The weather had picked up slighty, from the cold and freezing temperatures. Finding time between the rain and dry weather paid off as this week I managed to see a bird I have seen before but always a lovely surprise to see, and one I have not seen for about 20 years! Alexandra Park (16/01/25) […]
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The weather had picked up slighty, from the cold and freezing temperatures. Finding time between the rain and dry weather paid off as this week I managed to see a bird I have seen before but always a lovely surprise to see, and one I have not seen for about 20 years!
Alexandra Park (16/01/25)
After a lovely stroll around the park where I saw the usual suspects (which is never a bad thing) I heard a familiar drumming sound as I was getting ready to leave – a Great-Spotted Woodpecker!
Great-Spotted WoodpeckerGreat-Spotted Woodpecker
The drumming sound was amazing to hear and was very loud. They seem to be drumming earlier this year than I have heard previously but I am always happy hear let alone see a Great-Spotted Woodpecker.
Pollok Country Park (18/01/25)
This year’s first Glasgow Women’s Birding Group outing was to Pollok Country Park. I hadn’t been in over three years so it was nice to return after so long.
Five of us met up and went on a very detailed and thorough trek around the park which was brilliant as we got to experience some great birding and nature sights.
After such a wonderful walk round the bird we were all hoping to see made an appearance (albeit briefly), as Jays are quite secretive birds. One did make a great appearance at one of the popular open bird feeding areas. The majority spent their time blending in with the trees and bushes.
JayJayJayJayJay
It was an absolute joy to see a Jay – a bird I haven’t seen in about 20 years. The last time I saw one was back in my nans garden, but since then they have always been elusive to me. I was so overjoyed to finally see up to seven across the whole day out! Other sightings included Grey Squirrels and a Roe Deer.
Skein of Geese Blue TitGreat TitNuthatch
Birds seen this week:
Here we are again, another new year has just begun. I have been away from my camera and nature for far too long! A run of bad health and bad weather has limited my time getting out and about. Hopefully, going forward I can find time and new places in Glasgow and the surrounding area […]
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Here we are again, another new year has just begun. I have been away from my camera and nature for far too long! A run of bad health and bad weather has limited my time getting out and about.
Hopefully, going forward I can find time and new places in Glasgow and the surrounding area to get out with my camera and enjoy nature again. The highs of Winter are currently upon us thus many birds are out and about in the daylight hours foraging for food, making it easy to take pictures of them.
A wee highlight before the new year was up was seeing a beautiful Red Fox at my new place of work. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for this wee beauty again.
Red Fox (taken on Google Pixel 8 Pro)
Hogganfield Loch (08/01/25)
It was a bright but cold day, perfect conditions to get out for a walk and I thought why not take your camera and see what you can photograph. I was very happy to see the usual suspects, such as Robin, Blue, Great and Long-Tailed Tits and Carrion Crows. A lovely highlight was a pair of beautiful Bullfinches. I always find these birds (especially the male) absolutely stunning to look at.
There was also a large number of waterfowl and Swans. I was very happy to see the wonderful Whooper Swans. The noise they make always makes me smile, plus I always think they have such friendly faces, especially compared to their relatives the Mute Swan. I also enjoyed seeing the many Mallards, Tufted Ducks, Great-Crested Grebes, Goosanders, Little Grebes and Goldeneyes!
I very much enjoyed getting out and about with my camera and my aim for 2025 is to hopefully take as many opportunities to get out and about to a wide range of different places and photograph as many birds as possible!
A stroll around Glasgow’s Botanical Gardens and Kelvingrove Park – (21/10/24) After the stormy weather on the Sunday evening, Monday turned out to be a fairly decent day. My cousin and I decided to go for a lovely walk around the Botanical Gardens and Kelvingrove Park that morning. I didn’t bring my camera as it […]
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A stroll around Glasgow’s Botanical Gardens and Kelvingrove Park – (21/10/24)
After the stormy weather on the Sunday evening, Monday turned out to be a fairly decent day. My cousin and I decided to go for a lovely walk around the Botanical Gardens and Kelvingrove Park that morning. I didn’t bring my camera as it was a walk for a long overdue catch-up between the two of us.
I did of course keep my eye out for any creatures on my walk. I saw the usual suspects of Blue and Great Tits, Robins, Wrens, Grey Heron and Mallards. There was also a small group of Goosanders and it was great to see the bring blue bullet of the Kingfisher, calling its way down the River Kelvin. It looked like a wee sparkly gem flying quickly. Always a special sight for me.
RSPB Barons Haugh – (26/10/24)
My first trip out with the Glasgow’s Women’s Birding and Nature group in a good while due to many reasons, as previously mentioned in past blogs. This trip took me to a new location – RSPB Barons Haugh which isn’t too far from Motherwell. I was looking forward to going to a new place as not having a car of my own can limit my choice of locations for birding.
The weather was lovely, blue skies, bright sunshine, the wind was chilly but not biting. It was an excellent day for birding.
We spent a good 2 and a half hours walking around and spending a good chunk of time in the wetland hides, where we got to see a wide abundance of wetland birds, such as ducks, waterfowl and waders.
Lapwings in flightWadersA mix of waders and ducks
I was excited to see a large deceit of Lapwings – a bird that had evaded me all year despite my numerous tries of seeing them. It was also lovely to see so many Teal as well, the bright emerald reflecting lovely in the sunshine. It was also great to see my first Whooper Swans of the year! A migrant bird which will be well on its way to the UK shores.
Across the wetlands, I managed to see three birds that I had never seen before, which were the Black-Tailed Godwit, Green Sandpiper and Ruff.
Green SandpipersBlack-Tailed Godwit
It is very rare I get out to wetlands or coasts to see waders, so this is always a pleasure for me to see these type of birds, especially seeing three I’ve never seen for the first time. I was a very happy birder!
After spending time around the wetland part, we decided to have a wander to the more open part of the river flowing through the reserve. Otters are usually seen around this area – no such luck today! We did come across a pair of Cormorants drying themselves on a branch and a Little Grebe ducking and diving in the overhanging branches.
CormorantLittle GrebeCormorant
A stroll into the woodland areas produced the usual suspects and some special gems in the likes of Bullfinches, Nuthatches and Treecreepers.
GoldfinchBlue Tit (I promise it is in there!)
Before the day was done, we also saw a fair amount of Buzzards – alerted to us by the noisy Corvids mobbing them. A Raven flew overheard cronking away which was lovely to see (a personal favourite of mine). Overall, the day was successful and was thoroughly enjoyed by all!
Where have I been? Apologies for the delay in posting a new blog – this was suppose to be a weekly blog, however, illness, travelling, a holiday and bad weather has delayed a lot of my weekly updates. I was on holiday back in early September in Malia, Crete, Greece with my best friend. On […]
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Where have I been?
Apologies for the delay in posting a new blog – this was suppose to be a weekly blog, however, illness, travelling, a holiday and bad weather has delayed a lot of my weekly updates.
I was on holiday back in early September in Malia, Crete, Greece with my best friend. On this week away I did get to see a few firsts for me such as Bearded Vultures, Honey Buzzards, Crested Larks, Great-White Egrets and a Ring Ouzel. There were also a few familiar species such as Hooded Crows, House Sparrows, Swallows and Swifts. I also got to experience seeing the most beautiful butterfly – the Swallowtail Butterfly. I unfortunately did not take my camera abroad as it was suppose to be a switch-off holiday but I now know this was a rookie mistake as I was unable to take any photos of these magnificent creatures!
Crete (Image from Google)
Back closer to home and fast forward to October, I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Fieldfare and Redwing on my local patch, Alexandra Park. I am also awaiting the arrival of the Whooper Swans at Hogganfield Loch.
Alexandra Park & Hogganfield Loch (14th & 15th October)
After sometime away from Alexandra Park, mainly due to the bad weather, it was nice to get back out and about with my camera and see which regular creatures I could find. There was nothing too out of the ordinary and it was nice to see all the familiar birds and Grey Squirrels about the place after the late summer lull.
I did however come across a bird I had been dying to photograph for a good while now, I have heard them more than seen them amongst the bushes in the park, but after waiting about 20 minutes I finally got a decent (for me anyways) photograph of the minute Goldcrest!
GoldcrestGoldcrest
Now onto Hogganfield Loch – I was sat in a peaceful part of Hogganfield listening to Blue, Great & Long-Tailed Tits, Blackbirds, Robins, Wrens and the flock of Redwings that flew overhead when further down the pathway a bushy tail catches my eye. I turn to my left and in disbelief a stunning Red Fox strolls on by. As I was stood in awe admiring the sheer size and beauty of this amazing creature (I am personally a huge fan of Foxes, so to me they will always be a beautiful sight to behold) I forgot I had my camera with me and only managed slight glimpses!
Red FoxRed Fox
I was so excited after seeing that Red Fox (I’ll admit, I did shed some happy tears after seeing it). I continued my walk around Hogganfield and saw many other delights.
As I was finishing up my walk a skein of Pink-Footed Geese flew overhead in the famous V formation. The sight and noise of a skein of Geese is always a great experience to take in.
Hello again! Apologies for the long absence of regular weekly blog posts – I have unfortunately had a run of bad luck recently with severely poor mental health, possible Covid and then Whooping Cough (which out of the three might possibly have been the worse). Due to the ailments mentioned above I have not been […]
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Hello again! Apologies for the long absence of regular weekly blog posts – I have unfortunately had a run of bad luck recently with severely poor mental health, possible Covid and then Whooping Cough (which out of the three might possibly have been the worse).
Due to the ailments mentioned above I have not been able to get out birding at all over the last few weeks of Spring leading into Summer. As most birders are aware Summer is quite a quiet time for the majority of birds, especially those on your local patch.
A Surprise Find
An unusual sight was spotted from my kitchen window back in late July of a Carrion Crow/Hooded Crow hybrid. I was only able to get a photo on my phone (apologies for the poor quality) but was a welcome addition to the local Corvids in the area. It seems to be bonding well with the other Carrion Crows, Jackdaws and Magpies in the area.
My new flat has allowed me to follow the progress of the local Herring Gulls, I have been witness to the juveniles coming of age from fluffy youngsters begging for food from their parents, to them practicing warming up those wings to now flying around the local housing estate and terrorising their parents!
I have managed to get some shots of the adult Herring Gulls, however, the juveniles will not keep still enough for me to get a decent photo yet but I will keep trying my best as they are quite cute and interesting characters!
I did manage to get a photo of a lovely, wee, sleeping Feral Pigeon which did make me say “Awwww”. I do love me a Feral Pigeon!
Feral Pigeon
Before writing up this blog, I did manage a quick walk around my local patch – just mainly to stretch my legs and help to improve my lung function again. Highlights included seeing the young Cygnets still doing well, and happy to report the whole family of four are looking healthy! Also, lovely to see a pair of Chaffinches and the Reed Bunting again!
After a lovely sunny weekend last week, the rain came back with a vengeance. Unfortunately, I have been unable to get out and about as much as I would have liked due to work and not such great weather for birding! Meet Glasgow’s Peregrines – (25/05/24) After the magnificent highlights of last week with Osprey, […]
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After a lovely sunny weekend last week, the rain came back with a vengeance. Unfortunately, I have been unable to get out and about as much as I would have liked due to work and not such great weather for birding!
Meet Glasgow’s Peregrines – (25/05/24)
After the magnificent highlights of last week with Osprey, Ring-Necked Parakeets and Stock Dove, I felt the week was going to end on a low note! However, I remembered that the RSPB and The SOC were setting up cameras and scopes to see the wonderful and striking Peregrine Falcons – Saturday also had the best weather fortunately!
Peregrine FalconPeregrine FalconPeregrine Falcon
Last year I attended to same event and got wonderful views of the Peregrine Falcon chicks but sadly no adults! This year my wish was granted – exceptional views of the stunning female Peregrine Falcon, high up on the tower. I like to think she was watching her brood from afar, waiting for the male to return with some delicious pigeon or other unfortunate soul to be caught by these most powerful of avian predators!
Alexandra Park – (16/05/24) After my Canon camera decided to stop working, I bit the bullet and decided to invest in a more expensive bridge camera, so after charging it up I felt it was only right on such a lovely evening after work to try it out. I am still sorting out settings and […]
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Alexandra Park – (16/05/24)
After my Canon camera decided to stop working, I bit the bullet and decided to invest in a more expensive bridge camera, so after charging it up I felt it was only right on such a lovely evening after work to try it out. I am still sorting out settings and what not but the difference in quality and zoom ability is truly amazing!
All the usuals were spotted and looking well – keeping busy with nests and young to feed. I like to think the adults appreciate to little bits of bird food I drop off for them to keep their energy up! When walking around one of the ponds it was lovely to see two Cygnets and their parents (happy they have finally hatched). Hopefully they continue to grow and be healthy! I can’t help but think Cygnets, Ducklings and Goslings are some of the cutest wee creatures ever!
Here are some of the shots I got with my new camera, hopefully will get better over time!
Dawsholm Park – (18/05/24)
A wonderful sunny and warm day lead to a trip out over to Dawsholm Park. I had never been to this park before in Glasgow, but from many recommendations to check it out, I thought why not today! Dawsholm Park is famous for its Ring-Neck Parakeets and I was eager to see them for myself! I was forewarned I may hear them before I would see them – that was not wrong! Hearing them and seeing them felt like a tropical day out and not a park in Glasgow!
I also saw the other usual suspects such as Robins, Blackbirds, Song Thrush, Jackdaws. I also was lucky enough to see the beautiful Stock Doves, Great-Spotted Woodpecker and Treecreepers (unfortunately no photos).
WrenRobinMallard (Female)Grey HeronCarrion Crow
I thoroughly enjoyed my day in Dawsholm Park despite the warm weather. I feel the birds were also struggling in the heat as I could hear a lot but could not always see them!
Hogganfield Loch – (19/05/24)
On a whim and a tip from The SOC Whatsapp group, the Osprey was back at Frankfield/Hogganfield Loch. I headed out for the bus and before I knew it I was standing looking over the island at Hogganfield Loch seeing a magnificent Osprey circling! What a way to end the weekend!! I genuinely shed a tear as this is a bird I have been wanting to see for years, and I was not disappointed!
I also saw Little Grebes, Reed Buntings, Sedge Warbler and Buzzards being mobbed by Corvids! Another highlight was seeing the Canada Goose Goslings!
As the weather has managed to be a bit brighter and warmer, I have found the birds and nature in general to be more active and abundant. Not only have birds been busy singing, nest building and so on, I have also witnessed more Bees and Butterflies whizzing around. Alexandra Park & Hogganfield Loch – […]
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As the weather has managed to be a bit brighter and warmer, I have found the birds and nature in general to be more active and abundant. Not only have birds been busy singing, nest building and so on, I have also witnessed more Bees and Butterflies whizzing around.
Alexandra Park & Hogganfield Loch – (06/05/24)
As I had the day off work and the weather was good – I decided to take a walk around Alexandra Park and then caught the bus to Hogganfield Loch. Camera and binoculars in hand off I went for a stroll (sadly my camera stopped working after this day, but awaiting a new camera to arrive soon)!
The morning began at Alexandra Park, where I caught up with my usual suspects such as Blue, Coal and Great Tit, Blackbird, Robin, Woodpigeon and of course the large murder of Carrion Crows.
Carrion CrowBlackbirdWoodpigeonBlue TitGreat Tit
Highlights of the morning around Alexandra Park were Blackcap, Greylag Goose, Reed Bunting and Willow Warbler. It was also lovely to see the Starlings in the bright sunshine, I love the shimmer that comes from them!
StarlingStarlingTreecreeperBlackcapGreylag GooseWillow Warbler (very far away)Grey SquirrelMallard DucklingMallard DucklingMallard Duckling
It’s always a joy to see those gorgeous, fluffy Mallard ducklings! I just hope they survive the Spring and Summer months! I am also currently waiting for the Mute Swans cygnets to hatch as those are always a treat for sore eyes!
Onwards to Hogganfield and that rounded off such a lovely day out! Again, plenty of usual suspects in the form of Mute Swans, Canada Geese, Mallards, Tufted Ducks etc. But it was nice to see Goosanders mixed in with the group!
Some highlights of the day included seeing two birds I have never seen before at Hogganfield Loch – Common Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler as well as getting wonderful views of the Great-Crested Grebes.
Unfortunately, I was unable to get good enough photos of the Common Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler, but managed a very zoomed in photo of the Gadwall.
GadwallGadwallGadwall
Musselburgh – (11/05/24)
As mentioned previously my camera had stopped working thus no good photos were taken here, but that did not lessen the day any! Absolutely brilliant day out! As I do not drive, I struggle to get out an about unless there is good public transport available so Musselburgh was an ideal day out (also recommended by my birding friend @EdinBirdwatcher)!
After an exceptional days birding where I ticked off several new sightings for me – including the magnificent Skylark!! What a stunning bird to see up close, to witness flying and to hear! The other new birds seen were amazing and wonderful but the Skylark just pipped the new birds seen post for me!
Not only a fabulous week of birding but to end the weekend on seeing and hearing 4 Swifts was the cherry on top!
Alexandra Park (21/04/24) After a long time off from completing a weekly blog due to work, tiredness, bad weather and numerous other plans, it was finally nice to have a weekend where I could just get out and about and enjoy some time in nature! It’s been hard to find the time recently, but with […]
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Alexandra Park (21/04/24)
After a long time off from completing a weekly blog due to work, tiredness, bad weather and numerous other plans, it was finally nice to have a weekend where I could just get out and about and enjoy some time in nature!
It’s been hard to find the time recently, but with the lighter nights happening and hopefully better weather I will be able to get back out and about with my camera again! It has been far too long!
I decided for my first time out in awhile to just be a simple walk for the senses, enjoy the sights and sounds of Spring happening all around (thus poor images due to phone quality).
NuthatchStarlingStarlingsGreylag Geese
Hogganfield Loch (a few weekends ago)
Unfortunately, no camera again as was mainly heading out to the Big Feed for food with a walk around the Loch – low and behold much to be seen when I don’t bring my camera, including Great Crested Grebes, Little Grebes, Rooks, Roe Deer, Frogs and even a fair sized Palmate Newt!
Canada GeeseFrogspawn
Birds seen this week:
Black-Headed Gull
Blackbird
Blackcap
Blue Tit
Bullfinch
Buzzard*
Canada Goose*
Carrion Crow
Chaffinch
Chiffchaff
Coal Tit
Coot
Cormorant*
Dunnock
Feral Pigeon
Gadwall*
Goldeneye*
Goldfinch
Goosander*
Great Crested Grebe*
Great Tit
Greenfinch
Greylag Geese
Grey Heron*
Herring Gull
House Sparrow
Jackdaw
Lesser Black-Backed Gull
Little Grebe*
Long-Tailed Tit
Magpie
Mallard
Mistle Thrush
Moorhen
Mute Swan
Nuthatch
Reed Bunting
Robin
Siskin
Song Thrush
Starling
Treecreeper
Tufted Duck
Willow Warbler
Woodpigeon
Wren
*seen at Hogganfield Loch only – took record of what was seen so added to list.
After a week off from writing my blog – due to back to work fatigue, bad weather and not getting out anywhere, I did not feel there was much point to posting a blog update! However, this weekend has been much more fun and interesting nature wise! Hamiltonhill Claypits LNR (16/03/24) A wee bright and […]
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After a week off from writing my blog – due to back to work fatigue, bad weather and not getting out anywhere, I did not feel there was much point to posting a blog update! However, this weekend has been much more fun and interesting nature wise!
Hamiltonhill Claypits LNR (16/03/24)
A wee bright and sunny morning allowed for a lovely 90min walk around the Claypits LNR. I saw the regular Tufted Ducks, Mute Swans and many other usual suspects. I was lucky to get a nice close shot of a Cormorant drying itself at the side of the canal!
CormorantCormorant
When venturing higher up into the wooded areas, I came across a great mixture of Blue, Coal, Great & Long-Tailed Tits, Bullfinches, Chaffinches, Goldfinches, Greenfinches and Siskins, as well as Robins and Dunnocks.
GoldfinchBullfinchRobin
Down in the run off there was also a small game of spot the Wren going on!
Wren
I not only came across several species of birds, but was also lucky enough to see a couple of Frogs and a Toadlet (which I managed to rescue from a storm drain)!
Toadlet
Overall, it was a very enjoyable walk around the Claypits LNR! It seemed like Spring was kicking in, just before the rain started again later in the day!
Balloch Castle Country Park (17/03/24)
Mandarin Ducks
Today marked another group meet up for the Glasgow Women’s Birders Group and this time it took us to Balloch Castle Country Park! With a mixture of sunshine, drizzle and then a slight downpour, we all had a wonderful time and the majority of us got to tick a new bird off our lists with the two gorgeous male and female Mandarin Ducks!! Not native to the UK but still an absolute pleasure to see!
It was truly amazing that in just over 2 hours and 45mins of walking, 30+ species were recorded! Even though we never saw the Great Spotted Woodpecker I have still noted it due to it being so obvious when heard several times, it just continued to allude us! We also saw the blue dart that is the Kingfisher however too quick for any of our cameras to take a shot!
Glasgow Women’s Birders GroupGlasgow Women’s Birders GroupMute SwanSong ThrushSong ThrushSong ThrushTreecreeperMale Mallard
Birds seen this week:
