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Order and  nomenclature follows BOU/IOC v10.2 (2021)

Capercaillie Tetrao urogallus

No report received in 2002 (ed.).

 

Black Grouse Lyrurus tetrix

Reports in 2002 consisted of 6 ♂♂ at Stockiemuir on 2 Jan (RKP), 2 ♂♂ on 18 Mar (DHMcE), 4 displaying on 18 Apr (no gender details - ed.), 5 (3 ♂♂) on 26-27 Apr, 3 ♂♂ on 4 June (RKP), 10 ♂♂ on 7 Oct (DHMcE), 3 ♂♂ on 31 Oct, 6 ♂♂ on 5 Nov, 7 ♂♂ on 13 Nov (DHMcE), a ♂ on 5 Dec (GJB), 12 Dumbrock Muir 4 Feb (FH), 8 (1 ♂) on 2 Mar (HAA), 4 (1 ♂) on 11 Mar, 5 (1 ♂) on 12 Mar (TPD), 3 (2 ♂♂) on 14 Mar (AKMcN), a ♀ on 30 Mar, a pr on 3 Apr (ECD), 11 (4 ♂♂) on 7 Apr (AGJ), a ♀ on 16 Apr (ECD), 1 ♀ on 29 Apr, 4 ♀♀ on 2 May (AKMcN), 4 (3 ♂♂) on 5 May (GS), b/3 there on 28 June (AKMcN), a ♀ on 1 Aug, 3 ♂♂ on 20 Aug (HAA), 3 (2 ♂♂) on 26 Oct, 5 (1 ♂) on 27 Oct (RA), a ♂ on 30 Oct (ECD,FH), 2 ♂♂ on 9 Nov (JJM), 2 ♂♂ Campsie Muir on 16 Mar (PHB,DLC) and 26 Oct (JJM), 4 (2 ♂♂ ) Mugdock Country Park 18 Mar (TPD), a ♀ on 20 Mar (JBB), a ♂ on 10 Apr (AKMcN), a pr on 19 Nov, 5 ♀♀ on 30 Dec (GJB), a ♀ Lennox Forest on 21 Mar (GJB), 2 ♀♀ Carman Muir on 9 Apr (JBB), 5 ♂♂ at lek Loch Arklet 27 Apr (ECD), a ♂ on moor NE of Crawhin Hill flew off to S on 27 May (IPG), 4 Dunwan Dam 6 Oct (JFD), 5 ♂♂ Drumclog 9 Nov (JCM), a ♂ Muir Toll, Campsie Fells on 23 Nov (HAA), a ♂ Finnich Glen 28 Nov, 5 (1 ♂) Inversnaid 12 Oct (DJC), a ♂ Cashel Farm 23 Nov (ECD), and 6 (2 ♂♂) Muirhouse Muir 25 Dec (AKMcN).

 

Ptarmigan Lagopus muta

A ♂ was seen on Beinn Chabhair on 31 Mar and 9 May (ECD).

 

Red Grouse Lagopus lagopus

Winter-spring reports included 2 Hill of Stake 27 Jan, 2 at the disused barytes mine, Muirshiel Country Park on 27 Jan (ECD), and a pair at Lyles Hill on 17 Mar (IPG).

Breeding season reports involved a ♂ displaying Stockiemuir 18 Mar (DHMcE), a ♂ calling Auchineden Hill 7 Apr (AKMcN), 8 including 7 displaying Lowther Hill on 4 May (JJM), a ♀ Ben Bowie 17 May (FL), 3 pairs Crawhin Resr-Wenchly Top 27 May, very low breeding nos Duchal Moor/Queenside Muir, no broods seen June-July (IPG), and a pair on the Caorann Plateau on 8 June (FH).

Autumn-winter reports included 3 by Cample Burn, Muirshiel Country Park 2 Sep, 1 Kilpatrick Braes 9 Sep, 1 Ben Lomond 19 Sep (ECD), 3 Finnich Glen 27 Sep (GJB), 2 Queenside Muir 6 Oct (ECD), 2 Cashel 14 Oct (AKMcN), 1 Coalburn Moss 23-24 Oct, 2 Braehead Moss 4 Nov, 5 Black Loch (Lan) 15 Nov (SRi), and 4 in Glen Fruin at Strone on 29 Dec (DACa).

 

Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa

Reports of presumed released birds involved 2 at the Endrick Mouth on 3 Jan, 5 on 15 Jan, 15 on 31 Jan (RKP), 3 on 9 Apr, 2 on 7 June (GJB) and 13 Aug (LM), 12 at Garvald Quarry 6 Feb, 3 on 2 Mar, 12 on 13 Oct (AMcA), 1 on wall Clovenstone 1 May (IPG), 1 Ardmore Point 16-20 May (HS et al), and 1 on wall Sutherland St, Helensburgh 28 May (per HS).

 

Grey Partridge Perdix perdix

Winter-spring reports included 6 Drumcross Farm, Erskine 6 Jan (ACMB), 7 Town of Inchinnan Farm 10-12 Jan, 2 former India tyre factory site 24 Feb (ECD,FH), 1 Millichen Farm 11 Mar (TPD), 2 Crookboat 11 Mar (JSW,VW), 4 Endrick Mouth 20 Mar (JTT), 4 Balmore Rd on 21 Mar (TPD), and 2 at Baldernock on 23 Mar (GJB).

Breeding season reports were of 2 Fannyside Muir 10 Apr, a pr former India tyre factory 18 Apr (ECD), a pr at Endrick Mouth on 7 May (AKMcN) and 17 June (JTT), 1 Middleton Farm 24 June, and a pr at Inchinnan IE on 24 June (GTW,JSW,VW).

Autumn-winter reports included 4 Banton 7 Aug (PGC), 1 calling East Millichen Farm 10 Aug (AKMcN), 3 there on 14 Oct and 19 Dec (GJB), 2 Endrick Mouth 13 Oct (JTT), 7 in stubble Craigendmuir 25 Oct (FJM), 2 Baron's Haugh 1 Nov (GJB), a ♂ singing at dusk by Black Cart Water at Inchinnan 9 Nov (IPG), 4 there 24 Dec (AMo), and 6 at West Millichen on 23 Nov (JC).

 

Quail Coturnix coturnix

The only report was of a calling ♂ beside the Ben Lomond footpath at NS375993, (280 metres above sea level), 1.6 km above Rowardennan on 28 May (ECD).

 

Pheasant Phasianus colchicus

Breeding reports (calling ♂♂ unless otherwise stated) included 1 at Carron Valley Forest 26 Mar, 1 Muirhouse Muir 4 Apr, 1 Muirhouse Sand Quarry 4 Apr, 11 Mugdock Country Park 6 Apr-10 June, 4 Dumbrock Muir 7-30 Apr, 1 West Millichen Farm 13 Apr, 11 Endrick Mouth 15 Apr, 1 Ardmore Point 23 Apr, 9 Craigallian 27 Apr, 3 Carbeth Loch 27 Apr, 2 Ballochchruin Bridge, 3 other ♂♂ present 29 Apr, 1 Auchineden Plantation 1 May (AKMcN), a terr Wester Gavin Farm on 5 May (TB), a ♂ Bridgend Farm Pool 29 May (JJM), a ♀ b/4 Baron's Haugh 11 June (GJB), a ♀ b/1 Peitches Muir, Mugdock Country Park 28 July (AKMcN), 6 Westmill Farm 23 Sep (AMcA), and a territorial pr on Helensburgh Golf Course (SL).

 

Brent Goose Branta bernicla

There were 2 pale-bellied B b hrota at Helensburgh (NS292823) on 14-15 Oct (PC,HS et al).

 

Canada Goose Branta canadensis

Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) count totals, detailing the most important sites reported in 2002, are provided in the table overleaf (per JSW,VW).

Other winter-spring reports included 144 Reivoch/Rowbank Resr 26 Jan (DACa), 114 (including a small race bird) there on 5 Feb, 47 on 2 Mar, 49 on 9 Mar (IPG), 110 Balmaha 9 Feb (JM), 11 Gartloch Pool 11 Feb (GCC), 13 on 13 Feb (DACa), 12 Loch Thom 24 Feb (FG), 10 Deil's Craig Dam 13 Mar (per NB), 60 Midross Gravel Pits on 4 Mar (AKMcN), and a small race bird at Aird Meadow on 12 Apr (RSPB).

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Clyde Area Total	367	263	169	88	108	120	319	319	319	293	321	391
Sites recorded	8	12	13	13	14	12	11	7	9	9	11	7
Endrick Mouth	0	8	4	-	-	-	-	275	19	40	176	226
Black Cart Water	0	0	0	-	-	-	-	-	205	160	0	0
Midross Gravel Pits	300	0	0	-	-	-	-	-	-	0	0	0
Barcraigs Reservoir	9	114	47	10	0	6	33	-	0	6	0	85
Loch Lomond (Rossdhu N&S)	2	56	22	2	4	4	168	3	0	0	75	0
Hillend Reservoir	0	36	34	19	10	22	66	1	0	44	0	50
Kilmardinny Loch	23	24	23	22	20	21	22	18	12	14	12	15
Brother Loch	0	0	0	2	36	38	-	0	22	0	0	0

Breeding season reports included pr b/5 Glengavel Resr (RJH), pr b/5 Harelaw Dam (JSW,VW), 5 prs with broods 2, 3, 4, 4 and 5 Brother Loch (IAM), the injured bird at Balgray Resr joined by a mate on 26 Apr (JSW,VW), 7 prs and a single Loch Thom island 23 May, 2 broods each b/5 there on 20 June, a pr Shielhill Farm 23 May (IPG), pr Loch Ardinning 1 June (JJM), pr b/5 Barcraigs Resr 9 June, 4 prs with broods totalling 17 well-grown young Rowbank Resr 19 June, another 20 ads there and 10 ads on Barcraigs Resr 19 June (IPG), pr b/4 Mugdock Loch, pr b/5 Craigend Pond, moved to Mugdock Loch, 6 prs incl a pr b/5 Endrick Mouth (AKMcN), 47 adults with 35 well-grown young, 4 small young and 7 very small young there on 6 June (JTT), and 70 ads with 24 young on 7 June (GJB). Summary: ca 21 pairs reared an estimated 110 young.

Summer-winter reports included 163 at the Endrick Mouth 5 July (GJB), 19 Mugdock Loch 7 July (AKMcN), 10 Bishop Loch 16 July (GCC), at the estuary moult site 27 Newshot Island 7 Aug (HAA) and 135 Longhaugh Point on 20 Aug (FH), 90 (incl 6 ?small race?birds) on 9 Sep (TB), 148 flying from Blackstone Mains towards Longhaugh Point 1 Sep (IPG), 28 Baron's Haugh 10 Aug (GJB), 40 Gadloch 10 Aug (JJM), 54 at East Millichen Farm 10 Aug, 85 Millichen Flood 1 Sep (AKMcN), 133 feeding in ploughed field Yonderton 28 Sep (IPG), 160 at the Black Cart Water 2-5 Oct, 215 on 9 Oct (GTW), 18 Cardross Bay 4 Sep (JBB), 30 Auchendores Resr 22 Sep (ECD), 1 with Pink-footed Geese at The Meetings 29 Sep (JSW,VW), 85 Reivoch Farm 7 Dec, and 80 there on 14 Dec (IPG).

 

Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis

Winter-spring reports involved 10 at Shandon, Drymen on 13 Feb (NB), 9 on 16 Feb (IR), 4 by the Endrick Water at Drymen Bridge 14 Feb (DACa), 1 at the Endrick Mouth 4 Mar and 23 Mar (RKP,GJB), 2 with Pinkfeet at Easter Lumloch 7 Apr (JJM), and 2 feral birds present at Millichen Flood on 18 Aug (AKMcN).

Autumn-winter reports were of 8 at The Meetings on 6 Oct (per BS), still 2 on 7 Oct (JSW,VW) and 19 Oct (HAA), 1 by the Black Cart Water at Town of Inchinnan Farm on 9 Oct (GTW), 2 at Millichen Flood from 23 Oct-9 Nov (TB,AKMcN et al), 3 on 8 Nov (TPD), 1 on 23 Nov (JC), and 1 with Canada Geese at Reivoch Farm, Rowbank Resr on 7 Dec (IPG).

 

Greylag Goose Anser anser

Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) count totals, detailing the most important sites reported in 2002, are provided in the following table (per JSW,VW):

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Clyde Area Total	840	2208	1327	128	47	366	506	151	658	843	909	2390
Sites recorded	9	14	14	10	5	5	6	4	6	10	12	12
Gadloch	52	550	685	-	-	-	-	-	450	451	145	0
Endrick Mouth	0	0	1	-	-	-	-	0	1	3	26	1513
River Clyde, Ravenstruther	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	0	0	320	450
Millichen Flood	260	316	1	50	-	-	-	-	136	0	120	18
Hogganfield Loch	0	95	122	8	0	237	302	28	27	253	138	53
Millersneuk Pond	396	120	92	24	0	0	0	0	-	0	0	67
Gartloch Pool	0	154	130	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	42	244
Douglas Water Pool	0	500	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

Other winter-spring reports included in the Kelvin valley/North Glasgow 290 Millersneuk 4 Jan (GCC), 566 in fields N of Millerston 6 Jan (CRS), 152 there 11 Feb, 220 on 8 Apr, 250 Chryston 4 Jan, 120 Rushyhill 14 Jan, 180 Cardyke 14 Jan, flock max 1200 there 18 Jan (GCC), 100 at Balmore Rd, Glasgow on 20 Jan (TPD), 145 at Easter Lumloch on 11 Feb, 280 on 26 Mar (IPG), 154 Gartloch Pool 11 Feb (GCC), 316 Millichen Flood 11 Feb (CRS), min total 767 in Kelvin valley 11 Feb (GCC et al), 656 Millichen Flood 15 Feb (TPD), 767 on 18 Mar, 495 on 1 Apr (AKMcN), 143 on 7 Apr (JJM), 50 on 13 Apr (AKMcN), 13 on 24 Apr (JBB), 80 Twechar Marsh 12 Mar (PGC), max 120 Blackfaulds Farm 26 Mar-5 Apr (GCC), 150 Bridgend Farm Pool 7 Apr, 42 on 13 Apr (JJM); in the Black Cart Water floodplain ca 300 Blackstoun Farm 14-16 Mar (GTW), 285 North Commonside 31 Mar (IPG); in Strathgryfe 358 High Mathernock 31 Mar (IPG); in the Endrick valley 491 Shandon, Drymen 13 Feb (NB), 187 at the Endrick Mouth 5 Apr (GJB); and elsewhere 170 flying to Loch Lomond over Darleith on 7 Jan (FL), 50 Lochwinnoch Reserve 14 Jan (DHMcE), ?several hundred? near Sandilands at Goslington 27 Jan (IAM), 50 at Blackford, Strathaven 24 Feb (JMcO), 60 N over Barrhead on 1 Mar (PHB,DLC), 57 Ardmore South Bay 12 Mar (JBB), 11 Ardmore North Bay 13 Mar (IPG), 25 N over Darleith on 4 Apr (FL), 54 N over Mugdock village on 7 Apr (AGJ), 54 NW over Dumbrock Muir on 15 Apr (AKMcN), and 27 at Carron Valley Resr on 20 Apr (JBB).

Reports of feral birds included 102 at Lochend Loch 6 Jan (CL), 5 prs Craigallian Loch 27 Apr, 5 Burncrooks Resr 1 May (AKMcN), 2 at Midross on 1 May (FH), a pr Endrick Mouth 7 May (AKMcN), 26 at Loch Thom on 11 May (JBB), and 23 in fields Shielhill Farm 23 May (IPG). Breeding: 3 prs b/11 Glenbuck Loch, 1 pr b/2 Glengavel Resr (RJH), a pr b/5 Muirhouse Sand Quarry, a pr b/5 Deil's Craig Dam, 2 prs b/9, b/3 Carbeth Loch (AKMcN), and a pr with b/2 at Craigmaddie Resr on 13 July (HM).

The moult flock of feral birds at Hogganfield Loch built up from 237 on 13 June to max 302 on 16 July (GCC), 130 Lochend Loch 24 July (CL), then after moult 106 Millichen Flood 31 July, 317 on 5 Aug (AKMcN), 308 (incl a leucistic bird) on 14 Aug (TB), 169 on 16 Aug, 260 on 1 Sep (AKMcN), 162 Gadloch on 10 Aug (JJM), and 15 at Clyde/Cart confluence on 13 Sep (ECD).

Other autumn-winter reports included in the Kelvin valley/North Glasgow area 474 Millichen Flood 26 Oct (JJM), 600 on 4 Nov (AKMcN), 650 on 23 Nov (JC), 105 Twechar Marsh 24 Nov (ADW), 150 Blackfaulds Farm 29 Nov (CRS), 144 on 6 Dec (GCC); no reports of the Strathgryfe flock (ed.); and elsewhere 36 on Clyde estuary at East Ferry 5 Nov (IPG), 550 at Endrick Mouth on 12 Nov, 1040 there on 2 Dec, max 1513 on 9 Dec (LM), 220 Lamington 28 Dec (JND,ADW).

 

Taiga Bean Goose Anser fabalis

In a poor level of reporting (of roost counts at Fannyside Lochs), winter-spring counts were of 80 at Easter Fannyside Loch at 1700 hrs on 6 Jan (per BS), 192 at Fannyside Muir on 17 Jan and 6 Feb, 44 there on 14 Feb, and 2 at Blackhill on 17 Feb (per BGWG, AM).

A better series of counts was recorded in autumn-winter (per BGWG, AM, amended by ed.).

Date	Location	No.	Date	Location	No.	Date	Location	No.
6 Oct	Fannyside Muir	18	29 Oct	Luckenburn	229	17 Nov	Luckenburn	231
16 Oct	Blackhill	84	30 Oct	Luckenburn	20	24 Nov	Blackhill	123
16 Oct	Luckenburn	84	31 Oct	Luckenburn	226	25 Nov	Luckenburn	161
17 Oct	Luckenburn	204	1 Nov	Luckenburn	226	29 Nov	Fannyside Muir	231
19 Oct	Blackhill	20	2 Nov	Luckenburn	193	29 Nov	Luckenburn	159
19 Oct	E Fannyside L	211	3 Nov	Luckenburn	86	5 Dec	Fannyside Muir	231
20 Oct	Luckenburn	207	6 Nov	Fannyside Muir	220	6 Dec	Fannyside Muir	231
22 Oct	Luckenburn	149	9 Nov	Luckenburn	229	13 Dec	Blackhill	231
23 Oct	Luckenburn	211	10 Nov	Luckenburn	216	13 Dec	Fannyside Muir	231
24 Oct	Luckenburn	170	12 Nov	Luckenburn	229	20 Dec	Blackhill	231
25 Oct	Luckenburn	211	13 Nov	Blackhill	231	21 Dec	Blackhill	231
26 Oct	Blackhill	130	13 Nov	E Fannyside L	231	23 Dec	Blackhill	231
26 Oct	Luckenburn	231	14 Nov	Luckenburn	102	28 Dec	Fannyside Muir	231
27 Oct	Luckenburn	127	15 Nov	Luckenburn	95
28 Oct	Luckenburn	112	16 Nov	Luckenburn	194

The number of 231 (including 21 juveniles) was an increase of 39 from winter 2001-2002 and is now 50% of UK population (per BGWG,AM). Other autumn-winter reports, some incorporated to the above table when max count for the day, were of 193 Luckenburn Farm 2 Nov (per BS), 86 on 3 Nov (JJM), 102 on 14 Nov (per BS), 95 on 15 Nov (ECD), 161 on 25 Nov (per BS), 123 Blackhill 24 Nov (ADW), 231 Blackhill then roosting at Fannyside Muir 13 Dec, and 231 at Blackhill on 21 Dec (per BS).

 

Pink-footed Goose Anser brachyrhynchus

Unfortunately few reports from Clydesdale during winter-spring: 3500 between Thankerton and Carstairs on 10 Feb, 9000 on 3 Mar (AN). In the Kelvin valley, reports involved 82 S over Possil Marsh at 1100 hrs on 13 Jan (JJM), 76 Cardyke 14 Jan, ca 150 there on 18 Jan (IPG), 220 on 10 Feb (BZ), 580 Easter Lumloch 11 Feb, 303 on 26 Mar (IPG), ca 300 on 7-8 Apr (JJM,IPG), 77 at Millichen Flood on 18 Mar (AKMcN), and 110 at Millersneuk on 8 Apr (IPG); in the Endrick valley 200 over Ballochruin 12 Jan, 300 on 16 Mar (GJB), 250 Hillhead Farm 14 Feb, 150 on 22 Mar (DACa); elsewhere 45 over Carbarns 15 Jan (GJB), 45 NW over Kittochside on 4 Feb (RN), 100 over High Banton, Kilsyth 14 Apr (PGC), 200 N over Barrhead on 3 May (PHB, DLC), and 3 late migrants at Twechar Marsh 19-25 May (JJM). An injured bird remained at Garelochhead from January to July (CMW).

Autumn passage/arrival reports included 7 at the Endrick Mouth on 9 Sep, 340 on 9 Dec (LM), 60 W over Dumbarton on 10 Sep (JBB), 23 over Dolphinton 17 Sep, 850 on 24 Sep (AMcA), 2 at South Medwin Pools 17 Sep, 6000 at The Meetings on 29 Sep (JSW,VW), 30 over High Banton 1 Oct, 80 N over Dumbrock Muir 15 Oct (AKMcN), and 80 E over Cathkin Braes 17 Oct (DWM).

Autumn-winter counts in Clydesdale included 6000 at The Meetings on 29 Sep, 500 at Bankhead 7 Oct (JSW,VW), and 5000 at Ravenstruther 9 Nov (HAA); in the Kelvin valley were 2 Millichen Flood 9 Nov (AKMcN), 4 on 11 Nov (TB), 200 over Kilsyth on 25 Dec (PGC); and in the Endrick valley 267 at Hillhead Farm, Croftamie on 29 Dec (JTT), and 1200 at Ballochruin Pools from end Dec-3 Jan 2003 (RKP).

 

White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons

Winter-spring reports involved 100 at the Endrick Mouth on 3 Jan, 200 on 15 Jan, 45 on 27 Jan, 300 on 19 Feb, 50 on 22 Mar, 175 on 5 Apr, 50 on 9 Apr, and 60 on 12 Apr (GJB,RKP).

Autumn-winter reports were of 110 at the Endrick Mouth on 16 Oct (RKP), 140 on 28 Oct, 350 on 3 Nov, 211 on 11 Nov, 300 on 17 Nov, max 450 on 2 Dec, 332 on 3 Dec (LM), 20 flying to roost on 7 Dec (JTT), 239 on 9 Dec (LM), 236 at Hillhead Farm, near Croftamie on 3 Nov, and 284 there on 15 Dec (JCD).

 

Mute Swan Cygnus olor

Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) count totals, detailing the most important sites reported in 2002, are provided in the following table (per JSW,VW):

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Clyde Area Total	791	798	766	493	554	587	509	678	845	905	874	854
Sites recorded	61	64	68	54	55	49	43	45	64	69	71	76
Hogganfield Loch	72	97	83	103	102	91	112	119	132	120	88	112
Strathclyde Country Park	106	73	94	-	-	-	-	-	-	87	61	75
Clyde Estuary	82	71	77	53	77	95	81	122	119	69	93	51
Lochend Loch	20	64	68	56	82	69	53	56	64	71	62	65
Bingham's Pond	64	69	58	43	48	47	47	48	50	46	65	65
Lanark Loch	81	48	45	20	23	48	-	88	58	42	54	68
Broadwood Loch	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	28	25	25	26
Richmond Park	36	36	41	12	25	22	12	12	16	18	31	38

Other winter-spring reports included 72 Hogganfield Loch 6 Jan (GCC), max 107 on 8 Jan (CRS), 97 on 8 Feb, 83 on 1 Mar, 103 on 15 Apr, 102 on 10 May (GCC), 2 prs on ponds at Garvald Quarry 12 Mar (AMcA), 45 on Loch Lomond at Balloch 4 Apr, and 55 Dumbarton 9 Apr (JBB).

Mute Swan breeding reports, including results of the 2002 Mute Swan Census (per JSW,VW):

Site	Pairs	Young	Obs	Site	Pairs	Young	Obs
Alloch Dam	1	0	AMC	Johnston Loch	1	*	J&VW
Antermony Loch	1	0	AMC	Kilmardinny Loch	1	2	NK
Auchendores Reservoir	1	2	J&VW	Kilsyth Cemetery Pond	1	6	PGC
Auchlochan Pond	1	4	RJH	Kip Water, Marina	1	0	J&VW
Bardowie Loch	1	-	AKMcN	Lanark Loch	2	*	MJH
Barnbeth Pond	1	5	GB	Linwood Pool	1	0	DACa
Baron's Haugh	5	*	DA	L Ardinning/Deil's Craig Dam	1	2	AKMcN
Biggar Boating Pond	1	1	JSS	Loch Bowie	1	-	FH
Black Cart Water, Birkenhead	1	-	GTW	Loch Libo	1	4	J&VW
Black Cart Water, Howwood	1	-	ADW	Loch Lomond, Arrochymore Pt	1	-	LLPA
Bothwell Pool	1	0	RH	Loch Lomond, Cameron House	1	-	LLPA
Broadwood Loch	1	-	PY	Loch Lomond, Duck Bay	1	-	LLPA
Brother Loch	1	4	IAM	Loch Lomond, Fruin Mouth	1	-	LLPA
Caplaw Dam	1	1	IPG	Loch Lomond, Inchcailloch	1	-	LLPA
Clyde estuary, Erskine slipway	1	4	ACMB	Loch Lomond, Inchfad	1	-	LLPA
Clyde estuary, Inchgreen Dock	1	0	ADW	Loch Lomond, Inchmurrin	1	-	LLPA
Clyde estuary, Newshot Island	1	4	ACMB	Loch Lomond, Inchtavannach	1	-	LLPA
Clyde estuary, Rhu Marina	1	3	HS	Loch Lomond, Inveruglas Isle	1	-	LLPA
Commore Dam/Craighall Dam	1	4	J&VW	Loch Lomond, Lomond Shores	1	-	LLPA
Cowdeknowes Reservoir	1	4	JHH	Loch Lomond, Portnellan Islets	1	-	LLPA
Craigallian Loch	1	0	AKMcN	Loch Lomond, Ring Point Shore	1	-	LLPA
Craigton Reservoir	1	-	NB	Loch Lomond, Rossdhu Bay	1	-	LLPA
Culcreugh Castle Pond	1	2	NB	Lochend Loch	2	0	CL
Dougalston Loch	1	4	AKMcN	Lochend Loch	1	6	CL
Douglas Estate Ponds	2	8	KS	Lochfauld Marsh	1	*	JJM
Douglas Water Pool	1	-	KS	Lochwinnoch, Aird Meadow	2	5	RSPB
Dullatur Golf Course Pond	1	-	PY	Lochwinnoch, Barr Loch	1	2	RSPB
Dumbreck LNR	1	-	PGC	Merryton	2	-	DA
Durrockstock Dam	1	2	IMcD	Mid Ross Gravel Pits	1	*	RCW
Eaglesham High Dam	1	-	J&VW	Middlebank Pond, Ravenstruther	1	-	AN
Endrick Mouth, Ring Bog	1	*	JTT	Mill Pond, Orbiston	1	*	NLRS
Endrick Mouth, Wards Pond	1	-	JTT	Milngavie Comm Centre Pond	1	0	AKMcN
F&CC, Bowling to Clydebank	2	6	AG,WG	Monklands Canal, Drumpellier	1	1	CL
F&CC, Auchinstarry-Castlecary	3	5	PGC	Mount Dam	1	0	AMC
F&CC, Clydebank-Gt West	Rd 2	10	JJM	Mugdock Loch	1	0	AKMcN
F&CC, Gt West Rd-R Kelvin	1	0	LJP	Muirhouse Gravel Pit	1	3	J&VW
F&CC, Kirktilloch-Auchinstarry	2	4	PGC	Netherplace Works Pond, NM	1	0	J&VW
F&CC, R Kelvin-Kirkintilloch	1	4	JJM	Newmill Trout Farm	2	*	J&VW
Finlaystone Estate Pond	1	-	ADW	North Barrwood Pond/Colzium	1	8	PGC
Ferguslie Mill Dam	1	*	GTW	Orchard Farm Pool	1	0	CL
Gadloch	4	-	JJM	Pilmuir Dam	1	3	J&VW
Garnqueen Loch	1	6	CL	Possil Loch	1	1	JJM
Gartsherrie Pool	1	0	CL	Quothquan Lodge Pond	1	1	AN
Gateside Reservoir	1	2	J&VW	R Clyde, Airbles Cemetery	1	-	DA
Glasgow, Alexandra Park	1	0	GCC	R Clyde, Bower	1	-	SLRS
Glasgow, Auchinlea Park	1	1	GCC	R Clyde, Carstairs Junction	1	-	AN
Glasgow, Baggieminnow Pond	1	3	J&VW	R Clyde, Dalzell House	1	0	DA
Glasgow, Bishop Loch	1	0	GCC	R Leven at Renton	1	4	JBB
Glasgow, Frankfield Loch	1	0	GCC	Robertson Park Pond, Renfrew	1	7	FH
Glasgow,Frankfield/Hogganfield	1	3	GCC	Ross Pond	1	0	SLRS
Glasgow, Gartloch Pools	2	10	GCC	Rouken Glen	1	6	JAS
Glasgow, Hogganfield Loch	1	3	GCC	Royal Alexandra Hospital	1	-	GTW
Glasgow, Robroyston Park	1	0	GCC	Shuttlefield Pond, Lamington	1	6	J&VW
Glasgow, Springburn Park	1	7	GCC	Stanely Reservoir	1	6	IMcD
Glasgow, Victoria Park	1	0	GCC	Strathclyde Loch	4	*	NLRS
Glentyan House Lake	1	3	ADW	Tannoch Loch	1	7	JGE
Greenhead Pond	1	*	MJH	Tower Farm Pond	1	-	SLRS
Hamilton Low Parks	1	0	SLRS	Town Dam	1	6	JHH
Hamilton Low Parks	3	11	SLRS	Waulkmill Glen Reservoir	1	2	J&VW
Harelaw Dam	1	0	J&VW	White Loch	1	0	AN
Heritage Loch, East Kilbride	1	8	J&VW	Whitefield Pond, Lennoxtown	1	4	AMC
Home Forge Pond, Orbiston	1	*	NLRS	Woodend Loch	1	3	CL
Houstonfield Dam	1	8	ADW	Woodhall Pond	1	-	J&VW
Inchinnan Business Park Pond	1	0	GTW

* Brood hatched but number not known

Mute Swan breeding summary: 151 pairs reported from 127 sites, 65 pairs successfully rearing 241 young, with a mean brood productivity per breeding attempt of 2.5 young/pair (cf. average mean 2.9 young/pair 1987-2002), suggesting below average productivity in 2002. Other breeding observations: (i) a non-breeding pair present Coves Resr (JHH); (ii) a non-breeding pair present on Walton Dam in Apr (IAM). See article on p 117.

The only summer moult flock reported was at Hogganfield Loch, where there were 89 on 13 June, 108 on 12 July (GCC), and 120 on 29 July (CRS).

Autumn-winter reports included 121 Hogganfield Loch 14 Aug, 132 on 11 Sep (GCC), 123 on 18 Sep (CRS), 120 on 9 Oct, 110 on 13 Nov (FJM), 88 on 19 Nov, 112 on 12 Dec, max 143 on 18 Dec (GCC), 46 Cardross Bay 6 Sep (JTT), and 35 at Broadwood Loch on 26 Nov (TPD).

 

Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus

Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) count totals, detailing the most important sites reported in 2002, are provided in the following table (per JSW,VW):

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Clyde Area Total	249	316	244	11	0	0	1	1	3	16	236	164
Sites recorded	11	11	7	3	0	0	1	1	3	5	8	14
Black Cart Water	102	117	135	-	-	-	-	-	0	10	96	0
R Clyde (Thankerton-Carstairs)	82	87	85	-	-	-	-	-	1	3	101	78
Clyde Estuary	0	55	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	18	11
Douglas Estate Ponds	21	15	12	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	12	22
Lochwinnoch	17	22	0	2	0	0	-	0	0	0	0	6
Hamilton Low Parks	6	7	7	1	0	0	1	1	1	1	0	1

Winter-spring reports included at Black Cart Water 145 arriving at roost between 1605 hrs and 1650 hrs on 2 Jan (IPG), 69 East Yonderton-Barnsford on 3 Jan, 45 on 12 Jan (ECD), 5 in field Crossflat Farm, Howwood 6 Jan, 60 Blackstone Mains 13 Jan, 76 Town of Inchinnan 3 Feb (IPG), total 122 on 6 Feb, 114 on 16 Feb (GTW), 90 Town of Inchinnan 24 Feb, 41 Barnsford 10 Mar, 76 Yonderton 13 Mar (IPG), 150 incl 103 Yonderton 14 Mar, total 156 on 16 Mar, 137 on 18 Mar, peak count 174 on 20 Mar, 96 on 24 Mar, 95 on 27 Mar (GTW), 13 Newshot Island 15 Mar (DACa), 70 Barnsford 23 Mar, 45 Yonderton 31 Mar (IPG), 55 on 1 Apr (JJM), still 34 on 11 Apr (GTW), 3 at East Yonderton 1 May (ECD); Merryton/ Baron's Haugh 34 Baron's Haugh 5 Feb, 62 on 12 Feb (GJB), 3 on 3 Apr (JCM), 24 Carbarns Haugh on 20 Feb, 1 on 10 May and 25 June (ECD); Lanark/The Meetings 17 Douglas Water Pool 3 Feb, 41 at Ravenstruther on 3 Feb, (JSW,VW); at Endrick Mouth 8 on 27 Jan (GJB), 7 on 29 Mar (RKP), 4 on 7 May (AKMcN). Other reports included 6 at Hogganfield Loch 1 Jan-13 Feb (GCC,AKMcN et al), 9 (5 imms) on River Clyde at Daldowie on 10 Jan (CRS), 6 (2 imms) Gartshore Moss 3 Feb (AKMcN), 1 on R Leven at Balloch on 8 Apr (FL), and 8 at Douglas Water Pool on 14 Apr (KS).

Autumn arrivals/passage reports included 1 back at Black Cart Water 18 Sep, 3 on 24 Sep (GTW), 8 on 28 Sep (IPG), 10 from 2-5 Oct, 15 on 9 Oct, 14 Blackstoun Farm 14 Oct (GTW, ECD), 1 Carbarns Haugh 11 Oct (ECD), 6 over Bearsden on 18 Oct (GJB), 8 at Ballochruin Pools 23 Oct (RKP), 5 Millichen Flood 24 Oct (GJB), pr b/2 Hogganfield Loch 24 Oct, driven off by 2nd pr b/1 on 29 Oct (FJM), pr b/1 remaining until 6 Dec (GCC et al), pr b/2 returning on 13 Nov, again driven off (GCC), 8 on 18 Dec (CRS), and a pair 3 imms Millichen Flood 26-27 Oct (JJM).

Autumn-winter reports included at Black Cart Water max count 152 Town of Inchinnan Farm 19 Oct (GTW), 18 Yonderton 9 Nov (IPG), 96 at Selvieland on 17 Nov, 97 on 19 Nov, 90 on 23 Nov (GTW); at Merryton/Baron's Haugh 1 Carbarns on 11 Oct (FH), 18 on 19 Oct (JCM), 33 on 13 Nov (JCM), 30 at Baron's Haugh ?in Oct? (RSPB), 57 on 20 Dec (JCM), 48 at Merryton on 21 Nov (ECD), 38 Carbarns 31 Dec (IF); at Lanark/The Meetings max 110 Covington 26 Oct (JTT), 94 Burnfoot Farm 12 Nov, 56 on R Clyde at Thankerton 3 Dec (JSW,VW), 10 Sandilands 28 Dec, 22 West Town 28 Dec (JND,ADW); at the Endrick Mouth only 4 on 17 Nov and from 9-31 Dec (LM,RKP). Other reports included 12 Shepherd's Pond 19-20 Oct, 13 on 31 Oct (FL), 23 in a potato field Seabank Cottage, Cardross 3 Nov, 20 on 21 Nov (DHMcE), 13 on 30 Nov (JBB), 8 on pasture below Kenmure Hill, Howwood 6 Nov, 23 on 7 Nov, 11 on 8 Nov, 14 on 9 Nov, pr b/4 from 25 Nov-13 Dec, also seen at Caplaw Dam 7 Dec (IPG), 2 adults and 4 juvs Millichen Flood 31 Oct-6 Nov (TPD,JC,TB), 1 Ardmore South Bay 16-17 Nov (JBB,IPG), 3 at Twechar Marsh 24 Nov (ADW), and 8 Littleton Resr 10-17 Dec and 28-30 Dec (JSW,VW et al).

 

Shelduck Tadorna tadorna

Clyde Estuary counts (WeBS per JSW,VW, see Introduction for actual count dates):

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Newshot-West Ferry *	67	98	205	187	239	197	158	66	3	0	6	2
West Ferry-Port Glasgow	1	0	5	16	28	10	0	0	0	0	0	0
Dumbarton-Craigendoran	179	126	72	43	101	72	8	1	11	70	174	150
Clyde Estuary Total	248	227	282	254	379	281	166	68	14	70	180	152

* (including Milton Island to Dumbarton Rock)

Other winter-spring estuary reports included 165 in Ardmore North Bay 13 Jan, 122 on 10 Feb, 40 in field pools Longhaugh Point 23 Apr, 103 there on 25 May (IPG), and a high count for the site of 14 in Lunderston Bay on 28 Apr (FG).

Inland reports were of 2 at the Endrick Mouth on 27 Jan, 8 on 20 Mar, 10 on 15 Apr (AKMcN, JTT), a pr at Ballochruin Pools 13 Mar-19 Apr (RKP,JTT), 4 at Auchendores Resr 31 Mar (DSF), 2 at Millichen Flood on 4 Apr (GJB) and 10 Apr (AGJ), 3 at the Cart/Clyde confluence on 16 Apr, 1 on 23 Apr (ECD), 1 at Carbarns on 4 May, 2 Baron's Haugh 4 May (GJB), 4 ♂♂ there 13 May (JCM), 2 Darleith Marsh on 7 May, 4 on 8 May, 2 on 9 May (FL), 3 Bridgend Farm Pool 18 May, 2 there 19 May-4 June (JJM), and 3 at Douglas Water Pool on 19 May (AAM).

Breeding season reports were of 2 prs in field on S side of Ardmore Point and 5 prs in North Bay on 29 Apr, ♀ b/5 there 24 June (AKMcN), 2 at Erskine Harbour on 1 May and 1 June, 2 Newshot Island 1 May (ECD), a pr Lunderston Bay 8 May (FG), and a pr b/10 Milton Island 1 June (JBB).

Inland were 13 at Auchendores Resr 25 Apr (JTT), 2 prs at Ballochruin Pools on 29 Apr, a ♀ b/10 (2 weeks old) there 26 June-4 Aug, 7 prs Endrick Mouth 7 May (AKMcN,RKP), b/5, b/9 on 7 June (GJB), 2 Twechar Marsh 18 May (JJM), a pr Bridgend Farm Pool 18 May-4 June (JJM), a pr on pool below the tip at the M8 Erskine turnoff on 24 May and 31 May (DLC), 2 broods each b/5 Longhaugh Point-West Ferry 6 July, and b/3 Bowling former oil terminal 16 July (JTo). Breeding summary: poor coverage of estuarine breeding population, only 5 prs with broods (b/3, 3 of b/5, and b/10) reported, whilst inland, at least 2 prs (b/5 and b/9) bred at the Endrick Mouth, and a pr reared b/10 at Ballochruin Pools.

In late summer the usual pre-moult migration build-up involved 162 birds between Longhaugh Point and West Ferry on 1 May, 225 on 28 May (DSF), a max of 471 full-grown birds (and two broods of b/5) on 6 July (JTo) (cf. recent max of 470 ads on 9 July 2000). Autumn-winter estuary reports included 70 in Ardmore North Bay 6 Oct (IPG), 85 on 9 Nov (AKMcN), 133 on 17 Nov, 120 on 8 Dec (IPG), and 170 on 30 Dec (AKMcN).

Inland autumn reports included 3 at Bankhead Flood on 4 Aug (JSW,VW), a juv Millichen Flood 10 Aug (AKMcN et al), an ad and 2 imms there 3-9 Sep (GJB,CRS) a juv at Gadloch on 3 Aug (JJM), a ♀ with 2 juvs there on 1 Sep (JJM), 2 at the Endrick Mouth on 13 Oct, and 1 by the Endrick Water at Drymen Bridge on 29 Dec (JTT).

 

Garganey Spatula querquedula

Reports involved a ♂ Leperstone Resr 23-25 Apr (GT,FH), a pair at Baron's Haugh on 5 May and 27 May (JCM,JJM et al), possibly same ♂ at Carbarns Haugh on 10 May (FH) and moulting at Baron's Haugh on 20 June (JSW,VW), and a ♂ at Deil's Craig Dam on 19 May (AKMcN).

 

Shoveler Spatula clypeata

The Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) count totals, detailing the most important sites reported in 2002, are presented in the following table (per JSW,VW):

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Clyde Area Total	1	41	23	10	2	0	0	0	78	50	40	8
Sites recorded	1	3	5	4	2	0	0	0	2	5	3	3
Baron's Haugh	1	-	8	-	-	-	-	-	72	23	26	2
Hillend Reservoir	0	35	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Gartloch Pool	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	6	14	12	2
Endrick Mouth	0	0	3	-	-	-	-	0	0	3	0	4
Garnqueen Loch	0	5	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	2	0
Frankfield Loch	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	8	0	0
Lochend Loch	0	0	9	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Hogganfield Loch	0	0	1	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

Winter-spring reports included 3 (1 ♂) Hogganfield Loch 10 Jan (GCC), 2 ♂♂ on 24 Feb, 3 ♂♂ on 13 Mar (CRS), 3 ♂♂ on 1 Apr (JJM), 2 ♂♂ on 2-4 Apr, 5 ♂♂ on 5 Apr, 2 ♂♂ 8-12 Apr, a pair and 2 ♂♂ 15-19 Apr (GCC et al), a pair Baron's Haugh 4 Feb (ECD), 18 on 20 Feb (JCM), 16 (8 pairs) on 24 Mar (JSW,VW), 5 ♂♂ on 3 Apr, 6 pairs on 7 Apr (JCM), a ♂ on Gartloch Pool 29 Mar (DACa), 2 ♂♂ and a ♀ on 10 Apr (GCC,DACa), 2 ♂♂ Lochwinnoch Reserve on 1 Apr (KF), a pair Garnqueen Loch 10 Apr (IPG), a pair Frankfield Loch 12 Apr (GCC), a pair Millersneuk Marsh 13 Apr (JJM), a pair Endrick Mouth 15 Apr (AKMcN), and a pair at Bridgend Farm Pool 27 Apr-4 May (JJM et al).

Breeding season reports involved 4 (3 ♂♂) Endrick Mouth 7 May (AKMcN), a ♂ Bridgend Farm Pool on 29 May, 3 (2 ♂♂) Millersneuk Marsh 4 June (JJM), a ♂ Gartloch Pool 10 June (GCC), 4 (3 ♂♂) Millichen Flood 17 June (AKMcN), and a ♂ at Twechar Marsh on 21 June (DACa).

Autumn reports included 4 Millichen Flood 4 Aug and 9 Aug (KF,GJB), 12 on 5 Aug (FH), 3 on 7-8 Aug (TB,GCC), max 28 on 9 Aug (AKMcN), 4 on 24 Dec (GJB), 2 Gartloch Pool 27-28 Aug, 6 on 13 Sep, 2 on 24 Sep-1 Oct, 4 on 2 Oct, 10 (5 prs) on 31 Oct-2 Nov, max 12 on 18 Nov, 2 on 6 Dec (GCC et al), 6 Bridgend Farm Pool 31 Aug, a pair on 7 Sep, 5 Gadloch 1 Sep, 4 on 6 Sep, 5 on 7 Sep (JJM), a pair Hogganfield Loch 24 Sep (GCC), 43 Baron's Haugh ?in Oct?, 42 ?in Nov? (RSPB), 4 Garnqueen Loch 2 Oct (IPG), 8 Frankfield Loch 3 Oct (GCC), 18 Woodend Loch 3 Nov, 11 on 24 Nov (CL,JJS), 20 ♂♂ Carbarns Haugh 22 Nov, a ♀ Barr Loch 6 Dec (ECD), and a pair at Twechar Marsh on 7 Dec (JJM).

 

Gadwall Mareca strepera

The Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) count totals, detailing all sites reported in 2002, are presented in the following table (per JSW,VW):

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Clyde Area Total	4	1	12	6	2	3	0	1	5	34	49	10
Sites recorded	1	1	1	4	1	2	0	1	2	5	5	3
Baron's Haugh	4	-	12	-	-	-	-	-	4	3	8	4
Hamilton Low Parks	0	1	0	2	0	2	0	1	1	22	28	0
Gartloch Pool	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	7	11	5
Lochend Loch	0	0	0	2	2	0	0	0	0	1	1	0
Possil Loch	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	-	0	1	1
Bardowie Loch	0	0	0	1	-	-	-	-	0	0	0	0
Millersneuk Marsh	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	-	0	0	0
Clyde estuary	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0

Other winter-spring reports were of a ♂ Cardross Bay 28 Feb (per JSW,VW), a pair Strathclyde Loch 16 Mar (per BS), a pair Balgray Resr 22 Mar, 28 (14 prs) Baron's Haugh 24 Mar (JSW, VW), 7 ♂♂ on 11 Apr (DWM), a ♂ at Endrick Mouth 26 Mar, 2 ♂♂ on 29 Mar, 1 from 5‑9 Apr, 4 (3 ♂♂) on 17 Apr (GJB,RKP), a pair Ross Pond 13 Apr (JCM), a ♂ Bardowie Loch on 13 Apr (AKMcN), a ♂ at Gartloch Pool on 15 Apr (DACa) and 19 Apr (GCC), and a pair at Merryton on 28 Apr (DACa).

Breeding season reports involved a ♂ and 2 ♀♀ present on the North Haugh during May (IL), and a ♀ b/5 at Baron's Haugh on 23 July (GJB). No census of breeding pairs was carried out by the RSPB at their Baron's Haugh Reserve, the most important breeding site in the Clyde area (ed.).

Autumn-winter reports involved 3 in Ardmore South Bay 15 July, 2 Millichen Flood 3 Aug (KF), 3 ♂♂ at the Endrick Mouth 13 Sep (RKP), and at Gartloch Pool 4 (2 ♂♂) on 1-2 Oct, 7 on 7 Oct, 10 (4 ♂♂) on 31 Oct, 6 on 4 Nov, 11 on 18 Nov, 5 on 6 Dec (GCC); 34 were counted at Baron's Haugh on 21 Oct (JCM), the only sizeable count reported from there in the autumn (ed.).

 

Wigeon Mareca penelope

The Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) count totals, detailing the most important sites reported in 2002, are presented in the following table (per JSW,VW):

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Clyde Area Total	2326	1886	1607	159	1	3	0	1	377	2150	2517	2279
Sites recorded	33	23	17	7	1	2	0	1	14	22	31	26
Clyde estuary	874	679	703	121	1	2	0	0	165	1109	913	601
Endrick Mouth	76	123	63	-	-	-	-	0	13	262	461	512
Baron's Haugh	141	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	0	163	83	257
Possil Loch	112	180	125	2	0	0	0	0	-	42	114	146
Gadloch	113	120	155	-	-	-	-	-	1	46	140	56
Biggar Water Floods	200	220	170	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	65	0
Douglas Estate Ponds	80	120	120	16	0	0	0	0	60	80	100	70
Antermony Loch	166	80	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	182	189

Other winter-spring reports included 20 Linwood Pool 26 Jan (ECD), a ♂ Gartloch Pool 18 Mar-5 Apr, an additional pair on 21 Mar (GCC), 159 Cardross 11 Apr (JBB), and 24 at Bridgend Farm Pool on 13 Apr (JJM). Summer reports involved a pr Endrick Mouth 7 May (AKMcN), 3 (2 ♂♂) on 17 July (RKP), a ♂ Baron's Haugh 10 May (ECD), a ♂ at Longhaugh Point on 25 May (IPG) and 9 June (JMC), and a ♂ at Gartloch Pool on 25 June (DACa).

Autumn-winter reports included arrival 4 Bridgend Farm Pool 31 Aug (JJM), 120 Craigendoran-Ardoch 10 Sep (DHMcE), 2 Gartloch Pool 13 Sep (GCC), 616 Cardross Bay (none at Finlaystone Point) on 30 Sep (IPG), 60 Black Cart Water at Yonderton 5 Oct (GTW), 27 Caplaw Dam 5 Oct, 118 on 19 Oct, 46 on 16 Nov, 108 on 30 Nov, max 132 from 7-14 Dec (IPG), 399 Ardmore North Bay 17 Nov, 143 on 8 Dec (IPG), 80 on the Endrick Water at Drymen Bridge 7 Dec (MMcG), 150 Newshot Island 11 Dec (ECD), and 700 at Baron's Haugh ?in December? (RSPB).

 

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos

The Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) count totals, detailing the most important sites reported in 2002, are presented in the following table (per JSW,VW).

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Clyde Area Total	3622	3173	2496	937	1056	1546	1864	2461	3829	4316	3955	4225
Sites recorded	92	92	93	68	67	61	59	59	77	93	97	84
Clyde estuary	706	495	377	156	173	333	562	463	720	953	672	675
Baron's Haugh	91	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	321	110	30	103
Heritage Loch, EK	-	126	68	-	-	-	-	-	93	132	-	79
Endrick Mouth	6	4	22	-	-	-	-	198	58	106	157	165
Hogganfield Loch	95	64	81	60	47	61	94	129	51	128	90	72
Black Cart Water	29	4	19	-	-	-	-	-	380	22	0	100
Lochwinnoch	103	18	31	13	45	21	-	52	150	182	65	184
Alexandra Park	137	84	74	62	29	55	44	42	49	106	118	116

Winter-spring counts included 172 at Barcraigs/Rowbank Resrs on 12 Jan (IPG), and 80 Garvald Quarry 18 Feb (AMcA).

Mallard broods reported in 2002 are presented in the following table:

Site	Broods	Young	Obs	Site	Broods	Young	Obs
Antermony Loch	1	9	AMC	Harelaw Dam	1	2	J&VW
Auchlochan Pond	1	2	RJH	Helensburgh Skating Pond	1	10	DHMcE
Balgray Reservoir	1	7	J&VW	High Kype Reservoir	1	5	RJH
Barnbeth Pond	1	5	GB	Hogganfield Loch	2	9	CRS
Baron's Haugh	1	9	FH	Kilmannan Reservoir	1	4	AKMcN
Biggar Water Floods	3	12	JSS	Kilmardinny Loch	12	41	NK
Bingham's Pond	1	6	JC	Loch Ardinning	4	15	AKMcN
Black Loch (Dunb)	1	4	JJM	Lochend Loch	1	3	CL
Bothlin Burn	1	5	DHMcE	Lochwinnoch Reserve	4	36	RSPB
Bridgend Farm Pool	5	29	JJM	Longhaugh Point	1	7	JTo
Caplaw Dam	3	16	IPG	Millersneuk Marsh	1	3	JJM
Carbeth Loch	1	8	GJB	Millichen Flood	1	6	CRS
Cardross	1	4	JBB	Monklands Cnl, Drumpellier	3	6	CL
Cowdenknowes Dam	1	3	JHH	Mount Dam	3	7	AMC
Craigallian Loch	1	4	AKMcN	Mugdock Loch	1	6	AKMcN
Craigend Pond	2	7	AKMcN	Newmill Trout Farm	1	9	J&VW
Craigend Quarry Pond	1	4	AKMcN	Pilmuir Dam	1	7	J&VW
Craighall Dam	1	3	J&VW	Pollok Country Park	1	11	CRS
Daer Water	1	2	J&VW	R Avon, North Haugh	1	4	AKMcN
Deil's Craig Dam	3	13	AKMcN	R Clyde, Bothwell Castle	2	11	J&VW
Douglas Estate Ponds	5	25	KS	R Clyde, Lamington	2	3	J&VW
Douglas Water Pools	3	14	KS	R Kelvin at Millichen	1	10	GJB
Dunside Reservoir	1	4	RJH	R Kelvin, Killermont G C	1	7	CRS
Endrick Mouth	1	10	AKMcN	R Kelvin, Science Park	1	3	CRS
Endrick Water, Ballochruin	1	3	AKMcN	Roughrigg Reservoir	1	5	FF
Frankfield Loch	1	5	GCC	Rouken Glen Pond	4	13	JAS
Gartloch Pool	1	6	GCC	Rowbank Reservoir	2	12	IPG
Garvald Quarry	2	7	AMcA	South Medwin Pools	1	12	J&VW
Gateside Reservoir	1	7	J&VW	Twechar Marsh	1	8	JJM
Glasgow, Robroyston Park	1	5	GCC	Walton Dam	1	9	IAM
Glasgow, Springburn Park	1	4	GCC	White Cart Water, Cathcart	1	1	JMcO
Glen Moss	2	4	NJT	White Cart Water, Linn Park	9	41	SAW
Glenbuck Loch	3	10	RJH	Whitefield Pond, Lennoxtown	2	11	AMC
Hamilton Low Parks	1	9	SLRS	Williamwood G C pond	1	3	J&VW

Summary: 126 broods reported from 68 sites, with mean brood size 4.8/female, suggesting an average breeding season (cf. a mean annual brood size 4.9/female 1987-2002). Other notes: (i) a ♀ with late newly-hatched b/5 was at Robroyston Park on 16 Aug (GCC).

Moult flocks/autumn-winter reports included 140 at Hogganfield Loch on 29 July, 152 on 18 Dec (CRS), and 165 on the River Leven, Renton-Balloch 25 Sep (JBB).

 

Pintail Anas acuta

The Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) count totals, detailing all sites reported in 2002, are presented in the table overleaf (per JSW,VW):

Winter-spring reports from the Clyde estuary involved 19 Ardmore Point on 4 Jan (GJB), 15 on 10 Jan, 28 (17 ♂♂) in Ardmore North Bay 13 Jan (JBB), 4 (3 ♂♂) on 17 Jan, a ♂ on 24 Jan (JBB), 5 Cardross 13 Jan (IPG), 13 on 13 Feb, a ♂ on 14 Feb, 12 Ardmore South Bay 13 Feb, a pair Ardoch on 14 Feb (JBB), 14 Langbank 24 Feb (IPG), 15 on 14 Mar, 3 on 20 Mar, 8 on 22 Mar (DSF), and 8 at Finlaystone Point on 26 Mar (JTo).

Inland records were of a pair Baron's Haugh 30 Jan-3 Apr (JBB et al), 2 ♂♂ Aird Meadow 3 Feb (KF), a ♂ Garvald Quarry 6 Feb-23 Mar (AMcA), and a ♂ at Endrick Mouth 26 Mar-9 Apr (GJB).

Pintail WeBS Counts

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Clyde Area Total	28	2	12	0	0	0	0	0	2	19	16	21
Sites recorded	1	1	2	0	0	0	0	0	1	5	1	2
Clyde estuary	28	2	11	0	0	0	0	0	0	14	16	20
Bridgend Farm Pool	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	0	2	0	-
Baron's Haugh	0	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	2	0	0	0
Bardowie Loch	0	0	0	0	-	-	-	-	0	0	0	1
Caplaw Dam	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	-	0	1	0	0
Millersneuk Marsh	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	-	1	0	0
Possil Loch	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	-	1	0	0
Douglas Estate Ponds	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

Autumn-winter inland reports were of a pair at Baron's Haugh on 14 Sep (JJM), 3 on 27 Sep (per BS), 1 on 18 Oct (JCM), a ♀ Caplaw Dam 5 Oct (IPG), a ♀ Millersneuk Marsh 6 Oct, a ♀ Possil Loch 6 Oct (JJM), and a ♀ at Bardowie Loch on 6 Dec (AKMcN).

Autumn-winter reports on the Clyde estuary involved 6 in Ardmore North Bay on 20 Sep (PC, JAP-M), 3 on 30 Sep (IPG et al), 14 on 6 Oct (IPG), 3 (2 ♂♂) on 13 Oct (AKMcN), 2 ♂♂ on 19 Oct (JTT), 4 ♂♂ on 3 Nov (JBB), 2 ♂♂ on 4 Nov (MMcG,JTT), 9 (5 ♂♂) on 9 Nov (IPG, AKMcN), 7 on 16 Nov (JBB), 14 on 17 Nov (IPG), 12 on 18 Nov (FH), a ♂ on 24 Nov (JTT), 16 on 23 Nov, 11 (5 ♂♂) on 1 Dec (JBB), 3 ♂♂ on 7 Dec (MMcG,JTT), 20 on 8 Dec (IPG), 5 ♂♂ on 11 Dec (JBB), 9 on 14 Dec (GJB), 14 on 27 Dec (AGo), 10 (7 ♂♂) on 30 Dec (AKMcN), and at Cardross Bay 2 from 23-30 Nov (JBB), 6 on 28 Nov (ECD).

 

Teal Anas crecca

The Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) count totals, detailing the most important sites reported in 2002, are presented in the following table (per JSW,VW):

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Clyde Area Total	1968	1556	1096	372	65	45	73	182	1122	1680	1978	2983
Sites recorded	30	26	29	14	5	8	5	8	23	31	31	27
Clyde estuary	589	389	218	220	1	2	1	22	73	270	446	746
Endrick Mouth	98	18	46	-	-	-	-	29	100	263	82	462
Baron's Haugh	23	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	297	83	44	300
Douglas Estate Ponds	110	100	80	36	45	18	50	70	120	200	150	140
Possil Loch	86	222	93	10	0	0	0	0	-	16	33	132
White Cart Water (Paisley)	158	26	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Glengavel Reservoir	65	105	83	0	0	0	0	31	27	69	180	105
Bridgend Farm Pool	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	11	81	135	-

Winter-spring reports included 800 Longhaugh Point-West Ferry 2 Jan, still 220 there on 6 Apr, 106 Barcraigs Resr 12 Jan (IPG), 60 Linwood Pool on 26 Jan, 150 Newshot Island 6 Feb (ECD), 400 at Baron's Haugh on 20 Feb (JCM), 160 on White Cart Water at Paisley STW 6 Apr (GTW), 120 at the Endrick Mouth on 15 Apr (AKMcN), and a pr at Bridgend Farm Pool on 29 Apr (JJM).

Breeding season (May-July) reports were of 4 prs at South Medwin Pools 5 May, 5 (3 ♂♂) there on 10 June (JSW,VW), a ♂ Gartloch Pool 2 May, 4 ♂♂ on 7 June (CRS), 3 ♂♂ Endrick Mouth 7 May (AKMcN), 2 prs Twechar Marsh 10 May (JJM), 6 Douglas Water Pool 12 May, 12 there on 9 June (KS), a ♂ Robroyston Park 19 May (CRS), a ♂ Kilmannan Resr 22 May (AKMcN), 7 at Bridgend Farm Pool 29 May, a pr on 11 June (JJM), 2 prs Millersneuk Marsh 12 June (DHMcE), a ♂ Daer Water 31 May (JSW,VW), 3 Millichen Flood 16 June (AKMcN), and 2 at Newshot Island on 11 July (ECD). No confirmed breeding in 2002 (ed.).

Autumn-winter reports included 24 at Bridgend Farm Pool 3 Aug, 225 on 31 Aug (JJM), 136 on 24 Nov (ADW), 2 Millichen Flood 3 Aug (JJM), 110 on 9-10 Sep (TB,AKMcN), 3 Gilmourton south flood 4 Aug, 125 on 17 Sep (JSW,VW), 7 at Newshot Island 16 Aug, 30 Longhaugh Point 16 Aug (ECD), 190 on 14 Sep (IPG), 20 Ballochruin 22 Aug, 100 on 13 Sep (GJB), 140 Milton Island 6 Sep (JTT), 24 at Rowbank Resr 19 Oct, 142 Barcraigs Resr 16 Nov, 125 on 7 Dec (IPG), 46 Twechar Marsh 24 Nov, 46 Fannyside Loch (east) 24 Nov (ADW), 188 on 3 Dec (NB), and 85 at Gartloch Pools on 6 Dec (GCC).

 

Green-winged Teal Anas carolinensis

Reports were of a ♂ at Milton Island on 13 Jan (JSW,VW), a ♂ at Possil Loch 10-17 Feb (JJM et al), presumed same ♂ at Bardowie Loch on 4 Mar (AKMcN), and later in the year a 1st-w ♂ at Baron's Haugh from 14-19 Dec (JCM et al).

 

Pochard Aythya ferina

The Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) count totals, detailing the most important sites reported in 2002, are presented in the table overleaf (per JSW,VW).

Summer reports were of 3 at Hogganfield Loch on 19 June, 13 on 9 July (CRS), 22 on 12 July, 43 from 16-29 July, max count of moult flock 65 on 5 Aug (IPG), a ♂ Baron's Haugh 25 June (ECD), 3 on 30 June, 5 (2 ♂♂) on 28 July (JJM), a ♂ on 8 Aug (JCM), 1 Frankfield Loch 12 July (GCC), and 7 at Gadloch on 3 Aug (JJM).

Pochard WeBS counts

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Clyde Area Total	199	376	276	0	0	2	47	73	97	118	241	286
Sites recorded	25	31	21	0	0	2	3	5	11	15	31	26
Heritage Park E K	-	30	4	-	-	-	-	-	0	0	-	126
Lochwinnoch	33	19	17	0	0	0	-	4	37	19	24	21
Hamilton Low Parks	12	70	39	0	0	1	3	0	0	0	35	10
Hogganfield Loch	12	4	9	0	0	0	43	60	6	4	15	4
Strathclyde Country Park	28	54	0	-	-	-	-	-	-	0	0	0
Gadloch	10	23	39	-	-	-	-	-	2	4	10	6
Bishop Loch	0	38	61	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Broadwood Loch	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	6	7	24	4

Autumn reports included 41 Broadwood Loch 29 Nov (JND,ADW), 136 on the Heritage Loch, East Kilbride 1 Dec (JSW,VW), 20 Barr Loch 6 Dec, 22 Castle Semple Loch 14 Dec (ECD), and 120 on 50% frozen Balgray Resr on 19 Dec (JSW,VW).

A hybrid ♂ Ferruginous Duck A nyroca x Pochard was reported at Strathclyde Loch on 24 Feb (SCV), and a hybrid ♂ Pochard x Tufted Duck was reported at Baron's Haugh on 16 June and 27 Sep (JCM). Could these reports have been of the same bird (ed.)?

 

Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula

The Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) count totals, detailing the most important sites reported in 2002, are presented in the following table (per JSW,VW):

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Clyde Area Total	1299	1373	1371	970	353	320	1021	1404	1400	1529	1261	1515
Sites recorded	68	75	73	55	39	45	44	49	58	64	69	76
Lochwinnoch	84	96	113	135	22	2	-	269	100	132	301	383
Hogganfield Loch	36	61	73	79	16	26	214	276	97	78	38	31
Hamilton Low Parks	72	138	114	41	0	2	4	1	1	57	104	130
Woodend Loch	70	55	34	40	8	3	49	18	52	103	170	39
Balgray Reservoir	5	9	10	30	3	22	115	224	54	10	12	31
Hillend Reservoir	0	65	45	17	12	1	26	48	140	151	9	0
Lochend Loch	45	50	44	17	30	13	47	23	121	54	0	29
Broadwood Loch	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	60	51	15	19

Winter-spring reports included unusually 2 ♀♀ Erskine Harbour 3 Jan (ECD), max 101 Bingham's Pond 10 Jan (TPD), 100 Woodend Loch 3 Feb (CL), 100 Hogganfield Loch 16 Apr (CRS), and unusually 3 at West Ferry on 1 May (DSF).

Breeding Broods reported in 2002 are listed in the following table:

Site	Broods	Young	Obs	Site	Broods	Young	Obs
Antermony Loch	1	4	AMC	Craigend Pond	2	6	AKMcN
Auchinlea Park Pond	1	13	CRS	Craighall Dam	1	3	J&VW
Auchlochan Pond	3	13	RJH	Deil's Craig Dam	2	7	AKMcN
Balgray Reservoir	1	1	J&VW	Douglas Estate Ponds	3	12	KS
Barnbeth Pond	1	7	GB	Eaglesham High Dam	1	5	JFD
Baron's Haugh	1	8	JCM	Frankfield Loch	2	b/3,1	GCC
Garvald Quarry	1	7	AMcA	Pilmuir Dam	2	15	J&VW
Glen Moss	1	7	NJT	Roughrigg Reservoir	1	8	FF
Harelaw Dam	6	17	J&VW	Rowbank Reservoir	2	13	IPG
Lamington, R Clyde	1	6	J&VW	Snypes Dam	2	4	J&VW
Lamington, Shuttlefield	1	10	J&VW	Tannoch Loch	1	3	JGE
Lilly Loch	1	5	FF	Walton Dam	1	4	IAM
Loch Ardinning	1	3	AKMcN	Whitefield Pond, Lennoxtown	2	19	AKMcN
Mugdock Loch	2	9	AKMcN	Woodend Loch	1	3	CL

Summary: 45 broods reported from 28 sites, with a mean brood size of 4.9/female (cf a mean annual brood size of 4.5/female 1987-2002). Other breeding observations: (i) the breeding record at Balgray Resr is the first recorded in recent times (JSW,VW); (ii) 4 ♂♂ and 2 ♀♀ on Harestonhill Pond 10 May (JCM); and (iii) a pair Loch Ardinning 16 June (JJM).

Summer moult flock counts were of 214 Hogganfield Loch 14 July, max 276 on 14 Aug (GCC), 71 Auchendores Resr 8 Aug (JSW,VW), 229 Gadloch 10 Aug (JJM), 224 Balgray Resr 10 Aug (JSW,VW), and 269 at the Lochwinnoch Reserve on 11 Aug (RSPB).

Autumn-winter reports included 1 Ardmore North Bay 2 Aug (KF), 8 there on 16 Nov (JBB), and a max of 91 at Bingham's Pond, Glasgow on 21 Dec (JC).

 

Scaup Aythya marila

Clyde estuary counts (WeBS per JSW,VW, see Introduction for actual count dates):

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
West Ferry-Woodhall	0	15	6	38	0	0	0	0	0	8	0	0
Dumbarton-Cardross	25	12	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Clyde Estuary Total	25	27	6	38	0	0	0	0	0	9	0	0

Winter-spring reports on the Clyde estuary included 1 at West Ferry on 2 Jan (SC), 14 on 24 Feb (ECD), 25 Cardross Bay 13 Jan (IPG), 17 on 29 Jan (JAP-M), 11 on 10 Feb (IPG), 8 on 13 Apr (GJB), 3 off Ardmore Point on 3 Feb (HS), 13 Longhaugh Point 9 Feb (JMcO), 15 on 10 Feb (JSW,VW), 29 on 24 Feb, with the usual spring build-up at West Ferry to 35 on 13 Mar (IPG), max 69 on 10 Apr (ADW), 52 on 19 Apr (IPG), 38 on 22 Apr (ECD), 62 on 24 Apr, 50 on 30 Apr (IPG), 42 on 1 May (DSF), and 32 on 2 May (DLC).

Inland reports involved a ♀ on the Black Cart Water at Barnsford 6 Feb (GTW), a ♂ on the Heritage Loch, East Kilbride on 2 Mar (per BS), an imm ♂ Leperstone Resr 3 Mar (GT), 2 prs Burncrooks Resr 24 Apr (AKMcN), and a ♀ at Gartloch Pool on 11 May (DACa).

Autumn-winter inland birds included a very early 25 at the Endrick Mouth on 17 Sep (GJB), perhaps same flock as 24 at West Ferry on 28 Sep (ed.); others were 1 Baron's Haugh 31 Oct (JCM), 2 on 1 Nov (GJB), an ad ♂ Broadwood Loch 24 Nov-21 Dec (ADW,JJM et al), and a ♀ at Strathclyde Loch on 21 Dec (GJB).

Clyde estuary reports included 4 (2 ♂♂) West Ferry on 20 Sep, 4 on 22 Sep (ECD), 6 on 24 Sep (JSW,VW), 24 on 28 Sep (IPG), 6 off Dumbarton 23 Sep, 8 (4 ♂♂) on 8 Oct (JBB), 2 Ardmore South Bay 24 Sep (AKMcN), 50 there on 13 Oct (GJB), an exceptionally early and large flock for the site (ed.), and 1 at Milton Island on 29 Oct (JTo).

 

Eider Somateria mollissima

Clyde estuary counts are presented in the following table (WeBS per JSW,VW, see Introduction for actual count dates; September census per CMW et al):

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Langbank-Gourock Bay	447	224	126	56	54	22	64	91	80	238	318	25
Gourock to Wemyss Bay	377	380	497	80	34	306	419	595	1256	343	483	642
Cardross to Rhu	453	199	84	46	43	805	434	985	492	247	213	241
Rhu to Coulport	780	636	674	815	599	507	1306	1413	2890	2976	1206	1326
Clyde Estuary Total	2057	1440	1381	997	747	1681	2409	3094	4730	3804	2220	2234

BREEDING Renfrewshire: 5 ♀♀ with broods of 5, 5, 3, 1 Wemyss Bay-McInroy's Point 7 June (JSW,VW); Dunbartonshire: a ♀ b/4 (small) Ardmore Point 3 June (AKMcN), 2 ♀♀ b/3, a ♀ b/1 on 4 July (JBB), 2 ♀♀ b/1 (medium) on 16 July (AKMcN), 2 ♀♀ with broods of 5 and 2 at Garelochhead on 3 July (JTT), and 34 broods/cr?ches with a total of 90 young Rhu-Coulport 14 July (CMW). Summary: only 4 broods totalling 14 young in a poor level of reporting from Renfrewshire (JSW,VW), and 36 broods/cr?ches totalling 94 young in West Dunbartonshire (CMW et al).

Moulting flocks included 879 off Ardmore Point 11 Aug, 1,070 McInroy's Point-Lunderston Bay 17 Aug, and 1,250 McInroy's Point-Inverkip 18 Aug (IPG).

Table: Inner Clyde Eider Count, 8 September 2002 (CMW et al)

Site	Count	Site	Count
Port Glasgow-Gourock Pier	69	Rhu-Rosneath	1971
Gourock-Wemyss Bay	1256	Rosneath-Kilcreggan	314
Cardross-Craigendoran	169	Kilcreggan-Coulport	605
Craigendoran-Rhu	334	Inner Clyde Total	4730

 

Common Scoter Melanitta nigra

Inland, a ♀ was on Balgray Resr on 9 Jan (JSW,VW). Clyde estuary reports involved 3 (2 ♂♂) E past Kilcreggan at 1200 hrs on 8 Dec (CMW), presumed same birds in flock of 5 (2 ♂♂) off S side Ardmore Point later same day (IPG).

 

Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis

Inland winter-spring reports involved a ♂ on Strathclyde Loch 1-4 Jan (SCV,CMW et al ), a ♂ on River Clyde at Glasgow Green 4 Jan (GT), probably same bird (an imm ♂) on Richmond Park boating pond 12 Feb (GCC), a ♂ (moulting into breeding plumage) at Loch Bowie on 6 Feb (DACa) and 6-13 Mar (JBB,JTT et al), an imm ♂, moulting into 1st-s plumage, at Hogganfield Loch from 10 Mar-29 Apr (GCC,CRS,JJM et al), then at nearby Frankfield Loch on 1 May (FJM).

On the Clyde estuary were a ♂ at Longhaugh Point on 2 Jan (IPG), 2 (ad ♂ and ♀/imm) Cardross Bay 24 Feb, probably same 2 off south side Ardmore Point 13 Mar (IPG), and a ♂ at West Ferry on 7 Apr (WT) and 10 Apr (ADW). Autumn-winter reports were of a ♀/imm in Ardmore South Bay on 4 Nov (MMcG,JTT) and 9 Nov (KF), presumed same bird Cardross Bay 9 Nov (IPG), and a ♂ there on 27 Dec (AGo).

Inland reports involved an imm on Strathclyde Loch 2-8 Nov (SCV), a ♀ on 18 Nov (CJMcI), (perhaps same bird - ed.), possibly same bird (reported as ♀/imm) on River Clyde there 19 Dec after freeze-up (per BS), a ♂ there on 21 Dec (GJB) and on Island Pond, Hamilton Low Parks on 29 Dec (JJS), and a ♀ on Waulkmill Glen Resr from 15-28 Nov (JSW,VW et al).

 

Goldeneye Bucephala clangula

The Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) count totals, detailing the most important sites reported in 2002, are presented in the following table (per JSW,VW):

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Clyde Area Total	696	880	808	232	2	6	3	0	6	19	813	753
Sites recorded	50	52	52	15	1	1	1	0	3	4	50	62
Clyde estuary	321	259	200	21	0	6	3	0	4	3	123	126
R Clyde (Lamington)	-	113	128	-	-	0	0	0	0	0	122	162
Lochwinnoch	55	35	54	90	0	0	-	0	1	8	120	67
Strathclyde Country Park	37	48	60	-	-	-	-	-	-	0	35	46
Hogganfield Loch	41	39	57	18	2	0	0	0	0	6	23	21
Balgray Reservoir	35	45	41	49	0	0	0	0	0	0	21	24
Hamilton Low Parks	22	44	13	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	32	18
Black Cart Water	17	4	7	-	-	-	-	-	0	0	46	40

Clyde estuary WeBS counts are detailed in the following table (per JSW,VW):

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Erskine to West Ferry *	75	57	36	6	0	6	2	0	0	2	11	7
Langbank to Newark Castle	14	26	60	8	0	0	0	0	4	0	10	3
Gourock to Wemyss Bay	120	27	8	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1
Dumbarton Rock to Cardross	10	36	28	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	10
Seabank Cottage to Craigendoran	8	11	31	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	22	17
Clyde Estuary Total	321	259	200	21	0	6	3	0	4	3	123	126

* (including Milton Island to Dumbarton Rock)

Other Clyde estuary reports included 130 in Lunderston Bay 18 Jan (FG), 10 S/1? hrs past Cloch Point on 2 Feb (IPG), 89 at West Ferry 10 Apr (ADW), 209 Langbank-Longhaugh Point 19 Apr, 63 West Ferry 25 Apr, none on 30 Apr (IPG), then 42 on 1 May, 3 on 28 May (DSF), and a pr still there on 30 May (ECD).

Reports from freshwater sites included 60 on River Clyde at Daldowie on 10 Jan (CRS), a site record 35 on Clyde at Bothwell Castle 9 Feb, 21 on 4 Mar (DWM), 30 Bishop Loch 11 Feb (IPG), 45 at the Carts confluence, Renfrew on 23 Feb (ECD), max 57 Hogganfield Loch 1 Mar, 35 on 21 Mar (GCC), 63 Woodend Loch 21 Mar, max 74 there on 10 Apr, 49 Endrick Mouth 7 Apr (IPG), 51 Baron's Haugh 7 Apr (JCM). Late reports involved a ♀ Endrick Mouth 23 Apr (JM), 2 ♀♀ on 17 June (JTT), 8 Craigallian Loch 27 Apr (AKMcN), 5 Ryat Linn Resr 28 Apr (SAW), 2 ♀♀ Baron's Haugh 8 May (JBB), a pr on 10-14 May, a ♀ on 4 June (GJB et al), 2 Hogganfield Loch 10 May (GCC), and a ♀ at the Lochwinnoch Reserve on 4 June (KF).

Summer moulting birds were a ♂ at Camps Resr on 21 July (JSW,VW), 11 at Longhaugh Point on 3 Sep (JTo), 3 at Ardmore Point on 12 Sep (JBB), and 6 at West Ferry on 20 Sep (ECD).

Autumn-winter reports involved 5 Ardmore Point 24 Sep (GJB), 1 on 30 Sep (IPG), 64 Fannyside Lochs 4 Nov (NB), 38 on Black Cart Water at Yonderton 9 Nov, 19 Rowbank Resr 7 Dec (IPG), 162 on River Clyde at Lamington 8 Dec (JSW,VW), a site record count of 223 there on 28 Dec (JND,ADW), and 60 on the Black Cart Water at Inchinnan on 24 Dec (AM).

 

Smew Mergellus albellus

Winter-spring reports (♀/imm 'redheads' unless otherwise stated) were of 1 at Strathclyde Loch 13-20 Jan (CJMcI,SCV), 1 on 11 Feb (NLRS), 1 Baron's Haugh 30 Jan (JBB,JCM), and an adult ♂ and ♀ on Hogganfield Loch 16 Mar-12 Apr (JSc,GCC,JJM et al).

Autumn-winter reports ('redheads' unless otherwise stated) involved 1 at Castle Semple Loch 6‑29 Dec (ECD,JJM et al), a ♂ on River Clyde at Strathclyde Country Park 19 Dec (per BS) and on Strathclyde Loch 31 Dec (GJB), and 1 at Ryat Linn Reservoir on 29 Dec (DLC).

 

Goosander Mergus merganser

The Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) count totals, detailing the most important sites reported in 2002, are presented in the following table (per JSW,VW):

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Clyde Area Total	305	264	121	23	25	8	26	31	19	107	113	180
Sites recorded	31	38	26	6	4	3	6	6	7	9	28	28
Strathclyde Country Park	110	74	16	-	-	-	-	-	-	0	17	22
Endrick Mouth	0	0	0	-	-	-	-	0	0	78	1	17
Douglas Estate Ponds	22	18	16	8	6	4	6	7	2	0	10	16
Townhead Reservoir	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	0	3	15	17
Forrestburn Reservoir	30	42	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Bardowie Loch	14	15	1	0	-	-	-	-	4	0	2	11
Loch Lomond (Rossdhu N&S)	9	8	0	8	16	1	5	5	6	6	5	0
Lochwinnoch	7	14	4	4	0	0	-	0	1	2	12	10

Winter-spring reports included 114 at roost Strathclyde Loch 4 Jan (CMW), 15 on St Germain's Loch 20 Jan (HM), 9 on Whitefield Pond 9 Mar (HAA), 8 on the River Leven at Balloch on 4 Apr (JBB), and 16 at the Endrick Mouth 16 Apr (GJB).

Breeding season reports included a ♀ b/2 on the R Calder at Lochwinnoch (RSPB), a pr b/6 on the White Cart Water at Linn Park (SAW), a pr on R Clyde at Bothwell Castle 9 Apr and 14 May (DWM), a pr Ross Pond 11 Apr (JCM), a pr Auchendores Resr 25 Apr (HAA,FH), a pr and a ♀ Kilmannan Resr 1 May (AKMcN), a ♀ on the R Kelvin at Millichen Flood 8 May (CRS), a pr on R Clyde at Baron's Haugh 10 May (ECD), three broods noted (but no details provided - ed.) on 14 July (JCM), a ♀ b/5 Loch Arklet 17 May (DJC), a ♂ on Black Cart Water at Linwood upriver of A737 on 31 May (IPG), 2 ♀♀ Firkin 16 June (DHMcE), a ♀ on R Kelvin at Garscube Estate on 17 June (TB), a ♀ b/4 Inchcailloch 23 June (AKMcN), and a ♀ on R Leven at Dumbarton on 24 June (DHMcE). Summary: 7 broods reported, including 3 broods totalling 15 young.

Autumn-winter reports included very unusual estuary reports of 4 at Erskine Harbour on 7 July (FH) and 12 at Newshot Island on 13 Aug (HAA), and at freshwater sites an excellent 150 at the Endrick Mouth on 17 Sep (GJB), first 1 Hogganfield Loch 25 Sep, 13 on 3 Oct (GCC), max 73 on 20 Oct (PB), 64 on 23 Oct, 36 on 30 Oct, 15 on 1 Nov, 14 on 4 Nov, 30 on 6 Nov, 5 on 6 Dec (GCC), 10 on the White Cart Water at Netherton Braes on 26 Sep (SAW), 12 on Bingham's Pond 27 Oct (JC), 26 on Rouken Glen Pond 7 Nov (JSW,VW), 17 on Townhead Resr 24 Nov (ADW), 30 at Waulkmill Glen Resr on 26 Nov (JSW,VW), 38 on 22 Dec, 15 Barr Loch 2 Dec (JJS), 12 on Carron Valley Resr 3 Dec (ECD), max 7 (4 ♂♂ ) on R Kelvin at Garscube Estate 19 Dec (TB), 7 on the Endrick Water at Buchanan Castle on 22 Dec (FH), and 3 on Loch Long at Ardpeaton on 26 Dec (JTT).

 

Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator

Clyde estuary counts (WeBS per JSW,VW, see Introduction for actual count dates):

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
West Ferry to Kempock Point	37	74	27	14	11	5	10	0	8	7	27	4
Dumbarton to Craigendoran Pier	29	18	45	31	55	71	88	48	121	76	32	30
Craigendoran to Coulport	39	35	20	28	10	14	6	1	9	25	24	22
Clyde Estuary Total	127	196	99	76	76	93	104	49	141	112	87	65

Inland records included a ♂ Baron's Haugh 10 Feb (JCM), 2 ♂♂ Strathclyde Loch 20 Feb (ECD, FH), a ♂ on 16 Mar (CJMcI), 2 ♂♂ Endrick Mouth 15 Apr (AKMcN), 3 (1 ♂) on 6 June, a ♀ on 17 June (JTT), a ♂ Firkin 19 May, 2 ♀♀ on 27 May and 16 June (DHMcE), and a pair (the ♂ in advanced moult) on Loch Thom on 27 May (IPG).

Breeding reports were of a ♀ b/2 at the Endrick Mouth on 24 June (GJB), a ♀ b/3 Rosneath Bay on 14 July (CMW), and a ♀ b/4 on the River Clyde at Lamington on 15 July (JSW,VW).

A significant pre-moulting flock of 62 was counted at Ardmore Point on 26 May (AKMcN). The summer moult flock in Ardmore South Bay consisted of 42 birds on 25 July (GJB), 48 on 11 Aug (IPG), and a max of 66 on 20 Aug (ECD). Autumn-winter counts included 60 at Ardmore Point on 27 Aug (AKMcN).

Inland records included a ♀ at Broadwood Loch on 1 Dec (JCM), a ♂ on the Endrick Water at Drymen Bridge on 29 Dec (JTT), and a ♂ at Strathclyde Loch on 30 Dec (JCM).

 

Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis

Winter reports were of 2 Garnqueen Loch 14 Jan (NLRS), 1 Gadloch 13 Jan (BZ), 8 Woodend Loch 12 Feb, and 2 on Johnston Loch on 12 Feb (NLRS).

The Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) counts, detailing all sites reported in 2002, are presented in the following table (per JSW,VW).

Ruddy Duck WeBS counts

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Clyde Area Total	3	10	0	19	20	24	24	31	48	49	34	31
Sites recorded	2	2	0	7	8	10	7	7	10	4	3	2
Hogganfield Loch	0	0	0	1	0	3	5	2	11	17	26	25
Greenhead Pond	0	0	0	4	6	2	-	5	8	13	5	6
Garnqueen Loch	2	0	0	0	0	3	4	12	10	12	3	0
Gartloch Pool	0	0	0	0	1	3	6	6	9	7	0	0
Frankfield Loch	0	0	0	4	3	2	2	3	2	0	0	0
Kilmardinny Loch	0	0	0	2	2	2	4	2	0	0	0	0
Woodend Loch	0	8	0	0	0	1	1	1	1	0	0	0
Millersneuk Marsh	0	0	0	3	4	3	0	0	-	0	0	0
St Germain's Loch	0	0	0	1	1	0	0	0	4	-	-	0
Bothwell Pool	0	0	0	4	0	0	0	0	-	-	0	0
Johnston Loch	0	2	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Gadloch	1	0	0	-	-	-	-	-	1	0	0	0
Possil Loch	0	0	0	0	1	0	2	0	-	0	0	0
Orchard Farm Pond	0	0	0	0	0	3	0	0	0	0	0	0
Baron's Haugh	0	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	0	0	0
Glengavel Reservoir	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0
Lochend Loch	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0

Spring-summer reports involved 9 on Woodend Loch 4 Mar (NLRS), a ♂ there on 16 July, a pair Hogganfield Loch 17-19 Mar (per BS), a ♂ 20 Mar-1 Apr, again 7-18 Apr, a ♀ on 13 May, 3 ♂♂ (on the LNR pond) on 13 June, 1 ♂ on 26 June, 3 ♂♂ and 1 ♀ on 4 July, 2 ♂♂ and 1 ♀ on 5 July, pr on 10 July, 4 ♂♂ and 1 ♀ on 16 July (GCC,CRS et al), a ♂ St Germain's Loch 29 Mar (GJB), a pr displaying on 1-2 Apr (AKMcN,GJB), 2 ♂♂ on 5 Apr (GJB), 3 (2 ♂♂) 'Confidential Site A' 29 Mar, 5 (2 ♂♂) on 24 Apr (JCM), 2 ♂♂ and 2 ♀♀ Frankfield Loch 12 Apr, 3 (1 ♂) on 13 Apr, 2 ♂♂ and a ♀ on 16 May, a ♂ on 19 May (CRS), 4 ♂♂ and a ♀ on 22 May, a pr on 12 July (GCC), 2 ♂♂ and a ♀ Millersneuk Marsh 13 Apr (JJM), 2 prs 10-11 May (JJM,IPG), 4 Bothwell Pool 19 Apr (RJH), 6 (2 ♂♂) Greenhead Pond on 20 Apr (HAA), a ♂ Baron's Haugh 23-26 Apr (AGJ,JTT,HAA et al), a ♀ on 5 June (JCM), a pr on 11 June (RSPB), a ♂ on 25 June (ECD), 2 prs on 30 June, 5 (3 ♂♂) 5‑19 July (JCM,GJB), 5 (1 ♂) on 28 July (JJM), 2 ♂♂ Johnston Loch 26 Apr, 1 ♂ on 16 July (IPG), 3 ♂♂ and a ♀ Gartloch Pool 8 May, 4 ♂♂ on 10 May (GCC), 5 (3 ♂♂) on 17 May, 2 ♂♂ on 19 May (CRS), 2 ♂♂ and a ♀ on 30 May (GCC), a pr on 7 June (CRS), a ♂ on 10 June, 4 ♂♂ and 2 ♀♀ on 16 July (GCC), a ♂ on 'Confidential Site B' 10 May (JCM), a ♂ Possil Loch 11 May (JJM), 2 ♂♂ on 6 June (GJB) and 5 July (CRS), a pr on 12 July (KF), a ♂ and 2 ♀♀ Garnqueen Loch 17 May, 5 ♂♂ on 16 July (IPG), a ♀ Kilmardinny Loch 25 May (AKMcN), and a pr at Glengavel Resr on 8 June (RJH).

BREEDING was confirmed at the following sites:

Baron's Haugh (i) pr with well-grown b/2 from 17 July-3 Aug (JCM et al).

Confidential Site A (i) 3 broods noted on 20 Oct (JCM), but unfortunately no details (ed.).

Gartloch Pool (i) up to 6 ♂♂ and 3 ♀♀ present throughout breeding season, ?-grown duckling seen on 20 Sep; (ii) ♀ with newly-hatched duckling (on south pool) 20 Sep (GCC).

Garnqueen Loch (i) ♀ b/4 small young 11 July, b/3 full-grown 5 Aug, still together 23 Aug; (ii) ♀ with recently hatched b/6 on 23 Aug, no sign 28 Aug but single ?-grown young 11-13 Sep; (iii) ♀ with newly-hatched b/5 on 13 Sep, at least 2 still surviving 18 Sep (IPG).

Kilmardinny Loch (i) a pr reared b/2 (NK).

St Germain's Loch (i) a pr reared b/4 (HM).

Breeding summary: At least 11 broods hatched at 6 sites, and at least 6 ♀♀ at 4 sites reared an estimated 14 young.

Autumn reports involved 10 (8 ♂♂) Garnqueen Loch 1 Aug, 14 (9 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀ and 3 full-grown juvs) on 5 Aug, 9 full-grown birds (5 ♂♂, 3 juvs and ♀ b/6) on 23 Aug, 7 (4 ♂♂) on 26 Aug, 13 (9 ♂♂ and a ?-grown duckling) on 11 Sep, 18 (incl 6 ♂♂, a ?-grown duckling and ♀ b/5 newly hatched) on 13 Sep, 18 (incl 10 ♂♂ and 2 ducklings) on 18 Sep, 10 (6 ♂♂) on 31 Oct (IPG), 4 (3 ♂♂) Gartloch Pool 1 Aug (GCC), 6 (5 ♂♂) on 3 Aug (JJM), 4 (3 ♂♂) on 5 Aug, 6 (4 ♂♂) on 12 Aug, 6 (5 ♂♂) on 20 Aug, 7 (6 ♂♂) on 23 Aug, 2 ♂♂ on 26 Aug, 6 (5 ♂♂) on 28 Aug, 10 (6 ♂♂) on 3 Sep, 4 (3 ♂♂) on 6 Sep, 4 (2 ♂♂) on 11 Sep, 9 (5 ♂♂) on 13 Sep, 8 (4 ♂♂) on 9th and 18 Sep, 7 (3 ♂♂) on 22 Sep, 5 (3 ♂♂) on 24 Sep, 7 (4 ♂♂) on 1 Oct, 5 (3 ♂♂) on 2 Oct, 3 (1 ♂) on 17 Oct (GCC,CRS), 2 prs at 'Confidential Site A' on 5 Aug, 7 ♀♀ on 28 Nov (JCM), a pr Twechar Marsh 16 Aug (DACa), 2 imms Baron's Haugh 16 Aug (GJB), 2 on 1 Sep (per BS), a pr on 2 Sep (MMcG,JTT), a ♂ on 21 Dec (JCM), 2 ♀♀ Frankfield Loch 6 Sep (GCC), 2 ♂♂ and 2 ♀♀ Woodend Loch 18 Sep (IPG), 9 on 24 Nov (JJS), and a ♂ and 4 ♀♀ on 31 Oct (CL). Counts at Hogganfield Loch are shown in the table below; unusually, no distinct autumn peak occurred, numbers building gradually to 24-26 birds during 4-19 Nov, then a small influx at the onset of cold weather leading to a max count of 32 birds on 4 Dec (ed.).

Winter reports involved birds moving away from Hogganfield Loch with the first significant ice cover on 17 Dec (GCC), coinciding with 7 (1 ♂) appearing at Strathclyde Loch on 19 Dec (per BS), still 4 (1 ♂) there on 21 Dec (GJB), and a ♀ at Baron's Haugh on 21 Dec (JJM).

Autumn-winter counts at Hogganfield Loch

Date	1 Aug	5 Aug	9 Aug	12 Aug	20 Aug	23 Aug	26 Aug	3 Sep	4 Sep
♂♂	2	1	1	1	2	2	2	2	2
♀♀/imms	1	1	1	1	1	1	0	1	1
Total	3	2	2	2	3	3	2	3	3
Observer	GCC	GCC	CRS	GCC	GCC	GCC	GCC	GCC	CRS
Date	6 Sep	9 Sep	11 Sep	12 Sep	13 Sep	18 Sep	20 Sep	21 Sep	22 Sep
♂♂	7	7	9	7	7	8	7	7	8
♀♀/imms	3	3	3	3	4	4	4	4	6
Total	10	10	12	10	11	12	11	11	14
Observer	GCC	GCC	GCC	GCC	GCC	GCC	GCC	CRS	CRS
Date	23 Sep	24 Sep	1 Oct	3 Oct	19 Oct	30 Oct	31 Oct	2 Nov	4 Nov
♂♂	8	8	8	8	10	n/r	n/r	n/r	13
♀♀/imms	6	6	7	6	8	n/r	n/r	n/r	11
Total	14	14	15	14	18	21	19	18	24
Observer	GCC	GCC	GCC	GCC	CRS	JJM	GCC	CRS	GCC
Date	8 Nov	10 Nov	17 Nov	19 Nov	22 Nov	24 Nov	25 Nov	26 Nov	28 Nov
♂♂	16	n/r	n/r	13	n/r	n/r	n/r	17	n/r
♀♀/imms	9	n/r	n/r	13	n/r	n/r	n/r	8	n/r
Total	25	24	24	26	18	22	21	25	2
Observer	GCC	IMcC	CRS	GCC	GCC	JJS	GCC	GCC	JJM
Date	29 Nov	4 Dec	6 Dec	9 Dec	14 Dec	16 Dec	17 Dec	18 Dec	27 Dec
♂♂	n/r	19	19	n/r	n/r	n/r	10	0	1
♀♀/imms	n/r	13	10	n/r	n/r	n/r	9	0	2
Total	17	32	29	25	29	27	19	0	3
Observer	CRS	GCC	GCC	GCC	IMcC	GCC	GCC	GCC	GCC

Please submit all records of Ruddy Duck to help monitor future changes. The UK population is currently threatened by a government cull which is supported by the RSPB and some other nature conservation organisations.

 

Swift Apus apus

Spring arrival involved 1 at Leperstone Resr on 25 Apr (HAA), 1 Balgray Reservoir 26 Apr (JSW, VW), 1 Lochwinnoch Reserve 26-27 Apr (RSPB,ECP), 5 over Strathclyde Country Park 27 Apr, 15 on 28 Apr (IL), 1 Helensburgh 3 May (HS), 2 Baron's Haugh 8 May (JBB), 18 Hogganfield Loch 15 May, and return to breeding sites Kilmacolm noted 15 May (IPG).

Summer reports included very much scarcer than usual feeding over West Renfrewshire moors during cool, wet and windy weather most of May to 13 July (IPG), 70 over the River Leven at Dumbarton on 10 June (JBB), 220 feeding over Hogganfield Loch in wet and windy weather 10‑14 June, 450 on 20 June (GCC), and 50 over Erskine in the early evening of 21 June (JTT).

Breeding season reports involved 2 prs Kirkhill, Newton Mearns (JSW,VW), 3 screaming over Rutherglen 16 May (DWM), 6 over Dungoyne St, Maryhill on 25 May (TPD), 2 screaming over high flats in Wyndford Rd, Maryhill on 27 May, 4 on 17 June, a pair nesting in crevice there, eventually fledging one young (JJM), 4 Paisley Museum 6 June, 8 Wright Street, Renfrew 9 June, 2 Erskine 10 June (ECD), 4 screaming around Fernhill Road, Rutherglen on 15 June, and 2 screaming over Kilsyth Road, Kirkintilloch at High St Industrial Estate on 16 June (JJM).

Autumn reports (generally scarce after 12 Aug, perhaps slightly earlier than usual), included 30 at Helensburgh on 12 July (HS), 20 Barrhead 5 Aug, 1 Balgray Reservoir 11 Aug (JSW,VW), 44 screaming over Wyndford Rd, Maryhill on 11 Aug (JJM), 12 Bearsden 12 Aug (GJB), 1 Rutherglen 12 Aug (DWM), 2 Frankfield Loch 12 Aug (GCC), 2 East Millichen Farm 14 Aug, 1 Daldowie 15 Aug, 2 Tollcross 15 Aug (CRS), 2 Renfrew Golf Course 15 Aug (ECD), 1 Linn Park 19 Aug (SAW), 1 Hyndland 23 Aug (HAA), 1 at Pollok Country Park on 6 Sep (CRS), 5 Hogganfield Loch 10 Sep (GCC), 1 Dumbarton 14 Sep (JBB), and a notable concentration of 32 Culter Glen 29 Sep, at the same time as a marked southerly passage of Swallows (JSW,VW).

 

Cuckoo Cuculus canorus

The first of spring was a singing ♂ at Dumbrock Muir on 18 Apr (AKMcN), followed by 1 at Finnich Glen on 24 Apr (RKP), 2 Inversnaid 24 Apr (DJC), 1 Locherwood Community Woodland 25 Apr (ECD), 3 Cloch Park 25 Apr (FG), 1 at Helensburgh Golf Course on 27 Apr (DHMcE), 1 at Darleith on 27 Apr (FL). Transient birds reported at unusual locations were a singing ♂ at Cardowan Pond on 8 May (FJM), and a singing ♂ at Pacemuir, Kilmacolm on 15 May (AB).

Reports of singing males (from 1 May onwards) are presented in the following table.

Site	Singing ♂♂	Obs	Site	Singing ♂♂	Obs	Site	Singing ♂♂	Obs
Auchineden Plantation	2	AKMcN	Endrick Mouth	1	AKMcN	L Lomond, Inversnaid	2	DJC
Bar Hill	1	PGC	Finnich Glen	1	GJB	Leapmoor Forest (east)	2	IPG
Ben Glas	1	ECD	Garshangan	1	IPG	Loch Ardinning	2	JJM
Ben Lomond	1	ECD	Gleann nan Caorann	2	ECD	Loch Thom (east)	1	IPG
Coltness	1	JCM	Glen Fruin	1	ECD	Locherwood C Wood	1	ECD
Coplie/Mill Burn	1	IPG	Glenfalloch Lodge	1	ECD	Mount Pisgah	1	IPG
Cowgill Loch	1	J&VW	Hardridge Plantation	1	IPG	Mugdock Country Park	1	GJB
Dolphinton	1	AMcA	Helensburgh G Course	1	DHMcE	Muirhouse Muir	1	AKMcN
Dumbrock Muir	1	AKMcN	Hilton Park G Course	1	AKMcN	Muirshiel Country Park	2	IPG

Summary: 33 singing reported from 27 sites in 2002.

One was found in Kirkintilloch on 30 Aug, taken into care at Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue Centre (Ayrshire) and released there on 3 Sep (AC,GC).

 

Feral Pigeon Columba livia

Reports included 165 at the Asda store, Summerston on 25 Jan, 239 there on 14 Nov (TPD), 110 in Milngavie Town Centre 12 Feb (AKMcN), 124 at Dumbarton Quay on 6 Apr (JBB), 100 at Queen's Park Pond 23 Apr (JMcO), 150 Kelvingrove Park 2 May (CRS), a flock of 110 feeding in a grass field just spread with slurry at South Priestside, Kilmacolm (an unusual location for the species) on 5 May (IPG), 100 at Millichen Flood on 14 Nov (GJB), 100 in Sauchiehall St, Glasgow on 25 Nov (AKMcN), and 130 at Tollcross Park on 9 Dec (CRS).

 

Stock Dove Columba oenas

Winter-spring reports included some high counts: 150 at Westraw Mains on 3 Feb (JSW,VW), 200 Blackstoun Farm 6 Feb (ECD), max 280 there on 24 Mar (GTW), 6 at Flenders Farm 28 Feb (JSW,VW), 11 Ardmore Point 3 Mar (IPG), 12 Millichen Flood 4-12 Mar (JBB,DACa), 13 Garvald Quarry 6 Mar (AMcA), 50 South Medwin Pools 11 Mar (JSW,VW), and 4 at Templehill Woods, Bearsden on 24 Mar (HM).

Breeding season reports included 1 in song Bardowie 13 Apr (AKMcN), 2 Templehill Woods on 2 May (HM), 2 prs Balgray Reservoir 28 May (JSW,VW), 13 in field, including several in display flight, Threepgrass Wood 9 June, and 1 at Gryfeside on 23 June (IPG).

Stock Dove breeding table

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Auchineden	1	GJB	Cumbernauld, Arns	4	DACa	Millichen Flood	2	GJB
Balgray Reservoir	2	J&VW	Endrick Mouth	1	GJB	Reilly Quarry	1	JTT
Bardowie	1	AKMcN	Finnich Glen	1	GJB	Threepgrass Wood	3	IPG
Bothwell Castle	1	DWM	Garscube Estate	1	TB	Templehill Woods	1	HM
Calderglen Country Park	1	DWM	High Banton	1	PGC	Twechar Marsh	1	DACa
Cathkin Braes	2	DWM	Langbank village	1	DSF
Craigton	1	GJB	Linn Park	3	SAW

Summary: 29 pairs reported from 19 sites in 2002.

Autumn-winter counts included 4 at Garscube Estate 13 June (TB), 2 Bridgend Farm Pool 6 July (JJM), 2 Erskine shore 26 Aug, 12 Millichen Flood 17 Dec (DACa), 8 Easter Sills Farm 28 Dec, and 5 at Southfield Farm, Blackwood on 28 Dec (JND,ADW).

 

Woodpigeon Columba palumbus

Winter-spring reports included a very high count for recent years of 6000 at Ravenstruther 3 Feb (anon at SOC meeting), 1500 Quothquan Mill 3 Feb (JSW,VW), 150 at South Cathkin on 15 Mar (DWM), and 300 at Millichen Farm on 28 Mar (JJM).

Breeding reports included 7 prs Auchenkilns Junction, 5 prs Parkhouse, 2 prs Pilmuir/A77, 6 prs Mearnskirk Woodland, 4 prs White Cart Water at Eaglesham (SL), a pair Oakfield Ave, Paisley (JMcE), 7 singing ♂♂ Auchineden Plantation 1 May (AKMcN), a pair with nest Bridgend Farm Pool 4 June (JJM), and a pair with 2 fledged young at Maryhill Park on 19 June, with a second brood in nest on 15 Aug (TPD).

Autumn-winter reports included 260 at East Millichen Farm on 17 June (AKMcN), 450 in newly-harvested barley field Rushyhill, Lenzie 5 Aug (IPG), 140 at the Endrick Mouth on 7 Oct (LM), and 200 at Daldowie on 10 Oct (CRS).

 

Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto

Winter-spring reports included 1 at Darleith on 10 Jan which was observer's first record there since 1987 (FL), 27 at Linburn, Erskine 4 Jan (ACMB), 46 coming to food in Crosbie St, Maryhill 13 Jan, 60 Millichen Farm 25 Feb (TPD), and 18 at Claddoch on 7 May (AKMcN).

Breeding reports included 5 territories noted in Langbank village (DSF), 1 in song in Baird Ave, Helensburgh 18 Mar, 1 in song Portincaple 18 Mar, 1 in song Maxwell Dr, Erskine 19 Apr (JTT), 2 in song Braeside Ave, Milngavie 21 Apr, and 4 in song Claddoch 7 May (AKMcN). The Collared Dove continues to be one of our most under-recorded breeding species (ed.).

Autumn-winter reports included 40 at Summerston on 8 Oct (AKMcN), 100 there on 14 Oct (GJB), 93 on 2 Nov (GS), 100 on 16 Nov, and 40 at Millichen Farm on 3 Aug (JJM).

 

Water Rail Rallus aquaticus

The Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) count totals, detailing the most important sites reported in 2002, are presented in the following table (per JSW,VW):

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Clyde Area Total	3	1	2	4	2	4	10	8	3	5	12	3
Sites recorded	2	1	2	3	2	3	6	4	2	4	6	2
Clyde estuary	2	1	1	0	1	1	2	2	2	1	2	0
Possil Loch	0	0	1	1	0	1	2	1	-	1	4	0
Millersneuk Marsh	0	0	0	2	0	0	2	2	-	2	1	0
Douglas Estate Ponds	0	0	0	0	0	2	2	3	0	0	2	0
Baron's Haugh	1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	0	1	0	0
Frankfield Loch	0	0	0	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
Endrick Mouth	0	0	0	-	-	-	-	0	0	0	0	2

Other winter-spring reports were of 1 at the Endrick Mouth on 19 Jan and 27 Jan (GJB), 1 Locher Burn at Bridge of Weir on 19 Mar (DACa), and 1 taken by a Sparrowhawk at Baron's Haugh on 20 Mar (JCM). Breeding season reports involved 3 prs Douglas Estate Ponds, one juv noted (KS), 3 prs Possil Loch, one young noted, 2 prs Millersneuk Marsh (JJM), 4 territories at the Aird Meadow, Lochwinnoch Reserve (RSPB), 1 territory Frankfield Loch 12 Apr, 2 territories incl singing ♂ 16 May (GCC), 2 territories Endrick Mouth 6-17 June (JTT), 3 Newshot Island 11 July, and 2 at Erskine Harbour on 23 July (ECD). Summary: only 19 territories, at least 10 occupied by pairs, reported in 2002 (cf. 63 territories in 2000, 34 in 2001).

Autumn-winter reports included 3 Douglas Estate Ponds 11 Aug (KS), 1 calling Gartloch Pool 20 Aug (GCC), 1 Greenhead Pond 2 Oct (JCM), 2 seen from Marsh Hide, Baron's Haugh 13 Oct, 3 on 21 Dec (JJM), 1 calling St Germain's Loch on 17 Oct (GJB), 1 calling Fannyside Loch 8 Nov (TB), 1 in Windlaw Marsh, Cathkin Braes on 9 Nov (SAW), 5 Dec and 16 Dec (DWM), 1 Possil Loch 12 Nov (TPD), 3 calling Barr Loch 12 Nov (JJM), 1 in SW bay at Balgray Resr 16 Nov, the observer's first-ever record there in 31 years of watching (JJS), 2 calling Frankfield Loch 19 Nov, 1 at the Endrick Mouth on 22 Nov and 10 Dec (GJB), 1 seen in ditch at west end of Cardowan Moss pLNR 5 Dec (GCC), 1 R Calder Mouth at Castle Semple Loch 14 Dec (ECD), and 1 running past the Nature Centre window at Lochwinnoch on 20 Dec (RSPB).

 

Corncrake Crex crex

Two reports of calling ♂♂ in 2002: one above Cove on 17 Apr (SCh), and one at Majeston Farm, Inverkip on 10 May (RW).

 

Spotted Crake Porzana porzana

There were 3 calling males at the usual confidential Clyde area site on 6 June, at least 4 on 17 June, 5 on 24 June, and 1 on 10 July (per IPG).

 

Moorhen Gallinula chloropus

The Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) count totals, detailing the most important sites reported in 2002, are presented in the following table (per JSW,VW):

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Clyde Area Total	177	163	165	119	99	111	124	148	148	198	248	218
Sites recorded	33	39	39	33	29	30	30	34	38	45	51	44
Kilmardinny Loch	20	21	24	14	16	24	46	38	12	14	12	11
F&CC R Kelvin-Gt West Rd	22	27	32	26	9	14	6	13	3	9	15	16
Springburn Park	16	16	10	9	7	8	11	9	14	19	18	19
Douglas Estate Ponds	7	6	5	10	12	6	9	10	14	15	16	12
Victoria Park	8	6	1	3	3	5	7	3	13	11	16	17
Richmond Park	10	9	7	4	3	3	3	5	6	11	14	12
Hamilton Low Parks	9	3	3	5	0	1	3	6	8	9	21	8
F&CC Gt West Rd-Clydebank	5	4	5	-	4	8	1	-	-	7	10	11

Breeding pairs reported:

Site	Pairs	Young	Obs	Site	Pairs	Young	Obs
Auchlochan Pond	2	8	RJH	Douglas Estate Ponds	4	12	KS
Barnbeth Pond	1	-	GB	Douglas Water Ponds	2	5	KS
Biggar Water Floods	1	4	JSS	East Kilbride, Centre 1 Pool	1	6	J&VW
Brother Loch	1	-	IAM	EK, JH Heritage Loch	1	-	DWM
Daer Water	1	-	J&VW	Endrick Mouth	2	-	LM
Dougalston Loch	1	3	AKMcN	F&CC Gt W Rd-Maryhill Locks	3	0	LJP
F&CC, Bowling-Clydebank	1	2	AG,WG	Houston House Pool	1	3	GB
F&CC, Clydebank-Gt West Rd	5	7	JJM	Kilmardinny Loch	8	26	NK
Garvald Quarry	2	2	AMcA	Loch Bowie	2	-	JBB
Gateside Reservoir	1	-	J&VW	Lochwinnoch Reserve (AM)	2	-	RSPB
Geilston Pond	1	-	FL	Millersneuk Marsh	3	1	JJM
Gilmourton South Pools	1	2	J&VW	Monklands Canal, Drumpellier	2	2	CL
Glasgow, Springburn Park	5	-	GCC	Mugdock Loch	1	4	GJB
Glasgow, Victoria Park	2	3	CRS	Muirhouse Gravel Pit	1	-	J&VW
Glen Moss	1	5	NJT	Newshot Island	1	-	ECD
Hamilton Low Parks	2	-	SLRS	Possil Marsh	1	2	JJM
Hamilton, Ross Pond	1	2	SLRS	Robroyston, Auchinleck Farm	1	-	SL
Hardgate	1	-	DHMcE	Rouken Glen Pond	3	1	JAS
Harelaw Dam	1	4	J&VW	South Medwin Pools	1	1	J&VW
Helensburgh Sk Pond	1	-	DHMcE	Summerston	1	2	GJB

Summary: 73 pairs reported from 40 sites in 2002.

Autumn-winter reports included 12 at Stobhill Pond, Springburn Park on 7 Oct, and 10 at Hogganfield Loch on 19 Oct (CRS).

 

Coot Fulica atra

The Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) count totals, detailing the most important sites reported in 2002, are presented in the following table (per JSW,VW):

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Clyde Area Total	1262	982	909	434	451	476	714	964	1084	1024	1261	1151
Sites recorded	50	57	62	48	53	51	46	44	52	54	55	56
Woodend Loch	94	120	101	32	16	34	113	256	112	41	125	74
Gartloch Pool	23	32	63	36	44	38	64	70	92	111	126	137
Johnston Loch	35	11	4	17	28	18	34	50	55	108	140	93
Hogganfield Loch	94	37	28	6	14	17	56	94	76	57	64	45
Lochend Loch	40	80	82	22	7	18	24	22	70	50	49	59
Antermony Loch	149	91	42	13	14	14	25	3	10	15	103	38
Gadloch	54	52	91	-	-	-	-	-	44	12	18	11
Baron's Haugh	47	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	23	34	36	54

Winter-spring counts included 162 Stanely Resr 7 Jan (GBr), 180 Hogganfield Loch 8 Jan (CRS).

Breeding figures are given in the following tables (see comments under Little Grebe):

Site	Pairs	Young	Obs	Site	Pairs	Young	Obs
Alloch Dam	2	6	AMC	Bothwell Farm Pool	3	2	J&VW
Antermony Loch	5	20	AMC	Buchley Pool	1	3	CRS
Auchendores Reservoir	1	-	JTT	Carman Reservoir	2	-	JBB
Auchlochan Pond	2	5	RJH	Coves Reservoir	3	1	JHH
Balgray Reservoir	3	0	J&VW	Craigallian Loch	2	-	AKMcN
Baron's Haugh	2	9	GJB	Craighall Dam	7	14	J&VW
Biggar Moss	2	3	J&VW	Deil's Craig Dam	3	-	AKMcN
Dougalston Loch	2	3	AKMcN	Hogganfield Pond	2	5	GCC
Douglas Estate Ponds	4	10	KS	Houstonhead Dam	1	0	GB
Douglas Water Ponds	2	7	KS	Kilmardinny Loch	1	1	AKMcN
Durrockstock Pond	1	2	IMcD	Lennoxtown, Whitefield Pond	4	29	AMC
EK, JH Heritage Loch	1	-	DWM	Lilly Loch	4	13	FF
Endrick Mouth	1	4	GJB	Linwood Pool	1	3	DACa
F&CC Gt W Rd-Maryhill Locks	2	0	LJP	Loch Ardinning	2	3	AKMcN
F&CC, Clydebank-Gt West Rd	6	3	JJM	Loch Bowie	1	-	FH
Garvald Quarry	4	4	AMcA	Lochend Loch	4	5	CL
Gateside Reservoir	1	-	J&VW	Millersneuk Marsh	2	0	JJM
Glasgow, Baggieminnow Pond	1	3	J&VW	Mount Dam	2	6	AMC
Glasgow, Frankfield Loch	1	-	CRS	Muirhouse Sand Quarry	1	-	AKMcN
Glasgow, Garnkirk Moss	1	1	CRS	Picketlaw Reservoir	2	7	JFD
Glasgow, Gartloch Pool	5	8	CRS	Possil Loch	9	0	JJM
Glasgow, Robroyston Park	2	-	CRS	Rouken Glen Pond	2	0	J&VW
Glasgow, Springburn Park	3	6	CRS	Snypes Dam	1	1	J&VW
Glen Moss	3	7	NJT	St Germain's Loch	1	3	HM
Hamilton Low Parks	5	-	SLRS	Summerston	1	2	GJB
Hamilton, Ross Pond	2	1	SLRS	Tannoch Loch	2	2	JGE
Harelaw Dam	1	2	J&VW	Thornley Dam	2	4	IMcD
High Dam (Eaglesham)	3	3	JFD	Walton Dam	1	0	IAM
Hillend Reservoir	1	2	FF

Summary: 136 breeding pairs reported from 57 sites, with a mean brood size of 1.8 young/pair, indicating a normal breeding season (cf. 1.8 young/pair 1987-2002).

Autumn-winter reports included 50 Auchendores Reservoir 8 Aug (JSW,VW), 50 Bardowie Loch 19 Nov (AKMcN), an unusual report of one on the sea with Eiders off Rhu on 15 Dec (DHMcE), and 46 on Loch Lomond off Ross Priory on 29 Dec (JTT).

 

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis

Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) count totals, detailing the most important sites reported in 2002, are provided in the following table (per JSW,VW):

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Clyde Area Total	43	57	72	50	66	38	39	69	187	215	85	84
Sites recorded	12	24	25	19	22	16	17	25	40	43	31	27
R Clyde (Lamington)	-	2	0	-	-	0	0	0	26	25	20	17
Hogganfield Loch	0	1	3	4	4	2	5	6	25	36	6	2
Clyde Estuary	25	10	11	0	2	0	1	0	2	4	11	12
Broadwood Loch	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	13	10	2	2
Craighall Dam	0	8	6	-	9	6	5	7	6	8	2	2
R Clyde (Thankerton-Carstairs)	3	0	6	-	-	-	-	-	6	6	4	8
Strathclyde Country Park	3	4	0	-	-	-	-	-	-	10	3	2
Houstonhead Dam	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	6	7	12	2	1

Other winter-spring reports included 4 Mugdock Resr on 6 Jan (AKMcN), 6 on White Cart Water west of Pollok House 8 Jan (JSW,VW), 1 on White Cart Water in Linn Park 13-15 Jan (SAW), and 1 on Hogganfield Loch 5 Feb (GCC). Spring return to breeding sites involved 6 at Hogganfield Loch on 21 Mar, 2 prs 2-5 Apr, 1 pr 10 May, 2 Frankfield Loch 8 Feb, 5 prs on 12 Apr, 2 prs Gartloch Pool 8 Apr, both gone by 10 Apr (GCC), and 6 at Picketlaw Resr on 14 Apr (JFD).

Breeding data in the following table, and in those for other breeding waterfowl, consist of the maximum number of apparently breeding pairs reported at each site. Figures for number of young refer to the numbers present on the date of reported observation, or the maximum of two or more reports, or the known number of young reared (this category taking priority). Where two independent reports of brood size differ, the later report is used. Although not an accurate measure of productivity, these figures do provide some indication of annual variation in breeding success.

Site	Pairs	Young	Obs	Site	Pairs	Young	Obs
Antermony Loch	1	-	AMC	Helensburgh Reservoir	1	-	PC
Barnbeth Pond	1	2	GB	Heritage Loch, East Kilbride	1	2	DWM
Baron's Haugh	1	1	MMcG	High Dam (Eaglesham)	2	-	JFD
Black Loch (Renf)	1	-	SAW	Hogganfield Loch	2	b/1,b/4	GCC
Brother Loch	1	2	IAM	Houstonhead Dam	2	6	GB
Carbeth Loch	2	-	AKMcN	Kaim Dam	1	0	GB
Cardowan Colliery Pond	1	0	GCC	Kilmardinny Loch	1	3	NK
Carman Reservoir	1	-	JBB	Lamington, Shuttlefield Pond	2	-	J&VW
Carron Valley Reservoir	1	4	GJB	Leperstone Reservoir	1	-	FH
Coves Reservoir	3	1	JHH	Linwood Pool	1	1	DACa
Craighall Dam	1	2	J&VW	Loch Bowie	2	-	JBB
Deil's Craig Dam	2	-	AKMcN	Lochan Duin (NN3121)	1	-	FH
Douglas Estate Ponds	1	3	KS	Millersneuk Marsh	1	-	JJM
Drums Estate Pond	1	-	ECD	Muirhouse Sand Quarry	1	-	AKMcN
F&CC Gt Western Rd-R Kelvin	1	0	LJP	Picketlaw Reservoir	3	-	JFD
Frankfield Loch	3	-	CRS	Pilmuir Dam	2	b/2,1	J&VW
Garnqueen Loch	1	2	IPG	Robroyston Park	1	2	CRS
Gartloch Pools	2	-	CRS	Rouken Glen Pond	1	0	J&VW
Garvald Quarry	2	4	AMcA	Shepherd's Pond	1	-	FL
Glen Moss	1	2	NJT	St Germain's Loch	1	2	HM
Greenhead Pond	1	3	JCM	Walton Dam	1	-	IAM
Harelaw Dam	3	b/2,1,1	J&VW	Waulkmill Glen Reservoir	1	1	J&VW

Summary: 62 pairs reported from 44 sites, with a mean brood size of 1.7 young/pr (cf annual mean brood size of 1.6 young/pr 1987-2002). Other notes on breeding included: (i) b/4 hatched Hogganfield Loch 5 Aug, still b/4 on 9 Aug, ? grown b/2 by 23 Aug when also ? grown b/4 and recently hatched b/4, all still surviving 30 Aug (GCC).

Post-breeding/autumn-winter reports included 9 Frankfield Loch 12 Aug, 1 Gartloch Pool (where unusual) 12 Aug-1 Oct (GCC), 7 on Hogganfield Loch 14 Aug, 18 on 11 Sep, max 36 on 9 Oct, 23 on 1 Nov, still 6 on 18-19 Nov, 2 during 6-16 Dec, still 2 on small ice-free patch 17-18 Dec (GCC), 7 Auchendores Resr and 5 Leperstone Resr 3 Sep (FH), 6 Baron's Haugh 2 Sep (MMcG), 9 on 14 Sep (JBB), 4 Harelaw Resr (Barrhead) 14 Sep (PHB,DLC), 10 Caplaw Dam 14 Sep, 8 on 27 Sep, 2 on 19 Oct and 16 Nov, on the estuary 1 at Havoc on 30 Sep (IPG) and 5 at Helensburgh on 7 Oct (GJB), 9 on River Clyde at Thankerton on 19 Oct (HAA), 7 on Broadwood Loch 30 Nov (DACa), and 5 at Mugdock Resr on 8 Dec (HM).

 

Red-necked Grebe Podiceps grisegena

The only report in 2002 was of 1 off Ardmore Point on 14 Feb (GJB).

 

Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus

Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) count totals, detailing the most important sites reported in 2002, are provided in the table overleaf (per JSW,VW).

Other winter-spring reports on the estuary included 2 Longhaugh Point 2 Jan (IPG), 1 on 10 Feb (JSW,VW), 1 on 25 May, 92 off Ardmore Point 13 Jan (IPG), 40 on 9 Mar (JJM), 59 on 17 Mar (AKMcN), 62 on 29 Mar (IPG), 31 on 9 Apr, 32 on 5 May (JBB), 3 on 26 May (AKMcN), 4 in Lunderston Bay 9 Jan (FG), 47 Ardoch 14 Feb (JBB), 20 Woodhall 27 Feb (DACa), 60 Langbank 3 Mar (per JSW,VW), 21 on 20 Mar (DSF), and 24 off Cardross 13 Mar (IPG). The only inland report apart from WeBS during January was 1 at Barr Loch on 22 Jan (ECD).

Table: Great Crested Grebe WeBS counts

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Clyde Area Total	123	109	106	59	61	48	121	183	177	143	134	78
Sites recorded	7	12	14	18	21	19	16	11	18	14	8	7
Clyde Estuary	110	90	75	13	9	3	73	154	139	118	112	71
Waulkmill/Littleton Resrs	0	3	4	5	9	6	5	6	0	2	6	1
Balgray Reservoir	0	1	1	4	4	6	9	6	4	1	0	2
Lochwinnoch	3	1	4	7	5	0	-	0	0	0	6	0
Frankfield Loch	0	0	0	6	5	5	4	3	0	4	0	0
Endrick Mouth	2	5	2	-	-	-	-	0	6	0	2	0
Broadwood Loch	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	4	3	0	1
Bishop Loch	0	1	1	2	6	0	3	1	2	3	0	0

Spring return inland involved 3 including a displaying pair Waulkmill Glen Resr 5 Feb, 3 nests there by 26 Apr (JSW,VW), 1 Bishop Loch 11 Feb, 3 prs on 16 May, 1 Hogganfield Loch 24 Feb, a displaying pair 13-23 Mar (CRS), displaying pair and single bird 4-12 Apr, 2 prs 17 May, 1 pr bred (GCC), 1 Kilmardinny Loch 3 Mar, pair and single Carron Valley Resr 26 Mar (AKMcN), 14 Endrick Mouth 7 Apr (IPG), 10 on 15 Apr (AKMcN), a pair Kilmannan Resr 8 Apr (GJB), and a pair on Gartloch Pool 8 Apr-14 June (GCC et al).

Breeding (see comments under Little Grebe)

Site	Pairs	Young	Obs	Site	Pairs	Young	Obs
Auchendores Reservoir	1	-	FH	Hogganfield Loch	1	2	GCC
Balgray Reservoir	2	0	J&VW	Jaw Reservoir	1	0	JJM
Baron's Haugh	1	2	JCM	Johnston Loch	1	1	IPG
Bishop Loch	3	0	GCC	Kilmannan Reservoir	1	-	AKMcN
Brother Loch	1	0	IAM	Kilmardinny Loch	1	2	NK
Carron Valley Reservoir	1	2	RKP	Lilly Loch	1	1	FF
Frankfield Loch	2	5	GCC	Lochend Loch	1	2	CL
Gartloch Pool	1	0	GCC	Lochwinnoch Reserve (AM)	1	0	RSPB
Greenhead Pond	1	2	JCM	Lochwinnoch Reserve (BL)	1	0	RSPB
Hamilton Low Parks	1	0	SLRS	Waulkmill Glen Reservoir	3	0	J&VW
Harelaw Dam	2	0	J&VW	Woodend Loch	1	0	CL

Summary: 29 breeding pairs reported from 22 sites, with a mean brood size of 0.70 young/pr (cf annual mean brood size of 0.98 young/pr 1987-2002). Other notes included: (i) the Gartloch Pool pair apparently nested mid-May, but had failed by 9 June; also failed at egg stage in 2nd attempt (GCC); (ii) the Hogganfield Loch pair had newly-hatched b/2 on 16 July, both half-grown by 12 Aug, almost full-grown by 23 Aug (GCC); (iii) at Jaw Resr the nest was flooded out (JJM); (iv) a pr present on Possil Loch built a nest, but did not lay (JJM); (v) 2 non-breeding prs were present on Hillend Resr (FF).

Post-breeding/autumn-winter reports included an ad with full-grown b/1 appeared on Hogganfield Loch 12 Aug, 3 ads in addition to breeding pair 20 Aug, still 3 on 1 Nov, 1 till 12 Dec (GCC), 3 Hillend Reservoir 9 Nov (HAA), and 9 at the Endrick Mouth on 29 Dec (JTT). Reports from the Clyde estuary included 63 off NW side Ardmore Point 29 July (PC), 6 off Langbank 17 Nov, 3 at Woodhall on 17 Nov (IPG), and 109 off Ardmore Point on 27 Dec (AGo), precisely the same count as on 30 Dec 2001 (ed.).

Table: Great Crested Grebe counts from Ardmore Point in 2002

	13 Jan	10 Feb	3 Mar	9 Mar	13 Mar	17 Mar	29 Mar	7 Apr	9 Apr
Ardmore Point	92	36	3	40	36	59	62	24	31
Clyde Estuary total *	110	90	75	40	75	59	62	24	31
Ardmore observer	IPG	IPG	IPG	JJM	IPG	AKMcN	IPG	IPG	JBB
	14 Apr	5 May	12 May	26 May	9 June	14 July	29 July	11 Aug	26 Aug
Ardmore Point	12	32	6	3	1	70	63	154	168
Clyde Estuary total *	13	32	9	3	3	73	63	154	168
Ardmore observer	IPG	JBB	IPG	AKMcN	IPG	IPG	PC	IPG	IPG
	8 Sep	24 Sep	30 Sep	6 Oct	9 Nov	17 Nov	8 Dec	27 Dec
Ardmore Point	136	154	147	110	71	80	61	109
Clyde Estuary total *	139	154	149	118	72	112	71	109
Ardmore observer	IPG	AKMcN	IPG	IPG	IPG	IPG	IPG	AGo

* (incorporating counts from elsewhere on the estuary on the same date)

 

Slavonian Grebe Podiceps auritus

The Clyde Estuary is of national importance for this species, with a 5-year mean maximum of 34 birds, using Clyde Bird Report data, as shown in the table below (seasons are as in the WeBS reports, i.e. April to March).

Clyde Estuary	97-98	98-99	99-00	00-01	01-02	Mean
WeBS counts	25	5	22	20	10	16
Clyde Bird Reports	40	29	31	34	38	34

The winter-spring maximum count was of 38 birds on 13 Mar (IPG); the first moulting bird was reported on 9 Mar (JJM), others were moulting by 13 Mar, and all 24 seen off Ardmore Point on 29 Mar were in full breeding plumage (IPG). See table below for selected counts. Other winter-spring reports and supplementary notes from the estuary involved only 2 seen off Ardmore Point in very poor visibility on 10 Feb and 3 Mar (IPG), 5 on 9 Mar included one moulting into breeding plumage (JJM), the count of 14 Cardross-Ardmore Point on 13 Feb did not include NW side Ardmore (JBB), 16 in same area (seen from Port Glasgow) on 24 Feb, 38 between Cardross-Ardmore 13 Mar included some in breeding plumage (IPG), and only 2 were seen on 6 Apr (JJM).

Autumn-winter reports from the Clyde estuary involved an early individual off Ardmore Point on 4 Aug (JBB), no more until 2 (juv with ad still in breeding plumage) on 24 Sep (FH) and 30 Sep, 3 on 6 Oct, max count 20 off Ardmore Point-Cardross (10 at Cardross) on 17 Nov (IPG), 16 off Cardross at high tide on 9 Nov (IPG), 2 on 7 Dec (MMcG,JTT), 6 on 8 Dec (IPG), 1 off Langbank on 23 Nov (DSF), 1 off Ardmore North Bay 24 Nov, 2 on 7 Dec (JTT) and 30 Dec (AKMcN).

Table:Slavonian Grebe selected counts from Ardmore Point in 2002

	13 Jan	13 Feb	24 Feb	27 Feb	12 Mar	13 Mar	26 Mar	29 Mar	7 Apr
Count	10	14*	16*	12	12	38*	10	24	19*
Observer	IPG	JBB	IPG	HS	JBB	IPG	JBB	IPG	IPG,JJS
	9 Apr	4 Aug	24 Sep	30 Sep	6 Oct	9 Nov	17 Nov	8 Dec	27 Dec
Count	2	1	2	2	3	18*	20*	9*	6
Observer	JBB	JBB	FH	IPG	IPG	IPG	IPG	IPG	AGo

* including birds viewed from Cardross

 

Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus

Clyde estuary counts (WeBS per JSW,VW, see Introduction for actual count dates):

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Newshot Island to West Ferry *	1580	734	312	210	128	40	128	532	413	53	531	430
Ironotter Point/Gourock Bay	113	266	159	28	11	7	39	61	127	122	156	214
Gourock to Wemyss Bay	385	391	258	111	38	34	86	267	455	278	325	282
Dumbarton to Craigendoran	1920	1840	1650	620	630	319	1184	835	1701	2335	3360	2030
Helensburgh to Coulport	1486	964	1201	316	414	156	469	1319	1482	1077	1014	1498
Clyde Estuary Total	5488	4196	3580	1285	1221	557	1931	3024	4178	3878	5386	4512

* (including Milton Island to Dumbarton Rock)

Spring return inland began with 2 Garvald Quarry 9 Feb, a peak of 74 there on 15 Mar (AMcA), 4 at Johnston Loch 11 Feb (NLRS), 3 The Meetings 12 Feb, 66 White Loch (Lan) 12 Feb (AN), a pair Hogganfield Loch on 1-15 Mar, 5 on 24 Mar (GCC,CRS), 90 Douglas Estate Ponds 3 Mar (KS), 41 Biggar Marshes 10 Mar (JSS), 55 at the Endrick Water at Drymen Bridge 11 Mar (JTT), 12 at Crookboat 11 Mar, 34 Lamington 11 Mar (JSW,VW), 46 Ballochruin 16 Mar, 60 on 17 June (GJB), 23 Endrick Mouth 20 Mar, 15 on 6 June (JTT), a pair Frankfield Loch 12 Apr (GCC), and 15 at Muirhouse Sand Quarry on 13 Apr (AKMcN).

Oystercatcher breeding reports

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Ardgowan Point	1	J&VW	Daer Water	18	J&VW	Lochgoin Reservoir	4	JFD
Auchendennan Farm	1	DHM	Douglas Estate Ponds	3	KS	Loch Thom	2	IPG
Balgray Reservoir	2	J&VW	Eaglesham TRS	2	J&VW	Lochwinnoch R (BL)	1	RSPB
Bennan Loch	1	J&VW	Elvan Water, Elvanfoot	1	J&VW	Millichen Flood	1	GJB
Biggar Water Floods	1	JSS	Garvald Quarry	7	AMcA	Muirhouse Sand Quarry	1	AKM
Bowling Oil Terminal	5	JTo	Glen Fruin, Duirlands	2	DHM	Overfingland NS 9209	1	FH
Bridgend Farm Pool	3	JJM	Harelaw pig trap	1	J&VW	Peden Reservoir	3	J&VW
Brother Loch	1	IAM	Helensburgh G Course	1	SL	Potrail Water	3	J&VW
Burncrooks Reservoir	1	AKM	Helensburgh Reservoir	1	DHM	River Clyde, Lamington	3	J&VW
Carstairs State Hospital	30	AN	High Dam	1	JFD	Rowbank Reservoir	2	IPG
Cleuch Reservoir	1	J&VW	Kypeside Fishery	1	J&VW	Stockiemuir	2	DHM
Compensation Resr	1	MMcG	L Lomond, Firkin	1	DHM	Twechar Marsh	1	JJM
Culter Waterhead Resr	1	J&VW	L Lomond, Inchcailloch	1	AKM	White Cart, Eaglesham	1	SL
Daer Reservoir	4	J&VW	Loch Ardinning	1	JJM	Watermeetings TRS	1	J&VW

Summary: 120 pairs reported from 42 'sites' in 2002. Additional comments included (i) 2 prs (one with b/2) at Rowbank Resr on 9 June (IPG).

Inland autumn reports included moderate overnight passage heard Howwood 30 July-5 Aug (IPG), 3 E over SECC, Glasgow 31 July, 2 on 1 Aug, 6 W on 7 Aug, 2 W on 29 Aug (JJM), 6 Millichen Flood 1-3 Aug (AKMcN,JJM), and 7 on amenity grassland Erskine town centre 28 Dec (JTT). Clyde estuary reports included 2,340 at Ardmore North Bay roost on 17 Nov (IPG).

 

Lapwing Vanellus vanellus

Clyde estuary counts (WeBS per JSW,VW, see Introduction for actual count dates):

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Erskine to West Ferry *	1650	640	150	4	1	1	80	152	375	662	1520	990
Langbank to Port Glasgow	560	4	0	0	0	0	192	47	575	570	304	30
Dumbarton to Craigendoran	105	11	0	0	0	0	196	152	158	193	432	248
Clyde Estuary Total	2557	740	166	4	1	1	606	451	1273	1570	2609	1443

* (including Milton Island to Dumbarton Rock)

Winter reports from the estuary included 150 Newshot Island 13 Jan (ACMB), 1200 Erskine-West Ferry 13 Jan (JMC), and 80 between Rosneath and Kilcreggan on 13 Jan (CMW).

Inland reports/spring return involved 10 Cathkin Braes 3 Jan (CRS), 110 Forrestburn Resr 9 Jan (ECD,FH), 30 Lochwinnoch Reserve 3 Feb (KF), 24 Gartloch Pool 7 Feb, 65 on 24 Feb, 3 prs established there but disturbed by anglers from 12 Apr onwards (GCC,CRS), 8 Harestonhill Pond 8 Feb (JCM), 8 Garvald Quarry 9 Feb, 32 on 16 Mar (AMcA), 40 Baron's Haugh 19 Feb (MMcG), 110 at Reivoch Farm 2 Mar (IPG), 30 Linwood Pool 4 Mar (MMcG), 30 at South Medwin Pools 11 Mar (JSW,VW), 5 displaying at Darleith 18 Mar (FL), 17 at the Endrick Mouth 20 Mar (JTT), 14 Bridgend Farm Pool 7 Apr, increasing to 20 by 30 Apr (JJM), 29 Ballochruin Pool 19 Apr (JTT), and a non-breeding flock of 42 (due to cold spring) at Hardridge Farm on 4 May (IPG).

Breeding reports

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Arden, Rossbank Farm	2	DHMcE	Darndaff Moor (south)	2	IPG	Kirkintilloch, Gartshore	1	DHMcE
Barcraigs Resr (N end)	3	IPG	Dumbreck LNR	4	PGC	Lochwinnoch, Aird M	2	RSPB
Biggar Moss	1	J&VW	Dunwan Dam	1	JFD	Lochwinnoch, Barr L	6	RSPB
Biggar Water Floods	10	JSS	Elvan Water, Elvanfoot	2	J&VW	Lurg Moor	2	IPG
Blacketty Water	20	IPG	Gartloch Pool	5	GCC	Normangill	1	DWM
Bridgend Farm Pool	12	JJM	Garvald Quarry	4	AMcA	Overfingland (NS9209)	1	FH
Buchley Pool	1	CRS	Glen Fruin, Duirlands	2	DHMcE	Peden Reservoir	6	J&VW
Caplaw Farm	2	IPG	Harestonhill Pond	4	JCM	Potrail Water	3	J&VW
Cornalees Farm	1	IPG	Helensburgh G Course	1	SL	Rowbank Resr (fields)	2	IPG
Daer Water	12	J&VW	Helensburgh Muir	1	DHMcE	Stoneymollan	1	DHMcE
Daff Reservoir	1	IPG	High Dam	1	JFD	Twechar Marsh	4	JJM

Summary: 121 pairs reported from 33 'sites' in 2002. Other notes included (i) at least 2 young reared at Garvald Quarry (AMcA); (ii) 4 of the 5 prs at Gartloch Pool failed due to disturbance by anglers (GCC); (iii) 20 prs failed at Blacketty Water/Hardridge Farm, apparently due to cold weather; (iv) displaying ♂ Daff Resr 27 May; (iii) 3 ♀♀ incubating on gravel north end Barcraigs Resr but no ♂♂ present 9 June, subsequently failed due to disturbance by anglers (IPG).

Post-breeding/autumn-winter reports included 12 Peden Resr 31 May (JSW,VW), 90 Ballochruin Pool 26 June (AKMcN), 14 Ladymuir Farm 13 July (IPG), 100 Garvald Quarry 14 July (AMcA), 70 Millichen Flood 31 July, 200 on 8 Aug, max 300 on 28 Oct, 224 on 4 Nov (AKMcN,TB), 120 Frankfield Loch 1 Aug, 160 on 14 Aug, max 225 on 5 Nov (CRS), 162 Gadloch 3 Aug, 216 at Bridgend Farm Pool 3 Aug (JJM), 60 Gilmourton South Pools 4 Aug (JSW,VW), 33 at Barcraigs Resr 15 Aug, 42 on 14 Sep (IPG), 15 on 20 Oct (JTT), 1400 Baron's Haugh ?in Sep? (RSPB), 1000 Kaimend 17 Sep, 200 on 12 Nov (JSW,VW), 185 at Heritage Park, East Kilbride on 24 Sep (DWM), and 166 at Twechar Marsh on 25 Sep (DACa). Reports from the Clyde estuary included 800 in fields at East Ferry 5 Nov (IPG), 130 at Newshot Island on 17 Nov (ACMB), 1000 at Milton Island on 17 Nov (JSW,VW), and 200 at Craigendoran Pier roost on 17 Nov (AR).

Inland winter reports were of 115 at Bridgend Farm Pool on 24 Nov (ADW), 46 on 7 Dec (JJM), 30 Baron's Haugh ?in Dec? (RSPB), a large winter flock of 1500 at South Medwin Pools on 3 Dec (JSW,VW), 180 Candrens Farm 11 Dec (IPG), and 102 at the Gadloch on 27 Dec (JJM).

 

Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria

Winter-spring reports included 42 at Arkleston Farm, Paisley on 15 Mar, 11 on 17 Apr (DACa), and 13 at Millichen Flood on 10 Apr (AGJ).

Breeding season reports were of 6 birds, including 3 territorial ♂♂, on Lowther Hill on 4 May (JJM), 2 territories Sgairneach Mor 1 June, 1 territory Troisgeach 1 June (ECD), 1 territory on the Caorann Plateau on 8 June, and 16 birds on Maol Meadhonach (NN2414) on 20 July (FH).

Reports of autumn passage involved 20 at Baron's Haugh on 12 Aug (JCM), 10 on 30 Aug, 9 on 9 Oct (JCM), 1 (in summer plumage) in Ardmore North Bay 24 Aug (KF), 2 Cardross 8 Sep, 1 on 9 Nov (IPG), 1 calling Finnich Glen 27 Sep (GJB), 6 W over Craighall Dam on 5 Oct (JSW,VW), 60 at Dunwan Dam on 6 Oct (JFD), and 1 over Black Loch (Lan) on 15 Nov (SRi).

Other autumn and winter reports included 250 at Bankhead flood, The Meetings 7 Oct (JSW,VW), 200 at The Meetings on 19 Oct, 500 Ravenstruther 9 Nov (HAA), 100 Kaimend 12 Nov (JSW, VW), 19 circling over summit of Hill of Stake 16 Nov (ECD), a very unusual record of 50 on the shore at Helensburgh on 23 Nov (GJB), and 60 at South Medwin Pools on 3 Dec (JSW,VW).

 

Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola

A winter report involved 1 at Ardmore Point on 4 Jan (GJB).

Autumn-winter reports were of 1 in Ardmore North Bay 10 Sep, 3 on 11-15 Sep, 3 at Cardross on 23 Sep (PC,JAP-M), 1 at Ardencaple 13 Sep (HS), and 2 in Ardmore South Bay on 12 Dec (JBB).

 

Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula

Clyde estuary counts (WeBS per JSW,VW, see Introduction for actual count dates):

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Cardwell Bay to Wemyss Bay	0	0	2	5	3	4	16	5	59	79	15	39
Cardross Bay-Rhu Point	41	63	13	4	17	7	8	36	62	34	148	111
Clyde Estuary Total	41	63	17	16	36	11	29	59	127	113	163	150

Winter-spring reports included 54 Cardross Bay 10 Feb (IPG), 22 Ardmore Point 23 Apr, 6 on 21 May (AKMcN), and 12 at Longhaugh Point on 12 May (JMC).

Return to inland breeding sites involved 1 at Garvald Quarry on 11 Feb, 4 on 13 Mar (AMcA), 1 Loch Thom 17 Feb (MMcG), 2 Douglas Estate 3 Mar (KS), 3 Burncrooks Resr 20 Mar (NB), 3 Endrick Mouth 26 Mar (GJB), and a pair at the SECC on 27 Mar (JJM).

Other spring reports, including migrants, involved a pair at Hogganfield Loch on 1 Apr (BZ), 1 on 20 May (GCC), 1 Bridgend Farm Pool 10 Apr-10 May (JJM), a pair at Gartloch Pool 12-15 Apr (GCC) and 25 Apr (DACa), 1 there 17-20 May (GCC), a pair on 19 May (CRS), 1 on 14-15 June (GCC), 3 Twechar Marsh 13 Apr (JJM), 3 Balgray Reservoir 23 Apr (JSW,VW), a pair on 9 May (DACa), 1 Carbarns Haugh 26 Apr (ECD), and 6 at Baron's Haugh on 14 May (GJB).

Ringed Plover breeding reports

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Ardgowan Point	1	J&VW	Carbarns Pool	1	FH	Muirhouse Sand Quarry	1	AKMcN
Barcraigs Reservoir	1	IPG	Douglas Estate Ponds	2	KS	Netherton, Wishaw	1	JCM
Bowling, oil terminal	3	JTo	Garvald Quarry	4	AMcA	R Clyde, Lamington	1	J&VW
Burncrooks Reservoir	3	AKMcN	Loch Thom	1	JBB
Camps Reservoir	1	J&VW	Lunderston Bay	2	FG

Summary: 22 pairs reported at 13 sites in 2002. Other breeding season observations included (i) b/1 noted at Camps Resr 21 July (JSW,VW); (ii) 5 young noted at Garvald Quarry (AMcA); (iii) a pair alarm-calling at north end Barcraigs Resr 9 June (IPG); (iv) b/4 noted at Bowling Oil Terminal on 14 July (JSW,VW).

Inland reports in autumn involved 2 Millichen Flood 10 Aug (JJM,CJMcI), 4 on 13 Aug (JC), 2 on 15 Aug (AKMcN). Clyde estuary counts included 15 Cardross Bay 11 Aug, 14 on 30 Sep (IPG), 55 on 19 Oct (JTT), 50 on 17 Nov (RCW), 56 on 8 Dec (IPG), 66 Ardmore South Bay 4 Nov (JTT), 35 Ironotter Point 17 Aug (IPG), 62 on 6 Oct (FG), and 98 at Rhu Point on 17 Nov (AR).

 

Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius

Reports in 2002 involved 2 at Carbarns Pool from 25 Apr-15 May (JCM, per BS et al), and 1 bird (described as ?an immature?, so presumably a third individual - ed.) on a nearby shingle bank of the River Clyde on 28 Apr (CMcG).

 

Dotterel Charadrius morinellus

Spring passage reports involved 7 on the summit of Tinto on 1 May (MD), 6 there on 4 May (DJN), 1 on Green Lowther Hill 4 May (per JSW,VW), 8 on plateau Green Lowther-Lowther Hill 5 May (CJB,AGJ), and 3 on Lowther Hill on 6 May (per BS).

 

Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus

Spring reports were of 3 Ardmore Point 29 Apr (AKMcN), 6 in the South Bay 2 May (IPG), 2 in the North Bay 3 May (ECD), 3 on 6-7 May (JJM,JBB), 1 on 8 May (JAP-M), 10 Ardmore 12 May (IPG), 5 on 16-17 May (HS,GJB), 3 on 21 May (AKMcN), 1 on 22 May, 1 Ardencaple 30 Apr (HS), and 1 N over Knockinhaglish, Croftamie on 16 May (RKP).

Autumn passage involved 1 at Bridgend Farm Pool 7 July (JJM), 1 at Ardmore Point 11-15 July (DACa,KF), 1 there on 2 Aug (KF), 1 on 11 Aug (IPG), 5 Cardross Bay 26 July, 1 on 2 Aug (KF), 1 on 4 Aug (JBB), 1 Finlaystone Point 25 Aug (JSW,VW), and 1 at Longhaugh Point 8 Sep (JJM).

 

Curlew Numenius arquata

Clyde estuary counts (WeBS per JSW,VW, see Introduction for actual count dates):

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Erskine to West Ferry *	410	290	200	468	102	25	150	252	395	406	200	420
Gourock to Wemyss Bay	66	77	68	0	0	0	0	0	136	87	132	80
Dumbarton to Craigendoran	542	244	292	632	135	3	773	540	894	1396	555	710
Clyde Estuary Total	1059	807	623	1120	237	28	1064	915	1759	1989	1089	1455

* (including Milton Island to Dumbarton Rock)

Inland winter records included 3 Balgray Resr, when 99% ice coverage, on 2 Jan (JSW,VW), 12 at Auchendores Resr on 13 Jan (GT), and 12 at Garvald Quarry on 24 Jan (AMcA).

Winter-spring counts on the estuary included 150 at Milton Island on 19 Apr (IPG). Spring return/passage included 49 at South Medwin Pools on 3 Feb, 300 on 11 Mar (JSW,VW), 4 at White Loch (Lan) 12 Feb (AN), 111 at Garvald Quarry on 18 Feb (AMcA), 3 Harelaw Dam 4 Mar (JSW,VW), 27 at The Meetings on 7 Mar (AN), 200 Biggar Marshes 10 Mar (JSS), 100 at Lamington 11 Mar (JSW,VW), 29 Roberton Mains 15 Mar (AMcA), 26 Ballochruin Pool 16 Mar (GJB), 54 over Hilton Park Golf Course, Milngavie 4 Apr (JJM), 9 over Barrhead 11 Apr (PHB, DLC), and 22 at Bridgend Farm Pool on 10 May (JJM).

Breeding reports

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Bennan Loch	1	J&VW	Garvald Quarry	1	AMcA	Mugdock Country Park	1	AKM
Biggar Water Floods	6	JSS	Glen Fruin, Duirlands	1	DHM	Muirhouse Muir	1	AKM
Bridgend Farm Pool	1	JJM	Glen Fruin, Ballymenoch	1	DHM	Muirhouse Sand Quarry	1	AKM
Crawhin-Cornalees Fm	4	IPG	Greenside Reservoir	2	JJM	Overfingland NS 9209	1	FH
Culter Glen	3	J&VW	Harelaw Dam	1	J&VW	Potrail Water	1	J&VW
Daer Reservoir	2	J&VW	Helensburgh G Course	2	SL	Stockiemuir	2	DHM
Daer Water	4	J&VW	High Banton	1	PGC	Stoneymollan	1	JTT
Dunwan Dam	1	JFD	Hilton Park G Course	1	AKM	Twechar Marsh	1	JJM
Endrick Mouth	1	AKM	Langlands	1	DWM	W Cart W at Eaglesham	1	SL
Garnkirk Moss	1	CRS	Lochgoin Reservoir	2	JFD

Summary: 47 pairs reported from 29 'sites' in 2002.

Autumn-winter reports on the Clyde estuary included 722 at the Ardmore North Bay roost 8 Sep, 650 there on 30 Sep, 826 on 6 Oct, 305 on 17 Nov, and 410 on 8 Dec (IPG).

Inland reports included 14 at Muirhouse Sand Quarry 13 July (AKMcN), 100 Gilmourton South Pools 4 Aug (JSW,VW), 80 Bridgend Farm Pool 10 Aug, still 28 there on 1 Dec (JJM), 13 at Millichen Flood on 8 Oct, still 29 there on 5 Dec (AKMcN), 27 on 11 Dec (JC), 1 on 15 Dec (GJB), 130 at Baron's Haugh on 13 Nov (JCM), 8 in Glen Fruin 30 Nov (JBB), and 57 at Garvald Quarry on 28 Dec (AMcA).

 

Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica

Winter-spring reports involved 2 in Ardmore North Bay on 13 Jan (IPG), 3 there on 23 Jan (ECD), 3 on 10 Feb, 5 on 27 Feb, 11 on 3 Mar, 10 on 13 Mar (IPG et al), 16 on 26 Mar, 10 on 27 Mar (JBB), 17 on 29 Mar (IPG,ECP), max 25 on 3 Apr, 1 on 7 May (JBB), 1 on 12 May, 6 on 21 May, 2 on 3 June, 2 on 9 June (IPG,AKMcN), 24 in Ardmore South Bay on 7 Apr (IPG), 8 on 19 Apr (ECD,FH), 12 on 23 Apr, 2 on 29 Apr (IPG), and 11 there on 3 June (HS).

Autumn reports were of 1 (in breeding plumage) Ardmore North Bay 8 July, 2 (one in breeding plumage) on 15 July, 3 on 16 July (KF,IPG), 2 on 25 July (GJB), 1 on 11 Aug (IPG), 3 on 23 Aug (GJB), 1 on 26-27 Aug, 4 on 3 Sep, 2 on 24 Sep, 3 on 1-2 Oct, 2 on 4 Oct, 1 on 13 Oct, 1 on 19 Oct, autumn max 14 on 4 Nov and 9 Nov, 9 on 9 Nov (AKMcN,IPG,JBB et al), 2 in Ardmore South Bay on 16 Sep (HS,JBB), 4 on 4 Nov (MMcG,JTT), and 3 at Havoc on 10 Oct (PC). Winter reports involved 1 in Ardmore North Bay 15 Nov, 3 on 16 Nov, winter max 13 on 17 Nov (and on 8 Dec), 1 on 18 Nov, 11 on 19 Nov, 2 on 23 Nov, 3 on 28-29 Nov, 13 on 8 Dec, 3 in Ardmore South Bay on 7 Dec, 6 on 12 Dec, and 2 on 27 Dec (JBB,IPG,JTT et al).

Counts of Bar-tailed Godwit at Ardmore in 2002 (see above for observers)

Winter-spring

Date	13 Jan	23 Jan	10 Feb	27 Feb	3 Mar	13 Mar	26 Mar	27 Mar	29 Mar	3 Apr
Count	2	3	3	5	11	10	16	10	17	25
Date	7 Apr	19 Apr	23 Apr	29 Apr	7 May	12 May	21 May	3 June	9 June
Count	24	8	12	2	1	1	6	11	2

Autumn-winter

Date	8 July	15 July	16 July	25 July	11 Aug	23 Aug	26 Aug	27 Aug	3 Sep	16 Sep
Count	1	2	3	2	1	3	1	1	4	2
Date	24 Sep	1 Oct	2 Oct	4 Oct	13 Oct	4 Nov	9 Nov	15 Nov	16 Nov	17 Nov
Count	2	3	3	2	1	14	14	1	3	13
Date	18 Nov	19 Nov	23 Nov	28 Nov	29 Nov	7 Dec	8 Dec	12 Dec	27 Dec
Count	1	11	2	3	3	3	13	6	2

 

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa

Monthly minimum numbers reported:

Date	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
No. of birds	0	0	0	205	27	0	1	87	18	8	9	0

Spring passage involved 2 at the Endrick Mouth 5 Apr, 4 on 9 Apr, 1 on 17 Apr, 1 on 2-3 May (GJB,RKP), 100 at Carbarns Haugh on 22 Apr (JCM), 55 at Longhaugh Point on 22 Apr (ECD), 4 at Balgray Resr on 23 Apr (JSW,VW), 40 at West Ferry on 24 Apr (IPG), 1 at Ballochruin Pool on 29 Apr (AKMcN), 22 at Newshot Island on 1 May (ECD), 1 there on 5 May (ACMB), 1 at Twechar Marsh on 10 May (JJM), and 2 at Ardmore North Bay on 12 May (IPG).

Autumn passage involved 1 in Ardmore North Bay 8-15 July (AKMcN,KF), 3 there on 4 Sep (JBB), 2 on 9 Sep (FH), 1 on 10 Sep (PC), 2 at the Gadloch on 3 Aug, 4 on 10 Aug, 1 on 11 Aug (JJM), 1 on 10 Sep (PC), 14 at Millichen Flood on 7 Aug (GCC,TB), 22 on 9 Aug (AKMcN), 2 on 10 Aug (CJMcI), 3 on 12 Aug, 1 on 14-15 Aug (DAC,GCC et al), 1 Erskine Shore 15 Aug (ECD), 3 on 27 Aug (FH), 2 Newshot Island 16 Aug (ECD), 4 on 27 Aug (FH), 4 on 6 Oct (ACMB), 16 at Carbarns Haugh 18 Aug, 23 on 29 Aug, 9 at Baron's Haugh 19 Aug, 29 on 23 Aug (JCM), 20+ on 30-31 Aug (per BS), 8 on 1 Sep (JJM), 10 on 2 Sep (MMcG,JTT), 6 on 6 Sep (SK), ?max 11 in Sep? (RSPB), 3 Longhaugh Point 12 Sep (JTo), 4 on 2 Oct (FH), 3 on 12 Nov (JTo), and 6 in fields at East Ferry on 2 Nov (RGN et al).

 

Turnstone Arenaria interpres

Clyde estuary counts (WeBS per JSW,VW, see Introduction for actual count dates):

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Cardwell Bay to Wemyss Bay	1	8	6	8	0	0	0	14	3	12	1	0
Helensburgh to Rhu	22	22	22	0	0	0	0	23	14	22	4	0
Rhu to Coulport	0	7	4	18	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	11
Clyde Estuary Total	23	37	32	26	0	0	0	37	17	34	8	11

WeBS counts apparently continue to miss some Turnstones, although there has been a real decline since the mid-1970s (ed). Other reports included 20 at McInroy's Point on 31 Jan (DH), and 15 at Helensburgh on 25 Apr (HS). Autumn-winter Clyde estuary reports included 1 Cardross Bay 26 July (KF), 6 Ironotter Point 17 Aug (IPG), 5 Lunderston Bay 28 Dec, 10 on 30 Dec (FG).

 

Knot Calidris canutus

Unusually, none reported in the first half of the year, and no inland report in any part of the year.

Autumn-winter reports included 20 at Ardmore on 1 Aug (FH), 7 (in breeding plumage) Ardmore North Bay 2 Aug (KF), 11 there on 4 Aug (JBB), 8 on 20 Aug (ECD), 2 on 27 Aug (AKMcN), max count 27 on 2 Sep (PC), 14 on 3 Sep (HS), 16 on 4 Sep (JBB), 8 on 24 Sep (GJB), 5 on 2-5 Oct (JBB), 1 on 4 Nov (MMcG,JTT) and 16-17 Nov (JBB,IPG), 2 on 23 Nov (JBB), 24 Nov (JTT) and 27 Dec (AGo), and elsewhere on the estuary 2 at Erskine shore on 15 Aug (ECD), 2 S past Wemyss Point on 18 Aug (IPG), 1 at Lunderston Bay 4-7 Sep (FG,IPG), 1 on rocks Wemyss Point 7 Sep (IPG, ECP), and 1 in Cardross Bay on 30 Sep (IPG).

 

Ruff Calidris pugnax

Unusual spring records were of 3 (2 ♂♂ and a ♀) at Bridgend Farm Pool on 7 Apr, then 4 (3 ♂♂ and the ♀) 8-10 Apr (JJM et al), still a ♂ on 13 Apr (JJM), and a ♀ at Balgray Resr 13 Apr (JJS).

Autumn reports involved 1 Millichen Flood 7-8 Aug, 2 on 9 Aug, a juv ♂ on 10-11 Aug (TB, GCC,AKMcN et al), 6 at Baron's Haugh on 16 Aug (JCM), 2 on 19-31 Aug (per BS), max 10 there ?in Aug? (RSPB), juv ♂ on 1 Sep (JJM), 1 on 2 Sep (MMcG,JTT), 1 ?in Oct? (RSPB), 2 Carbarns Haugh 18 Aug (per BS), juv ♂ Bridgend Farm Pool 15 Sep (JJM), 3 Gadloch 20-22 Sep (IPG,BZ), still 1 on 30 Sep (BZ), and 1 along the Black Cart Water at Yonderton 24 Sep-8 Oct (GTW).

 

Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea

Autumn reports were of singles, possibly the same individual, at Erskine shore on 15-16 Sep (GT, ECD), 22 Sep (IPG) and 26 Sep (SCV).

 

Sanderling Calidris alba

None reported in 2002.

 

Dunlin Calidris alpina

Clyde estuary counts (WeBS per JSW,VW, see Introduction for actual count dates):

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Erskine to West Ferry *	143	755	20	0	12	0	15	0	10	0	12	145
Langbank to Port Glasgow	100	86	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	550	0
Ironotter Point (roost)	98	2	32	0	0	0	32	11	35	0	0	0
Dumbarton to Cardross	0	56	0	0	15	0	0	0	0	50	30	715
Rhu Point/Marina (roost)	1013	27	90	0	0	0	0	0	0	17	261	279
Clyde Estuary Total	1495	929	144	0	27	0	50	16	45	67	1013	1141

* (including Milton Island to Dumbarton Rock)

Winter-spring reports included 1000 at Rhu on 13 Jan (HS), 120 Rosneath-Kilcreggan 13 Jan (CMW), 114 at the Cart/Clyde confluence 21 Jan (ECD), 400 feeding at Milton Island on 23 Jan (JBB), and an inland record of 1 at Strathclyde Loch on 11 Feb (NLRS).

Spring passage reports were of 2 Ardmore North Bay 21 May (AKMcN), 10 Balgray Reservoir 16 May (JSW,VW), 1 Twechar Marsh 18 May (JJM), and 3 Douglas Water Pool 19 May (AAM).

Breeding season reports at known former breeding sites were of 2 at the Endrick Mouth on 7 May (AKMcN), a pair Bennan Loch 7 May (JSW,VW), 4 Douglas Estate Pool 19 May (AAM), 2 there on 4 June (HAA), and 1 near Burncrooks Reservoir on 4 July (GJB).

Inland autumn passage reports involved 2 Endrick Mouth 29 July, 1 on 26 Aug, 2 on 9 Sep, 2 on 26 Sep, 4 on 7 Oct (GJB,RKP,LM), a juv at Gadloch on 10 Aug, 2 juvs on 1 Sep, 1 Bridgend Farm Pool 15 Sep (JJM), 2 Garnqueen Loch 31 Oct (CL), and 13 at Millichen Flood 3 Nov (AKMcN).

Clyde estuary reports included 50 at Ardmore Point on 20 Aug (ECD), 160 there 17 Nov (IPG), 270 on 18 Nov (FH), 50 on the Erskine Shore 24 Sep (ECD), 600 at Langbank on 5 Nov, 535 on 17 Nov, and at Cardross Bay 200 on 17 Nov, 715 on 8 Dec (IPG).

 

Little Stint Calidris minuta

In spring, one was at Carbarns Pool on 15 May (JCM), and one was at Douglas Water Pool on 19 May (AAM). The only autumn report was of an adult at the middle pond in Douglas Estate on 24 July (KS).

 

Woodcock Scolopax rusticola

Winter-spring reports were of 3 at the Endrick Mouth on 3 Jan (RKP), singles there on 27 Jan and 22 Mar (GJB), 2 at Cathkin Braes 3 Jan, singles there on 4 Jan and 17 Jan (DWM), 1 Paisley Moss 13 Jan (DACa), 1 Netherton Braes 16 Jan (CRS), 1 Eastmuir Plantation 18 Jan, 4 Coltness 21 Jan, 1 on 11 Feb (JCM), 1 Linn Park 6 Feb (SAW), 1 Pilmuir Quarry 7 Feb (JSW,VW), 1 Shepherd's Pond, Cardross 13 Feb, 1 Stoneymollan 20 Feb (FL), 1 Mugdock Country Park 18 Feb (AKMcN), 2 Dumbrock Muir 10 Mar (TPD), 1 flew across B832 at dusk at Rossbank Farm, Arden 21 Mar, 1 across same road at Callendoun Farm, Arden 23 Mar (DHMcE), and 1 in Yorkhill Park, Glasgow on 23 Mar (DJN).

Roding birds were 1 at Seath Avenue, Langbank Mar-Apr (DSF), 2 Dumbrock Muir 2 Mar, 1 on 19 Apr, 3 on 27 May (HAA), 1 on 5 July (AKMcN), 1 at Garelochhead on 28 Mar (AMcI), 1 at Gartocharn Bog on 6 June, and 1 at 'Twenty Acres Field', Endrick Mouth on 17 June (JTT). Other breeding season reports included 1 at Loch Ardinning on 20 Apr (DCS), and 1 at Mugdock Country Park on 23 Apr (GJB).

Following a large 'fall' of Woodcock on the east coast between East Lothian and Aberdeenshire on 2 Nov (per SOC website), some of the following reports were in unusual situations: one over Netherlee on 2 Nov (SAW), singles picked up at Braehead Bus Station and in Newton Mearns, taken to Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue Centre on 4 Nov (per GC), singles at Blythswood Estate, Renfrew 4-8 Nov (FH), Braehead Moss 4 Nov (SRi), between Victoria Circus and Kensington Gate, Dowanhill on 7 Nov (JJM), beside the Kelvin Walkway at Kelvinbridge 8 Nov (per JJM), picked up in Ann St, Greenock and taken to Hessilhead on 11 Nov (per GC), Waukenwae Moss 11 Nov (SRi), Kirkhill, Newton Mearns 16 Nov (JSW,VW), one SW over Queen's Park, Glasgow on 13 Nov (JMcO), and one flushed by a train at Hyndland Station on 27 Nov (JBB). Other winter reports involved singles at Darleith 9 Nov-7 Dec (FL), at Darnley Glen on 10 Dec (JSW,VW), Lennox Park, Milngavie on 15 Dec (AKMcN), Cathkin Braes on 16 Dec (DWM), Allanton on 19 Dec, Greenhead Pond on 28 Dec (JCM), and at the Endrick Mouth on 29 Dec (JTT).

 

Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus

Monthly minimum numbers reported:

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
No. of birds	18	12	14	10	1	20	27	40

Winter-spring reports involved 1 at Hogganfield Park LNR 13 Jan (CRS), 3 on 10 Feb (IL et al), 1 on 1 Mar (GCC), 2 Windlaw Marsh 6 Jan (DWM), 6 on 9 Jan (SAW), 3 on 3 Feb and 17 Feb (IL et al), 5 on 7 Mar (CRS), 8 on 22 Mar, 7 on 5 Apr (SAW), 2 Littleton Resr 13 Jan (JSW,VW), 7 on 19 Jan (JJS), 4 on 10 Feb, 2 on 3 Mar, 2 there and 2 at Waulkmill Glen Resr on 19 Mar (JSW,VW), 2 at Littleton Resr on 13 Apr (JJS), 2 Linwood Pool 26 Jan (ECD), 1 Gartshore Moss 3 Feb (AKMcN), and at Paisley Moss singles on 24 Feb (ECD), 5 Mar and 9 Apr (IPG).

Autumn-winter reports included good counts at several sites: 1 in the marsh at Hogganfield Park LNR 22 Sep (CRS), max 9 on 9 Oct (GCC), 2 on 12 Oct, 1 on 13 Oct, 2 on 14 Oct, 7 on 19 Oct (CRS), 4 on 23 Oct and 28 Oct (GCC), 2 on 30 Oct (JJM), 3 on 4 Nov, 1 from 8-17 Nov (GCC), 2 on 14 Dec (IMcC), 1 on 18 Dec (CRS), 1 Balgray Resr 6 Oct (JSW,VW), 2 at Windlaw Marsh on 15 Oct, 6 on 31 Oct, 7 on 3 Nov, 4 on 9 Nov, max 11 on 2 Dec (DWM,SAW), 1 Robroyston Park 20 Oct (CRS), 2 Aird Meadow 28 Oct, 1 on 29 Oct, 3 on 6 Nov, 2 on 12 Nov, 1 on 13 Nov and 17 Nov (RSPB et al), 1 Summerston 31 Oct (GJB), 1 on island at Heritage Loch, East Kilbride 20 Nov (TS), 11 Broadwood Loch 24 Nov (ADW), 12 on 30 Nov, max 15 on 8 Dec, 4 on 28 Dec (IL et al), 1 Fannyside Loch (west) 24 Nov (ADW), max 10 Littleton Resr 8 Dec (JSW,VW), 6 on 22 Dec, 10 again on 30 Dec (JJS), and 2 at Possil Marsh on 8 Dec (TPD).

 

Snipe Gallinago gallinago

Winter-spring reports included 15 at Erskine Harbour on 3 Jan (ECD), 91 Newshot Island 4 Jan, 26 on the north bank of the Black Cart Water at Inchinnan 4 Jan (ACMB), 25 Shandon, Drymen 11 Jan (NB), 20 Windlaw Marsh 17 Jan (CRS), 24 Linwood Pool 26 Jan (IPG), 13 on 18 Apr (ECD), 15 Littleton Resr 10 Feb (JSW,VW), 15 Endrick Mouth 20 Mar (JTT), 18 there on 15 Apr (AKMcN), and 16 at Robroyston Park Marsh on 3 Apr (CRS).

Breeding (Prs = territorial pairs or number of drumming birds)

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Barnaigh (road junction)	1	IPG	Dumbreck LNR	1	PGC	Overfingland (NS9209)	3	FH
Biggar Water Floods	3	JSS	Endrick Mouth	5	JTT	Reivoch Marsh	2	IPG
Bridgend Farm Pool	1	JJM	Helensburgh G Course	1	SL	Rowbank Marsh	3	IPG
Crawhin Hill-Cornalees	3	IPG	Lochwinnoch, Aird M	3	RSPB	Troisgeach Bheag	1	JTT
Crawhin Hill-Leap Moor	4	IPG	Lochwinnoch, Barr L	2	RSPB	Twechar Marsh	2	JJM
Darndaff Moor	5	IPG	Luss, Beinn Eich	1	JTT

Summary: 41 'pairs' reported from 17 'sites' in 2002.

Autumn-winter reports included a high count of 185 at the Endrick Mouth on 13 Aug (LM), 54 at Millichen Flood on 15 Aug (GJB), 35 Baron's Haugh 16 Aug (JCM), 67 Frankfield Loch 6 Sep (IPG), 30 Bridgend Farm Pool 15 Sep (JJM), 20 Cander Moss 19 Sep (SRi), 66 Robroyston Park Marsh 9 Oct (GCC), 16 on 20 Oct (CRS), 42 ?in a tight flock? over Cardross Bay 13 Oct (JTT), 45 Linwood Pool 14 Oct (ECD), 20 Balgray Reservoir 1 Nov (JSW,VW), 18 Braehead Moss 4 Nov (SRi), 36 Windlaw Marsh 9 Nov (SAW), 100 Aird Meadow 12 Nov (RSPB), 25 Black Loch (Lan) 15 Nov (SRi), 130 at Broadwood Loch 24 Nov (JND,ADW), 30 on 28 Dec (AKMcN), 21 Blackfaulds Farm 29 Nov (CRS), 45 Gartloch Pools 6 Dec (GCC), 35 Endrick Mouth 7 Dec (JTT), and an unusual report of 76 flushed from the shore at Langbank on 29 Dec (DSF).

 

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos

Apparently four individuals wintering in 2001/2002: one at Rothesay Dock, Clydebank on 1 Jan (ECD), on the River Cart near Clyde confluence 4 Jan, two birds commuting between Rothesay Dock and Cart/Clyde confluence on 8 Feb, one on River Cart at Colin's Isle 23 Feb (ECD), and one at Loch Lomond at main entrance to the LNR on 8 Feb, 2 there on 26 Feb (RKP).

Spring arrival reports involved 2 at the Endrick Mouth 9 Apr (GJB) [possibly the over-wintering birds? - ed.], 1 Dunwan Dam 14 Apr (JFD), 2 on River Cart at Colin's Isle 18 Apr (ECD), 2 at Gartloch Pool 18 Apr (DACa), 3 Black Cart Water at Yonderton 19 Apr (IPG), 1 on Endrick Water at Ballochruin 19 Apr (JTT), 1 Craigmaddie Resr 19 Apr (HM), 2 at Helensburgh Resr on 20 Apr (JAP-M), 1 Baron's Haugh 20 Apr (JCM), 1 Balgray Resr 23 Apr (JSW,VW), 2 Glen Fruin 24 Apr (FL), 1 at Burncrooks Resr and 1 at Kilmannan Resr on 24 Apr (AKMcN).

Breeding reports

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Balgray Reservoir	1	J&VW	Dunwan Dam	2	JFD	L Lomond, Sallochy	1	ECD
Barcraigs Resr (N end)	1	IPG	Endrick Mouth	1	JTT	Loch Thom (south end)	4	IPG
Bennan Loch	2	J&VW	Endrick W, Ballochruin	1	AKM	Lochlyoch Reservoir	1	J&VW
Black Loch (Renf)	1	SAW	Garvald Quarry	1	AMcA	Lunderston Bay	1	J&VW
Burncrooks Reservoir	1	AKM	Glanderston Dam	1	IAM	Overfingland NS9209	1	FH
Calder Water, Lyles Hill	1	IPG	Gleann nan Caorann	1	FH	R Clyde, Baron's Haugh	1	ECD
Calder Water, Muirshiel	1	IPG	Glen Fruin, W Kilbride	1	DHM	R Clyde, Merryton	1	DACa
Cloch Point	1	IPG	Greenside Reservoir	1	JJM	R Falloch, Inverarnan	1	ECD
Cochno Reservoir	1	JJM	Jaw Reservoir	1	JJM	Rowbank Resr	1	IPG
Craigmaddie Reservoir	1	HM	Kaim Dam	1	ZB	White Cart, Eaglesham	2	SL
Culter Glen	5	J&VW	Kilmannan Reservoir	2	AKM
Douglas Estate Ponds	2	KS	L Lomond, Firkin	2	DHM

Summary: 48 pairs reported from 34 sites in 2002. Other breeding notes included: (i) b/2 noted at Garvald Quarry (AMcA).

Post-breeding/autumn passage records included 7 at Newshot Island 7 Aug (HAA), 4 at Ardmore Point on 11 Aug (IPG) and 23 Aug (GJB), 3 at Barcraigs Resr 15 Aug (IPG), 2 at Newshot Island on 16 Aug (ECD), 3 Cloch Point 17 Aug, 2 Wemyss Point 18 Aug, 1 on 8 Sep (IPG), 1 Endrick Mouth 2 Sep (AKMcN), 1 on 15 Oct (GJB), 1 Erskine Harbour 5 Sep (ECD), and 1 at Lamington on 17 Sep (JSW,VW).

One at the Cart/Clyde confluence on 19 Nov (FH) remained to winter between the Carts and Cart/Clyde confluences (GTW,ECD et al), being last reported on 17 Dec; one seen on the Black Cart Water at Yonderton on 17 Dec (per BS) was presumably the same bird (ed.). One at the Endrick Mouth at Shore Wood on 29 Dec was at the same spot as seen on 7 Dec 2001, so was presumably the same individual (JTT).

 

Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus

An overwintering bird was seen at Garvald Quarry on 16 Mar (AMcA), and a spring passage bird was at Bridgend Farm Pool on 8 May (JJM).

Autumn 2002 was poor for this species, with a total of only 7-8 birds: 1 at Douglas Estate from 14 July-12 Aug (KS), 1 at Garvald Quarry on 24 July, 2 there on 16 Aug, 1 from 28 Aug-9 Sep (AMcA), 2 at the Cemetery Marsh, Baron's Haugh 24 Aug, 2 at Baron's Haugh 29-31 Aug (per BS), 1 on 1 Sep (JJM), 1 on 24 Sep, 2 on 27 Sep (per BS), 1 there ?in Oct? (RSPB), 1 at Westmill Farm 13-15 Sep (AMcA), and 1 at Cawder Cuilt Farm Pool on 20 Sep (TB).

Winter reports involved one or two birds: 1 at Baron's Haugh on 2 Dec and 11 Dec (JCM), and 1 on the banks of the River Clyde at Adder's Gill from 3-11 Dec (per BS).

 

Redshank Tringa totanus

Clyde estuary counts (WeBS per JSW,VW, see Introduction for actual count dates):

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Newshot Island to West Ferry *	908	820	885	478	6	1	187	422	320	585	646	871
West Ferry to Port Glasgow	347	128	150	1	0	0	0	2	170	248	460	315
Port Glasgow to Gourock Bay	200	40	172	243	2	0	59	81	139	192	30	3
Dumbarton to Craigendoran	275	149	125	6	2	0	22	3	113	140	480	315
Clyde Estuary Total	1823	1250	1464	772	10	1	375	704	922	1306	1704	1589

* (including Milton Island to Dumbarton Rock)

Winter-spring reports from the estuary included 220 on the Cart/Clyde confluence-Newshot Island sector 10 Feb, 165 on 3 Mar, 122 on 14 Apr (ACMB), and still 64 at Ardmore Point as late as 23 Apr (AKMcN).

Inland winter reports involved 1-2 at Balgray Reservoir during 2-13 Jan (JSW,VW), and 1 at Baron's Haugh on 19 Feb (MMcG,JTT). Spring return/inland passage included 7 at Douglas Estate Pool 3 Mar (KS), a pair Dunwan Dam 3 Mar (JFD), 1 at The Meetings on 7 Mar (AN), 2 at Biggar Water Floods 10 Mar (JSS), 2 at Balgray Reservoir on 11 Mar (JSW,VW) and 6 May (SAW), 1 at Garvald Quarry 12 Mar (AMcA), 1 Hogganfield Loch 21 Mar (GTW), 1 Loch Ardinning 29 Mar (AKMcN), 10 at Twechar Marsh 7-13 Apr, 7 Bridgend Farm Pool 7-13 Apr, 6 on 13 Apr-4 May, 10 on 10 May (JJM), 1 pair Gartloch Pool 8-18 Apr, 2 prs on 19 Apr (GCC), and 27 at the Endrick Mouth on 15 Apr (AKMcN).

Breeding reports

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Ballochruin Pools	2	AKM	Daer Water	1	J&VW	Garvald Quarry	2	AMcA
Bennan Loch	1	J&VW	Douglas Estate	3	HAA	Jaw Reservoir	1	JJM
Biggar Water Floods	2	JSS	Dunwan Dam	1	JFD	Loch Ardinning	1	AKM
Bridgend Farm Pool	3	JJM	Elvan Water, Elvanfoot	2	J&VW	Muirhouse Sand Quarry	1	AKM
Bridgend Farm Pool	4	AKM	Endrick Mouth, Ring Pt	10	AKM	River Clyde, Lamington	1	J&VW
Carstairs State Hosp	6	AN	Endrick Mouth, Wards	2	AKM	South Medwin Pools	2	J&VW
Cornalees Farm	1	IPG	F&CC, Kelvinhead	1	PGC	Twechar Marsh	3	JJM

Summary: 46 pairs reported from 19 'sites' in 2002. Notes included: (i) a pair bred at Compensation Resr at Cornalees Farm for second year at site after long absence (20 years or more), the pair alarm-calling and mobbing a Grey Heron on 25 May (IPG).

Inland reports in autumn-winter were of 7 at Millichen Flood on 31 July (AKMcN), 2 on 1 Aug (GCC,KF), 4 on 30 Oct (TB), 1 on 31 Oct (TPD), 1 on 3 Nov (AKMcN), 1 at Bridgend Farm Pool on 15 Sep (JJM), and 1 at Baron's Haugh on 11 Dec (JCM).

Clyde estuary reports included rather poor nos in autumn, including only 300 at the Erskine/ Bowling Harbour roost on 8 Sep (JSW,VW), 350 on 22 Sep, none feeding on mudflats at low tide Longhaugh Point-West Ferry 21 Sep, 810 at high tide Erskine shore 30 Sep, 185 Ardmore North Bay 17 Nov (IPG), and 187 at the Cart/Clyde confluence roost on 22 Nov (ECD).

 

Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola

Spring passage birds were 2 at Douglas Water Pool on 18 May (per BS), 1 on 19 May (AAM).

Autumn reports were of 1 at Douglas Estate on 14 Sep (KS), and a rather late autumn bird at Baron's Haugh on 4 Oct (JCM).

 

Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus

None reported in 2002.

 

Greenshank Tringa nebularia

WeBS counts are shown overleaf. Other winter-spring reports from the Clyde estuary were of 2 at Newshot Island on 2 Jan (ACMB), and 1 there on 3 Jan and 6 Feb (ECD).

Inland spring passage reports involved 1 at Gartloch Pool on 3 Apr (per TS), 1 at Douglas Water Pool on 3 Apr (per BS), and 1 at Leperstone Resr on 25 Apr (FH) and 1 May (DSF).

Inland autumn passage involved 1 at Bankhead Flood, Carnwath 4 Aug (JSW,VW), 1 at Millichen Flood, Glasgow on 5-7 Aug (AKMcN,TB), 3 there 8-15 Aug (TB,GJB,JJM et al), 2 on 16 Aug (AKMcN), 2 at Gadloch on 10 Aug (JJM), 1 on 1 Sep (per JJM), 1 at Douglas Estate Pool 10 Aug (KS), and 1 at the Endrick Mouth on 12 Aug (RKP).

Clyde estuary reports in autumn, away from Finlaystone Point (see over), involved 1 at Ardmore North Bay 15-16 July (KF,AKMcN), 1 on 24 Aug (KF), 4 at Longhaugh Point 31 July, 1 on 7 Aug, 1 on 13 Aug (FH), 1 at Newshot Island on 27 Aug (ECP), 1 on 14-15 Sep (IPG,ACMB), 1 on 6 Oct (ACMB), 1 on 24 Oct (DACa), and 1 at the Cart/Clyde confluence various dates 22 Sep-14 Nov (FH,ECD et al). Autumn-winter reports from Finlaystone Point included 8 feeding together at mid-ebb tide west of Langbank, and 2 in Woodhall Bay, on 17 Nov (IPG).

Winter reports away from Finlaystone Point were of 1 at Cart/Clyde confluence 15-25 Nov (ECD, FH et al), 1 at the Greenock (former Scott Lithgow yard) roost on 17 Nov (FG), 3 at Auchendores Resr on 23 Nov and 1 at Leperstone Resr on 23 Nov and 21-25 Dec (JTT), 1 on River Cart at Colin?s Isle on 25 Nov, 2 on 29 Nov, 1 on 2 Dec, 1 at Newshot Island on 11 Dec (ECD), and 2 at Cardross on 8 Dec (RCW).

Clyde estuary counts (WeBS per JSW,VW, see Introduction for actual count dates):

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
River Cart to Erskine Bridge	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	0
Erskine Shore to West Ferry	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0
Langbank to Newark Castle*	9	6	9	0	0	0	2	8	10	8	12	0
Milton Island to Dumbarton Rock	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Clyde Estuary Total	9	7	9	0	0	0	2	9	10	9	14	2

* including any birds roosting inland at Auchendores Reservoir

Counts of the Finlaystone Point flock

	13 Janw	15 Jan	3 Feb	10 Febw	3 Marw	17 Mar	26 Mar
Finlaystone Point	9	nc	nc	6	9	6	7
Auchendores Resr *	0	5	7	0	0	nc	nc
Observers	JTo,GT	DACa	IPG	JTo,GT	JTo,GT	GJB	JTo
	25 June	14 Julyw	8 Aug	11 Augw	25 Aug	8 Sepw	12 Sep
Finlaystone Point	2	2	8	8	10	10	11
Auchendores Resr *	0	nc	0	nc	0	0	nc
Observers	JSW,VW	JTo	JSW,VW	JTo	JSW,VW	JTo,GT	JTo
	24 Sep	6 Octw	5 Nov	16 Nov	17 Novw	23 Nov	26 Nov
Finlaystone Point	11	8	0	12	12	nc	12
Auchendores Resr *	0	0	12	nc	0	4	=1+ nc
Observers	JSW,VW	JSW,VW	JSW,VW	DSF	IPG	JTT	JTo

* Inland high tide roost

w WeBS count date

 

Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla

Winter-spring reports included 5 N and 100 S/1hr (1515-1615 hrs) past Cloch Point after strong SW winds 20 Jan (IPG), 6 on 30 Jan, 50 on 2 Feb, 30 on 3 Feb, 4 on 11 Feb (FG), 1 off Cardross 8 Feb (JBB), 5 off Ardmore Point 10 Feb (IPG), 2 dead on shore Lunderston Bay 19 Feb (JGr).

Inland reports involved 2 adults at Hogganfield Loch on 30 Jan (GCC), an adult at the Kelvin mouth, Glasgow on 21 Mar (DJN), and an adult on Aird Meadow on 12 Apr (RSPB).

Table: Counts of Kittiwake passing Cloch Point in 2002

Date	20 Jan	2 Feb	3 Feb	10 Mar	17 Aug
Time	1515-1615	1500-1630	1530-1630	1445-1545	1445-1845
Wind	SW 5	SW 6	W 5	SW 7	S 5
Birds N	5	8	26	133	2
Birds S	100	57	31	2	3
Observer	IPG	IPG	IPG	IPG	IPG

Autumn-winter reports included a compact passage flock of 19 S past Wemyss Point in calm weather on 16 Aug (IPG).

 

Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus

Winter-spring roost counts included 4700 at Hogganfield Loch on 16 Jan (GCC). Other reports included 200 Queen's Park Pond 18 Jan (JMcO), 500 pre-roost at Craigmaddie Resr on 20 Jan (AKMcN), 300 back at Harelaw Dam colony on 4 Mar, 1000 there on 5 May (JSW,VW), still 200 at Drumchapel Playing Fields on 12 Mar (DHMcE), and 300 had returned to breeding colony on Carron Valley Resr by 26 Mar (AKMcN).

Breeding colony counts

Colony site	Pairs/nests	Obs	Colony site	Pairs/nests	Obs
Barcraigs Resr (Ayrshire)	135 nests	IPG	Eaglesham TSR	10 nests	J&VW
Camps Water	1 nest	J&VW	Elvan Water at Elvanfoot	75 nests	J&VW
Carstairs State Hospital	100 nests	AN	Garvald Quarry *	7 pairs	AMcA
Cowgill Loch	456 nests	J&VW	Gilshaw Loch *	38 pairs	JJM
Daer Water	17 pairs	J&VW	Glenochar Pond	80 nests	J&VW
Douglas Water/Tower Fm*	4 nests	KS	Harelaw Dam *	436 nests	J&VW
Dunsyre Mains Pond	44 nests	J&VW

Summary: 1,403 pairs reported from 13 colonies, no significant overall change (+ 5.4%) at colonies also counted in 2001 (marked with *). Comments included: (i) only 2 prs produced 2 young at Garvald Quarry (AMcA); (ii) at Gilshaw Loch many nests were flooded out, only 14 young noted (JJM); (iii) poor breeding success suspected as only 10 juvs were noted in flock of 150 at Balgray Reservoir on 14 July (JSW,VW).

Post-breeding/autumn-winter reports included 700 at Millichen Flood on 31 July, 1250 on 1 Aug (AKMcN), 700 on flooded St James' Park, Paisley 1 Aug, pre-roost 650 there at 1930 hrs on 14 Aug (IPG), 500 aerial feeding at Old Kilpatrick on 16 Aug, 500 feeding on field of cut grass Gleddoch House 16 Aug, 1000 at Milton Island at high tide on 10 Sep (DHMcE), and 440 at Hogganfield Loch on 18 Dec (CRS). The only roost count reported was of 2000 at Balgray Resr on 16 Nov (JJS).

 

Little Gull Hydrocoloeus minutus

Reports involved only two birds during the year: a 1st-s at Carbarns Haugh on 26-27 May (per BS,JCM), and a 1st-s at Millichen Flood from 9-16 June (TPD,CJMcI,AKMcN).

 

Common Gull Larus canus

Winter-spring reports involved roost 75 Hogganfield Loch 16 Jan, spring passage (of birds arriving from SW, stopping to bathe on the loch, then heading off in a NE direction) commenced with 26 on 26 Mar, at least 2 on 28 Mar but usual main passage missed (GCC), 150 at KGV Sports Ground, Renfrew 30 Jan (FH), 920 heading to roost over Garvald Quarry 2 Mar (AMcA), and 500 at Drymen Bridge on 18 Mar (DHMcE). A spring report at an unusual site involved a pair mobbing a Grey Heron at Gartloch Pool on 19 Apr (GCC).

Breeding summary (see table overleaf): 174 pairs reported from 20 sites in 2002; unfortunately no report has been received from the important colony at Coulport MoD base since 1999 (ed.).

Autumn-winter reports included 230 pre-roosting Hogganfield Loch 22 Sep (CRS), 110 Hartfield Farm 19 Oct (IPG), 70 Milton, Glasgow 4 Nov (TPD), and 65 Auchendores Resr 21 Dec (JTT).

Common Gull breeding colony counts

Colony site	Pairs/nests	Obs	Colony site	Pairs/nests	Obs
Bennan Loch	1 nest	J&VW	Glen Fruin, Dumfin	2 pairs	DHMcE
Bowling oil terminal	5 pairs	J&VW	Kaim Dam	1 nest	GB
Burncrooks Reservoir	4 nests	AKMcN	Knocknairshill TRS	1 nest	IPG
Camps Reservoir	7 pairs	J&VW	L Lomond, Firkin	4 pairs	DHMcE
Croy Quarry	10 nests	PGC	L Lomond, Inchcailloch	10 nests	AKMcN
Daer Reservoir	10 pairs	J&VW	L Lomond, Inverbeg	4 pairs	DHMcE
Daer Water	16 nests	J&VW	Loch Thom (island)	4 nests	IPG
Eaglesham TRS	40 pairs	J&VW	Lochcraig Reservoir	2 nests	J&VW
Elvan Water at Elvanfoot	35 nests	J&VW	Muirhouse Sand Quarry	5 pairs	AKMcN
Glen Fruin, Duirlands	1 pair	DHMcE	Watermeetings TRS	12 pairs	J&VW

 

Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus

Winter-spring reports included 3 at Craigmaddie Resr on 6 Jan, 30 at Millichen Flood on 1 Jan (TPD), 29 there on 7 Jan, 33 on 2 Feb (AKMcN), 5 Forrestburn Resr 9 Jan (FH), 2 adults feeding on sheep placentae Ladymuir Farm 31 Mar (IPG), and 4 at Endrick Mouth on 6 June (JTT).

Breeding reports were of 8 on nests Loch Thom island 23 May (IPG),and 3 nests noted Bowling oil terminal, two with b/2 each on 9 June (JSW,VW).

Autumn-winter reports included 4 Endrick Mouth 2 Sep (AKMcN), 2 Baron's Haugh 14 Sep (JJM), 12 at Fannyside Loch (west) on 24 Nov (ADW), and 2 at Lamington on 3 Dec (JSW,VW).

 

Glaucous Gull Larus hyperboreus

Winter-spring reports were of a 1st-w at Strathclyde Loch roost on 4-6 Jan (SCV et al), 8 Jan, 13 Jan and 17 Feb (CJMcI), a 1st-w at Riggend landfill 12 Jan (SCV), an adult Millichen Flood 15 Jan (TPD), a 1st-w on 19 Jan (CJMcI,SCV), an adult on 20 Jan (JJM et al), a 1st-w on 21 Jan (HAA,CJMcI), a 1st-w on 23 Jan (JBB), 3rd-w on 24 Jan (GJB), 1st-w on 25 Jan, 1st-w and adult on 26 Jan (per BS), a 2nd-w on 29 Jan (GJB), a 1st-w and 2nd-w on 2 Feb (AKMcN), a 1st-w on 3 Feb (CJMcI), 25 Feb (CRS) and 19 Mar (GJB), a 1st-w Balmore Rd on 19 Jan (TPD), an adult Greengairs landfill 10 Feb, an adult and a 1st-w on 16 Feb (JJS), and a 1st-w on 24 Feb (CJMcI).

Autumn-winter reports involved a 2nd-w bird at Auchencarroch landfill 3-6 Nov (HB,JCD), and a 2nd‑w at Millichen Flood on 28 Oct (TB) and 30 Oct (ECD,FH).

Glaucous Gull x Herring Gull hybrid (L hyperboreus x argentatus)

Birds reported as hybrid Herring x Glaucous Gulls were an adult at Millichen Flood on 9 Jan and 12 Jan (JJM,TPD), a first-winter bird (initially identified as a probable Kumlien's Gull) present there 16-28 Feb (CJMcI,SCV et al), and an adult at Greengairs landfill on 23 Feb (CJMcI,SCV).

 

Iceland Gull Larus glaucoides

Winter-spring reports involved a large influx (see article on p 135), especially after mid-January:

Millichen Flood (see table overleaf): a 2nd-w 1-19 Jan (TPD,JC et al), ad on 6 Jan (TPD,AKMcN et al), 2 birds (1st-w and 2nd-w) on 7 Jan, 3 birds (1st-w, 2nd-w and ad) on 8 Jan (AKMcN,SCV), 2 birds (2nd-w and ad) on 9 Jan (JJM), a 2nd-w on 11 Jan (AKMcN), 2 birds (1st-w and 2nd-w) on 12 Jan (TPD, JJM), 2 birds (1st-w and ad) on 13 Jan (CJMcI), an ad nearby at Cawder Cuilt 13 Jan (FH), 3 birds (1st-w, 2nd-w and ad) on 15 Jan (TPD,BZ) and 19 Jan (CJMcI,SCV), 3 birds (two 1st-w and a 2nd-w) on 20 Jan (JJM,CJMcI et al), 6 birds (five 1st-w and a 2nd-w) on 21 Jan (CJMcI,SCV ), 3 birds (two 1st-w and a 2nd-w) on 22 Jan (TPD), a 2nd-w on 23 Jan (JBB), 3 birds (1st-w, 3rd-w and an ad) on 24 Jan (TPD,SCV), 4 birds (1st-w, 2nd‑w, 3rd-w and ad) on 25 Jan, 4 birds (a 1st-w, a 2nd-w, 3rd-w and ad) on 26 Jan, 5 birds (1st-w, two 2nd-w, one 4th-w and an ad) on 27 Jan (CJMcI,SCV), one 1st-w on 28 Jan (CJMcI), 2nd-w on 31 Jan (AKMcN), 4 birds (two 1st-w, 2nd-w, 4th-w) on 2 Feb, 4 birds (two 1st-w, 2nd-w, 4th-w) on 3 Feb (CJMcI), 2 birds (1st-w and ad) on 11 Feb (CRS), a 1st-w on 22 Feb (TB), 2 birds (1st-w and an ad) on 24 Feb (CJMcI), a 1st-w on 25-26 Feb, a 1st-w on 28 Feb (TPD,CJMcI et al) and 1 Mar (TB), 2 (1st-w) on 4 Mar (AKMcN) and 8 Mar (TB), a 1st-w on 10 Mar (CJMcI) and 13 Mar (TB), a 3rd-w on 14 Mar (GJB), a 1st-s on 28 Mar and 3 Apr (CRS), and a 3rd-w on 11 Apr (TPD).

Strathclyde Loch: an adult on 1 Jan (per BS), a 1st-w on 4 Jan (CMW) and an ad on 4 Jan (SCV), 2 birds (1st-w and ad) on 6 Jan (CJMcI,SCV), a 2nd-w on 7 Jan (SCV), 2 birds (1st-w and adult) on 12 Jan (JJS CJMcI et al), 3 birds (two adults and a 1st-w) on 13 Jan (CJMcI), 4 birds (two 1st-w, 3rd-w, adult) on 9 Feb (JJS), 6 birds (three 1st-w, 2nd-w and 2 adults) on 17 Feb (CJMcI), 3 birds (1st-w, 2nd-s, adult) on 23 Feb, (CJMcI,JJS,SCV), 2 birds (2nd-w and ad ) on 24 Jan, the 2nd-w had a broken leg as did the 2nd-w at Riggend on 19 Jan (SCV), a 1st-w on 23 Mar (JJS).

Greengairs landfill: 1st-w on 13 Jan, 2 (both 1st-w) on 19 Jan (CJMcI,SCV), a 1st-w on 23 Jan, a 1st-w on 10 Feb (JJS et al), 3 birds (two 1st-w and a 2nd-w) on 16 Feb (CJMcI,SCV), 2 birds (a 1st-w and a 2nd-w) on 23 Feb (CJMcI), and 2 birds (both 1st-w) on 9 Mar (HAA).

Riggend landfill: 2 birds (1st-w, and 2nd-w with broken leg) on 12 Jan (SCV), and a 2nd-w (with broken leg) on 19 Jan (CJMcI,JJS).

Elsewhere: an adult feeding on chicken carcass in garden Muirlees Crescent, Milngavie 1 Jan (SJL), an ad Balgray Resr 19 Jan (JJS), a 1st-w Balmore Road 19 Jan (TPD), 1 Baron's Haugh 20 Feb (JCM), 2 (1st-w and 2nd-w) feeding on the Summerston landfill 21 Jan (TPD), a 1st-s at the Heritage Loch on 27 Mar (per BS), and a 1st-s at Hogganfield Loch 28 Mar-12 Apr (JJM, GCC,BZ et al).

Table: Iceland Gulls at Millichen Flood / Summerston Landfill 2002

Date	1-2 Jan	6 Jan	7 Jan	8 Jan	9 Jan	11 Jan	12 Jan	13 Jan	15/19 Jan	20 Jan	21 Jan
1st-winter	-	-	1	1	-	-	1	-	1	2	5
2nd-winter	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1
3rd-winter	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
adult	-	1	-	1	1	-	-	1	1	-	-
Total	1	2	2	3	2	1	2	2	3	3	6
Observers *	TPD,JC	GJB	TPD	AKMcN	AKMcN	SCV	JJM	AKMcN	TPD	CJMcI TPD	CJMcI	CJMcI,JJM	CJMcI,SCV

Date	22 Jan	23 Jan	24-25 Jan	26 Jan	27 Jan	28 Jan	31 Jan	2 Feb	3 Feb	11 Feb	22 Feb
1st-winter	2	1	1	1	1	1	-	2	2	1	1
2nd-winter	1	-	1	1	2	-	1	1	1	-	-
3rd-winter	-	-	1	1	-	-	-	-	1	-	-
4th-winter	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	1	1	-	-
adult	-	-	1	1	1	-	-	-	-	1	-
Total Birds	3	1	4	4	5	1	1	4	5	2	1
Observers *	TPD,BZ	JBB	GJB,SCV,TPD	CJMcI SCV	CJMcI,SCV	CJMcI	AKMcN	CJMcI	CJMcI	CRS	TB
Date	23 Feb	24 Feb	25 Feb	4 Mar	8 Mar	10 Mar	13 Mar	14 Mar	28 Mar	3 Apr	11 Apr
1st-winter	3	1	1	2	2	1	-	-	1	1	-
2nd-winter	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
3rd-winter	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	1	-	-	1
adult	-	1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Total Birds	3	2	1	2	2	1	1	1	1	1	1
Observers *	JJS	CJMcI	TPD	AKMcN	TB	CJMcI	TB	GJB	CRS	CRS	TPD

* principal observers (generally, first report or highest count on the date)

An unusual summer report involved one (age not given) at Baron's Haugh on 23 July (JCM).

Autumn-winter reports were of a 3rd-w at Auchencarroch landfill 5-7 Nov (JCD per BS), a 3rd-w Millichen Flood 7-8 Nov (TPD), a 3rd-w at Strathclyde Loch on 19 Nov (JJS) and 23 Nov, presumed same bird Carbarns Haugh 22 Nov and 25 Nov (per BS), perhaps same bird (although age not given) at Baron's Haugh on 3 Dec (JCM), an adult at the Balgray Resr roost 14 Dec, thought to be the returning bird now for its tenth winter (first seen 27 Feb 1993) (JJS), and an adult at the Heritage Loch, East Kilbride on 31 Dec (TS).

Kumlien's Gull Larus glaucoides kumlieni

An adult was at Millichen Flood on 20 Jan (CJMcI,JJM et al).

The British Birds Rarities Committee no longer considers reports of this race due to identification difficulties, but the above record has been accepted by the Clyde Bird Records Panel as 'showing the characteristics of Kumlien's Gull' (ed.).

 

Herring Gull Larus argentatus

Winter-spring reports involved 552 at Craigmaddie Resr on 6 Jan, 2220 at Millichen Flood on 7 Jan, 1750 there and 1500 over Summerston landfill (total of 3250) on 29 Jan (AKMcN), a roost count (not an estimate) of 800 at Hogganfield Loch on 16 Jan (GCC), and 1500 at Balmore Road on 19 Jan (TPD).

Reports of birds showing characteristics of the race L a argentatus involved 15 ads at Strathclyde Loch on 4 Jan, 20 on 7 Jan, 10 on 12 Jan (SCV), 22 at Millichen Flood 8 Jan, 20 on 13 Jan (CJMcI), 15 on 19 Jan, 20 on 26 Jan (SCV), 6 on 10 Mar (CJMcI), 25 at Riggend landfill site on 12 Jan (SCV), and 110 at the Greengairs landfill site on 19 Jan (CJMcI).

Breeding colony counts

Colony site	Pairs/nests	Obs	Colony site	Pairs/nests	Obs
Bowling oil terminal	1 nest	JTo	Loch Thom (island)	13 nests	IPG

Autumn-winter counts included 400 at Balgray Resr roost 2 Dec, 1500 at Greengairs landfill site on 14 Dec, of which 30 were argentatus (JJS), and 300 at Mid-Auchencarroch on 29 Dec (JTT).

 

Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis

Reports involved adult(s) coming to the roost at Strathclyde Loch on 6-8 Jan and on 28 Jan (CJMcI,JJS,SCV et al), and an adult roosting at Hogganfield Loch on 3 Feb (CJMcI).

[The 'mystery' putative Yellow-legged Gull was at Queen's Park, Glasgow from 15 Nov (2001) until at least 13 Mar (JMcO,CMcG et al). (See Birding Scotland 3:4.)]

A number of unsubstantiated reports were also received in 2002 (see Appendix 2). Observers are reminded that Yellow-legged Gull records require descriptions submitted to the Local Recorder for consideration by the Scottish Bird Records Committee.

 

Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus

Wintering reports included 12 at Hogganfield Loch 4 Jan, 16 at roost 16 Jan (GCC), 11 Queen's Park Pond 18 Jan (JMcO), 4 Craigmaddie Resr 6 Jan (AKMcN), and 1 at Millichen Flood on 19 Jan, 2 on 29 Jan (TPD).

Spring return included 8 at Millichen Flood on 12 Feb, 24 on 4 Mar (AKMcN), 24 W/1hr past Howwood heading to Barr Loch roost 12 Feb, 50 at roost West Ferry 24 Feb (IPG), 100 ?over Glasgow? on 18 Mar (DHMcE), and 500 at roost Strathclyde Loch 23 Mar (JJS). Spring-summer counts included 130 at Millichen Flood on 13 June (AKMcN).

Breeding colony counts

Colony site	Pairs/nests	Obs	Colony site	Pairs/nests	Obs
Balgray Reservoir	1 nest	J&VW	Glasgow, SECC	2 pairs	JJM
Burncrooks Reservoir	1 nest	AKMcN	Inchinnan Business Park	2 nests	J&VW
Carstairs State Hospital	40 nests	AN	Johnstone, Mary Street	3 nests	ADW
Garvald Quarry	1 nest	AMcA	Linwood Industrial Estate	4 nests	J&VW
Glasgow, Merchant City	4 nests	ADW

Summary: in a poor level of reporting, only 58 nesting pairs reported in 2002. Other breeding notes included: (i) the main Greenock bus depot colony building demolished early May, 5 birds (and one Herring Gull) incubating on nests built in rubble 24 May, but unsuccessful (IPG); (ii) 4 birds were present at Eaglesham TRS on 21 June, but breeding not confirmed; (iii) pair fledged 3 young at Balgray Reservoir (JSW,VW); (iv) the 2 prs at SECC reared one young each (JJM); (v) b/3 noted at Garvald Quarry, nesting on island (AMcA).

Autumn counts included 230 at Hogganfield Loch on 22 Sep (CRS). Winter reports involved one identified as L f fuscus at Baron's Haugh on 9 Oct (JCM), 20 ads at Barcraigs Resr roost 16 Nov (IPG), 1200 at the Strathclyde Loch roost on 20 Oct (CJMcI), 800 at the Balgray Resr roost on 2 Dec, and 160 there on 12 Dec, 110 on 22 Dec (JJS).

 

Sandwich Tern Thalasseus sandvicensis

Spring-summer reports were of 1 Lunderston Bay 1 Apr, 2 on 8 May (FG), 3 Cardross 12 Apr (JBB), 4 Ardmore Point 14 Apr (IPG), 3 on 19 Apr (ECD), 14 on 23 Apr, 7 on 29 Apr (AKMcN), 2 on 3 May (ECD), 4 on 9 June (IPG), 6 S and 1 N past Cloch Point on 22 Apr (FG), 2 N on 30 Apr, 3 S on 24 May (IPG), 3 Ardencaple 24 Apr (HS), and 2 off Newark Castle 24 Apr (DLC).

Autumn movements at Cloch Point involved 7 S/1? hrs on 15 July, 2 N and 3 S/1hr on 20 July, 8 N/1hr on 1 Aug (IPG), 13 N/1? hrs on 11 Aug (JJM), max count 53 N and 26 S/4hrs on 17 Aug, 15 N/2hrs on 23 Aug (IPG), 9 N and 3 S on 30 Aug, 9 N on 1 Sep (FG), and 1 S on 28 Sep (IPG).

Other coastal reports in autumn involved 20 at Ardmore Point on 16 July (AKMcN), max count 74 on 4 Aug (JBB), 73 on 11 Aug (IPG), 38 on 19 Aug, 18 on 6 Sep, 25 on 16 Sep (JTT,JBB), 2 off Ardmore Point 30 Sep, 15 fishing off east end Greenock Esplanade 23 Aug (IPG), 10 at Lunderston Bay on 27 Aug (FG), 4 N and 8 S/2hrs past Wemyss Point 1 Sep, and unusually, a fishing flock of 48 off Cloch Point on 15 Sep (IPG).

Inland: two roosted with the loafing gull flock, then flew off east, at Millichen Flood, Glasgow during autumn passage on 8 Aug (TB).

 

Common Tern Sterna hirundo

Spring-summer reports involved 1 West Ferry 25 Apr (IPG), 2 Ardmore Point 29 Apr, 2-3 there throughout 2-22 May (IPG,JJM,HS), 6 on 26 May (AKMcN), 11 on 3 June (HS), 12 on 9 June (IPG), 32 at Bowling on 12 May (JSW,VW), and 3 at Cardross on 19 June (GJB).

Breeding again occurred on pier blocks at the former oil terminal at Bowling, with 16 on nests 9 June (cf. 32 adults on 12 May), 6 chicks noted 5 July, and 20 adults in air but no young on 16 July; all had departed by 11 Aug, earlier than usual (JSW,VW,JTo).

Autumn reports were of 2 Ardmore South Bay 4 July, 2 Dumbarton Quay 8 July (JBB), 17 off Rosneath 14 July, 32 at roost Rhu Marina at 2200 hrs on 18 July (CMW), 2 at Greenock Docks on 31 July, 1 Port Glasgow 31 July (DSF), 40 at Ardmore North Bay 2 Aug (KF), 6 on 6 Aug (JBB), and 2 at Lunderston Bay on 21 Sep (MMcG).

 

Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea

Spring-summer reports were of an exceptional 10 at Ardmore Point on 17 May (GJB), 2 there on 26 May and 9 June (AKMcN,IPG), 1 Dumbarton-Milton 1 June (JBB), 1 at Erskine Harbour on 17 June (DSF), and 3 at Cardross on 19 June (GJB). The only autumn report was of 1 at Ardmore North Bay on 2 Aug (KF).

Reports of 'commic' terns specifically identified are published in good faith, although there is a possibility that some have been misidentified, e.g. one observer reported 10 Arctic Terns at Ardmore on 17 May during a period when others were reporting only 2-3 Common Terns; all reports may have been correct, but observers are asked to be especially cautious in identifying these species (ed.).

*Common/Arctic Tern Sterna hirundo/paradisaea

Unidentified 'commic' terns were 2 at Ardmore Point on 23 Apr (AKMcN), 6 at Greenock Docks on 31 July (DSF), 1 N past Cloch Point on 16 Aug, 1 S (diving frequently) past Wemyss Point on 16 Aug and 18 Aug, and 2 N past Cloch Point on 28 Sep (IPG).

 

Great Skua Stercorarius skua

Reports were of 1 N past Cloch Point at 1920 hrs on 20 July (IPG), 1 offshore there at 1530 hrs on 21 July, 1 S at 1920 hrs on 1 Aug (FG), 1 N at 1300 hrs on 4 Aug (WT), 1 S at 1130 hrs on 2 Sep (DLC), 1 S at 1745 hrs on 2 Sep, and 1 S at 1650 hrs on 11 Sep (FG).

 

Pomarine Skua Stercorarius pomarinus

A dark-morph adult flew S past Cloch Point at 1700 hrs on 28 Aug (FG).

 

Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus

Reports during the spring-summer period were of a dark-morph bird N past Cloch Point at 1620 hrs on 30 Apr, a dark-morph S at 1755 hrs on 24 May, 2 dark-morph birds together off Ardmore Point on 9 June (IPG), a dark-morph bird S past Cloch Point at 1420 hrs on 22 June, and 2 dark-morph birds S at 1150 hrs on 6 July (FG). Autumn reports involved 1 dark-morph at Ardmore Point on 26 July (KF), 3 dark-morph S past Cloch Point at 1930 hrs on 1 Aug (FG), and an intermediate-morph S there at 1445 hrs on 31 Aug (IPG).

 

Common Guillemot Uria aalge

Winter-summer reports included 21 S/1hr (1515-1615 hrs) past Cloch Point after strong SW winds 20 Jan, 3 N and 151 S/2hrs after strong SSW wind during previous 24 hours on 24 May, 75 Greenock Esplanade-Port Glasgow 13 Mar (IPG), 104 in Loch Long 18 Mar, 76 on crossing between McInroy's Point-Hunter's Quay 26 Mar (JTT), 42 off Greenock Esplanade 7 Apr (ADW), and 49 off East India Harbour on 30 Apr (IPG).

Table: Counts of Guillemot passing Cloch Point in 2002

Date	20 Jan	2 Feb	3 Feb	10 Mar	10 Apr	24 May
Time	1515-1615	1500-1630	1530-1630	1445-1545	1145-1200	1725-1925
Wind	SW 5	SW 6	W 5	SW 7	n/r	SW 5
Birds N	0	4	1	1	3	3
Birds S	21	56	17	5	2	151
Observer	IPG	IPG	IPG	IPG	JBB	IPG

Autumn reports included a build-up of moulting birds (and family groups) to 480 Wemyss Bay-Wemyss Point 3 Aug, 940 on 16 Aug, and 678 on 7 Sep (IPG).

Inland reports were of 1 rescued at Cumbernauld on 26 Sep that was taken to Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue Centre and released 2 weeks later (AC,GC), 4 on Loch Lomond 12 Oct (DJC), and 1 off Ring Point, Endrick Mouth on 13 Oct (JTT).

Clyde estuary counts of auks (WeBS per JSW,VW)

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Guillemot	11	30	29	85	23	1	4	947	680	215	39	13
Razorbill	0	18	17	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3
Black Guillemot	22	29	26	57	67	30	55	51	36	51	37	11

 

Razorbill Alca torda

Reports (at the usual time of occurrence) involved 6 N and 11 S/1? hrs (1500-1630 hrs) past Cloch Point on 2 Feb, 1 N and 2 S/1hr (1530-1630 hrs) on 3 Feb (IPG), 24 there on 11 Feb (FG), and 1 off Ardmore Point on 10 Feb (IPG).

 

Black Guillemot Cepphus grylle

Winter-spring reports included 30 off East India Harbour, Greenock 24 Feb (IPG), 11 off Cloch Point 25 Feb (ECD), at least 45 Greenock Esplanade-Port Glasgow 13 Mar, 20 off Ardmore Point 13 Mar, 20 again on 7 Apr, 6 on 12 May, 22 off Port Glasgow 23 Mar (IPG), only 2 off Greenock Esplanade 7 Apr (ADW), 12 at Princes Harbour, Greenock on 9 Apr (FG), and 21 off East India Harbour on 30 Apr (IPG).

Breeding reports (exceptionally poor level of reporting):

Site	Pairs/nests	Obs	Site	Pairs/nests	Obs
East India Harbour, Greenock	1 nest	JSW,VW	Victoria Harbour	1 pair	JSW,VW

Other breeding season reports included first fledged juv seen Cloch Point 1 Aug (FG,IPG), and a pair with b/2 fledged young at Wemyss Point on 16 Aug (IPG).

Autumn-winter counts included 22 off Greenock Docks on 31 July (DSF), 13 off Ardmore Point on 26 Aug (HS), 31 on 30 Sep, only 6 on 9 Nov, 11 on 17 Nov, only 4 off East India Harbour 5 Nov (IPG), and 11 on Loch Long off Ardpeaton on 26 Dec (JTT).

 

Puffin Fratercula arctica

Two flew S past Cloch Point on 24 May (IPG).

A pattern is now emerging of occurrence of this species in May (ed.).

 

Red-throated Diver Gavia stellata

Winter-spring reports from the Clyde estuary included some excellent nos off Ardmore Point: despite only 31 in reasonable visibility 13 Jan (IPG), and only 19 on 9 Mar (JJM), 134 in excellent visibility on 13 Mar (IPG), 57 on 17 Mar (IG), 208 on 29 Mar, including 147 (mainly roosting, at 1800 hrs) off the NW side (IPG), only 22 in poor conditions 6 Apr (JJM), then an exceptional and record count in perfect visibility of 328 on 7 Apr (cf. previous record count 142 on 12 Apr 1997), 79 on 12 May, and still 22 on 9 June; counts elsewhere on the estuary included 1 off Milton Island on 10 Feb (JSW,VW), 59 off Port Glasgow 24 Feb, 27 on 23 Mar, 75 off East India Harbour 24 Feb, 60 on 30 Apr (IPG), 30 off Custom House Quay, Greenock 2 Mar (JTT), 15 off Cardross on 13 Mar (IPG), 39 off Greenock Esplanade on 30 Mar (IPG), 26 off Greenock Docks 22 Mar, 2 at West Ferry 31 Mar, 1 on 1 May (DSF), and 2 in Lunderston Bay on 19 Apr (FG).

Reports of movements past Cloch Point involved 3 singles S (at 1530 hrs, 1536 hrs and 1612 hrs) on 20 Jan, 7 S/1? hrs (1500-1630 hrs) on 2 Feb, 1 N and 2 S/1hr (1530-1630 hrs) on 3 Feb, 1 N at 1545 hrs on 10 Mar, and 1 (in breeding plumage) S at 1815 hrs on 25 May (IPG).

An unusual inland report involved a displaying pair, still in non-breeding plumage so presumably 1st‑summer birds, on Balgray Resr on 19 Mar; they flew off NW at 1100 hrs (JSW,VW).

Table: Red-throated Diver counts from Ardmore Point and Greenock in 2002 (IPG,FG et al):

	13 Jan	24 Feb	13 Mar	29 Mar	7 Apr	14 Apr	12 May	9 June
Ardmore Point	31	n/c	134	208	328	9	79	22
Greenock-Port Glasgow	4	134	64	46 1	10	4	29	0
Clyde Estuary total *	42	134	213	254	343	38	112	22

	15 July	11 Aug	8 Sep	30 Sep	6 Oct	9 Nov	17 Nov	8 Dec
Ardmore Point	3	2	16	73	77	47	23	4
Greenock-Port Glasgow	0	0	0	nc	7	n/c	5	0
Clyde Estuary total *	3	2	16	73	98	47	46	6

* incorporating counts from elsewhere on the estuary on the same date/s.

1 Greenock-Port Glasgow counted on 30 March.

Counts from Ardmore Point and from the Greenock-Port Glasgow waterfront were made with a 20x telescope, viewing up to approximately 2 km during best visibility (IPG).

Table: Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) 2002 count totals (per JSW,VW)

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
WeBS Clyde Estuary total	42	25	24	38	112	22	3	2	16	98	46	6
Maximum monthly count	42	134	254	343	112	22	3	2	73	98	47	6

The Clyde Estuary has a 5-year mean maximum WeBS count of 117 birds. However using maximum counts from Clyde Bird Report data, the true 5-year mean is actually 202 birds, as shown in the following table (seasons are as in the WeBS reports, i.e. April to March).

	97-98	98-99	99-00	00-01	01-02	Mean
WeBS Reports	136	138*	123	145	42	117
Clyde Bird Reports	178	125	218	148	343	202

* The count of 138 was in April 1999, so is an error in the WeBS report.

Breeding: Site A (Renfrewshire) No birds present either at Site A or nearby alternative site on 6 April; pair at the latter site 27 May, display flighting and one sitting on well-used nest site (no eggs) at south end of loch; no birds at either loch 20 June (IPG).

Site C (West Stirlingshire) Pair displaying 24 Apr, incubating 29 May, clutch lost, incubating second clutch 23 June which later also failed, 2 on 13 July (AKMcN,GJB).

Site F (West Sirlingshire) Pair present on 26 Mar (DJC).

Autumn-winter reports of birds passing Cloch Point included 2 S at 1820 hrs on 24 July (FG), 2 S at 1800 hrs on 25 July (IPG), 1 S on 6 Aug (FG), 1 N at 1610 hrs on 17 Aug, 1 S at 1840 hrs on 18 Aug (IPG), 1 S at 1822 hrs on 2 Sep (FG), and 5 S at 1635 hrs on 15 Sep (IPG).

Other reports on the Clyde estuary included 1 Ardmore Point 4 July (JBB), 4 on 8 July (AKMcN), 3 ads 15-17 July (IPG,AKMcN), 2 on 11 Aug, 16 on 8 Sep, 73 on 30 Sep, end year max 77 on 6 Oct, 47 on 9 Nov, only 23 despite good visibility 17 Nov (IPG), 7 off Greenock Docks on 31 July (DSF), a pair Lunderston Bay 3 Aug (IPG), singles on 11 Nov and 22 Dec (FG), a pair Cloch Point 16 Aug (KF), 1 S at 1730 hrs and 1 at Wemyss Point on 1 Sep, 52 off East India Harbour, Greenock 5 Nov, 3 at Leven mouth 17 Nov (IPG), 1 far up estuary at Dunglass Castle on 8 Dec (JSW,VW), 1 Cardross 8 Dec (IPG), and 4 at Erskine Bridge on 31 Dec (ECD).

Inland reports involved 1 on Broadwood Loch 24-26 Nov (JND,ADW et al), noted on 26 Nov to have a broken lower mandible (JJM), and 1 Hillend Resr, flew off N at 1400 hrs, on 6 Dec (JND).

Table: Systematic counts of divers and grebes at Ardmore Point in 2002 (IPG et al)

	13 Jan?	10 Feb?	13 Mar	29 Mar	7 Apr	14 Apr?	12 May	9 June
Red-throated Diver	31	7	134	208	328	9	79	22
Great Crested Grebe	92	36	36	62	24	12	6	1
Slavonian Grebe	10	2	381	24	19	0	0	0
	14 July	11 Aug	8 Sep	30 Sep	6 Oct	9 Nov	17 Nov	8 Dec?
Red-throated Diver	3	2	16	73	77	47	23	4
Great Crested Grebe	70	154	136	147	110	72	80	61
Slavonian Grebe	0	0	0	2	3	181	221	91

? = not ideal count conditions ? = poor count conditions (rough water)

1 including birds viewed from Cardross

 

Black-throated Diver Gavia arctica

No winter-spring reports.

Breeding: Site A (W Stir) a pair back on territory 26 Mar, ♀ on nest 9 May, but flooded out on 17 May (DJC), a pr on 28 May (GJB).

Autumn-winter reports involved a 1st-w bird inland on Broadwood Loch 24 Nov-8 Dec (TPD,JJM et al), and 1 off Glenmallan Pier, Loch Long on 8 Dec (JTT).

 

Great Northern Diver Gavia immer

Reports involved an unusual inland winter record of one on Lochgoin Resr on 10 Feb (JFD), and a somewhat more usual report of a 1st-summer bird off Ardmore Point on 21 May (AKMcN).

 

Storm Petrel Hydrobates pelagicus

One flew E past Langbank at 1015 hrs on 16 Nov (DSF). Winds at the time were NE 3, but had been NE 6 two days previously (ed.).

 

Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis

After westerly gales, one was inland at Strathclyde Loch on 23-24 Feb (CJMcI,SCV et al).

Summer-autumn reports of birds passing Cloch Point were fewer than usual, involving only 1 N and 6 S/2hrs during a force 5 SW wind on 24 May (IPG), 1 N on 25 May (FG), 1 S on 17 June (DLC), 1 N and 1 S/4hrs on 17 Aug (IPG), and 1 on 12 Sep (FG); the only reports elsewhere were of 1 N past Wemyss Point at 1925 hrs on 14 Aug, and 1 N at 1615 hrs on 18 Aug (IPG).

 

Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus

A somewhat poor year by recent standards, with a total of only 7,860 bird-days recorded during systematic counts at Cloch Point between 14 July-2 September (FG,IPG et al) (cf. 15,030 bird-days in 2000, and 36,542 bird-days in 2001), including best counts of 836 in 1? hrs on 15 July (IPG), 848 on 31 July (FG), 1,643 in 2? hrs on 20 Aug (IPG), and 413 on 24 Aug (FG). Higher counts were obtained this year from Wemyss Point (see table), including 1,237 in 1?hrs on 3 Aug, 1,051 in 3 hrs on 10 Aug, 1,484 in 5?hrs on 16 Aug, and 903 in 1?hrs on 18 Aug (IPG).

Table: Systematic counts of Manx Shearwater passing Cloch Point in 2002

Date	24 May	14 July	15 July	19 July	20 July	23 July	24 July	25 July
Time	1725-1925	1615-1715	1600-1730	n/r	1730-1930	n/r	n/r	1800-1900
Wind	SW 5	SW 3	SW 3	n/r	N 3	n/r	n/r	SW 3
Birds N	0	41	431	187	106	26	37	4
Birds S	1	61	405	198	264	42	24	10
Observer	IPG	JJM	IPG	FG	IPG	FG	FG	IPG
Date	28 July	31 July	1 Aug	3 Aug	6 Aug	7 Aug	11 Aug	17 Aug
Time	1545-1645	n/r	1730-1830	1430-1500	n/r	n/r	1400-1535	1445-1845
Wind	SW 2	n/r	NE 4	NE 3	n/r	n/r	NW3	S 5
Birds N	26	538	13	6	102	36	77	192
Birds S	41	310	38	3	98	14	35	159
Observer	IPG	FG	IPG	IPG	FG	FG	JTT	IPG
Date	18 Aug	20 Aug	21 Aug	23 Aug	24 Aug	30 Aug	31 Aug	2 Sep
Time	1815-2015	1730-2000	1700-1900	1400-1600	n/r	n/r	1430-1500	n/r
Wind	W 3	W 2	W 3	NW 2	n/r	n/r	NW 4	n/r
Birds N	373	865	206	312	303	48	0	15
Birds S	974	778	191	110	110	27	0	24
Observer	IPG	IPG	IPG	FG	FG	FG	IPG	FG

Table: Counts of Manx Shearwater passing Wemyss Point in 2002

Date	3 Aug	4 Aug	8 Aug	9 Aug	10 Aug	14 Aug
Time	1630-1800	1815-1915	1815-1915	1800-2030	1530-1830	1900-2000
Wind	NE 2	var.1	var.3	N 1	W 3	W 5
Birds N	1114	811	134	100	458	14
Birds S	123	248	6	204	593	10
Observer	IPG	IPG	IPG	IPG	IPG	IPG
Date	16 Aug	18 Aug	24 Aug	25 Aug	31 Aug	1 Sep
Time	1430-2000	1600-1730	1330-1630	1645-1745	1515-1545	1730-1930
Wind	calm	W 2	NW 3	SW 2	NW 3	SW 4
Birds N	863	534	393	38	0	23
Birds S	621	369	103	26	1	48
Observer	IPG	IPG	IPG	IPG	IPG	IPG

Other reports from Cloch Point involved 17 passing between 1300-1400 hrs on 12 July (ECD), 420 in a feeding flock between Cloch Point and Dunoon (Argyll) at 1900-2030 hrs on 18 July (FG,IPG); as well as those passing Cloch Point on 31 July, a flock of 56 on the water (FG); 77 N and 49 S between 1400-1550 hrs on 11 Aug (JJM), up to 450 feeding offshore on 20 Aug (IPG), 215 passing between 1630-1815 hrs on 24 Aug (WT), and 1 N and 2 S on 1 Sep (FG).

Reports from elsewhere were of 10 W past Portkil on 14 July (CMW), 520 in feeding flock off Wemyss Point at start of count 3 Aug, similarly 570 on 4 Aug (IPG), 14 off Greenock Docks on 31 July (DSF), 20 fishing off south side Ardmore Point 12 Aug, 2 W past Ironotter Point at 1920 hrs on 17 Aug (IPG), and 2 off Greenock Esplanade on 17 Aug (ECD).

Inland, one was reported on Loch Lomond off Balloch on 4 Aug (per FF), a date when numbers in the estuary were unexceptional, and no unusual weather conditions were apparent (ed.).

 

Gannet Morus bassanus

During the first half of the year reports included an adult S past Cloch Point on 3 Feb (IPG), 5 on 11 Mar (FG), 10 on 28 Mar (ECD), 9 past on 10 Apr (JBB), an adult dead on shore Lunderston Bay 19 Feb (JGr), 2 off there 17 Mar (ECD), 1 fishing Gourock Bay 23 Mar, 3 on 30 Mar (IPG), 3 fishing close inshore Ardmore Point 6 Apr (JJM), 5 on 19 Apr (ECD), 2 on 26 May (AKMcN), 1 far up the estuary off West Ferry on 22 Apr (ECD), 3 off Kilcreggan on 26 Apr (AMcI), 1 off Helensburgh on 10 May (DHMcE), 12 fishing between Ardmore Point and Greenock on 12 May (IPG), and 4 at Arrochar on 14 June (JBB). Numbers during July-September were lower than usual, as can be seen in the following table of counts at Cloch Point (ed.).

Table: Counts of Gannet passing Cloch Point in 2002

Date	10 Mar	30 Apr	24 May	15 July	19 July	20 July	25 July	23 July
Time	1445-1545	1515-1645	1725-1925	1600-1730	n/r	1730-1930	1800-1900	n/r
Wind	SW 7	N 3	SW 5	SW 3	n/r	N 3	SW 3	n/r
Birds N	3	16	18	21	37	35	7	9
Birds S	8	12	41	39	50	9	14	23
Observer	IPG	IPG	IPG	IPG	FG	IPG	IPG	FG
Date	24 July	28 July	31 July	1 Aug	3 Aug	11 Aug	17 Aug	18 Aug
Time	n/r	1545-1645	n/r	1730-1830	1430-1500	1400-1535	1445-1845	1815-2015
Wind	n/r	SW 2	n/r	NE 4	NE 3	NW3	S 5	W 3
Birds N	14	7	20	12	6	14	39	8
Birds S	7	11	11	9	3	11	33	12
Observer	FG	IPG	FG	IPG	IPG	JTT	IPG	IPG
Date	21 Aug	23 Aug	24 Aug	30 Aug	1 Sep	2 Sep	15 Sep	28 Sep
Time	1730-1930	1700-1900	1400-1600	n/r	n/r	n/r	1630-1730	1600-1700
Wind	W 2	W 3	NW 3	n/r	n/r	n/r	SW 3	S 3
Birds N	15	26	14	21	9	15	2	1
Birds S	38	19	7	11	15	6	3	2
Observer	IPG	IPG	FG	FG	FG	FG	IPG	IPG

Table: Counts of Gannet passing Wemyss Point in 2002

Date	14 Aug	16 Aug	18 Aug	24 Aug	25 Aug	1 Sep
Time	1900-2000	1430-2000	1600-1730	1330-1630	1645-1745	1730-1930
Wind	SW 5	Calm	W 2	NW 3	SW 2	SW 4
Birds N	19	31	57	16	9	8
Birds S	28	47	61	7	16	37
Observer	IPG	IPG	IPG	IPG	IPG	IPG

Other reports included 1 off Ardmore Point on 16 July (AKMcN), and 9 fishing off Ironotter Point on 17 Aug (IPG). Inland reports involved an ?imm? at Baron's Haugh on 9 Oct (JCM), an ?imm? SW over Helensburgh Muir on 19 Oct (DHMcE), and a juv W over the Black Cart Water at Inchinnan on 20 Oct (JJS).

 

Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo

Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) count totals, detailing the most important sites reported in 2002, are provided in the following table (per JSW,VW):

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Clyde Area Total	432	337	420	147	90	84	221	274	405	649	421	447
Sites recorded	38	35	31	13	5	10	9	7	16	16	34	28
Clyde Estuary	234	175	259	115	84	70	209	265	341	553	288	242
Strathclyde Country Park	83	70	50	-	-	-	-	-	-	7	0	50
R Clyde (Lamington)	-	0	1	-	-	0	1	0	6	16	0	83
Hogganfield Loch	7	8	19	16	2	0	2	0	11	0	29	0
Baron's Haugh	0	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	13	12	9	4
Gadloch	6	3	8	-	-	-	-	-	1	9	3	3
Hamilton Low Parks	0	1	2	3	0	0	0	0	13	10	18	1
Lochwinnoch	5	6	6	1	0	0	-	3	2	3	7	8

Inland reports during winter-spring included 2 on the White Cart Water at Linn Park on 4 Jan (SAW), 10 Baron's Haugh 30 Jan (JBB), 14 on 4 Mar (MMcG et al), 10 Twechar Marsh 12 Mar (PGC), 22 Creinch, Loch Lomond 20 Mar (JTT), 1 Deil's Craig Dam 20 May (GJB), 2 imms Daer Resr 30 May (JSW,VW), and 1 at Barcraigs Resr on 9 June (IPG).

Inland reports in autumn-winter involved 3 at Hogganfield Loch on 12 Aug, 11 at roost 11 Sep, 38 on 8 Nov, 29 on 19 Nov (GCC), max 40 on 24 Nov (JJS), 15 at Baron's Haugh 12 Sep (GJB), 26 ?in Dec? (RSPB), 17 Creinch 13 Sep (JTT), 9 Carron Valley Resr 30 Sep (GJB), 20 Endrick Mouth 30 Sep (AKMcN), 1 Garvald Quarry 13 Oct, observer's first record there (AMcA), 3 at Townhead Resr 24 Nov (ADW), 5 Broadwood Loch 25 Nov (TPD), record count 109 at the tree roost Crookboat, Lanark 28 Dec (JND,ADW), and 120 at tree roost Hamilton 28 Dec (ADW).

 

Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis

Clyde Estuary counts (WeBS per JSW,VW, see Introduction for actual count dates):

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Newark Castle-Gourock Bay	66	40	9	7	7	0	9	16	60	79	51	3
Gourock-Wemyss Bay	6	3	1	0	1	10	0	15	85	4	6	5
Cardross-Craigendoran	19	14	6	1	2	6	16	4	25	25	36	19
Helensburgh-Coulport	23	13	20	0	4	2	5	15	42	25	22	20
Clyde Estuary Total	114	70	36	8	14	18	30	50	213	133	115	47

WeBS counts recorded over 200 birds for the first time ever, the 213 birds in September being a record count for the Clyde estuary, despite low numbers off Ardmore Point (ed.). Other winter-spring counts included 21 S/1? hrs (1500-1630 hrs) past Cloch Point 2 Feb (IPG), 95 (incl 23 on Captyannis roost) off Custom House Quay on 2 Mar (JTT), ca 35 off Ardmore Point 13 Mar (IPG), and 6 at Lunderston Bay on 17 Mar (ECD). Other autumn-winter reports included 24 off Ardmore Point on 30 Sep, 25 on 6 Oct, a good count of 77 on 9 Nov, and 36 on 17 Nov (IPG).

 

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea

Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) count totals, detailing the most important sites reported in 2002, are provided in the following table (per JSW,VW).

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Clyde Area Total	132	81	74	62	91	100	89	73	120	170	119	99
Sites recorded	35	35	29	23	22	24	23	20	33	32	29	32
Clyde Estuary	70	21	9	15	53	58	51	33	63	87	62	36
Douglas Estate Ponds	7	8	9	5	6	7	9	8	6	8	7	5
Endrick Mouth	3	1	2	-	-	-	-	8	12	11	7	6
Townhead Reservoir	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	0	8	10
Coves Reservoir	6	4	3	0	0	-	2	6	2	8	7	1
Lochwinnoch	1	7	1	2	1	2	-	1	3	5	3	7
Dumbreck Pools	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	2	5	1	4
Barcraigs Reservoir	0	0	6	8	4	7	0	-	1	0	0	0

Winter-spring reports included 8 standing in a field Pollok Country Park 20 Jan (JSW,VW), 11 on 29 Jan (CRS), nest building at Drumfad, Glen Fruin on 15 Feb (DHMcE), 6 Loch Walton 2 Mar (DAC), 3 standing together Gartloch Pool 28 Mar (GCC), 6 F&C Canal Kirkintilloch-Wyndford 19 May (PGC), 30 fishing Ardmore Point 12 May (IPG), 26 on 16 May and 26 May (HS,AKMcN).

Breeding reports (occupied nests) are presented in the following table.

Site	2002	Obs	Site	2002	Obs
Ardgowan, Crowhill Wood	11	ADW	Hamilton, Barmichael Plantation	49	CMW
Brother Loch	2	IAM	Kilmacolm, Glen Moss	5	ADW
Buchanan Castle, East Lodge	18	JM	Kilmacolm, Milton	9	ADW
Crawford, Tewsgill Wood	2	DWM	Libberton, Yett Farm Wood	13	DWM
Endrick Mouth, Gartfairn Wood	12	JM	Loch Lomond, Rossdhu Park	5	JM
Finlaystone Estate, Brackenhead Wd	29	ADW	Lochwinnoch, Crooks Plantation	4	ECP
Garelochhead	1	CMW	Longriggend, Pleamuir Wood	18	ADW
Glen Fruin, Drumfad	13	CMW	Milngavie, Low Craigton	2	AKMcN
Glengavel Reservoir	5	RJH	Waulkmill Glen Reservoir	7	JSW,VW

Summary: 205 nests reported at 18 heronries, no significant change (an increase of only one nest) at 16 comparable heronries since 2001 (census results per ADW). The Duchal Estate, Kilmacolm heronry was felled during winter 2001-2002 (ed.), some of the birds moving a short distance to Milton Wood (ADW).

Post-breeding reports included 26 Ardmore Point 16 May (HS), 6 Endrick Mouth 6 June (JTT), and 7 W of Bishopton on 28 June (ECD). Autumn-winter counts included 12 Cardross 4 July (JBB), 11 at Ardencaple 29 July (JAP-M), 10 Millichen Flood 12-13 Aug, 6 at Ballochruin Pool on 17 Aug (AKMcN), 22 in field at Longhaugh Point on 31 Aug (IPG), 11 at Inverkip 5 Sep (FG), 8 Baron's Haugh ?in Oct? (RSPB), and 9 at Townhead Resr on 24 Nov (ADW).

Table: Clyde Heronry Nest Counts 1995-2002

Site	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002
Ardgowan, Crowhill Wood	nc	7	8	11	10	12	14	11
Barochan Moss	nc	0	nc	nc	nc	nc	nc	nc
Barr Loch	4	4	4	2	-	-	-	-
Brother Loch	nc	2	1	3	2	2	nc	2
Buchanan Castle, East Lodge	24	22	21	20	17	19	22	18
Cloch Point Wood	nc	3	-	-	-	-	-	-
Corsehouse Plantation	nc	2	-	-	-	-	-	-
Coulport	1	0	-	3	-	-	nc	nc
Craigallian Loch	-	-	1	-	-	-	-	-
Crawford, Tewsgill Hill	1	6	3	3	6	4	nc	2
Douglas Estate	-	-	1	7	7	8	10	nc
Drumclog	nc	3	5	0	-	-	-	-
Endrick Mouth, Gartfairn Wood	4	3	11	10	10	11	11	12
Finlaystone Est., Brackenhead Wd	41	36	35	32	27	34	31	29
Fintry, Spittalhill Farm	nc	2	nc	2	nc	nc	nc	nc
Garelochhead	-	-	-	-	1	1	1	1
Garelochhead, Mambeg	nc	nc	nc	nc	nc	1	1	nc
Glazert W, Blairtummock Pltn.	nc	3	?	-	-	-	-	-
Glazert W, Craigbarnet Farm	-	-	1	2+	nc	4	nc	nc
Glen Fruin, Drumfad	-	-	-	9	9	10	nc	13
Glengavel Reservoir	-	nc	2	3	6	7	6	5
Hamilton, Barmichael Plantation	nc	40	43	36	22	48	52	49
Helensburgh, Daligan	-	-	1+	nc	nc	nc	nc	nc
Kilmacolm, Duchal Estate	15	23	18	14	18	16	19	-
Kilmacolm, Glen Moss	-	-	1	1	4	4	nc	5
Kilmacolm, Milton	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	9
Kilsyth, Dumbreck	-	-	1	-	-	-	-	-
Libberton, Brownhill Farm Wood	nc	11	10	-	-	-	-	-
Libberton, Yett Farm Wood	-	-	-	10	8	10	nc	13
Loch Lomond, Midross	-	1	0	-	-	-	-	-
Loch Lomond, Rossdhu Park	7	4	5	5	5	6	5	5
Lochwinnoch, Crooks Plantation	-	-	-	-	2	4	4	4
Longriggend, Pleamuir Wood	-	-	-	10+	6	nc	nc	18
Milngavie, Low Craigton	nc	nc	nc	nc	nc	3	nc	2
Pettinain, Northflatt	nc	1	nc	nc	-	-	-	-
Rhu, Ardencaple	nc	nc	nc	nc	nc	nc	1	nc
Rosneath Point	nc	1	nc	nc	nc	nc	nc	nc
Strathaven, Lambhill	nc	2	1	2	-	-	-	-
Waulkmill Glen Reservoir	nc	nc	nc	nc	nc	2	2	7
Clyde Area Total (nests)	97	176	173	224	160	203	179	205

 

Osprey Pandion haliaetus

Spring-summer reports were of 1 Finnich Glen 25 Mar (GJB), 1 N over Bowling 30 Mar (per BS), 1 over Barr Loch 5 Apr (RSPB), 1 at the Endrick Mouth on 5 Apr (GJB), 1 on 8 Apr (RKP), 1-2 on 15 Apr (AKMcN), 1 on 26 May (JM), 2 on 7 June (GJB), 3 on 17 June (RKP), 1 Barcraigs Resr 6 Apr (per BS), 1 S along the River Clyde at Carbarns on 12 May (PHB,DLC), 1 Loch Ardinning throughout afternoon then heading towards Mugdock Country Park at 1600 hrs on 16 June (JJM), 1 over Buchanan Castle on 18 June (GJB), 1 fishing Gryfe No.2 Resr 23 June (IF), 1 fishing at Woodhall (came from S at 1700 hrs) on 24 June (DLC), 1 over Kilmacolm heading towards Duchal Moor 25 June, 1 at Gryfe No.1 Resr 26 June (DM), 1 fishing Carron Valley Resr 15 July (AKMcN), and 1 fishing Ardmore North Bay 15 July (KF).

One known pair bred in the Clyde area in 2002. Due to licensing requirements, threats from egg collectors and the importance that the RSPB attaches to maintaining good landowner relations, it is important that these breeding sites should not be sought out by birdwatchers. Such activity may cause problems with RSPB protection schemes. It is now relatively easy to see Osprey in Southern Scotland without visiting nesting sites. If observers do find out sensitive breeding information, it is important that this is not disseminated, as breeding Ospreys in the Clyde area have already been subject to robbery (RSPB).

Site A Pair territorial in area, but no evidence of breeding (RAB).

Site B Nest-building 5 Apr, sitting 30 May (GJB), failed probably due to poor weather (RAB).

Autumn reports involved 1 at Carron Valley Resr on 22 July (RKP), 1 over Ardmore North Bay on 17 Aug and 24 Aug (KF), 2 on Loch Lomond 15 Aug, 1 Kilmun 30 Aug (ANi), 2 at the Endrick Mouth on 13 Aug, 3 on 29 Aug, 1 on 2 Sep, 2 on 9 Sep, 26 Sep and 30 Sep (LM,AKMcN, RKP), and 1 over Mugdock Resr on 21 Aug (AGJ).

 

Honey-buzzard Pernis apivorus

A juvenile ♂ satellite-tracked bird from the Highlands roosted at Carron Valley Forest (within the Forth recording area) on 19 Sep, and at Stone Hill Wood beside the A70 near Douglas Water on 20 Sep, before finally perishing in the Atlantic Ocean west of the Canary Islands on 4 Oct after drifting off course (ref. www.roydennis.org).

 

Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos

No breeding report was received from the Raptor Study Group. Non-breeding reports were of a pair over Inversnaid being mobbed by a Peregrine and two Ravens on 25 Sep, and a pair there again on 28 Dec (DJC).

 

Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus

Urban sightings included a ♀ chasing a feral pigeon in Greenock on 31 Mar (IPG).

Breeding season reports included a ♂ at Dougalston Loch 5 Apr (AKMcN), a ♀ Craigmaddie Resr 8 Apr (TB), a ♀ North Haugh, Hamilton 13 Apr (AKMcN), a ♀ over Helensburgh Golf Course on 27 Apr (DHMcE), 1 over East Millichen Farm 8 May (CRS), a ♀ over Broom Gardens, Lenzie on 12 June, and a ♀ over Fenwick Road, Giffnock on 26 June (DHMcE).

Breeding

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Auchenkilns Junction	1	SL	Dawsholm Park	1	KF	Linn Park	1	SAW
Auchineden	1	GJB	Endrick Mouth	1	JTT	Loch Bowie	1	JBB
Baron's Haugh	1	GJB	Erskine, Craigend Hill	1	JTT	Parkhill Wood	1	ECD
Darleith	1	FL	Finnich Glen	1	GJB

Summary: 11 breeding pairs reported from 11 sites in 2002.

Other reports included a pr raised 2 young in Linn Park (SAW), a pr with 2 juvs Dawsholm Park on 16-23 July (KF), and urban sightings of a ♀ at the SECC on 26 Sep, an imm ♂ on 12 Dec (JJM).

Three observers reported a total of 139 bird-days in 2002, compared to 645 bird-days in the case of Kestrel, i.e. 18% of sightings were of Sparrowhawk (see table below).

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Total	Observers
	2	1	1	4	2	3	7	2	5	6	7	4	44	IPG
	0	1	1	1	0	2	1	4	0	1	0	2	13	DHMcE
	6	4	12	3	5	5	16	5	4	6	7	9	82	JSW,VW
	8	6	14	8	7	10	24	11	9	13	14	15	139	All

 

Goshawk Accipiter gentilis

Reports in 2002 were of a ♀ at east end of new road Glen Fruin 6 June (HB), a ♀ there on 31 Dec (JCD), a ♀ over Garadbhan Forest near Drymen on 7 Aug (RKP), and one at Dumbrock Muir on 18 Nov (JTK).

 

Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus

Breeding summary: 3 territories (3 pairs) in Lanarkshire (but coverage poor); 8 territories (6 pairs) in Renfrewshire; 3 territories (males only) in West Stirlingshire (coverage poor); and 5 territories (3 pairs) in West Dunbartonshire.

County	Territories occupied	Occupied by pairs	Unmated males	Nest sites located	Successful nests	Young fledged
Lanarkshire	3	3	0	3	2	7
Renfrewshire	8	6	1	6?	1	3
West Stirlingshire	3	0	3	0	0	0
West Dunbartonshire*	5	3	2	3	3	9
Total	19	12	6	12	6	19

* including former part now in Argyll & Bute UA.

? including second attempt by one pair.

Winter-spring reports were of a 'ringtail' Fannyside Muir 12 Jan (JC), a 'ringtail' Queenside Muir 27 Jan (ECD), an imm ♂ Millichen Flood 2 Feb (per BS), a ♂ Aird Meadow 2 Feb and 10 Feb (RSPB), a ♂ crossing Ayrshire border onto Shutterflat Moor 5 Feb (IPG), a ♀ at Endrick Mouth on 8 Feb (GJB), a ♂ on 19 Feb (RKP), a ♀ Walls Hill 9 Feb (IPG), a ♂ Muirhouse Muir on 14 Feb (DACa), a ♂ Fyn Loch 15 Feb, a ♂ Loch Humphrey 15 Feb (ECP et al), a ♂ hunting Reivoch Farm 20 Feb (IPG), a ♂ Barrs of Cloak 26 Feb (KMcG), a ♀ Glen Fruin 1 Mar (HS), a ♂ hunting over rushy grassland NW of Hartfield Moss 9 Mar, a ♀ hunting there 23 Mar (IPG), a ♂ Bonnyton Moor 14 Mar (JSW,VW), a ♂ west end Loch Libo 15 Mar (EW), a ♂ Lyles Hill-Windy Hill 17 Mar (IPG), a ♂ Windy Hill-Queenside Muir 28 Mar (per CMRP), a ♂ Comers Hill 30 Mar, 2 ♂♂ mobbing a Buzzard South Rotten Burn 30 Mar, a ♀ Smeath Hill-Coplie Hill 31 Mar (LH), a ♂ near barytes mine, Muirshiel Country Park 4 Apr, a pr ?sky diving? on 7 Apr (ECD et al).

Autumn-winter reports were of a ♂ Helensburgh Muir 24 Aug and 12 Oct, a ♀ on 26 Oct (DHMcE), a ♂ Fannyside Muir on 9 Oct (JBB), a ♂ Myres Hill 10 Oct (JSW,VW), a ♂ near Finnich Toll 17 Oct (GJB), a ♂ Hillhead Farm 7 Nov (DACa), a ♂ Aird Meadow 10 Nov and on 31 Dec (RSPB), a ♀ Waulkenwae Moss, near Chapelton (at NS684507) on 11 Nov (SRi), a ♂ Endrick Mouth 17 Nov (LM) and 10 Dec (GJB), a ♂ and a ♀ on 29 Dec (JTT), a ♂ Damhead Farm, Yieldshields on 9 Dec (JND), a ♀ Carron Valley Forest on 13 Dec (GJB), a ♂ Gair Farm, near Carluke 16 Dec (JND), and a ♂ at Ardmore Point on 16 Dec (FL).

 

Red Kite Milvus milvus

Reports involved 2 fighting with Ravens at Cashel on 27 Mar (FL), and a ♀ over Finnich Toll heading towards Killearn on 17 Oct (GJB).

All confirmed reports must be presumed to be RSPB release programme birds unless there is any evidence to the contrary (ed.).

 

Buzzard Buteo buteo

Winter-spring reports included 1 at St James Interchange, Paisley on 2 Jan, 1 hunting on M80 verge at Auchengree (near Muirhead) 4 Jan (IPG), a bird found dead at Castle Semple Loch on 9 Jan which had been ringed as a nestling at Allt Muigh Bhlaraidh, Easter Ross on 7 June 2001 (RSPB), 1 at Linwood Pool on 26 Jan (ECD) and 5 Feb (IPG), 1 at Linn Park on 2 Feb, 14 Mar and 4 Apr (CRS), 5 Reivoch-Walls Hill 9 Feb (IPG), 1 Dawsholm Park 24 Feb (JC), 7 in small section of Glen Fruin on 4 Mar (AKMcN), 1 Paisley Moss LNR 5 Mar (SJE,IPG), 1 Linwood Pool and a dead bird on road nearby 13 Mar (IPG), a pair in display flight Dumbrock Muir 12 Mar (TPD), 2 soaring over summit of Misty Law 17 Mar (IPG), 7 Overtoun 22 Mar (JBB), 4 Finnich Glen 25 Mar, 5 Endrick Mouth 26 Mar (GJB), 5 over Mugdock village 26 Mar (AGJ), 3 including a small individual Millichen Farm 26 Mar (GCC), 2 pairs displaying there 3 Apr (TB), pair nest-building Gartloch Pool 28 Mar (GCC), 3 Carron Valley Forest 29 Mar (GJB), 5 displaying and fighting high over Birkmyre Park, Kilmacolm 29 Mar (AB,RCD et al), a pair in display flight at Underheugh 30 Mar (FG), and 3 presumed migrants over Kelvin Mouth, Glasgow 4 Apr (DJN).

Breeding season reports (from 1 April onwards) included in Lanarkshire 3 territories Dolphinton area (AMcA), 2 birds at Gartsherrie Wood 7 Apr (CL), 2 at Bridgend Farm Pool 13 Apr (JJM), 2 Millichen Flood 24 Apr (JBB), 3 Lowther Hills 5 May (FH), 3 over Buchley Pool 12 May (CRS), a pair Avon Gorge 21 May (SRi), a pair Peden Resr 31 May, 1 over Blackwood House 28 June, 2 territories Culter Glen 28 June (JSW,VW); in Renfrewshire 3 over Parkhill Wood on 7 Apr (ECD), one perched on fence beside A737 on NW side Johnstone 12 Apr, 1 soaring Knockbartnock 13 Apr (IPG), 2 over Inchinnan 18 Apr (ECD), a pair Longhaugh Point 19 Apr (IPG), 3 Locherwood Community Woodland 25 Apr (ECD), 3 Auchendores Resr 25 Apr (FH), 5 tussling over Queenside Hill on 3 May (IPG), pair displaying west side Howwood 5 May (GTW), 2 pairs interacting there on 16 May, 1 over NE side Howwood 16 May (IPG), 1 territory Loch Libo 6 May (JSW,VW), 1 Black Loch (Renf) 12 May (SAW), 1 perched on south side A737 Nether Johnstone 16 May, 3 perched on posts along 200 metres of fenceline beside Calder Water near Lyles Hill 26 May, 3 Hyndal Hill 1 June, 1 hunting Muirend-Lorabar (near Barcraigs Resr) 9 June (IPG), a pair over Duncarnock on 23 June (JSW,VW), a pair Knapps Loch 26 June (ECD); in W Stirlingshire a pair High Banton (PGC), a pair Muirhouse Muir 4 Apr (AKMcN), 5 Queen's View 8 Apr, 5 Finnich Glen 25 Apr (GJB), a territory Ballochruin 29 Apr, a pair displaying Dumbrock Muir 18 May, 1 The Whangie 29 May (AKMcN), 2 Loch Ardinning 1 June (JJM); and in Dunbartonshire a pair Helensburgh Golf Course (SL), 3 pairs Darleith (FL), 2 Kilpatrick Braes 8 Apr (ECD), 4 soaring Kennedy Dr, Helensburgh 10 Apr (DHMcE), 4 at Aber village 15 Apr, 1 Claddoch 15 Apr, a pair Ardmore Point 3 June (AKMcN), a pair North Bellstane Plantation 25-26 June (SRi); and in Perthshire a pair Gleann nan Caorann 1 June (ECD).

Autumn-winter reports included 5 (incl at least 3 juvs) soaring above Garnkirk Moss (South) on 26 Aug, 1 soaring over east side Hogganfield Park LNR 11 Sep (GCC), 5 Baron's Haugh 12 Sep (GJB), 7 over Cadder at Low Moss prison on 13 Sep (RST), 1 soaring above N end of Pollok Country Park 20 Sep (CRS), ?regular sightings on urban fringe noted? with 1 Boclair Rd, Bearsden 21 Sep, 1 Allander Toll 21 Sep, 1 perched on lamp post Faifley 21 Sep (DHMcE), 4 at Craigallian 29 Sep (AKMcN), 9 Culter Glen 29 Sep (JSW,VW), 2 over Millersneuk Marsh 6 Oct (JJM), 4 Finnich Glen 7 Oct (DACa), 1 Arkleston Farm 18 Oct, 3 alongside A737 Howwood-Linwood 18 Oct, 4 on 31 Oct, 5 on 25 Nov (IPG), 1 over Dykebar 20 Oct (PHB,DLC), 5 at Endrick Mouth 22 Nov (GJB), and 3 soaring over Bennan Loch on 9 Dec (JSW,VW).

Two observers reported a total of 578 Buzzard bird-days in 2002 (see table below).

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Total	Observers
28	23	79	27	72	64	17	14	14	22	60	35	455	IPG
4	5	9	18	11	18	12	7	12	8	10	9	123	DHMcE
32	28	88	45	83	82	29	21	26	30	70	44	578	All

 

Barn Owl Tyto alba

The winter-spring period involved far more reports than usual: 1 at the Endrick Mouth 19 Jan (GJB), 1 hunting Aird Meadow at 1550 hrs on 28 Jan (per RSPB), 1 beside A740 near Linwood Pool at 2315 hrs on 4 Feb (ECP,GTW), 2 perched on Glasgow Airport perimeter fence at Barnsford Rd, near St James Interchange at 2325 hrs on 13 Feb (JTT), 1 at St James Interchange again on 13 Mar (per JTT), 1 beside Greenock Rd, Paisley at the end of St James Ave at 2100 hrs on 16 Feb (JTT), 1 flying across A737 on west side Howwood at 1845 hrs on 25 Feb (VIF), seen there again at 0100 hrs on 14 Mar (MMcG), nearby 1 on west side Howwood near Elliston Farm at 0040 hrs on 28 Mar (IPG), 1 at Darleith 28 Feb (FL), 1 dead on M8 near Bishopton 7 Mar (DSF), 1 Glen Fruin 20 Mar (JCl), 1 Dumbrock Muir 2 Mar (HAA), 1 hunting by daylight beside Old Patrick Water, Plymuir at 1715 hrs on 9 Mar (IPG), 2 there at 1800 hrs on 10 Mar (DLC), 1 Aird Meadow 12 Mar (RSPB), 2 Endrick Mouth at nest-box 28 Mar (RKP), 1 on stone wall beside A761 on west side of Brookfield at 2305 hrs on 30 Mar (AB,IPG), and 1 dead beside the A737 near Howwod Rail Station on 27 Apr (JTT).

Breeding season reports were of 1 at Luggiebank at 0530 hrs on 4 Apr (per ADW), 1 beside B786 next to Gryfe Water on south side Kilmacolm at 2205 hrs on 8 Apr (RCD), 1 Hill of Barnaigh at 0140 hrs on 20 Apr (IPG), 1 Midross 1 May (FH), 1 Balmuildy Farm 9 June (TPD), 1 which flew across A80 at Mollinsburn (just before M73 slip) road at 0200 hrs on 16 June (JMR), and 1 at Sandieston at 2300 hrs on 8 July (ADW). Breeding summary: recorded at 7 potential breeding territories, but no confirmed breeding in 2002.

Autumn-winter reports involved 6 hunting in Glen Fruin 14 Sep, 3 on 9 Oct ( per JJM), 1 at Cross Keys, Barrhead 18 Nov (SC), and one impaled on the front of a train in Queen Street Station, Glasgow on 1 Nov (JTT).

 

Tawny Owl Strix aluco

Winter-spring reports included 2 singing ♂♂ Birkmyre Park, Kilmacolm at 0005 hrs on 1 Jan (AB,IPG), 1 calling Lennox Park, Milngavie 14 Jan (AKMcN), 1-2 calling Dumbrock Muir 2 Mar (HAA), 1 dead on A811 at Catter Wood on 11 Mar (JTT), 1 dead on road at Paisley Moss 23 Mar (GTW), and 1 at Greenhead Plantation on 29 Mar (JCM).

Breeding season reports were of 1 territory Dolphinton with a juv heard on 22 July (AMcA), 1 territory Langbank village (DSF), at least 1 territory Cloch Park (FG), 1 territory Darleith (FL), a pair calling from rooftops Netherlee on 23 Mar and 19 Apr (SAW), a pair Garrion Gill 15 Apr (JCM), 1 calling Mugdock Country Park 15 Apr (GJB), 3 territories in Craigallian Plantation, 1 territory Carron Valley Forest (AKMcN), one flying in daylight at entrance to Moniabrock 16 May (IPG), and a fledged chick at Corsehouse Estate, Lanark on 24 June (MDa).

Autumn-winter reports included 1 Easter Fannyside 3 Sep (NB), 2 Garvald Quarry 21 Sep (AMcA), 1 calling at Dumbarton on 11 Oct and 13 Dec (JBB), 1 sitting on fence in Pollok Country Park at 0945 hrs on 31 Oct (CRS), 1 dead on rails at Glasow Central Station 6 Nov (JTT), and 1 in Glen Fruin 5-8 Nov (JCl).

 

Long-eared Owl Asio otus

Winter-spring reports were all from the same area: 1 at Dumbrock Muir 15 Feb (AKMcN), 1 at roost there 12-18 Mar (TPD), 1 hunting over the moor at 1725 hrs on 22 Mar, 2 on 16 Apr, 1 at Deil's Craig Dam 3 Apr (ECD), 2 on 7 Apr (AGJ), and 1 at Hilton Park Golf Course 4 Apr (JJM).

Breeding reports were of 2 territories at Tinto End, with 3 juvs seen and another 2 heard on 25 June (MDa), a pair at Darleith (FL), and 3 territories Mugdock Country Park: at Craigallian Plantation, Towerhill (fledged juv heard on 6 July) and Dumbrock Muir (AKMcN).

None reported autumn-winter.

 

Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus

Winter-spring reports were of 1 Bonnyton Moor 5 Jan (JS), 1 Hill of Stake 27 Jan (ECD), 1 being mobbed briefly by a ♀ Hen Harrier in field northwest of Hartfield Moss 9 Feb, 1 attacking a ♂ Hen Harrier at same place on 9 Mar, 2 hunting Whittliemuir 9 Feb (IPG), and 1 at the Endrick Mouth on 5 Apr (GJB).

Breeding season reports were in Lanarkshire 6 at Tinto End on 25 June (MDa), and in Renfrew-shire 1 hunting the lower slopes of Queenside Hill-Lyles Hill on 1 May (IPG). One of the poorest years on record (ed.).

Autumn-winter reports were of 1 at the former India Tyres site, Inchinnan on 22 June (GTW), and 1 on the Kilsyth Hills N of Kilsyth on 23 Nov (HAA).

 

Kingfisher Alcedo atthis

Winter-spring reports involved 1 along Forth & Clyde Canal at Bishopbriggs 5 Feb (ECD), 1 on Forth & Clyde Canal near Wynford Lock 10 Feb (FH), 1 on Forth & Clyde Canal at Possil 14 Feb (HAA), 1 Balgray Reservoir 3 Mar (JSW,VW), 2 on R Clyde at Baron's Haugh on 24 Mar (PHB, DLC), and 3 on River Kelvin at the Science Park on 26 Mar (CRS).

Breeding season reports included 2 prs on White Cart Water at Eaglesham (SL), 3 pairs on White Cart Water in Pollok Estate (GD), 1 River Kelvin at Killermont Golf Course 2 Apr and 8 May (CRS), 1 River Kelvin at Summerston 4 Apr (GJB), 1 nearby on River Kelvin at Cawder Cuilt on 9 May and 7 June (TPD), a pair at nest site River Kelvin at Garscube Estate on 1 May and 19 June (TB,KF), an ad and 2 juvs there on 29 July (TB), 1 Allander Toll 12 May (CRS), 1 Baron's Haugh on 8 May (JBB) and 25 June (ECD), 1 in flight Forth & Clyde Canal at Kirkintilloch 19 May (PGC), 2 at Allander Water 2 June (HM), 1 at Wards Pond, Endrick Mouth 6 June (JTT), 1 Bothlin Burn at Lenzie 12 June (DHMcE), and a juv noted on White Cart Water in Linn Park on 29 June and 3 Sep (SAW). Breeding summary: reports indicating 15 territories received in 2002.

Autumn-winter reports included 1 on River Clyde at Daldowie on 15 Aug (CRS), 2 at Balgray Reservoir on 16 Aug (JSW,VW), 1 at the Endrick Water, Ballochruin on 17 Aug (AKMcN), 2 on 9 Dec (GJB), 1 at Darleith Burn on 24 Aug and 11 Sep (FL), 2 on River Clyde at Baron's Haugh 14 Sep (JJM), 1 fishing on Clyde estuary at high tide beside the West Ferry roundabout 14 Sep (IPG), 1 Garvald Quarry 16 Sep (AMcA), 1 Helensburgh shore 18 Sep (HS), 4 Linn Park 19 Sep (SAW), 1 River Leven at Renton 25 Sep (JBB), 2 Tannoch Loch 29 Sep (JGE), 1 at Bowling Harbour 30 Sep (IPG), 1 on River Kelvin at Millichen on 8 Oct (AKMcN), 1 on burn at Westmill Farm, Dolphinton on 13 Oct (AMcA), 1 at pond Finlaystone Estate 13 Oct (DSF), 1 on River Cart at Colin's Isle, Renfrew 23 Oct-11 Nov (ECD,FH), 1 at Hogganfield Loch on 30 Oct and 4 Nov (GCC), 1 on the old Paisley Canal at Ferguslie Mill Dam 4 Nov (DM), 1 Rouken Glen Park Pond 7 Nov (JSW,VW), 1 Ryat Linn 17 Nov and 26 Dec (SAW,JSW,VW), 1 on Forth & Clyde Canal at Possil Loch 1 Dec (CRS), 1 in flight Bogside Pond, Kilsyth 5 Dec (PGC), 2 on ice-free Dubbs Water at Aird Meadow 20 Dec (RSPB), and 1 at Raith Haugh on 28 Dec (ADW).

 

Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major

Winter-spring reports included 2 at Baron's Haugh on 9 Jan (JTT), and 3 (2 ♂♂) in Linn Park on 18 Feb (SAW). Breeding reports are in the table.

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Ardencaple	1	HS	Dougalston	1	AKM	Langbank village	2	DSF
Avon Gorge	1	SRi	Endrick Mouth	1	LM	Langbank, Undercraig	1	JTT
Bothwell Castle	1	DWM	Finlaystone Estate	3	DSF	Linn Park	1	SAW
Buchanan Castle	1	GJB	Garrion Gill	1	SRi	Lochwinnoch, Aird M	2	RSPB
Carbarns	1	ECD	Garscube Estate	1	TB	Mearnskirk Woodland	1	SL
Carbeth Loch	1	AKM	Gartochraggan	1	JTT	Middleton Farm	1	J&VW
Carron Valley Forest	1	AKM	Glasgow Golf Course	1	HM	Mugdock Castle	1	AKM
Cathkin Braes	1	DWM	Gleann nan Caorann	1	JTT	Parkhouse	2	SL
Cloch Caravan Park	1	FG	Glen Douglas	1	JTT	Pollok Country Park	1	CRS
Craigallian Plantation	1	AKM	Glenoran	1	HS	Portincaple	1	JTT
Daldowie	1	CRS	Helensburgh G Course	1	DHM	Tollcross park	1	CRS
Darleith	1	FL	High Banton	1	PGC	Waulkmill Glen	2	J&VW
Dawsholm Park	1	TB	Johnstone, Bluebell Wd	1	DACa	Wiston	1	JBB
Deil's Craig Dam	1	AKM	L Lom, Rowardennan	1	ECD
Dolphinton	1	AMcA	L Lomond, Sallochy	1	DACa

Summary: 49 pairs reported from 43 sites in 2002. Other breeding observations included: (i) a pair with 2 juvs at Cloch Caravan Park 14 June (FG); (ii) a ♂ and juv in a Dolphinton garden 22 June (AMcA); (iii) pair with 1 juv Hillhead Farm 1 July (DACa); (iv) first juv noted at Darleith on 10 June, pair with 2 juvs during July (FL).

Autumn-winter reports included 1 Hartfield Farm 3 July (DACa), 3+ at Carron Valley Forest on 15 July (AKMcN), 3 Garvald Quarry 4 Aug (AMcA), 1 at Finnich Glen on 3 Sep, 27 Sep and 17 Oct (GJB), 1 Ardmore Point 30 Sep (IPG), 2 Possil Marsh 6 Oct (JJM), 1 Cloak Road, Kilmacolm 23 Nov, 1 Duchal Estate 22 Dec (IPG), 2 Milton of Buchanan 29 Dec, and 2 at the Ring Wood, Endrick Mouth on 29 Dec (JTT).

 

Green Woodpecker Picus viridis

Reports involved 1 Crossford 9 Feb (JCM), 1 calling Blanefield 11 Mar, 1 calling Cathkin Braes Golf Course 21-22 Mar (DWM), calling at Auchineden on 8 Apr, 4 June, 24 June, 4 July and 19 Sep, 1 calling Buchanan Castle 12 Apr, 2 on 3 June (GJB), 1 calling Croy Hill 23 June (PGC), 1 Loch Bowie 12 July (DACa), 1 Peitches Muir, Mugdock Country Park 26 Aug (AKMcN), 1 calling Kilpatrick Braes 9 Sep (ECD), 1 Darleith 2 Nov and 4 Dec (FL), and 1 at Lennox Forest on 17 Nov (PB). Summary: recorded at 11 sites, 4 during breeding season, in 2002.

 

Kestrel Falco tinnunculus

Winter-spring reports included 5 over Mugdock village 26 Mar (AGJ).

Autumn-winter reports included 3 Carron Valley Forest 16 July, 3 Queen's View 30 July (GJB), and 3 over conifer plantation Crowbank 4 Nov (NB).

Breeding or territorial pairs reported are listed in the following table.

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Auchenkilns Junction	1	SL	Croy Quarry	1	PGC	Hillington	1	ECD
Auchenshuggle Wood	1	CRS	Darleith	1	FL	Linn Park	1	SAW
Baldernock Mill	1	AKMcN	Dougalston	1	AKMcN	Linwood Pool	1	ECD
Bridgend Farm Pool	1	JJM	Dumbrock Muir	1	TPD	Mugdock, Towerhill	1	AKMcN
Brownside Braes	1	TB	Garvald Quarry	1	AMcA	Neilston Pad	1	J&VW
Cathkin Braes	1	DWM	Gleann nan Caorann	1	ECD	Possil Marsh	1	JJM
Coiregrogain	1	ECD	Helensburgh (NS38)	3	DHMcE

Breeding summary: 22 pairs reported from 20 'sites' in 2002.

Three observers reported a total of 645 bird-days in 2002, compared to 139 bird-days in the case of Sparrowhawk, i.e. 82% of sightings were of Kestrel (see table below).

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Total	Observers
23	34	49	24	35	60	30	28	20	31	39	27	400	IPG
3	9	1	2	7	5	2	1	1	4	7	8	50	DHMcE
10	18	21	6	24	22	16	14	17	13	15	19	195	JSW,VW
36	61	71	32	66	87	48	43	38	48	61	54	645	All

 

Merlin Falco columbarius

Winter-spring reports involved a ♀ at Millichen Flood on 1 Jan (TPD) and 9 Jan (JJM), a ♂ on 13 Jan (KHoey per JJM), a ♂ attacking a Peregrine at Barnsford Bridge on 4 Jan (JG), a ♀ Newshot Island 4 Jan (ACMB), and a ♀ at Knightswood, Glasgow on 9 Jan (GJB).

The only breeding season report was of 1 at Myres Hill on 15 June (JSW,VW).

Autumn-winter reports involved a ♀ near Carron Valley Resr 22 July (RKP), a ♀ at Ardmore Point on 24 Aug (KF), 1 at Cample Burn, Muirshiel Country Park 2 Sep, 1 Ben Lomond 19 Sep (ECD), a ♀ Cowgill Glen 29 Sep (JSW,VW), an imm Blackhill, Summerston 5 Oct (JJM), 1 at Millichen Flood 5 Oct (CJMcI), 1 Fannyside Muir 9 Oct (JBB), a ♂ by the Black Cart Water at Inchinnan on 10 Nov (per JJM), a ♀ Brooks-Ardardan, near Ardmore Point 17 Nov (IPG), a ♀ Broadwood Loch 26 Nov (JJM), 1 flying over Neilston Rd, Paisley 29 Nov (JJS), a ♀ Ardmore Point 20 Dec (GJB), 1 Damhead near Carluke 21 Dec, and a ♂ at Corramore Farm, Lesmahagow on 28 Dec (JND).

 

Peregrine Falco peregrinus

Winter-spring reports included 1 at Millichen Flood on 2 Jan and 10 Mar (GJB,TPD), 1 Barnsford Bridge 4 Jan (JG), 1 Rowardennan 6 Jan (ECD), 1 Hamilton Town Centre 16 Jan (JCM), an ad on the Finnieston Crane, Glasgow on 21 Jan, 1 Feb, 4 Feb, 8 Feb, a pair of ads there 11 Feb, ad ♀ on 14 Feb (JJM), a pr NE over Ingram St, Glasgow at 1600 hrs on 22 Jan (DHMcE), a ♂ chasing pigeons Cloch Point 24 Jan (FG), a ♀ circling Auchendennan Farm 28 Jan (DHMcE), a ♂ Killoeter 29 Jan (FL), a pair chasing Stock Doves Ravenstruther 3 Feb (JSW,VW), 1 over Linn Park 3 Feb (SAW), 1 Yonderton 6 Feb (per JSW,VW), an imm ♀ flushing a flock of 580 Pink-footed Geese (while 145 Greylag Geese in same field remained undisturbed) at Easter Lumloch on 11 Feb (IPG), an imm at Allander/Kelvin confluence 15 Feb (anon), 1 catching Feral Pigeon at Abbeymill Business Centre, Paisley 19 Feb (DACa), 2 Baron's Haugh 24 Feb (SK), 1 over Southern General Hospital, Govan 25 Feb (HAA), 1 Ardmore Point 15 Mar (GJB), a ♀ hunting over Arkleston Farm 20 Mar (IPG), a ♂ Finnich Glen 25 Mar (RKP), and 1 at Inverarnan on 31 Mar (ECD).

Breeding: Lanarkshire The pair at Falls of Clyde fledged 4 young (1 ♂ and 3 ♀♀) (SWT); Renfrewshire ♀ apparently incubating on former Ravens' nest on pylon 13 Apr, ♀ taking pigeon to pylon and ♂ persistently 'dive-bombing' Buzzards there throughout late afternoon of 1 June (IPG), pr raised b/2 at usual quarry site (JSW,VW), pair on territory at another quarry but no confirmed breeding (PHB,DLC), a pair (one carrying prey) present there on 20 May (IPG); W Stirlingshire S3 occupied; W Dunbartonshire D1 unoccupied, D4 occupied (6 eggs), D5 occupied; Perthshire P15 apparently unoccupied (RSPB).

Other breeding season reports involved 1 Coiregrogan 6 Apr (ECD), 1 Mugdock 23 Apr (GJB), 1 over Pollok Country Park 27 Apr (HAA), a ♀ at Lochan Beinn Chabhair 9 May (ECD), 1 N over Mugdock village 9 May (AKMcN), a ♂ Shielhill Glen-Dunrod Hill 1 May, a ♂ W low over Duchal Moor 3 May, 2 ♂♂ in territorial dispute over south side Creuch Hill 5 May, 2 ♂♂ in similar situation over Raith Burn Glen 6 May, 1 over Black Grain Burn 11 May, 1 at Forkings of Raith 12 May, 1 there on 26 May (IPG), a ♂ Kilpatrick Braes 15 May (JJM), an adult flying across Firth of Clyde from Dunoon to Cloch Point 24 May, a ♂ knocking Raven off pylon Calder Water 26 May (IPG), 1 Queen's View 4 June, 1 Finnich Glen 8 June (GJB), an ad ♀ in the Calder valley Heathfield-Clovenstone 8 June, a ♂ over Creuch Hill 22 June (IPG), 1 mobbing a Buzzard at Inversnaid 23 June (HAA), and a ♂ in Culter Glen on 28 June (JSW,VW).

Autumn-winter reports included a ♂ Darleith 2 July (FL), a ♀ and 4 juvs over Corehouse Estate, Lanark 16 July (MDa), ad ♂ and ad ♀ Muirshiel Country Park-Coplie Hill 21 July (IPG), 1 at Newshot Island 7 Aug (HAA), 1 at Endrick Mouth 26 Aug (GJB), 2 Sep (AKMcN) and 22 Nov (GJB), 1 almost catching a Whimbrel Longhaugh Point 8 Sep (JJM), a ♂ Kelvin Campus 23 Sep (TB), a ♀ Ardmore Point 30 Sep (JMcO,EW), a ♀ on Finnieston Crane various dates 3 Oct-26 Nov, pr on 24-27 Dec (JJM), presumed one of them hunting around George Square 24 Dec (JC), a ♂ Millichen Flood 5 Oct (JJM), a ♀ Lennoxtown 4 Oct (PB), a ♂ Coalburn Moss 23-24 Oct (SRi), 1 perched on top of Inverclyde Royal Hospital, Greenock on 6 Nov (DLC), 1 Cardross Bay 28 Nov (ECD), and a pr soaring over Broken Cross OCS, Rigside on 28 Dec (JND).

 

Great Grey Shrike Lanius excubitor

A bird which was first reported on 31 October 2001, on the north side of Fannyside Muir near Crowbank Farm, remained there until at least 10 Feb 2002 (BSM,EKM,JJM et al).

 

Jay Garrulus glandarius

Winter-spring reports involved 1 at Rob Roy's Prison, Loch Lomond 6 Jan, 1 Rowchoish Bothy, Loch Lomond 6 Jan (ECD), 1 Dumbrock Muir 6 Jan (AKMcN), 2-3 on 9 Feb (HAA), 2 Craigallian Plantation 7 Jan (AKMcN), 1 Balfron 12 Jan, 1 Endrick Mouth 19 Jan, 2 on 22 Mar (GJB), 2 at Killoeter on 29 Jan and 12 Mar (FL), 2 Ardencaple 5 Feb (HS), 2 Finnich Glen 15 Feb, 1 at Ardmore Point 19 Feb (GJB), 2 Garelochhead 17 Mar (AMcI), 1 Baron's Haugh 18 Mar (GJB), 'regular there throughout the year' (JCM), and 4 at Inchconnachan on 23 Mar (JTT).

Reports during the breeding season were of a pr at Helensburgh Golf Course (SL), 1 at Killoeter on 11 Apr, 2 on 2 May, 1 on 22 June, 1 on 27 July (FL), 1 Auchineden Plantation 17 Apr-1 May (AKMcN), 1 in Duchal Wood at Highwood (NS3368) 18 Apr (JJG,ECP), 1 Mugdock Country Park 23 Apr (GJB), 1 Ardess Lodge 24 Apr (ECD), 1 Dumbrock Loch 7 May (AKMcN), 1 West Bannachra 4 June (DHMcE), 1 at Endrick Mouth on 6 June and 17 June (JTT), 1 Highfields, Glen Fruin 10 June (DHMcE), 1 Buchanan Castle 13-18 June (GJB), 1 in birches at Blackhill Plantation, Helensburgh 19 June (DHMcE), 1 at North Bellstane Plantation, Cumbernauld 24 June (SRi), 1 at Burncrooks Reservoir on 24 June, and 2 at Carron Valley Forest on 16 July (GJB). Summary: reports indicated a potential 15 breeding pairs at 15 sites in 2002.

Autumn reports included 1 Darleith 3 Aug-10 Sep, 2 on 11-27 Sep, 9 Nov and 25 Dec (FL), 1 at Craigallian Plantation 10 Aug, 1 at Mugdock Country Park on 11 Aug and 24 Aug (AKMcN), 4 in oaks Ardpeaton 14 Aug (DHMcE), 1 Garscube Estate 15 Aug (TPD), 1 Bannachra House 26 Aug (DHMcE), 1 Craigend 30 Sep, 2 Dumbrock Muir 11 Sep (AKMcN), 1 flew W over the M74 near Abington on 20 Sep (JBB), 5 at the Endrick Mouth on 7 Oct (LM) and 22 Nov (GJB), 1 at Ballochruin on 10 Oct (GJB), 2 Killoeter 29 Oct, 2 on 15 Nov (FL), 1 Mugdock village 31 Oct (AGJ), 2 Baron's Haugh in ?Oct? and ?Dec? (RSPB), ?regular throughout year? (JCM), 1 Cashel Farm 23 Nov (ECD), 2 Red Road, Cardross 25 Nov (FL), 1 Rossdhu 29 Nov, 1 on 8 Dec (PC), 1 feeding under an oak tree beside the B786 on the south side of Carruth Estate, near Bridge of Weir on 22 Dec (IPG), 1 at Croftamie on 29 Dec, and 1 at Gartochraggan on 29 Dec (JTT).

 

Magpie Pica pica

Winter-spring reports included 13 at Cathkin Braes 16 Jan, 16 at Woodburn Park, Rutherglen on 24 Feb (DWM), and 7 prs in Kelvingrove Park, Glasgow on 27 Feb (DHMcE).

Breeding reports (prs = apparently occupied nests)

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Auchenkilns Junction	7	SL	Lochwinnoch Reserve	1	RSPB	Possil Marsh	2	JJM
Balgray Reservoir	3	J&VW	Mearnskirk Woodland	2	SL	Robroyston	1	SL
Helensburgh G Course	2	SL	North Haugh	3	IL	W Cart W at Eaglesham	1	SL
Kelvingrove Park	7	DHMcE	Paisley, Oakfield Ave	1	JMcE
Langbank village	2	DSF	Parkhouse	5	SL

Summary: 37 pairs reported at 13 sites in 2002. Other notes included: (i) first juv noted in a Renfrew garden on 13 June (FH).

Autumn-winter reports included 4 Garelochhead 23 July (AMcI), 17 Sandyflats 15 Aug (TPD), pre-roost 19 Millichen Flood 7 Oct (GJB), 40 Brownsfield Farm 9 Nov (IPG), 26 Renfrew High School 9 Nov (FH), 40 in fields at Cardross 11 Dec (JBB), 11 Garscadden Park 17 Dec, 24 in Tollcross Park 19 Dec (CRS), and 14 at Cathkin Braes on 31 Dec (DWM).

 

Jackdaw Coloeus monedula

Winter-spring reports included 295 Millichen Flood 10 Jan (TPD), 500 going to roost from N side of the Clyde estuary to Erskine Wood at 1830 hrs on 21 Mar (DHMcE), 66 at roost Seath Ave, Langbank on 31 Mar (DSF), and 60 at Park Quay, Erskine on 31 Mar (FH).

Breeding reports (prs = apparently occupied nests or estimated number of pairs at colony)

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Eaglesham, Low Borland	1	SL	Mearnskirk Woodland	1	SL
Langbank, Seath Ave	1	DSF	Pilmuir Quarry	20	J&VW

Summary: in a very poor level of recording, only 23 pairs reported in 2002.

Autumn-winter reports included a pre-roost of 120 at East Millichen Farm on 8 Oct (AKMcN), 2500 at Bishopton 8 Dec (IPG), and 500 over Bargarran, Erskine, moving SW at 1550 hrs on 15 Dec (JTT).

 

Rook Corvus frugilegus

Winter-spring reports included a pre-roost gathering of 600 at Hill of Barnaigh 1 Jan (IPG), 300 at roost Drumpellier Country Park 6 Jan (CL), and 270 at Millichen Flood on 29 Jan (TPD).

Rookery nest counts are shown in the following tables (see over):

Rookery site	Nests	Date	Obs		Rookery site	Nests	Date	Obs
Arden House	30	5 Apr	JTT		Erskine Home Farm	26	25 Apr	JTT
Balfunning House	60	19 Apr	JTT		Ferryhill Plantation	28	-	DSF
Ballagan House	10	19 Apr	JTT		Finlaystone Estate, entrance	53	-	DSF
Bearsden, Railway Station	9	1 Apr	AKMcN		Fintry Bridge	7	19 Apr	JTT
Bishopton (Convent)	39	25 Apr	JTT		Glenboig, Mount Ellen G C	290	17 May	IPG
Bishopton (Ferry Rd junction)	3	25 Apr	JTT		High Banton	31	-	PGC
Bishopton, Kirkton strip	67	25 Apr	JTT		Hogganfield Loch island	60	5 April	GCC
Blanefield	17	19 Apr	JTT		Houston, Chapel Road	79	25 Apr	JTT
Bowling oil terminal	15	13 Apr	JTT		Houston, Fleming Road	24	25 Apr	JTT
Bridge of Weir, Houston Rd	62	25 Apr	JTT		Howwood, Risk Brae	26	16 Apr	JTT
Bridge of Weir, KilmacolmRd	26	25 Apr	JTT		Killearn (south)	14	19 Apr	JTT
Brownsfield Farm	102	25 Apr	JTT		Killearn Kirk	4	19 Apr	JTT
Camalt	68	19 Apr	JTT		Killearn, Croy Cunningham	36	19 Apr	JTT
Cardross Golf Course	2	13 Apr	JTT		Killearn, Laighparks	67	19 Apr	JTT
Cardross, Cedar Grove	30	13 Apr	JTT		Kilmacolm, Leperstone Ave	12	25 Apr	JTT
Cardross, Hillside Road	57	13 Apr	JTT		Kilmacolm, Quarry Drive	33	25 Apr	JTT
Cardross, Moore's Bridge	6	13 Apr	JTT		Langbank, Elmbank Ave	22	-	DSF
Cathkin Braes	14	21 Apr	DWM		Langbank, Main Road	62	-	DSF
Clachan of Campsie	27	19 Apr	JTT		Langbank, Middlepenny Pl	22	25 Apr	JTT
Dougalston (North East)	54	5 Apr	AKMcN		Langbank, Seath Ave	29	-	DSF
Dougalston (North)	103	16 Apr	AKMcN		Lennox Castle Hospital	28	19 Apr	JTT
Dougalston (South)	80	5 Apr	AKMcN		Lennoxtown, Whitefield	32	19 Apr	JTT
Dougalston (West)	26	5 Apr	AKMcN		Lochwinnoch RSPB (Aird M)	21	15 Apr	JTT
Drymen village (west)	42	19 Apr	JTT		Lochwinnoch, Auchengrange	58	15 Apr	JTT
Eaglesham, Low Borland	1	-	SL		Lochwinnoch, Crooks	13	16 Apr	JTT
Lochwinnoch, Millbank	53	15 Apr	JTT		Milngavie, Dumgoyne Ave	4	15 Apr	AKMcN
Lochwinnoch, opp Golf Club	63	15 Apr	JTT		Milngavie, Mains Estate (N)	46	19 Apr	AKMcN
Lower Auchengillan	2	17 Apr	AKMcN		Milngavie, Mains Estate (S)	54	19 Apr	AKMcN
Maryhill Park	2	12 Mar	TPD		Milton of Buchanan	36	19 Apr	JTT
Milngavie, Baldernock Ch	6	13 Apr	AKMcN		Newton Mearns, Mearns Cas	34	28 Mar	J&VW
Milngavie, Baldernock House	106	13 Apr	AKMcN		Old Kilpatrick, Lusset Glen	104	13 Apr	JTT
Milngavie, Baldernock Mill	38	16 Apr	AKMcN		Red Smiddy, Limetrees	3	17 Apr	JTT
Milngavie, Bankell (deserted)	0	16 Apr	AKMcN		Renfrew, Inchinnan Road	1	24 Apr	JTT
Milngavie, Boghall	25	13 Apr	AKMcN		Robroyston, Asda	28	12 Mar	TPD
Milngavie, Chestnut Lane	11	19 Apr	AKMcN		Strathclyde C'try Park (new)	7	24 Apr	JTT
Milngavie, Douglas Academy	26	19 Apr	AKMcN		West Netherhouses	29	15 Apr	JTT

Summary: 2,719 occupied nests counted at 73 rookeries in 2002.

Autumn-winter counts included 150 Kilpatrick Braes 6 Sep (JTT), 180 at East Millichen Farm on 8 Oct (AKMcN), 200 Thankerton 26 Oct (JTT), and 100 at Cathkin Braes on 1 Dec (DWM).

 

Carrion Crow Corvus corone

Winter-spring reports included 150 Cardross 10 Jan (JBB), 38 Millichen Farm 12 Jan (TPD), pre-roost 85 Mid Hartfield 31 Mar, wandering non-breeding flock 10 Duchal Moor 3-5 May (IPG).

Breeding reports (prs = territorial or nesting pairs)

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Auchenkilns Junction	3	SL	Langbank, Seath Ave	1	DSF	Parkhouse	4	SL
Cathkin Braes	4	DWM	Lochwinnoch Reserve	1	RSPB	Pilmuir/A77	1	SL
Eaglesham, Low Borland	1	SL	Mearnskirk Woodland	1	SL	Robroyston, Auchinleck	3	SL
Helensburgh Golf Course	2	SL	N M, Kirkhill House	1	JVW	W Cart W at Eaglesham	1	SL

Summary: 23 pairs reported at 12 sites in 2002. This species is very poorly recorded, perhaps concealing local declines which are due to relentless persecution by gamekeepers (ed.).

Hybrids (C c corone/cornix) reported were 1 at Easter Walkinshaw 2 Jan (IPG), 1 Dumbarton 6 Feb, 1 Cardross 14 Mar (JBB), 1 Glen Luss 17 Mar (JTT), 1 Helensburgh town centre 2 May (DHMcE), 1 Greenock Esplanade 1 Sep (IPG), 1 Millichen Flood 5 Dec (AKMcN), and 2 at Garelochhead on 26 Dec (JTT).

 

Hooded Crow Corvus cornix

Reports were of 16 at Inveruglas on 4 Jan (JTT), 1 at Millichen Flood on 12-13 Jan and 24 Jan (TPD,JJM), 1 Cardross 8-13 Feb (ECD), 1 Custom House Quay, Greenock 2 Mar, 3 at Inversnaid on 11 Mar, 1 Arrochar 16 Mar, 1 Glen Luss 17 Mar, 9 Glen Douglas 17 Mar (JTT), 1 at Pollok Country Park on 21 Mar, 12 July, 24 Aug and 10 Nov (CRS), 3 Ben Lomond 26 Mar (ECD), 1 with a Carrion Crow at Rosneath 11 Apr (JBB), 1 Darleith Muir 13 Apr (JTT), 1 Rowardennan 24 Apr (ECD), 2 on 24 Nov (AKMcN), 1 Ardmore North Bay 6 Aug (JBB), 1 Port Glasgow 20 Aug (DSF), 1 Loch Arklet 24 Nov (AKMcN), 30 Glen Fruin 30 Nov (JBB), 1 Ardlui 1 Dec, 7 along Loch Long-side road 8 Dec, and 2 at Finnart on 26 Dec (JTT).

 

Raven Corvus corax

Reports during the first half of the year included 2 at Millichen Flood on 6 Jan and 12 Jan (TPD), a pair at Forrestburn Resr on 9 Jan (ECD), 4 over Rossdhu 13 Jan (JAP-M), 4 at Killoeter on 15 Jan (FL), 9 Darndaff Moor 19 Jan (MMcG), 1 Hartfield Moss 21 Jan (HAA), 2 Cathkin Braes 24 Jan (SAW), 4 over Cloch Point 24 Jan (FG), 2 Ardmore Point 24 Jan (JBB), a pair Mugdock Country Park 4 Feb (AKMcN), a pair Walls Hill-Hartfield Moss 9 Feb, 1 Fauldhead 9 Feb (IPG), 2 over Linn Park 23 Feb (SAW), 4 Auchineden 12 Mar (GJB), 2 in field Barnbrock Farm 17 Mar, 11 engaging in communal aerobatics on the updraught near the summit of Misty Law, 9 drifting N then doing the same 2 km away over Queenside Hill 17 Mar (IPG), 6 Conic Hill 21 Mar, 2 Ben Lomond 26 Mar (ECD), 2 pairs on 7 Apr (DHMcE), 2 at Cashel on 27 Mar (FL), 2 at North Newton 30 Mar, 1 displaying over Corlick Hill 30 Mar (IPG), 1 in aerial combat with a Jackdaw over Birkmyre Park, Kilmacolm 5 Apr (AB), 2 at dead ewe Carruthmuir 6 Apr, 12 there on 9 Apr, 14 on 21 Apr (IPG), 4 Darleith Muir Plantation 13 Apr (JTT), 30 upper Strathgryfe (Garshangan) 25 Apr (HAA), 2 over Barrhead on 27 Apr (PB,DLC), 2 over Brownside Braes on 5 May (TB), 26 on Cairncurran Hill 5 May, 10 'playing' on updraught Broadish Law 6 May, and rather unusually, 1 perched (preening) on the island at Loch Thom on 23 May (IPG).

Breeding reports involved no information from Lanarkshire (ed.), 5 nesting pairs Renfrewshire (3 pairs in quarries, 2 pairs on pylons), 3 pairs fledging at least 8 young (IPG,JSW,VW); 2 pairs West Stirlingshire, one in quarry reared b/4 (PGC), one in pylon but outcome unknown (JJM); 4 active nests noted West Dunbartonshire (JM et al), including a tree-nesting site in Glen Fruin which although active at start of season was subsequently deserted (JM); other breeding season reports included two birds present at Dumbarton Rock during the season, but no confirmed nesting (JM,JSW,VW), one displaying over Knockdal Ring on 13 Apr, one carrying food W over Queenside Muir on 13 Apr (IPG), and 1 at Clynder ?where they are nesting? on 14 Apr (JAP-M).

Post-breeding reports were of 3 on Wenchly Top 27 May, 44 feeding on a dead sheep Burnbank Water 3 June, 11 Creuch Hill 22 June, 5 on 23 June (IPG), 16 Hill of Stake-Misty Law 16 July (ECP), 9 Ben Lomond 10 July, 3 at Muirshiel barytes mine 12 July (ECD), 2 Gilmourton 12 Aug (JSW,VW), and 2 on a pylon Dumbrock Muir 23 Aug (TPD).

Autumn-winter reports included 8 S over Ardmore Point on 3 Sep (JBB), 1 over Cathkin Braes on 29 Sep (DWM), 3 at the Endrick Mouth 30 Sep (AKMcN), 10 Long Loch 5 Oct (JSW,VW), 2 Glen Douglas 19 Oct (JTT), 2 Dumbrock Muir 9 Nov (JJM), 1 N high over Ardmore Point 9 Nov (IPG, AKMcN), 3 Garadhban Forest 23 Nov (ECD), 2 Gleann nan Caorann 24 Nov (JTT), 7 at Reivoch Farm on 5 Dec (DACa), 5 Tinto 7 Dec (HAA), 1 over Dumbarton Town Centre on 11 Dec (JBB), 4 Carruthmuir 22-29 Dec (IPG), a pair Muirhouse Muir 25 Dec (AKMcN), and 17 at Over Enoch, Eaglesham on 28 Dec (JSW,VW).

 

Waxwing Bombycilla garrulus

Early year reports were of 2 at Dean Park, Renfrew on 1 Jan (FH), 1 in Houston on 4 Jan (per RSPB), and 2 beside the A749 at Cathkin 30 Jan-11 Feb (per BS et al). No reports at end of year.

 

Coal Tit Periparus ater

Winter-spring reports included a count of 10 at Old Kilpatrick on 12 Mar (FH).

Breeding reports (prs = territorial pairs or singing ♂♂)

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Ardmore Point	1	JJM	Endrick Mouth	1	JTT	Lochwinnoch Reserve	4	RSPB
Auchenkilns Junction	3	SL	Erskine, Boden Boo	1	ECD	Mearnskirk Woodland	2	SL
Auchineden Plantation	3	AKM	Erskine, M898	1	JTT	North Haugh	1	IL
Cathkin Braes	3	DWM	Helensburgh Golf Course	3	SL	Pilmuir/A77	1	SL
Craigallian	1	AKM	Hilton Park Golf Course	1	JJM	W Cart W at Eaglesham	1	SL
Darleith Muir Plantation	3	JTT	Langbank village	2	DSF

Summary: 32 pairs reported at 17 sites in 2002.

Autumn-winter counts included 15 Garvald Quarry 4 Aug, 16 South Hill 6 Aug (AMcA), 10 Gryfe Plantation 22 Sep (ECD), and 8 in a Dolphinton garden on 31 Dec (AMcA).

 

Willow Tit Poecile montanus

Breeding season reports were of single pairs which bred successfully at Millburn Glen, Auchter Water and Coltness West, and single males which held territory at Eastmuir Plantation, Garrion Gill Head and Greenhead Pond (JCM), with a single bird reported at this last site on 20 Apr (HAA).

Autumn-winter reports were of 'young dispersing from Auchter Water to Eastmuir Plantation and Garrion Gill Head' (JCM), but no details were provided (ed.).

 

Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus

Breeding reports (prs = territorial pairs or singing ♂♂)

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Ardmore Point	3	AKM	Helensburgh Golf Course	3	SL	North Haugh	3	IL
Auchenkilns Junction	9	SL	Hilton Park Golf Course	1	JJM	Parkhouse	6	SL
Carbeth Loch	2	AKM	L Lomond, Craigroston	15	DJC	Pilmuir/A77	5	SL
Cathkin Braes	7	DWM	L Lomond, Inversnaid	7	DJC	Possil Marsh	2	JJM
Craigallian	1	AKM	Langbank village	12	DSF	Renfrew garden	1	FH
Eaglesham, L Borland	3	SL	Lochwinnoch Reserve	16	RSPB	Robroyston	2	SL
Erskine, Allison Ave	1	JTT	Mearnskirk Woodland	6	SL	W Cart W at Eaglesham	2	SL
Glasgow, Kelvingrove	1	JTT	Milngavie, Mains Estate	2	AKM

Summary: 110 pairs reported at 23 sites in 2002. Other notes included: (i) first fledged brood noted at North Haugh, Hamilton 4 June (AKMcN); (ii) at Inversnaid, the 7 pairs fledged 66 young and a remarkable 136 young were fledged from the 15 pairs at Craigroston (DJC); and (iii) a pair at Possil Marsh fledged 5 young (JJM).

Autumn counts included 15 Mugdock Castle 6 July (AKMcN), 35 Westmill Farm 13 July, 34 in a Dolphinton garden 22 July (AMcA), 20 in a Kennedy Dr, Helensburgh garden 31 Aug (DHMcE), 17 Craigend Moss 6 Sep, 10 Garnkirk Moss 6 Sep (CRS), 14 Possil Marsh 6 Oct (JJM), 12 at Dumbrock Muir 11 Oct (AKMcN), and 20 by the Forth & Clyde Canal at Bowling 18 Dec (FH).

 

Great Tit Parus major

Winter-spring reports included singing ♂♂ at Lennox Park, Milngavie on 1 Jan, Dougalston on 29 Jan (AKMcN), 2 in song Baron's Haugh 24 Feb (JJM), 10 'fed by hand' at Dawsholm Park on 20 Feb (TB), and 9 singing ♂♂ Kelvingrove Park-Clairmont Gardens, Glasgow 27 Mar (DHMcE).

Breeding reports (prs = territorial pairs or singing ♂♂)

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Auchenkilns Junction	6	SL	Erskine, Boden Boo	6	FH	North Haugh	3	IL
Carbeth House	1	JTT	Erskine, Park Quay	1	FH	Old Kilpatrick, Lusset Gl	2	JTT
Carbeth Loch	1	AKM	Helensburgh G Course	1	SL	Parkhouse	5	SL
Cathkin Braes	6	DWM	L Lomond, Craigroston	2	DJC	Pilmuir/A77	4	SL
Craigallian	1	AKM	L Lomond, Inversnaid	13	DJC	Pollok Country Park	1	CRS
Dolphinton garden	1	AMcA	Langbank village	9	DSF	Possil Marsh	1	JJM
Eaglesham, Low Borland	1	SL	Langbank, Seath Ave	1	DSF	Robroyston	1	SL
Erskine Centre	1	FH	Lochwinnoch Reserve	7	RSPB	Rutherglen, Woodburn P	1	DWM
Erskine Harbour	1	FH	Mearnskirk Woodland	3	SL	Tollcross Park	1	CRS
Erskine STW	1	FH	Milngavie, Mains Est.	2	AKM	W Cart W at Eaglesham	2	SL

Summary: 86 pairs reported at 30 sites in 2002. Other notes included: b/6 fledged successfully from a letter-box in Tollcross Park (CRS).

Autumn-winter reports included 15 at Cathkin Braes on 8 Dec (DWM).

 

Skylark Alauda arvensis

Winter-spring reports included a large flock of 800 Blackstoun Farm 5 Jan (GTW), 60 Millichen Flood 6 Jan (GJB), 50 Blackhill Farm, Glasgow 14 Jan (TPD), 3 in song Linwood Pool 26 Jan (ECD), 2 in song Cathkin Braes 8 Feb (DWM), 1 in song Orchard Farm Pool 9 Feb (CL), 10 back on breeding grounds Corriearklet 2 Mar (HAA), and 4 in song Cashel 27 Mar (FL).

Breeding reports:

Site	Prs	Obs Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Allander Walkway	1	HM	F&CC, Craigmarloch	1	PGC	Longhaugh Point	3	ECD
Ardmore Point	3	AKM	Fannyside Muir	5	ECD	Muirhouse Muir	1	AKM
Auchineden Hill	1	AKM	Garnkirk Moss	1	CRS	Muirshiel barytes mine	2	ECD
Ballochruin Pool	2	JTT	Garvald Quarry	4	AMcA	Neilston Pad	3	J&VW
Beinn Damhain	2	JTT	Glasgow, Robroyston Park	5	CRS	Newshot Island	12	ACMB
Beinn Lochain/Doune	2	JTT	Harelaw Dam	5	J&VW	Orchard Farm Pool	2	CL
Ben Lomond	5	ECD	Helensburgh G Course	1	SL	Parkhouse	3	SL
Biggar Moss	1	J&VW	Inchinnan Industrial Est.	1	ECD	Peitches Muir	1	AKM
Biggar Water Floods	6	JSS	Kelly Cut	1	ECD	Possil Marsh	1	JJM
Bridgend Farm Pool	1	JJM	Kilpatrick Braes	3	ECD	Robroyston, Auchinleck	1	SL
Campsie Fells	8	JTT	Kypeside Fishery	3	J&VW	Selvieland	1	JTT
Cathkin Braes	24	DWM	L Lomond, Cashel	4	FL	Stoneymollan Muir	1	JTT
Dumbreck LNR	4	PGC	Langlands	7	DWM	Twechar Marsh	2	PGC
Dumbrock Muir	2	AKM	Linwood Pool	2	DACa	Yonderton Farm	1	JJM
East Millichen Farm	1	AKM	Loch Ardinning	1	JJM
Endrick Mouth	4	AKM	Lochgoin Reservoir	1	JFD

Summary: 146 pairs reported at 46 sites in 2002.

Autumn-winter counts included 100 Cardross 29 Sep (JBB), 300 Town of Inchinnan Farm 20 Oct (JJS), 30 Thankerton 26 Oct (JTT), 50 in stubble field between Cardross and Ardmore Point 8 Dec (JMcE), and 23 at Southfield Farm, Blackwood on 28 Dec (JND,ADW).

 

Sand Martin Riparia riparia

Spring reports included 10 at Strathclyde Loch on 18 Mar (IL), 30 there on 19 Mar (GJB), 50 on 23 Mar (JJS), 1 Balgray Resr 19 Mar (JSW,VW), 11 Endrick Mouth 22 Mar (GJB), 3 Castle Semple Loch 22 Mar (per BS), 15 R Clyde at Daldowie 25 Mar (CRS), 6 over Black Cart Water at Yonderton 27 Mar (JJM), 1 Pollok Country Park 3 Apr, 18 R Clyde at Cambuslang 3 Apr (CRS), 1 R Leven at Renton 4 Apr (JBB), 9 R Kelvin at Summerston 6 Apr (JC), 6 Endrick Water at Drymen Bridge 8 Apr (FL), 1 over SECC, Glasgow 10 Apr (JJM), 14 Gryfe Bridge, Quarrier's Village 17 Apr (RCD), and 100 at Waulkmill Glen Resr on 26 Apr (JSW,VW).

Sand Martin breeding colonies in 2001 (pairs = apparently occupied burrows)

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Garvald Quarry	250	AMcA	Green Water, Burnbank	5	IPG	R Kelvin, Sandyflats	4	TPD
Glasgow, Kelvin Mouth	7	DJN	Powbrone Burn	56	J&VW	White Cart, Eaglesham	4	SL
Glasgow, Pacific Quay	6	J&VW	R Avon, South Haugh	5	AKMcN

Summary: in a poor level of reporting, 337 occupied nests at 8 colonies in 2002. Other breeding comments included: some chicks were disturbed prematurely from burrows at Burnbank Bridge by tractor cutting silage, then being picked off by two Lesser Black-backed Gulls, on 15 June; the colony was abandoned thereafter (IPG).

Autumn reports included 5 Gilmourton 12 Aug (JSW,VW), 16 Garvald Quarry 14 Aug (AMcA).

 

Swallow Hirundo rustica

Spring arrival involved a very early bird Aird Meadow-Barr Loch 22 Mar (per BS), 1 R Clyde at Roberton 28 Mar (TMcG), 6 at Aird Meadow on 1 Apr (RSPB), 2 Milton of Campsie 7 Apr (AGJ), 2 Kirkintilloch 9 Apr (HAA), 1 Endrick Mouth 9 Apr (GJB), 1 Bridgend Farm Pool 10 Apr, 2 Possil Marsh 13 Apr (JJM), 2 Strathclyde Country Park 14 Apr (JMcO), 2 Darleith 15 Apr (FL), 1 Langbank 15 Apr (DSF), 1 Pollok Country Park 16 Apr (CRS), 1 High Banton 17 Apr (PGC), 2 Loch Bowie 19 Apr (JBB), 2 West Ferry 19 Apr (IPG), 2 Kilmacolm 21 Apr (IPG), 1 Linn Park 21 Apr (SAW), small nos more widespread from 22 Apr (ECD,JSW,VW et al), 12 Hogganfield Loch 24 Apr (FJM), returned to most farms W Renf by 29 Apr, 7 Shielhill Farm 30 Apr (IPG), and 140 at Hogganfield Loch on 30 Apr (CRS).

Breeding reports

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Auchenkilns Junction	1	SL	Eaglesham, Stoneside Fm	7	SL	Linn Park	1	SAW
Creuch Hill, shed	1	IPG	Kilbarchan, Monkland Fm	2	DHMcE	Pollok Country Park	2	CRS
Dolphinton	1	AMcA	King Henry's Knowe	2	J&VW	Powbrone Burn, bridge	2	J&VW

Summary: poor level of reporting, only 19 prs at 9 sites in 2002. Other notes included: first fledged young seen Creuch Hill 18 June (IPG).

Autumn roost counts included 400 in pre-roost gathering Barcraigs Reservoir, heading towards Lochwinnoch at circa 2030 hrs on 15 Aug (IPG), but no roost reported at Lochwinnoch (ed.).

Other reports included 40 feeding over fields Longhaugh Point towards dusk on 31 Aug (IPG), 55 Gartochraggan 13 Sep (JTT), 45 Bishop Loch 25 Sep (GCC), most gone from Renfrewshire by 26 Sep (IPG), 6 at Deil's Craig Dam 28 Sep (AKMcN), a constant procession of small flocks S through Culter Glen 29 Sep (JSW,VW), 4 S high over Ardmore Point 30 Sep (IPG), 4 Hogganfield Loch 2 Oct (GCC), 5 Croftamie 7 Oct (DHMcE), 25 Pilmuir Dam 8 Oct (JSW,VW), 5 Langbank 10 Oct (DSF), 11 S over Kennedy Dr, Helensburgh 12 Oct (DHMcE), 3 Broadwood Loch 13 Oct (AKMcN), 4 Gartochraggan 13 Oct, 5 Cardross 13 Oct (JTT), 15 Cardross Primary School 18 Oct (FL), 4 High Banton 20 Oct (PGC), 8 Baron's Haugh 26 Oct (JJM), 1 between Brookfield and Crosslee 27 Oct (JTT), 1 over Kilbarchan 29 Oct (JJM), and 4 at Cathkin Braes on 31 Oct (SAW).

 

House Martin Delichon urbicum

Spring arrival/passage reports included 1 at Lochwinnoch on 30 Mar-1 Apr (RSPB,MMcG), 2 at Mugdock village on 13 Apr (AGJ), 1 Auchendores Resr 25 Apr (HAA), 2 Waulkmill Glen Resr 26 Apr (JSW,VW), 2 Johnston Loch 26 Apr (IPG), 1 at Bridgend Farm Pool on 27 Apr (JJM), 2 at Garscube Estate 29 Apr (TB), 1 Cardross 4 May (FL), first 2 in village Kilmacolm 5 May, main arrival very late, from 16 May onwards (IPG), and the main arrival West Renf and Glasgow areas were noted from 16 May (IPG,GTW et al). Summer counts included 60 feeding over Hogganfield Loch during wet and windy weather 10-11 June (GCC).

Breeding reports included the following colony counts:

Site	Nests	Obs	Site	Nests	Obs	Site	Nests	Obs
Auchineden Farm	3	AKMcN	Carrot	8	J&VW	Culter Waterhead cottages	30	J&VW
Camps Resr SE	21	J&VW	Cowgill Resr house	7	J&VW	Erskine Bridge Hotel	15	DSF
Camps Resr W	16	J&VW	Craigton, Laighpark	5	AKMcN	N M, King Henry's Knowe	4	J&VW
Camps Resr N	10	J&VW	Culter Allers Farm	7	J&VW	N Mearns, Kirkhill	4	J&VW

Breeding summary: 130 nests reported from 12 colonies in 2202. Other notes included: (i) the nest at Laigh Rd, Newton Mearns raised two broods of four, the first fledged on 16 July, the second on 22 Sep, with all birds in the area gone by 27 Sep (JSW,VW); (ii) a worrying decline of nests at King Henry's Knowe was noted, down from 17 in 2000 (JSW,VW).

Autumn reports included 80 on wires at Strathgryfe Farm, Kilmacolm 1 Sep (IPG), 20 S over Kennedy Dr, Helensburgh on 21 Sep (DHMcE), 25 at Deil's Craig Dam on 28 Sep (AKMcN), 6 Kilmacolm 29 Sep (IPG), 3 still attending nest Dumbarton 29 Sep (JBB), young still being fed in nest at Cowgill Reservoir on 29 Sep (JSW,VW), 1 Broadwood Loch 13 Oct (AKMcN), and 6 over Green Road, Paisley on 17 Oct (per JJM).

 

Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus

Winter-spring counts included 11 in Shilton Lane, Erskine on 1 Jan (ACMB), 14 Fulwood 4 Jan (DACa), 8 Inversnaid 8 Jan (DJC), 12 Cloch Park on 9 Jan (FG), 13 Possil Marsh 13 Jan (JJM), 11 Balgray Resr 13 Jan, 13 Parkhill Wood 22 Jan (ECD), 12 Netherton Braes 24 Jan (CRS), 13 on feeder in a Bearsden garden 29 Jan (HM), 10 Linn Park 3 Feb (SAW), 11 Garvald Quarry 18 Feb (AMcA), 30 Baron's Haugh 19 Feb (MMcG,JTT), a pr nest-building there on 27 Feb (JCM), and 10 Lanark-Kirkfieldbank on 3 Mar (JMcO).

Breeding reports (prs = territorial pairs or family parties)

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Auchenkilns Junction	2	SL	Linn Park	7	SAW	Pollok Country Park	1	CRS
Baron's Haugh	1	JCM	Lochwinnoch Reserve	5	RSPB	Possil Marsh	1	JJM
Cathkin Braes	1	DWM	North Haugh	1	IL	R Kelvin, Killermont	1	CRS
Helensburgh G Course	1	SL	Paisley Moss LNR	1	IPG	R Kelvin, Sandyflats	1	TPD
Helensburgh, S'clyde Ct	1	DHMcE	Pilmuir/A77	1	SL	Robroyston, Auchinleck	1	SL

Summary: 26 pairs reported at 15 sites in 2002. Other notes included: 'a good year' at the Lochwinnoch Reserve (RSPB).

Autumn-winter reports included 15 Killoeter 2 July (FL), 20 Linn Park 19 Aug (SAW), 14 at Ardmore Point 4 Nov (JTT), 22 in a Dolphinton garden 10 Oct (AMcA), 16 Darleith 16 Oct (FL), 18 Waulkmill Glen Resr 20 Oct (JSW,VW), 12 Kennedy Dr, Helensburgh 20 Oct (DHMcE), 20 at Douglas Estate 26 Oct (JTT), 20 Rouken Glen 7 Nov (JSW,VW), 16 Inversnaid 8 Nov (DJC), 20 Balgray Resr 16 Nov (JJS), 17 Langbank 17 Nov (IPG), 20 Tollcross Park 21 Nov (CRS), 25 Corsehouse Estate, Lanark 23 Nov (MDa), 15 Hogganfield LNR 29 Nov (CRS), 19 at Renfrew Golf Club 29 Nov (ECD), 15 Possil Marsh 1 Dec (CRS), flocks 24 and 10 Endrick Mouth 7 Dec (JTT), 13 Milngavie Railway Station 13 Dec (TB), 17 Cathkin Braes 14 Dec (DWM), 20 Glasgow Necropolis 13 Dec, and 20 at Linwood Community Woodland 20 Dec (FH).

The ten largest flocks reported in autumn-winter averaged 21.1 birds (cf. mean flock 23.1 birds 1987-2002), suggesting that 2002 was a slightly below average breeding season (ed.).

 

Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix

Arrivals and spring passage reports involved a singing ♂ at an unusual location Glasgow University 16-23 Apr (CJMcI,SCV), a singing ♂ in Linn Park on 23 Apr and 2 May (SAW), and a singing ♂ at Helensburgh Golf Course on 27 Apr (DHMcE).

Breeding reports (prs = territorial pairs or singing ♂♂)

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Endrick Mouth	6	GJB	Gleann nan Caorann	2	JTT	L Lomond, Inchcailloch	5	AKMcN
Finnich Glen	1	GJB	Glen Falloch	1	ECD
Firkin-Rubha Mor	3	DHMcE	Glen Luss	1	HS

Summary: 19 pairs reported from 7 sites in 2002. A poorly recorded species.

 

Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus

Arrivals (singing ♂♂) included some very early birds: 1 at Baron's Haugh 1 Apr (per BS), 5 there on 11 Apr (DWM), 1 Strathclyde Country Park 2 Apr (JCM), 1 Possil Marsh 4-6 Apr (DJN,JJM), 3 on cyclepath Lochwinnoch 6 Apr (ECP), 1 St Bryde's Bridge, Howwood 6-9 Apr (IPG), 1 Loch Bowie 6 Apr (JJM), 1 Ardmore Point 6 Apr, 6 on 19 Apr (ECD), 1 Mugdock Country Park 7 Apr (AGJ), 1 Daldowie 7 Apr (CRS), 1 Endrick Mouth 9 Apr (GJB), 1 Templehill Wood 9 Apr (HM), 1 by Monklands Canal at Drumpellier 9 Apr (CL), 1 Cawder Cuilt 10 Apr (TB), 1 Frankfield Loch 12 Apr (GCC), 1 Ballochruin 12 Apr (RKP), numerous and widespread from 13 Apr (FH, JTT et al), including 3 Dumbreck LNR 13 Apr (PGC), 5 Boden Boo 13 Apr, 4 Leven Marshes-Balloch 13 Apr (JTT), 8 North Haugh 13 Apr (AKMcN), and 8 Robroyston Park 19 Apr (GCC).

Breeding reports (prs = territorial pairs or singing ♂♂)

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Allander walkway	2	HM	Erskine Harbour	4	FH	Longhaugh Point	1	JTo
Ardmore Point	6	AKM	Erskine, Boden Boo	21	FH	Meadowhead Valley	2	AMcA
Auchenkilns Junction	16	SL	Erskine, Park Quay	5	FH	Milton Island	1	JTo
Auchineden Plantation	7	AKM	Garnkirk Moss	2	CRS	Mugdock Country Park	10	AKM
Balgray Reservoir	6	J&VW	Garscube Estate	1	TB	Muirhouse Muir	3	AKM
Baron's Haugh	1	GJB	Glasgow, Robroyston Pk	8	GCC	Muirhouse Sand Quarry	3	AKM
Bearsden, Templehill Wd	2	HM	Gleann nan Caorann	8	JTT	Neilston Pad	4	J&VW
Bridgend Farm Pool	1	JJM	Harelaw Dam	2	J&VW	North Haugh	12	IL
Brownside Braes	27	TB	Helensburgh G Course	26	SL	Parkhouse	6	SL
Carbeth Loch	8	AKM	L Lomond, Ardess	2	ECD	Picketlaw Reservoir	2	JFD
Cathkin Braes	12	DWM	L Lomond, Inchcailloch	3	AKM	Pilmuir Dam	4	J&VW
Chatelherault Ctry Park	12	DWM	L Lomond, Sallochy	3	ECD	Pilmuir/A77	5	SL
Culter Glen	5	J&VW	Lady Loch	2	AKM	Portincaple	4	JTT
Dolphinton garden	2	AMcA	Langbank village	5	DSF	Possil Marsh	9	JJM
Dougalston Loch	3	AKM	Langlands	19	DWM	Renfrew Golf Course	3	FH
Dumbreck LNR	3	PGC	Lethamhill Golf Course	1	CRS	Renfrew High School	1	FH
Dumbrock Muir	10	AKM	Linn Park	2	SAW	Robroyston	1	SL
Eaglesham, Low Borland	1	SL	Loch Ardinning	7	AKM	SCP, Roman Fort	6	IL
East Kilbride, Centre 1	1	J&VW	Loch Libo	2	J&VW	W Cart W at Eaglesham	6	SL
Endrick Mouth	3	JTT	Locherwood Com Wood	8	ECD	Walton Dam	1	J&VW
Erskine Centre	5	FH	Lochwinnoch Reserve	28	RSPB	Wester Gavin Farm	18	TB

Summary: 394 pairs reported from 63 sites in 2002.

Autumn reports included 15 Garvald Road 3 July (AMcA), 10 in tit flock Mugdock Country Park 6 July, 10 Carron Valley Forest on 15 July (AKMcN), 26 Possil Marsh 28 July, 100 (70% juvs) on 11 Aug (JJM), 26 South Hill 6 Aug (AMcA), 30 Loch Ardinning 13 Aug (AKMcN), 3 in tit flock Hogganfield Park 23 Aug (GCC), 2 on 4 Sep (CRS), 2 Firkin 1 Sep (DHMcE), 1 Darleith 2 Sep (FL), 4 Endrick Mouth 2 Sep (AKMcN), 1 Calderglen Country Park 3 Sep (DWM), 1 Finnich Glen 3 Sep (GJB), 2 Millersneuk Marsh 7 Sep, 2 Possil Marsh 8 Sep (JJM), 1 Baron's Haugh 12 Sep (GJB), 2 at Balgray Reservoir 14 Sep (JSW,VW), 1 Garvald Road 15 Sep (AMcA), and 3 at Millichen on 16 Sep (GJB).

 

Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita

Reports of presumed overwintering birds involved 1 (singing briefly) in a garden at Havelock Place, Helensburgh on 1 Mar (CMacL), and 1 in song at Cathkin Braes on 4 Mar (DWM). Spring arrival (of singing ♂♂) involved 1 Garelochhead 18 Mar (JTT), 1 Linn Park 18 Mar, 1 Netherton Braes 19 Mar (SAW), 1 Baron's Haugh 19 Mar (JCM), 1 Pollok Country Park 22 Mar (GCC), 1 at the Endrick Mouth on 22 Mar (GJB), 2 Strathclyde Country Park 23 Mar (IL), 1 at Garelochhead on 23 Mar (AMcI), 1 Erskine Harbour 28 Mar, 1 Boden Boo 28 Mar (FH), 1 at Buchanan Castle on 28 Mar (GJB), 1 Killoeter 29 Mar (FL), 4 and a ♀ Dougalston 29 Mar (AKMcN), and main arrival completed 30 Mar-7 Apr (GJB,ECD,HS et al).

Breeding reports (prs = territorial pairs or singing ♂♂)

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Ardmore Point	1	IPG	Drumpellier, Monkl Can	1	CL	Linn Park	6	SAW
Auchineden	1	GJB	East Kilbride, Centre 1	1	J&VW	Lochwinnoch Reserve	2	RSPB
Ballochruin	1	AKM	Erskine Centre	1	FH	Milngavie	1	GJB
Ballochruin Bridge	1	AKM	Erskine Harbour	1	ECD	Milngavie, Lennox Park	1	AKM
Baron's Haugh	2	GJB	Erskine, Barrhill Road	1	JTT	Mugdock Country Park	2	AKM
Bearsden, Templehill W	1	HM	Erskine, Boden Boo	2	FH	North Haugh	1	IL
Bothwell Castle	1	DWM	Finlaystone Estate	5	DSF	Pollok Country Park	3	CRS
Brownside Braes	3	TB	Garrion Gill	1	SRi	Portincaple	1	JTT
Buchanan Castle	9	GJB	Garscadden Wood	2	CRS	Renfrew Golf Course	1	ECD
Carbeth House	2	JTT	Glasgow Golf Course	1	HM	Rutherglen, Woodburn P	1	DWM
Cathkin Braes	1	DWM	Helensburgh G Course	1	DHM	SCP, Roman Fort	2	IL
Chatelherault Ctry Park	2	DWM	Helensburgh, Sinclair St	1	DHM	Strathblane	1	GJB
Dougalston	4	AKM	Kilmardinny Loch	1	GJB	Waulkmill Glen	3	J&VW
Drumpellier Ctry Park	1	CL	Langbank village	5	DSF

Summary: 79 pairs reported from 41 sites in 2002.

Autumn reports included 1 Garvald Quarry 11 Sep which was observer's first there (AMcA), 1 in song Templehill Wood 20 Sep (HM), 1 Pollok Country Park 20 Sep (CRS), 1 Oakfield Ave, Paisley 20 Sep (JMcE), 1 Cawder Cuilt 20 Sep (TB), 1 Dumbrock Muir 28 Sep (AKMcN), 1 at Carron Valley Forest 30 Sep (GJB), 2 Cathkin Braes 2 Oct (SAW), and a singing ♂ in a Lochwinnoch garden 3 Oct (ZB). A wintering bird was at Baron's Haugh on 1 Dec (JSW,VW).

 

Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus

Spring arrival (of singing ♂♂ unless otherwise stated) involved 1 at Barr Loch on 23 Apr (RSPB), 1 at Balgray Resr on 25 Apr (IAM), 8 on 2 May (JSW,VW), 2 at Cathkin Braes on 4 May (SAW), and 6 at Hogganfield LNR on 10 May (GCC). Main arrival was slightly earlier than usual (ed.).

Breeding reports (prs = territorial pairs or singing ♂♂)

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Allander Water, RYA	1	CRS	Erskine, Sempill Ave	1	JTT	Newshot Island	1	ACMB
Ardmore Point	2	HS	F&CC, Craigmarloch	2	PGC	North Haugh	31	IL
Auchenkilns Junction	2	SL	Frankfield Loch	1	CRS	Paisley Moss	2	DSF
Balgray Reservoir	20	J&VW	Garnkirk Moss	1	CRS	Parkhouse	3	SL
Baron's Haugh	11	DWM	Gartloch Pool	1	CRS	Picketlaw Reservoir	4	JFD
Biggar Water Floods	9	JSS	Glen Falloch	1	JTT	Pilmuir Dam	4	J&VW
Black Loch (Renf)	1	SAW	Glen Fruin, W Kilbride	1	DHM	Pilmuir/A77	3	SL
Carron Valley Resr	3	AKM	High Dam (Eaglesham)	1	JFD	Possil Marsh	8	JJM
Cathkin Braes	4	DWM	Hogganfield Park LNR	10	CRS	R Allander, Milngavie	1	GJB
Craighall Dam	2	J&VW	L Lomond, Midross	1	FH	Robroyston Park	3	CRS
Dougalston Loch	1	AKM	Langlands	9	DWM	SCP, Roman Fort	1	IL
Douglas Estate	15	KS	Lenzie, Bothlin Burn	1	DHM	South Haugh	3	AKM
Douglas Water Pool	2	KS	Loch Ardinning	2	JJM	W Cart W at Eaglesham	1	SL
Dumbreck LNR	8	PGC	Lochwinnoch	167	RSPB	Walton Dam	2	IAM
Dunwan Dam	5	JFD	Longhaugh Point	3	JTo	Whitemoss Dam	2	J&VW
Endrick Mouth	5	AKM	Millersneuk Marsh	2	JJM
Erskine Harbour	2	FH	Milton Island	2	JTo

Summary: 368 pairs reported from 49 sites in 2002, including 167 pairs at Lochwinnoch (Barr and Castle Semple Lochs, and Aird Meadow). Other notes included: at the Lochwinnoch Reserve 36 prs were on Aird Meadow and 63 prs were at the Barr Loch (RSPB).

 

Grasshopper Warbler Locustella naevia

Spring arrival (of singing ♂♂ unless otherwise stated) involved 1 in Robroyston Park, Glasgow 21 Apr (CRS), 2 Gleniffer Braes, Foxbar 22 Apr (GTW), 2 Cathkin Braes 24 Apr (SAW), 1 at Baron's Haugh on 24 Apr (JCM), and 1 at Bothwell Haugh on 28 Apr (IL).

Breeding summary (see table overleaf): 44 pairs reported from 27 sites in 2002. Other breeding observations included: 'a poor year' at the Lochwinnoch Reserve (RSPB).

Autumn reports involved 2 at Garelochhead on 25 July (AMcI), 2 at Strathclyde Country Park on 30 July, 1 on 4 Aug (AKMcN), 1 on 28 Aug (IL), and 1 at Cathkin Braes on 1 Sep (CRS).

Grasshopper Warbler breeding table (prs = territorial pairs or singing ♂♂)

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Ardmore Point	1	IPG	Dumbrock Muir	1	AKM	Lochwinnoch Reserve	3	RSPB
Balgray Reservoir	3	J&VW	Endrick Mouth	3	GJB	Mearnskirk Woodland	2	SL
Baron's Haugh	6	DWM	Erskine, Craigend Hill	1	JTT	Mugdock Loch	1	AKM
Bishop Loch	2	CRS	Garelochhead	2	AMcI	Muirhouse Muir	1	AKM
Brownside Braes	1	TB	Garscadden Wood	1	CRS	North Haugh	2	IL
Carron Valley Reservoir	1	GJB	Gartocharn Bog	1	JTT	Peitches Muir	1	AKM
Cathkin Braes	2	DWM	Glen Fruin, W Kilbride	1	DHM	Possil Marsh	2	JJM
Craigallian Loch	1	AKM	Helensburgh G Course	1	DHM	SCP, Roman Fort	1	IL
Douglas Estate	1	KS	Hogganfield Park LNR	1	GCC	Waulkmill Glen Resr	1	SAW

 

Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla

Overwintering reports were of a ♂ Barrland Place, Giffnock Jan-Mar (per RSPB), a ♂ Oakfield Ave, Paisley 1-21 Jan (JMcE), a ♂ Cowdray Crescent, Renfrew 2-13 Jan (SMcI), a ♂ in a Balloch garden 4-6 Jan (per JM), a ♂ Shuna Place, Newton Mearns 6 Jan (JAS), a ♀ Roffey Park, Paisley 15-17 Jan (WR), 2 ♀♀ Corsebar Rd, Paisley 19 Jan (per RSPB), a ♀ in Marjory Rd, Renfrew 26 Jan-5 Apr (ECD), a ♂ Dalmuir Park 27 Jan (WG), a ♀ Keystone Ave, Milngavie 31 Jan-1 Feb (per RSPB), a ♀ in a Giffnock Garden 2 Feb, a ♂ on 9 Feb and 17 Feb (MA), a ♂ in a Renfrew Garden 14 Feb-23 Mar, 2 ♂♂ on 13 Mar (FH), a ♀ Gleniffer Drive, Barrhead 3-4 Mar, a ♂ on 9 Apr (PHB,DLC), a singing ♂ Baron's Haugh 31 Mar (JCM), and 1 at Boden Boo, Erskine 4 Apr (FH). Summary: a minimum of 11 ♂♂ and 7 ♀♀ reported during January to early April, and an estimated 23 individuals reported during the winter of 2001/2002 (15 Nov-31 Mar), with the following monthly totals:

Monthly totals November 2001-March 2002

Sex	Nov	Dec	Jan	Feb	Mar
♂♂	1	2	6	3	4
♀♀	0	2	5	3	2
Total	1	4	11	6	6

Spring arrival reports (of singing ♂♂ unless otherwise stated) involved 1 Netherlee 8 Apr (SAW), 1 Lochwinnoch (village) 8-12 Apr (ZB), 1 Langbank village 9 Apr, 3 on 15 Apr (DSF), 1 Baron's Haugh 11 Apr (DWM), widespread singles from 13 Apr (JTT,IL et al), 3 Strathclyde Country Park 14 Apr (AKMcN), and the main arrival complete by 19 Apr (DWM,GCC et al); one was at Clairmont Gardens, Charing Cross, Glasgow on 22 Apr (DHMcE).

Breeding reports (prs = territorial pairs or singing ♂♂)

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Allander Walkway	1	HM	F&CC, Kelvinhead	1	PGC	Lochwinnoch Reserve	12	RSPB
Ardmore Point	2	ECD	Finnich Glen	1	GJB	Milngavie	1	GJB
Auchenkilns Junction	1	SL	Garscube Estate	4	TB	Mugdock Country Park	2	AKM
Auchineden	1	GJB	Glasgow, Springburn Pk	2	GCC	North Haugh	10	IL
Baron's Haugh	6	DWM	Helensburgh G Course	1	DHM	R Clyde, B'well-Bl'tyre	10	J&VW
Bearsden, Stonedyke	1	GJB	High Banton	1	PGC	R Kelvin, Glasgow GC	3	TPD
Bearsden, Templehill W	1	HM	Hogganfield Park LNR	1	GCC	R Kelvin, Maryhill	1	CRS
Brownside Braes	2	TB	Johnstone, Bluebell W	2	DACa	R Kelvin, Science Park	1	CRS
Cathkin Braes	3	DWM	Johnstone-Lochw Cycle	5	DACa	Renfrew G C	2	ECD
Claddoch	1	AKM	Kelvingrove Park	1	CRS	SCP, Roman Fort	4	IL
Darleith	1	FL	Kilmardinny Loch	2	GJB	South Haugh	2	AKM
EK, Calderglen C Park	4	DWM	L L, Rowardennan	1	ECD	South Medwin Pools	1	J&VW
Endrick Mouth	1	AKM	Langbank village	5	DSF	St Germain's Loch	1	GJB
Erskine Harbour	2	ECD	Lapwing Lodge	2	DACa	Tollcross Park	1	CRS
Erskine, Boden Boo	2	FH	Lethamhall G C	1	CRS	Waulkmill Glen	2	J&VW
Erskine, Park Quay	1	FH	Linn Park	7	SAW
F&C Canal, Bearsden	1	GJB	Loch Libo	2	J&VW

Summary: 123 pairs reported from 49 sites in 2002.

Autumn reports included 3 Strathclyde Country Park 1 Sep (AKMcN), a ♀ in a Dolphinton garden 12 Oct (AMcA), and a ♀ at Craigend Castle, Mugdock Country Park on 30 Oct (ECD,FH).

Winter reports were of a ♂ at Muirend, Howwood 17 Nov (AFH), a ♀ eating Cotoneaster berries Erskine 22 Nov (ACMB), a ♀ Balloch 22 Nov (per BS), a ♀ at Lochwinnoch Reserve 24 Nov (RSPB), a ♂ West Lodge, Corsehouse Estate, Lanark 31 Nov-10 Dec (MDa), a ♀ Linn Park 1 Dec (SAW), a ♀ Baron's Haugh 1 Dec (JCM), a ♂ Seath Ave, Langbank 1 Dec (DSF), a ♂ Braehead Cottage, Mugdock 11 Dec (AGJ), and a ♂ in Lawmarnock Rd, Bridge of Weir on 18 Dec (per RSPB).

 

Garden Warbler Sylvia borin

Spring arrivals reported were 1 at the Endrick Mouth on 26 Apr (GJB), 1 Pilmuir Quarry 30 Apr (ECP,GTW), and 1 at Rossdhu on 2 May (JAP-M).

Breeding reports (prs = territorial pairs or singing ♂♂)

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Auchenkilns Junction	2	SL	Firkin-Rubha Mor	3	DHMcE	Loch Ardinning	1	AKMcN
Baron's Haugh	3	JCM	Gleann nan Caorann	1	JTT	Lochwinnoch Reserve	3	RSPB
Buchanan Castle	1	GJB	Glen Fruin, W Kilbride	1	DHMcE	Meadowhead Valley	1	AMcA
Cashel	2	ECD	Glen Luss	1	HS	Mugdock Country Park	5	AKMcN
Endrick Mouth	1	AKMcN	North Haugh	2	IL	SCP, Roman Fort	1	IL
Erskine, Boden Boo	2	FH	Helensburgh G Course	1	SL	R Kelvin, Kilsyth	1	PGC
Finnich Glen	1	GJB	L Lomond, Inchcailloch 1	AKMcN

Summary: 34 pairs reported from 20 sites in 2002.

Autumn reports involved 1 in Linn Park on 18 July (SAW), 1 at Ardmore Point on 11 Aug (IPG), and 1 at Baron's Haugh on 14 Sep (JJM).

 

Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca

Arrivals were a singing ♂ at Baron's Haugh 24-26 Apr (JTT,GJB et al), and a ♂ at Brownside Braes, Paisley on 5 May (TB).

Breeding season reports were of a ♂ on territory Brownside Braes, Paisley 5 May-2 June, but unsuccessful in attracting a mate (TB), a singing ♂ Baron's Haugh 12 May (PHB,DLC), with young noted there 27 June (JCM), and a singing ♂ in hawthorns east of Westerton Station, Bearsden on 4 June (JJM). In spite of intensive searching, no other territory was located in Renfrewshire (TB).

 

Whitethroat Sylvia communis

Spring arrival (singing ♂♂ unless otherwise stated) involved 1 at Baron's Haugh 24 Apr (JCM), 1 at Bothwell Haugh 28 Apr (IL), 1 Balgray Reservoir 2 May (JSW,VW), 1 Ardmore Point 2 May (IPG), 3 on 6 May (JJM), 3 Cathkin Braes 4 May (SAW), 3 Brownside Braes 5 May (TB), and small nos widespread in West Renfrewshire by 5 May (IPG).

Breeding reports (prs = territorial pairs or singing ♂♂)

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Allander Walkway	3	HM	Craigend Quarry	1	AKM	Garnkirk Moss	1	CRS
Arden, West Bannachra	1	DHM	Dougalston	2	AKM	Garvald Quarry	1	AMcA
Ardmore Point (pathside)	5	IPG	Dumbrock Muir	3	AKM	Glenoran	1	HS
Auchenkilns Junction	11	SL	Eaglesham, Holehouse	1	JFD	Glenvale Comm. Wood	1	CRS
Auchineden	1	GJB	EK, Heritage Park	1	DWM	Hallside	1	J&VW
Avon Gorge	1	SRi	Erskine Centre	4	FH	Hogganfield Park LNR	2	CRS
Balgray Reservoir	4	J&VW	Erskine STW	2	FH	Kilcreggan	1	AMcI
Baron's Haugh	6	DWM	Erskine, Boden Boo	8	FH	Killoeter	1	FL
Braehead Centre	2	J&VW	Erskine, Craigend Hill	1	JTT
Bridgend Farm Pool	1	JJM	Erskine, Park Quay	2	FH	Langbank village	1	DSF
Brownside Braes	5	TB	Erskine, Sempill Ave	1	JTT	Langlands	3	DWM
Cathkin Braes	5	DWM	F&CC, Kelvinhead	1	PGC	Lenzie, Millersneuk	1	DHM
Cawder Cuilt	1	TB	Gadloch	1	DHM	Linn Park	1	SAW
Linwood Pool	3	DACa	Netherton Braes	2	SAW	Robroyston Park	2	CRS
Loch Ardinning	1	JJM	North Haugh	6	IL	SCP, Roman Fort	3	IL
Lochwinnoch	2	RSPB	Parkhouse	5	SL	Summerston	1	GJB
Longhaugh Point	1	ECD	Pilmuir Dam	1	J&VW	W Cart W at Eaglesham	1	SL
Middleton Farm	2	J&VW	Possil Marsh	3	JJM	Whitemoss Dam	1	J&VW
Mugdock Country Park	1	GJB	R Kelvin, GGC-Buchley	7	TPD	Kilmacolm- Pt Glasgow cyclepath	3	IPG
N M, K Henry's Knowe	1	J&VW	Robroyston	1	SL

Summary: 136 pairs reported from 58 sites in 2002.

Autumn-winter reports included 1 Strathclyde Country Park 1 Sep (AKMcN), 1 Netherton Braes 12 Sep, 1 Cathkin Braes 14 Sep (CRS), and 1 at Leven Marshes, Dumbarton on 19 Sep (JBB).

 

Firecrest Regulus ignicapilla

One in hawthorn scrub along the Allander Walkway at Milngavie 13-16 Dec (NW,JJM,JC et al).

 

Goldcrest Regulus regulus

Breeding reports (prs = territorial pairs or singing ♂♂) are summarised in the table overleaf.

Summary: 67 pairs reported from 24 sites in 2002.

Autumn flock counts included 10 at Garvald Road on 3 July (AMcA), 12 at Craigallian Loch on 29 Sep, 6 at the Endrick Mouth on 30 Sep (AKMcN), 10 at Garnkirk Moss on 17 Oct (CRS), and 10 at Mugdock Country Park on 30 Oct (FH).

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Auchenkilns Junction	2	SL	Gartochraggan	1	JTT	Myres Hill	8	J&VW
Auchineden Plantation	11	AKM	Gleann nan Caorann	1	JTT	North Haugh	2	IL
Carbeth Loch	3	AKM	Lanark, Falls of Clyde	3	AKM	Renfrew Golf Course	2	FH
Claddoch	1	AKM	Langbank village	4	DSF	Rutherglen garden	1	DWM
Craigallian	4	AKM	Leven Marshes	1	JTT	Strathclyde Country Park	3	AKM
Darleith Muir Plantation	1	JTT	Lochwinnoch Reserve	2	RSPB	Tollcross Park	1	CRS
Garnkirk Moss	3	CRS	Mearnskirk Woodland	3	SL	Towerhill, Mugdock	1	AKM
Garscube Estate	5	TB	Milngavie, Mains Est.	2	AKM	W Cart W at Eaglesham	2	SL

 

Wren Troglodytes troglodytes

Breeding reports (prs = territorial pairs or singing ♂♂)

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Ardmore Point	4	JJM	Erskine, Boden Boo	12	FH	Milngavie, Mains Estate	1	AKM
Auchenkilns Junction	15	SL	Erskine, Park Quay	4	FH	North Haugh	12	IL
Auchineden Plantation	4	AKM	Erskine, Sempill Avenue	1	JTT	Parkhouse	9	SL
Baron's Haugh	2	JJM	Erskine, shopping centre	1	FH	Pilmuir/A77	7	SL
Bridgend Farm Pool	1	JJM	Forkings of Raith	1	IPG	Possil Marsh	9	JJM
Calderglen Country Park	5	DWM	Garvald Quarry	2	AMcA	Renfrew garden	1	FH
Cathkin Braes	18	DWM	Glen Luss	6	JTT	Renfrew Golf Course	2	FH
Chatelherault Country Pk	17	DWM	Helensburgh G Course	3	SL	Renfrew High School	1	FH
Craigallian	3	AKM	L L, Inchconnachan	1	JTT	Robroyston	4	SL
Dumbarton Rock	4	JTT	L L, Inchtavannach	3	JTT	White Cart, Eaglesham	8	SL
Eaglesham, Low Borland	1	SL	Langbank village	12	DSF	Westmill Farm	1	AMcA
Endrick Mouth	1	JTT	Linn Park	3	SAW
Erskine Harbour	4	FH	Lochwinnoch Reserve	37	RSPB

Summary: 220 pairs reported at 37 sites in 2002.

Autumn-winter counts included 17 South Hill 6 Aug (AMcA), and 13 Endrick Mouth 9 Dec (LM).

 

Treecreeper Certhia familiaris

Breeding reports (prs = territorial pairs or singing ♂♂)

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Bishopton, Chestnut Ave	1	ECD	Glasgow, Linn Park	1	SAW	Langbank village	3	DSF
Bothwell Castle	1	DWM	Helensburgh G Course	1	SL	Lochwinnoch Reserve	2	RSPB
Cathkin Braes	1	DWM	High Banton	1	PGC	Meadowhead Valley	1	AMcA
Eaglesham, The Orry	1	JFD	Kelvingrove Park	1	DHM	Mearnskirk Woodland	1	SL
Erskine, Boden Boo	1	ECD	Kilsyth, Colzium	1	PGC	Springburn Park	1	GCC
Garrion Gill	1	SRi	L Lomond, Ardess	1	ECD	Tollcross Park	1	CRS
Garscube Estate	1	TB	L Lomond, Inverarnan	1	ECD	Upper Stoneymollan	1	JTT
Glasgow, Clairmont Gdns	1	DHM	L Lomond, Sallochy	2	ECD

Summary: 27 pairs reported at 23 sites in 2002.

Autumn-winter reports included 5 Douglas Estate 26 Oct (JTT), 4 Tollcross Park 12 Nov (CRS).

 

Rose-coloured Starling Pastor roseus

One, a first-summer ♂, was found near the junction of Linburn Road and Lyon Road, Erskine on 9 June (ACMB), and remained in the immediate area until 11 June (DLC,JJM et al). This was the first record for Renfrewshire (ed.).

 

Starling Sturnus vulgaris

Winter-spring counts included 500 in feeding flock Reivoch-Windyhill 8 Jan (IPG), 150 Ardmore North Bay 17 Jan (JBB), 100 Millichen Flood 23 Jan (TPD), 350 High Banton 27 Jan (PGC), 400 Millersneuk Marsh 9 Feb (JJM), and 100 at Tollcross Park, Glasgow on 26 Apr (CRS).

Breeding reports included nest-building Howwood from 9 Apr, ads carrying food to nests from 4 May, first young fledged 22 May, most fledged by 25 May (IPG), ads noted carrying food Foxbar, Paisley from 5 May, first fledged young 21 May (GTW), first fledged young noted in a Renfrew garden on 18 May (FH), first fledged Maryhill on 19 May (TPD), first fledged Erskine 21 May (JTT), 3 prs Robroyston, 2 prs Pilmuir/A77 (SL), 11 prs Lochwinnoch Reserve (RSPB), and 23 prs in Seath Ave, Langbank, where first fledged young not noted until 3 June (DSF).

Post-breeding reports included 300 at Millichen Flood on 16 June and 23 June (AKMcN,HAA). Autumn-winter counts included 120 on Netherlee Church roof 4 Sep (SAW), 300 Marjory Road, Renfrew 9 Sep (ECD), 500 at Renfrew High School on 2 Oct (FH), 300 at Covington 26 Oct, 200 over Dumbarton at dusk on 4 Nov, 100 at Ardmore Point on 24 Nov (JTT), and 1000 at Ravenstruther on 9 Nov (HAA).

 

Ring Ouzel Turdus torquatus

Breeding season reports were of a pair at Culter Waterhead on 5 May (AGJ), a singing ♂ there on 12 May (CJB), and a singing ♂ and 3 other birds on Beinn Chabhair on 9 May (ECD).

An autumn report involved 1 at Camps Resr on 21 July (JSW,VW).

 

Blackbird Turdus merula

Winter-spring reports included 19 feeding on fallen apples in a Linburn, Erskine garden on 3 Jan (ACMB), and 1 in song South Mains, Milngavie 12 Jan (AKMcN).

Breeding reports (prs = territorial pairs or singing ♂♂)

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Ardmore Point	6	JJM	Erskine, Park Quay	3	FH	North Haugh	7	IL
Auchenkilns Junction	14	SL	Gartochraggan	4	JTT	Paisley, Oakfield Ave	1	JMcE
Auchineden Plantation	1	AKM	Glasgow, SECC	3	JJM	Parkhouse	5	SL
Bothwell Castle	6	DWM	Glen Luss	2	JTT	Pilmuir/A77	5	SL
Carbeth Loch	1	AKM	Helensburgh G Course	5	SL	Possil Marsh	2	JJM
Cathkin Braes	11	DWM	Kilmacolm	1	JTT	Renfrew Golf Course	2	FH
Dolphinton garden	1	AMcA	Kilmacolm, Birkmyre Pk	8	IPG	Robroyston	3	SL
Eaglesham, L Borland	1	SL	Lochwinnoch Reserve	14	RSPB	SCP, Roman Fort	2	IL
Erskine Centre	4	FH	Maryhill, Dungoyne St	1	TPD	W Cart W at Eaglesham	3	SL
Erskine Harbour	2	FH	Mearnskirk Woodland	6	SL
Erskine, Boden Boo	6	FH	Milngavie, Mains Estate	2	AKM

Summary: 132 pairs reported at 31 sites in 2002. Other breeding notes included: (i) juv noted in Dumbarton 13 Apr (JTT); (ii) fledged juv Ardmore Point 2 May (IPG); (iii) the pair in Dungoyne St, Maryhill fledged their first brood on 25 Apr, second brood on 9 June, and were incubating a third clutch of 4 eggs on 29 June (TPD).

Autumn-winter reports included 19 Garvald Quarry, feeding on berries 8 Aug (AMcA), a noted influx to Langbank on 12 Oct with 12 feeding in garden on Cotoneaster, 13 on 27 Dec (DSF), 9 Possil Marsh 16 Nov (JJM), 9 feeding on seed in a small Howwood garden 9-14 Dec (IPG), 14 at Tollcross Park 19 Dec (CRS), and 10 at Cathkin Braes on 21 Dec (DWM).

 

Fieldfare Turdus pilaris

Winter-spring reports included 205 Reivoch 8 Jan (IPG), 110 Plymuir 9 Jan (IPG), 60 Ryat Linn 10 Jan (PB,DLC), 200 at Millichen Flood 20 Jan (JC), 57 on 4 Apr (GJB), 100 High Banton 27 Jan, 60 on 5 Apr (PGC), 150 Fannyside Muir 27 Jan (JBB), 130 at Pollok Country Park 31 Jan (CRS), 56 Bingham's Pond 3 Feb (JC), 82 Cathkin Braes 4 Feb (SAW), 75 Houston 10 Feb (IPG), 60 at Baron's Haugh 24 Feb (JJM), 50 Gartloch Pool 24 Feb (CRS), 200 Darleith 25 Feb-11 Mar (FL), 147 Paisley Moss 3 Mar (DACa), 290 Gartloch Pool 28 Mar (GCC), 380 South Mains, Houston 31 Mar (IPG), 200 Culter Allers 1 Apr (JSW,VW), 200 Garbethill Muir 10 Apr (ECD), 11 at Ross Pond 11 Apr (JCM), and 20 at Carron Valley Forest on 20 Apr (JBB).

Autumn-winter reports included 7 Strathclyde Country Park 30 Sep (IL), 20 S over Cathkin Braes 8 Oct (DWM), 78 Glen Fruin 9 Oct (per JJM), 118 there 24 Oct (GJB), 100 Inversnaid 18 Oct (DJC), 25 Hogganfield Park LNR 19 Oct, 60 Robroyston Park 20 Oct (CRS), 60 at Balgray Resr on 20 Oct (SAW), 100 Coalburn Moss 23 Oct (SRi), 200 Neilston Pad 2 Nov (JSW,VW), 100 at Gilmour Neuk 3 Nov (CL), 50 Auchencarroch 3 Nov (JBB), 100 Darleith 4-5 Nov (FL), 80 Linn Park 5 Nov (SAW), 150 on Kenmure Hill 5 Nov (IPG), 65 Gartloch 8 Nov (GCC), 400 at Over Enoch, Eaglesham 8 Nov (JSW,VW), 60 Hogganfield Park LNR 10 Nov (AKMcN), 210 Hartfield 16 Nov, and 90 at Hill of Barnaigh on 24 Nov (IPG). Overall, numbers lower than usual (ed.).

 

Redwing Turdus iliacus

Winter-spring reports included 450 feeding on ground in plantation at Whittliemuir 8 Jan (IPG), 48 Tollcross Park 8 Jan (CRS), 50 Drumhead, Cardross 16 Jan (FL), total 200 scattered between Devonshire Gardens-Bingham's Pond, Glasgow 16 Jan-14 Feb (DHMcE), 60 at Millichen Flood on 23 Jan (TPD), 43 Garscube Estate 28 Jan (TB), 80 Pollok Country Park 31 Jan-19 Mar (CRS), 60 Renfrew Golf Course 8 Feb (ECD), 250 Formakin Estate 10 Feb (IPG), 85 Linn Park 10 Feb (SAW), 113 Ballochruin 16 Mar (GJB), 150 Mugdock village 22 Mar (AGJ), 60 Daldowie 25 Mar (CRS), 1 Blackwater, Kilmacolm 30 Mar (IPG), 3 Millichen Flood 4 Apr (GJB), 14 Ross Pond on 11 Apr (JCM), and the last report 1 at High Banton on 12 Apr (PGC).

Autumn-winter reports included 1 at North Haugh on 29 Sep (IL), 2 over Mugdock 30 Sep (AGJ), 1 Linn Park 30 Sep, 70 on 15 Oct (SAW), 1 Carron Valley Forest 30 Sep (GJB), 6 Barcraigs Resr 5 Oct (IPG), 50 W over Helensburgh on 6 Oct and 8 Oct (DHMcE), 5 Garscube Estate 7 Oct (TB), 18 Endrick Mouth 7 Oct (LM), 50 Rossbank Farm, Arden 8 Oct (DHMcE), 28 in a Dolphinton garden 8 Oct, 45 on 11 Oct (AMcA), 1 East Millichen Farm 8 Oct (AKMcN), 110 on 1 Nov (JC), 18 SE over Caring Cross, Glasgow at 0810 hrs on 9 Oct (JTT), 1 High Banton 9 Oct (PGC), 100 S over Broomhill, Glasgow 9 Oct (HAA), 14 Hogganfield Park LNR 9 Oct (GCC), 30 Helensburgh Resr 9 Oct (JAP-M), 41 Glen Fruin 9 Oct (per JJM), 5 in Springburn Park 9 Oct, 100 Tollcross Park 10 Oct, 190 over Lethamhill Golf Course 10 Oct, 115 Daldowie 10 Oct (CRS), 18 Oakfield Ave, Paisley 10-11 Oct (JMcE), 12 at Baron's Haugh on 10 Oct (JCM), 50 on 11 Oct (ECD), 50 Endrick Mouth 13 Oct, 45 Glen Fruin 13 Oct (JTT), 45 Linwood Pool 14 Oct (ECD), 40 Cathkin Braes 15 Oct (DWM), 80 Bearsden 15 Oct (GJB), 120 in the Langbank area 16 Oct (DSF), 60 Darleith 16 Oct (FL), 250 Inversnaid 18 Oct (DJC), 95 Hartfield Moss 19 Oct (IPG), 50 West Ferry 3 Nov (ECD), 250 Mountop 14 Dec (IPG), 150 at Fulwood Bridge 26 Dec, and 140 at Mid-Auchencarroch Farm on 29 Dec (JTT).

 

Song Thrush Turdus philomelos

Winter-spring reports included singing birds: 1 in Stonelaw Park, Rutherglen 17 Jan (DWM), 1 at Darleith 5 Feb (FL), 4 Linn Park 14 Feb (SAW), and 5 at Ardmore Point on 3 Mar (IPG).

Breeding reports (prs = territorial pairs or singing ♂♂)

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Ardmore Point	9	IPG	Erskine, Boden Boo	1	FH	Loch Ardinning	1	AKM
Auchenkilns Junction	5	SL	Erskine, Park Quay	1	FH	Loch Sloy	1	ECD
Auchineden Plantation	7	AKM	Garscube Estate	2	TB	Locherwood Com Wood	3	FH
Ballochruin Pool	1	JTT	Gartochraggan	2	JTT	Lochwinnoch Reserve	7	RSPB
Bothwell Castle	2	DWM	Garvald Quarry	3	AMcA	Meadowhead Valley	1	AMcA
Carbeth Loch	1	AKM	Gleann nan Caorann	2	JTT	Mearnskirk Woodland	2	SL
Cathkin Braes	5	DWM	Glen Douglas (east)	2	JTT	Milngavie, Mains Estate	1	AKM
Craigallian	1	AKM	Glen Falloch	1	JTT	Mugdock Loch	3	AKM
Dolphinton garden	1	AMcA	Glen Luss	2	JTT	North Haugh	8	IL
Dougalston Loch	1	AKM	Helensburgh G Course	3	SL	Parkhouse	2	SL
Drumpellier Home Fm	1	CL	Hilton Park G C	2	JJM	Pilmuir/A77	1	SL
E K, Calderglen C Park	5	DWM	L Lomond, Inchcruin	1	JTT	SCP, Roman Fort	3	IL
Eaglesham, L Borland	1	SL	L Lomond, Inverarnan	1	ECD	W Cart W at Eaglesham	1	SL
Endrick Mouth	4	JTT	Langlands	2	DWM
Erskine Centre	1	FH	Linn Park	2	DWM

Summary: 106 pairs reported at 43 sites in 2002. Other breeding notes included: 11 adults seen collecting food at Ardmore Point on 2 May (IPG).

Autumn-winter reports included a very high count, possibly including migrants, of 47 at Ardmore Point on 25 Sep (JGS), an influx noted in Langbank on 12 Oct (DSF), 6 Garvald Quarry 13 Oct (AMcA), 30 Linn Park 17 Oct (CRS), and 20 in Lunderston Bay on 22 Dec (FG).

 

Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus

Winter-spring reports included 10 Cardross 10 Jan (JBB), and 11 at Tollcross Park 20 Jan (CRS).

Breeding reports (prs = territorial pairs or singing ♂♂)

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Auchenkilns Junction	1	SL	Garvald Quarry	1	AMcA	Mearnskirk Woodland	1	SL
Auchensail	1	FL	Glasgow, Newlands Rd	1	JPM	Newmill Farm	2	AMcA
Campsie Fells, Waterhead	1	JTT	Glen Falloch	1	FH	Orchard Farm Pool	1	CL
Cathkin Braes	5	DWM	High Banton	1	PGC	Overfingland	2	FH
Darleith	2	FL	Langbank village	3	DSF	Pollok Country Park	2	CRS
Finlaystone Estate	1	DSF	Loch Sloy	1	ECD

Summary: 27 pairs reported at 17 sites in 2002.

Autumn-winter reports included 11 at Renfrew Golf Course on 10 July (ECD), 26 Garvald Quarry 28 July, 32 on 13 Sep (AMcA), 22 Tollcross Park 7 Aug (CRS), 54 in a Dolphinton garden, feeding on Gean Prunus avium 15 Aug (AMcA), 50 Darleith 5 Sep (FL), 12 Kelvingrove Park, Glasgow 6 Sep (DHMcE), and 24 at the SECC, Glasgow on 20 Dec (JJM).

 

Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata

Arrivals reported were 1 in Linn Park on 14 May (SAW), 1 in Mugdock village on 21 May (AGJ), and a singing ♂ in Shielhill Glen on 25 May (IPG).

Breeding summary (see table overleaf): 27 pairs reported at 24 sites in 2002. Other breeding observations included 'a poor year' at the Lochwinnoch Reserve (RSPB).

Autumn reports included 1 at Garscube Estate on 5 Aug (TB), b/3 noted Baron's Haugh 12 Aug (DWM), 4 Darleith 18 Aug (FL), 2 Cloak, Kilmacolm 22 Aug (JTT), 1 Strathclyde Country Park on 25 Aug was observer's first seen there since 1990 (IL), 8 Longhaugh Point 25 Aug (JSW,VW), 1 Finnich Glen 3 Sep (GJB), 1 Linn Park 9 Sep (SAW), 1 Ardmore Point 12 Sep (PC), 6 Garvald Quarry 11 Sep, 1 Garvald Road 15 Sep (AMcA), and 1 at the Endrick Mouth on 17 Sep (GJB).

Spotted Flycatcher breeding table (prs = territorial pairs or singing ♂♂)

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Auchineden	1	GJB	Garelochhead	1	AMcI	Longhaugh Point	2	J&VW
Baron's Haugh	1	DWM	Garvald Rd, Dolphinton	1	AMcA	Meadowhead Valley	1	AMcA
Br of Weir, Glenmill	1	IPG	Helensburgh G Course	1	SL	Mearnskirk Woodland	1	SL
Buchanan Castle	1	GJB	Helensburgh, Hill House	1	DHM	Millburn Glen	1	JCM
Camps Reservoir	1	J&VW	L Lomond, Inversnaid	1	DJC	Mugdock village	1	AGJ
Cathkin Braes	1	SAW	Langbank village	2	DSF	Muirshiel Country Park	1	IPG
Darleith	1	FL	Linn Park	1	SAW	Shielhill Glen	1	IPG
Endrick Mouth	1	GJB	Lochwinnoch Reserve	2	RSPB	W Cart W at Eaglesham	1	SL

 

Robin Erithacus rubecula

Breeding reports (prs = territorial pairs or singing ♂♂)

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Ardmore Point	2	JJM	Erskine STW	2	FH	Meadowhead Valley	1	AMcA
Auchenkilns Junction	15	SL	Erskine, Boden Boo	7	FH	Mearnskirk Woodland	7	SL
Auchineden Plantation	7	AKMcN	Garvald Quarry	1	AMcA	North Haugh	2	IL
Calderglen Country Park	5	DWM	Glen Douglas (east)	4	JTT	Paisley, Oakfield Ave	1	JMcE
Cathkin Braes	11	DWM	Glen Luss	8	JTT	Parkhouse	6	SL
Craigallian	3	AKMcN	Helensburgh G Course	7	SL	Pilmuir/A77	4	SL
Darleith, Muir Place	3	JTT	Hilton Park G Course	2	JJM	Possil Marsh	2	JJM
Dolphinton garden	1	AMcA	Johnstone, Springfield Pk	1	JTT	Robroyston	1	SL
Eaglesham, Low Borland	1	SL	Langbank village	13	DSF	SCP, Roman Fort	1	IL
Erskine Harbour	3	FH	LL, Inchconnachan	3	JTT	W Cart W at Eaglesham	7	SL
Erskine Shopping Centre	2	FH	Lochwinnoch Reserve	10	RSPB

Summary: 143 pairs reported at 32 sites in 2002. Other breeding notes included: (i) first juv noted at Longhaugh Point on 22 May (FH); and (ii) first juv noted in Langbank on 4 June (DSF).

Autumn-winter counts included 12 Garvald Quarry 11 Sep (AMcA), 26 Ardmore Point 13 Oct (AKMcN), 12 Endrick Mouth 9 Dec (LM), and 10 Netherton Farm-Cart Mouth 19 Dec (FH).

 

Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca

Spring arrival/passage reports were of a pair at Inversnaid on 24 Apr (DJC), a ♂ at Dolphinton on 19 May (AMcA), and a singing ♂ at Aird Meadow (where unusual) on 25 May (RSPB).

Breeding results from Loch Lomondside nest-box schemes: 11 prs fledged 58 young Inversnaid, and 3 prs fledged 21 young Craigroston Woods (DJC), but no reports from Comer Estate, Kenmore Wood (Tarbet), or Ross Point, Sallochy (ed.). Elsewhere, the only breeding report was of a pair with b/1 at Meadowhead Valley, Dolphinton (AMcA).

 

Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus

A very poorly recorded species. Earliest arrivals noted were a ♂ at Baron's Haugh on 23 Apr (AGJ), 1 at the Endrick Mouth on 23 Apr (JM), and 2 at Sallochy on 24 Apr (ECD).

Breeding reports (prs = territorial pairs or singing ♂♂)

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Endrick Mouth	1	AKMcN	L Lomond, Inchcailloch	1	AKMcN	L Lomond, Sallochy	2	ECD
Finnich Glen	1	GJB	L Lomond, Rossdhu	1	PC	R Falloch, Inverarnan	1	ECD

Summary: only 7 pairs reported at 6 sites in 2002. Breeding note: a pr b/3 at Rossdhu, Loch Lomond on 7 July (PC).

Autumn reports involved a ♀ at Cathkin Braes on 2 Aug (SAW), a ♀ at Endrick Mouth 13 Aug, 4 at Burncrooks Reservoir on 20 Aug (GJB), and 1 at Garvald Quarry on 24 Aug (AMcA).

 

Whinchat Saxicola rubetra

The only spring reports were of a singing ♂ at Mill Burn, Duchal Moor on 3 May, and a singing ♂ at Rottenburn Bridge on 5 May (IPG), at least one week after the usual arrival period (ed.).

Breeding reports (prs = territorial pairs or singing ♂♂)

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs Site	Prs	Obs
Camps Reservoir	1	J&VW	Finnich Glen	1	GJB	Loch Ardinning	1	JJM
Crawhin Hill (west)	1	IPG	Gleann nan Caorann	2	ECD	Locherwood Comm Wd	1	ECD
Culter Glen	7	J&VW	Glen Falloch	2	FH	Queen's View	2	DACa
Deil's Craig Dam	1	AKMcN	Glen Fruin, Drumfad	1	DHMcE	Rottenburn Bridge	1	IPG
Douglas Water	1	HAA	Glen Fruin, Duirlands	1	DHMcE	Strathblane	1	GJB
Douglas Water Pool	1	JBB	Glen Fruin, W Kilbride	1	DHMcE	Tinto End	1	MDa
Duchal Moor	1	IPG	Lang Craigs	1	JBB	Trosigeach Bheag	1	JTT
Dumbrock Muir	2	AKMcN	Leap Moor / Kelly Cut	3	IPG	Whistlefield	2	AMcI

Summary: 37 pairs reported at 24 sites in 2002.

Autumn reports included 2 Bishop Loch 30 July (CRS), ♀ and juv Linwood Pool 13 Aug (DACa), 1 at Over Enoch 19 Aug (JSW,VW), 4 Queen's View 20 Aug (GJB), 1 Millichen Flood 20 Aug (HAA), 3 Longhaugh Point 25 Aug, 1 Balgray Resr 26 Aug (JSW,VW), 2 juvs Easter Fannyside 3 Sep (NB), 1 Cathkin Braes 14 Sep (SAW), and 1 Ardmore Point 20 Sep (JAP-M).

 

Stonechat Saxicola rubicola

Winter-spring reports involved a pr at the former India tyre factory site at Inchinnan on 1 Jan and 24 Feb, a pr Forrestburn Resr 9 Jan (ECD,FH), 2 Ardmore South Bay on 4 Jan (GJB), a ♀ on 13 Feb (JBB), a ♂ Linwood Pool 13 Jan and 10 Feb (DACa), a ♀ Cathkin Braes 27 Jan and 7 Mar (DWM,SAW), a ♂ Bowfield Dam 9 Feb (DACa), a ♂ Dumbrock Muir 9 Feb (HAA), a ♀ Garnkirk Moss 14 Feb (CRS), ♂ Garvald Quarry 28 Feb-2 Mar (AMcA), 1 Baron's Haugh 8 Mar (JCM), a ♂ Greengairs on 9 Mar (HAA), 2 at the E end Loch Arklet 11 Mar, 1 Garrison Farm, Inversnaid 11 Mar (JTT), 1 Auchineden 12 Mar (GJB), 2 Troisgeach Bheag, Inverarnan 15 Mar (JTT), a ♂ on moor above Tom na Hairiade 16 Mar (MT), 1 Tullich Farm, Glen Douglas 17 Mar (JTT), a ♀ Cardross 20 Mar (JBB), 4 (1 ♂) Cashel 21 Mar, and a ♀ Fannyside Muir 10 Apr (ECD).

Breeding reports (prs = territorial pairs or singing ♂♂)

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Barnaigh	1	IPG	Creuch Hill (south side)	1	IPG	L Lomond, Garrison Fm	1	DJC
Ben Glas Burn	1	ECD	Creuch Hill (west side)	1	IPG	Leap Moor	2	IPG
Ben Lomond	1	ECD	Culter Glen	6	J&VW	Loch Thom/Cornalees	1	IPG
Bennan Loch	1	J&VW	Dumbrock Muir	1	AKM	Lowther Hill	2	FH
Burncrooks Reservoir	1	GJB	Fannyside Muir	2	HAA	Lyles Hill	1	IPG
Calder Glen (Muirshiel)	2	IPG	Finnich Glen	2	RKP	Meall an t-Sagairt	1	JTT
Calder/South Rotten	1	KMcG	Gimlet Burn	2	IPG	Muirhouse Muir	1	AKM
Camps Reservoir	2	J&VW	Gleann nan Caorann	1	ECD	Myres Hill	1	J&VW
Corlick Hill (north side)	1	IPG	Glen Fruin, W Kilbride	1	DHM	Strathblane	1	GJB
Cornalees Farm	1	IPG	Glen Luss, Edentaggart	1	JTT	Tinto	1	JBB
Crawhin-Cornalees Br	1	IPG	Helensburgh G Course	1	SL	Troisgeach Bheag	1	JTT

Breeding summary: 45 pairs reported at 33 sites in 2002. Other breeding notes included: (i) a ♂ carrying food at Craig of Todholes (NS311652) on 3 May; (ii) a ♂ carrying food at Dunnairbuck Hill/Smeath Hill (NS305667) on 3 May; (iii) a pr carrying food Barnaigh (NS357622) 6 June; and (iv) despite mild winter, noted as missing from at least 8 territories Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park (a possible decline of up to 40%), perhaps as a result of the very wet and windy winter-spring period (IPG).

Autumn-winter reports were of a ♀ Ardmore Point 11 Aug (IPG), 2 on 1 Oct (JBB), 1 on 15 Oct (GJB), 1 on 18 Nov (FH), 1 Endrick Mouth 13 Aug (LM), 5 Glenhead 3 Sep (NB), a pr Barscube Hill 6 Sep (DSF), a pr Harelaw Resr (Barrhead) 14 Sep (PB,DLC), a 1st-w ♀ Aird Meadow 14 Sep (IPG), 6 Queen's View 19 Sep (GJB), a pr Helensburgh Golf Course 22 Sep (DHMcE), a pr Neilston Pad on 26 Sep and 18 Nov (JSW,VW), 8 Finnich Glen 27 Sep, a pr on 17 Oct (GJB), 2 Helensburgh Resr 28 Sep (HS), a ♂ Cardross 29 Sep (JBB), a ♂ Cathkin Braes 23 Oct-4 Nov, a pr on 9-23 Nov (SAW), 2 ♂♂ on 24 Nov, a pr on 30 Dec, a ♂ on 31 Dec (DWM), a ♀ Helensburgh Muir on 5 Oct and 26 Oct (DHMcE), a pr Burncrooks Reservoir 6 Oct, 1 West Millichen Farm 7 Oct (GJB), 2 on 13 Oct (JC), a ♂ on 1-2 Nov (JC,GS), 1 Glen Fruin 13 Oct (JTT), a ♂ at Broadwood Loch on 13 Oct, 4 (2 ♂♂) at Cashel 14 Oct (AKMcN), 5 (3 ♂♂) Glen Douglas 19 Oct, 4 (3 ♂♂) Glen Fruin 19 Oct (JTT), 2 Stoneymollan 19 Oct, 1 on 29 Oct (FL), a ♀ Robroyston Park 20 Oct (CRS), 1 Coalburn Moss 23-24 Oct (SRi), a pr Hogganfield Park LNR 4 Nov-18 Dec (GCC), a ♂ at Fannyside Muir 8 Nov (JBB), a pr on 15 Nov (ECD), 5 (2 ♂♂) on 24 Nov (ADW), 3 (1 ♂) Linwood Pool 17 Nov-8 Dec (DACa), 1 South Moorhouse 17 Nov (JSW,VW), a ♂ Cashel Farm 23 Nov (ECD), 2 at Troisgeach Bheag, Inverarnan 24 Nov, 1 Glen Douglas 24 Nov (JTT), a ♀ Possil Marsh 1 Dec (CRS), a pr Hillend Resr 6 Dec, 3 Forth 7 Dec (JND), a ♂ Balgray Reservoir 19-30 Dec (JSW, VW), and a pr at Dunwan Dam on 28 Dec (JFD).

 

Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe

Spring arrival/passage reports included a ♂ at Ardmore Point 17 Mar (AKMcN), 3 Cardross Bay 20 Mar (JBB), 1 Phoenix Park, Linwood 27 Mar (GTW), a ♀ Harestonhill Pond 29 Mar (JCM), a ♂ Culter Glen 1 Apr (JSW,VW), 5 Glen Mollochan 5 Apr (JTT), 5 (4 ♂♂) together High Murdieston 6 Apr (IPG), 11 Loch Sloy 6 Apr, 1 Muirshiel Country Park 7 Apr (ECD), and 2 at Auchineden Hill on 7 Apr (SJL). Reports of migrants included many small groups of non-territorial birds scattered across West Renfrewshire hills 3-5 May, e.g. 6 Knockdal Ring 4 May, 5 Creuch Hill 5 May (IPG), also a ♀ at Cathkin Braes on 4 May (SAW).

Breeding reports (prs = territorial pairs or singing ♂♂)

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Beinn Chabhair	2	ECD	Dunwan Dam	2	JFD	Locherwood Comm Wood	1	ECD
Ben Lomond	3	ECD	Gleann nan Caorann	2	ECD	Lowther Hill	6	FH
Bennan Loch	2	J&VW	Glen Luss	1	HS	Muirhouse Muir	1	AKMcN
Black Loch (Renf)	1	SAW	Kilpatrick Braes	1	DACa	Muirshiel,barytes mine	1	IPG
Bowling Oil Terminal	1	JTo	Knock More	1	IPG	Queen's View	1	GJB
Camps Reservoir	3	J&VW	Lochgoin Reservoir	1	JFD	Strathblane	1	GJB
Cowgill Loch	4	J&VW	Loch Walton	1	JTT
Culter Glen	3	J&VW	Lochcraig Reservoir	1	J&VW

Summary: 40 pairs reported at 22 sites in 2002.

Autumn reports included 6 at the Muirshiel barytes mine on 21 July (ECD), 3 at Longhaugh Point on 25 July (JSW,VW), a juv Millichen Flood 14 Aug (TB), 2 Levengrove Park 5 Sep (JBB), 1 at Gadloch 7 Sep (JJM), 1 Garvald Quarry 11 Sep (AMcA), a ♀ Ardmore Point 12 Sep (DACa), 1 at Black Cart Water, Inchinnan 14 Sep (IPG), and a late 1 at Cardross on 14 Oct (PC).

 

Dipper Cinclus cinclus

Winter-spring reports included a pr nest-building at Linn Park on 18 Feb (SAW).

Breeding reports (prs = territorial pairs or singing ♂♂)

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Allander Toll	1	CRS	Finlaystone Estate	1	DSF	Parkhouse	1	SL
Allander W at Tesco	1	GJB	Garrion Gill	1	SRi	Potrail Water	1	J&VW
Allander Water, STW	1	CRS	Gryfe Wtr, Br of Weir	1	DHM	Powbrone Burn	1	J&VW
Calder, Muirshiel-Lyles Hill	2	IPG	Helensburgh Reservoir	1	JAP-M	R Avon, Hamilton L Pks	1	SRi
Calderglen Country Park	1	DWM	Kilpatrick Braes	1	JJM	Rouken Glen	1	J&VW
Camps Water	1	J&VW	L Lomond, Inversnaid	1	GJB	Ryat Linn	1	J&VW
Culter Glen	1	J&VW	L Sloy, Allt a' Chnoic	1	JTT	W Cart W at Eaglesham	2	SL
Darleith	2	FL	L Sloy, outlet channel	1	JTT	W Cart W at Linn Park	2	SAW
Duntocher Burn	1	KF	Littleton Reservoir	1	J&VW
Endrick, Carron Valley Resr	1	GJB	Mollachan Burn	1	JTT

Summary: 32 pairs reported at 28 sites in 2002.

Autumn-winter reports included 1 on R Leven at Renton 25 Sep (JBB), 1 on White Cart Water at Pollok Country Park 31 Oct (CRS), 1 in song Hillend Resr 9 Nov (HAA), 1 on R Clyde at Baron's Haugh 21 Nov (ECD), 3 Allander Water at Tesco 28 Nov, 3 Endrick Water at Ballochruin 9 Dec (GJB), 1 in burn beside Craig Ave, Alexandria 13 Dec (JBB), 5 between Calder Bridge and River Calder mouth, Lochwinnoch on 14 Dec (ECD), and 3 along the Allander Water (near Glasgow Rangers FC training grounds) on 30 Dec (HM).

 

House Sparrow Passer domesticus

Winter-spring reports included 6 at Garvald Quarry on 6 Feb (AMcA), 40 at West Millichen Farm on 15 Feb (CRS), and a pair at Linn Park on 10 Apr (DWM).

Breeding reports (prs = territorial pairs or estimated number of pairs in colony)

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Eaglesham, Stoneside Farm	10	SL	Glasgow, Wyndford Estate	2	JJM	Portincaple	2	JTT
Glasgow, Dungoyne Street	1	TPD	Langbank, Seath Ave	5	DSF

Summary: sample 20 pairs reported at 5 sites in 2002. Other breeding observations included: (i) first fledged juvs noted in Erskine on 9 May (JTT); (ii) first fledged young noted in a Renfrew garden on 17 May (FH); and (iii) although a ♂ sang from a birdbox in Maryhill, there was no success (TPD).

Autumn-winter reports included several notes of sparrows feeding on nectar of Red Hot Pokers (Kniphofia sp.) at Drymen (JM), 30 at Erskine STW on 7 July (FH), 132 feeding amongst long grass on roadside Station Rd, Millerston 11 July (GCC), 20 at seed feeder in Kirkhill, Newton Mearns on 3 Aug (JSW,VW), 40 at High Hatton Farm, Bishopton 22 Aug (JTT), 53 in Millichen area 25 Nov, 80 on 5 Dec (AKMcN), marked decline noted in Netherlee where last seen in observer's garden in Oct, when at one time 30 would be expected (SAW), 15 at Gartochraggan on 7 Dec, and 40 emerging from a roost in McGregor Ave, Renfrew on 16 Dec (JTT).

Reports from the City of Glasgow were of 2 noted in a walk around the city centre on 9 Aug, 2 at Adelaide Place Church on 15 Oct and 15 Nov, 1 at TGI Fridays (Gordon St/Buchanan St) on 22 Oct, 12 Nov and 2 Dec, and 1 at Borders in Royal Exchange Square on 27 Dec (JTT).

 

Tree Sparrow Passer montanus

Winter-spring counts included 11 at West Millichen Farm on 2 Jan (GJB), 2 on 5 Jan (DACa), 4 on 6 Jan (JJM), 11 on 20-22 Jan (JJM,TPD), 1 on 29 Jan (GJB), 2 on 12 Mar (DACa), 9 on 16 Mar, 1 on 18 Mar (AKMcN), 7 on 18 Apr (GJB), 4 at East Millichen Farm on 5 Jan (TPD), and 15 at East Yonderton Farm on 8 Jan (DACa).

A pair nesting ?at Millichen? (GJB) was the only breeding report received in 2002. This declining species requires urgent coverage and observers are requested to report all sightings (ed.).

Autumn-winter reports included 3 at East Millichen Farm on 2 Aug (CRS), 1 there 7 Aug (GCC), 2 on 9 Aug (GJB), 1 on 12 Nov (GCC), 8 on 23 Nov (JC), 1 on 5-19 Dec (AKMcN,GJB), 1 at Eastfield on 19 Oct (HAA), 1 at Jerviswood Mains, Lanark 27 Dec (JND), and 17 at Southfield Farm, Blackwood on 28 Dec (JND,ADW).

 

Dunnock Prunella modularis

Breeding reports (prs = territorial pairs or singing ♂♂)

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Allander Walkway	1	HM	Erskine	1	ECD	Meadowhead Valley	1	AMcA
Ardmore Point	1	AKM	Erskine, Boden Boo	3	ECD	Milngavie, Braeside Ave	2	AKM
Auchenkilns Junction	3	SL	Erskine, Sempill Ave	1	JTT	North Haugh	4	IL
Baron's Haugh	1	JJM	Gartochraggan	3	JTT	Paisley, Oakfield Ave	1	JMcE
Calderglen Country Pk	3	DWM	Glasgow, SECC	3	JJM	Parkhouse	6	SL
Cathkin Braes	3	DWM	Glen Luss	2	JTT	Pilmuir/A77	2	SL
Coatbridge, Lennox Ave	1	CL	Helensburgh G Course	2	SL	Possil Marsh	4	JJM
Dolphinton garden	1	AMcA	Langbank village	12	DSF	Robroyston	1	SL
Dumbarton garden	1	JBB	LL, Inchmoan	1	JTT	SCP, Roman Fort	2	IL
E Kilbride, Heritage Pk	3	DWM	LL, Inchtavannach	1	JTT	W Cart W at Eaglesham	2	SL
Endrick Mouth	1	JTT	Lochwinnoch Reserve	4	RSPB

Summary: 77 pairs reported at 32 sites in 2002. Other notes included: first fledged young noted in a Dumbarton garden on 19 Apr (JBB).

 

Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava

One flew S over Dougalston, Milngavie at 1100 hrs on 20 Aug (PB).

 

Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea

Winter-spring reports from built-up areas included singles in Brown St, Renfrew on 8 Jan, Moss St, Paisley on 18 Jan, and in Byres Rd, Glasgow on 6 Mar (JTT).

Breeding summary (see table overleaf): 50 pairs reported at 42 sites in 2002. Other notes included: (i) 2 juvs Calderglen Country Park on 5 June (DWM); and (ii) a pair with b/3 newly-fledged young Newmill Bridge (near Barcraigs Resr) on 9 June (IPG).

Autumn-winter reports included 7 Linn Park 3 Sep (SAW), 5 Gartochraggan 13 Sep (JTT), 6 R Leven at Renton 25 Sep (JBB), 1 at SECC on various dates between 21 Nov-18 Dec (JJM), 1 Bath St, Glasgow 14 Oct, 1 Woodside Place, Glasgow 18 Oct, 1 Queen St, Glasgow 22 Oct, 1 Royal Exchange Square, Glasgow 23 Oct, 1 India St, Glasgow 23 Oct, 1 Gilmour St Station, Paisley 29 Oct (JTT), 1 on roofs at junction Argyle St/Glassford St 3 Dec (GCC), 1 Causeyside St, Paisley 10 Dec (JTT), 1 Tesco, Milngavie 17 Dec (FH), and 1 St Enoch Square, Glasgow 23 Dec (AGo).

Grey Wagtail breeding table (prs = usually adults feeding young, territorial pairs or singing ♂♂)

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Blane W, Blane Bridge	1	JTT	Garvald Quarry	1	AMcA	Newmill Bridge	1	IPG
Calder Water, Muirshiel	2	IPG	Glanderston Dam	1	IAM	Paisley, New Sneddon St	1	JTT
Calderglen Country Park	1	DWM	Glen Fruin, Drumfad	1	DHM	Pollok Country Park	1	CRS
Camps Reservoir	3	J&VW	Glen Fruin, Ballymenoch	1	DHM	Powbrone Burn	2	J&VW
Culter Glen	3	J&VW	Helensburgh Reservoir	1	JAP-M	R Calder, Lochwinnoch	3	RSPB
Darleith	1	FL	Kilpatrick Braes	1	JJM	R Clyde, Carbarns	1	ECD
Dumbarton Quay	1	JBB	L Lomond, Ardess Lodge	1	ECD	R Falloch, Inverarnan	1	ECD
Dunside Reservoir	1	RJH	L Lomond, Cashel	1	ECD	R Kelvin, Garscube Est.	1	TB
Endrick W, Ballochruin	1	AKM	L Lomond, Firkin	1	DHM	R Kelvin, K'grove Park	1	CRS
Erskine Walkway	1	ECD	Linn Park	1	SAW	R Kelvin, Sandyflats	1	TPD
Finlaystone Estate	1	DSF	Loch Ardinning	1	JJM	Ryat Linn	1	J&VW
Garrel Burn, Kilsyth	1	PGC	Locher Burn, Kaimhill	1	DACa	Tollcross Burn	1	CRS
Garrion Gill	1	SRi	Meadowhead Valley	1	AMcA	Trosigeach Bheag	1	JTT
Gartochraggan	1	JTT	N Rotten Burn, Creuch H	1	IPG	White Cart, Eaglesham	1	SL

 

White Wagtail Motacilla alba alba

Spring reports were of 3 at the Endrick Mouth on 15 Apr (AKMcN), 3 Ballochruin Pool 19 Apr, 1 beside Crow Rd NW of Lennoxtown 19 Apr (JTT), 3 Balgray Resr 23 Apr (JJS), 6 Ardmore Point 23 Apr, 8 on 29 Apr (AKMcN), 1 Auchendores Resr 25 Apr (HAA), 2 at Hogganfield Loch on 26 Apr (GCC), 3 on 30 Apr (CRS), 3 Bridgend Farm Pool 27 Apr, 8 on 28 Apr-1 May (JJM et al), 2 at Lunderston Bay on 28 Apr, 1 on 2 May (FG), 1 Cardross 29 Apr (JBB), and 1 at Gadloch on 6 May (per BS).

Autumn reports involved 2 at the Endrick Mouth on 2 Sep (AKMcN), singles there on 13 Sep (JTT) and 30 Sep (AKMcN), 1 Levengrove Park 5 Sep (JBB), 1 Bowling 6 Sep, 1 at Cardross Bay 6 Sep (JTT), and at Gadloch 5 on 6 Sep, 4 on 7 Sep (JJM). The autumn roost at Strathclyde Country Park started with 6 on 24 Aug, 70 on 1 Sep, reached an extraordinary max of 230 on 3 Sep, 170 on 4 Sep, 50 on 7 Sep, and 30 on 8 Sep, with single birds reported up to 1 Oct (IL).

 

Pied Wagtail Motacilla alba yarelli

Winter-spring reports included 60 at Linwood STW 10 Jan (ECD), nearby 72 at Middleton Farm 4 Mar (DACa) (presumably both pre-roost gatherings - ed.), 31 at Millichen Flood 11 Jan (CRS), and 30 at Baron's Haugh on 24 Feb (JJM).

Breeding reports (prs = usually territorial pairs, adults feeding young or fledged family parties)

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Bowling Oil Terminal	1	JTo	High Dam (Eaglesham)	1	JFD	R Calder, Lochwinnoch	1	RSPB
Bridgend Farm Pool	1	JJM	Langbank village	1	DSF	Robroyston, Auchinleck	1	SL
Darleith	1	FL	Loch Bowie	1	JJM	White Cart, Eaglesham	3	SL
Erskine STW	2	FH	Loch Goin	1	JFD
Helensburgh G Course	2	DHM	L Lomond, Firkin-Rubha Mor	5	DH

Summary: 21 pairs reported at 13 sites in 2002.

Autumn-winter reports included 20 Longhaugh Point 25 July (FH), 15 Tollcross Park 27 Sep (CRS), and 15 at Garscube Estate on 1 Nov (TB); the autumn roost at Strathclyde Country Park started with 40 on 20 Aug, peaking at 142 on 31 Aug, falling to 10 on 7 Sep (IL).

 

Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis

Winter-spring reports included 7 on top of Myres Hill 6 Jan (JSW,VW), 20 Darleith 7 Jan (FL), 7 Cathkin Braes 13 Jan (DWM), 19 Linwood Pool 13 Jan (DACa), and 12 Garvald Quarry 28 Feb (AMcA). Return to breeding grounds involved very small nos Muirshiel Country Park-Duchal Moor 17 Mar (IPG), first song Cathkin Braes 17 Mar (DWM), a ♂ singing How Barnaigh 17 Mar (IPG), passage 115 Endrick Mouth 20 Mar (JTT), 200 at Over Enoch, Eaglesham 21 Mar (JSW, VW), 8 including 2 in song Hogganfield Park LNR 23 Mar (CRS), 10 N over East Millichen Farm on 1 Apr (AKMcN), 50 at Havoc on 2 Apr (JBB) and present at low density (ca 50 birds/3km transect) Duchal Moor-Queenside Muir 13 Apr when most territories normally occupied (IPG).

Breeding reports (prs = territorial pairs or singing ♂♂)

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Ardmore Point	3	JJM	Derrydarroch-Inverarnan	19	ECD	Pilmuir/A77	2	SL
Auchenkilns Junction	4	SL	Endrick Mouth	3	JTT	Shepherd's Pond	1	JTT
Ben Lomond	7	ECD	Garvald Quarry	1	AMcA	South Hill	3	AMcA
Bowling Oil Terminal	1	JTo	Helensburgh G Course	17	SL	Troisgeach-Damhain	12	JTT
Cathkin Braes	5	DWM	Muirshiel, Raith-barytes	30	ECD	White Cart at Eaglesham	1	SL

Breeding summary: 109 pairs reported at 15 sites in 2002. Other notes included: (i) first fledged young seen Duchal Moor and Queenside Muir 3 June, but low nos in first broods presumed due to cold, wet and windy weather throughout May to 17 June (IPG).

Autumn-winter reports included first autumn passage noted over Langbank on 5 July (DSF), 30 at Millichen Flood 14 Aug (CRS), passage noted Erskine 6 Sep (JTT), 102 at Endrick Mouth 9 Sep (LM), passage over there 13 Sep (JTT), 51 at Garvald Quarry 13 Sep (AMcA), 100 Dunwan Dam 22 Sep (JFD), 20 Ardmore Point 24 Sep, 55 Claddoch 30 Sep (AKMcN), 25 Cathkin Braes 3 Oct (DWM), 40 Helensburgh Muir 12 Oct (DHMcE), 13 Broadwood Loch 29 Nov (JJM), and 3 feeding in a suburban Cambuslang garden on 21 Dec (JSW,VW).

 

Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis

Spring arrival involved 1 Balgray Resr 23 Apr (JSW,VW), 1 Craigallian 23 Apr, 1 Finnich Glen 25 Apr (GJB), 2 Helensburgh Golf Course 27 Apr (DHMcE), 1 Endrick Mouth 29 Apr (GJB), and 1 in the Calder Glen at Clovenstone on 6 May (IPG).

Breeding reports (prs = territorial pairs or singing ♂♂)

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Clach Buide	1	DJC	Gleann nan Caorann	3	JTT	L Lomond, Inchcailloch	2	AKMcN
Drumpellier Golf Course	1	CL	Glen Fruin, W Kilbride	1	DHMcE	Mambeg	1	AMcI
Duchal Wood, Highw'd	2	ECP	Glen Luss	1	HS	Shielhill Glen	1	IPG
Dumbrock Muir	1	AKMcN	Gleniffer Braes	1	DLC	Stoneymollan	1	FL
Endrick Mouth	1	HS	Helensburgh G Course	3	SL
Firkin-Rubha Mor	2	DHMcE	Kilpatrick Braes	1	JJM

Summary: 23 pairs reported at 16 sites in 2002.

Autumn reports included 1 at Cathkin Braes 15 Aug (DWM), and 1 on passage over Strathclyde Country Park on 1 Sep (IL).

 

Rock Pipit Anthus petrosus

Winter-spring records were of singles at Ardmore Point on 4 Jan, 14 Feb (GJB) and 17 Mar (IPG), 4 on 17 Jan (JBB), 2 on 9 Mar (JJM), 4 at Lunderston Bay 9 Jan (FG), 2 on Helensburgh shore 12 Jan (HS), 9 Ardmore South Bay 24 Jan (JBB), 1 Cloch Point 10 Mar, 1 Port Glasgow 13 Mar (IPG), 3 Garvel Point, Greenock 22 Mar (DSF), 1 apparently roosting on derelict barge East India Harbour, Greenock 23 Mar (IPG), and an exceptional count of 15 at Cardross on 13 Feb (JBB).

No breeding report in 2002.

Autumn-winter reports were of 1 at Wemyss Point on 16 Aug, 1 on 1 Sep (IPG), 1 at Helensburgh on 7 Oct, 1 at Ardmore Point on 13 Oct and 19 Oct (GJB,JTT), 3 on 4 Nov (JTT), 1 on 9 Nov (AKMcN), 3 on 17 Nov (IPG), 4 on 25 Nov (GJB), 4 on 8 Dec (IPG), 1 on 20 Dec (GJB), 3 on 27 Dec (AGo), 1 on the Erskine Shore 18 Oct (ECD), 1 which flew across Loch Long at Portincaple on 19 Oct, 1 at the head of Loch Long on 19 Oct, 2 on 8 Dec, 1 on 26 Dec (JTT), 1 at Kempock Point, Gourock 17 Nov, 1 at Custom House Quay, Greenock 17 Nov (FG), and 3 well up the estuary at the Cart/Clyde confluence on 24 Dec (AM).

 

Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs

Winter-spring reports included 25 in a Linburn, Erskine garden on 2 Jan (ACMB), 50 Forrestburn Resr 9 Jan (ECD,FH), 40 Cavalry Park, Kilsyth 17 Jan (PGC), 20 including a rufous-coloured bird Cloch Caravan Park 18 Jan (FG), 78 coming to seed in a Howwood garden 18 Feb, 52 on 20 Feb, 52 on 9 Mar (IPG), 20 Ardmore Point 18 Mar (ECD), and 45 at Hartfield 20 Apr (IPG).

Breeding reports (prs = territorial pairs or singing ♂♂)

Site	Prs	Obs
Ardmore Point	1	AKM
Auchenkilns Junction	18	SL
Auchineden Plantation	7	AKM
Ballochruin Bridge	1	AKM
Bothwell Castle	2	DWM
Campsie Glen	3	JTT
Carbeth Loch	2	AKM
Cathkin Braes	10	DWM
Craigallian	12	AKM
Dumbrock Muir	1	AKM
Eaglesham, Low Borland	3	SL
Endrick Mouth	4	JTT
Erskine, Boden Boo	14	FH
Erskine Centre	3	FH
Erskine Harbour	3	FH
Erskine, Park Quay	5	FH
EK, Calderglen Ctry Park	5	DWM
Glasgow, Lethamhill GC	2	CRS
Glasgow, SECC	3	JJM
Gleann nan Caorann	4	JTT
Helensburgh G Course	5	SL
Hilton Park Golf Course	5	DWM
Langbank village	20	DSF
Langlands	8	DWM
Locherwood Com Wood	4	FH
Lochwinnoch Reserve	25	RSPB
Longhaugh Point	10	FH
Erskine STW	5	FH
Mearnskirk Woodland	7	SL
North Haugh	12	IL
Parkhouse	5	SL
Pilmuir/A77	6	SL
Possil Marsh	1	JJM
Renfrew garden	1	FH
Renfrew Golf Course	5	FH
Renfrew High School	1	FH
Robroyston	5	SL
W Cart W at Eaglesham	14	SL

Breeding summary: 198 pairs reported at 38 sites in 2002.

Autumn-winter reports included 45 at Rowardennan 19 Sep (ECD), 100 Balgray Reservoir 1 Nov (JSW,VW), 80 Langbank 23 Nov, 70 Cardross Crematorium 24 Nov (JTT), 230 in Millichen area on 29 Nov (JC), 200 Blackstoun Farm 1 Dec (ECD), 65 West Millichen Farm 11 Dec (TPD), 36 in observer's small garden Howwood 18 Dec (IPG), 42 at feeding station in Seath Ave, Langbank on 27 Dec (DSF), and 300 at Corramore Farm, Lesmahagow on 28 Dec (JND,ADW).

 

Brambling Fringilla montifringilla

Winter-spring reports involved 2 (♂ and ♀) in Cardwell Road, Gourock 1-30 Jan (per RSPB), a ♂ in Cowdray Crescent, Renfrew 2 Jan (SMcI), a ♂ Shandon 12 Jan (JCl), a ♂ in an Erskine garden 30 Jan, 3 (2 ♂♂ and 1 ♀) on 4 Feb, 2 on 30 Mar (ACMB), a ♂ in a Renfrew Garden 7-17 Feb (FH), 8 in a Milngavie garden on 23 Feb, 6 on 24-25 Feb, 4 on 27 Feb (IRM), 2 over Daldowie 9 Mar (CRS), 15 Westraw Mains 11 Mar (JSW,VW), and a ♀ at the Lochwinnoch Nature Centre on 19 Mar (RSPB).

Autumn-winter reports were of a ♂ in Oakfield Ave, Paisley on 11 Oct (JMcE), 3 Loch Ardinning 15-16 Oct (JJM), 1 at Lochwinnoch Nature Centre 6 Nov (RSPB), 5 Drumclog 9 Nov (JCM), 1 in a Renfrew garden 22 Nov (FH), 50 at Yieldshields 8 Dec (per BS), a ♂ in an East Kilbride garden 20-29 Dec (TS), 100 at Damhead, near Carluke 20 Dec, 150 on 21-22 Dec (JND), and a ♀ in Seath Ave, Langbank on 25 Dec (DSF).

 

Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula

Winter-spring counts included 5 Inveruglas 4 Jan (JTT), 6 Daldowie 10 Jan (CRS), 8 Netherton Braes 12 Jan (CRS), 8 at Dumbrock Muir on 20 Jan (JSW,VW et al), 9 on 9 Feb (HAA), 16 Lochwinnoch Park 22 Jan (ECD), 10 Cathkin Braes 29 Jan (DWM), 6 in bushes beside the M8 near Georgetown on 20 Feb (DLC), 6 (2 ♂♂) Dawsholm Park 3 Mar (JC), 7 at Fannyside Muir on 5 Mar (JBB), and 4 at Woodend Loch on 13 Mar (CL).

Breeding reports (prs = usually territorial pairs or family parties)

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Ardencaple Garden Centre	1	HS	Glasgow, Auldhouse Pk	1	JPM	Muirshiel Country Park	1	IPG
Baron's Haugh	1	FH	Glasgow, Newlands Rd	1	JPM	Newlands, Earlspark Ave	1	SC
Cathkin Braes	2	DWM	Helensburgh G Course	1	SL	North Haugh	1	IL
Cove	1	AMcI	High Banton	1	PGC	Parkhouse	1	SL
Darleith	1	FL	Langlands	1	DWM	Pilmuir/A77	2	SL
Erskine, Boden Boo	2	FH	Linn Park	2	SAW	Possil Marsh	1	JJM
Garelochhead	1	AMcI	Lochwinnoch Reserve	1	RSPB	Rutherglen, Stonelaw Pk	1	DWM
Garrion Gill	1	SRi	Meikle Cloak	1	IPG	SCP, Roman Fort	1	IL

Summary: 28 pairs reported at 24 sites in 2002.

Autumn-winter reports included 4 Darleith 4 July (FL), 6 Carron Valley Forest 16 Aug (GJB), 7 at the Endrick Mouth 2 Sep (AKMcN), 6 at Helensburgh Resr on 28 Sep and 7 Oct (HS,JAP-M), 6 at Baron's Haugh 20 Oct (JJM), a pr Hogganfield Park LNR 8 Nov (GCC), 4 Renfrew Golf Course 13 Nov, 4 at Wester Fannyside Loch 15 Nov (ECD), 7 (4 ♂♂) at Cathkin Braes on 4 Dec (DWM), 6 at Killoeter on 11 Dec, 8 on 31 Dec (FL), 6 Linwood Community Woodland 20 Dec (FH), 8 Loch Ardinning 27 Dec (JJM), and 11 at Merryton on 31 Dec (IF).

 

Greenfinch Chloris chloris

Winter-spring reports included 15 in a Linburn, Erskine garden on 2 Jan (ACMB), 70 at pre-roost in Woodburn Park, Rutherglen 11 Feb (DWM), and 20 Drumpellier Country Park 24 Feb (CL).

Breeding reports (prs = territorial pairs or singing ♂♂)

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Auchenkilns Junction	3	SL	Erskine STW	3	FH	North Haugh	2	IL
Bridgend Farm Pool	1	JJM	Helensburgh Golf Course	2	SL	Possil Marsh	1	JJM
Cathkin Braes	3	DWM	Langbank village	17	DSF	Renfrew garden	2	FH
Dumbarton, Levengrove	2	JTT	Langlands	4	DWM	Renfrew High School	1	FH
EK, Calderglen C Park	4	DWM	Lochwinnoch Reserve	6	RSPB	Robroyston, Auchinleck	3	SL
Erskine Centre	1	FH	Mearnskirk Woodland	1	SL	W Cart W at Eaglesham	1	SL

Summary: 57 pairs reported at 18 sites in 2002. Other notes included: (i) first fledged young noted in Kirkhill, Newton Mearns on 17 June (JSW,VW); and (ii) first fledged young noted in Langbank on 20 June (DSF).

Autumn-winter counts were of 90 at Ardmore Point on 11 Aug (IPG), 100 on 13 Oct (GJB), 80 on 9 Nov (AKMcN), 70 Cardross Bay 13 Oct (JTT), and a max of 22 at a feeding station in Seath Ave, Langbank on 22 Nov (DSF).

 

Twite Linaria flavirostris

Winter-spring reports were of 1 at Ardmore Point on 13 Mar (IPG), 6 on 27 Mar (JBB), and 4 at Garrison Farm on 5 June (DJC). The only autumn-winter report was of a good sized flock of 46 at Ardmore Point on 17 Nov (IPG).

 

Linnet Linaria cannabina

Winter-spring flock counts included 20 at Linwood Pool on 26 Jan (ECD), 40 at Blackhill Farm, Glasgow on 2 Feb (TPD), and 72 West Millichen Farm 29 Mar (JC), 70 on 24 Apr (JBB).

Breeding reports (prs = territorial pairs or singing ♂♂)

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Ardencaple	1	HS	Erskine STW	1	FH	Newshot Island	1	ACMB
Bishopton, Slateford	1	JTT	Foreside Farm	1	IPG	Parkhouse	1	SL
Brownside Braes	1	TB	Helensburgh Golf Course	1	SL	Reivoch Farm	1	IPG
Carrot Farm	2	J&VW	Majeston-Shielhill Farms	2	IPG	W Cart W at Eaglesham	1	SL
Cathkin Braes	4	DWM	Millichen Flood	3	JJM	Wester Gavin Farm	1	TB

Summary: 22 pairs reported at 15 sites in 2002.

Autumn-winter flock counts included 32 at Garvald Quarry 7 Sep (AMcA), 50 Seabank Cottage, Cardross 10 Sep (DHMcE), 35 Millichen Flood 26 Sep (GJB), 50 at Darleith on 3 Oct (FL), 45 at Covington 26 Oct, 100 Langbank 23 Nov (JTT), 90 at North Arkleston Farm 14 Dec (DACa), and 50 at Baron's Haugh on 20 Dec (JCM).

 

Lesser Redpoll Carduelis cabaret

Winter-spring reports involved 20 at Auchenshuggle 12 Jan (CRS), 30 Loch Ardinning 21 Jan (DACa), 40 Tollcross Park 4 Mar (CRS), 9 Springburn Park 5 Mar (GCC), 10 Bearsden 3 Apr (GJB), 16 Townhead Wood, Kilsyth 16 Apr (PGC), 12 at Eastmuir Plantation on 16 Apr (JCM), and 50 at Greenhead on 20 Apr (HAA). Breeding summary (see table overleaf): 44 pairs reported at 22 sites in 2002.

Autumn-winter reports included 10 at Dumbrock Muir 23 Aug (AKMcN), 25 Balgray Reservoir 14 Sep (JSW,VW), 18 Cathkin Braes 14 Sep (SAW), 70 Birkmyre Park, Kilmacolm 15 Sep (IPG, ADW), 30 Craighall Dam 16 Sep (JSW,VW), 30 Queen's View 19 Sep (GJB), 20 in birches at Hill House, Helensburgh 12 Oct (DHMcE), 25 Endrick Mouth 13 Oct (JTT), 30 on the cycle track between Castle Semple Loch and Parkhill Woods on 13 Oct (JMcE), 20 Lennox Forest 16 Nov (PB), 50 Carron Valley Forest 23 Nov (HAA), 20 Baron's Haugh 13 Nov (JCM), 70 Cardowan Moss pLNR 5 Dec (GCC), and 18 at Linwood Pool on 8 Dec (DACa).

Lesser Redpoll breeding reports (prs = territorial pairs or singing/displaying ♂♂)

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Auchineden Plantation	2	AKM	Gleann nan Caorann	4	JTT	Muirhouse Muir	1	AKM
Carron Valley Forest	3	AKM	Harelaw Resr (Barrhead)	1	DLC	Muirshiel Country Park	1	IPG
Craigend Quarry	1	AKM	Helensburgh G Course	2	SL	Myres Hill	2	J&VW
Culter Glen	2	J&VW	L Lomond, Inchcailloch	1	AKM	Neilston Pad	3	J&VW
Dumbrock Muir	2	AKM	Langlands	5	DWM	North Haugh	1	IL
Endrick Mouth	2	AKM	Loch Ardinning	1	AKM	SCP, Roman Fort	1	IL
F&CC, Craigmarloch	2	PGC	Lochwinnoch Reserve	5	RSPB
Firkin	1	DHM	Mugdock Wood	1	AKM

 

Crossbill Loxia curvirostra

Winter-spring reports involved widespread good numbers: up to 22 Finlaystone Estate, Langbank Jan-Feb (RB), 28 on 8 Mar, 20 on 13 Mar, 12 on 14 Mar, 30 on 22 Mar, 14 on 18 Apr (DSF), 3 at Stoneymollan 1 Jan, 2 on 13 Feb, 20 on 3 Mar (FL), 16 Whitelee Forest at Carrot Farm 1 Jan (JSW,VW), 18 Auchineden Plantation 3 Jan, a pr on 12 Mar (GJB), 8 (5 ♂♂) at Myres Hill on 5 Jan (AJC), 25 on 6 Jan, 70 on 27 Jan (JSW,VW), 18 Linn Park 8 Jan, 5 on 16 Mar, 1 on 29 Mar (SAW), 8 S over Crowbank Farm, Cumbernauld 8 Jan, 1 on 10 Jan (JJM), 5 Barrhead Cemetery 11 Jan (per IPG), 50 at Gryfe Plantation 30 Jan (ECD), 14 on 17 Feb (MMcG), 9 on 24 Feb (FG), 10 on 2 Mar (MMcG), 18 Carron Valley Forest 30 Jan (RKP), 21 on 11 Feb (GJB), 2 on 20 Apr (JBB), 5 Cathkin Braes 4-13 Feb (SAW), 3 Loch Sloy 14 Feb (JTT), 25 Finnich Glen 15 Feb (GJB), 50 at Burncrooks Resr 1 Mar (RKP), 30 at Dungavel Forest 2 Mar (DACa), 11 Hartfield Plantation 2 Mar (IPG), 1 S over Millersneuk Marsh 3 Mar (JJM), 1 over Greengairs on 9 Mar (HAA), 2 Muir Park Resr 11 Mar (JTT), 5 (2 ♂♂) on SW side of Cumbernauld Airport 14 Mar (DACa), 6 Yorkhill Park, Glasgow 17 Mar (DJN), 5 Mugdock village 18 Mar, 5 on 11 Apr, 16 on 7 May (AGJ), 10 Darleith 20 Mar (FL), 5 Baron's Haugh 29 Mar (JCM), a pr Ardencaple Garden Centre 2 Apr (HS), 19 feeding in Scots Pines Pinus silvestris Helensburgh Golf Course 20 Apr, 6 on 27 Apr and 1 June (DHMcE), 4 Greenhead 20 Apr (HAA), and 2 at the Endrick Mouth on 9 May (RKP).

Despite the volume of records during the appropriate season, there was no confirmation of breeding in 2002. It seems highly likely that breeding would have occurred (ed.).

Summer-winter reports involved 8 at Barcraigs Resr 9 June (IPG), 1 Finnich Glen 22 July (GJB), 2 E over Dumbrock Muir 2 Aug (AKMcN), 20 at the Endrick Mouth 13 Aug (LM), singles over Cathkin Braes on 16 Aug and 19 Dec (DWM), 2 Wemyss Point 25 Aug (IPG), 1 Buchanan Castle 2 Sep (GJB), a ♂ at Cawder Cuilt 20 Sep (TB), a pr at Auchineden Plantation 6 Oct (GJB), 4 at Stoneymollan on 29 Oct, 2 on 11 Dec and 18 Dec (FL), 5 over Garbethill on 9 Nov (HAA), 12 at Craigallian on 19 Nov (GJB), 4 Myres Hill 22 Nov (JSW,VW), 12 Gleniffer Braes 3 Nov (DACa), 8 over Glamis Ave, Newton Mearns 4 Nov (ADW), 67 Lennox Forest 16 Nov (PB), 7 over Carron Valley Forest on 23 Nov (HAA), 2 on 13 Dec, 5 Carbeth 16 Dec, 3 on 28 Dec (GJB), 15 Allanton 19 Dec (JCM), and 20 at Creityhall on 22 Dec (FH).

 

Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis

Winter-spring reports included 50 at Balfron on 12 Jan (GJB), 16 at Robroyston Park, Glasgow on 1 Feb (GCC), 15 at Garscadden Burn, Glasgow on 28 Feb (CRS), 21 Garvald Quarry 2 Mar (AMcA), and 10 at Baron's Haugh on 4 Mar (MMcG,JTT).

Breeding reports (prs = territorial pairs or singing ♂♂)

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Allander Walkway	1	HM	Glasgow, Hogganfield	2	CRS	North Haugh	1	IL
Auchenkilns Junction	1	SL	Glasgow, Kelvingrove Pk	1	DHM	Pilmuir/A77	4	SL
Cathkin Braes	3	DWM	Helensburgh G Course	2	SL	Robroyston	1	SL
Eaglesham, Low Borland	1	SL	L Lomond, Cashel	1	ECD	Rutherglen, Woodburn P	2	DWM
Erskine, Boden Boo	1	ECD	Langbank village	5	DSF	SCP, Roman Fort	1	IL
Glasgow, Clairmont Gdns	1	DHM	Lochwinnoch Reserve	4	RSPB	W Cart W at Eaglesham	1	SL
Glasgow, Daldowie	1	CRS	Mugdock Country Park	1	AKM
Glasgow, Gordon Street	1	KB	Muirshiel Country Park	2	IPG

Summary: 38 pairs reported at 22 sites in 2002. Other notes included: (i) first fledged young noted in Kirkhill, Newton Mearns on 17 June (JSW,VW); and (ii) first fledged young noted in Seath Ave, Langbank on 20 June (DSF).

Autumn-winter counts included 23 Ardmore Point 27 Aug (AKMcN), 60 Millichen Flood 29 Aug (GJB), 30 Cathkin Braes 1 Sep, 120 on 27 Sep-1 Oct, 2 flocks of 130 and 30 on 8 Oct (DWM), 80 at Havoc 8 Sep (ADW), 17 Picketlaw Resr 8 Sep (JFD), 40 at F&C Canal, Maryhill 15 Sep (TPD), 15 in Clark St, Paisley 16 Sep (DACa), 60 (mostly juvs) Balgray Reservoir 22 Sep (JSW, VW), 25 Bishop Loch LNR 25 Sep (GCC), 25 Helensburgh Resr 28 Sep (HS), 60 Mid Barnaigh 28 Sep, 45 on 20 Oct (IPG), 70 at Hogganfield LNR 2 Oct (CRS), 15 Barcraigs Resr 5 Oct (IPG), 17 at Possil Marsh 6 Oct (JJM), 20 at Ballochruin 14 Oct (GJB), 15 at Darleith 15 Oct (FL), 20 at Robroyston Park 20 Oct (CRS), 20 at the High Street carpark, Glasgow 22 Oct (DMa), and 20 at Creityhall on 22 Dec (FH).

The ten largest flocks reported in autumn-winter averaged 70 birds (cf. also 70 in 2001, and a mean flock size of 51 birds during 1987-2002), suggesting that 2002 was another very good breeding season (ed.).

 

Siskin Spinus spinus

Winter-spring reports included 40 at Gleniffer Braes, Foxbar on 6 Jan (GTW), 30 at the Endrick Mouth on 11 Jan, 20 Ballochruin Pool 12 Jan, 20 Strathclyde Country Park 15 Jan (GJB), 30 at Netherton Braes on 18 Jan (SAW), 24 Balmaha 20 Jan (FH), 43 Cawder Cuilt 23 Jan (TB), 19 at Renfrew Golf Course on 29 Jan (ECD), 40 Cardowan Moss 29 Jan, 40 Robroyston Park 30 Jan (CRS), 35 on alders at Royal Infirmary, Glasgow on 8 Feb (GCC), 40 at Baron's Haugh 19 Feb (MMcG,JTT), 40 Bishop Loch 6 Mar (CRS), 30 Inchconnachan 23 Mar, and 20 at Darleith Muir Plantation on 13 Apr (JTT).

Breeding reports (prs = territorial pairs or singing ♂♂)

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Craigallian	1	AKM	Helensburgh, Blackhill	1	DHM	Lochwinnoch Reserve	8	RSPB
Dolphinton	1	AMcA	High Banton	2	PGC	Muirshiel Country Park	2	IPG
Helensburgh Golf Course	3	SL	Hogganfield Park LNR	1	CRS	Myres Hill	2	J&VW

Summary: 21 pairs reported at 9 sites in 2002.

Autumn-winter counts included 55 in a Dolphinton garden 14 Aug (AMcA), 22 on alders River Kelvin 23 Sep (TPD), 30 at Baron's Haugh on 29 Oct (GJB), 30 Cathkin Braes 3 Nov (CRS), 63 Lennox Forest 16 Nov (PB), 25 Netherton Braes 18 Nov (CRS), 50 Endrick Mouth 22 Nov (GJB), 200 Carron Valley Forest 23 Nov (HAA), 60 Brownside Braes 26 Nov, 22 Renfrew Golf Club 2 Dec (ECD), 35 Garvald Quarry 12 Dec (AMcA), 94 Cardowan Moss pLNR 18 Dec (GCC), and 25 at St James's Interchange, Paisley on 28 Dec (JTT).

 

Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis

Few reports in 2002: 2 on Maol Mor 2 Mar, 4 on N end of Stob an Fhainne 2 Mar (HAA), and 8 at Glean nan Caorann on 15 Mar (JTT).

 

Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella

Winter-spring reports were of 60 at Millichen 2 Jan (JC), max 83 on 12 Jan (TPD), 30 on 29 Jan (GJB), 70 on 25 Feb (CRS), 25 on 4 Mar (JBB), 15 Balmore 13 Jan (FH), 16 at Ardmore Point on 10 Feb (IPG), 12 at Barrs of Cloak, Lochwinnoch 13 Feb (per RSPB), 1 in a Milngavie garden 24 Feb, 4 on 27 Feb (IRM), 20 Thankerton 11 Mar (JSW,VW), 13 at Baldernock 21 Mar (GJB), 8 (7 ♂♂) at Yonderton on 27 Mar (JJM), and 8 at Barrance on 30 Mar (JSW,VW).

Breeding reports (prs = territorial pairs or singing ♂♂)

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Allander walkway	3	HM	Erskine STW	2	FH	Kilmacolm, Migdale	1	JTT
Blackstoun Farm	1	ECD	Erskine, Boden Boo	1	FH	Middleton Farm	1	J&VW
Calder Glen, Balgreen	1	IPG	Flenders Farm	3	J&VW	R Kelvin at Millichen	1	CRS
Cardross, Bayden Rd	1	FL	Gadloch	1	DHMcE	Robroyston	1	SL
East Fulwood	2	J&VW	Garvald Quarry	1	AMcA	W Cart W at Eaglesham	1	SL
East Millichen Farm	2	CRS	Houston, South Mains	1	JTT	Whitemoss Dam	1	J&VW
Erskine Golf Course	2	FH	Inverkip, Majeston	1	IPG

Summary: 28 pairs reported at 20 sites in 2002.

Autumn-winter reports included 3 (2 ♂♂) at Barrs of Cloak ?in Oct? (per RSPB), 15 at Millichen on 29 Nov (JC), 42 on 20 Dec (AKMcN), 4 Baron's Haugh 16 Dec (JCM), 7 Barscube Hill 21 Dec (JTT), and 6 at Corehouse Estate, Lanark on 30 Dec (MDa).

 

Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus

Winter-spring reports included up to 8 Selkirk Ave, Paisley Jan-May (JG), 2 ♂♂ in a Kirkhill, Newton Mearns garden 3 Jan (JSW,VW), 6 Newshot Island 4 Jan (ACMB), 5 Millerston 5 Jan (CRS), a pr Forrestburn Resr 9 Jan, 2 ♂♂ Lochend Loch 15 Jan (ECD), 2 (♂ and ♀) coming to seed in a Howwood garden 16 Feb-30 Mar, ♂ and 2 ♀♀ on 30 Mar (IPG), 6 (4 ♂♂) in a Milngavie garden 27 Feb (IRM), 7 Muir Park Resr 11 Mar (JTT), 9 Woodend Loch 13 Mar (CL), 4 ♂♂ in a South Mains garden, Milngavie 16 Mar (AKMcN), and 4 at Millichen on 26 Mar (JC).

Breeding reports (prs = territorial pairs or singing ♂♂)

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Allander walkway	1	HM	Douglas Water Pool	3	KS	Glen Moss	2	NJT
Auchenkilns Junction	2	SL	Drumpellier, Monklands	1	CL	Glenbuck Loch	4	RJH
Balgray Reservoir	8	J&VW	Dumbreck LNR	1	PGC	Glengavel Reservoir	1	RJH
Barnsford Bridge	2	J&VW	Dumbuck	3	JTo	Greenside Reservoir	1	JJM
Barrhead, Harelaw Resr	3	DLC	Dunwan Dam	1	JFD	North Haugh	5	IL
Biggar Moss	1	J&VW	Endrick Mouth	4	JTT	Harelaw Dam	2	J&VW
Biggar Water Floods	6	JSS	Erskine Harbour	3	FH	Helensburgh G Course	2	SL
Black Loch (Dun)	1	JJM	Erskine, Park Quay	1	FH	Helensburgh Reservoir	1	JAP-M
Black Loch (Renf)	1	IAM	F&CC, Kelvinhead	2	PGC	How Barnaigh	1	IPG
Bridgend Farm Pool	2	JJM	Forrestburn Reservoir	2	FF	Jaw Reservoir	1	JJM
Camps Reservoir	1	J&VW	Garscube Estate	1	TB	Knapps Loch	1	ECD
Cathkin Braes	4	DWM	Gilshaw Loch	2	JJM	L Lomond, Rossdhu	1	JAP-M
Cochno Loch	2	JJM	Glasgow, Daldowie	1	CRS	Langlands	4	DWM
Craighall Dam	4	J&VW	Glasgow, Frankfield L	1	CRS	Lenzie, Bothlin Burn	1	DHM
Daer Reservoir	1	J&VW	Glasgow, Garnkirk Moss	1	CRS	Lilly Loch	1	FF
Daer Water	2	J&VW	Glasgow, Gartloch Pool	1	CRS	Littleton Reservoir	2	J&VW
Darleith Marsh	1	FL	Glasgow, Hogganfield	2	CRS	Loch Ardinning	4	JJM
Douglas Estate	12	KS	Glen Fruin	3	ECD	Loch Humphrey	2	VIF
Lochcraig Reservoir	1	J&VW	Newshot Island	6	ACMB	Roughrigg Reservoir	2	FF
Locherwood C Wood	1	ECD	Paisley Moss	3	DSF	Shepherd's Pond	1	FL
Lochgoin Resr	1	JFD	Parkhouse	1	SL	Snypes Dam	1	J&VW
Lochwinnoch Reserve	24	RSPB	Pilmuir Dam	4	J&VW	W Cart W at Eaglesham	1	SL
Longhaugh Point	1	ECD	Pilmuir/A77	3	SL	Walton Dam	1	IAM
Middleton Farm	1	J&VW	Possil Marsh	6	JJM	Waulkmill Glen Resr	2	J&VW
Millersneuk Marsh	3	JJM	Reivoch Marsh	5	IPG
Mugdock Loch	1	AKM	Rossdhu	1	JAP-M

Breeding summary: 193 pairs reported at 76 sites in 2002, including 24 pairs at the Lochwinnoch RSPB Reserve, and 12 pairs in Douglas Estate.

Autumn-winter reports included 7 (6 ♂♂) at Cathkin Braes 14 Sep (DWM), 30 on 31 Oct (SAW), 15 on 17 Dec, 14 on 22 Dec (DWM), 10 Dunwan Dam 6 Oct, 25 on 20 Oct, 15 on 17 Nov (JFD), 14 at Balgray Resr on 20 Oct, 16 Waulkmill Glen Resr 20 Oct (SAW), 20 at Baron's Haugh in ?Nov? and ?Dec? (RSPB), 8 at Inversnaid on 8 Nov (DJC), 20 Fannyside Muir 8 Nov (JBB), 20 at Baron's Haugh on 15 Nov, 30 on 16 Dec (JCM), 9 Linwood Pool 17 Nov (DACa), 22 Cashel Farm 23 Nov (ECD), 10 Loch Arklet 29 Nov (GJB), 7 at the Endrick Mouth on 9 Dec (LM), 54 at Blackhill Farm, Glasgow on 11 Dec (TPD), 16 at Loch Ardinning 20 Dec (DACa), and 17 feeding on heather seed on Dumbrock Muir 24 Dec (AKMcN).

 

Escapes

Whistling Swan Cygnus columbianus columbianus One at Bridgend Farm Pool 27 Apr-22 June (JJM,AAM et al), relocated at Gadloch 27 July remaining there until at least 25 Aug, then again at Bridgend Farm Pool 15 Sep (JJM), back at Gadloch 30 Sep (BZ).

Black Swan Cygnus atratus One at Hogganfield Loch on 20 July (FJM).

Snow Goose Anser caerulescens A white morph bird at Balmaha with Canada Geese 9 Feb (JM).

Magellan (Upland) Goose Chloephaga picta One Auchlochan Pond 10 Feb-year end (RJH).

Budgerigar Melopsittacus undulatus One flew from Cloch Point across the Firth of Clyde towards Strone (Argyll) on 4 Aug (IPG).