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Western Scotland birding
I had five Mute Swans flying over my flat this morning. Not the most exciting sighting in the world, but it was the first time I'd seen them here. They were flying towards a park that has a pond in it, but the park isn't exactly on my doorstep. Heard them before I saw them! It was like seeing a... -
Western Scotland birding
Largs is usually a good spot for Black Guillemots. Pretty much guaranteed actually. Just take a walk along the waterfront and you should see some eventually. -
Western Scotland birding
Hogganfield Loch today. Saw the two Arctic Terns that have been there for a few days. Really pleased to see these as I missed them last year as they hadn't nested on the Isle of May which I rely on for an annual sighting. Other firsts for year include a mixed flock of House Martins and Sand... -
Western Scotland birding
I went to Irvine today. When I left home it was overcast and it looked like it would rain, but it actually hadn't rained for the full trip there - until we got to Irvine! It rained lightly on and off but it was very windy and stormy and the sea was looking really rough. I don't go to the coast... -
Western Scotland birding
It was fun watching the Mallards and Goosanders on the Kelvin. The water was really high and flowing really fast, and the birds would fly upriver, then they'd come down on to the water and then let the current carry them downriver. Probably a good way of conserving energy. -
Western Scotland birding
I was up the West End of Glasgow today to visit a bookshop but I walked through Kelvingrove Park before heading home. Usual parkland birds, but highlights were my first Dipper of the year and one of the Peregrines that nest in the tower of the Gilbert Scott Building at Glasgow University. -
Western Isles questions
Hopefully there will be more stability getting to various islands when the new ferries are in service. I think there's one going through trials now with others due to launch very soon. Unfortunately there's been a lot of strain put on the ferries over the past year or so with stripped back, and... -
Disturbance of birds by drones
I've seen footage of large raptors attacking drones too as I'm assuming they see them as a rival.- JTweedie
- Post #5
- Forum: Birds & Birding
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Disturbance of birds by drones
On a short visit to the Isle of Cumbrae today, an island that has very light vehicular traffic and is popular with walkers and cyclists on its quiet-ish roads, it provides relative peace and quiet for the birds around the shore. But today on my way back to the ferry I heard a buzzing noise and...- JTweedie
- Thread
- Replies: 7
- Forum: Birds & Birding
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Western Scotland birding
I'd hoped the builders upstairs from me wouldn't be working today (a Saturday) but how wrong I was. As soon as I saw them coming it made up my mind to leave for the day. I went down to Lochwinnoch and it was much the same as last week, with nothing out of the ordinary. I only stayed for an hour... -
Western Scotland birding
I went to Ayr today, my first visit to the coast this year. I got the bus down and saw Peregrine, Sparrowhawk and Common Buzzard on the journey. The former not long after we joined the motorway out of Glasgow and possibly one of the birds nesting at Glasgow University. The weather was a bit... -
Western Scotland birding
I went to Lochwinnoch today. It was a really nice day and felt warm despite my phone telling me it was only just over 10 degrees C. While I was there I got myself a Viking Monopod. I love my big scope, but sometimes I can't be annoyed carrying it and the tripod around, especially if I'll be... -
The Highlands and Islands Thread
Common Gull on the left hand side too I think. -
Do you count heard only birds on your life list?
I go with 1 too but I mark heard-only birds on my list, but remove the H once I see them. Don't have any birds on my list at the moment that I haven't seen at least once. But there are some like Tawny Owls that I hear often but hardly ever see, so they're usually on my year list as heard only. I...- JTweedie
- Post #11
- Forum: Birds & Birding
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Western Isles questions
If you have a car then basing yourself in one location in Mull will be fine. -
Birds fae Torry
I always think Stock Doves look more similar to Wood Pigeons than Feral Pigeons. -
Orkney and Shetland trip planning
If you're going to be there for two or three weeks then joining a trip run by someone like Shetland Wildlife might be worth it as they'll take you to all the key sites over a week and after that you could make your own way around once they've given you a good idea of the best places to go. To... -
Western Scotland birding
Just thinking about Hogganfield Loch. On the northwest side on Saturday there was a big build up of rubbish in the water, getting mingled in some vegetation near where birds congregate (and nest). Does anyone know if litter-picks are ever arranged? -
Western Isles questions
We have been known to have 30+ degrees C days! I think you'll be OK booking boat trips. Many of them run daily and some even sell tickets on the day. Buying in advance is advised though. -
Western Scotland birding
I don't have a car so I try to choose places that are reasonably close to a train station when I take the scope out as it is quite heavy. I have a big scope and a wee one, and I take the latter more often as it sits in my rucksack but it obviously doesn't have the reach of the big scope. I keep... -
Western Scotland birding
Went to Lochwinnoch today but I probably chose the wrong day for it. It wasn't cold really, but there was light drizzle being blown horizontally directly in to the hide, so it wasn't a comfortable spot with scope and binoculars getting soaked and the lenses covered in droplets. No luck with the... -
Western Scotland birding
Someone in Cornwall tweeted that they had their first Sand Martin yesterday. I was expecting it might take around a week for the first to arrive in Scotland, but RSPB Lochwinnoch has tweeted that they had their first over Barr Loch today. So if you're even further north, keep an eye out as they... -
Western Scotland birding
I went to Hogganfield Loch today where I got really good, but brief views of a Red-necked Grebe. It had only been first spotted a couple of days ago. It was really close to the side of the loch and was visible immediately, but then I lost sight of it - I think it might have moved into cover... -
A trip to Lewis & Harris - Feb 2024
Nice photos of the Purple Sandpipers. I used to see them on the quay walls at the entrance to Ayr harbour every winter, but I'm either not going at the right time or they're just not coming there any more as I haven't seen them for ages. -
A trip to Lewis & Harris - Feb 2024
I love walking by crows - Carrion or Hooded - because they're one of the few birds you can see that are actively keeping an eye on you. They'll often be quite bold and stand their ground and predict that you're likely to walk past them rather than be a threat.