Wednesday 23rd May 2007

ABOVE: Grey Heron at Alexandra Park.

Alexandra Park, Glasgow (0700 - 0800 hrs) A very approachable Grey Heron was again present on the duck pond; also present were the breeding pair of Mute Swans, a pair of Moorhens with 2 chicks, a female Mallard with a brood of 3 ducklings, 11 Tufted Ducks, pair of Grey Wagtails and several House Sparrow families feeding around the scrub at the pond. Brown Rats were also evident at the pond.

Kelvingrove Park, Glasgow (1100 - 1230 hrs) The usual Mallards, Moorhens and Feral Pigeons were present at the pond, A female Roe Deer and at least 2 Brown Rats were feeding alongside the River Kelvin as were the usual assortment of birds; Long-tailed Tit (family group including at least 6 juvs), Blue Tit, Great Tit, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Dunnock, Robin, Magpie & Grey Wagtails.

Nearby at the River Kelvin - in front of the Transport Museum at least 10 Swifts and 20+ Sand Martins were actively feeding over the river

Fife and Tayside 8th - 10th May 2007

GREY HERON AT GAURDBRIDGE

CORN BUNTING AT KILRENNY. OSPREY IN FIFE

PAIR OF GREY PARTRIDGE IN JOHN'S GARDEN

Went up to Crail in Fife to visit a good friend of mine for a couple of days and saw some good birds including Bearded Tit, Osprey, Marsh Harrier and Corn Bunting (a total of 30 at Kilrenny Pig Farm!!!). I also photographed Grey Partridge in John's garden in Crail, superb!!!. I got some of the best views of Partridge I've ever had and from the comfort of John's lounge window).

Monday 7th May 2007

Drumpellier Country Park - 1645
Above right: This Mallard hybrid was present at Lochend Loch next to the Visitor Centre, it seems to have features of Mallard, Pintail and Bahama Pintail, it was a lovely looking bird whatever it's parentage was. A male Ruddy Duck (image above left) was also on Drumpelier Loch and a pair of Great Crested Grebes on Woodend Loch.

Gartloch Pools - 1730
A lovely drake Garganey (poor record shot below) on the smaller pools on the SE side of Gartloch Road, also 4 male and 3 female Gadwall there.

Monday 30th April 2007

Hogganfield Loch
At the main loch the birds included; 2 pairs of Great Crested Grebes, drake Gadwall, drake Teal, pair of Goosander, 3 Oystercatchers, a Common Sandpiper and a rather poorly looking male White Wagtail.

At the east marsh there were 2 imm Heron, an imm male Sparrowhawk, a singing Grasshopper Warbler, 3 singing Whitethroats, and a pair of Willow Warblers nest building. A buck and 3 female Roe Deer were also present.

Saturday 28th April 2007

Hogganfield Loch; 1230-1400 hrs.
2 male & 1 female Ruddy Duck, male Gadwall, male Teal and 4 Great Crested Grebes on loch. 2 Willow Warblers and a Blackcap singing on the island. At the east marsh there were 3 Herons, 1 Buzzard, a Whitethroats, 3 singing Willow Warblers, a singing Grasshopper Warbler and a singing Reed Bunting.
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Gadloch - 1430 hrs.

Pair of Shoveler in the channel at the east end of the loch, also pair of Oystercatcher and 3 pairs of Lapwings there.

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Heritage Loch - 1800 hrs.

A pair of Canada Geese on the island, a female Mallard had a brood of 11 newly hatched ducklings on the main loch and a pair of Coot had 3 chicks in the bird sanctuary area.

Thursday 26th April 2007

Cathkin Marsh SWT Reserve 1820-2000 hrs
2 Herons, 2 Moorhens, 7 Mallard (inc. 2 fems), 2 Snipe, 2 Swallows, displaying Meadow Pipit near hide, male Wheatear, pair of Stonechat, singing Grasshopper Warbler near hide, a singing Whitethroat near Dragonfly Ponds and 5 Reed Bunting territories. Also saw a Fox in the field on the west edge of the reserve and a Stoat at brick shed.

Sunday 22nd April 2007

Hogganfield Loch
Pair of Ruddy Ducks present off the car park at 1545hrs also a pair of Oystercatchers on the island.

Sightings from Saturday 21st April 2007
Hogganfield Park
4 Sand Martins(my first of the year) and 4 Swallows over the loch at 1130hrs.

Heritage Loch
7 House Martins(my first of the year) and 2 Swallows over the loch at 1830hrs.