Not to disappoint 2 duly obliged. One bird coming close enough for a shot :
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| Green Sand |
Otherwise the Haugh was very quiet with only a calling Common Sandpiper on the river being of any note.
Sunday 17 July 2011
Green Sands
After heavy rain on Saturday, the Clyde at Baron's Haugh on the Sunday morning was high. Good conditions I felt to push a Green Sandpiper on to the Haugh and preferably in front of the Marsh Hide.
Not to disappoint 2 duly obliged. One bird coming close enough for a shot :
Not to disappoint 2 duly obliged. One bird coming close enough for a shot :
Sunday 10 July 2011
Staying Local
A brief visit mid morning to Baron's Haugh produced c45 Lapwing, calling Water Rail and Grasshopper Warbler. A flyover Crossbill was also noteworthy.
Still unable to connect with Green Sand and despite 20 minutes by the river I again failed with Kingfisher.
Still unable to connect with Green Sand and despite 20 minutes by the river I again failed with Kingfisher.
Saturday 9 July 2011
Hogganfield Loch
It has been several months since I had been at Hogganfield & the most obvious change was the new decking/bird viewing platform now extending from the car park. Gone also is the metal fence that did its best to obscure the loch now replaced with bollards to prevent cars from falling or more likely, being pushed, into the water. Unfortunately, the bollards do not extend across the viewing platform and this will surely encourage "low life" to park their cars on it. Hopefully, they will sink into the loch. Oh how I do just love the human race !
A 'tern' nesting island has also been constructed in front of the viewing platform. This has obviously been done with good intention but for me it is far to close to the bank to be of any serious interest to nesting birds.
Being July, most wildfowl are now moulting. The banks were strewn with almost a hundred feral Grey Lags and equally as many Tufted were present on the loch. One female Tufted had 6 ducklings, proving presumably that breeding takes place at this site. The hoped for Ruddy Ducks were absent. If they had been present, I would not have reported them & I would urge anyone who sees Ruddy Duck in the UK NOT TO REPORT THEM. The b******* from DEFRA monitor birding sites to identify sites where birds remain and so by reporting them you are doing the birds absolutely no favours at all.
Folllowing the very hard winter I have struggled to see any Little Grebe this year. My only record for 2011 prior to today was a bird heard at Kilconquhar Loch in Fife. However, today there were 2 adults present. There were also up to 10 Great Crested Grebe present, no juveniles as yet, however, there were 3 birds on nests so hopefully in the coming weeks. Some shots of today's birds:
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A 'tern' nesting island has also been constructed in front of the viewing platform. This has obviously been done with good intention but for me it is far to close to the bank to be of any serious interest to nesting birds.
Being July, most wildfowl are now moulting. The banks were strewn with almost a hundred feral Grey Lags and equally as many Tufted were present on the loch. One female Tufted had 6 ducklings, proving presumably that breeding takes place at this site. The hoped for Ruddy Ducks were absent. If they had been present, I would not have reported them & I would urge anyone who sees Ruddy Duck in the UK NOT TO REPORT THEM. The b******* from DEFRA monitor birding sites to identify sites where birds remain and so by reporting them you are doing the birds absolutely no favours at all.
Folllowing the very hard winter I have struggled to see any Little Grebe this year. My only record for 2011 prior to today was a bird heard at Kilconquhar Loch in Fife. However, today there were 2 adults present. There were also up to 10 Great Crested Grebe present, no juveniles as yet, however, there were 3 birds on nests so hopefully in the coming weeks. Some shots of today's birds:
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