We've had a 1st for Clyde this morning!
A male Bearded Tit at the SUDS at Dargaval, Bishopton. The finder managed a photo of the bird before it was seen flying east.
There has been a bird watcher playing calls (tape luring) outside Pied Flycatcher nest boxes at Inversnaid in order to take photos.
This is unacceptable and can disrupt the birds from feeding and finding partners. Please don't do this, especially during the breeding season.
What to look for in February- Donald Wilson
A guide to winter birding in Clyde from common species to local scarcities and potential rarities and where to look for them, check out the link below:
Wow!
Today the Clyde Ringing Group have had a 5 hour ringing session at one of their popular Jack Snipe sites, SWT Cathkin Braes.
A total of 61 Jack Snipe were recorded with a catch of 28 including 2 previously ringed birds from winter 18/19 (both caught nearby).
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Glasgow Peregrine Project: A project led by The Scottish Ornithologists’ Club, University of Glasgow and the RSPB.
We are exited to announce our Peregrine pair now have 4 eggs! To keep up to date with the pair, check out the videos in the link below.
Last night our local recorder of 40 years, Iain Gibson sadly passed away. Iain Gibson had an outstanding knowledge of natural history of the Clyde area. A mentor to many, Iain was always happy to share his knowledge with others and will be greatly missed.
One of the released Isle of Wight White-tailed Eagles has been seen near Lochwinnoch. First perched above the marsh south of the Barr Loch and then flying around over Barr Loch. Mobbed by Buzzards at times.
Two Hen Harriers in the area too.
Do not attempt to get close to the Grey Phalarope at Longhaugh Point pools. Although some Grey Phalaropes are fearless, gathering around the bird could still disturb it. The area also holds large numbers of roosting wildfowl and waders which are more sensitive to disturbance.
Ross's Goose info-
The Ross's Goose with Pink-feet again at Millichen, before flying off in the direction of Balmore, later, with 1,000 Pink-feet in the Baldernock area at Dowan Farm (NS576749). To locate where to look, use the viewpoint at Blochairn (NS585758).1/2
21/04/23
A Night Heron on the opposite bank of the Clyde downstream from old Phoenix hide at RSPB Baron's Haugh, showing all day with reports late into the evening.
This will be the 5th record for the Clyde area. 1/3
(SOC Clyde Grapevine)
Most of our summer migrants have arrived in decent numbers and we had our first Swifts today. Spotted Flycatcher are possibly the last of our regular migrant breeding birds to return this year.
We are now approaching a good time to look for passage Dotterel on the hills.
Thank you to everyone who uses this page and contributes their records and pictures, it really does keep the page worth continuing as a valuable part of the local birding community.
All the best for 2022!
Merry Christmas to all of our local members and those who follow us and tag us in their local sightings, it really is appreciated.
Here's a look at tonight's grapevine featuring the Snow Goose at Drymen.
A drake Ring-necked Duck has been seen at Bingham's Pond this afternoon. A great record for the City of Glasgow.
It's very likely this has been the drake frequenting nearby Kilmardinny Loch and Mugdock Loch recently.
A Waxwing briefly in the Glasgow Botanic Gardens, just inside the park, off the Great Western Road feeding before being flushed by a squirrel and heading south over the road.
Exciting news! A public viewpoint has been set up overlooking a Peregrine nest with two boisterous chicks at Glasgow University. Viewing days are tomorrow 27th of May and the 3rd of June. Details in the link below:
11/12/22
A Bittern reported from Dubbs Water, by the Barr Loch trail, RSPB Lochwinnoch.
3 Barnacle Geese at Garthland Lodge in the morning and later with mixed goose flock at south end of Barr Loch.
A drake Green-winged Teal at RSPB Baron's Haugh, also a Little Egret. 1/2
A female Red-necked Phalarope at RSPB Baron's Haugh, viewable from the Marsh Hide.
It has favoured the areas where the two red dots are (view from Marsh Hide).
A Myrtle Warbler has turned up at in nearby Ayrshire. A large number of Clyde birders have been to visit this special little bird. As a thank you to the kind hospitality from the homeowner, please consider donating to his chosen charity.
17/01/23
White-tailed Eagle over RSPB Loch Lomond.
RSPB Lochwinnoch's Bittern seen in flight again at Barr Loch, also the drake Smew continues on Aird Meadow.
110 Greenland White-fronted Geese in Meikle Finnery area, also a ringtail Hen Harrier. 1/2
A small influx of Sand Martins noted this morning with sighting from several locations including c20 over Castle Semple Loch, Lochwinnoch.
Green Sandpiper on the River Clyde at Carbarns.
A singing Chiffchaff at Hogganfield Loch.
The Clyde Big Birding Day is well underway with some local highlights seen this morning including Black Grouse, Red Kite, Hen Harrier and local scarcity, Green Woodpecker.
The Glasgow Peregrine Project has some exciting news, two of the four eggs have now hatched!
Check out the link below to recent footage from cameras installed at the nest site.
For reasons mentioned below, you will not see Short-eared or Long-eared Owl reports on this page, unless there are exceptional circumstances that allow the birds to be viewed without the risk of disturbance.
Only three previous records of Black-winged Stilt in Clyde. Two from the 19th century and one in 1958 at Erskine. Today's RSPB Lochwinnoch Stilt is fourth record for Clyde.
Just a reminder for birders that the welfare of the birds and wildlife we enjoy watching must be a priority.
Please enjoy the hobby in a way that minimises disturbance. This will allow the birds to feed and rest as much as they need to and allows other birders to enjoy them too.
It's October, now is good to see our wintering birds arriving as autumn migrants continue to pass through.
Redwing can be heard migrating overnight, waterbodies are full of ducks, the fields are full of geese and roving tit flocks are worth checking for Yellow-browed Warblers.
A probable juvenile Pallid Harrier hunting at Merryton at dusk could be the same ringtail harrier noted over Orbiston Street, Motherwell two hours earlier, flying towards Dalzell Estate. It may be worth an early visit to Cabarns to see the bird leave it's roost at Merryton.
Drake Ring-necked Duck still at RSPB Baron's Haugh, showing from the Marsh Hide.
A Little Ringed Plover back on territory on the scrape at RSPB Lochwinnoch. This is the only LRP breeding location we share news from as the birds are viewable from the visitor centre.
27/06/24
Two eclipse Mandarin Ducks still on RSPB Lochwinnoch scrape.
The first proved breeding in Renfrewshire of Wood Warbler for almost 20 years at Muirshiel Country Park.
(SOC Clyde Grapevine)
The adult Snow goose still with Greylag and Pink-footed Geese, just next to the road in fields north of mountain rescue centre, Drymen.
Drake Smew, Castle Semple Loch.
It finally happened, the Rose-coloured Starling invasion reached the Clyde area.
An individual was photographed at feeders today in Hamilton. In a private garden unfortunately with no viewing opportunities.
They're out there! Keep checking those Starling flocks.
Some information about yesterday's local rarities-
The Ardmore Woodchat Shrike was the third record for Dunbartonshire and Clyde.
The Red-necked Phalarope at South Medwin Pool was a first for Lanarkshire and fifth for Clyde.
See previous tweets for directions.
6 Ring-necked Parakeet actively flying around the sw corner of RSPB Baron's Haugh and the River Clyde before heading towards Strathclyde Loch where they were seen this morning.
9 Waxwings flycatching from treetops around pond in Kelvingrove Park at 15:15pm
4 Waxwings at Bridgewater centre, Erskine.
A Great White Egret at RSPB Baron's Haugh.
06/06/24
A female Red-necked Phalarope at Balgray Reservoir could well be yesterday's bird at RSPB Baron's Haugh.
The pair of Redshank (a declining breeding species locally and nationally) at the RSPB Lochwinnoch scrape has produced three young.
(SOC Clyde Grapevine)
One of our Osprey chicks from last summer has made an incredible journey across the Atlantic Ocean! Check out the link below to find out more information on this incredible sighting.
What to look for in March- Donald Wilson
A guide to early spring birding in Clyde, some of these species have already started to appear. Check out the link below:
Also keep an eye out for early Garganey arriving, we've just a report from nearby Arran!
23/03/24
Still at least ten Waxwings in trees at Bridgewater Centre, Erskine.
An adult Little Gull still at Dalmuir sewage outfall.
The Red-necked Grebe still on Hogganfield Loch.
A Green Sandpiper on RSPB Baron's Haugh, also three Shelducks. 1/2
Isle of Bute, an Osprey back on territory, three Great Northern Divers in Scalpsie Bay, another two off Scarrell shore. Three Crossbills in Rhubodach Forest.
(SOC Clyde Grapevine)
C40 Waxwings at The Cherry Tree car park, Netherton, Wishaw.
93 Waxwings at Govanhill Park.
The Great White Egret still, Strathclyde Loch from Foreshore carpark.
A Great White Egret and Little Egret at Net Bay, RSPB Loch Lomond.
27/05/24
A Reed Warbler singing and showing in the phragmytes reedbed at Hogganfield Loch.
Two Little Ringed Plovers continue on the scrape at RSPB Lochwinnoch.
Yesterday an American Golden Plover in Ettrick Bay, Isle of Bute, before flying south.
(SOC Clyde Grapevine)
28/04/24
An Osprey again at Hogganfield Loch.
30 Whimbrel at the Barr Loch and two Little Ringed Plovers on the scrape at RSPB Lochwinnoch.
Three Swifts over Castle Semple Loch.
Two Whimbrel at St Ninian's Bay, Bute and five Twite at Ettrick Bay, Bute.
(SOC Clyde Grapevine)
20/12/22
A White-tailed Eagle flying east across Net Bay early morning.
A Waxwing for it's second day in a Houston garden.
Two Woodcocks at Barr Loch, RSPB Lochwinnoch.
(SOC Clyde Grapevine)
19/12/23
A drake Smew still on Broadwood Loch, Cumbernauld, also 20 Waxwing north over.
The drake Ring-necked Duck still at Bingham's Pond, Glasgow.
An immature Goshawk at RSPB Baron's Haugh before flying towards Cabarns on 17/12/23.
(SOC Clyde Grapevine)
A Great White Egret at RSPB Baron's Haugh this morning.
The Long-tailed Duck on Castle Semple Loch and a Barnacle Goose with Greylags in a field at Barr Loch, RSPB Lochwinnoch.
The Drymen Snow Goose still in roadside fields with Greylag Geese by the Old Gartmore Road this afternoon.
The adult Ring-billed Gull at Strathclyde Loch by the watersports centre.
23/10/23
A Great White Egret at RSPB Baron's Haugh, present for only an hour.
A brief Little Egret at Hogganfield Loch (first record for Hogganfield).
A Long-tailed Duck still on Castle Semple Loch.
The Lesser Whitethroat still in an Anniesland garden.
(SOC Clyde)
Drake Ring-necked Duck still at RSPB Baron's Haugh, also a Green Sandpiper on the River Clyde.
16 Waxwings at Bracken Bar and Restaurant, Erskine.
An Osprey, 2 Black-tailed Godwits and a White Wagtail at Longhaugh Point.
04/03/24
The female Lesser Scaup still, Barr Loch, RSPB Lochwinnoch.
The 3rd winter Iceland Gull still at Strathclyde Loch.
A Great Northern Diver off Ardmore Point.
A Chiffchaff in song at Bishopbriggs Park.
An early Osprey at Brodick Bay on 29/02/24.
(SOC Clyde Grapevine)
The Red-necked Grebe still at Hogganfield Loch, viewable from the car park, just off the island.
The Slavonian Grebe continues at Broken Cross quarry pond, also a drake Shoveler.
A single Spotted Flycatcher at the leaning rails, RSPB Lochwinnoch this morning was our first of the season.
A female Long-tailed Duck on Castle Semple Loch.
10/09/23
An early Jack Snipe, up to seven Green Sandpipers and a Ruff at RSPB Baron's Haugh.
A Red Kite west, over Carbeth Loch.
An exceptional 103 Tree Sparrows leaving their roost at the Cart/Clyde confluence.
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(SOC Clyde Grapevine)
02/08/23
Seven Little Egrets at Ardmore North Bay, a Whimbrel on south side and 84 Common Terns towards Craigendoran, also 85 Great Crested Grebes.
Yesterday, still a Greenshank at RSPB Baron's Haugh, also ten Green Sandpipers and 12 Common Sandpipers.
(SOC Clyde Grapevine)
03/04/24
A Great White Egret again at Strathclyde Loch in the morning; later a Little Egret and c350 Sand Martins.
Now two Little Ringed Plovers at Balmore Pool (a non-breeding site), also still a Green Sandpiper.
15 Waxwings in Kelvingrove Park late morning.
(SOC Clyde)
19/8/24
Two Ruff and at least nine Green Sandpipers at RSPB Baron's Haugh, also five Black-tailed Godwits and now ten Ringed Plovers.
An eclipse drake Mandarin Duck on RSPB Lochwinnoch scrape.
An Osprey at Ardmore North Bay, also four Swifts.
(SOC Clyde Grapevine)
A Little Egret in Ettrick Bay, Isle of Bute.
A Woodcock flushed from a tiny patch of vegetation at the Glasgow Caledonian University campus in the city centre.
A ring-tail Hen Harrier giving prolonged views at Cathkin Marsh.
(SOC Clyde Grapevine)
24/03/24
Female Lesser Scaup Barr Loch, RSPB Lochwinnoch.
Drake Ring-necked Duck showing well at Maxwell Park pond.
The Great White Egret at RSPB Baron's Haugh.
Still at least nine Waxwings in trees at Bridgewater Centre, Erskine: later six over Millfield Hill. 1/2
Sunday 12 May
Nine Red-throated Divers off Newark Castle, Port Glasgow and a Little Egret upstream at Langbank.
An Osprey continuing to fish on River Clyde in the RSPB Baron's Haugh/Merryton area.
(SOC Clyde Grapevine)
23/09/23
A Great White Egret at Endrick Mouth, also a male Hen Harrier over Aber Bogs early morning.
Five Green Sandpipers, a Greenshank and a Pintail at RSPB Baron's Haugh, also a Little Egret on River Clyde. 1/3
17/11/23
An Olive-backed Pipit reported east over Strathaven, a brilliant local record if accepted.
The female Lesser Scaup still on Barr Loch, RSPB Lochwinnoch.
No sign of yesterday's Red-necked Grebe off Ardmore, but a Great Northern Diver now present. 1/3
c120 Waxwings in Motherwell between Adder's Gill Road and Valley View at 9.50am.
50 Waxwings over Easter Braes, flying towards Dalzell Estate, near Baron's Haugh.
September is a great time for birding in the Clyde area, now is a good time to look out for inland Black Terns, migrant raptors and waders.
Newly arrived Pectoral Sandpipers have been reported this morning with singles at Balgray Reservoir and Frankfield Loch.
3rd-winter Iceland gull still off Car Park 4 at Strathclyde Country Park.
The Great White Egret still at Lily Loch, Caldercruix.
A Little Egret at the South Medwin Pool.
5 Pintail and 4 Little Egret at Ardmore North Bay.
A Green Sandpiper at Balmore Pool before flying off.
We've had several large flocks of moving Fieldfare today, a species that has been largely absent so far this autumn with 200 over Kilmacolm Meadow, 600 over Brownside Braes, 20 at Gartloch Pools, 15 by Burn of Mar.
(SOC Clyde Grapevine)