Sunday, March 06, 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.

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 Celendine 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, Goosanderand 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.  

A lunchtime visit to the Neuer See at the west end of the Tiergarten produced sightings of Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Mallard, bibbed Mallard, Coot and Moorhen and the calls of Nuthatch and Great Spotted (or similar) and Green Woodpeckers. The only plant in flower was a Spring Snowflake (Leucojum vernum), a new species for me.