Summer Sun on my Local Patch

As you can see I’m really good at this blog thing! Nearly three months since my first post, oh dear...

Although to be honest I haven’t been out birdwatching that much, just a few visits to Hogganfield and a washed out trip to Wood of Cree RSPB reserve.

Wood of Drear More Like...

The North Ayrshire RSPB Local Group’s trip to the Wood of Cree on Saturday 4 May was a bit bare, the forest still grey with not much of a sign of greenery about. Normally the trees would be full of bird song and flutters, easy to spot. Not so this time, we appeared to have visited a week early! We did get some views of pied flycatcher, long-tailed tits, willow and wood warbler.  Overall though it was a pretty disappointing day, considering Wood of Cree is one of my favourite reserves, especially with the dull weather. There will be a full report in the North Ayrshire RSPB Local Group newsletter this coming August, just in time for the start of the new season.

Hogganfield Delight

Elsewhere summer finally reached Hogganfield though and I got a great range of sightings over my last four visits over June. The great crested grebes have nested and at least one pair have some grebelets looking to be fed now. Warblers have flocked to the eastern end of the park where you can see lovely views of willow, garden and sedge warblers along with whitethroat, meadow pipit and reed bunting. Swallows and house martins swoop across the water and swifts skim the treetops of the island.

There is something calmingly beautiful just standing on one of the smaller paths (away from the joggers and families), surrounded by long grass, trees and occasional scrub bushes, with the early morning sun bringing out the rich green colours of summer. The bird song filling the air, different songs slowly becoming indistinguishable from each other, instead creating and orchestra of melody. Damselflies, darters and bees buzzing, the breeze rustling the grasses. Imagine the tranquility...

Woof, woof, woof!

Dog walkers. This can be the down side of a city park, although having said that most dogs are well behaved and content just passing on by without any bother. 

Either way I still look forward to my little jaunts into the wild side of Glasgow at the weekend!