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Week ending: 25th February: Hogganfield Park LNR, Strathclyde Country Park, Dalzell
Estate
I was on my own again this week and once again I visited relatively local sites. Hogganfield Park
LNR, Strathclyde Country Park and Dalzell Estate (which neighbours RSPB Barons Haugh in
Motherwell). The weather was cold but sunny so I got right down to business and drove to
Hogganfield Loch. My main interest there were the pairs of Great Crested Grebes that were
reported to be building nests around the loch. As I started my walk my first shot was of a juvenile
Cormorant with several juvenile Lesser Black-backed Gulls that were standing on a floating
platform. I was delighted to see a pair of Great Crested Grebes just beyond the platform.
I spotted another pair by the artificial islands at the southwest corner of the loch. As I walked to
see them I photographed a lovely Coot and also a Grey Heron that passed overhead. The second
pair of Grebes were a lot nearer the lochside. The female’s plumage was quite light, which might
indicate that it was young.
After a few minutes the Grebes got a little frisky and began their courtship behaviour, shaking and
nodding their heads and raising their crests. Unfortunately they were interrupted by passing Mute
Swans so I didn’t get to see the fetching and presenting of the pondweed nor the dramatic climax
where both birds rise out of the water and face each other.
My second site visit was Strathclyde Country Park, Motherwell. A short walk there produced
some pleasing pictures of a Coal Tit and Blue Tit feeding on fruiting Alder Trees. I also
spotted a surfacing Cormorant resplendent in his silver-headed breeding plumage.
On my way back to the car I found a fallen Silver Birch tree that hosted a large, orange crust
fungus, probably Hairy Curtain Crust. There were Common Daisies in bloom along the
edge of the grassy banks of the loch. Beside one Daisy plant I came across Common
Whitlowgrass
My final location visited was Dalzell Estate, Motherwell. It was nice to see the Crocuses and
Daffodils in bloom near Dalzell House. I ventured down a path that would eventually take me to the
River Clyde. Near the start of the path I heard a Jay calling and very soon I located it on the
high branches of a tree some 40m away. Luckily I had a clear view through the leafless branches
and managed some decent shots.
Low branches in the dark and dim conditions of the wooded path were ideal places for Oakmoss, lichen, Evernia prunastri, to grow. It is also called Stag Lichen presumably due to its
branches resembling stag antlers.
I eventually reached a woodland path that overlooked the River Clyde. The grassy slopes that
lead down to the river are called Easter Braes. A Roe Buck was wandering the braes (slopes) as I
admired the view. I decided to park myself at the gate shown in the picture below, and observe
any birds or animals that turned up. Almost immediately a Great Tit and then a Bullfinch appeared
on the small bushes by the fence.
|
Roe Deer |
 |
 |
| Great Tit |
Bullfinch |
 |
 |
I heard a Nuthatch calling from the top of a tall tree I was standing beside, but, being a
nippy wee mover, it evaded the camera. However, it suddenly descended to the forest floor and
proceeded to feed there long enough for me to fire off a few shots. Next a pair of Grey Squirrels
began foraging to the west of where I was standing. I carefully sneaked a bit nearer to them and
managed to capture a couple of nice shots.
Satisfied with my successes at the gate, I decided to move down to the river via the woodland
paths. On my way there I snapped another Nuthatch that was high in branches of a tall tree. I
came across another fungus this time growing on a large conifer. I have yet to identify it. I made
my way along a path known as the Chestnut Way which lead onto the Clyde Walkway which runs
parallel to the river. From that path I got a picture of another Roe Deer, a female, that was feeding
on Easter Braes. I snapped a Magpie from close range (too close to include its wonderful
iridescent tail).
| Nuthatch |
T.B.C. |
 |
 |
| Roe Deer |
Magpie |
 |
 |
Below is a photo of Easter Braes taken from the Clyde Walkway. There were Mallards in the pond
in the foreground, but they too proved elusive. On my way back to the car I snapped another
fungus, Turkeytail. Finally, just as I left the Dalzell Estate, I spotted a Song Thrush and a Jackdaw
in trees watching me as I passed. I thanked them as I worked the camera.
|
Turkeytail |
 |
 |
| Song Thrush |
Jackdaw |
 |
 |
Well, the weather was very good and my tactic of making relatively brief visits to each of the sites
certainly paid off in terms of sightings - 26 species seen. My favourites were the Great Crested
Grebes, the Jay and Nuthatches. I’ve just heard the weather presenter say that next weekend is
the start of Meteorological Spring . Hopefully the pleasant conditions experienced on
Sunday will be even more likely
Week ending: 18th February 2024: Hogganfield Park LNR, Strathclyde County Park
I was on my own this week as John is unwell, but thankfully is on the mend.
I'm back on the park as it were thanks to Wishaw General A&E,
Wishaw General Coronary Care Unit and Hairmyres Cardiac Catheterisation
Centre. Won't be able to join Jim for a few weeks but looking forward
to getting back to out and about!.
I opted for a couple
of my favourite local haunts, Hogganfield Park LNR on the east side of Glasgow and Strathclyde
Country Park near Motherwell. The predicted weather was favourable, cloudy with sunny
intervals, and I set off hoping it would be more of the latter. I skipped the usual breakfast and got
right down to business at Hogganfield after parking in the new car park beside the recently
opened Golf-it project.
The usual lively crowd of birds at the “old” car park were receiving bread from kind-hearted
people. Mute and Whooper Swans (Swans)) jostled for position as whole slices of bread
were lobbed over them. The much smaller Coots and Moorhens, who don’t usually take bread,
went about their business and kept out of the way of the excited white giants. Some Tufted Ducks
were diving for food just beyond the chaotic scenes at the water’s edge.
They are omnivorous but
don’t usually take bread.
| Mute Swan |
Whooper Swan |
 |
 |
| Moorhen |
Coot |
 |
 |
| Male Tufted Duck |
Female Tufted Duck |
 |
 |
A few Goldeneyes were also diving for food - eg small crustaceans, fish and invertebrates.
Mallards, though, were interested in bread but had to compete, not only with the swans but also
with the often vicious, sharp toothed Goosanders. Looking further out, I could see a Great
Crested Grebe diving for fish. These grebes have been absent from the loch over the last
few months and usually return around the start of spring. I also noticed an Oystercatcher on an
artificial island.
| Goldeneye |
Female Goldeneye |
 |
 |
| Mallard |
Goosander |
 |
 |
| Great Crested Grebe |
Oystercatcher |
 |
 |
Walking south around the loch I photographed a juvenile Cormorant that was perched mid-loch
on batons constructed there for that exact purpose. I also snapped a Greylag Goose posing at the
Lochside, and a Lesser Black-backed Gull bobbing in the quite choppy water. At the east
side of the island I was very pleased to see a pair of courting Great Crested Grebes. They were
looking for a nesting site, however they should think again since the artificial islands they were
investigating happen to be right below Hogganfield’s heronry. The Grey Herons will certainly
predate any young grebe chicks.
I always extend my circular walk around the loch by walking around the wee pond east of the
loch. I very often see different birds, flowers, insects and even, if I’m lucky, Roe Deer. This week I
was lucky because I came face to face with a beautiful Roe Deer on the path, along with
three others. They paused long enough for me to photograph them before scampering around the
pond and into the undergrowth. I also got shots from distance of a Gadwall pair.
While walking the path on the opposite side of the pond I heard the unmistakable rasping call of a
Greenfinch and after a brief search I located it on the wrong side of a Hawthorn bush. Back
on the loch roadside I got a nice flight shot of a Magpie that was carrying a small branch in its
beak - nest building? Next I came upon a mother and child feeding some birds that included
Canada Geese and Mute Swans.
| Greenfinch |
Magpie |
 |
 |
| Canada Goose |
Mute Swan |
 |
 |
After lunch I relocated to the northeast side of the loch at Strathclyde Country Park. My first
sighting there was of a Mistle Thrush hopping about one of the grass football pitches. In
bushes that line the path near by the mouth of the South Calder river I got some shots of a
courting Blue Tit. That was interrupted by a pair of Buzzards passing overhead, calling.
Although satisfied by close views of those impressive birds, things got even better when I noticed
a Little Egret perched on branches of a sunken tree, fairly close to the bank.
There is a very large population of Cormorants at Strathclyde Loch and they roost near the mouth
of the river, well away from the lanes used for national rowing competitions. On my way back to
the car I passed a wooded area adjacent to the Bothwellhaugh football pitches. There I
photographed blooming Crocuses and Snowdrops - a true sign that Spring is just around the
corner. I even saw a Midge on the window of my car but, sadly, it evaded the camera.
I had a very pleasant time at these sites and I’d like to point out that both parks were teaming with
people, most of whom were engaged in activities other that nature-watching. So people and their
dogs, plants and animals can co-exist well when the design of the environment is given sufficient
thought. My favourite sightings were the courting Great Crested Grebes, Greenfinch, Buzzards
and Little Egret and the flowers warmed my heart.
Week ending: 12th February 2024: Musselburgh
Another cold, damp and grey Sunday was predicted for Central Scotland. The only difference
from last week was that there would be hardly any wind, and that could lead to dense mist. Once
again the best chance of bright and dry conditions would be towards the east. I chose therefore,
Musselburgh, a site that seldom has let us down. We had our usual Dalkeith Morrisons’ breakfasts
(9.5/10: excellent but a half off for the small plates) and then drove to the River Esk at Millhill to
begin our search for interesting sightings.
On arrival near the Millhill car park our spirits were immediately raised when we saw that there
was plenty of bird action at the slipway beside the car park. Someone had recently thrown slices
of bread into the water, much to the delight of the Mute Swans, Mallards, Herring Gulls,
Blackheaded Gulls and Canada Geese.
I encountered a wee Blue Tit on the bushes of one of the riverside houses. Then a large flapping
Canada Goose caught my eye, as did a Canada X Greylag hybrid Goose behind it. A few
Goldeneyes, which prefer to dine on small aquatic animals, were diving well away from the melee
at the slipway.
We stood at the railings above the crowd of hungry birds and snapped away until we had pictures
of much of the action. Mallards were courting and adult Mute Swans were throwing their weight
around to remind the adolescents who exactly were in charge. There were also frequent bouts of
aggression shown by the Canada Geese. The Feral Pigeons sitting beside us on the railings
remained apart from those squabbles, preferring to wait for opportunities to feed on the crumbs
left by the larger birds. The Jackdaws had a similar idea, but were not afraid to get among the
mob of birds to seize the moments of feeding opportunity.
| Drake Mallard |
Female Mallard |
 |
 |
| Mute Swan |
Canada Goose |
 |
 |
| Feral Pigeon |
Jackdaw |
 |
 |
We walked upstream to the Roman Bridge hoping to see a Dipper. The water level on the river
seemed a bit high for their habit of walking on the riverbed. We did see Pied Wagtails and
Moorhens feeding on the damp grass. Sadly no Dippers, but back beside the car John spotted a
singing Dunnock near where I’d seen the Blue Tit. After photographing the Dunnock, a pair
of Collared Doves descended onto the path from one of the tall trees that line the riverbank.
| Pied Wagtail |
Moorhen |
 |
 |
| Dunnock |
Collared Dove |
 |
 |
Satisfied with our haul of pictures at Millhill, we drove along Goosegreen Crescent towards our
usual parking spot near the Cadet Hall, stopping briefly to allow John to snap some Wigeons we
noticed paddling along the river.
After parking the car we walked by the sea wall that lines the east side of the mouth of the River
Esk. The tide was high and still rising. The view to the west shows the much of Edinburgh and
Arthur’s Seat shrouded in mist.
John beckoned me over to the sea wall to see the birds that were foraging near the water’s edge.
A Redshank was leading the way, while a dozen or so Turnstones negotiated the many small
boulders and patches of seaweed in their search for food. We heard much twittering coming from
the bushes across the path behind us. On investigation I located a pair of unusually
accommodating male Linnets. John saw that another tolerant bird was a bit further along
the seawall - a Carrion Crow with a beakful of what seem to me to be small shells. We continued
along the path, eventually moving east of the Esk mouth. John alerted me a couple of times as
various sets of birds passed by, including Eiders and Goldeneyes.
| Redshank |
Turnstone |
 |
 |
| Linnet |
Carrion Crow |
 |
 |
| Eider |
Goldeneye |
 |
 |
We eventually reached the access paths to the “New Scrapes” a quick look westwards revealed
that the mist was lifting as we could now see Arthur’s Seat, albeit in silhouette.
As we trekked along the access path and eagle-eyed John declared, “Pheasant alert!”, and sure
enough there was a cock Pheasant loitering among the saplings in the recently created
nature reserve.
Below is the view from inside of the first hide, looking across the scrapes. Note the Edinburgh
skyline in the distance.
80+ Bar-tailed Godwits were huddled on one of the shingle banks, a few with heads high
enough to show their familiar long, straight beaks. A small number of Wigeons were dabbling in
the water, while to our right, about 30 Redshanks were roosting. We relocated to another hide on
the south side of the scrapes. Invisible to my naked eye, but easily picked up by John’s bin-aided
eyes, a single Curlew was wandering the shingle on the north side. I was pleased to track a flying
Lapwing as it passed over an assembled flock of snoozing Oystercatchers. Before we left the new
reserve I found a wildflower in bloom - a Red Deadnettle.
| Bar-tailed Godwit |
Wigeon |
 |
 |
| Redshank |
Curlew |
 |
 |
| Lapwing |
Red Deadnettle |
 |
 |
A final view of the familiar Edinburgh skyline:
We drove to the Levenhall Links car park and set off for the “Old Scrapes” via the seawall. We
were both surprised to see a flock of about 60 Wigeon when we peered over the seawall.
The Wigeon flock consisted of similar number of male and female birds. As we progressed
westwards along the puddle-strewn road by the wall, a few Cormorants flew past and John
spotted a drake Red-breasted Merganser . But then, with his nose, he pointed to a pair of
Dunlin that were exploring a large puddle that we were standing beside. Like the Linnets earlier,
they were not for flying off. I suppose they were desperately hungry so we were careful not to put
them up and left them undisturbed. Just before we turned off of the road, we encountered a
winter-plumage Slavonian Grebe as it made repeated dives quite close to the seawall.
| Wigeon |
Cormorant |
 |
 |
| Red-breasted Merganser |
Lapwing |
 |
 |
| Dunlin |
Slavonian Grebe |
 |
 |
It was at this point that an unusual event occurred - the sun came out. That is why the picture of
Lapwings and Curlew, taken from the middle hide, is in glorious technicolour.
I snapped a Curlew which was a bit
nearer the hide, and also a Magpie. We moved to the leftmost hide and
got close and still-coloured views of an Oystercatcher and some
argumentative Shelducks……
| Curlew |
Magpie |
 |
 |
| Oystercatcher |
Shelduck |
 |
 |
…… and below is the evidence of how quarrelsome the Shelducks were. Note the dipped head of
the angry drake on the right as it lunged towards the drake on the left. The Shelducks on the
water are females.
John continued his super spotting by picking out a couple of winter plumage Long-tailed Ducks that were diving in the shallow water. He also discovered a Grey Heron nestling half-hidden
in reeds far to the left of the hide. Just as we left the hide, a flock of Wigeon flew in from the Firth
of Forth, very possibly the birds I’d photographed a bit earlier from the seawall. I met a couple of
fellow nature-watchers on the path out the hide. They had been examining some fungi, Yellow
Brain, that was growing on a dead gorse bush and kindly directed me to it.
| Long-tailed Duck |
Grey Heron |
 |
 |
| Wigeon |
Yellow Brain Fungus |
 |
 |
We started the day feeling, rather pessimistically, that we were in for a lean time photographically
speaking. However, although we were disappointed with the low light levels, we encountered an
over-abundance of sightings and ended up with pictures of 37 species (not including above: Herring
and Black-headed Gulls, Teal and Wood Pigeon). My favourite sightings were of the Shelducks,
Dunlins, Slavonian Grebe and Long-tailed Ducks. If the weather is to be as dull next week I hope
we have as productive a visit as we had at Musselburgh.
Week ending: 4th February 2024: Barns Ness, Dunbar Harbour and Belhaven Bay
Yet another wet and wind Sunday was predicted for Central Scotland and the best chance of
dodging the rain was in the east - hence I chose to visit Barns Ness, which is just east of Dunbar.
We stopped off at Dalkeith Morrisons before we reached the M1, and enjoyed a couple of small
breakfasts (9.5/10: very good meals but the service was a bit on the slow side).
When we arrived at Barns Ness, the tide was low and falling and there was no rain, but it was
fairly breezy. When I was paying my car park fees through RingGo, I heard a skein of geese, most
probably Pink-footed Geese, flying past in the distance.
We made our way to the shore, which is adjacent to the car park, and John spotted that there
were quite a few small waders foraging the damp sands and rocks.
A large Carrion Crow stood a few metres from us as it raked through a small seaweed pile that
was on the grassy foreshore. A Common Gull was standing on the sands among the hard-working
Dunlins. About 40m out a pair of Shelducks were paddling and dabbling in shallow water
just beyond them, a tiny Little Grebe was diving. A pair of Mallards also came paddling into
view from behind some rocks.
| Carrion Crow |
Common Gull |
 |
 |
| Dunlin |
Shelduck |
 |
 |
| Little Grebe |
Mallard |
 |
 |
John noticed a sizeable flock of birds taking flight from the shore adjacent to the lighthouse. They
circled the bay for a short time before disappearing to the east.
I managed a few shots when the GoldenPlovers came closest from which I could see that they
were indeed Golden Plovers. The Dunlins too were flighty, as were the few Oystercatchers we
could see. Also, John spotted a Curlew poking about the shallow pools.
John, whose eye was most definitely in, also noticed a Skylark, crest raised, standing on
the sandy beach a few metres away from us. The Shelducks we’d seen earlier paddled much
closer allowing a better photo to be taken. We moved east from the very productive first shore
and expected to see the Golden Plover flock on the rocky shore by the lighthouse, how we were
disappointed. I did though manage a pleasing shot of a passing Shag, thanks to an early
warning of its approach from John.
| Skylark |
Shelduck |
 |
 |
| Carrion Crow |
Shag |
 |
 |
Looking far out into the North Sea we could just make out the wind turbines of the Neart na
Gaoithe offshore wind farm.
I snapped a Herring Gull in flight over the exposed rocks of the shore to the east of the lighthouse.
Meanwhile John caught sight of a Male Stonechat that was hunting for invertebrates in the piles
of rotting seaweed that littered the sandy beach. Next I got photographs of a Carrion Crow and a
Great Black-backed Gull as they flew over the rocks.
| Herring Gull |
Stonechat |
 |
 |
| Carrion Crow |
Great Black-backed Gull |
 |
 |
It had not rained up until this point, but we noticed that Torness Power Station, about a mile and a
half to the east was becoming less visible as it became enveloped in drizzle.
We persevered with our exploration of the shore and thank goodness we did because John and
his binoculars found a small flock of Bar-tailed Godwits. Like the Dunlins we’d seen, they were
busily working the shallows. The poor light and annoying drizzle worsened so we headed back to
the car, photographing some Gorse flowers and Scots Pine cones on the way.
We drove to the relatively sheltered Dunbar Harbour to see if any other creatures had the same
idea. We parked at the harbour’s edge and I managed a shot of a Herring Gull with a quizzical
look and also an immature Herring Gull in the water below. We ventured over to the opposite side
of the harbour to the Battery but we only saw a couple birds there: a distant drake Eider and a
passing Cormorant. Back at the car we noticed Eiders paddling into the harbour, enabling some
pleasing close shots. John’s day was made when “Sammy” the Grey Seal surfaced metres from
where we were standing. It was showing an interest in the small fishing boats from which
fishermen were throwing scraps of food.
We ended the afternoon at Belhaven Bay. We parked at the Shore Road car park where we
intended only to have our usual tea and Strawberry Tarts. However, while I was preparing the tea,
John noticed that there was a Little Egret standing in the grassy saltmarsh adjacent to
where our car was parked. The Egret was commuting between the marsh and a drainage ditch/
burn where it was able to fish when undisturbed by passers-by and their dogs. While watching
the Egret I snapped some record shots of other birds on the exposed sands of the inner bay: a
pair of Oystercatchers, a Redshank and some dabbling Teal. A Grey Heron flew over the sands
from the Seafield Pond (not visited due to poor light). I captured an image of a Redshank passing
the Little Egret as it stood on the marsh, shortly before it took off and flew towards the nearby
Winterfield golf course.
| Little Egret... |
Oystercatcher |
 |
 |
| Teal |
Grey Heron |
 |
 |
 |
 |
When the Little Egret flew off, we proceeded with the teas and strawberry tarts. We reflected on
the visit and agreed that we had seen a good variety of species (24 seen) despite the rain and
poor light. For me, the Little Egret, Golden Plovers, Grey Seal and Godwits were the highlights.
Surely we’re due a Sunday with sunny weather (not according to the weather apps, sadly - but
wellbeing I hope.
Highlights - February 2024
We present this month’s gallery of my
favourite pictures I’ve taken during February 2024. They are
not listed in the order they have been taken, but according to a series
of themes. I’ve kept
commentary to a minimum, preferring to let each picture talk for itself.
WINGS
| Common Buzzard |
Juvenile Cormorant |
|
|
| Goosander... |
|
|
|
| Great Crested Grebe |
Grey Heron |
|
|
| Magpie |
Female Mallard |
|
|
ON THE WATER
| Canada Goose |
Coot |
|
|
| Female Gadwall |
Drake Gadwall |
|
|
| Drake Goosander |
Gret Crested Grebe |
|
|
| Grey Heron |
Tufted Duck |
|
|
| Cormorant / Lesser Black-backed Gull |
 |
PORTRAIT
| Canada Goose |
Coot |
|
 |
| Cormorant |
Female Goosander |
 |
 |
| Drake Goosander |
Long-tailed Tit |
 |
 |
| Mute Swan |
Whooper Swan |
 |
 |
| Wood Pigeon |
Blue Tit |
 |
 |
ON A BRANCH
| Blue Tit |
Female Bullfinch |
|
|
| CoalTit |
Great Tit |
|
|
| Jay |
Robin |
|
|
| Long-tailed Tit... |
|
|
|
MISCELLANEOUS
| Roe Deer |
Moorhen |
|
|
| Grey Squirrel |
Grey Heron |
|
|
| 2nd cycle Black-headed Gull |
Feral Pigeon |
|
|
| Crocus |
Daffodil |
|
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