Woodcock

I was casually watching the garden birds from the sun room window this morning when I noticed a large bird fly in the direction of the house. Obviously a wader, it banked against the houses on the opposite side of the road at which stage I was able to identify it as a Woodcock. It gained height and disappeared over the rooftops. Not only was this a garden tick but it was also a very welcome year tick.

Around lunchtime I took a trip up to the Heritage Loch. The loch was frozen in places and had good numbers of Herring Gulls and a couple of Greater Black Backs. A female Pochard was about the best duck and there were 40 Lapwing on the ice.

After that I did Cathkin Marsh where 2 Stonechat were present. As well as this, a Water Rail was squealing and there were some Fieldfare around. Close to the car park there was a Yellowhammer, and a few rather confiding Reed Buntings.

Female Reed Bunting

Everything scattered as a Sparrowhawk went through.