First sighting of the day concerned a pair of Oystercatchers doing some synchronised flying and calling over the grounds of Shawlands Academy (no doubt intended to broadcast the fact that the territory has been re-occupied). I need to put some effort into working out exactly where the nest is this year as it eluded me last season. An errand in Paisley allowed me to pop into Fountain Gardens to see how the Rooks there are doing. I counted a total of twenty partially-completed nests, distributed between six different trees. In the afternoon I walked around the farmland between Inchinnan and the mouth of the River Cart. Pink-footed Goose was the main find with several groups scattered around the stubble fields. Flocks of Fieldfares, Redwings, Starlings and Stock Doves were also noteworthy. Teal and Wigeon were the main species on the Clyde, but back at the confluence of the White and Black Cart Waters, a beautifully-marked long-tailed Duck was feeding with eleven Goldeneye and a Cormorant. A Stock Dove was singing in the grounds of the Normandy Hotel as I headed for the bus.

A Goldcrest was singing strongly from a conifer in a Shawhill Road garden when I passed this afternoon. Three Grey Squirrels seemed to be working together to raid the bins near the retail park. 

Sunday, March 08, 2026

The highlight of today's walk around Crookston was my first singing Chiffchaff of the year. Other interesting records included Rooks building nests about 50 meters from last year's site and a pair of Goosanders on the river nearby.

Saturday, March 07, 2026

I took quite a long walk today past Queen's Park, Crosshill, Govanhill and on to the Southern Necropolis on the edge of the Gorbals. Highlights were botanical in the form of my first flowering Coltsfoot of the year and more Cherry Plum trees in blossom.

This morning started with a walk down through Dumbiedykes to check the crags for Fulmars. Six birds were present including two, two and one bird on ledges plus a single flying along the cliff. Dunbar Harbour had Shags in full breeding plumage and Rock Pipits chasing eachother along the beach. Pressmannan Lake held four Mandarins including a pair. Also present were Jay, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Stock Dove, Goldeneye and Little Grebe.

Today saw a return to wet and miserable weather. However more plants were in flower including a Quince tree in the grounds of Pollokshaws Burgh Hall and some interesting "wild-type" Daffodills in Pollok Park. Birds in the park included Jay (2), Great Spotted Woodpecker (3), Stock Dove (3) and a nice pair of Grey Wagtails.  

In spite of weather forecasts to the contrary, the sunny weather of yesterday lasted into today. The change to better weather has been accompanied by an increase in the number and variety of plants coming into flower. I found my first two Lesser Celandine plants in flower, and there are significantly more flowering Daffodils and Cherry Plums around. Several resident bird species continue to sing strongly. However I also found a single Redwing singing the warbling, slightly gruff sub-song that I associate with spring birds. I have heard flocks singing like this on several occasions in recent springs. They are sometimes joined by Starlings (possibly also preparing for migration) and the volume of sound produced can be quite substantial. I am surprised that it is not reported more often by other observers. 

Today's walk from Shawlands to Cathcart Cemetery took place in bright spring sunshine. Notable bird species included Treecreeper, Nuthatch, Goosander and two pairs of Stock Doves. The main botanical highlight was a flowering Cherry Plum tree along the river in Battlefield. Snowdrops are now "going over" with Daffodil flowers still not fully open. Plants already in flower consisted of a few each of Dandelion and Common Chickweed and lots of Gorse and Crocus spp.

A walk around Queen's Park this morning produced a total of 34 bird species with the highlights being Jay, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Nuthatch. At least four Common Frogs were in the "nature pond", two of which in amplexus.