Took a walk from home to RSPB Baron's Haugh a few days ago, I've walked the route many times, often enough to know what to expect and where. I had no intention of marking up ticks, having taken a day off I was determiend to enjoy my day's birding for the sake of it.
The weather was good, bright, sunny spells, offering great light for searching canopies for wee brown jobbies. The route itself is about 4 or 5 miles, taking in parts of the River Clyde, plenty of open floodplains, and the boating monstrosity which is Strathclyde Loch. On summer days, the still air sees clouds of flies rising off the Clyde, the pool at Raith Haugh, and the vast expanse of Strathclyde Loch. Warlbers, er, warble in the trees, if you're in no rush its pleasant just to stand and listen.
Swallows and swifts either swoop overhead, or fly lore over water, hawking for insects, performing avian acrobatics. Wooded areas abound with tits and finches, the odd thrush and plenty of corvids. A lesser redpoll was an unexpected surprise upon reaching Baron's Haugh, the Raven perched on the railway bridge was also pleasant, as was watching it being mobbed by jackdaws.
At first glance, the Haugh itself was quiet, a few oystercatchers, gadwall showing well close to a hide, a pair of canada geese, plus the assorted gulls you'd expect. Moorhen skulked in a corner, their larger coot cousins were a bit more bold.
Hugely enjoyable day's birding, decent weather, great walk, the Haugh was resplendent in the summer sun. It was only when I got home and counted back, I had over 40 species.
A day without ticks, ended up with over 40. Proof, again, of just how many surprises that Lanarkshire has in store.
The weather was good, bright, sunny spells, offering great light for searching canopies for wee brown jobbies. The route itself is about 4 or 5 miles, taking in parts of the River Clyde, plenty of open floodplains, and the boating monstrosity which is Strathclyde Loch. On summer days, the still air sees clouds of flies rising off the Clyde, the pool at Raith Haugh, and the vast expanse of Strathclyde Loch. Warlbers, er, warble in the trees, if you're in no rush its pleasant just to stand and listen.
Swallows and swifts either swoop overhead, or fly lore over water, hawking for insects, performing avian acrobatics. Wooded areas abound with tits and finches, the odd thrush and plenty of corvids. A lesser redpoll was an unexpected surprise upon reaching Baron's Haugh, the Raven perched on the railway bridge was also pleasant, as was watching it being mobbed by jackdaws.
At first glance, the Haugh itself was quiet, a few oystercatchers, gadwall showing well close to a hide, a pair of canada geese, plus the assorted gulls you'd expect. Moorhen skulked in a corner, their larger coot cousins were a bit more bold.
Hugely enjoyable day's birding, decent weather, great walk, the Haugh was resplendent in the summer sun. It was only when I got home and counted back, I had over 40 species.
A day without ticks, ended up with over 40. Proof, again, of just how many surprises that Lanarkshire has in store.
