Today, the south side of Glasgow experienced some of the heavy rain that the east of Scotland has endured for the last two to three weeks. Water birds in the park seemed unconcerned but passerines were few and far between. Tufted Duck numbers were high at sixteen and there was a noticeable increase in the number of adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls on the Boating Pond.

With time to spare this morning I decided to walk from Hamilton to Motherwell via Bellshill. Best feature of the walk was the dramatic scenery along the South Calder Water with the 33.5 meter Jerviston Railway Viaduct spanning the Calder Vale. Best birds were two Ravens over the Old Holm Forge Bridge. Plant highlights were Scarlet Elf Cups, Teasel, Bulrush and Goat Willow. 

The most interesting finds during a long walk through Queen's Park to the Gorbals and back via Pollokshields were actually botanical: Winter Jasmine in flower and Yellow Brain fungus growing on the stalk of a small shrub. The boating pond in the park held single Cormorant and Goosander. Nearby, a Chaffinch was singing strongly. Other notable singing birds were a Song Thrush in the park, a Collared Dove in Strathbungo and a minimum if eight Dunnocks at various locations. Later, two Grey Squirrels and a Brown Rat were in Pollokshaws.  

Another busy family day meant natural connections had to be severely curtailed. However a short walk in Queen's Park while waiting for a restaurant table produced a good total of five Moorhens on the upper (small) pond. 

The only birds I connected with during a busy day of driving and doing family stuff were a few Buzzards along the M8 towards Edinburgh and two more sharing the same tree near Craigmillar Castle.

Navelwort and Wallflower were two interesting finds on the rocks surrounding Calton Hill in Edinburgh today.

A flock of 40 Black-headed Gulls was over Pollokshaws today. Meanwhile, four Lesser Black-backed Gulls were back at their nesting site on the roof of "The Range" in Auldhouse Retail Park. 

Wednesday, February 04, 2026

A lunchtime walk through a very wet Strathaven was notable for two Dippers interacting on the River Avon, just east of the mill buildings. Other good birds were Buzzard, Collared Dove and Treecreeper.