A cool day in Shawlands with no Swallow activity and certainly no Swifts. 

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An Oystercatcher flw over Lendrick Muir Outdoor Centre when I arrived there at 07:00. Later in the day, a bird running quietly around the side of the building made me wonder if there were mobile chicks present. Rooks, Starlings and Jackdaws were all bring food to nests in the vicinity, and I saw at least two young Rooks (with noticeably short tails) in flight.  

Highlight of a short visit to Balloch Castle today was a sighting of a "squirrel" which turned out to be a Stoat. We were able to watch it running through the grass and diving into a hole at the base of a tree. Singing birds included Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff and Blackcap. Also good were Nuthatch and Treecreeper. 

I ventured a little further afield today - to the 1km square containing Crosshill and Govanhill. Highlights consisted of singing Treecreeper and successful breeding by Ravens (the latter confirmed by the presence of three well-grown chicks in a nest on a church spire).

Today's walk around Pollokshaws took place in light showers so the birds on offer were fewer than yesterday. Nevertheless I saw my first two local Swallows of the year - a pair interacting over the car park behind the Shawlands Arcade. 

Interesting birds encountered in Pollokshaws this afternoon consisted of a Dipper flying upriver near Coustonholm Bridge, an Oystercatcher flying over Morrisons Car Park near Riverford Bridge and a pair of Grey Wagtails under Shaw Bridge. Birds I failed to see consisted of Swallow and Swift. Neither appear to have returned to the area so far this year.