Birding Advice - Scotland (1 Viewer)

[Bermybirder]

Hello Scottish Birders,

I will be in Scotland (Central Belt & Borders) from July 24th to August 12th. I will stay in Stirling from July 24th to August 1st, then travel around the borders and into Northern England before returning to Glasgow on August 6th—12th.

I hope any Scottish birders could:

1. Make suggestions as to some go-to spots (I have explored Ebird and the RSPB, making a list of places I would like to visit, I am looking for local knowledge)
2. Be willing to go birding with me.

Thank you very much for any advice you have.

p.s. I am a fairly avid birder, and have been birding for 10+ years, mostly in China (where I currently live), and originally in Bermuda (my hometown)

 

[Mono]

The Scottish Ornithology Club make a great free app. Which is basically local knowledge condensed.

Where to Watch Birds Scotland - Apps on Google Play

SOC Birdwatching Site Guide

play.google.com

 

[delia todd]

Hi Bermybirder and a warm welcome to you from all the Staff and Moderators. At Stirling you won't be too far from Argaty at Doune: Argaty Red Kites Or a drive round the Ochil Hills could be productive - up through Glendevon.

Unfortunately I'll only just be arriving back from a visit to South Wales, so don't think a meet would work for me sadly.

I'm sure you will enjoy it here and I look forward to hearing your news.

​

 

[LittleBitOfBreadNoCheese]

re: Argaty I went there last Sat and the farmland had been taken over by some ghastly bike scrambling event and I gave up before getting to the centre. Not sure if it was a one-off or regular Saturday thing?

 

[delia todd]

You got me doing a bit of digging. I haven't yet come up with anything to do with scrambling at Argaty, but there was a Hill Climb championship on a hill about a mile west that weekend. I didn't know there was such a thing LOL

It (scrambling) would seem to be an odd thing for Argaty to have on their land you'd think?

 

[LittleBitOfBreadNoCheese]

Yes it was just past Mill of Argaty I think. Presumably a bit of extra cash for the landowner? The noise was horrendous. Luckily I'd already seen a kite so it wasn't a total washout.

 

[Bermybirder]

The Scottish Ornithology Club make a great free app. Which is basically local knowledge condensed.

Where to Watch Birds Scotland - Apps on Google Play

SOC Birdwatching Site Guide

play.google.com

Hi Mono,

Thank you for sharing, I have downloaded the app and will try to use it in tandem with Ebird.

Cheers!

 

[Bermybirder]

Hi Bermybirder and a warm welcome to you from all the Staff and Moderators. At Stirling you won't be too far from Argaty at Doune: Argaty Red Kites Or a drive round the Ochil Hills could be productive - up through Glendevon.

Unfortunately I'll only just be arriving back from a visit to South Wales, so don't think a meet would work for me sadly.

I'm sure you will enjoy it here and I look forward to hearing your news.

​

Thank you, Delia, for your reply and warm welcome.

Argaty Red Kites looks like a great place to visit with the family.

The Ochil Hills, I assume we can drive up through Glendevon, park, and then walk up?

Thanks again for the assistance,

Angelo