At least one and possibly two Fulmars were occupying potential breeding ledges on Salisbury Crags, Edinburgh when I checked from Regent Road today.

Having noticed Chiffchaffs becoming commoner on Loch Lomondside and Strathspey last week, I found evidence today (albeit rather limited) of Willow Warbler doing better locally too. Putting in my birdtrack records for Queen's Park (today) and Pollok Roundabout (Sunday), I noticed that I was entering my first records ever for the species for these two sites.

A walk around Mugdock Park this morning found four Swallows near the Khyber gunsights, a Moorhen pair with two young on Craigend Pond and two or three singing Tree Pipits.

A Whitethroat in song was the highlight of my regular Sunday walk through Crookston in southwest Glasgow today. Also of note were Starlings feeding young, apple trees in flower and Chiffchaff and Blackcap in song.  

Saturday, May 02, 2026

A busy family day meant natural connections were severely limited. Only a Collared Dove singing in Hamilton managed to register. 

A quiet day in Shawlands today. It appears that our local Swifts have not made it back yet (although a few have been recorded elsewhere in Clyde).  

Today was the day of my annual survey of the birds on Loch Lomondside from Rowardennan north. In the event, today's figures are not comparable with those from previous years because I started significantly later this year and walked significantly less far. Nevertheless here they are: Wood Warbler (7); Willow Warbler (22); Chiffchaff (11); Blackcap (18); Garden Warbler (4); Tree Pipit (1); Redstart (1 at Cashel); Pied Flycatcher (0); Spotted Flycatcher (0); Nuthatch (7). Best sightings included good views of the Garden Warblers and at Least two Bee-flies.

Sandwich Terns calling over the river channel and Linnets calling as they flew back and forward to the shore were the highlights of a non-birding visit to Irvine this lunchtime.