Thursday 20th February

Sunshine & Wintry showers. 6/5/5c. W3-6

F&C CANAL (Ruchill St > Clydebank)

The weather continues to be something of a damp squib and i must`ve been mad to venture out in such conditions. It was perfectly fine when i set off but it soon went downhill and i got caught in 3 prolonged hail/sleet showers.

And what did i get for my madness? Well, here`s what.....

Cormorant 15 (11 River Kelvin)

Grey Heron 2

Mute Swan 11

Tufted Duck 5

Goosander 3

Sparrowhawk 1

Dipper 2

Fox 5

Rove Beetle sp

Marsh Marigold (very early)

Blackthorn

Wednesday 12th February

Snow showers am. Sunny pm. 4/5/0c. W2-4

F&C CANAL (Ruchill St > Clydebank)

Pretty much the same species as usual but it`s better than staying indoors.

Cormorant 10 (6 River Kelvin)

Grey Heron 1

Mute Swan 10

Tufted Duck 18

Goosander 5

Kestrel 2

Fox 8

Friday 7th February

Sunny. 6/7/8c. S2-4

ARDROSSAN > SALTCOATS

Took the train out to the North Ayrshire coast and had a brilliant day with quite a few photographic opportunities.

Black Guillemot (Summer Plumage)

Black Guillemot (Winter plumage)

Eider

Great Black-backed Gull

Herring Gull (adult)

Herring Gull (1st Winter)

Oystercatcher

Curlew

Redshank

Dunlin

A few highlights...

...from the last week.

I`ve got a bit behind due to not feeling well (mentally) but it didnae stop me going out. Anyway, here`s some of my best sightings from the week just gone.

A brief walk along the River Kelvin on Tuesday produced 2 Dipper & "flowering" Spring Snowflake. 

I`m not going to say where i went Thursday (but it was local) due to the sensitivity of the sighting, which was a first observation for me in the form of a pair of Ravens nest building.

Friday we took the train out to the North Ayrshire coast but that`ll be a separate post, later.

Which leads me onto yesterday (Saturday) when i finally got to grips with my first Waxwings of the Winter. 2 birds were heard & seen briefly along the canal at the back of the Student village.

Raven (collecting branches for nest building)

Monday 3rd February

Sunshine & frequent showers. 6/7/4c. W3-6

HOGGANFIELD LOCH

Just a couple of pics from a brief visit. I`ve sent the sighting of the colour-ringed Black-headed Gull off but had no reply from the ringer, as yet.

Whooper Swan (2nd year bird)

Goldeneye (male & female)

Saturday 1st February

Rain am. Sunny pm. 8/9/4c. SW4

F&C CANAL (Ruchill St > Lock 27)

Just a wee walk compared to what i usually do.

Grey Heron 1

Cormorant 10 (River Kelvin)

Mute Swan 2

Goosander 1

Sparrowhawk 1

Roe Deer 2 (the first local ones I`ve seen for many months)

Fox 1

Friday 31st January

Cloudy/Drizzle am. Bright spells pm. 10/12/10c. SW4

LEYDEN GARDENS

Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 (feeding on suet balls)

F&C CANAL (Ruchill St > Clydebank)

I was looking forward to this walk especially after missing out on it last week...and i was duly rewarded with a few highlights.

Little Grebe 1

Grey Heron 2

Cormorant 11 (7 River Kelvin)

Mute Swan 10 (inc 1 alloy ringed W16208)

Tufted Duck 21

Goosander 13

Raven 2 over Westerton (my first of the year)

Palmate Newt 1 (my first of the year)

Little Grebe

Glistening Inkcaps

Hare`s Foot Inkcaps