Western Scotland birding (1 Viewer)

[Caledonian]

Speaking of Smew:

Yesterday (Saturday) a walk around Lochwinnoch area.
During the day the drake Smew nicely seen from visitor centre. (has been seen since Wednesday)
During my walk around the Barr loch; Male merlin shortly present westside of the loch before it where chased away by common gulls.
A Jacksnipe flushed on southside Barr loch, also 2 common Snipe flushed. Kingfisher seen westside Barr loch and Skylark in the fields. (not common in this area)
On the loch: 5 Gadwall, 1 Pochard, 90 Goldeneye, 42 Goosanders, 34 Whooper swans, 110 Teal, 240 Wigeon, 4 Great crested grebe and in the trees; Hoodie hybride, 9 Redwing.

From the visitor centre and on the aird meadow: 1 Brambling, 4 Fieldfares, 3 Pochard, 10 Goldeneye, 4 Goosander and ofcourse the Drake Smew.

On Castle semple: 1 Female Scaup present in a group of 15 Goldeneye. On the Castle semple a total of 30 Goldeneye, 8 Goosander, 106 Canada geese and a flock of approx 400 Greyleg geese flew over. Couldn't make out other species in the group. A Linnet seen along Castle Semple. A new year specie for the reserve.

Cheers,
Rik

 

[Caledonian]

Yesterday 7th of March still 2 Smews on the Barr loch/Lochwinnoch.
1 male and 1 redhead. Also 23 Whooper swans.

 

[Caledonian]

I discovered a adult Drake Lesser Scaup on Tuesday on Auchendores Reservoir between Port Glasgow and Kilmacolm.
Here some pictures of the bird; http://observado.org/waarneming/view/74299083
First I had some difficulties with id this bird but it has been confirmed now by several other keen birders.
Also seen on Wednesday.
Other birds in the area during the previous days; 1 Pochard, 1 Raven, 1 Stockdove, 1 Fox showing nice, 30 Teal, 6 Goldeneye, 30 Tufties, 2 Snipe, 1 Kingfisher, 300 Greyleg geese, 26 Canada geese etcetc.

Yesterday Adult Glaucous gull still present from Dumbarton Castle during the the gull roost around 6pm. Also 490 Lesser black backed gulls present.

5 Slavonian grebe, 21 Red tr Divers and 24 Black guillimot from T-Mobile centre/Greenock

Cheers,
Rik

 

[bongofury]

I discovered a adult Drake Lesser Scaup on Tuesday on Auchendores Reservoir between Port Glasgow and Kilmacolm.

Well done with the Lesser Scaup, Rik:t:

 

[allanpcameron]

I had my first day out in ages yesterday. Started at Fastnet St in Cranhill for a good sized flock of waxwings. Went down to Fairlie and saw a greenshank and about 15 blacktailled Godwits. Nothing much at Largs(except HMS Duncan heading out to sea), a gannet off Skelmorlie. Red throated diver and salvonian grebe at Greenock. Today I had my first goldcrest on my feeders in the garden which was a bit of a bonus.

 

[Caledonian]

Today an Adult Yellow legged Gull present at Noddsdale/Largs showing nicely. Pictures will follow. (seen between 10 and 10.30am)
Edit: Here the pictures of the gull: http://observado.org/waarneming/view/74582751

Cheers,
Rik

 

[Caledonian]

Today a nice day of birdwatching.

Starting with Hoggenfield Loch.
Still 3 Whooper swans, 10 Goosander, 2 Gadwall, 6 Goldeneye, 6 Great Crested grebe.
During the roundwalk a total of 11 Singing Willow warblers, 1 Sparrowhawk and a group of 25 Swallows with 1 House martin.
Between 38 and 40 Pinkfeet geese (one group) flew west over the loch.

After that a nice long walk along Baron's haugh and Carbarns pool.
Starting very quite with only; 4 Gadwall, 30 Teal, 3 Goldeneye, Kestrel, 1 Little grebe, 1 Raven, 8 Swallows and 50 Sand martins on the haugh.

The a walk along the clyde in the direction of Carbarns provided me another 30 Sandmartins, 10 Goosander, my first singing blackcap this year and 1 Common Sandpiper.
1 Green sandpiper showing nicely. Here the pictures: http://observado.org/waarneming/view/75292632
2 Grey wagtails with pictures: http://observado.org/waarneming/view/75292646

And the highlight of the day; a nice Male Blue headed Wagtail between a group of 13 White wagtails and 6 Pied wagtails.
Here the pictures of this Wagtail: http://observado.org/waarneming/view/75292678

Also an adult Ringed Plover on the pool (I was hoping for little ringed plover), about 10 Meadow pipits (No waterpipit found), 1 Peregrine, 5 Whooper swans in the field, 15 Sand martins, 5 Swallows, 30 Teals and 1 Pinkfeet goose in a group of 10 Greyleg geese.
At Dalzel estate only 1 Nuthatch heard and during my walk around Baron's Haugh, Carbarns and Dalzel estate about 24 Willow Warblers and 6 Chiffchaffs heard.

From Strathclyde Loch 1 Adult summer Little Gull( http://observado.org/waarneming/view/75292698 )and 1 Arctic Tern present between many black headed and Lesser black backed gulls. No Iceland gull found during the end of the afternoon. On the loch 4 Goldeneye, 4 Goosander, 480 Sand martins and only about 30 Swallows.
At the main carpark at the North/East side of the Loch a total of 11 White wagtails, 3 Pied wagtails, 1 Grey wagtail and 2 Hoodie hybrides.

Cheers,
Rik

 

[gus guthrie]

Today a nice day of birdwatching.

Starting with Hoggenfield Loch.
Still 3 Whooper swans, 10 Goosander, 2 Gadwall, 6 Goldeneye, 6 Great Crested grebe.
During the roundwalk a total of 11 Singing Willow warblers, 1 Sparrowhawk and a group of 25 Swallows with 1 House martin.
Between 38 and 40 Pinkfeet geese (one group) flew west over the loch.

After that a nice long walk along Baron's haugh and Carbarns pool.
Starting very quite with only; 4 Gadwall, 30 Teal, 3 Goldeneye, Kestrel, 1 Little grebe, 1 Raven, 8 Swallows and 50 Sand martins on the haugh.

The a walk along the clyde in the direction of Carbarns provided me another 30 Sandmartins, 10 Goosander, my first singing blackcap this year and 1 Common Sandpiper.
1 Green sandpiper showing nicely. Here the pictures: http://observado.org/waarneming/view/75292632
2 Grey wagtails with pictures: http://observado.org/waarneming/view/75292646

And the highlight of the day; a nice Male Blue headed Wagtail between a group of 13 White wagtails and 6 Pied wagtails.
Here the pictures of this Wagtail: http://observado.org/waarneming/view/75292678

Also an adult Ringed Plover on the pool (I was hoping for little ringed plover), about 10 Meadow pipits (No waterpipit found), 1 Peregrine, 5 Whooper swans in the field, 15 Sand martins, 5 Swallows, 30 Teals and 1 Pinkfeet goose in a group of 10 Greyleg geese.
At Dalzel estate only 1 Nuthatch heard and during my walk around Baron's Haugh, Carbarns and Dalzel estate about 24 Willow Warblers and 6 Chiffchaffs heard.

From Strathclyde Loch 1 Adult summer Little Gull( http://observado.org/waarneming/view/75292698 )and 1 Arctic Tern present between many black headed and Lesser black backed gulls. No Iceland gull found during the end of the afternoon. On the loch 4 Goldeneye, 4 Goosander, 480 Sand martins and only about 30 Swallows.
At the main carpark at the North/East side of the Loch a total of 11 White wagtails, 3 Pied wagtails, 1 Grey wagtail and 2 Hoodie hybrides.

Cheers,
Rik

Well done on your Blue headed wagtail Rik, super bird to get.

 

[bongofury]

Well done on your Blue headed wagtail Rik, super bird to get.

I'll second that, good shots too:t:

 

[JTweedie]

Today a nice day of birdwatching.

Starting with Hoggenfield Loch.
Still 3 Whooper swans, 10 Goosander, 2 Gadwall, 6 Goldeneye, 6 Great Crested grebe.
During the roundwalk a total of 11 Singing Willow warblers, 1 Sparrowhawk and a group of 25 Swallows with 1 House martin.
Between 38 and 40 Pinkfeet geese (one group) flew west over the loch.

After that a nice long walk along Baron's haugh and Carbarns pool.
Starting very quite with only; 4 Gadwall, 30 Teal, 3 Goldeneye, Kestrel, 1 Little grebe, 1 Raven, 8 Swallows and 50 Sand martins on the haugh.

The a walk along the clyde in the direction of Carbarns provided me another 30 Sandmartins, 10 Goosander, my first singing blackcap this year and 1 Common Sandpiper.
1 Green sandpiper showing nicely. Here the pictures: http://observado.org/waarneming/view/75292632
2 Grey wagtails with pictures: http://observado.org/waarneming/view/75292646

And the highlight of the day; a nice Male Blue headed Wagtail between a group of 13 White wagtails and 6 Pied wagtails.
Here the pictures of this Wagtail: http://observado.org/waarneming/view/75292678

Also an adult Ringed Plover on the pool (I was hoping for little ringed plover), about 10 Meadow pipits (No waterpipit found), 1 Peregrine, 5 Whooper swans in the field, 15 Sand martins, 5 Swallows, 30 Teals and 1 Pinkfeet goose in a group of 10 Greyleg geese.
At Dalzel estate only 1 Nuthatch heard and during my walk around Baron's Haugh, Carbarns and Dalzel estate about 24 Willow Warblers and 6 Chiffchaffs heard.

From Strathclyde Loch 1 Adult summer Little Gull( http://observado.org/waarneming/view/75292698 )and 1 Arctic Tern present between many black headed and Lesser black backed gulls. No Iceland gull found during the end of the afternoon. On the loch 4 Goldeneye, 4 Goosander, 480 Sand martins and only about 30 Swallows.
At the main carpark at the North/East side of the Loch a total of 11 White wagtails, 3 Pied wagtails, 1 Grey wagtail and 2 Hoodie hybrides.

Cheers,
Rik

Really good haul of birds you've got there Rik. Baron's Haugh can throw up just about anything at any time of year, it's a great reserve.

 

[Caledonian]

Thanks a lot for the comment! It was a lovely bird indeed. To bad it hasn't been seen the day after.
With an American Wigeon north of Glasgow, let's hope this season will bring us more of this rare birds.

Cheers,
Rik

 

[knotsbirder]

Apologies if I'm missing something, but is this not a Channel Wagtail?

Sam

 

[Caledonian]

Why do you think that??
For differences between blue headed and chanel see:
http://www.manchesterbirding.com/flavawagtailsarticle.htm

Apologies if I'm missing something, but is this not a Channel Wagtail?

Sam

 

[jpoyner]

Why do you think that??
For differences between blue headed and chanel see:
http://www.manchesterbirding.com/flavawagtailsarticle.htm

Merely names we try to assign to essentially a very variable single species! What about if a "Channel" Wagtail breeds with a "Blue-headed"....what's that called and what does it look like!

 

[knotsbirder]

Why do you think that??
For differences between blue headed and chanel see:
http://www.manchesterbirding.com/flavawagtailsarticle.htm

The head looks very powder-blue in all photos, but that may be down to them rather than the actual bird. A lot easier in the field!

Sam

 

[allanpcameron]

I saw my first Whimbrels yesterday at West Ferry, one of those annoying "why haven't I seen one of those birds before" now ticked. Thanks to the guy with the better scope for his help!

 

[Caledonian]

How many did you got? There has been a group there recently up to 33 birds.
Between Largs and Wemyss bay also several Whimbrels the last couple of days with biggest count of 8.

I saw my first Whimbrels yesterday at West Ferry, one of those annoying "why haven't I seen one of those birds before" now ticked. Thanks to the guy with the better scope for his help!

 

[allanpcameron]

My best count was 13, but that was limited by my scope and number of fingers!

 

[Caledonian]

It has been rather quite on this topic the last few weeks So I wants to post something to keep the topic ongoing.
The Links I send are all species with pictures I took.

My scarities the last few weeks where:
On the 7th of May 4 different singing Lesser Whitethroats in Area of Garnock/Irvine.
about 80 Common Scoters from Irvine Harbour and 1 Great Northen Diver moulting to summerplumage.

08.05.2013: 2 Blue headed Wagtails from Auchenharvie golfcourse/Stevenston. One of these wagtails is probably a Channelwagtail
wagtail 1: http://observado.org/waarneming/view/75859476
wagtail 2: http://observado.org/waarneming/view/75859483
and on the Golfcourse pond still a pair of Scaup.
Other sightings that day: 9 Purple sandpipers (6 from Saltcoats and 3 from Seamill)
http://observado.org/waarneming/view/75859340 and 5 Whimbrel from Seamill.
44 Sanderlings, 50 Dunlins and 55 Ringed plover from Ardeer.

At 11.05.2013 the Blue Winged Teal showing very well at Bridgend Farm pool with female Shoveler. Also 7 other Shovelers and 2 Gadwall present.

Between 15 and 23 May a total of 3 times Seawatching from Saltcoats (everytime about 2 1/2 hour of Seawatching) provided me a total of: 26 Long tailed Skua's, 4 Pomerines Skua's, 6 Arctic Skua's and 1 Bonxie.
Also during that seawatch: 1 Summer plumage Great Northen Diver, 8 Puffins, Sandwich terns, Arctic terns, Manxies, Fulmars, Black guillimots etcetc.

18.05.2013 1 fullblood hooded Crow at Skelmorlie: Pictures: http://observado.org/waarneming/view/76122870

19.05.2013
Hunterston: 1 1st Summer Little Gull, 2 Twites and several Barr tailed Godwitt.
Seamill another Twite with pictures: http://observado.org/waarneming/view/76173811
and a group of 6 Whimbrel.
The highlight of that day where 2 Black Throated divers in Summer plumage in North Ayrshire/Portencross!! here some pictures: http://observado.org/waarneming/view/76183069 (my first summerplumage ever full in scoop)

On the 20th of May the only highlights where: 1 Female Common Scoter at Lunderston bay/Inverkip and 4 late Whooper swans at Longhaugh point/Bishopton. Pictures here: http://observado.org/waarneming/view/76212438

ps. the last 7 days or so are rather doll actually with not many birds around except the usual summer migrants.

Cheers,
Rik

 

[JTweedie]

Some good sightings there Rik. Particularly interested in the wagtails - you saw these at Baron's Haugh too - has there been a bit of an influx of these?