Its possible that I've mentioned occasionally that this has been a frustrating year. Too many demands on limited time, a faltering year list, and general low mood have prevented me not only from getting out, but even impacted on my social media birding.
Giving myself another shake, I vowed to myself that whenever birding opportunities- no matter how awkward or unlikely- cropped up, I needed to seize them.
Thus, last Monday, I found myself in North Glasgow on a brief errand. Being without a car, and having promised to do the school run at 3pm, I had limited time to cram in what I could. Seizing the day, I opted to visit Possil Marsh Scottish Wildlife Trust reserve, a place I had visited once before, in a hurricane, in winter. Even then I saw the potential as a summer site.
The weather gods briefly forgot that this was Scotland, and the day broke sunny and warm. Errand complete, I walked the mile or so to the reserve at double speed, excitement building all the way. Once I got there, I was greeted by willow warblers in song. A mute swan floated serenely on the Forth and Clyde canal (among the rubbish and debris) and mallard swam with a lot less serenity further upstream.
Warblers in abundance, sedgies and whitethroats scratching out their calls, as if in competition. Chiffchaffs chiffing and willow warblers warbling. Baking sun and a wall of warbler noise. No year or life ticks, but a solid 2 hours immersing myself, enjoying the birds (and the novelty of a new site- well, almost new) Sparrowhawk and buzzard, herring gull and Lesser BB, skylark and meadow pipit- the visit was full of partnerships. All too son, time ran out and I had to make the trek from North Glasgow to South Lanarkshire. A warm glow and a satisfied smile, any day's birding which ends like that must surely be a success.
Giving myself another shake, I vowed to myself that whenever birding opportunities- no matter how awkward or unlikely- cropped up, I needed to seize them.
Thus, last Monday, I found myself in North Glasgow on a brief errand. Being without a car, and having promised to do the school run at 3pm, I had limited time to cram in what I could. Seizing the day, I opted to visit Possil Marsh Scottish Wildlife Trust reserve, a place I had visited once before, in a hurricane, in winter. Even then I saw the potential as a summer site.
The weather gods briefly forgot that this was Scotland, and the day broke sunny and warm. Errand complete, I walked the mile or so to the reserve at double speed, excitement building all the way. Once I got there, I was greeted by willow warblers in song. A mute swan floated serenely on the Forth and Clyde canal (among the rubbish and debris) and mallard swam with a lot less serenity further upstream.
Warblers in abundance, sedgies and whitethroats scratching out their calls, as if in competition. Chiffchaffs chiffing and willow warblers warbling. Baking sun and a wall of warbler noise. No year or life ticks, but a solid 2 hours immersing myself, enjoying the birds (and the novelty of a new site- well, almost new) Sparrowhawk and buzzard, herring gull and Lesser BB, skylark and meadow pipit- the visit was full of partnerships. All too son, time ran out and I had to make the trek from North Glasgow to South Lanarkshire. A warm glow and a satisfied smile, any day's birding which ends like that must surely be a success.
