Birding near Glasgow or Edinburgh (1 Viewer)

Maffong

Well-known member

• Mar 6, 2017

• #1

Hi,
the next few days I'll be in Glasgow and Edinburgh mainly to visit those two cities. But maybe I might squeeze in a few hours for birding. What localities could I visit in the Region and what are the possibilities to find Scottish Crossbill (and how do you identify them?), Red Grouse and other specialties that can't be found (easily) in germany?

A big thank you in advance!

Maffong

 

delia todd

If I said the wrong thing it was a Senior Moment

Staff member

Opus Editor

Supporter

• Mar 6, 2017

• #2

Hi Maffong

While you're waiting for some local input, you might like to have a look at some of the Opus articles, which you can access here.

I don't know the Glasgow area at all, but Baron's Haugh seems to be a good place to go.

In the Ediinburgh area, I can thoroughly recommend Musselburgh and Aberlady Bay.

Enjoy!

 

Nutcracker

Stop Brexit!

• Mar 6, 2017

• #3

Scottish Crossbill is an imaginary bird, invented to help generate funds for habitat conservation (much needed, but this wasn't the best way to go about it) - but don't waste time trying to find any 8-P

If you want to see the nearest equivalent (Parrot Crossbill: Kiefernkreuzschnabel), you need to head up to the native Scots Pine forests around Aviemore on Speyside - quite a long way from Glasgow or Edinburgh (220-230 km!).

 

david kelly

Drive-by Birder

• Mar 6, 2017

• #4

Maffong said:

Hi,
the next few days I'll be in Glasgow and Edinburgh mainly to visit those two cities. But maybe I might squeeze in a few hours for birding. What localities could I visit in the Region and what are the possibilities to find Scottish Crossbill (and how do you identify them?), Red Grouse and other specialties that can't be found (easily) in germany?

A big thank you in advance!

Maffong

Click to expand...

Hi Maffong

The most accessible site is Musselburgh, get a bus from Princes Street (15, 26, 44, 113) and get off at the first stop after the River Esk. Follow the river to the mouth and you will get to the ash lagoons. There's a drake Surf Scoter there as well as good views of Long-tailed Duck and Velvet Scoter among others. There was a Shore Lark there this weekend, small numbers of Twite there too.

David

 

david kelly

Drive-by Birder

• Mar 6, 2017

• #5

Red Grouse are more difficult unless you have a car. There are dense populations in the Lammermuir Hills south of Haddington but as a recent paper on Merlins there in British Birds has pointed out the intensification of management for them there has b@ggered the other wildlife there.

Pink-footed Geese are still around and Barnacles were reported yesterday. There also an American Wigeon in Fife and Green-winged Teal thereabouts too. There are Iceland and Glaucous Gulls on the North Sea Coast but you need some luck with those. The @birdinglothian twitter feed is a good source of news.

David

 

J

Jonathan Mitchell

Well-known member

• Mar 7, 2017

• #6

Baron's Haugh is well worth a visit, and you should see Gadwall and maybe Water Rail.

RSPB Lochwinnoch is another good site, with a redhead Smew there right now. A drake Hooded Merganser has prompted some speculation this winter.

Hogganfield Loch in the north of Glasgow is also worth a visit. Hope you have a good time, whatever you do, and see a lot of nice birds!

 

Nutcracker

Stop Brexit!

• Mar 13, 2017

• #7

So how did it go?