It was wet and windy in Biggar this afternoon - not very conducive to good birdwatching. Most interesting records concerned a Grey Heron on the river through the golf course and over 20 Sand Martins hawkinv over the loch. 

A walk around Auchineden estate this morning produced a Green Woodpecker (eventually) and my first Tree Pipit (a singing bird) of the spring. Earlier, Dawsholm Park had five Ring-necked Parakeets. 

A summer plumaged Slavonian Grebe, a "drop in" by fifteen Black-tailed Godwits and a singing Redshank were the highlights of an hour at RSPB Lochwinnoch this morning. 

I spent fifteen minutes waiting for a meeting in St George's Cross first thing this morning. During that time I heard or saw fifteen bird species - a reasonable total for a tiny handkerchief of green space surrounded by tenements. Two Grey Squirrels were also present plus some Fritillary flowers (another two sites in the west end (Kelvingrove Park and Thornwood Drive) were to produce records of this species by the end of the morning). Goosander and Dipper were on the Kelvin but I failed to spot any Sand Martins. 

A Sparrowhawk was displaying high over the eastern edge of Pollok Park this lunchtime. The Tufted Duck pairs on Maxwell Park Pond were staying close to eachother (unlike the Mallards which have mostly separated with the females presumably on eggs). In the afternoon, Kingfisher and Grey Heron were notable records for Auldhouse Park while a Grey Wagtail was singing above the traffic noise at Shawlands Cross. 

I managed to get away to take quite a long walk along the River Irvine below Darvel and Newmilns today. Highlight was a botanical one - Rustyback growing on an old wall on the edge of Darvel. Birds along the river included Dipper, Grey Wagtail and Nuthatch. Plants included Wood Anenome, Dog's Mercury, Opposite-leaved Golden-Saxifrage and Water Avens.

Sunday, April 05, 2026

Arriving at Gowanbank first thing, Song Thrush, Robin and Greenfinch were in song with Blackbird, Chaffinch and Goldfinch calling.

I spent a busy day in a wet and windy Darvel, East Ayrshire today. Bird highlight was a singing Treecreeper. Plants were Primrose and Coltsfoot. Mammals were Rabbit and bat sp.