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Week ending: 23rd March: Ardmore Point, Maidens, Hogganfield Park LNR
This week, the best days for my nature-watching activities occurred in midweek, when it was
bright, calm and relatively mild.
Tuesday, 18th March: Ardmore Point
Tuesday’s fine weather set the conditions for the couple of days that followed. I thought Ardmore
Point, on the north side of the Clyde Estuary, was due a visit, especially since a Black-necked
Grebe had been seen there. The tide was favourable - rising during the period I’d be there.
The view of the South Bay shows the sands just before they would be covered by the advance of
the tide waters.
A Jackdaw was foraging in the field just after the gatehouse and Daffodils were growing wild by
the hedges. By the footpath, there were a few instances of flowering Green Alkanet and Lesser
Celandine. Greenfinches were making their rasping calls in the trees where the footpath passes
Ardmore House. Also, I spotted a Grey Heron as it flew by the same area.
| Jackdaw |
Daffodil |
 |
 |
| Green Alkanet |
Lesser Celandine |
 |
 |
| Greenfinch |
Grey Heron |
 |
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The view looking north across the estuary was stunning and a welcome change from the
miserable weather experienced throughout the winter.
My camera followed a Cormorant as it flew north then u-turned into the North Bay, where I was
heading to find the Black-necked Grebe that was seen there earlier in the day.
Crocuses were blooming at my feet and on moving on I noticed a Greenfinch calling from a low
perch in a pathside bush. As I neared the Point, I met a Wren that was belting out its shrill song. I
was then pleased to see drake Red-breasted Mergansers diving near the shore.
| Crocus |
Greenfinch |
 |
 |
| Wren |
Red-breasted Merganser |
 |
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One of the drakes flew south, possibly upset by my presence. It was at this point that I was
approached by a fellow birder who enquired if I’d seen the Black-necked Grebe. He told me that it
had recently flown south around the Point, past the length of coast I’d just walked along. Of
course I had not.
Near the shore, at the mouth of the North Bay there was a pair of Shelducks ….
… and many more feeding around the edges of the Bay.
My walk along the remaining section of the footpath around the peninsula, produced a half dozen
satisfactory pictures. It would be wrong not to include a shot of blooming Gorse since it was the
most prolific flower on the peninsula. Near the end of the path, I at first heard, then saw a
Treecreeper working its way up a Silver Birch. Next I snapped an Oystercatcher - my last
sighting of the North Bay. A Song Thrush and a Blackbird hopped their way across the
edge of a field in their search for invertebrates. Finallly, as I sipped tea back at the car, which was
parked by South Bay shore, a Greenfinch flew onto the shore for just enough time for me to get a
quick shot.
| Gorse |
Treecreeper |
 |
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| Oystercatcher |
Song Thrush |
 |
 |
| Blackbird |
Female Greenfinch |
 |
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Before I left Ardmore, I met some birders who explained that the Black-necked Grebe had just
been seen diving quite far out in the estuary and backlit by the bright sun.
Wednesday, 19th March: Maidens
The next day I headed to the Ayrshire Coast. Originally, my intended destination was Doonfoot,
but my usual route via the A77 and then along Doonholm Road, was closed due to roadworks. I
simply stayed on the A77 and, instead, headed for Maidens, another of our favourite destinations.
I parked beside the harbour where the view was both welcoming and beautiful.
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When I arrived, the harbour basin was filling with water as the tide rose. I was delighted to see
that there were lots of birds feeding in the shallows and damp sands. Teal, Oystercatchers
and Dunlin were dabbling and probing the harbour floor in their search for invertebrates. I walked
around the north side of the harbour basin where I came across flowering Coltsfoot. I also
passed an outcrop of a tall grass, possibly a variety of Tussock Grass.
| Drake Teal |
Female Teal |
 |
 |
| Oystercatcher |
Dunlin |
 |
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| Coltsfoot |
|
 |
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I got closer shots of the Dunlin since I was able to use large boulders
of the breakwater as cover.
Similarly, I got more
shots of Redshanks and Teal. A Carrion Crow was watching me from its
stance on Orange Lichen-covered boulders. A local birder I met pointed
out a Little Stint that was wading with Dunlins near the harbour. I
moved to the harbour to photograph them. The picture below shows the
smaller size of the Little Stint compared to the Dunlin.
I walked to the end of the harbour to view Eider I’d heard. An
unseen Curlew flew out of the harbour as I approached.
From the end of the harbour I managed to locate the
Eiders as they bobbed in choppy waters. A large Herring Gull was
lurking beside them, waiting for the opportunity to pinch their
catches. On my way back to the car I noticed a House Sparrow perched on
a Bramble bush.
Below is the view
of the east side of the harbour basin, looking towards the north end of
Maidens village.
I was ready to leave when I
noticed a flock of geese approaching Maidens from Maidenhead Bay. I
quickly realised that they were Pale-bellied Brent Geese. They
came down onto the sandy shore of the Bay, so I got back out of the car
and walked, quickly, back to the breakwater…..
…..and started photographing the flock that were at least 200m
away, and most of which were preening.
I did though, manage a semi-decent
shot of a couple of the geese, showing the distinctive marking of the
species. At that, I retired back to the car and, after snapping one of
the nippy Pied Wagtails that were dashing about the car park, I drove
back up the A77, starting my journey home.
| Pale-bellied Brent Goose |
Pied Wagtail |
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Thursday, 20th March: Hogganfield Park LNR, Glasgow
On the next day I
spent an hour and a half in Hogganfield Park, primarily to see if I
could get a better shot of the Red-necked Grebe I’d seen last
week. I walked along the north side of the loch to the area I expected
to find it. First though, I came across three battling Coots.
The fight was fairly long and ferocious, but there
didn't seem to be any serious injuries. That is not always the case in
these disputes where the birds defend their territories in the breeding
season. I did manage to locate the Red-necked Grebe and although it was
a bit closer that last week, it was still about 100 m away.
On my way back to the car I passed a pair
of Great Crested Grebes that were building a nest on one of the
artificial islands. I’ll follow their progress in coming weeks -
although I’m worried that the nest is in front of the heronry.
Just before the car park, there was a female Lesser Scaup among the
Tufted Ducks, and I checked how the Marsh Marigold I photographed last
week was getting on. As you can see it was now showing more
flowers.
It was a busy week as I took advantage of
the lovely conditions. My favourite sightings were the Little Stint,
Red-breasted Mergansers, Shelducks and Pale-bellied Brent Geese.
Hopefully I’lls ee some butterflies soon and more flowers as the
weather continues to get milder
Week ending: 16th March: Stevenston, Barons Haugh, Strathclyde Country Park
The recent trend of the best-weather days occurring at the end of the week continued since I’d to
wait until Thursday to actually see the Sun.
Thursday, March 13th: Stevenston Point
I nipped down the North Ayrshire coast to Stevenston where the weather was due to be mainly
sunny. The tide prediction wasn’t as kind: the tide would be high so waders would be resting after
their morning scouring the local sands and rock pools for food.
At Stevenston Point I stepped out of the car to a stunning view across the Firth of Clyde to the
Isle of Arran:
The end of the Point was back lit but I managed a pleasing shot of a small flock of Sanderlings moving between rocks.
When they landed their beaks went underwing almost immediately as they tried to get a wee
snooze.
The Oystercatchers that were also on the rocks had the same idea. I scanned the perimeter of the
Point and on low rocks at the northeast corner I noticed a Turnstone with a few Purple Sandpipers were organising themselves…..
….. and eventually they also got their beaks under their wings.
Next I moved to the nearby Ardeer Quarry LNR where the pond was hosting a pair of Mute Swans
and a Moorhen. A few Woodpigeon were on the grass, trees and the pump house roof. I walked
around the pond and was watched by a wary Robin. My first foreign migrant of the year, a
Chiffchaff , appeared, serenading the world from a Willow tree beyond the pond.
On my way back to the car, across the now uncut park grass (it was once a pitch and put
course), I stumbled upon a small group of Curlews.
My next stop was the Auchenharvie Loch, which is part of the Auchenharvie Golf Course, sited
between Stevenston and Saltcoats. There was a very healthy number of birds on and around the
Loch. First to catch my eye were a pair of Cormorants and a Grey Heron on a islet near the centre
of the Loch.
The Cormorants were drying their plumage following a spell of fishing. A drake Tufted Duck and a
pair of Goldeneyes were working the pond.
| Cormorant |
Tufted Duck |
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| Drake Goldeneye |
Female Goldeneye |
 |
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I think there was a female Lesser Scaup , identifiable by the large white patch above its bill,
(which is larger than the female Tufted Duck) and the absence of a head tuft. Other birds
prominent in the area were Canada Geese and Mute Swans. These congregated on the golf
course, presenting a real opportunity for the golfers to get a “birdie”. As I sat on my wee 3-legged
stool, taking the above pictures, a male Reed Bunting flew onto the grass about 8 metres in
front of me.
| Female Lesser Scaup |
Canada Goose |
 |
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| Mute Swan |
Reed Bunting |
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Below is a view of the northern end of Auchenharvie Loch.
Friday, March 14th: Strathclyde Country Park
The nice weather continued on the following day when I went for a walk with my camera in
Strathclyde Country Park. Near car park 4, a pair of Mallards were copulating in the water and I
snapped them just as the female reemerged from under the drake.
Meanwhile Jackdaws were foraging on the stoney shore. I also got a nice shot of a Lesser Black
backed Gull standing on a water buoy. Near the Watersports Centre a hybrid crow, a cross
between a Carrion and Hooded crow, was devouring what looked like a large snail. Later I
photographed a bracket fungus, probably a Hoof Fungus.
| Jackdaw |
Lesser Black-backed Gull |
 |
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| Carrion X Hooded Crow |
Hoof Fungus |
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Spring has sprung, evidenced by the mass presence of catkins on the branches of Willow trees.
There were also “hosts of golden Daffodils” blooming in all areas of the Park. And Flowering
Currants were doing just that on bushes opposite the Finishing Tower. Where the footpath passes
near various damp areas, I found that the small golden flowers of Opposite-leaved Golden
Saxifrage were starting to appear.
| Willow |
Daffodil |
 |
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| Flowering Currant |
Opposite-leaved Golden Saxifrage |
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Below is a view looking south down the Loch towards Tinto Hill in the far distance.
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Saturday, March 15th: RSPB Barons Haugh
My final visit of the week, on Saturday, saw me at the RSPB Barons Haugh reserve in Motherwell.
Again the weather was cold but bright with persistent blue sky for most of the time I was there.
From the Marsh Hide I was delighted to witness a pair of Little Grebes diving for fish in the blue
waters of the scrapes. Three Wigeons drifted across the water not far from a hunting Grey Heron
holding its gaze, steadily waiting on just the right time to strike at its prey in the water below.
Meanwhile a bonny Moorhen was poking the short grass tufts in front of the hide in its quest for
small snails and insects. I photographed the morning sunshine shining through Teasel seedheads
just before I left for the next hide. A ground beetle, probably a Common Sun Beetle , with a
distinctive brown metallic case that reflected the sunlight, was scurrying across the gravel path -
my first insect of the year.
| Little Grebe |
Wigeon |
 |
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| Grey Heron |
Moorhen |
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| Teasel |
Common Sun Beetle |
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When I left the hide, a Mute Swan passed overhead as it circled high over and around the Haugh.
At the Causeway Hide there wasn’t much opportunity for decent pictures since the waters were
very low and most birds - gulls, Teal, Goldeneyes - were far off. Below is the best I could do to
record a group of Goldeneyes.
Actually there was more interest along the “causeway” behind the hide - where I photographed a
Robin that seemed to be following me. Also, a Carrion Crow watched from its perch high in a
Sycamore tree and a Blue Tit, and then a Magpie half hidden on high branches provided more
photo-opportunities.
| Robin |
Carrion Crow |
 |
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| Blue Tit |
Magpie |
 |
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I also got macro shots of a Few-flowered Leek and Lesser Celandine - first flowers of the
thousands that will soon emerge. My final shots of the week were fairly exciting. A Kestrel
flew in and landed about 40m away near the top of a high tree. I might have got closer but the
bird was spooked by passing dogs.
It was a very enjoyable and productive week with 39 species observed and photographed. My
favourites were the Chiffchaff, Reed Bunting, Sanderling and Purple Sandpipers at Stevenson and
the Kestrel and ground beetle at Barons Haugh. I was very satisfied with the weather and it is
predicted to get better next week so I hope to have just as good a time wherever I end up.
Week ending: 9th March: Musselburgh, Hogganfield Park LNR
Once again, the best weather days were at the end of the week, and in the east.
Thursday, March 6th: Musselburgh
On Thursday, I headed for Musselburgh, longtime favourite place where we always seem to see
plenty of sightings. The weather was to be mild for the time of year at 14 degC and, most
importantly, there would be plenty of sunshine. The tide was to be low during the visit, so, to
increase my chances of finding birds, I started about a half a mile away from the coast at the
Millhill car park by the River Esk.
Below is the view of the river looking downstream towards the estuary.
There were Canada Geese and various gulls feeding on the grass by the edge of the river.
Looking upstream, I could see there were more gulls on the river.
Goldeneyes were on the river diving for small fish and crustaceans. Some of the Canada
Geese on the river were very noisy and sometimes aggressive, like the individual shown below. I
only saw a single Greylag Goose as it walked from the river onto the cobblestones of the
slipway.
I next took a walk along the path that led upstream and walked to the old bridge. There were
Oystercatchers feeding on the grass at the river’s edge and by a bed of flowering Crocuses. On
my way back to the car, I snapped a Mallard waddling across the cobblestones and also I caught
a shot of a Moorhen as it flew across the river. At the car, there was a House Sparrow singing from
its perch on a telephone wire, and almost directly below it there was Green Alkanet
flowering beside a wall.
| Oystercatcher |
Crocus |
 |
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| Mallard |
Moorhen |
 |
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| House Sparrow |
Green Alkanet |
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I relocated to the Esk mouth where, as can be seen from the photograph below, the tide was low.
However, there were birds to be photographed, such as Wigeon and Oystercatchers
preening at the water’s edge.
There were also Wigeon dabbling in the shallows of the estuary and also a Bar-tailed Godwit and
a Curlew were probing their long beaks under seaweed and rocks as they searched for
invertebrates.
| Drake Wigeon |
Female Wigeon |
 |
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| Bar-tailed Godwit |
Curlew |
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Next, I headed out of the estuary and followed the seawall, as I made for the entrance path that
would lead to the New Scrapes. Just before I reached the path I noticed that parts of the wall was
covered in quite attractive Orange Lichen.
From the seawall, I photographed an Oystercatcher as it watched a young Common Gull
grappling with a small shellfish. There was also a Cormorant making multiple dives as it swam
parallel with the seawall. Quite a few Carrion Crows were scavenging on the shore and also large
numbers of wading Redshanks were moving methodically across the salt-pools.
| Oystercatcher |
Cormorant |
 |
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| Carrion Crow |
Redshank |
 |
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Eventually I reached the path that leads to the New Scrapes, but I had to let two large trucks past
as they drove up the footpath - which raised my suspicions that all was not well with the hides.
These suspicions were confirmed when I found the first hide was closed off and covered in
polythene. I got a wide angle shot of the scrapes from the path though - showing a large group of
Mute Swans.
The next hide was also under repair. But, happy days, the third hide was open and I was able to
view the scrapes with satisfaction. I photographed the first hide for the record and noted that the
hide I was sitting in had already been repaired. Apparently the workmen had drilled drainage holes
through the walls, at the level of the floor, and also added concrete to the floor making it convex
so that puddles would not form - a design problem with the new hides. Let’s see how that goes.
The plentiful Mute Swans and Wigeons obviously weren’t too bothered with all the repair work.
My big zoom of my Coolpix P950 picked up the birds over the full range of the scrapes - quite a
few Shelducks and a few Teal were lapping up the sunshine. One angry Mute Swan
was on the rampage chasing young birds. They smartly fled the scene. Some Canada Geese too
were on the far side.
| Shelduck |
Teal |
 |
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| Mute Swan |
Canada Goose |
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I returned to the car and drove to the Levenhall Links car park and then walked to the Old
Scrapes. It was rather devoid of birds - although there was a sizeable flock of Wigeon grazing on
the grass.
They are very pretty birds. They feed mainly on aquatic and terrestrial leaves, stems, roots
rhizomes and seeds.
In the time I sat in the right hand hide, I managed photos of a calling Curlew, a trio of wading
Redshanks, a few Oystercatchers nestled in some long grass and yet another drake Teal. But that
was all. I have noticed, not unsurprisingly, that the bird population of the Old Scrapes has fallen
off since the New Scrapes have opened. However that may turn out to be a premature
conclusion.
| Curlew |
Redshank |
 |
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| Oystercatcher |
Teal |
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Saturday March 8th: Hogganfield Park LNR, Glasgow
It was a fine sunny morning on Saturday when I read on social media that a Red-necked Grebe had arrived at Hogganfield Park. The temptation was too great and I soon found myself
walking around the loch asking any fellow birders I met if they had seen said bird. When I began
that walk Mute Swans were mobbing the edge of the car park begging for bread.
Also waiting for bread were the Mallards, Goosanders and Coots. Bread wasn’t the only food
being dished out by people. Some were scattering seed, much to the delight of the Feral Pigeons.
A Lesser Black-backed Gull was standing proud on the railing of the derelict feeding platform. At
the side of the stream that enters the loch near its southwest corner, Marsh Marigolds were
starting to flower. After photographing them I was approached by a pair of scope-carrying birders
who asked me if I’d seen the Red-necked Grebe. I had to reply, “Not yet”.
| Mallard |
Female Goosander |
 |
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| Coot |
Feral Pigeon |
 |
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| Lesser Black-backed Gull |
Marsh Marigold |
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There is a significant number of Grey Herons building nests in trees on the north and east sides of
the island. I met the birders that had spoken to me earlier and they had sighted the Red-necked
Grebe. It was about 170m away in the middle of the Loch. I reasoned that I’d get a closer view
from the north side of the loch. After moving there I set my camera zoom to the equivalent of a
2000mm telescope, and after a patient search across the middle of the loch I managed pictures of
a fairly close Great Crested Grebe and a distant Little Grebe . But it wasn’t long
before I found the Red-necked Grebe about 100 m from the edge of the loch. Unfortunately it
wasn’t the bright, close shot I’d hoped for, but it was a decent record shot nonetheless. So,
mission accomplished.
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My couple of visits produced pictures of 21 species, which, to be honest, seems a bit on the low
side. It is just the start of Spring and as migrant birds arrive, flowers bloom, fungi thrive and
insects reappear, the sighting count should rise.
Week ending: 2nd March: Drumpelier Park, Strathclyde Park, Lochwinnoch, Barns
Ness, Belhaven Bay
This week the weather was often showery and cold, but there were a few bright periods long
enough for me to get out with my cameras and stretch my legs and take pictures of nature. I got
as far as Dunbar in the east and Lochwinnoch in the west and managed 150 photographs.
Monday, February 24th: Drumpellier Park
I started though a little nearer home with a brief visit to Drumpellier Park on the outskirts of
Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire. The picture below is a view of the visitor centre.
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The garden at the side the building gave me my first shot, of Snowdrops, a flower I would see a
lot of during the week. I was pleased to see that Lochend Loch, notable for being the site of the
archaeological remains of a crannog, was hosting a very healthy number of birds, such as
Mute Swans, Goosanders, Canada Geese and Goldeneyes. A minor annoyance was that the low
winter Sun hampered my attempts to photograph birds on the north banks and the south bank lay
in the shadows of the woodland to the south.
| Common Snowdrop |
Mute Swan |
 |
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| Male Goosander |
Canada Goose |
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| Female Goldeneye |
Male Goldeneye |
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Tuesday, Thursday (am), February 25th, 27th Strathclyde Country Park
I got a few hours midweek of snapping away merrily in Strathclyde Country Park. Again, I started
with Snowdrops, the biggest patch I’d seen so far this year.
At the mouth of the South Calder river, at the boom which is there to prevent rubbish from getting
onto Strathclyde Loch, Goosanders and Moorhens were searching for food amongst the detritus.
Later I came across some Common Heather soaking up the lovely sunlight.
| Female Goosander |
Male Goosander |
 |
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| Moorhen |
Common Heather |
 |
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I walked to the opposite end of the loch, passing the Finishing Tower, shown below.
The Sun was shining behind me which lead to some pleasing photos as I passed the Watersports
Centre. Having watched the drake Mallards in their untidy, drab eclipse plumage, I enjoyed
photographing the birds below bedecked in pristine breeding plumage. There were Jackdaws in
all areas of the park, hoovering up the scraps of food left by the larger birds. There were a few
Pied Wagtails adopting the same strategy. The Greylag below was separated from the main flock,
which was grazing in the nearly field. A Magpie was checking out a new perch - made available
due to damage caused by Storm Eowyn.
| Mallard |
Jackdaw |
 |
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| Pied Wagtail |
Greylag Goose |
 |
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| Mute Swan |
Magpie |
 |
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Thursday, February 27th (pm): RSPB Lochwinnoch
In the afternoon I drove to RSPB Lochwinnoch, and yet again my first picture was of Snowdrops
by the Visitor Centre. Also in that vicinity I found Daffodils and Lungwort (a newbie for us) in
bloom. Scarlett Elf Cup fungus was growing on fallen branches near the Channel Hide.
| Common Snowdrop |
Daffodil |
 |
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| Lungwort |
Scarlet Elf Cup |
 |
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Observing the scrapes from the Channel Hide, I could see Lapwings active across the area.
Canada Geese were also active and making a lot of noise - probably to do with the impending
breeding season. I could also see a few Whooper Swans and some Mute Swans on the scrape
but I would go on to find more honking Canada Geese as I observed birds on the neighbouring
Aird Meadow Loch.
I next walked along the trail that runs along the east side of the reserve. From the wooded path I
managed snaps of a Great Tit, Blue Tit, Blackbird and a Bullfinch.
| Great Tit |
Blue Tit |
 |
 |
| Blackbird |
Bullfinch |
 |
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I was able to scan the Aird Meadow Loch from various convenient viewpoints created for that
purpose. Below is the panorama from one such viewpoint. Lochwinnoch village can be seen in
the background.
There were courting Goldeneyes on the far side of the loch, the drakes trying to attract the
females by throwing back their heads.
A few Cormorants were perched on one of the several pontoons positioned in the middle of the
loch. Black-headed Gulls and Tufted Ducks could also be seen.
There were a few places along the path where I saw Dog Lichen. At other viewpoints I
photographed a Great Crested Grebe, a Wigeon and a pair of honking Canada Geese.
| Dog Lichen |
Great Crested Grebe |
 |
 |
| Wigeon |
Canada Goose |
 |
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The picture below was taken on my way back along the path as I returned to the car. It shows the
Visitor Centre with Aird Meadow in the foreground.
Friday, February 28th, (am): Barns Ness
Sunny weather was predicted for Friday on the Lothian Coast so I headed to Barns Ness, which is
east of Dunbar. The tide was to be low and incoming for most of the time I’d be there.
From the picture below you can see that the bay by the car park was filling with water.
I positioned myself on my wee 3-legged stool. Shore Larks had been seen on the beach the
day before, so I decided to sit for a time and photograph any birds that showed, hopefully the
Shore Lark would be one of them. A Carrion Crow flew overhead and was my first capture.
I could see bird activity well out just beyond the bay. A Cormorant flew past at a range beyond
150m. Note its breeding plumage with Grey head plumage.
In the 30 minutes I sat on the shore I managed to photograph a Redshank, a Rock Pipit and a
Curlew, but, sadly, no Shore Lark. I walked to the lighthouse, but didn’t add to my sightings.
| Redshank |
Rock Pipit |
 |
 |
| Curlew |
|
 |
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Sited very close to Barns Ness there is a cement works which was belching a huge column of
acrid smoke over and onto the east beach, beyond the lighthouse. I decided not to continue onto
the beach but, instead, to relocate to Belhaven Bay where the Inner Bay was likely to be starting
to fill with water as the tide rises, and may attract more ducks and waders than I found at Barns
Ness.
Friday, February 28th (pm): Belhaven Bay
On arrival at the Shore Road car park at Belhaven Bay, I could see that the Inner Bay was indeed
filling with water and that there were birds gathering there to feed on the invertebrates and small
fish reacting to the rising tide. The picture below shows the flock of Wigeon that gather at
the start of the Inner Bay just as the tide water began to the fill the bay.
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I walked by the sea wall to observe the increasing number of birds arriving there. First though I
snapped a Common Daisy that was flowering at the edge of the footpath. Looking over the
wall there were Oystercatchers, Redshanks and a Curlew wading in the shallow water which was
steadily deepening.
| Common Daisy |
Oystercatcher |
 |
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| Redshank |
Curlew |
 |
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One group of Wigeons was foraging right below the sea wall giving superb, close, sunlit views of
the birds.
Wigeon numbers was increasing as more flew in. Amongst the Wigeon there were a few Teal, the UK’s smallest duck, dabbling in the shallows. A Mute Swan was toddling across the
short grass that is between the sea wall and the Seafield Pond.
On the pond there were more Wigeon, as well a Mallards.
That was a pleasing conclusion to my week of photographing nature an a variety of locations. My
favourite sightings were the increasing numbers of flowers such as the Heather and Lungwort at
Lochwinnoch and, after dipping out on the Shore Lark, and experiencing a frustrating lack of
sightings generally at Barns Ness, it was great to get good quality shots of the birds at Belhaven
Inner Bay. The weather for next week is to remain changeable. Hopefully that means some of the
days will be good enough for good sightings and photos.
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