Western Scotland birding (1 Viewer)

[Caledonian]

still doubting to do a day for the rareties. (cause non of them are lifers, but are very nice birds)
But it would be a very good day birding in Ayrshire!

I had not much this weekend.
Saturday a day of birding (walking) at the Island of Bute. (was my first time here)
had a flog of 27 Whoopers and a Waterrail at Loch Fad, Also a Raven flew over and several hooded crows were present.
A 3th Winter Iceland gull was present at the parking place Wemyss bay near the ferry to bute.
3 hours later I had an adult or 3th winter Iceland gull flew over near Harbour Rothesay,Bute. could be the same as Wemyss bay?

Sunday a look at Hunstersons bay. Not much around. I met a birding group from Renfrewshire. I had 6 barr tailed godwitt, 20 dunlins and 22 ringed plover. and several auks/ 3 red tr divers. also 3 Gadwall
Next stop was Kilbirnie. 2 or 3 weeks ago I had here a massive roost of Gulls at Kilbirnie Loch. I had hoped to find sunday white winged gull. But when I came there were only 50 Gull present. big disappoinment but well. nothing you can do about it. I had 2 Gadwall on Kilbirnie loch.

 

[JTweedie]

Had a day down in Ayrshire today, primarily we came to look for the Rosy Starling.....we were lucky enough to bump into two local birders and they showed us where the bird was feeding. What a superb bird !!
We stayed with them and tried for a black Redstart near the Harbour, but no sign. I got a Gannet here and also 2 Black guillemots which must be among my favourite birds.
Next stop was Doonfoot Beach where we had superb views of the 2 Snow Buntings there and after that we were shown Nuthatches at Rozelle...these are birds we don;t get in Angus yet.
Ring-necked Duck came next at Broadfoot Flash, distant but good views and then up to Dundonald camp to see the Pectoral Sandpiper....a really eye-catching little wader which is wintering here.
We parted company with our guides here and with directions headed down to Barassie to the beach area where the gulls roost.
we met a group of lovely ladies from the local RSPB group who were in the carpark scanning through the gulls , one of them soon picked up the Ring-Billed Gull and we all had excellent views of it.
time to head home and as we were driving up the road we had great views of a Peregrine near the road as we headed home.....what a great day !!!!!

Wow sounds really impressive. I was sat at home wishing I was out and about! I now also wish I had a car so I could follow your route!

 

[gus guthrie]

It was a very good day, without local help we would have missed out on a lot of the birds we saw.

 

[alunited1961]

Hunstersons bay

where about in Hunterston did you go on sunday we were there later on sunday pm and the tide was quite far out..

We are off to Dumfries this weekend caevorlock minsmere and Loch Ken with a quick visit to the red kite feeding station and threave:t:

 

[Caledonian]

I was at Huntersons between 11.30 am and 1pm. after that I went to Portencross. Mostly I'm am birding from the road to the nuclaire station. and sometime I walk the path to where the new nuclaire station is planed.
It was low tide when I went there.
I was last December at the feeding station of the red kite. was very nice there! good luck.

where about in Hunterston did you go on sunday we were there later on sunday pm and the tide was quite far out..

We are off to Dumfries this weekend caevorlock minsmere and Loch Ken with a quick visit to the red kite feeding station and threave:t:

 

[Caledonian]

This morning 1 adult Med gull at Meigle near Skelmorlie

in the afternoon:
2 adult Iceland gulls at Largs (south river) at 5.45 pm
Pictures here: http://observado.org/waarneming/view/63574065

and a possible first winter Yellow legged gull at Nort river Largs:
pictures here: http://observado.org/waarneming/view/63573961

also of what I heard:
1 adult yellow legged Gull and a hybride wigeon x american wigeon at Huntersons bay

 

[alunited1961]

we must have passed each other

that is my route as well though i do a circuit around 3rd part and Hunterston castle.

i need to pay more attention obviously 8-P

 

[JTweedie]

Had quite a mixed day today. Went to Balloch really early because I wanted to catch the 08.39 bus to Gartocharn so I could walk up Duncryne and then visit Endrick Mouth in the hope of seeing some geese. But unfortunately the bus didn't even show up, it felt like a big waste of time and money. I went back to the train and started heading back to Glasgow, but I quickly checked the train times to other places (when I could get a signal) and realised I could dash over to Central Station and catch the 10am train to Ayr, so that's what I did.

I walked from the harbour area right along to the bridge at Doonfoot. The harbour area is a hotspot for Purple Sandpiper and I wasn't disappointed, with a pair huddling amongst the breakwater at the quay. Also had a Rock Pipit here. Out to sea I saw the dazzling white flash of a Gannet as it dived into the water, and there was a Shag amongst the Cormorants as well. I've seen an Otter here a couple of years ago, but no luck today.

Walking along towards Doonfoot, I spotted a couple of Linnets, lots of Teal, and a small raft of Goldeneye a little further out to sea. Along the edge of the water saw lots of Redshank as well as a lone Turnstone. Had a scan through the gulls but couldn't see anything unusual. A Grey Seal briefly popped its head above the water as well.

So it turned out to be a decent trip after all, but I still can't help but feel bitterly disappointed that the bus didn't turn up. It's made me realise I really need to get a new car as public transport isn't the most reliable for getting to more out of the way places (there's also the benefit of being able to go to places when I want and not restricted by timetables or have a train full men heading out on stag dos with all the shouting and noise that meant!)

 

[Caledonian]

friday 9 march:
Adult Iceland Gull still present at north river Largs: http://observado.org/waarneming/view/63648059

Saturday 10 march:
Adult Iceland Gull at Meigle Bay/Skelmorlie: http://observado.org/waarneming/view/63646724
Adult summer plumage Med Gull: http://observado.org/waarneming/view/63646731

Greenock Harbour, 1ste winter Glaucous Gull: http://observado.org/waarneming/view/63647098

Clock road/Prt glasgow: 3 Euro white fronted Geese and 1 pink footed geese between 200 Greylegs.

Achendoren reservoir/Port Glasgow: 2 Slavonian grebes: http://observado.org/waarneming/view/63647342 with 2 great crested grebe, and 11 little grebe.

On the clyde between Gourock and port glasgow : 14 red tr divers, 23 black guillimots and 15 red breasted merganser.

Sunday 11 March:

1 med gull moulting to summer plumage at Meigle Bay/Skelmorlie. would be a other then a day before.

5 lesser redpolls at Leapmoor forest/Inverkip.

Cheers,
Rik

 

[peteh]

Hi, I will be going through the region next week and if the Pec stays put would love to see it. Ive looked on google maps but cant work out where the camp is to park at?
(is that where you park?)
Can anyone point me in the right direction?
Cheers in advance.

 

[Pigeon_Pete]

Park at position A , pec is at position B

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr...5_w&mra=dme&mrsp=5&sz=16&via=1,2,3,4&t=m&z=16

 

[peteh]

Cheers Pete. That is perfect
Just one more question. Do you walk back up through that estate or can you cut across from that car park?

 

[bongofury]

As Pete is more local than I am he will be able to give more info, but the road to point A is signposted as 'private property' and I aborted. Instead I drove further north, across the roundabout and went down Auchengate Crescent. This becomes 'private' towards the end, so I parked on the left-hand verge and walked through the 'private' sign (after the bush loaded with Sparrows) and then cut to the left along an unmade path. Cross the fence (made easy by a pallet laying across it) and you are soon on to a tarmac path. I found the Pectoral on the 2nd, larger pool, sitting on the nearside bank. Good luck.

 

[Pigeon_Pete]

Dundonald camp used to be an RAF camp many years ago, its all Council houses now, the signage is not releavant any more

 

[peteh]

Thanks Bongo and Pete

 

[Pigeon_Pete]

Just park at point A and walk straight across the grass to point B. Nothing is private and tresspass wont apply

 

[peteh]

Thanks again Pete.

 

[Caledonian]

2 males Smews Yesterday infront of Lochwinnoch Visitor centre. Also 19 Whoopers present.

Saturday not much around: saw 5 Gannets from Largs and 1 from Portencross. also a Kittiwake present there.
had a group of 14 Buzzards near Fairly and 5 near Huntersons and had a singing Yellowhammer between West Kilbride and Portencross.
An Adult Yellow Legged Gull in harbour of Fairly which was also seen by others last week.

 

[Wounded Knee]

Hi Folks

I'm in the Aberfoyle area over the coming weekend (23rd/25th March). It's a business trip but I'm hoping to escape for an hour or two here and there, also most of Sunday PM with a bit of luck. Thinking of Inversnaid on Sunday but looking for recommendations for a couple of shortish walks around Aberfoyle / Dukes Pass / Trossachs, or up the road past Loch Ard towards Stronachlachar. I'm still a newbie and not looking for anything exotic, just a reasonable chance of a good variety of birds. David Marshall centre a possibility but I like to get away from the crowds if poss.

Anyone got any suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

 

[delia todd]

Hi Wounded Knee

Sorry, but I've not been to Aberfoyle since the mid '70s when I led treks there, and I'm sure lots of things have changed since then.

I know there'll be loads of walks though, one would go past the golf course into the forest and should lead out onto the moor. Another rather nice one would be to go along the Inversnaid road for about a mile and turn off left at Milton and follow the track along the edge of Loch Ard for as far as you wanted to go.

You should be able to get some ideas from the David Marshall Lodge.

D