawlands Cross, two over Milbrae Crescent and one over Tantallon Road during a warm spell this afternoon. 

I spent a dawn to dusk day remembering my best friend and older brother Chris who would have been 69 today. I started at the flagpole in Queen's Park at 04:20, hoping to watch the sun rise over Glasgow. Unfortunately there was heavy, low cloud away to the east, obscuring any glimpse of the sun. The scene was perfectly calm, however, and I enjoyed having the park all to myself. I walked into the centre of Glasgow and spent some time watching and listening to the Peregrines on the City Chambers. I then caught the 06:55 bus to Aviemore. The journey north was fairly uneventful, and I made my connection to take me to Nethybridge for 10:45. I then spent the rest of the day walking through the Abernethy reserve to Glenmore. Interesting plants included Pyrenean Lily, Chickweed-wintergreen, Common Cow-wheat, Heath Speedwell and Common Milkwort. Invertebrates included a Wood Ant species, a Spider Wasp species, two Ground Beetle species and Chimney Sweeper moth. Best birds were Cuckoo, Crested Tit, Crossbill, Tree Pipit, Spotted Flycatcher, Raven, Redpoll and Jay. 

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At least four Chimney Sweeper moths, a Ringlet and a Painted Lady were active in the field across the river from the stables in Pollok Country Park. Earlier, a Lesser Black-backed Gull had got hold of the carcass of a Feral Pigeon and was consuming it in the middle of the bowling green.

Friday, July 19, 2026

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A Yellowhammer singing on the edge of Winchburgh was the highlight of a walk along part of the Union Canal this morning. Sanicle was the most interesting plant find. Several Mallard broods were present along the canal and Jackdaw and Feral Pigeon chicks were in Linlithgow Palace. Linlithgow Loch had a family party of five Little Grebes.

Heading to Greenock for my belated WeBS count, I dropped in at RSPB Lochwinnoch to see the reported Spotted Redshank. The bird was showing well and displaying a unique feeding style, more like that of Avocet rather than Common Redshank. A bonus was a single Mandarin (possibly an eclipse drake).