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birding...
Scotland Central Strathclyde
Comprising Glasgow, East Dumbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Inverclyde, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dumbartonshire The area mainly covers the drainage basin of the River Clyde and covers a wide range of habitats from tidal estuary through marshland & lochs in the Clyde valley to heather and grass moorland in the Kilpatrick Hills, Campsie Fells, Renfrewshire and South Lanarkshire Hills. Much of the area is under watched apart from a handful of the better-known sites and therefore has the potential to find some of the many rarities, which must go undiscovered from year to year. I have had many walks in the upland areas and very rarely meet another birdwatcher even though these areas hold Red and Black Grouse as well as Hen Harrier, Merlin, Peregrine and Raven with the addition of a now small pocket of Ring Ouzels in the South Lanarkshire hills. Along the south shore of the Clyde Estuary from Lunderston Bay in Inverclyde district to Newshot Island at Erskine in Renfrewshire, there are several viewpoints which can be used to scan the area for amongst others Manx Shearwater in Autumn from Cloch Point at Gourock, Scaup in winter off West Ferry near Langbank, Black Guillemot all year round as well as divers in the winter off the Port Glasgow – Greenock area. There are also many man-made reservoirs in the area of which a few hold large gull roosts as well as variable numbers of waterfowl and passage waders, again these waters are relatively under watched and merit more attention, especially the gull roosts in which white-winged gulls, Ring-billed, Yellow-legged and Mediterranean Gulls have been found in the past. Even within the Glasgow City Boundary there are good birding sites including Hogganfield Loch, which is superb for watching wildfowl and gulls as well as holding Jack Snipe in winter. The other parks in Glasgow are good for commoner woodland birds as well as Kingfishers and Dippers on the River Kelvin, which runs through Kelvingrove Park and the Glasgow Botanic Gardens. |
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top sites |
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Baron`s Haugh RSPB Reserve
(NS754554)Baron`s Haugh is situated south of Motherwell and bordered on the south side by the River Clyde and has 4 hides overlooking the main Haugh. The reserve has all year interest but the winter produces large numbers of waterfowl, which have included American Wigeon and Green-winged Teal in recent years. Good numbers of Wigeon, Teal, Gadwall, Shoveler, Pochard, Tufted Duck and Goldeneye are present most winters as well as variable numbers of Whooper Swans. The Marsh Hide is the best site I know of to see Water Rails, sometimes feeding in the open if there is mud showing, Kingfisher are also fairly regularly seen at the pool to the right of this hide. Raptors seen at the reserve regularly include Peregrine and Sparrowhawk as well as Short-eared Owl and the occasional Hen Harrier. Large flocks of winter thrushes can be present in the winter and also occasional Willow Tits, mainly around the Phoenix Hide area.Baron`s Haugh RSPB Reserve (cont...)
(NS754554)In spring/summer Common & Lesser Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, Blackcap and Grasshopper Warbler come in to breed, as well as the breeding water birds, which include Little & Great Crested Grebe, Gadwall, Shoveler and Kingfisher. Spring occasionally produces Garganey; a pair was present during May 2002. Autumn migration can be superb if the water levels are right and has included Green Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Little Stint, Ruff, Black-tailed Godwit, Greenshank, Snipe, Curlew Sandpiper, Dunlin and Redshank as well as large numbers of Lapwing. Spotted Crake have also been recorded from the Marsh Hide during this period.Cloch Point, Renfrewshire
(NS204760)Cloch Point is situated just off the A78 on the west side of Gourock at the Cloch Lighthouse, it is a great place to see Manx Shearwaters (sometimes in large numbers) at close range as well as Guillemots, Razorbills, Black Guillemot, Gannet, Sandwich Terns and Kittiwakes from mid-July Through August. Skuas also turn up occasionally into early October.Hogganfield Park Local Nature Reserve
(NS638673)The park is situated off the A80 Cumbernauld Road (off Junction 12 of the M8) on the north-east side of Glasgow. The loch is superb in winter for wildfowl including Whooper Swan, Goosander, Goldeneye, Pochard, Ruddy Ducks and occasionally Smew (close viewing can be expected from most of the species present); it also has a gull roost, which regularly produces Iceland and Glaucous Gulls. The recently created pool at the east end of the park holds Jack Snipe as well as Common Snipe from late autumn through the winter. In spring both Slavonian and Black-necked Grebe have been recorded as well as the usual breeding Little and Great Crested Grebes, the park also has breeding Sedge Warbler and Reed Bunting as well as being a good place to watch feeding Hirundines and Swifts (particularly during bad weather).Millichen Flood: including East & West Millichen Farms
(NS573720)Millichen Flood is a favourite haunt of mine when looking for gulls in winter. They gather in the floods to bath and drink after feeding on the nearby Summerston Landfill site. Iceland and Glaucous Gull are regularly seen amongst the Herring, Common, Black-headed, Great Black-backed and Lesser Black-backed Gulls, which occur in varying numbers from day to day. The fields also attract wintering Canada Geese and Greylags with occasional Barnacle, Pink-footed Greenland White-fronted and Bean Geese. The floods are also used in autumn (and in a lesser degree in spring) by migrating waders, which have included Pectoral, Wood, Green & Curlew Sandpipers as well as Knot, Turnstone and Little Stint although Dunlin, Greenshank, Ruff and Black-tailed Godwit are the most regular waders seen on passage. Raptors also use the area in autumn/winter including Peregrine, Merlin and occasional Hen Harrier. The area also has breeding Lapwing, Grey Partridge, Yellowhammer and the now very scarce (in the local area at least) Tree Sparrow.contributor |
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John Molloy
john@molloy1962.freeserve.co.uk
http://www.clydebirds.com
county recorder |
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Bernard Zonfrillo (Clyde Islands)
28 Brodie Road, Glasgow G21 3SB
0141 557 0791
Clyde - Iain P Gibson
8 Kenmure View, Howwood, Johnstone, Renfrewshire, PA9 1DR
01505 705874
iain.gibson@land.glasgow.gov.uk
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useful reading |
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Where to Watch Birds in Scotland
Mike Madders, Julia Welstead Paperback - 332 pages (1997) Christopher HelmISBN: 0713644877
Buy this book from NHBS.com
clubs |
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Calderglen Bird Club
This the web site dedicated to Calderglen Bird Club based in East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire in Scotland. We are a small club of approximately 20 members, who meet on a monthly basis, but would like to extend a welcome to anybody who has an interest in birds, wildlife and wild areas.
SOC - Central Scotland Branch
http://www.the-soc.zenwebhosting.com/stirling-branch.htmD J Cameron, Allt Beithe, Keipe Road,Strathyre FK18 8NQ
SOC - Clyde Branch
http://www.the-soc.zenwebhosting.com/Each branch has its own programme of field meetings and winter lectures.
reserves |
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Possil Marsh
http://www.swt.org.uk/wildlife/popup_reserves/west/possil.htmThis is a shallow nutrient-rich loch extending to over 30 hectares. The loch and marsh have been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest for the national importance of their aquatic and emergent vegetation and its waterfowl interest. It is a Scottish Wildlife Trust reserve...
RSPB Reserve - Baron`s Haugh
http://freespace.virgin.net/jimmy.maxwell/Baron`s Haugh is an important community nature reserve on the edge of Motherwell (Map Sheet 64 Grid ref : NS755548). Managed since 1983 by the RSPB (present site manager – Mike Trubridge) it comprises 107.3 hectares of richly varied habitats. The main water body (20 hectares) is controlled by a sluice enabling waterfowl to nest in safety and also areas of mud to be exposed for passage waders. The other habitats include marshland, woodland, meadows, parkland, areas of scrub and a section of the River Clyde.
RSPB Reserve - Lochwinnoch
http://www.clydebirds.com/Lochwinnoch_events.htmlLochwinnoch RSPB Nature Reserve is situated within Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park, and is one of the largest remaining wetlands in west Scotland. The reserve is ideal for all the family, as the trails and hides and the visitor centre are all easily accessible. Whilst in the centre, you can enjoy a light snack or browse in the RSPB shop which specialises in optics, natural history books and wild bird care products...
RSPB Reserve - Lochwinnoch
http://www.lochwinnoch.info/RSPB/RSPB Lochwinnoch Reserve - Largs Road, Lochwinnoch, Renfrewshire PA12 4JF
trip reports |
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Travelling Birder
http://www.travellingbirder.com
The Travellingbirder.com birding trip report search engine guides you to 7,000+ birding trip reports on the Internet. You can search for trip reports from a specific country and time of year. Not all these reports are in English. So, if you can’t find the trip report you want on this Fatbirder page… give them a try!
local guides |
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Birding Pal
http://www.birdingpal.org/Unitedkingdom.htmLocal birders willing to show visiting birders around their area...
places to stay |
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Castle Levan
http://www.castle-levan.comFrom March 2003 the castle is open to guests as a B&B accommodation. We will make a special effort to provide exactly what you want and so prices will vary according to your particular requirements. As a guide our typical tariffs start from £45 per person per night. We offer continental, English or Scottish breakfast, and if you wish we can also prepare supper for you...
Gleniffer House B&B - Johnstone
http://www.hotelsandguesthouses.net/121776...Situated in a garden filled with songs of its many resident birds, this former Excise lodging house stands on the edge of open countryside...
Lethamhill
http://www.b-and-b-scotland.co.uk/lethamhill.htmBed and Breakfast Accommodation. Near Glasgow and Loch Lomond. This large, detached villa is a grade B listed building designed by John Burnett in 1911. Set in its own secluded grounds, this delightful and unique house has fine views of the Clyde Estuary and the Arran peaks beyond.
Rosslee Guest House
http://www.ukbed.com/glasgow+clyde/rosslee.htmRosslee Guest House is a former Victorian church manse which is now a comfortable, family run guest house situated between Glasgow and Edinburgh. The town of Airdrie is situated 12 miles from Glasgow, 35 miles from Edinburgh, 17 miles from Stirling and 14 miles from Lanark. The M8, M80 and M74 are all within 10 minutes drive of the house which makes it an ideal central location for exploring the Central Belt and the Borders of Scotland. Pam and Alan McFadzean look forward to welcoming you to Rosslee and to making your stay comfortable and enjoyable.
mailing lists |
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Clyde Birding
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cbirdsTo post to list:cbirds@yahoogroups.com
List contact:cbirds-owner@yahoogroups.com
To subscribe to list:cbirds-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
A forum to discuss birding in GLASGOW and clyde area and posting of sightings news etc...
other links |
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A Guide to Bird Watching in the Clyde Area
http://www.the-soc.zenwebhosting.com/The guide should be of interest to birdwatchers of all abilities and knowledge, whether they are locals or visitors to the area. The site descriptions have been written by local birdwatchers who have knowledge and experience of the sites. See above in useful reading.
Bird Feed View
http://birdfeedview.co.ukPaisley based - We sell Bird Feeders with internal miniature wireless cameras, with receivers which connect to a PC or TV / Video. There are no wires from the Bird Feeder back to your PC or TV…
Clyde Birds
http://www.clydebirds.com/Welcome to John Molloy`s Clyde Area Wildlife site. The idea behind this web site is to bring together a wealth of information about the Clyde area and I am more than happy to display meeting/outing programmes of any wildlife group within the area and promote any events they organise. This site is not meant to compete with other organisation`s sites but complement them by bringing all groups events together and make information available without moving from site to site, which can be time consuming. Links will be placed on the links page to all available relevent web sites, if there are any sites which you feel should be included in the links, please let me know. If you have your own web site and would like to have a link from this site drop me an email and it will be included.
Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue Trust
http://hessilhead.org.uk/Andy and Gay Christie began helping injured wild animals many years ago. Their isolated home was an ideal base for the quiet rehabilitation of injured creatures. Today the project has completely taken over their home... and their lives...
artists |
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Photographer - Mark Darling
http://www.markdarling.ic24.net/Some nice bird photos mainly taken in Scotland... more to come soon.
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