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

Capercaillie Tetrao urogallus

None reported in 2006.

 

Black Grouse Lyrurus tetrix

Reports in 2006 consisted of 4 Ben Bowie 6 Jan (AMcI), 7 ♂♂ at lek off Crow Road 8 Jan (per JJM), 2 ♀♀ Loch Ardinning SWT Reserve 11 Jan, 2 on 13 Feb, 4 ♀♀ on 21 Feb, 3 on 17 Apr, 2 on 17 May, 4 on 25 Sep, a ♀ on 13 Oct, 2 (one ♂) on 19 Dec (JTK), 4 (2 ♂♂) Dumbrock Muir 2 Jan (JTK), 2 ♂♂ on 13 Jan (ECD), a ♂ on 16 Jan, (FH), 2 ♀♀ on 19 Jan, a ♀ on 24 Jan (GJB), 3 ♂♂ on 26 Jan (GJC), 3 (2 ♂♂) on 27 Jan (JJM), 4 on 2 Feb (DRMcC), a ♂ on 25 Feb, a ♂ on 23 Dec (AKMcN), 6 (1 ♂) Hill House, Helensburgh 16 Jan (ANi), 7 Carman Muir 25 Jan (AGG), 11 ♂♂ Stockie Muir 26 Jan (FH), 23 (21 ♂♂) on 28 Jan (CJMcI), 10 ♂♂ on 20 Feb, 10 ♂♂ on 30 Mar, 5 on 31 Mar (per BT), 4 on 17 Apr (GJB), 7 ♂♂ on 28 Apr (ECD), 11 ♂♂ at lek on 17 May (JJM), 5 on 25 May, 1 on 16 June (GJB), 10 ♂♂ on 29 Aug, 9 ♂♂ on 10 Sep, 10 ♂♂ on 9 Nov and 16 Nov (per BT), 2 on 28 Nov (GJB), in Rowardennan area 5 ♂♂ at Coire Corrach 3 Feb and 20-21 Nov, 5 ♂♂ in forestry clear-fell Coille Mhor Hill 19 Feb (NTS), 3 ♂♂ at Blairvockie 19 Apr, 2 on 9 May, 1 ♂ Ptarmigan Lodge 19 Apr-3 May, 1 Peaton Hill 10 Feb (AMcI), 3 in Glen Fruin on 6 May (MMcG) and 29 Nov (AMcI), a ♂ on road near Loch Arklet on 10 June (JC), and a ♂ at Dungoil on 24 Dec (FH).

 

Ptarmigan Lagopus muta

One heard on Ptarmigan Ridge, Ben Lomond on 31 Jan (AS), 2 juvs there on 10 Sep (ECD), 6 on main path Ben Lomond (at NN372022) on 15-16 Nov (AS).

 

Red Grouse Lagopus lagopus

Winter-spring reports included 7 prs Leap Moor 21 Jan (IPG), 5 Ben Bowie 28 Jan (FH), a pair and a single Creuch Hill 4 Feb (IPG), 2 at the Muirshiel barytes mine on 26 Feb, and 4 on Tinto on 23 Mar (ECD).

Breeding season reports involved apparently unprecedented low nos Queenside Muir and Duchal Moor March-July, only one set of droppings and none seen or heard in total 8km of transects Queenside Muir 21-23 Apr, no evidence of presence in 6‑km transect Duchal Moor 4 June (IPG), 2 Bleak Law 29 Apr (LMcB), and 2 calling ♂♂ Finnich Glen 30 Apr (AKMcN).

Autumn-winter reports included 6 flushed from heather Black Mount, Dunsyre10 Sep (SRi).

 

Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa

Reports involved a presumed recently released bird sitting on the window sill of a house in Killearn on 2 June (RAB), 2 prs with b/7 and b/3 at Daer Resr on 7 Aug (JSW,VW), a pair with b/2 at Ryeflat on 20 Aug (ADW), 2 at Garvald Quarry on 20 Aug and 8 Sep (AMcA), and 15 at South Medwin Pools on 30 Sep (IF).

 

Grey Partridge Perdix perdix

Winter-spring reports were of 4 at Balmore Haughs on 2 Jan (HM), 10 at Erskine STW on 4 Feb (per BG), 9 there on 4 Feb (ECD).

Autumn-winter reports involved 1 at March Burn (NT078460) on 10 Sep (SRi), 2 at Quothquan on 15 Oct (JND,ADW), 3 at the Cart/ Clyde confluence on 5 Nov (ACMB), and a pair by the Black Cart Water at East Yonderton on 30 Dec (AJR).

Observers are requested to submit all records of this increasingly scarce species.

 

Pheasant Phasianus colchicus

Breeding reports included 5 territories Merryton/Carbarns (AIE), 11 territories Midross Golf Course (SL), 7 territories Endrick Mouth (SNH), 2 territories East/West Millichen (SL), 5 calling ♂♂ Ballochruin 30 Apr, 2 calling ♂♂ Finnich Glen 30 Apr (AKMcN), and 9 calling ♂♂ Crowhill Wood, Inverkip 8 May (ADW).

Counts of recently released birds included 50 at Barscube Hill on 17 Aug (DSF), and 100+ at Bog Wood on 10 Sep (SRi).

 

Canada Goose Branta canadensis

Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) count totals, detailing the most important sites reported in 2006, are provided in the following table (per JSW,VW):

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Clyde Area Total	437	168	104	129	116	161	201	670	93	39	538	839
Sites recorded (35 in total)	11	9	12	16	14	9	9	10	8	8	11	14
Barcraigs Reservoir	271	-	-	31	12	-	-	8	8	5	336	266
Endrick Mouth	113	35	4	15	28	57	28	122	12	0	146	55
Black Cart Water	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	372	0	0	0	0
Lilly Loch	19	77	42	0	3	0	0	86	0	0	0	78
Lochwinnoch	11	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	6	0	270
Hillend Reservoir	8	0	0	8	9	0	92	0	0	0	1	0
Harelaw Dam	0	30	9	28	12	20	0	4	0	0	0	0
Brother Loch	0	0	4	8	22	34	25	-	0	0	0	0

Other winter-spring reports included 27 at Castle Semple Loch 2 Jan (RSPB), 27 Mugdock Resr 14 Jan (AKMcN), 190 Rashiefield and nearby at same time 81 at Riglaw (Ayrshire) 14 Jan (IPG), 48 Compensation Resr 10 Feb (MMcG), 49 Inveruglas 14 Feb (ECD), 18 on 9 Apr, 23 on 23 Apr (JTT), 64 Cornalees Bridge 17 Mar (MMcG), and 40 at Stuckendroin on 9 Apr (JTT).

Breeding reports

Site	Pairs	Young	Obs	Site	Pairs	Young	Obs
Balgray Reservoir	1	0	J&VW	Gryfe No.1 Reservoir	2	-	MMcG
Brother Loch	5	5	WK	Harelaw Dam, Neilston	6	14	J&VW
Cardross, Shepherd's Pond	1	-	FL	Loch Lomond, Inchcailloch	3	9	JJM
Cobbinshaw Reservoir	1	-	JND	Loch Lomond, Inchmurrin	1	1	AKM
Crawhin Reservoir	1	6	IPG	Loch Thom (island)	6	31	IPG
Daff Reservoir	1	-	JMcO	Lochgoin Reservoir	2	-	WK
Dunwan Dam	1	0	WK	Midross, Carrick Golf Course	5	5+	SL
Endrick Mouth, Wards Pond	2	-	FH

Summary: 38 breeding pairs reported, and a minimum of 71 young reared in 2006.

Breeding season reports included 2 Daff Resr 16 Apr (JMcO), 3 Ross Park 3 May, 4 Wards Pond 3 May (FH), 6 prs Harelaw Dam b/5,4,3,2 (JSW,VW), 2 prs Gryfe No 1 Resr 30 May (MMcG), pair with ¼-grown b/6 Crawhin Resr 23 June, pair b/4 and pair b/7 large young on Loch Thom island 26 June, these and additional b/3 and 2 x b/7 on 27 June, additional b/3 (½-grown) 17 July (IPG), and 40 including 5 prs with dependent young Loch Lomond Golf Course 19 June (SL).

Summer-winter reports included 300 Endrick Mouth 17 July (GJB), 135 Ring Point 19 July (ANi), 78 full-grown birds at Loch Thom on 17 July (IPG), 98 Rowbank Resr 23 July, 30 NE low over Leapmoor Forest/Daff Resr 5 Aug (IPG), 48 Millichen Flood 6 Aug (CRS), 40 Walton Dam 9 Aug (IWMcM), 31 at Balgray Resr on 12 Aug (SAW), 31 on 4 Oct (JCh), 180 at Inchinnan 13 Aug, (DSF), 50 Carbarns Pool 20 Aug (AIE), 45 Newshot Island 22 Aug, 70 Milton Island 22 Aug (ECD), 32 at Cornalees Bridge 30 Aug, 83 on 4 Nov (MMcG), 70 Longhaugh Point 10 Sep (IPG), 56 NW over Craigmarloch Wood 28 Sep (DSF), 216 Harelaw Reservoir, Greenock 28 Sep, 242 on 20 Sep (DSF), 210 on nearby Knocknairshill Resr 29 Sep (ADW), 60 Endrick Mouth 3 Oct (ANi), 65 at Carron Valley Reservoir on 8 Oct (AKMcN), 20 Colgrain 27 Oct (DHMcE), 132 at Auchendores Resr on 28 Oct (DSF), 55 Rashiefield 28 Oct, 336 Reivoch-Rashiefield 18 Nov (IPG), 150 Reivoch 26 Nov (IPG), 20 Carbarns Pool 21 Nov (JCM), 270 at Castle Semple Loch 17 Dec (RSPB), 266 in fields Rowbank Resr 26 Dec (IPG), and 140 Gartfairn 29 Dec (JTT).

 

Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis

Winter-spring reports involved a possible escaped late bird at Millichen Flood on 22 May (GJB).

Autumn-winter reports were of 1 (same as above?) with Greylags at Millichen Flood on 6 Aug, 1 on 14-20 Dec (CRS), 4 S over Heritage Park, East Kilbride on 25 Sep (JJM), 21 with Pinkfeet at Eastfield Farm on 30 Sep (IF), 5 at South Medwin Pools 11 Oct (AMcA), 1 with Bean Geese at Luckenburn 15 Oct-4 Nov (per BS), and 2 at Gadloch on 22 Oct (per JSW,VW).

 

Greylag Goose Anser anser

Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) count totals, detailing the most important sites reported in 2006, are provided in the following table (per JSW,VW):

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Clyde Area Total	895	778	1884	1235	86	485	697	993	528	534	618	2000
Sites recorded (40 in total)	18	19	22	18	10	9	11	9	8	13	12	18
Summerston	6	12	340	294	-	-	-	344	0	29	0	1058
Hogganfield Loch	113	145	58	0	2	288	337	171	217	55	6	119
Gadloch	160	53	6	-	-	-	4	347	105	185	7	120
Millersneuk Pond	0	0	600	149	0	0	0	0	0	-	-	164
Auchendores Reservoir	0	0	3	290	-	-	0	-	0	0	209	0
Twechar Marsh	0	120	0	170	0	0	0	0	0	0	200	140
Douglas Estate Ponds	50	55	50	30	40	60	40	50	55	40	50	60
River Clyde, Lamington	0	0	350	200	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

Other winter-spring reports included in the Kelvin Valley/North Glasgow area 240 Blackfaulds Farm 2 Feb (CRS), 600 Millersneuk Marsh 12 Mar (FC), 558 Millichen Flood 21 Mar, 375 on 8 Apr (AKMcN), 160 Balmore Haughs 4 Apr (CRS); in Strathgryfe 83 Auchendores Resr 17 Feb (DSF), 500 on 20 Mar (FH), 255 on 8 Apr (DSF), 290 on 9 Apr (IPG), 171 on 10 Apr (DSF); and elsewhere 15 with Canada Geese at Rashiefield on 14 Jan (IPG), 200 over Ardardan 2 Jan (JBB), 177 at Barr Loch on 2 Jan, 302 on 8 Mar, 130 on 2 Apr, 26 N over there on 5 May (RSPB), 90 Ardmore-Cardross 15 Jan (IPG), 400 to roost on Wards Pond at 1630 hrs on 15 Jan (JJM), 150 over Darleith to Loch Lomond 4 Feb (FL), a count of 1500 at Drymen on 3 Mar was thought to be the result of a cold weather movement (JM), 91 feeding at Crossflat Farm, Howwood 9 Mar, then after heavy overnight snow across Scotland, 280 high SW over Howwood at 1240 hrs on 12 Mar (IPG), 110 NE over Cathkin Braes at 1100 hrs 14 Mar (DWM), 117 Barnsford Bridge 14 Mar (ECD), and subsequent reports of 45 at Carstairs Junction (two with orange neck collars BSP and CKN), 325 at Harperfield Lodge and 350 at Lamington on 11 Mar, 275 at Birkhill Farm on 1 Apr (JND,ADW), 40 Barr Loch 4 Apr (TB), and 200 at Cardross on 14 Apr (FL).

Reports of feral birds included 170 at Lochend Loch on 3 Jan, 120 Woodend Loch 17 Feb (CL), 40 Loch Walton 23 Apr (AKMcN), and a pair including colour-ringed 4IA (ringed as adult at Hogganfield Loch on 25 June 2004 by BZ) at Shielhill Farm on 25 May (IPG).

Breeding reports involved a pair b/3 Carbarns Pool (AIE), 2 prs Midross Golf Course (SL), a bird disturbed off empty nest on open moor (at NS245714) near Cornalees Bridge 19 Apr (IPG), a pair Bridgend Farm 7 May (ADW), a pair with 3 juvs Carbarns Pool 20 May (JCM), a pair Barscube Hill 21 May (ADW), 20 ads and 10 young Knapps Loch 20 May (FH), a pair b/6 Loch Ardinning 3 June (AKMcN), 4 prs on Loch Thom island but no young 27 June (IPG), 4 ads and 10 goslings Carron Valley Reservoir 27 June (ECD), and a total of 83 young in a flock of 405 at Loch Walton on 2 July (AKMcN). Summary: reports indicated 27-30 breeding pairs rearing approximately 105 young in 2006.

The moult flock of feral birds at Hogganfield Loch built up from 7 on 24 May, to 18 on 31 May, 43 on 2 June, 103 on 5 June, 132 on 6 June, 288 on 9-14 June, 290 on 4 July, 319 on 13 July, max 337 on 18 July, 238 on 25 July, down to 25 by 8 Aug, with later counts of 49 on 19 Aug, and 213 on 8 Sep (GCC). A Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus joined the flock on 6 June, remaining until 1 Aug (GCC). Other reports of feral birds included 71 at Carbarns Pool on 1 Aug (AIE),

152 at Millichen Flood on 6 Aug, 344 on 15 Aug (CRS), 277 Craigmaddie Reservoir 19 Sep (AKMcN), and 100 at Longhaugh Point on 26 Sep (DSF).

An autumn passage report was of 108 including a leucistic bird E over Barscube Hill 25 Oct (DSF). Other autumn-winter reports included in the Kelvin Valley/North Glasgow area 900 at Gadloch on 22 Oct (per JSW,VW), 300 on 7 Dec (JTMcE), 485 at Millichen Flood 1 Nov (GCC), 620 on 9 Dec (JC), 900 on 14 Dec, max 1058 on 20 Dec, 210 on site prepared for Nova Technology Park, Robroyston on 11 Nov (CRS), 300 at Balmore Haughs on 21 Dec (JTMcE); in Strathgryfe 141 Auchendores Resr 28 Oct (DSF), 209 on 19 Nov (IPG), 177 over Craigmarloch 5 Nov (DSF); and elsewhere 70 feral birds Longhaugh Point-West Ferry 16-17 Sep (IPG), 180 including one with orange neck-collar (ringed in Easter Ross) at Town of Inchinnan Farm on 1 Nov (FH), 400 Croftamie 8 Dec (JTMcE), 200 Barr Loch 14 Dec (RSPB), 150 Shirva 16 Dec (ADW), 230 Drymen 24 Dec (AKMcN), and 170 at The Manse, Balmaha on 29 Dec (JTT).

 

Taiga Bean Goose Anser fabalis

All reports were of the 'Taiga' subspecies A. f. fabalis.

Winter-spring counts (per BGWG,AMcI):

Date	Location	No.	Date	Location	No.
1 Jan	Blackhill	58	2 Feb	West Fannyside Loch roost	185
1 Jan	West Fannyside Loch roost	100	2 Feb	Fannyside Muir roost	100
3 Jan	West Fannyside Loch roost	170	5 Feb	Fannyside Muir roost	200
6 Jan	West Fannyside Loch	150	9 Feb	Fannyside Muir roost	207
7 Jan	East Fannyside Loch	49	9 Feb	West Fannyside Loch roost	70
7 Jan	Blackhill	80	12 Feb	Blackhill	110
7 Jan	West Fannyside Loch roost	250	17 Feb	Garbethill Muir	200
9 Jan	East Fannyside Loch	92	18 Feb	Blackhill	24
11 Jan	Garbethill Muir	60	19 Feb	Fannyside Muir roost am	47
19 Jan	Fannyside Muir roost	100	19 Feb	West Fannyside Loch roost	100
21 Jan	Blackhill	23	19 Feb	Luckenburn Farm	131
22 Jan	Fannyside Muir roost	100	19 Feb	Fannyside Muir roost pm	160
24 Jan	Garbethill Muir	71	21 Feb	Fannyside Muir roost am	100
28 Jan	Fannyside Muir roost	110	23 Feb	Fannyside Muir roost am	99
28 Jan	East Fannyside Loch	8	23 Feb	East Fannyside Loch	130
28 Jan	Blackhill	125	24 Feb	Fannyside Muir roost pm	267
29 Jan	Fannyside Muir roost	200	27 Feb	Fannyside Muir roost am	115
31 Jan	Garbethill Muir	100	28 Feb	Fannyside Muir roost am	16
1 Feb	West Fannyside roost am	270	28 Feb	Garbethill Muir	15
1 Feb	Garbethill Muir	157	1 Mar	Fannyside Muir roost am	0
1 Feb	West Fannyside roost pm	284	1 Mar	West Fannyside L roost	0

Other winter-spring reports were of 190 leaving roost Fannyside Loch 4 Jan, 190 at Blackhill on 15 Jan, later same day 80 west of Torbrex on 15 Jan (per BS), and 175 at Garbethill on 9 Feb (JTK). The last 4 birds were noted at Tippetcraig (Forth) on 1 Mar (BGWG).

Autumn-winter counts selected from BGWG database (per AMcI)

Date	Time	Location	No.	Date	Time	Location	No.
11 Oct	08:35	Luckenburn	72	31 Oct	13:30	Luckenburn	231
12 Oct	18:45	Luckenburn	114	2 Nov	12:00	Blackhill	255
12 Oct	19:00	East Fannyside Loch	33	3 Nov	16:10	Blackhill	160
14 Oct	13:00	Luckenburn	126	3 Nov	16:50	Fannyside Mill	72
16 Oct	14:25	Luckenburn	140	4 Nov	11:30	Luckenburn	180
20 Oct	11:50	Luckenburn	196	4 Nov	11:40	Fannyside Mill	40
21 Oct	11:42	Fannyside Mill	210	4 Nov	11:40	Blackhill	210
22 Oct	10:55	Luckenburn	148	9 Nov	10:00	Luckenburn	132
22 Oct	19:40	East Fannyside Loch	224	12 Nov	08:40	Luckenburn	103
24 Oct	13:00	Luckenburn	213	19 Nov	16:30	Fannyside Muir (roost)	71
24 Oct	13:15	Blackhill	211	28 Nov	14:15	Garbethill	180
26 Oct	11:15	Luckenburn	91	8 Dec	08:30	Fannyside Mill	75
28 Oct	14:45	Luckenburn	195	23 Dec	14:35	Garbethill	98
29 Oct	10:00	Luckenburn	174	23 Dec	16:46	Fannyside Muir (roost)	250

Other autumn-winter reports were of 126 at Luckenburn 15 Oct, 236 on 20 Oct (per BS), 209 on 31 Oct (ECD), 196 on 3 Nov (per BS), 211 on 4 Nov (per BS).

 

Pink-footed Goose Anser brachyrhynchus

Winter-spring Clydesdale counts included 1100 at The Meetings on 18 Feb (JTT), 1000 Burnfoot 9 Mar, 5000 Ravenstruther 9 Mar (JSW,VW), 1200 Eastshield and 400 Westraw Mains 11 Mar, and 345 Birkhill Farm 1 Apr (JND,ADW). Reports elsewhere were of 5 with the Rowbank Canada Geese at Riglaw (just in Ayrshire) on 14 Jan (IPG), 600 coming in to roost on Wards Pond, Endrick Mouth at 1630 hrs on 15 Jan (JJM), 569 to roost Endrick Mouth 13 Feb (SNH), 30 at Aird Meadow 28 Jan (RSPB), 360 at Tullycross on 8 Feb (ECD), 4 with Greylags at Auchendores Resr 17 Feb, 7 on 20 Mar, 5 on 8 Apr (DSF,FH), 457 Drymen 4 Mar (AKMcN), 1 with Greylags at Millichen Flood 21 Mar (AKMcN), and 800 at Cardyke Farm on 24 Mar (JTMcE).

Spring passage involved 180 over Johnstone at 1025 hrs on 15 Apr (JTT), 95 N over Merryton on 20 Apr (AIE), 50 N over Darleith 15 Apr, 28 on 28 Apr (FL), 200 NE over Mugdock Country Park 20 Apr (AGJ), 650 over Neilston 20 Apr (PB), 50 N over Aird Meadow 21 Apr (RSPB), 30 NW over Newshot Island at 0920 hrs on 28 Apr (AJR), and 2 at Rosneath on 14 May (CMW).

One was present with the Greylag moult flock at Hogganfield Loch on 14 June (GCC), and 2 were with Greylags at Millichen Flood 15-22 Aug (AKMcN,GJB).

Autumn passage/arrival reports included 100 over Hamilton on 2 Oct (JCM), 58 NE over Langbank on 2 Oct (DSF), 400 Darleith 3 Oct (FL), 70 over Linn Park 13 Oct (SAW), 80 S over Thankerton 15 Oct (JND,ADW), 75 over Netherlee 19 Oct (SAW), 200 over Ardmore Point on 22 Oct (JBB), 100 Colgrain at 0700 hrs on 22 Oct (DHMcE), 48 Gadloch 22 Oct (per JSW,VW), and 4 at Barscube Hill on 25 Oct (DSF). Although no direction of flight was given for most reports, it is presumed that on autumn passage most of these will have been heading south (ed.).

Autumn-winter counts in Clydesdale included 3000 at Eastfield on 30 Sep, 6000 Lampits 4 Oct (IF), 2850 South Medwin Pools 11 Oct (AMcA), 1000 on 9 Dec (IF), and 2000 at Carstairs Junction on 29 Oct (JTT); reports from elsewhere included 1 with Greylags at Millichen Flood on 2 Nov (IPG), 8 on 9 Dec (JC).

 

White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons

All reports were of the Greenland subspecies A. a. flavirostris.

Winter-spring reports involved 127 at Middle Gartocharn on 2 Jan (JTT), max count 164 on 15 Jan (JJM), 158 on 16 Jan (DRMcC), 40 on 21 Jan (ANi), 171 on 5 Feb (JTT), 100 at Aber Bog 29 Jan (AKMcN), a presumed estimate of 200 at Wards Pond on 13 Feb (DRMcC), 100 on 20 Feb (GJB), 150 on 25 Feb-9 Mar (ANi), 74 on 20 Mar (GJB), 120 to roost there on 21 Mar (SNH), and 132 at Blackford Farm on 21 Mar (MSt). Away from the usual area, the only report was of one with other “grey geese” at Carbarns Pool on 19 Apr (AIE).

Autumn-winter reports were of 21 at Hillhead Farm on 29 Oct ( per BS), 120 at Wards on 3 Nov (ANi), 70 there on 4 Dec, 72 on 22 Dec (SNH), 43 at Crom Mhin 20 Nov (DRMcC), 140 Middle Gartocharn Farm 23 Dec, and 80 at Ring Point, Endrick Mouth 27-29 Dec (GJB,JTT).

 

Mute Swan Cygnus olor

Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) count totals, detailing the most important sites reported in 2006, are provided in the following table (per JSW,VW):

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Clyde Area Total	789	723	655	635	647	659	837	808	841	835	804	806
Sites recorded (98 in total)	65	65	67	64	59	60	64	54	60	65	67	64
Hogganfield Loch	111	91	103	113	112	103	120	134	95	90	101	112
Lanark Loch	93	61	59	59	49	54	104	112	70	66	75	103
Strathclyde Country Park	57	72	44	39	82	71	124	121	75	51	-	44
Richmond Park, Glasgow	70	70	78	69	54	53	46	44	44	54	68	61
Clyde Estuary	34	31	-	40	78	70	88	69	105	70	31	30
Lochwinnoch	34	22	37	49	40	29	41	41	49	58	58	65
Broadwood Loch	36	41	25	29	21	30	14	21	27	37	31	29
River Clyde, Lamington	32	7	6	0	3	16	5	2	37	70	91	31

Mute Swan breeding reports

Site	Pairs	Young	Obs	Site	Pairs	Young	Obs
Auchinlea Park Pond	1	0	GCC	Harestonhill Pond	1	0	MRH
Auchlochan Pond	1	6	RJH	Johnston Loch	1	1	IPG
Banton/Townhead Resr	1	6	PGC	Kilmardinny Loch	1	4	NK
Barnbeth Loch	1	6	GB	Kilsyth Cemetery Pond	1	5	PGC
Baron's Haugh	2	6	DA	Kypeside Fishery	1	6	RJH
Bingham's Pond	1	4	JC	L Lomond, Midross GC	2	-	SL
Commore/Craighall Dam	1	4	J&VW	L Lomond, Rossdhu	1	1	SL
Cowdenknowes Reservoir	1	8	JHH	Lanark Loch	2	10	MRH
Douglas Estate Ponds	2	13	KS	Leperstone Reservoir	1	3	J&VW
Douglas Water Pools	1	4	MMcG	Little Loch	1	-	WK
East Kilbride, Heritage Loch	1	3	JJM	Loch Bowie	1	1	JTT
Endrick Mouth, Ring Point	2	-	SNH	Loch Libo	2	6	J&VW
F&CC, Auchinstarry	1	4	PGC	Lochend Loch	2	8	CL
F&CC, Bowling	4	7	WG,ACG	Lochfauld Marsh	1	-	ADW
F&CC, Craigmarloch	1	0	PGC	Lochwinnoch RSPB Reserve	4	9	RSPB
F&CC, Kirkintilloch	1	0	PGC	Merryton/Carbarns	4	14	AIE
F&CC, Wyndford	1	0	PGC	Milngavie CC Pond	1	4	AKMcN
F&CC,Torrance Bridge	1	0	PGC	Monklands Canal (Drumpellier)	1	6	CL
Faslane	1	0	CMW	Newshot Island	1	1	AJR
Frankfield Loch	1	0	IPG	Pilmuir Dam	1	2	J&VW
Garnqueen Loch	1	7	IPG	Possil Loch	1	0	JJM
Gartloch Pools	1	0	IPG	R Clyde, Carstairs Junction	1	6	ADW
Garvald Quarry	2	0	AMcA	R Clyde, Lamington	1	5	J&VW
Gateside Reservoir	1	2	SJM	R Clyde, Thankerton	1	6	J&VW
Glasgow, Alexandra Park Pond	1	0	GCC	R Clyde, The Meetings	1	3	ADW
Glasgow, Maxwell Park	1	6	GCC	R Clyde, Westraw Mains	1	5	ADW
Glasgow, Queen's Park	1	8	GCC	Renfrew, Robertson Park	1	6	FH
Glasgow, Robroyston Park LNR	2	b/5	IPG	Rosneath	1	6	CMW
Glasgow, Springburn Park	1	4	CRS	Rouken Glen Pond	1	0	JAS
Glenbuck Loch	1	0	RJH	Tannoch Loch	1	3	AKMcN
Greenhead Pond	1	7	MRH	Town Dam, Greenock	1	0	JHH
Hamilton LP, Lost Pond	1	0	SLRS	White Cart Water, Paisley Cross	1	-	GTW
Hamilton LP, Ross Pond	1	4	SLRS	Whitefield Pond	1	3	AKMcN
Harelaw Dam	1	4	J&VW

Summary: 85 pairs reported from 67 sites, with a mean brood size of 3.87 young/pair (cf. an average mean brood size of 2.88 young/pair 1987-2006). A non-breeding pair was present at Coves Resr (JHH). Other breeding observations: (i) the pair on the south pond in Robroyston Park LNR hatched 5 young, but entire family absent 18 July (GCC); (ii) in a very poor year on the F&CC Kirkintilloch-Banknock, out of a possible 9 territories, only 5 occupied - one pair successfully reared a brood, another 2 prs hatched cygnets but none was reared, another 2 prs present but no cygnets recorded; (iii) the Townhead pair nested on small pond at Stirling Rd, Kilsyth, moving at a week old to Colzium Curling Pond, then to Townhead Resr (PGC).

The summer moult flock on Hogganfield Loch numbered 111 on 16 May, 103 on 6 June, 120 on 18 July, and 134 on 15 Aug (GCC). Only three other moult flocks were reported, as in table:

Site	Date	Count	Observer
Castle Semple Loch	16 July	30	RSPB
Hogganfield Loch	18 July	120	GCC
Lanark Loch	16 July	104	MRH
Strathclyde Loch	16 July	124	NLRS
Total Number of Birds	-	378	-

 

Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus

Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) count totals, detailing the most important sites reported in 2006, are provided in the following table (per JSW,VW):

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Clyde Area Total	250	329	274	52	2	2	1	0	2	82	374	496
Sites recorded (23 in total)	14	14	10	7	2	2	1	0	2	8	12	15
R Clyde, Thankerton-Carstairs	28	89	99	21	-	-	-	-	0	0	184	188
Black Cart Water (incl.SPA)	70	85	70	11	0	0	0	0	0	2	78	75
Merryton/Carbarns	32	42	62	4	1	1	-	-	1	1	36	72
River Clyde, Ravenstruther	56	54	16	0	-	-	-	-	0	0	0	42
Douglas Estate Ponds	0	6	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	50	40	20
Lochwinnoch	25	22	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	22
Douglas Water Pools	6	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	20	10	25
Hogganfield Loch	10	10	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	13	14

Winter-spring reports included Black Cart Water SPA (Inchinnan/Paisley) 37 Yonderton 2 Jan (IPG), 40 Blackstoun Farm 2 Jan (JTT), 20 Candrens 8 Jan (MMcG), 26 on 1 Apr, 29 on 5 Apr (IPG), 30 on 7 Apr, 27 on 9 Apr (JTT), 8 Cart/Clyde confluence 16 Jan, 28 Newshot Island 23 Jan, 18 on 4 Feb (ECD), 47 on the Black Cart SPA 29 Jan (GTW), 57 East Yonderton 13 Feb, 61 on 21 Feb, 59 on 27 Feb, 71 on 14 Mar, 60 on 15 Mar, 78 Barnsford Bridge 4 Mar (ECD), 50 at North Commonside on 18 Mar and 25 Mar (JTT); Merryton/ Baron's Haugh 24 Merryton 8 Jan (ECD), 30 Baron's Haugh 31 Jan (MMcG), 40 on 8 Feb (SAW), max 62 Merryton/Baron's Haugh 12 Mar (AIE), 5 Carbarns Pool 2 May (ECD), last two departed on 6 May, an injured bird remaining all summer (AIE); Lanark/The Meetings 67 Ravenstruther 12 Jan, 29 at The Meetings on 12 Jan (JSW,VW), 52 R Clyde at The Meetings 18 Feb (JTT), spring max 107 Ravenstruther-Thankerton, 105 of these between Carstairs Junction and Thankerton, on 11 Mar (ADW); Barr Loch 20 on 3 Jan, 25 on 15 Jan, 22 on 22 Jan, 20 on 6 Feb, 22 on 12 Feb, 27 in fields 11 Mar (RSPB,JJS); Endrick Mouth 9 on 25-31 Jan, 5 on 9 Mar, 8 on 4 Apr, 2 on 21 Apr, 1 on 29 Apr

(ANi,GJB). Other reports included 9 Carron Valley Reservoir 9 Jan (AKMcN), 12 Hogganfield Loch 19 Jan (CRS), 11 on 2 Feb (ECD), and 10 (including 1 imm) on 10 Feb (GCC).

Black Cart Water SPA flock: supplementary counts winter-spring

	Jan	-	-	-	-	-	Feb	-	-	-	-
	2nd	8th	15th	22nd	23rd	29th	4th	12th	13th	21st	27th
Barr Loch	nc	nc	25	22	nc	nc	nc	22	nc	nc	nc
Blackstoun Farm	40	nc	nc	nc	nc	nc	nc	nc	nc	nc	nc
Candrens Farm	nc	20	nc	nc	nc	nc	nc	nc	nc	nc	nc
Newshot Island	nc	nc	nc	nc	28	nc	18	nc	nc	nc	nc
Yonderton	37	nc	70	nc	nc	47	nc	85	57	61	59
Total	77	20	95	8	28	47	18	107	57	61	59
	Mar	-	-	-	-	-	-	Apr	-	-	-
	4th	11th	12th	14th	15th	18th	25th	1st	5th	7th	9th
Barnsford Bridge	78	nc	nc	nc	nc	nc	nc	nc	nc	nc	nc
Barr Loch	nc	27	nc	nc	nc	nc	nc	nc	nc	nc	nc
Candrens Farm	nc	nc	nc	nc	nc	nc	nc	20	29	30	27
North Commonside	nc	nc	nc	nc	nc	50	50	nc	nc	nc	nc
Yonderton	nc	nc	70	71	60	nc	nc	nc	nc	nc	11
Total	78	27	70	71	60	50	50	20	29	30	38

Spring passage reports were of 8 NW over Ardmore Point on 11 Mar (ANi), 38 N over Loch Ardinning SWT Reserve 23 Mar (JTK), 23 Aird Meadow 8 Apr (RSPB), 11 Newshot Island 12 Apr, 6 on 16 Apr (AJR), and 5 at Carbarns Pool 27 Apr-2 May (per BS).

Apparently only one of the feral pair which formerly bred at the Endrick Mouth remained, the only reports being of 1 at Wards Pond on 3 May (FH), 2 June (MMcG,JTT) and 10 Sep (AKMcN). An injured bird was at Carbarns Pool 24 July-26 Aug (ECD).

Autumn arrivals/passage reports included 2 at East Yonderton on 3 Oct (ECD), 2 at Longhaugh Point on 8 Oct (JMC), 1 Aird Meadow 17-22 Oct (RSPB), one earlier than usual Hogganfield Loch 19 Oct (per JJM), 2 prs with b/1 on 2 Nov (CRS), 8 at Balgray Resr on 21 Oct (anon.), 24 arrived at Barr Loch at 1400 hrs on 21 Oct (RSPB), 3 Ardmore North Bay 22 Oct, later in Cardross Bay (JBB), 6 W over Twechar Marsh 25 Oct (ADW), 12 over Ibrox on 28 Oct (CL), and 95 over Colgrain on 28 Oct (DHMcE).

Autumn-winter reports included Black Cart Water SPA 10 Black Cart Water 7 Oct (AJR), 14 on stubble at Town of Inchinnan Farm 23 Oct, 39 on 25 Oct, 84 on 27 Oct, 48 on 29 Oct, 91 on 1 Nov, max count 106 on 3 Nov (FH), 80 on 5 Nov (ECD), 70 on 8 Nov (FH), 22 at Blackstone Mains 22-23 Nov, 72 on 25 Nov (ECD), 45 on 26 Nov (FH), 22 at Barnsford Bridge on 28 Nov (ECD), 40 Candrens 5 Dec, 44 on 6 Dec, 51 on 13 Dec (IPG), 74 East Yonderton-Barnsford Bridge 17 Dec, 59 on 30 Dec (ECD); Merryton/Baron's Haugh 4 at Baron's Haugh on 23 Oct, 27 on 26 Oct, 73 on 8 Dec (JCM), 5 at Merryton on 29 Oct, max 74 on 26 Nov (AIE), 68 on 1 Dec (IF); Lanark/The Meetings 131 by River Clyde at Grange Cottages 29 Oct (JTT), 186 Thankerton-Ravenstruther on 9 Dec (IF), an excellent max count of 230 on 18 Dec (AN), 89 Covington 30 Dec (JTT); Barr Loch 14 on 16 Nov (MMcG), 30 on 15 Dec (TB), 22 on 17 Dec, 39 on 27 Dec, 45 on 28 Dec (RSPB); Endrick Mouth 10 on 3 Oct, 15 on 28 Dec (ANi). Other reports included 13 at Hogganfield Loch 8 Nov (CRS), 14 on 29 Nov (JTMcE), 14 on 18 Dec (IPG), and 12 at Millichen Flood on 20 Dec (CRS).

 

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 Island-West Ferry *	87	101	nc	177	256	270	162	62	9	0	4	52
West Ferry-Port Glasgow	0	8	nc	6	14	4	0	0	0	0	0	0
Dumbarton-Craigendoran	53	85	nc	97	70	40	0	0	0	5	58	56
Clyde Estuary Total	140	196	nc	288	348	318	162	62	9	5	62	108

* including Milton Island to Dumbarton Rock

Winter-spring estuary reports included 4 at Kelburn Park, Port Glasgow on 20 Apr, and 128 at West Ferry on 28 Apr (DSF).

Inland reports were of 1 at Carbarns Pool on 11 Jan (AIE), 2 at the Endrick Mouth 29 Jan, 1 on 26 Jan (AKMcN), 3 on 9 Mar, 12 on 21 Apr, a pair on 7 May (ANi), a ♀ Baron's Haugh 30 Jan-5 Apr, a pair on 18 Apr and 17 May (JCM,JJM et al), 1 Millichen Flood 16 Mar (GJB), 2 on the Endrick Water at Drymen Bridge on 3 Apr, 2 at Ballochruin Pool 2 Apr-7 May (AKMcN,JTT), 8 at Auchendores Resr on 8 Apr, 6 on 10 Apr (DSF), 4 on 25 Apr (GJB), 1 pr on 21 May (ADW), and 2 at Aird Meadow on 16 Apr (RSPB).

Breeding season reports were of a pair with newly-hatched b/9 swimming very slowly N past Cloch Point on 27 May (IPG), a pair Great Harbour, Greenock 27 May (MMcG), 3 ♀♀ with b/16, b/9, b/7 Longhaugh Point 11 June (JMC), 28 ads with 23 juvs there on 28 June (JGT), a pair b/9 off Portkil 12 June (CMW), a pair b/10 Ardoch 30 June (DHMcE), cr/13 and bb/10 and 4 Milton Island 16 July (JSW,VW), and a pair b/6 small young at Dumbuck 18 July (DHMcE). Inland were 12 at Wards Pond on 21 Apr, 7 on 29 Apr (ANi), 4 on 3 May (FH), 2 on 2 June (MMcG,JTT), a pair and single ♂ Auchendores Resr 7 May (IPG), and a pair at Bridgend Pool on 16 May (KH). Summary: a minimum of ten broods recorded on the Clyde estuary, and a probable minimum of 84 young reared (JMC,JGT,JSW,VW et al); there was no evidence provided of breeding at the Endrick Mouth area, Loch Lomond, and no report from the Ballochruin Pools breeding site (ed.).

In summer there was an exceptional count for Erskine shore of 110 on 1 June (ECD), but only one report of the pre-moult migratory build-up below Longhaugh Point, of 312 full-grown birds between Longhaugh Point and West Ferry on 8 July (IPG).

Inland autumn reports included 6 at Balgray Resr on 20 July (IWMcM). Autumn-winter estuary reports included only 5 back Ardmore North Bay 8 Oct, 58 on 19 Nov, 57 on 17 Dec (IPG,ANi), and 62 in flooded fields at Longhaugh Point on 21 Dec (DSF).

 

Garganey Spatula querquedula

Reports involved a very early pair (photographed) at Baron's Haugh on 19 Mar (JJM,AET), a ♂ 7‑26 May (JCM,ECD), a pair Bothwell Farm Pool 31 Mar (RJH), a ♂ Carbarns Pool 7-19 May, presumed same ♂ Baron's Haugh 17 May (DA et al), a ♂ at Gartloch Pools 9-12 May (IPG, Jeff Duncan et al), a ♂ beside Douglas Water at Woolfords Cottages 13 May (ADW), a pair at Auchendores Resr 14 May (IPG), a ♂ Millersneuk Marsh 14-19 May (FC,IPG), a ♂ Bridgend Farm Pool 16-22 May (KH), and a ♂ at Wards Pond, Endrick Mouth on 16 May (ANi).

 

Shoveler Spatula clypeata

Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) count totals, detailing the most important sites reported in 2006, are presented in the following table (per JSW,VW):

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Clyde Area Total	6	9	20	6	1	2	3	6	40	67	49	54
Sites recorded (18 in total)	1	2	3	4	1	1	2	2	5	9	7	7
Baron's Haugh	-	-	-	-	-	-	2	4	25	19	2	12
Bridgend Farm Pool	-	-	-	-	-	-	0	0	0	19	18	-
Hogganfield Loch	6	7	11	1	0	2	0	0	0	0	6	10
Merryton/Carbarns	0	0	7	0	0	0	-	-	1	0	11	13
Gartloch Pools	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	2	7	14	2	8
Bothwell Park Farm Pond	0	-	0	-	0	0	-	0	-	-	8	0
Johnston Loch	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	7
Hamilton Low Parks	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	2	0	0

Winter-spring reports included 9 at Carbarns Pool on 5 Jan (AKMcN), max 12 on 14 Feb (AIE), a ♂ on 20 Mar (ECD), a pair on 23 Mar-2 Apr (AIE), 3 at Baron's Haugh on 8 Jan (ECD), 7 (3 ♂♂) on 31 Jan, 5 (3 ♂♂) on 4 Feb, 6 on 16 Feb, peak count 12 on 18 Mar, 5 on 20 Mar (ECD,MMcG et al), 10 (4 ♂♂) at Wards Pond, Endrick Mouth on 11 Jan (ANi), 2 from 15-21 Jan (JJM,ANi), 4 on 4 Apr, 6 on 21 Apr (ANi), 8 at Hogganfield Loch on 13 Jan, 7 (3 ♂♂) on 3 Feb, 7 (4 ♂♂) on 10 Feb, 8 (4 prs) on 2 Mar, still a ♂ 10-11 Apr (IPG), 2 at Newshot Island on 17 Apr (FH), and a ♂ at West Ferry on 7 May (ADW).

Breeding season reports involved 3 ♂♂ at Bridgend Farm Pool on 27 Apr, a pair on 14 May (KH), a ♂ Carbarns Pool 2 May (ECD), a pair Hogganfield Loch 4 May, a ♂ Gartloch Pools 9-19 May, 2 ♂♂ on 11-14 May (IPG), a ♀ on 6 June (CRS), 3 ♂♂ at Baron's Haugh on 26 May (ECD), and 2 ♂♂ on Hogganfield Pond 9 June (IPG).

Autumn reports included 2 moulting ♂♂ Gartloch Pools 10-11 Aug, 7 on 20 Sep, max 14 on 12 Oct, 3 on 3 Nov, 2 on 24 Nov, 7 on 6 Dec, 8 on 22 Dec (IPG), 1 Balgray Resr 19 Aug (ADW), 3 on 15 Sep, 5 from 2-4 Oct (JSW,VW,JCh), 2 Frankfield Loch 3 Sep (CRS), 4 on 10 Oct (IPG), 3 at Hogganfield Loch 11-14 Sep, max 13 on 3 Nov (IPG), 10 on 8 Nov (CRS), 4 on 6 Dec, 10 (7 ♂♂) on 18 Dec (IPG), 1 at Carbarns Pool 22 Sep, 14 (13 ♂♂) on 29 Oct, max 17 (14 ♂♂) on 26 Nov, 13 (12 ♂♂) on 15 Dec (AIE), 1 Barr Loch 8 Oct (RSPB), 21 (12 ♂♂) at Bridgend Farm Pool, 19 (14 ♂♂) at Twechar Marsh, and 10 (5♂♂) at Gadloch on 25 Oct (ADW), max 32 Baron's Haugh 27 Oct, 25 on 26 Dec (JCM), 2 ♂♂ Endrick Mouth 3 Nov (ANi), 2 at Castle Semple Loch 8-19 Nov (RSPB), a ♂ Ardmore South Bay 8 Nov (ANi), and a ♂ at Milton Island 24 Nov (DSF).

 

Gadwall Mareca strepera

Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) count totals, detailing the most important sites reported in 2006, are presented in the following table (per JSW,VW):

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Clyde Area Total	6	7	5	7	14	2	7	35	63	52	44	30
Sites recorded (13 in total)	1	2	2	2	4	1	2	4	5	5	6	4
Baron's Haugh	-	-	-	-	-	-	6	26	12	6	3	6
Gartloch Pools	6	6	2	0	7	2	1	7	26	34	14	12
Merryton/Carbarns	0	0	0	2	3	0	-	-	18	0	13	0
Hamilton Low Parks	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	1	6	10	6	6
Possil Loch	0	0	0	-	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	6
Bridgend Farm Pool	-	-	-	-	-	-	0	0	0	0	4	-
Hogganfield Loch	0	0	0	5	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Robroyston Park	0	0	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

Winter-spring reports were of 9 (5 ♂♂) at Baron's Haugh on 31 Jan (MMcG), 7 (4 ♂♂) on 4 Feb (JJM), 7 on 16 Feb, 8 on 24 Feb, spring max 48 on 18 Mar, 29 on 20 Mar (ECD et al), 9 Gartloch Pools 9 Feb, 6 on 14 Feb, a pair (on south pool) 27 Apr-5 May, 3 prs and a ♂ 10 May (IPG), 3 prs on 13 May (ADW), 3 (2 ♂♂) at Robroyston Park LNR 16 Mar (IPG), a pair on 9 Apr (AJY), 3 ♂♂ and 2 ♀♀ on Hogganfield Loch 31 Mar (IPG), 7 including 3 prs on 5 Apr (CRS), presumed same 7 birds on pond at Hogganfield Park LNR 11-15 Apr, a pair on loch 27 Apr (IPG), a pair at Millersneuk Marsh on 27 Apr (IPG), and a pair at Bridgend Farm Pool on 27 Apr (KH).

Breeding season reports involved 1-4 prs regularly Merryton/Carbarns Pools from late Mar-mid May, but no evidence of breeding (AIE), a pair Gartloch Pools 4 May, 3 prs and a ♂ on 10 May, 2 prs and a ♂ on 11 May (IPG), 3 prs on 14 May (ADW), 3 prs on 16 May, 2 prs on south pool on 23 May, 1 pair south pool 6 June, 2 ♂♂ on 9 June, a pair on 14 June, a ♀ on 20 July, a ♀ with full-grown b/4 from 11‑19 Aug (IPG), a pair Millersneuk Marsh 17 May (IPG), a ♂ Bridgend Farm Pool 17 May, a pair on 22 May (KH), a ♂ on River Kelvin at Garscube Estate on 22-23 May and 6-14 June (TB), 3 prs Baron's Haugh 26 May (ECD), 4 broods of 11, 9, 9 and 8 reared (DA), a ♀ with b/8 on 23 July (JJM), and a pair North Haugh various dates Apr-June (IL). Summary: Once again due to lack of details, particularly dates, from Baron's Haugh, the breeding status at this important site for the species is unclear; at a minimum, 4 ♀♀ reared 37 young (DA,JJM). One ♀ reared 4 young at Gartloch Pools, where up to 3 prs present during the breeding season (IPG).

Autumn-winter reports involved 5 at Gartloch Pools 3 Aug, 7 on 11 Aug, 10 on 17-18 Aug, 17 on 19 Aug, 26 on 20 Sep, max 34 on 12 Oct, 15 on 3 Nov, 11 on 9 Nov, 12 on 24 Nov, 20 on 6 Dec, 12 on 22 Dec (GCC,CRS), a pair Balgray Resr 24 Aug-8 Sep, a ♂ from 15 Sep-8 Oct (JJS,JSW et al), 2 prs Ardmore North Bay 22 Oct (JBB), max count reported only 26 at Baron's Haugh 13 Aug (DA), 18 on 27 Oct, 16 on 10 Dec (JCM), 4 Castle Semple Loch 19 Nov (RSPB),

2 Merryton 9 Dec (AIE), a pair Barr Loch 2 Dec (ECD), 6 Possil Loch 17 Dec (JJM), and 2 at the Endrick Mouth on 28 Dec (ANi).

 

Wigeon Mareca penelope

Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) count totals, detailing the most important sites reported in 2006, are presented in the following table (per JSW,VW):

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Clyde Area Total	1799	2007	1091	301	2	8	0	3	655	1502	1939	3336
Sites recorded (49 in total)	25	22	25	9	1	2	0	2	10	20	25	25
Clyde Estuary	721	737	nc	256	0	6	0	0	374	675	664	714
Merryton/Carbarns	0	188	390	0	0	0	-	-	71	75	270	289
Lochwinnoch	133	41	16	0	0	0	0	0	0	30	179	570
Possil Loch	101	73	34	-	0	0	0	0	0	0	112	320
Endrick Mouth	73	43	51	0	0	0	0	0	101	236	88	131
Gadloch	38	111	39	-	-	-	0	0	23	20	90	203
Baron's Haugh	-	-	-	-	-	-	0	0	2	55	1	200
Bridgend Farm Pool	-	-	-	-	-	-	0	0	0	122	61	-

Other winter-spring reports included 88 on the Black Cart Water at Yonderton 2 Jan (IPG), 390 at Carbarns Pool 5 Jan, 170 Endrick Mouth 29 Jan (AKMcN), 11 Loch Thom 5 Feb, 23 on 4 Mar (IPG), a pair on 6 Apr (MMcG), 11 at Gartloch Pools on 17 Jan and 9 Feb (IPG), 260 at Barr Loch on 22 Jan (RSPB), 61 at Carstairs Junction and 30 at Tower Farm Pond on 11 Mar (ADW), 200 at Baron's Haugh on 19 Mar (JJM), 67 Millichen Flood 28 Mar (AKMcN), 2 prs on Douglas Estate Ponds 2 Apr (JJM), and 10 at Carbarns Pool on 10 Apr, 3 on 20 Apr (AIE).

Summer reports involved a ♂ on Wards Pond on 2 June (MMcG,JTT), and a pair in Cardross Bay on 19 June (AGG). Autumn-winter counts included first 4 back at Balgray Resr 19 Aug (ADW), 60 on 22 Sep (SAW), 1 back Caplaw Dam 22 Aug, 36 on 25 Sep (IPG), 8 back Baron's Haugh on 3 Sep, 266 on 21 Nov (JCM), 3 Hogganfield Loch 14-15 Sep (IPG), 6 on 19 Sep (JJM), 17 at Millersneuk Marsh 15 Sep, 125 West Ferry-Langbank 16 Sep (IPG), 266 on 27 Sep (DSF), 320 on 30 Sep, 144 in Ardmore North Bay on 8 Oct, 249 on 19 Nov (IPG), 117 at The Meetings 15 Oct, 60 at Gadloch and 145 at Bridgend Farm Pool 25 Oct (ADW), 76 at Endrick Mouth on 31 Oct (AKMcN), 410 at Barr Loch on 31 Oct, a high max of 567 there on 17 Dec, 391 on 27 Dec (RSPB), max 326 Carbarns Pool 26 Nov (AIE), 105 Twechar Marsh 16 Dec (ADW), and 239 at Millichen Flood on 23 Dec (JC).

An American Wigeon Anas americana x Wigeon hybrid ♂ was at Baron's Haugh and Carbarns Pool throughout the period 19 Mar-27 Mar (JJM,AIE).

 

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos

Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) count totals, detailing the most important sites reported in 2006, are presented in the following table (per JSW,VW).

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Clyde Area Total	3171	2832	1770	1190	1081	1626	2926	3786	3981	3749	3407	3692
Sites recorded (113 in total)	92	84	85	80	74	73	72	73	86	83	90	84
Clyde Estuary	504	511	-	111	150	368	515	772	975	814	557	725
Baron's Haugh	-	-	-	-	-	-	406	586	65	54	47	185
Lochwinnoch	174	111	69	56	36	34	104	103	172	180	102	177
Strathclyde C Park	17	22	160	41	82	120	179	99	139	118	-	137
Merryton/Carbarns	0	0	0	0	0	0	-	-	286	209	344	127
Heritage Park E K	119	80	51	63	-	44	91	94	71	140	81	117
Black Cart Water	94	61	20	16	0	73	89	184	175	120	59	75
Douglas Estate Ponds	60	80	70	50	30	40	150	100	120	80	80	100

Breeding Broods reported in 2006 are presented in the following table:

Site	Broods	Young	Obs	Site	Broods	Young	Obs
Alloch Dam	1	5	AMC	Houstonhead Dam	1	4	GB
Auchlochan Pond	1	2	RJH	Kilmacolm, Glen Moss	1	1	ADW
Balgray Reservoir	4	25	J&VW	Kilmardinny Loch	12	43	NK
Barnbeth Loch	1	10	GB	Kilsyth Cemetery Pond	1	3	PGC
Baron's Haugh	9	55	DA	L Lomond, Balloch	1	4	ADW
Biggar Moss	2	3	J&VW	L Lomond, Inchcailloch	1	3	AKM
Braidwood Pond	2	13	MRH	Lanark Loch	2	19	MRH
Camps Reservoir	1	8	J&VW	Loch Ardinning SWT	1	5	AKM
Caplaw Dam	1	3	IPG	Loch Libo	2	10	J&VW
Cardross, Laundry Cottage	1	1	FL	Lochend Loch	1	2	CL
Cathkin Marsh	1	11	ADW	Lochwinnoch, Aird Meadow	1	8	RSPB
Coves Reservoir	2	3	JHH	Lochwinnoch, Castle Semple L	2	7	RSPB
Craigmarloch Marsh	1	4	ADW	Merryton/Carbarns	7	34	AIE
Douglas Estate Ponds	7	38	KS	Milngavie CC Pond	3	22	AKM
Douglas Water Pools	3	18	KS	Monklands C (Drumpellier)	2	8	CL
East Kilbride, Heritage Loch	1	3	DWM	Mouse Water, Lower Oldtown	2	b/4,b/9	ADW
Frankfield Loch	1	2	CRS	Mugdock CP, Craigend Pond	2	11	AKM
Garnqueen Loch	3	b/4,5,5	IPG	Mugdock CP, Gallows Hill	1	3	AKM
Gartloch Pools	3	5bb/31	IPG	Orchard Farm Pool	2	7	CL
Garvald Quarry	4	14	AMcA	R Clyde, Daldowie	2	7	CRS
Gateside Reservoir	1	2	SJM	R Clyde, Midlock-Hyndford Br	13	56	ADW
Glasgow Queen's Park Pond	1	1	GCC	River Clyde, Maudslie Estate	2	10	JMcO
Glasgow, Alexandra Park Pd	2	6	GCC	River Clyde, Quothquan	2	4	ADW
Glasgow, Auchinlea Park Pd	2	6	GCC	Robroyston Park LNR	2	b/5,b/6	IPG
Glasgow, Bingham's Pond	10	44	JC	Rosneath Point	1	6	CMW
Glasgow, Kelvingrove Pk	1	1	GCC	Rouken Glen Pond	2	15	JAS
Glasgow, Maxwell Park Pond	9	64	GCC	Ryat Linn Reservoir	1	5	J&VW
Glasgow, Victoria Park Pond	3	3	GCC	Tannoch Loch	1	1	AKM
Hamilton LP, Goose Pond	1	2	SLRS	Townhead Reservoir	1	3	PGC
Hamilton LP, Island Pond	2	6	SLRS	W Cart Water, Cathcart	1	9	JMcO
Hamilton LP, R Clyde	3	12	SLRS	W Cart Water, Kirkland Br	1	3	SL
Hamilton LP, Raith Haugh	1	5	SLRS	W Cart Water, Linn Park	7	46	SAW
Harelaw Dam	2	11	J&VW	W Cart Water, Paisley Cross	1	4	JJM
Hogganfield Loch	2	b/4,b/8	IPG	W Cart Water, Pollok C Park	3	12	J&VW
Houston House Pond	1	6	GB	Whitefield Pond	2	4	AKM

Summary: 177 broods reported from 76 sites, with mean reported brood size 4.79/female, suggesting a near average breeding season (cf. a mean annual brood size 4.87/female 1987-2006).

Autumn-winter reports included an exceptionally high count for the site of 177 at Gartloch Pools on 19 Aug (IPG), and 35 on a drained Broom Pond, Newton Mearns on 27 Nov (GRW).

 

Pintail Anas acuta

Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) count totals, detailing the most important sites reported in 2006, are presented in the following table (per JSW,VW):

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Clyde Area Total	2	11	8	2	0	0	0	0	0	9	12	13
Sites recorded (5 in total)	1	2	2	1	0	0	0	0	0	2	1	2
Clyde Estuary	2	9	-	0	0	0	0	-	0	8	12	12
Endrick Mouth	0	2	7	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Craighall Dam	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0
Lochwinnoch	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1
Merryton/Carbarns	0	0	1	0	0	0	-	-	0	0	0	0

Winter-spring reports from the Clyde estuary were of 6 (4 ♂♂) at Cardross Bay 2 Jan (JBB), 3 on 30 Jan (GJB), 7 on 17 Feb (AGG), 3 (2 ♂♂) Longhaugh Point 3 Jan, 3 on 10 Mar (ADW), 4 (3 ♂♂) in Ardmore North Bay 3 Jan (AKMcN), 7 (4 ♂♂) on 8 Jan (ANi), 6 on 24 Jan (JBB), 3 at Bowling Oil Terminal on 12 Feb (JSW,VW), a pair at West Ferry on 17 Feb (DSF,FH), and 3 (1 ♂) there on 27 Mar (ADW).

Inland records were of 1 at Baron's Haugh on 8 Jan (ECD), 3 (2 ♂♂) on 22 Jan (JCM), a ♂ from 31 Jan-4 Feb, 2 ♂♂ on 18 Mar, a pair from 19 Mar-18 Apr (JCM,JJM et al), 1-3 (2 ♂♂ and 1 ♀) at Carbarns Pool 14 Jan-27 Mar (AIE), a ♂ at Wards Pond, Endrick Mouth on 29 Jan, 2 ♂♂ on 26 Feb (AKMcN), 2 ♂♂ on 2-2 Mar, 1 ♂ on 9 Mar, 2 on 4 Apr, and a pair on 10 Apr (ANi).

Autumn-winter inland reports involved 2 Balgray Resr 2-4 Oct (JSW,VW,JCh), 2 ♀♀ Castle Semple Loch 22 Oct (GT), a ♀/imm in Net Bay, Endrick Mouth 10 Sep (AKMcN), 2 on 28 Nov (MS), 7 on 28 Dec (ANi), 3 at Baron's Haugh on 10 Dec, 2 on 26 Dec (JCM), 1 at Aird Meadow on 17 Dec, 2 ♂♂ on 31 Dec (RSPB), and an unusual record of a ♂ at Daer Resr on 24 Dec (JTT).

End of year reports on the Clyde estuary were of a ♀ at Ardmore North Bay on 21 Sep, 3 (1 ♂) on 22 Sep (JBB), 1 on 1 Oct (ADW), 7 (1 ♂) on 3 Oct (AKMcN), 8 on 6 Oct (JBB), 7 on 8 Oct (IPG), 5 on 9 Oct, 5 on 12 Oct, 3 on 13 Oct, 1 on 16 Oct, 8 on 17 Oct, 6 on 19 Oct, 5 on 20 Oct, 6 on 22 Oct, 2 (a pair) on 8 Nov (ANi et al), 8 on 9 Nov, 12 (6 ♂♂ and 6 ♀♀) on 19 Nov (IPG), 4 on 24 Nov, a ♂ on 1 Dec, (ANi), 9 on 5 Dec (JBB), 12 on 17 Dec (IPG), 3 on 18 Dec (ANi), 7 on 19 Dec (GJB), a ♂ Cardross Bay 8 Oct (IPG), 1 Longhaugh Point 7 Nov (JGT), 9 (6 ♂♂) at West Ferry on 20 Dec, 2 prs on 21 Dec (DSF), and a ♂ at Carbarns Pool on 27 Dec (AIE).

 

Teal Anas crecca

Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) count totals, detailing the most important sites reported in 2006, are presented in the following table (per JSW,VW):

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Clyde Area Total	2477	3007	955	1237	45	17	228	361	1256	1823	2515	2728
Sites recorded (55 in total)	36	34	34	28	2	3	8	11	27	32	28	38
Clyde Estuary	790	1249	-	580	0	2	45	73	538	381	730	998
Baron's Haugh	-	-	-	-	-	-	6	67	181	242	59	77
Black Cart Water	238	188	136	83	40	0	0	0	28	115	88	122
Endrick Mouth	90	120	106	33	0	7	0	0	77	108	203	188
Bridgend Farm Pool	-	-	-	-	-	-	0	0	50	96	214	-
Douglas Estate Ponds	150	200	150	120	0	0	120	150	80	50	70	80
White Cart Water, Netherton	290	242	-	91	0	-	-	-	4	13	32	74
Harelaw Reservoir, Barrhead	-	-	-	-	-	-	0	0	0	92	142	166

Winter-spring reports included 664 Longhaugh Point-West Ferry 1 Jan (DSF), 630 on 3 Jan (JND, ADW), 735 on 10 Jan (DSF), 300 at Barr Loch on 22 Jan (RSPB), 400 on White Cart Water at Netherton Farm, Renfrew on 26 Jan (JJM), and 31 at Ballochruin Pool on 14 Apr (AKMcN).

Breeding season (May-July) reports were of 2 prs raising 4 young at Kilmardinny Loch (NK), a pair Woolfords 13 May (ADW), a pair Gartloch Pools 16 May (GCC), 3 Endrick Mouth 16 May (ANi), and 12 (8 ♂♂) at Garvald Quarry on 31 May (AMcA).

Autumn-winter reports included 10 at Leperstone Resr 19 Aug (DSF), 42 Gartloch Pools 19 Aug (IPG), 55 on 20 Aug (ADW), 110 at Barscube Hill Pond 8 Sep, 140 on 9 Sep and 17 Sep (DSF), 38 Frankfield Loch 15 Sep (IPG), 415 Longhaugh Point-Milton Island 16 Sep (IPG), 60 Balgray Resr 4 Oct (JCh), 82 Ardmore North Bay 8 Oct (IPG), 34 Robroyston Park LNR 10 Oct (IPG), 96 Rowbank Resr 22 Oct, 44 on 26 Dec (IPG), 60 Fannyside Loch (small), 92 Gadloch 25 Oct, 100 Bridgend Farm Pool 25 Oct (ADW), 126 Glen Moss 26 Oct (DSF), 257 Baron's Haugh 26 Oct (JCM), 200 at Wards Pond on 31 Oct (AKMcN), 150 at Harelaw Resr (Barrhead) on 1 Nov (SJM), 122 at Merryton on 1 Dec (AIE), and 820 at West Ferry on 20 Dec (DSF).

 

Green-winged Teal Anas carolinensis

A drake remained on the White Cart Water at Paisley STW from 15 Dec 2005 until at least 5 Jan 2006 (JJS et al).

 

Pochard Aythya ferina

Winter-spring reports included 21 Carron Valley Reservoir 9 Jan (AKMcN), 34 Hogganfield Loch 16 Jan, 54 on 10 Feb (IPG).

Summer reports were of a pair at the Endrick Mouth on 7 May (AKMcN), 2 ♂♂ on Hogganfield Loch 28 June (CRS), 2 on 4 July, 8 on 6 July, 4 on 13 July, 17 on 18 July, 42 on 3-8 Aug, 49 on 15 Aug (IPG), moult flock max 62 on 17 Aug (CRS), a ♀ at Baron's Haugh on 23 July (JJM), and a ♀ at Auchendores Resr on 19 Aug (DSF).

Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) count totals, detailing the most important sites reported in 2006, are presented in the following table (per JSW,VW):

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Clyde Area Total	209	300	247	2	2	4	25	64	33	118	293	344
Sites recorded (47 in total)	20	25	25	2	1	2	4	2	7	15	20	23
Hogganfield Loch	34	54	20	0	0	0	17	49	9	22	32	27
Lochwinnoch	32	37	37	0	0	0	0	15	5	15	77	28
Harelaw Reservoir, Barrhead	-	-	-	-	-	-	0	0	0	0	40	62
Lochend Loch	0	18	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	42	42
Hamilton Low Parks	33	39	22	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	6
Woodend Loch	26	15	0	0	0	0	0	0	9	0	0	31
Balgray Reservoir	0	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	6	32	3	36
Black Loch (Renf)	3	0	3	0	0	0	0	-	1	20	23	20

Autumn-winter reports included 60 at Balgray Resr on 4 Nov (SAW).

A Pochard x Tufted Duck hybrid ♂ was reported from Baron's Haugh on 3 Jan (JCM).

 

Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula

Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) count totals, detailing the most important sites reported in 2006, are presented in the following table (per JSW,VW):

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Clyde Area Total	1441	1798	1509	1226	408	399	1020	1344	1189	1519	1862	1799
Sites recorded (95 in total)	69	66	72	72	44	47	51	46	49	61	71	72
Hamilton Low Parks	340	289	173	81	9	5	36	32	80	103	311	415
Lochwinnoch	237	208	170	179	0	0	3	167	71	111	431	121
Hogganfield Loch	82	150	119	98	17	16	69	237	215	110	87	72
Balgray Reservoir	9	18	18	21	7	17	135	286	195	171	61	52
Gadloch	26	32	8	-	-	-	51	73	70	58	60	49
Lochend Loch	20	48	52	61	20	8	66	36	37	51	18	45
River Clyde, Lamington	43	63	61	14	2	8	18	0	2	25	92	65
Woodend Loch	8	95	28	10	3	9	54	41	31	82	2	23

Winter-spring reports included 205 at Hogganfield Loch on 1 Feb (ADW), 120 on 5 Apr (CRS), a site record count of 125 at Carbarns Pool on 3 Feb (AIE), unusually a pair on White Cart Water at Pollok Country Park on 26 Feb (SAW), 40 Auchendores Resr 20 Mar (FH), and a ♂ with the Scaup flock at West Ferry during 23 Apr-7 May (IPG,ADW).

Breeding Broods reported in 2006 are listed in the following table:

Site	Broods	Young	Obs	Site	Broods	Young	Obs
Antermony Loch	1	2	AMC	Glasgow, Auchinlea Park Pd	1	6	IPG
Auchlochan Pond	3	8	RJH	Glasgow, Bingham's Pond	5	23	JC
Carron Valley Reservoir	1	2	AKM	Hamilton Low Parks	1	6	SLRS
Deil's Craig Dam	1	3	AKM	Harelaw Dam	3	14	J&VW
Douglas Estate Ponds	2	7	KS	Hogganfield Pond	1	2	IPG
Douglas Water Pool	1	4	KS	Kilmardinny Loch	8	21	NK
Finlaystone Estate Pond	1	6	DSF	Loch Walton	1	6	AKM
Gartloch Pools	1	2	IPG	Mugdock Loch	1	6	AKM
Garvald Quarry	1	5	AMcA	Mugdock CP, Craigend Pond	2	4	AKM
Glasgow, Alexandra Park	1	6	GCC	Whitefield Pond	1	2	AMC

Tufted Duck breeding summary: 37 broods reported from 20 sites, with a mean brood size of 3.65/female (cf a mean annual brood size of 4.43/female 1987-2006). Other observations: (i) ♀ b/8 Gartloch Pool (N) 21 July (JJS), 2 ♀♀ guarding her b/6 on 3 Aug (IPG), ♀ b/4 on 4 Aug (JJS), 2 ♀♀ guarding b/3 on 8-19 Aug (IPG), then one duckling observed being taken by underwater predator, probably Pike Esox lucius, on 23 Aug (IPG); (ii) ♀ with recently hatched b/2 on Hogganfield Pond 15 Aug, still present with 2 juvs full-grown on 15 Sep (IPG). Other breeding season reports included 2 prs Possil Loch 7 May (ADW), 18 prs Harelaw Dam 8 May (JSW,VW), 5 prs and one ♂ Glen Moss 12 May, 6 prs and one ♂ Barscube Hill Pond, 1 pair and one ♂ Mid Glen 21 May (ADW), and 4 prs Garvald Quarry 26 June (AMcA).

Summer moult flocks included 69 Hogganfield Loch 18 July (IPG), max 200 Barr Loch 21 Aug (RSPB), and a max of 297 at Balgray Resr on 21 Aug (JSW,VW). Unusually, apart from WeBS counts (see table above), no significant reports during the autumn-winter period (ed.).

 

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	2	8	nc	51	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0
Dumbarton-Cardross	0	0	nc	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
Clyde Estuary Total	2	8	nc	51	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	1

Winter-spring reports on the Clyde estuary included 5 off Longhaugh Point 3 Jan (ADW), 5 West Ferry 10 Jan (DSF), 6 at Cardross on 11 Feb and 11 Mar (per JJM,GJB). The usual spring build-up at West Ferry involved 8 on 12 Feb, 4 on 13 Feb (IPG), 17 on 27 Mar, 31 on 10 Mar (ADW), 34 on 22 Mar (FH), 48 on 4 Apr (ECD), a max count of 51 on 9 Apr, 42 on 15 Apr (IPG), 34 on 21 Apr (DSF), 39 on 22-24 Apr (IPG,ECD), 40 on 28 Apr (DSF), 29 on 29 Apr, and 23 on 30 Apr (IPG). Inland reports involved a ♀ on Island Pond, Hamilton Low Parks on 3 Feb (JJS), and a ♀/imm at Barr Loch on 17 Feb (ADW).

Autumn-winter inland birds were 1 at Harelaw Dam 11 Sep (JSW,VW), 1 at Barr Loch 8 Oct, ? on 19 Oct (RSPB), 3 (a 1st-w ♂ and two 1st-w ♀♀ at the Heritage Loch, East Kilbride 7-9 Nov, the 1st-w ♂ remaining until 27 Dec (JJM et al). Clyde estuary reports included 3 West Ferry 30 Sep (IPG), a ♀ there on 10 Oct, 3 on 22 Oct (ADW), a ♂ in Cardross Bay on 24 Nov, 4 (1 ♂) on 24 Dec (JBB,GJB), 2 (♂ and ♀) in Ardmore North Bay on 1 Dec (ANi), and a ♀ in Lunderston Bay on 17 Dec (FG).

 

Lesser Scaup Aythya affinis

A ♂ was on the Barr Loch on 22 Jan (BO), having been on nearby Kilbirnie Loch, Ayrshire since 27 November 2005 (P. A. Fraser and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 100: 699).

 

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 to Gourock Bay	193	296	-	46	55	173	163	435	619	485	515	829
Gourock to Wemyss Bay	292	107	-	62	15	178	420	496	610	210	0	315
Cardross to Rhu	136	1120	-	171	149	436	1005	1301	523	215	693	670
Rhu to Coulport	715	728	-	988	894	823	760	1749	3102	2462	1363	1520
Clyde Estuary Total	1336	2253	n/c	1277	1126	1627	2457	3984	4881	3372	2571	3334

Other winter-spring reports included 869 off Newark Castle on 1 Feb (DSF).

Breeding RENFREWSHIRE: a ♀ b/2 Cardwell Bay 8 July, ♀ b/5, ♀ b/5 and ♀ b/6 off Greenock Esplanade 14 July (IPG); DUNBARTONSHIRE: a ♀ b/6 Ardmore Point 19 May (FL), a ♀ b/5 half-grown Helensburgh 24 June (DHMcE), ♀ b/5 and ♀ b/5 on 16 July (IPG), 145 ♀♀ with 237 juvs between Rhu-Kilcreggan 12 June, 125 ♀♀ with 313 juvs there on 16 July (CMW).

Summary: 4 broods totalling 18 young reported in Renfrewshire (IPG), and an unspecified number of broods totalling approximately 329 young reported in Dunbartonshire (CMW et al).

Moulting flocks included 210 at Lunderston Bay 2 July, 420 on 21 July, 80 Cloch Point 21 July, 935 off Ardmore Point 16 July (IPG), 1230 on 13 Aug (AKMcN), 750 McInroy's Point-Inverkip 5 Aug, 1170 in mid-estuary off Port Glasgow 17 Aug (IPG), and 749 off Scott Lithgow, Port Glasgow on 11 Sep (DSF).

Autumn-winter counts included 510 McInroy's Point-Inverkip 17 Sep (IPG). Results of the annual census in September organised by CMW are in the table below.

Inner Clyde Eider Count, 16-17 September 2006 (CMW et al)

Port Glasgow-Gourock Pier	619	Rhu-Rosneath	2278
Gourock-Wemyss Bay	610	Rosneath-Kilcreggan	287
Cardross-Craigendoran	306	Kilcreggan-Coulport	537
Craigendoran-Rhu	217	Inner Clyde Total	4881

Subsequent autumn-winter counts included 554 Ardmore Point 19 Nov, 1218 on 17 Dec (IPG).

 

Velvet Scoter Melanitta fusca

One report: a ♀/imm midway between Kelburn and Cardross on 4 Nov (AJR).

 

Common Scoter Melanitta nigra

Clyde estuary reports involved 1 Helensburgh 7 Dec (GJB), 2 ♀♀ Lunderston Bay 17 Dec (FG).

 

Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis

Winter-spring reports involved a ♂ in Ardmore South Bay on 13 May (ANi), and presumably the same ♂ in Ardmore North Bay on 27 May (ECD).

Autumn-winter reports were of a ♀/imm on River Leven at Howgate on 12 Nov (SCa), and at Dumbarton Quay on 17 Dec (JSW,VW) and 23 Dec (JBB).

 

Goldeneye Bucephala clangula

Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) count totals, detailing the most important sites reported in 2006, are presented in the following table (per JSW,VW,JSWVW):

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Clyde Area Total	1007	1120	532	575	9	0	6	44	48	23	537	927
Sites recorded (75 in total)	56	42	46	29	3	0	1	2	2	5	45	47
Clyde Estuary	124	636	n/c	288	3	0	6	43	45	13	62	300
Lochwinnoch	128	97	92	77	2	0	0	1	3	4	108	94
Lamington (River Clyde)	90	102	102	54	0	0	0	0	0	0	52	62
Hamilton Low Parks	150	29	25	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	42	26
Fannyside Lochs	2	2	3	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	73	101
Strathclyde Country Park	50	41	32	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	-	29
Hogganfield Loch	78	11	26	31	0	0	0	0	0	0	11	34
Baron's Haugh	-	-	-	-	-	-	0	0	0	0	13	39

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 *	39	244	nc	66	0	0	1	0	40	12	10	62
Langbank to Newark Castle	31	12	nc	204	0	0	4	42	5	1	0	15
Gourock to Wemyss Bay	0	0	nc	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	11
Dumbarton Rock to Cardross	0	337	nc	14	0	0	1	1	0	0	0	70
Seabank Cottage to Craigendoran	3	6	nc	4	3	0	0	0	0	0	3	3
Clyde Estuary Total	124	636	nc	288	3	0	6	43	45	13	62	300

* (including Milton Island to Dumbarton Rock)

Clyde estuary reports included 337 Cardross and 244 West Ferry 12 Feb, 264 West Ferry 9 Apr, 10 on 27 Apr, down to 4 by 30 Apr (IPG), 488 Kelburn/Cardross- Longhaugh Point 27 Mar (ADW), including 132 at Finlaystone Point 27 Mar (JGT), and 3 at Dumbuck on 7 May (ADW).

Reports from freshwater sites included 41 on the River Clyde at Carbarns on 2 Jan (AIE), 11 at Caplaw Dam 14 Jan (IPG), 17 Bardowie Loch 11 Feb (AKMcN), 12 on River Clyde at Kingston Bridge 16 Feb (JJM), roost 59 Barr Loch 17 Feb, 85 Lamington 11 Mar (ADW), 17 Auchendores Resr 9 Apr (IPG), still 16 Hogganfield Loch 28 Apr, 7 on 4 May, 4 on 5 May (IPG), and 2 ♀♀ at Balgray Resr on 13 May (SAW).

Summer moulting birds on the Clyde estuary were 21 at Langbank on 3 Aug (ADW), 36 on 15 Aug (DSF), 44 on 19 Aug (ADW), max count 49 on 28 Aug (JGT), and 21 at West Ferry on 9‑10 Sep, 33 on 16-17 Sep (IPG).

Autumn-winter inland reports involved first 1 back Baron's Haugh 7 Sep, max 65 on 26 Dec (JCM), 1 back Hogganfield Loch 1 Oct (CRS), first 1 back Barcraigs Resr 23 Oct (IPG), 4 Loch Ardinning SWT Reserve 16 Oct (JTK), 19 Fannyside Loch 25 Oct (ADW), and 59 at the Lochwinnoch Reserve on 31 Oct (RSPB).

 

Smew Mergellus albellus

Winter-spring reports ('redheads' unless otherwise stated) were of 1 on Mugdock Loch 3-11 Jan (per BS et al), presumed same bird on Mugdock/Craigmaddie Resrs 8 Jan (JC), 1 Craigend Pond (Mugdock Country Park) 14-15 Jan, Mugdock Loch 26 Jan, Tannoch Loch 31 Jan-2 Feb, Mugdock Loch 4‑26 Feb, 23-31 Mar and 3 Apr, Tannoch Loch 5 Mar (per BS et al), 1 at Barr Loch on 11 Jan (per RSPB) and 15 Jan (JJG), probably same 1 Castle Semple Loch 15 Jan (SJM), on Barr Loch 12 Feb, Aird Meadow 24‑26 Feb, Barr Loch 11 Mar, Aird Meadow 18 Mar (RSPB), 1 in Wards Pond/Endrick Mouth area 2 Feb-5 May (ANi, per BS et al), an adult ♂ on River Clyde at Lamington 8 Feb-9 Mar (JSW,VW), an adult ♂ at White Loch on 11 Mar (AN), and a redhead on the River Clyde at Strathclyde Country Park on 18 Mar (JRo). Summary: a probable minimum of 6 birds present during the period, including long-staying 'redheads' at Lochwinnoch, Milngavie and the Endrick Mouth, and an adult ♂ on the River Clyde at Lamington.

None reported during the autumn-winter period.

 

Goosander Mergus merganser

Winter-spring reports included 10 on the River Kelvin at Botanic Gardens 8 Jan (per BT), 12 on 17 Jan (JJM), 6 on the Monklands Canal at Drumpellier on 13 Jan (CL), 11 (6 ♂♂) on the White Cart Water at Cathcart 17 Jan (FH), 14 (7 ♂♂) Mugdock Loch 24 Jan, 15 on 9 Feb (JTK), 17 on Hogganfield Loch 3 Feb, 26 on 10 Feb (IPG), 17 at Wards Ponds 2 Feb (ANi), 2 prs on 3 May (FH), 30 Barr Loch 8 Feb (RSPB), 29 on 17 Feb (ADW), 20 Ryat Linn Resr 10 Feb (JSW,VW),

11 (8 ♂♂) on R Leven at Balloch 14 Feb (ANi), 37 Balgray Resr 11 Mar (JJS), 44 on 18 Mar (SAW), 2 prs on the Black Cart Water at Yonderton 27 Apr (FH), a pair on Loch Lomond at Rowardennan 28 Apr (ECD), a ♂ Barr Loch 4 May (MMcG), a pair Loch Arklet 19 May (ECD), and 2 ♀♀ on the River Kelvin at Garscube Estate on 12 June (TB).

Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) count totals, detailing the most important sites reported in 2006, are presented in the following table (per JSW,VW):

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Clyde Area Total	210	228	187	125	40	26	6	217	284	38	197	168
Sites recorded 68 in total	34	34	25	26	8	3	3	7	7	9	30	32
Endrick Mouth	1	19	3	14	9	0	0	158	261	0	0	1
Hogganfield Loch	15	26	23	11	6	0	0	0	0	5	31	28
Douglas Estate Ponds	14	12	10	6	2	0	4	2	12	14	20	22
Harelaw Dam	8	21	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	55	15
Balgray Reservoir	13	8	37	34	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	2
Strathclyde Country Park	18	12	21	4	6	0	1	0	0	0	-	9
Lochwinnoch	16	16	17	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	7	4
Lanark Loch	10	5	8	6	0	0	0	0	0	0	8	8

Breeding reports: 2 prs Midross Golf Course on Loch Lomond (SL), a pair b/7 Aird Meadow (RSPB), 2 ♀♀ b/12, b/8 on the R Clyde at Baron's Haugh (DA), 2 prs bred on White Cart Water in Linn Park (SAW), a ♀ b/11 on River Clyde at Carbarns 11-28 May, same ♀ b/8 on 19 June (AIE), ♀ b/9 on White Cart Water at Cathcart (at NS583608) on 4 June, ♀ b/11 on River Kelvin at Benalder St Bridge 5 June (GC), a ♀ b/12 in Rossdhu Bay 19 June (SL), ♀ b/4 on River Clyde at Dalmarnock 21 June (CRS), a ♀ b/12 on Loch Lomond at Rowardennan 28 June (NTS), a ♀ b/3 Inchcailloch 3 July, a ♀ b/3 on the Endrick Water at Ballochruin 10 July (AKMcN), and a ♀ b/5 on the River Leven at Dalreoch on 31 July (DHMcE). Summary: at least 12 broods/crèches totalling 94 young reported in 2006.

Autumn-winter reports included 19 at Balgray Resr 19 July, 11 on White Cart Water at Linn Park 21 July (SAW), 13 on R Clyde Baron's Haugh-Carbarns Pool 24 July, 20 on 17 Aug (ECD), 23 on the Clyde estuary off Langbank on 3 Aug (ADW), moult flock 108 at the Endrick Mouth 31 July (AKMcN), 151 on 14 Aug, an impressive max count of 293 on 10 Sep, 261 on 18 Sep (DRMcC,AKMcN), 21 on R Clyde at Thankerton 12 Aug (ADW), 3 ♂♂ over the SECC, Glasgow on 6 Oct (JJM), 5 Hogganfield Loch 10 Oct, 29 on 3 Nov, 41 on 9 Nov, 31 on 17-21 Nov (IPG), max 50 on 29 Nov (JTMcE), 28 on 18 Dec (IPG), 12 Endrick Mouth 3 Nov (ANi), and 55 at Harelaw Dam 15 Nov (JSW,VW).

 

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	8	15	nc	17	45	11	3	42	10	3	6	31
Dumbarton to Craigendoran	3	34	nc	82	84	25	96	153	38	31	13	24
Craigendoran to Coulport	27	41	nc	40	20	8	2	0	14	27	12	20
Clyde Estuary Total	53	103	nc	147	152	44	101	195	82	61	49	97

Other winter-spring reports from the estuary included 93 Newark Castle-Port Glasgow 17 Feb (DSF), 33 off Scott Lithgow, Port Glasgow 20 Apr (DSF), and 14 off West Ferry on 22 Apr (IPG).

Inland records included a ♀ Carron Valley Reservoir 9 Jan, 2 ♂♂ at Endrick Mouth 29 Jan, 1 on 26 Feb (AKMcN), a ♀ Barr Loch 8 Feb (RSPB), 3 ♂♂ on Loch Lomond at Ross Park 3 May (FH), a ♂ at Firkin 10 June (DHMcE), and 1 on Loch Lomond at Inchmurrin on 17 June (AKMcN).

Breeding season reports included 4 prs off Ardgowan Point 8 May (ADW), a pair at Midross, a pair in Rossdhu Bay 19 June (SL), a pair on the River Clyde at Lamington 7 May (JSW,VW), a pair on Loch Lomond at Inchcailloch on 17 May (JJM), a ♀ b/6 at the Endrick Mouth on 31 July (AKMcN), and a pair b/5 at Daer Resr on 7 Aug (JSW,VW).

Summer moult flocks reported were 85 Ardmore Point 16 July (IPG), 135 on 7 Aug (ANi), 105 on 17 Aug (FH), 111 on 28 Aug (AKMcN), 110 on 8 Sep (ANi), 76 on 1 Oct (ADW), and 140 at Cardross Bay on 13 Aug (RCW).

 

Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis

Winter reports involved a ♂ Hogganfield Loch 23-25 Jan, 2 (♂ and ♀) 1-7 Feb (ECD,CRS), 2 ♂♂ on 10 Feb, a ♂ on 23 Feb, and 2 ♂♂ (one in full breeding plumage) on 2-3 Mar (GCC,CRS).

Spring-summer reports involved 2 ♂♂ Hogganfield Loch 5 Apr (CRS), 1 ♂ on 11 Apr, 3 ♂♂ and a ♀ on 19 Apr, a ♂ 28 Apr-4 May, 2 ♂♂ on 5 May, 2 ♂♂ and 3 ♀♀ on 9 May, ♂ and ♀ 31 May, 5 ♂♂ on 6 July, 2 ♂♂ on 18 July, 1 ♂ on 20 July, 2 ♂♂ Gartloch Pools 7 Apr, 2 ♂♂ and a ♀ on 11 Apr, 4 ♂♂ on 28 Apr, 3 ♂♂ on 28 Apr, 1 ♂ on 5 May, 4 ♂♂ on 9 May, 5 ♂♂ and a ♀ on 10 May (IPG), 4 (3 ♂♂) on 13 May (ADW), 3 (2 ♂♂) on 19 May, 4 (3 ♂♂) on 26 May (JJS), 2 ♂♂ and a ♀ at Robroyston Park LNR on 10 Apr (IPG), a ♂ on 2 May (BZ), 3 ♂♂ Garnqueen Loch 28 Apr, none on 10 May, 2 prs on 13 July, 5 ♂♂ and 1 ♀ on 20 July (IPG), a pair Lochend Loch 7 May (CL), a ♂ Antermony Loch 7 May (ADW), a pair on Frankfield Loch 16 May (RSh), a ♂ on 6 June, a ♀ on 18 July (IPG), 2 ♂♂ Stepps Pond 16 May (RSh), a pair Millerston Pond 19 May, 2 ♂♂ and a ♀ on 14 June, ♂ on 20 July (IPG), 2 ♂♂ at Orchard Farm Pond on 21 May (JJS), 1 at Baron's Haugh on 7 July (GJB), and 2 at Woodend Loch on 30 July (CL).

Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) counts, detailing all sites reported in 2006, are presented in the following table (per JSW,VW):

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Clyde Area Total	0	2	3	15	20	12	31	20	29	21	25	37
Sites recorded (21 in total)	0	1	2	7	8	8	11	8	4	2	1	3
Hogganfield Loch	0	2	1	1	0	0	2	7	8	4	25	24
Garnqueen Loch	0	0	2	2	1	4	4	4	13	17	0	11
Woodend Loch	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	2	7	0	0	0
Gartloch Pools	0	0	0	3	6	1	0	0	0	0	0	0
Kilmardinny Loch	0	0	0	2	2	1	2	2	1	0	0	0
Gadloch	0	0	0	-	-	-	7	0	0	0	0	0
Lochend Loch	0	0	0	0	4	0	0	2	0	0	0	0
Robroyston Park	0	0	0	3	2	1	0	0	0	0	0	0
Bothwell Park Farm Pond	0	-	0	-	2	1	-	0	-	-	0	0
Antermony Loch	0	0	0	1	0	0	4	0	0	0	0	0
Greenhead Pond	0	0	0	3	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0
Orchard Farm Pond	0	0	0	0	2	0	2	-	0	0	0	0
Harestonhill Pond	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	1	0	0	0	0
Millersneuk Pond	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	-	-	0
Hamilton Low Parks	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2
Craighall Dam	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0
Douglas Estate Ponds	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0
Douglas Water Pools	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0
Frankfield Loch	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0
Johnston Loch	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0
Richmond Park	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0

Breeding was confirmed at the following sites:

Antermony Loch (i) a pair reared b/1 (AMC).

Garnqueen Loch (i) full-grown juv on 18 Aug (IPG).

Orchard Farm Pond (i) a ♀ reared b/2 (CL).

Breeding summary: The breeding population continues to decline (at least partially due to the national cull), with only 3 broods totalling 4 young reared at three sites in 2006.

Autumn reports involved a ♀ at Craighall Dam on 8 Aug (JSW,VW), 10 (8 ♂♂) Garnqueen Loch 18 Aug, max 16 (10 ♂♂) on 10 Oct, 5 ♂♂ on 9 Nov (IPG), and a ♀ at Gadloch on 22 Oct (per JSW,VW). Winter reports away from Hogganfield Loch involved 2 (a ♀ and an imm ♂) at Harelaw Resr, Barrhead 15-16 Nov (SJM), and a ♀ on the River Clyde at Strathclyde Country Park from 14-19 Dec (JJM,JSc et al). See table below for a series of autumn-winter counts at Hogganfield Loch, where the max count was of 26 birds on 21 Nov (IPG et al).

Ruddy Duck Autumn-winter counts at Hogganfield Loch

Date	3 Aug	6 Aug	8 Aug	17 Aug	20 Aug	10 Sep	12 Sep	15 Sep	19 Sep
♂♂	3	3	1	5	n/r	n/r	4	5	5
♀♀/imms	0	0	0	2	n/r	n/r	2	3	4
Total	3	3	1	7	4	8	7	8	9
Observer	IPG	CRS	IPG	CRS	per BT	per BT	CRS	IPG	JJM
Date	1 Oct	22 Oct	27 Oct	31 Oct	3 Nov	5 Nov	8 Nov	9 Nov	17 Nov
♂♂	n/r	n/r	4	n/r	3	n/r	n/r	n/r	n/r
♀♀/imms	n/r	n/r	3	n/r	0	n/r	n/r	n/r	n/r
Total	5	10	7	8	3	6	9	20	19
Observer	CRS	per BT	IPG	GJB	IPG	per BT	CRS	IPG	OBS?
Date	21 Nov	24 Nov	1 Dec	6 Dec	15 Dec	18 Dec	23 Dec
♂♂	13	8	13	n/r	9	14	n/r
♀♀/imms	13	6	11	n/r	9	10	n/r
Total	26	14	24	22	18	24	21
Observer	IPG	IPG	CRS	IPG	CRS	IPG	IMcC

 

Swift Apus apus

Spring arrival involved 3 Auchendores Resr 22 Apr (IPG), 1 Merryton 26 Apr, 2 on 2 May (AIE), 1 Balgray Resr 1 May, 50 on 5 May (JSW,VW), 1 Cathcart 1 May, 1 Transport Museum, Glasgow 2 May (JMcO), 1 Brownside Braes 2 May (TB), 1 Aird Meadow 3 May (RSPB), 2 Arden House 3 May (FH), with the main arrival 3-5 May (ed.), including 10 Linn Park 3 May, 22 on 5 May (SAW), 1 Killearn 3 May (RAB), 1 Endrick Mouth 3 May (DRMcC), 1 East Kilbride 3 May (JJM), 2 Cardross 4 May (FL), 3 screaming over Avenue End Rd, Glasgow 4 May (GCC), 30 screaming over Switchback Rd, Bearsden 4 May (FM), and 10 at Ardencaple Tower on 7 May (HS).

Summer flock counts included very low nos feeding over West Renfrew Heights 13 May-5 Aug (IPG), e.g. max concentrations only 10 at Loch Thom 23 June (MMcG), 9 feeding over Garvock Hill-Creuch Hill 27 June (IPG) and 11 along Kelly Cut on 30 June (ECD); other counts included 10 over Chestnut Ave, Bishopton 15 May (ECD), 10 at Garscube Estate 22 May (TB), 75 Barr Loch 25 May (RSPB), 15 over Garelochhead 5 June (AMcI), 30 at Corrie of Balglass on 8 June (FH), 8 at Craigendoran on 14 June (FL), 65 feeding over Bogside, Millerston on 14 June (GCC), 50 over Ferryhill Plantation on 21 June (ADW), and 12 at Erskine Bridge on 24 June (ECD).

The only breeding reports were of 2 prs at Kirkhill, Newton Mearns (JSW,VW), 8 screaming Baron's Haugh 26 May (ECD), and 6 screaming Queen St, Helensburgh 23 July (DHMcE).

Autumn reports included 70 at Newshot Island on 10 July, 20 on 4 Aug (AJR), 20 at Balmoral Place, East Kilbride 16 July, 18 on 12 Aug, 2 on 18 Aug (NDW), 8 Colquhoun Square, Helensburgh 25 July (HS), 24 Cathkin Braes 28 July (SAW), 30 Endrick Mouth 31 July (AKMcN), 80 Strathclyde Loch 1 Aug, 10 on 6 Aug (DSF), 50 over Forth & Clyde Canal at Cadder 3 Aug (CRS), a significant concentration of 300 at Long Loch 8 Aug, 20 Balgray Resr 8 Aug, 100 on 9 Aug, 30 on 13 Aug (JSW,VW), 30 Calderwood, East Kilbride 12 Aug (per BT), 40 over Hamilton 12 Aug (JCM), 2 Frankfield Loch 15 Aug (CRS), 1 Linn Park 30 Aug (SAW), 1 over Kirkhill, Newton Mearns on 4 Sep (JSW,VW), and 1 at Merryton on 21 Sep (AIE).

 

Cuckoo Cuculus canorus

Spring arrival (singing ♂♂) involved 1 at Muirshiel Country Park 20-21 Apr (JGr,IPG), 1 Deil's Craig Dam 21 Apr (IM), 2 at Locherwood Community Woodland 24 Apr (ECD), 1 at Dumbrock Muir on 27 Apr (AKMcN), 1 at Darleith on 29 Apr (FL), 2 in Finnich Glen on 30 Apr (AKMcN), and 1 at Hillside Farm, Kilmacolm on 30 Apr (IPG).

Breeding reports of territorial singing males (from 1 May onwards)

Site	♂♂	Obs	Site	♂♂	Obs	Site	♂♂	Obs
Auchengillan	1	SPM	Endrick Mth, Wards Pond	1	FH	Lairig Arnan	1	ECD
Auchineden	2	GJB	Finnich Glen	2	AKM	Langlands	1	TS
Barscube Hill	1	ADW	Gleann nan Caorrunn	1	ECD	Leap Moor	2	IPG
Ben Lomond	3	ECD	Glen Falloch Farm	1	ECD	Leitchland Dam	2	FG
Bridge of Weir, Scart Fm	1	ADW	Glen Luss	1	HS	Loch Ardinning SWT	1	ECD
Coiregrogain	1	ECD	Helensburgh, Hill House	2	FL	Loch Arklet	1	ECD
Corse Hill	1	J&VW	Inversnaid RSPB Res	2	ECD	Loch Libo	1	J&VW
Cowgill	1	J&VW	Knapps Loch	1	FH	Locherwood ComWd	1	FH
Craigmarloch Wood	1	DSF	L Lomond, Ardess Lodge	2	NTS	Muirhouse Muir	1	AKM
Darleith	1	FL	L Lomond, Balmaha	1	JJM	Muirshiel Country Pk	3	IPG
Dolphinton, Southhill Wd	1	AMcA	L Lomond, Cashel	1	SH	Ptarmigan Lodge	1	ECD
Dowries Fm, Greenock	1	MMcG	L Lomond, Rowardennan	1	ECD	Skiff Wood	1	AM
Endrick Mth, Aber Bog	3	SNH	L Lomond, Sallochy	1	FH	Tarbrax	1	ADW
Endrick Mth, Crom Mhin	1	SNH	L Thom, Mount Pisgah	1	MMcG
Endrick Mth, Low Mains	2	SNH	L Thom, Rottenburn Br	1	MMcG

Summary: 55 singing ♂♂ reported at 41 sites in 2006.

Late summer reports were of 1 Carbarns Pool 26 June, 1 on 8 July (AIE), 2 adults together on fence at North Rotten Burn, Creuch Hill 26 June, 1 at lower Harestane Burn 27 June (IPG), 1 at Fallburn on 1 July (ECD), 2 at Raith Burn on 1 July (KMcG), 1 at Mount Pisgah on 17 July (IPG), and 1 at White Hill, Dolphinton on 16 Aug (AMcA). An astonishingly late bird was both heard and seen at Darleith on 14, 22 and 23 Oct (FL).

 

Feral Pigeon Columba livia

Reports included 80 in High St, Johnstone 24 Jan (JTT), 100 at Queen's Park Pond on 3 Feb, and 110 at Dumbarton railway station on 11 Feb (JMcO).

 

Stock Dove Columba oenas

Winter-spring reports included 6 Walston 6 Jan (JND,ADW), 4 in Glen Fruin on 14 Jan (ANi), 7 at Old Mains Farm, Inchinnan on 23 Jan (ECD), 5 at Millichen Flood on 24 Jan (GJB), a flock of 100 being hunted by a Peregrine at Blackstoun Farm on 27 Jan (GTW), 2 singing in Templehill Woods 3 Feb (HM), 6 at Walston on 18 Feb (JTT), 2 at Ardmore Point on 11 Mar (GJB,ANi), 3 at Garscube Estate on 23 Mar (TB), and 4 at Pollok Country Park on 23 Mar (CRS).

Stock Dove breeding reports

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Ardmore Point	2	HS	Endrick Mouth, Ring Point	2	SNH	Merryton/Carbarns	4	AIE
Auchendores Reservoir	1	GJB	Finnich Glen	1	GJB	Millichen Flood	1	GJB
Bishopton, Chestnut Ave	1	ECD	Garscube Estate	1	TB	Renfrew, Marjory Rd	1	ECD
Cathkin Braes	1	DWM	Langbank village	1	DSF
East Kilbride, Langlands	1	DWM	Linn Park	3	SAW

Summary: 20 pairs reported at 13 sites in 2006.

Autumn-winter counts included 4 Newshot Island 10 July (AJR), 11 Gleddoch Plantation 11 Sep (DSF), 38 Merryton 25 Sep (AIE), an exceptional site count of 200 Town of Inchinnan 1 Nov (FH), 40 at Millichen on 22 Oct, 20 on 29 Oct (JC), and 60 there on 2 Nov (GJB).

 

Woodpigeon Columba palumbus

Winter-spring reports included 140 Midhill Farm on 6 Jan (JND,ADW), 198 at Merryton/Carbarns on 29 Jan, 237 on 2 Feb (AIE), 60 at Walston on 18 Feb (JTT), and 150 at Millichen Flood on 2 Apr (AKMcN).

Breeding reports

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Bishopton BAE (part)	3	SL	Endrick M, Shore Wood	1	SNH	Merryton/Carbarns	12	AIE
Blackhouse Farm	1	SL	Hogganfield Park LNR	1	CRS	Midross Golf Course	4	SL
Carnbooth Farm	10	SL	Kilmardinny Loch	2	AKM	Milngavie, Mains Estate	1	AKM
Carron Valley Forest	1	AKM	Kirkland Bridge	3	SL	Possil Marsh SWT Res	3	JJM
East/West Millichen	3	SL	Kittoch Bridge	5	SL	Windlaw Farm	1	SL
Endrick M, Crom Mhin	1	SNH	Langbank village	3	DSF
Endrick M, Low Mains	1	SNH	Lin Burn/M8	1	SL

Summary: 57 pairs reported at 19 sites in 2006, highly under-recorded (ed.).

Autumn-winter reports included 100 at Possil Marsh on 17 Sep (JJM), 125 feeding on beech mast Carruth Estate 4 Nov (IPG), 250 Cathkin Braes 12 Nov (SAW), 600 over Newton Mearns 28 Nov (JMcO), 120 Lennox Forest 11 Dec (ECD), 200 Darnley Glen 11 Dec (JSW,VW), 150 Inchinnan 17 Dec (ECD), 400 roosting on wooded island Hogganfield Loch 18 Dec (GCC), 300 Cathkin Braes 17 Dec (DWM), 100 Loch Ardinning SWT Reserve 19 Dec (JTK), 120 Barr Loch 26 Dec (MMcG), 120 Balmaha 29 Dec (JTT). This species appears to have seriously declined in the Clyde area during the past decade; flocks of more than 500 birds are now infrequently reported (ed.).

 

Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto

A strangely under-recorded species; there is a widespread perception that it is in decline (ed.).

Breeding reports

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Cathkin Braes Golf Course	1	DWM	Endrick M, Wards Pond	2	JTT	Renfrew, Marjory Rd	1	ECD
Dolphinton	1	AMcA	Langbank village	4	DSF
East Kilbride, Langlands	1	DWM	Renfrew, Haining Road	1	FH

Summary: 11 pairs reported at 7 sites in 2006.

Autumn-winter reports included 32 North Glen Farm, Barscube Hill 8 Sep, 64 on 16 Oct, 43 on 14 Dec (DSF), 13 at Faulds Farm, Kilmacolm 17 Sep (ADW), 46 Ardmore 9 Oct (JBB), 13 in one garden Houston 18 Nov (AB,IPG), and 33 at East Millichen Farm on 18 Sep, 29 on 29 Nov (CRS).

 

Water Rail Rallus aquaticus

Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) count totals, detailing the most important sites reported in 2006, 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	12	5	3	7	14	14	18	11	6	18	5
Sites recorded (13 in total)	2	2	3	1	5	4	8	5	7	5	4	4
Clyde Estuary	0	10	-	0	0	0	2	0	2	1	13	2
Douglas Estate Ponds	0	0	2	3	1	5	2	4	3	2	2	1
Possil Loch	0	0	2	-	1	6	2	3	0	0	0	0
Kilmardinny Loch	1	0	1	0	1	2	1	1	2	1	2	1
Bishop Loch	0	2	0	0	3	0	3	0	0	0	1	0
Gartloch Pools	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	8	0	0	0	0
Baron's Haugh	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	2	1	0	0	0
Douglas Water Pools	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	0	1	0	0	1

Other winter-spring reports were of 3 Barr Loch 2 Jan (RSPB), singles at Erskine Harbour on 26 Jan and 9 Feb (ECD), 2 calling at Aber Bog on 29 Jan (AKMcN), 2 at Baron's Haugh on 4 Feb (JJM), 6 at Longhaugh Point and 3 at Erskine saltmarsh 12 Feb (ADW), 1 at Greenhead Pond on 21 Mar (JCM), and a single calling to a tape-lure at Robroyston Park LNR on 9 Apr (AJY).

Breeding season reports involved 1-2 territories Merryton/Carbarns (AIE), 6 territories Baron's Haugh (DA), a pair b/3 Douglas Estate Pond (KS), 5 territories Aird Meadow (RSPB), 2 territories Low Mains, Endrick Mouth (SNH), a pair reared 2 young Kilmardinny Loch (NK), 1 pair Harestonhill Pond 29 Apr (ADW), 1 pair Lockhartbank, Nemphlar 30 Apr (JND,ADW), 9 prs Possil Marsh 7 May, 8 prs and 1 single Lochfauld Marsh 7 May (ADW), 1 pair and 1 single at Pool 13 May, 5 prs and 1 single in Clyde part of Cobbinshaw Resr 13 May (JND,ADW), 1 heard Gartloch Pool (N) 10 May (IPG), 7 including 3 juvs on mud in evening 21 July, 6 including 3 juvs on 4 Aug (JJS), 7 on 7 Aug (GS), 2 including 1 juv on 8 Aug, 5 on 10 Aug, 8 including 2 juvs on 11 Aug, 4 on 19 Aug, these sightings indicating at least 4 territorial prs Gartloch Pools - 3 prs at N Pool, 1 pair at S Pool (IPG), single bird Scart Farm (not Scart Marsh) 21 May, 2 prs Craigmarloch 21 May (ADW), 1 calling Crom Mhin 2 June, 1 calling Aber Bog 2 June (MMcG, JTT), 2 territories tape-lured Biggar Moss (new site) 8 July, 2 territories tape-lured Balgray Pool (new site) 14 July, 3 prs High Dam, Eaglesham tape-lured 14 July (ADW), 1 calling White Loch (Lan) 23 July (JND). Summary: a minimum of 59 territories, at least 53 occupied by pairs, reported at 23 sites in 2006.

Autumn-winter reports included a max count of 4 at Newshot Island on 22 July and 22 Aug (ECD), 2 Frankfield Loch 6 Aug, 3 on 26 Aug (CRS), 8 on mud around edge of Gartloch Pool (North) on 11 Aug, 1 seen at Robroyston Park LNR on 25 Aug and 1 flushed from the marsh on 10 Oct (IPG), 4 Baron's Haugh 2 Sep (JC), 2 on 26 Dec (JCM), 1 flushed from the marsh at Hogganfield Park LNR on 15 Sep, 1 heard on 27 Oct, 2 heard on 24 Nov (IPG), 1 calling Dougalston Loch 17 Sep (AKMcN), 1 Twechar Marsh flood (first record for site) on 25 Oct (ADW), 2 calling Windlaw Marsh 29 Oct (CRS), 5 at Longhaugh Point and 4 at Erskine saltmarsh on 19 Nov (ADW), and 1 at St Germain's Loch on 15 Dec (GJB).

 

Corncrake Crex crex

None reported in 2006.

 

Spotted Crake Porzana porzana

None calling at the traditional Clyde breeding site on 2 June (MMcG,JTT). One was seen at Baron's Haugh on 24 Aug (DA).

 

Moorhen Gallinula chloropus

Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) count totals, detailing the most important sites reported in 2006, are presented in the following table (per JSW,VW):

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Clyde Area Total	275	258	281	197	165	149	189	260	279	328	302	299
Sites recorded 84 in total	49	41	43	40	37	30	45	48	51	52	47	44
Glasgow, Maxwell Park	34	25	30	24	12	10	19	26	32	50	36	44
F&CC Kelvin-Gt West Rd	21	33	34	27	26	22	9	17	17	21	29	18
Kilmardinny Loch	10	14	12	16	19	24	18	14	11	16	21	18
Monkland Cl (Drumpellier)	7	14	17	10	8	3	17	-	19	25	27	19
Glasgow, Queen's Park	12	11	9	10	8	9	4	13	21	19	17	22
Glasgow, Richmond Park	14	8	12	10	5	4	8	6	16	8	13	17
Broadwood Loch	6	9	11	9	8	3	3	3	9	7	15	18
F&CC Clydebank-Bowling	14	13	9	4	3	1	6	4	8	8	19	12

Breeding reports

Site	Pairs	Young	Obs	Site	Pairs	Young	Obs
Antermony Loch	1	2	AMC	Banton Mill Pond	1	3	PGC
Auchlochan Pond	1	2	RJH	Barnbeth Loch	1	3	GB
Balgray Pool	1	-	J&VW	Baron's Haugh	3	14	DA
Balgray Reservoir	1	-	J&VW	Barscube Hill Pond	1	2	DSF
Biggar Moss	2	-	J&VW	Glenbuck Loch	1	0	RJH
Bishopton SUDS Ponds (M8)	1	1	FH	Hamilton LP, Goose Pond	1	3	SLRS
Br of Weir, Scart Marsh	1	-	ADW	Hamilton LP, Lost Pond	1	1	SLRS
Cathkin Marsh SWT Reserve	1	-	ADW	Hamilton LP, Ross Pond	1	2	SLRS
Cobbinshaw Reservoir	1	-	JND	Harestonhill Pond	1	-	ADW
Coves Reservoir	1	2	JHH	Houston House Pond	1	1	GB
Craig of Neilston Pond	1	3	J&VW	Kilmardinny Loch	19	52	NK
Craighall Dam	1	1	J&VW	Leperstone Reservoir	2	4	J&VW
Darnley Mill Pond	1	3	J&VW	Loch Ardinning SWT Reserve	2	6	JTK
Deil's Craig Dam	1	1	AKM	Lochend Loch	1	2	CL
Douglas Estate Ponds	4	12	KS	Lochwinnoch RSPB Reserve	1	2	RSPB
Douglas Water Pools	2	7	KS	Merryton/Carbarns	9	b/5	AIE
Eaglesham, High Dam	1	-	ADW	Midross Golf Course	3	-	SL
East Kilbride, Heritage Park	2	3	JJM	Milngavie CC Pond	1	1	AKM
Formakin Estate Pond	1	-	FH	Monklands Canal (Drumpellier)	5	7	CL
Gartloch Pools	1	1	CRS	Over Enoch Pool	1	3	J&VW
Garvald Quarry	4	6	AMcA	Patterton Pond	1	3	GRW
Gateside Reservoir	1	3	SJM	Pilmuir Dam	1	1	J&VW
Glasgow, Alexandra Park Pond	2	2	GCC	Pool	1	-	JND
Glasgow, Bingham's Pond	3	6	JC	River Clyde at Lamington	1	2	J&VW
Glasgow, Kelvingrove Park	2	4	GCC	Robroyston Park LNR	2	-	AJY
Glasgow, Lochfauld Marsh	1	-	ADW	Rossdhu Bay	1	-	SL
Glasgow, Maxwell Park Pond	2	17	GCC	Rouken Glen Pond	3	5	JAS
Glasgow, Queen's Park Pond	2	7	GCC	Town Dam, Greenock	1	1	JHH
Glasgow, Richmond Park Pond	3	2	GCC	Townhead Reservoir	1	2	PGC
Glasgow, Victoria Park Pond	2	1	GCC	White Cart Water, Pollok CP	1	-	J&VW
Glasgow, Auchinlea Park Pond	1	1	GCC	Woolfords	2	-	JND
Glen Moss SWT Reserve	1	-	ADW

Summary: 121 pairs reported from 63 sites, with a mean reported brood size of 2.23 young/pair.

Autumn-winter reports included 12 at Castle Semple Loch on 8 Oct (RSPB).

 

Coot Fulica atra

Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) count totals, detailing the most important sites reported in 2006, are presented in the following table (per JSW,VW):

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Clyde Area Total	919	816	703	402	361	395	798	792	1013	1038	1235	1105
Sites recorded (80 in total)	50	54	59	55	55	53	52	51	54	56	53	53
Hogganfield Loch	207	125	91	10	22	23	74	46	117	141	156	78
Lochend Loch	75	60	37	16	22	11	81	78	73	34	55	78
Gadloch	30	34	16	-	-	-	58	70	40	54	45	79
Lochwinnoch	0	2	10	2	0	0	0	10	3	75	310	56
Balgray Reservoir	6	3	6	5	14	18	28	35	93	141	85	33
Strathclyde Country Park	29	12	9	2	7	5	7	32	46	103	-	147
Gartloch Pools	28	26	12	16	16	29	35	36	52	50	62	55
Garnqueen Loch	13	12	21	6	9	4	26	30	43	39	91	95

Coot breeding reports

Site	Pairs	Young	Obs	Site	Pairs	Young	Obs
Antermony Loch	4	12	AMC	Hamilton LP, Lost Pond	1	2	SLRS
Balgray Reservoir	6	3	J&VW	Hamilton LP, Ross Pond	1	3	SLRS
Baron's Haugh	7	28	DA	Harestonehill Pond	2	1	ADW
Biggar Moss	2	0	J&VW	Kilmardinny Loch	12	31	NK
Caplaw Dam	2	6	IPG	Lanark Loch	2	11	MRH
Coves Reservoir	1	3	JHH	Leperstone Reservoir	2	4	J&VW
Cowdenknowes Reservoir	3	6	JHH	Linwood Pool	2	-	ADW
Craighall Dam	4	5	J&VW	Loch Ardinning SWT Reserve	2	2	JTK
Craigmarloch Pond	1	7	DSF	Loch Libo	3	0	J&VW
Douglas Estate Ponds	5	12	KS	Lochend Loch	3	2	CL
Douglas Water Pool	2	6	KS	Lochwinnoch RSPB Reserve	1	-	RSPB
Eaglesham, High Dam	1	-	ADW	Merryton/Carbarns	13	b/4,2	AIE
East Kilbride, Heritage Loch	1	2	DWM	Millerston Pond	1	2	IPG
Gartloch Pools	2	1	CRS	Orchard Farm Pool	4	3	CL
Gateside Reservoir	1	1	SJM	Pilmuir Dam	2	0	J&VW
Glasgow, Richmond Park Pond	2	4	GCC	Possil Marsh SWT Res	3	0	JJM
Glasgow, Bingham's Pond	2	4	JC	Robroyston Park LNR	8	-	AJY
Glasgow, Maxwell Park Pond	1	1	GCC	Rouken Glen Pond	3	0	JAS
Glasgow, Queen's Park Pond	1	8	GCC	Strathclyde Loch	1	4	SRi
Glasgow, Victoria Park Pond	1	0	GCC	Town Dam, Greenock	3	9	JHH
Hamilton Low Pks, Half Pond	3	5	SLRS	Whitefield Pond, Condorrat	1	2	AMC
Hamilton LP, Island Pond	1	2	SLRS

Summary: 123 breeding pairs reported from 43 sites, with mean brood size of 1.70 young/pair, indicating a reasonably productive breeding season (cf 1.33 young/pair 1987-2006). Other observations included: (i) pair with newly-hatched b/2 Gartloch Pools 24 May, where breeding success and subsequently breeding population crashed following deliberate introduction of Pike by anglers in 2001 (GCC).

Autumn-winter reports included 358 Barr Loch on 27 Dec (RSPB).

 

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis

Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) count totals, detailing the most important sites reported in 2006, are provided in the following table (per JSW,VW):

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Clyde Area Total	78	120	105	55	78	58	92	164	199	164	102	90
Sites recorded (76 in total)	20	26	32	28	27	27	38	39	47	39	29	27
River Clyde, Lamington	33	48	36	1	2	2	2	25	41	27	21	20
Clyde Estuary	15	25	-	2	0	1	2	1	9	16	9	10
Pilmuir Dam	0	0	0	1	2	2	1	7	16	13	0	1
Hogganfield Loch	0	0	2	1	8	3	4	12	5	8	5	3
Heritage Loch, E Kilbride	1	0	4	4	-	1	2	4	9	13	4	0
Baron's Haugh	-	-	-	-	-	-	5	14	3	1	3	0
Merryton/Carbarns	0	1	0	0	0	0	-	-	0	0	9	10
Hamilton Low Parks	2	2	4	0	0	0	0	3	1	5	7	2

Other winter-spring reports included 5 off West Ferry on 1 Jan (DSF), 4 Balgray Resr 1 Jan (JSW, VW), 4 on White

Cart Water, Pollok Country Park 7 Jan (SAW), 2 Aird Meadow 20 Jan (RSPB), 1 Hogganfield Loch 2-3 Feb (ECD,IPG), 3 on River Clyde at Glasgow Green 9 Feb (CRS), 4 at Auchendores Resr 17 Feb (DSF), and 5 on the River Clyde at Thankerton 9 Mar (JSW,VW).

Breeding data in this 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.

Antermony Loch	1	2	AMC	Garnkirk Moss Pond	0	0	IPG
Barnbeth Loch	1	5	GB	Garvald Quarry	3	5	AMcA
Baron's Haugh	2	4	DA	Gateside Reservoir	1	0	SJM
Bishop Loch	0	0	IPG	Glasgow, Victoria Park Ponds	1	4	GCC
Caplaw Dam	1	2	IPG	Glasgow, Maxwell Park Pond	1	1	GCC
Cardowan Colliery Pond	1	1	IPG	Glasgow, Queen's Park Pond	1	0	GCC
Cardross, Shepherd's Pond	1	-	FL	Glasgow, Robroyston Park LNR	4	1	IPG
Coves Reservoir	1	2	JHH	Glen Moss SWT Reserve	1	-	ADW
Craighall Dam	1	1	J&VW	Harelaw Dam	3	3	J&VW
Daff Reservoir	1	1	IPG	Harestonehill Pond	1	-	ADW
Deil's Craig Dam	1	3	AKM	Helensburgh Reservoirs	1	2	PC
Douglas Estate Ponds	2	7	KS	Hogganfield Loch	4	b/1,b/2	IPG
Douglas Water Pool	1	3	KS	Houstonhead Dam	1	1	GB
Eaglesham, High Dam	2	1	ADW	Kilmardinny Loch	2	4	NK
Formakin Estate	1	4	FH	Knapps Loch	1	-	FH
Frankfield Loch	4	0	IPG	Leitchland Dam	1	-	FG
Leperstone Reservoir	3	2	J&VW	Millerston Pond	1	0	IPG
Lilly Loch	1	3	MM	Pilmuir Dam	4	8	J&VW
Loch Bowie	1	-	ECD	R Clyde at Lamington	1	0	J&VW
Loch Walton	1	2	AKM	Walton Dam (Renf)	2	4	JCh
Millersneuk Marsh	1	1	IPG

Summary: 62 pairs reported from 41 sites, with a mean brood size of 1.43 young/pair (cf annual mean brood size of 1.57 young/pair 1987-2006). Other notes on breeding included: (i) first pair nest-building Hogganfield Loch 4-5 May, increase from 2 prs to 4 prs on 5 May, and an exceptionally poor breeding season there, with only one pair confirmed nesting and rearing two broods (IPG).

Post-breeding/autumn-winter reports included a juv at Gartloch Pool 19 Aug-7 Sep (IPG), an exceptional count of 35 at Auchendores Resr on 19 Aug (DSF), 12 at Carron Valley Reservoir on 20 Aug (AKMcN), after poor breeding season only 3 Hogganfield Loch 15 Sep, 8 on 10 Oct, still 3 on 18 Dec, 2 on 22 Dec (IPG), 1 on the Clyde estuary at Longhaugh Point 16 Sep (IPG), a good count of 23 at Walton Dam (Renf) on 17 Sep (JCh), 1 Langbank 30 Sep (IPG), on River Clyde, 7 at Thankerton and 6 at The Meetings on 15 Oct (JND,ADW), 1 Erskine shore 2 Nov (DSF), 7 at Heritage Park, East Kilbride 2 Nov (DWM), 1 Ardmore North Bay 19 Nov, still 1 on Caplaw Dam 26 Nov (IPG), 10 at Merryton Pond 15 Dec (AIE), 3 Bardowie Loch 18 Dec (AKMcN), 2 Aird Meadow, Lochwinnoch Reserve 29 Dec (RSPB), and 2 at Loch Bowie on 30 Dec (ECD).

 

Red-necked Grebe Podiceps grisegena

A single bird was at Loch Ardinning SWT Reserve on 26-27 Jan (FH,JJM et al) and 13 Feb (JTK).

 

Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus

Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) count totals, detailing the most important sites reported in 2006, are provided in the following table (per JSW,VW):

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Clyde Area Total	86	129	50	103	81	58	127	159	155	93	93	127
Sites recorded 38 in total	4	11	12	24	25	22	19	16	18	16	10	9
Clyde Estuary	78	104	-	30	7	8	71	114	111	53	71	106
Hogganfield Loch	2	6	8	12	4	5	6	6	9	9	7	5
Balgray Reservoir	3	2	13	6	7	7	8	10	7	5	6	1
Waulkmill/Littleton Resrs	0	5	9	9	8	5	4	2	4	4	2	2
Forrestburn Reservoir	0	1	2	2	4	4	4	5	2	4	1	0
Frankfield Loch	0	0	4	6	7	3	6	1	1	1	0	0
Broadwood Loch	0	2	0	2	4	1	3	6	6	4	0	0
Bishop Loch	0	0	2	6	5	3	3	2	2	1	0	2

See over for a breakdown of Clyde estuary counts.

Winter-spring reports included 5 Balgray Resr 1 Jan, 5 (2 in breeding plumage) 31 Jan (JSW,VW), 2 Hogganfield Loch throughout winter, one in full breeding plumage by 25 Jan, a third bird in breeding plumage arriving 3 Feb (IPG), 2 Barr Loch 2 Jan (RSPB), 16 Endrick Mouth 21-29 Jan, 5 on 26 Feb (AKMcN et al), 89 Ardmore Point 19 Feb (MMcG), 85 on 21 Mar, 3 on 24 Apr, 1 on 12 June (AKMcN), 5 Lunderston Bay 19 Mar, 6 on 31 Jan (FG), and 1 at West Ferry on 30 Apr (IPG).

Spring return involved 2 on Hogganfield Loch throughout winter, one in full breeding plumage by 25 Jan, a third bird in breeding plumage arriving 3 Feb, 3 prs 10 Feb-17 March, 2 prs 31 Mar-6 Apr, 3 prs on 10 Apr, 4 prs (one pair nest-building) on 11 Apr, 2 prs remaining to breed (IPG), 11 birds including 4 prs at Waulkmill Glen Resr 18 Feb and 1 Mar (SAW,JSW,VW), 6 Barr Loch 10 Mar (RSPB), 1 pair Gartloch Pool 10-15 Apr (then gone), 1 again on 9 May, 4 prs (two already on nests) Frankfield Loch 11 Apr, 3 prs Bishop Loch 11 Apr (IPG), 6 on Aird Meadow 14 Apr (RSPB), 1 Loch Thom 16 Apr, and 2 at Cobbinshaw Resr on 13 May (ADW).

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

Great Crested Grebe	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Erskine-West Ferry *	1	5	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	3	2
Langbank-Newark Castle	2	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	12	0	24	10
Dumbarton-Cardross	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	3
Cardross-Craigendoran Pier	63	81	0	15	7	8	71	113	90	33	36	79
Craigendoran Pier-Rhu Point	0	10	0	0	0	0	0	0	9	9	3	1
Rhu Point-Rosneath	0	0	0	10	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2
Rosneath-Kilcreggan	12	0	0	4	0	0	0	0	0	10	4	5
Kilcreggan-Coulport	0	8	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3
Clyde Estuary Total	78	104	nc	30	7	8	71	114	111	53	71	106

* including Milton Island to Dumbarton Rock

Summer reports included a pair incubating Hogganfield Loch from at least 27 Apr, 2 prs present and both on nests 2-4 May, first pair probably hatched young but had failed by 14 June, a pair Gartloch Pool 31 May, 1 until 14 June, and 3 adults visible Bishop Loch 14 June (IPG).

Breeding (see comments under Little Grebe):

Site	Pairs	Young	Obs	Site	Pairs	Young	Obs
Antermony Loch	1	0	AMC	Hamilton Low Parks, Island Pond	2	2	SLRS
Auchendores Reservoir	1	3	J&VW	Harelaw Dam	1	0	J&VW
Balgray Reservoir	3	0	J&VW	Hogganfield Loch	2	0	IPG
Baron's Haugh	1	0	DA	Lochend Loch	1	0	CL
Bishop Loch	2	b/1	IPG	Long Loch	1	0	J&VW
Brother Loch	1	-	WK	Roughrigg Reservoir	1	2	FF
Carron Valley Reservoir	2	-	AKM	Ryat Linn Reservoir	1	0	J&VW
Daer Reservoir	1	0	SRi	Waulkmill Glen Reservoir	4	2	J&VW
Forrestburn Reservoir	2	2	FF	Whitefield Pond	2	0	AMC
Frankfield Loch	4	b/2,2	IPG	Woodend Loch	1	1	CL
Garnqueen Loch	1	2	IPG

Summary: 35 pairs reported from 21 sites, with a mean brood size of 0.59 young/pair (cf annual mean brood size of 0.93 young/pair 1987-2006). Other observations: (i) initially 4 ♀♀ on nests Frankfield Loch, 3 incubating and a pair with small b/2 on 11 May, but only 2 prs, one with well-grown b/2 on 6 June when over half of loch affected by blanket-weed, 2 prs including an adult sitting on a new nest 9 June (IPG); (ii) 2 prs failed Hogganfield Loch (IPG); (iii) pair with ½‑grown b/2 Garnqueen Loch 20 July (IPG); (iv) a non-breeding pair was at Kaim Dam (GB); and (v) 2 ads were at the Lanarkshire end of Cobbinshaw Resr on 13 May (JND,ADW).

Post-breeding/autumn-winter reports included 2 failed prs still present Hogganfield Loch 12 July, 6 ads 18 July-19 Aug, 9 on 18 Sep and 10 Oct, 7 on 27 Oct, 9 on 3 Nov, 4 on 9 Nov, 7 on 21 Nov, still 5 from 6-18 Dec, 4 on 22 Dec, an adult on Gartloch Pool (S) 18 July-19 Aug (IPG), 5 Lochend Loch 30 July (CL), still 1 on Bishop Loch 3 Nov, and 2 on 19 Dec (IPG).

Reports from the Clyde estuary included 71 Ardmore Point 16 July (IPG), 113 on 13 Aug (AKMcN), 113 on 6 Sep (GJB), max count 130 on 11 Sep (EMcL), 90 on 17 Sep (IPG), 91 on 1 Oct (ADW), 79 on 17 Dec, 11 Langbank 22 Sep, 8 on 22 Oct (IPG), 37 on 20 Dec (DSF), 5 Barr Loch 27 Dec (RSPB).

Great Crested Grebe Selected counts from Ardmore Point in 2006

	14 Jan	12 Feb	19 Feb	21 Mar	9 Apr	24 Apr	14 May	11 June	16 July
Ardmore Point	69	81	89	85	15	3	7	8	71
Clyde Estuary total *	78	104	89	85	30	3	7	8	71
Observer	IPG	IPG	MMcG	AKMcN	IPG	AKMcN	IPG	IPG	IPG
	13 Aug	6 Sep	11 Sep	17 Sep	1 Oct	8 Oct	19 Nov	17 Dec
Ardmore Point	113	113	130	90	91	33	36	79
Clyde Estuary total *	114	113	130	111	93	53	71	106
Observer	AKMcN	GJB	EMcL	IPG	ADW	IPG	IPG	IPG

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

 

Slavonian Grebe Podiceps auritus

Winter-spring reports from the Clyde estuary involved 3 Cardross-Ardmore 2 Jan (per JJM), 6 off Ardmore Point 3 Jan (AKMcN), 2 on 8 Jan (ANi), 24 on 14 Jan (ADW), 1 close in off north side on 15 Jan (IPG), 2 off the point on 17 Jan (ECD), 20 on 21 Jan (JJS), 12 on 27 Jan (HS), 22 on 28 Jan (AGG), max count 35 on 12 Feb (IPG), 6 on 19 Feb (MMcG), 22 on 9 Apr (IPG), 3 on 21 Apr (AKMcN), 1 Cardross 21 Jan (JJS), 10 on 27 Jan (AGG), 1 on 30 Jan (GJB), 1 on 11 Feb (JBB), 2 on 12 Feb, 2 on 9 Apr (IPG), 13 (mostly towards Ardmore) viewed from Port Glasgow (Scott Lithgow), including 1 at Scott Lithgow, on 23 Mar (DSF). An unusual summer record was of 1 at Cardross on 14 June (AGG), and possibly the same bird at Ardmore Point on 3 July (GJB).

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
Port Glasgow - Gourock Bay	0	0	nc	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
Gourock - Wemyss Bay	0	0	nc	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1
Dumbarton - Cardross	0	2	nc	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Cardross - Craigendoran Pier	24	33	nc	22	0	0	0	0	3	0	3	4
Rhu Point - Rosneath	0	0	nc	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2
Rosneath - Kilcreggan	0	0	nc	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1
Clyde Estuary Total	24	35	nc	24	0	0	0	0	3	0	4	8

Autumn-winter reports from the Clyde estuary involved 1 off Ardmore Point 11 Sep (GJB), 3 on 17 Sep (IPG), 7 on 1 Oct (ADW), 3 on 3 Oct, 1 on 16 Oct (AKMcN), 2 on 22 Oct (JBB), 2 on 9 Nov (HS), 3 on 19 Nov (IPG), 3 on 14 Dec (ANi), 4 in Ardmore South Bay 17 Dec (IPG), 1 on 18 Dec (GJB), 1 Cardross Bay 24 Nov (JBB), 7 off Port Glasgow (far out towards Cardross) on 5 Dec, 2 close in on 7 Dec (DSF), 3 on 24 Dec (IPG), and 1 Cardwell Bay, Gourock 17 Dec (FG). The generally low counts in autumn-winter were probably mainly due to poor weather (ed.).

Slavonian Grebe Selected counts from Ardmore Point in 2006

	3 Jan	14 Jan	21 Jan	27 Jan	28 Jan	12 Feb	19 Feb	1 Apr	9 Apr
Count	6	24	21*	22*	22	35*	6	12	24*
Observer	AKMcN	ADW	JJS	AGG,HS	AGG	IPG	MMcG	IPG	IPG
	3 July	11 Sep	17 Sep	1 Oct	3 Oct	22 Oct	19 Nov	14 Dec	17 Dec
Count	1	1	3	7	3	2	3	3	4
Observer	GJB	IPG	IPG	ADW	AKMcN	JBB	IPG	ANi	IPG

* including birds viewed from Cardross

 

Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis

One was on Strathclyde Loch from 7-14 Dec (NC,LS et al).

 

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 *	940	780	nc	236	108	96	516	475	471	598	725	1110
Ironotter Point/Gourock Bay	106	311	nc	57	24	15	37	4	87	16	326	231
Gourock to Wemyss Bay	419	343	nc	86	72	66	200	109	424	250	389	358
Dumbarton to Craigendoran	750	1712	nc	485	525	363	1500	1732	1840	2370	1475	930
Helensburgh to Coulport	1495	961	nc	383	223	82	397	1109	1163	964	611	1153
Clyde Estuary Total	3710	4107	nc	1247	952	622	2656	3429	3994	4198	3530	3975

* (including Milton Island to Dumbarton Rock)

Spring return inland began with 1 at Carbarns Pool 12 Feb, with a spring peak of 75 on 13 Mar (AIE), 15 by the River Clyde at Lamington on 8 Feb, 10 at Carstairs Junction Bridge on 8 Feb (JSW,VW), 50 there on 18 Feb (JTT), 1 at Loch Ardinning SWT Reserve 21 Feb (JTK), 1 Garvald Quarry 23 Feb, 17 on 15 Mar (AMcA), 165 by the River Clyde at The Meetings on 1 Mar (AN), 23 Bardowie Loch 11 Mar (AKMcN), 11 Douglas Estate Ponds 23 Mar (ECD), 65 at Ballochruin Pool on 25 Mar, 73 at the Blane/Endrick confluence 25 Mar (AKMcN), and 42 by the Endrick Water at Drymen Bridge on 3 Apr (JTT).

A spring count in Clydesdale resulted in a total of 608 on 11 Mar - 28 at White Loch, 124 at Carstairs Junction, 92 at the Snar Water confluence, 4 at Crawfordjohn, 33 at Crawford, 188 at the Duneaton Water confluence, 111 at Lamington, and 28 at Thankerton (JND,ADW). At an unusual location, one was at Glasgow Green on 9 May (JJM).

Breeding reports

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Ardoch	1	DHM	Culter Waterhead Resr	2	J&VW	Kilmacolm High Dam	1	WK
Bennan Loch	1	J&VW	Douglas Estate Ponds	3	KS	L Lomond, Firkin	1	DHM
Biggar Moss	3	J&VW	Dunwan Dam	2	JFD	L Lomond, Rossdhu Bay	6	SL
Bowling Oil Terminal	4	J&VW	Eaglesham, High Dam	1	JFD	L Lomond, Ross Park	1	FH
Bridgend Farm Pool	1	KH	Endrick M, Crom Mhin	1	SNH	Loch Thom Island	1	JTT
Brother Loch	1	WK	Endrick M, Low Mains	2	SNH	Lochcraig Reservoir	1	J&VW
Camps Reservoir	5	J&VW	Endrick M, Ring Point	4	SNH	Lochwinnoch Reserve	2	RSPB
Camps Water	12	J&VW	Endrick M, Shore wood	2	SNH	Lochwinnoch, factory	1	YR
Cardross, Brooks	1	DHM	Garvald Quarry	5	AMcA	Logan Reservoir	1	RJH
Carron Valley Resr	1	AKM	Glengavel Water	2	J&VW	Midross Golf Course	5	SL
Cornalees Farm	1	MMG	Gryfe No 1 Reservoir	1	MMG	Potrail W, Watermeetings	1	SRi
Cowgill Reservoir	1	J&VW	Harelaw pig trap	1	J&VW	R Clyde at Lamington	6	J&VW
Craigendoran	1	DHM	Harelaw Resr, Barrhead	1	SJM	Twechar Marsh	2	PGC

Summary: 89 pairs reported from 39 'sites' in 2006. Notes included: (i) a pair failed Hogganfield Loch/Strathclyde University playing fields (IPG); (ii) 6 prs Loch Thom, no young seen, probably all failed (IPG); (iii) 2 prs Black Cart Water below Barnsford Bridge, apparently failed (IPG).

Inland autumn reports included 66 by River Clyde at Lamington 10 July, 5 Balgray Resr 15 July (JSW,VW), 7 Garvald Quarry 24 July (AMcA), 1 Carbarns Pool 23 Aug (AIE), 9 Aird Meadow 30 Aug (RSPB), and 4 at Westfield Pond on 15 Nov (NLRS).

Clyde estuary reports included 1500 at the Milton Island high tide roost on 22 Aug (ECD), 590 on 16 Sep, 122 at roost Ironotter Point 2 Sep (IPG), and 635 at Lunderston Bay on 30 Oct (FG).

 

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
Newshot Island to West Ferry *	495	1180	nc	8	16	110	352	653	413	783	1618	1692
West Ferry to Port Glasgow	0	0	nc	0	0	19	221	112	315	300	260	84
Dumbarton to Craigendoran	110	155	nc	0	0	75	421	248	200	119	246	301
Clyde Estuary Total	698	1417	nc	8	16	210	1048	1019	954	1227	2399	2256

* (including Milton Island to Dumbarton Rock)

Other Clyde estuary counts in winter-spring included 1100 on a field by the M8 at West Ferry on 13 Jan (DSF). Inland reports/spring return involved 33 at Balgray Resr on 1 Jan, 40 on 14 Jan (JSW,VW), 100 Barr Loch 3 Jan (RSPB), 12 by the River Clyde at Lamington 12 Jan, 100 Biggar Moss 12 Jan, 150 on 8 Feb, 250 at South Medwin Pools on 14 Jan and 8 Feb (JTT,JSW,VW), 2 at Garvald Quarry on 16 Jan, 10 on 14 Mar, 92 on 15 Mar (AMcA), 7 at Ballochruin Pool 7 Feb (JTT), 38 at Gartloch Pool on 23 Jan (CRS), 10 on 9 Feb (IPG), 22 on 23 Feb (CRS), 182 Carbarns Pool on 29 Jan, 225 on 14 Feb, 36 on 18 Mar (AIE), 80 at Walton Dam on 12 Feb (IAM), 150 at Endrick Mouth on 13 Feb (DRMcC), 50 Aird Meadow 17 Feb (RSPB), 110 Wards Pond 26 Feb (AKMcN), 40 Drumclog 27 Feb (per BT), and 50 over Risk Bridge, Howwood on 8 Mar (MMcG).

A spring count in Clydesdale resulted in a total of 685 still in flocks on 11 Mar - 135 at the Snar confluence, 36 at Normangill, 294 Abington-Crawford, 150 at the Duneaton confluence, 15 at Lamington, and 55 at Cormiston (JND,ADW).

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

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Arden, Rossbank Fm	2	DHM	Dunwan Dam	2	JFD	Loch Thom (NS2672)	1	JMR
Ballochruin Pool	1	AKM	Eaglesham, High Dam	1	JFD	Lochcraig Reservoir	1	J&VW
Biggar Moss	20	J&VW	Endrick Mouth, Aber Bog	2	SNH	Lochwinnoch Reserve	1	RSPB
Blackfaulds Farm	1	IPG	Endrick Mth, Crom Mhin	2	SNH	Longhaugh Point	1	JCM
Bowling Oil Terminal	2	J&VW	Endrick Mth, Low Mains	2	SNH	Millersneuk Marsh	2	IPG
Bridgend Farm Pool	9	ADW	Endrick Mth, Ring Point	5	SNH	Morningside	7	ADW
Buchley Pool	1	CRS	Endrick Mth, Wards Pond	2	SNH	Newhouse	1	ADW
Burnside (Kirkfield)	1	ADW	Gartloch Pool	1	IPG	Orchard Farm Pool	2	CL
Camps Water	30	J&VW	Garvald Quarry	4	AMcA	Picketlaw Reservoir	1	JFD
Carbarns Pool	1	AIE	Green Lowther	2	ECD	R Clyde at Lamington	1	J&VW
Carruthmuir	1	IPG	Harestonhill	1	ADW	South Medwin Pools	11	J&VW
Cornalees Farm	1	MMcG	Hill of Barnaigh	2	IPG	Tarbrax (bing)	1	ADW
Darleith	4	FL	Howwood, Risk Brae	2	IPG	Twechar Marsh	1	PGC
Douglas Estate Ponds	4	KS	Leitchland Dam	1	FG

Breeding summary: 138 pairs reported from 41 'sites' in 2006.

Post-breeding/autumn-winter reports included 50 at Biggar Moss 6 June, 200 on 10 July, 250 on 7 Aug (JSW,VW), 41 Blackfaulds Farm 6 June (IPG), 20 Ballochruin Pool 18 June (AKMcN), 19 at Mid Barnaigh 8 July (IPG), 255 at Frankfield Loch 13 July, 414 on 8 Aug, 354 on 15 Aug, 444 on 29 Aug, max count 490 on 7 Sep, 466 on 15 Sep, none by 10 Oct (GCC), 70 at Cart/Clyde confluence 10 July (ECD), 105 Carbarns Pool 4 July, max count 616 on 26 Aug, 189 on 29 Sep, 301 on 29 Oct (AIE), 97 Balgray Resr 15 July, 163 on 15 Sep (JSW,VW), 30 Loch Walton 23 July (AKMcN), 200 Baron's Haugh 23 July (JJM), 150 by River Clyde at Lamington 7 Aug, 300 on 12 Sep (JSW,VW), 360 at Garvald Quarry on 7 Aug, 580 on 1 Sep (AMcA), 170 Gadloch 13 Aug (FC), 234 on 25 Oct (ADW), 150 at High Plewland, Glengavel Resr 15 Aug (SRi), 130 Ogscastle Bridge 20 Aug (ADW), 48 Barcraigs Resr 20 Aug, 80 on 25 Sep (IPG), 1200 South Medwin Pools 12 Sep (JSW,VW), 370 at Roberton Mains Farm 11 Oct (AMcA), 450 Bridgend Farm 25 Oct, 180 Twechar Marsh 25 Oct (ADW), 76 Millichen Flood 29 Oct (JC), 55 on 1 Nov (GCC), 70 Heritage Park, East Kilbride 2 Nov (DWM), and 100 at Wards Pond on 5 Nov (AKMcN).

Reports from the Clyde estuary included 500 in fields at high tide Longhaugh Point 22 Oct (IPG), and 800 in a field by the M8 at West Ferry on 4 Nov (DSF).

Inland winter reports were of an exceptional 814 at Carbarns Pool on 19 Nov, 600 on 15 Dec (AIE), 380 Baron's Haugh 21 Nov (JCM), 39 Lilly Loch 29 Nov (FF), 60 at Heritage Park, East Kilbride 27 Nov and 22 Dec (NDW), 120 at Aird Meadow on 1 Dec (RSPB), 151 at Millichen Flood on 9 Dec, 229 on 23 Dec (JC), 100 at Walton Dam 16 Dec (JSW,VW), 129 at the Endrick Mouth on 18 Dec (DRMcC), and 40 at Barr Loch on 26 Dec (MMcG).

 

Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria

Winter-spring reports included 1 at Ardmore on 9 Jan (GJB), 1 over Cathkin Braes on 22 Jan (CRS), 66 at Strathclyde Country Park on 22 Jan (JSW,VW), 51 on 14 Feb, 15 on 13 Mar (NLRS), 90 at Drumclog on 27 Feb (NDW), 29 at the Snar/Clyde confluence 11 Mar (JND,ADW), 4 in breeding plumage at Millichen Flood on 2 Apr (AKMcN), and a flock of 34 migrants circling high and singing over Queenside Hill on 23 Apr (IPG).

The only breeding season report was of 2 on Bleak Law on 29 Apr and 17 June (DT).

Reports of autumn passage involved 1 Daer Resr 7 Aug (JSW,VW), 11 over Cathkin Braes on 16 Sep (SAW), 1 S over Merryton on 25 Sep (AIE), 1 Baron's Haugh 27 Sep (JCM), 1 at Ardmore on 2 Oct, 9 Oct (ANi), 1 on 19 Oct (JDo), 43 at South Medwin Pools on 12 Oct (JSW, VW), 156 on 29 Oct (JTT), and 2 at The Meetings 15 Oct (JND,ADW).

Other late autumn and winter reports included 37 at North Arkleston from 12-16 Nov, max 45 on 18 Nov, 40 on 19 Nov, 37 on 22 Nov, 33 on 24 Nov, 32 on 25 Nov, 30 on 27 Nov (JSW,VW, ECD,FH), 30 at Portnauld 25 Nov (ECD), 95 Strathclyde Country Park 22 Nov (IMcC) and 39 SE over Balgray Resr at 1200 hrs on 26 Nov (JSW,VW).

 

Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola

Very scarce in 2006. The only reports were of 2 on the Dumbarton foreshore on 26 Jan (JC), and an autumn report of 1 at Ardmore North Bay on 9 Oct (ANi).

 

Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula

Winter-spring reports included 35 in Cardross Bay on 2 Jan (JBB), and 10 at the Cart/Clyde confluence on 4 Mar (ECD). Reports of probable spring passage birds included 18 at Carbarns Pool on 5 Apr, 9 on 18 Apr, 7 on 2 May, 5 on 4 May, and 11 on 21 June (JCM et al), 3 at West Ferry on 22 Apr, 18 on 26 Apr (IPG), 14 on 28 Apr, 5 on 5 May (DSF), 16 on 18 May (FH), 15 at Douglas Estate Ponds on 14 May, 12 on 11 June (KS), 61 at Cardross on 14 May, 49 on 26 May (IPG), and 24 at Ardmore on 30 May (ANi).

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	12	14	nc	2	0	1	0	25	63	14	9	15
Cardross Bay-Rhu Point	40	41	nc	8	94	8	2	0	77	74	46	45
Clyde Estuary Total	52	57	nc	10	100	17	2	25	140	88	55	65

Breeding reports

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Bowling Oil Terminal	4	J&VW	Douglas Water Pool	1	KS	Harelaw Resr (Barrhead)	1	SJM
Douglas Estate Ponds	3	KS	Garvald Quarry	1	AMcA	R Clyde at Lamington	3	J&VW

Summary: In a poor level of reporting, only 13 pairs reported from 6 sites in 2006. Other breeding season reports included 4 at Garvald Quarry 14-17 Feb, 3 prs on 19 Mar (AMcA), 1 at Carbarns Pool 18 Feb, 18 on 8 Apr, 5 on 14-15 Apr, 2 on 1 May, 9 on 6 May (AIE), 1 R Clyde at Thankerton 9 Mar (JSW,VW), and 6 at Douglas Estate Ponds on 23 Mar (ECD).

Inland reports in autumn included 19 at Carbarns Pool 30 June, 24 on 8 July (AIE), 10 on 24 July, 4 at Douglas Estate Ponds on 13 July, 8 on 24 July (ECD), 1 at Frankfield Loch on 18 July (IPG), and 12 at Daer Reservoir on 7 Aug (JSW,VW). Clyde estuary counts included 17 at Ironotter Point on 2 Sep (IPG), 46 on 11 Sep (GMi), 39 at Cardross on 17 Sep, 35 on 8 Oct (IPG), and 37 Helensburgh-Rhu Point 15 Nov (DSF).

 

Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius

Reports were of one at Carbarns Pool on 20 Apr and 26 Apr, 2 on 27 Apr and 1-2 May (per BS,ECD), 2 on 4-12 May, 1 on 16-23 May, and 1 on 21 June (DLC, per BS et al), one on River Clyde at The Meetings on 15 July, an adult and a juv there on 12 Aug, and an independent juv at Carstairs Junction Bridge on 12 Aug (JND,ADW). Despite the reports of juvenile birds, there was no firm evidence of breeding at any given site in 2006 (ed.).

 

Dotterel Charadrius morinellus

Spring passage reports were of 1 on Green Lowther on 30 Apr (IF), 5 between there and Lowther Hill on 2 May (ECD), and 3 on Ben Lomond on 5 May (per BS).

 

Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus

Spring reports were of 1 at Ardmore Point 20-23 Apr (ANi), 2 on 24 Apr (AKMcN), 2 on 5 May (GJB), 2 at West Ferry 22 Apr, 5 on 23-24 Apr, 1 on 25 Apr, 2 on 26-28 Apr, 1 on 27 Apr, 4 on 28 Apr, 3 on 29 Apr, 5 on 30 Apr (IPG,DSF et al), 3 on 5 May (GJB), 1 Newshot Island 27 Apr (JJM), 1 Endrick Mouth 29 Apr (ANi), 1 on 3 May (DRMcC), 1 heard over Milngavie 3 May (JTK), and 2 in Cardross Bay on 5 May (GJB), 1 on 11 May and 19 June (AGG).

Autumn passage involved 3 S past Cloch Point at 2035 hrs on 14 July, 5 in Ardmore North Bay on 16 July (IPG), 1 on 17 July (AKMcN), 3 on 23 July, 1 from 24 July-7 Aug (ANi,AKMcN), 1 feeding on shore at Cloch Point on 21 July (IPG,FG), 1 at Newshot Island on 30 July (AJR), 2 in Cardross Bay on 6 Aug (GJB), 1 at McInroy's Point on 18 Aug (MMcG), and 1 at Cairndhu Point on 29 Sep (PC). An exceptionally late bird was at Lunderston Bay on 2 Nov (FG).

 

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 *	230	41	nc	184	220	130	410	550	330	450	240	450
Gourock to Wemyss Bay	77	33	nc	11	0	0	36	67	45	5	17	104
Dumbarton to Craigendoran	334	688	nc	450	34	71	866	1280	1485	870	351	344
Clyde Estuary Total	751	836	nc	849	260	201	1348	2017	1986	1480	739	1078

* (including Milton Island to Dumbarton Rock)

Inland wintering birds were 66 at Merryton on 11 Jan, 186 on 29 Jan (AIE), and 1 at Millichen Flood on 16 Jan (CRS).

Spring return/passage included 1 over Creuch Hill on 4 Feb (IPG), 1 at Aird Meadow on 17 Feb, 60 on 16 Mar (RSPB), 219 at Merryton on 19 Feb (AIE), 1 Loch Ardinning SWT Reserve 21 Feb (JTK), 1 Endrick Mouth 9 Mar (ANi), 163 at Thankerton and 220 at Lamington on 11 Mar (JND, ADW), 1 Bardowie Loch 11 Mar (AKMcN), 1 Garvald Quarry 14 Mar, 45 South Medwin Pools 15 Mar (AMcA), 4 Blantyre Muir 22 Mar (JJM), 35 Ballochruin Pool 25 Mar (AKMcN). Winter-spring counts on the estuary included 450 at Ardmore North Bay roost on 9 Apr, well after breeding birds had returned to territories (IPG).

Breeding reports were of 1 pair Burnbank Water (NS2968) 4 June, an adult alarm-calling at The Heddles (NS3164) on 10 June, and 2 prs alarm-calling and 10 failed breeders Shielhill Farm-Cornalees Farm 23 June (IPG).

Breeding reports

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Biggar Moss	3	J&VW	Darndaff Muir	1	MMcG	Lochcraig Reservoir	1	J&VW
Black Loch	2	WK	Dunwan Dam	1	JFD	Lochgoin Reservoir	1	WK
Blantyre Muir	1	JJM	Eaglesham, High Dam	1	JFD	Logan Reservoir	2	RJH
Burnbank Water	1	IPG	Endrick M, Shore Wood	1	SNH	Long Loch	2	J&VW
Camps Water	4	J&VW	Finnich Glen	2	AKM	Mugdock Loch	1	AKM
Cornalees-Shielhill Farms	2	IPG	Harelaw Dam	1	J&VW	The Heddles	1	IPG
Cowgill	1	J&VW	Harestonehill	1	JND	Twechar Marsh	1	PGC
Crawhin Hill	1	MMcG	Leitchland Dam	1	FG
Culter Waterhead Resr	2	J&VW	Loch Walton	1	AKM

Summary: 36 pairs reported from 25 'sites' in 2006.

Autumn-winter reports on the Clyde estuary included 290 at the Milton Island high tide roost on 16 Sep, and 765 at the roost in Ardmore North Bay on 17 Sep, 420 on 8 Oct (IPG). The Clyde estuary total of 2,017 on 13 August was one of the highest totals ever recorded (ed.).

Inland autumn counts included 100 at Swaites on 12 Aug (JND,ADW), 15 at Carrot Farm 20 Aug (JSW,VW), 36 at Garvald Quarry on 26 Sep (AMcA), 170 at The Meetings and 13 at Thankerton on 15 Oct (JND,ADW), 75 at Merryton on 17 Oct, 144 on 21 Oct (AIE,JCM), and 30 at Twechar Marsh on 25 Oct (ADW). The wintering flock at Merryton numbered 250 on 5 Nov, and 226 on 27 Dec (AIE).

 

Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica

Winter-spring reports involved 12 at Ardmore North Bay 4 Jan (ADW), 23 on 15 Jan (IPG), 24 on 17 Jan (ECD), 18 on 24 Jan (JBB), a higher than usual max 34 on 12 Feb (AKMcN), 12 on 18 Feb, 10 on 4 Mar, 6 on 21 Apr (JDo), 17 on 22 May, 15 on 23 May ( ANi), 5 on 26-28 May (IPG,ANi), 5 Cardross Bay 25 Jan (ANi), and 32 Cardross-Ardmore on 11 Mar (AGG).

Autumn-winter reports were of 3 at Ardmore North Bay on 29 July (MMcG,JTT), 1 on 30 July, 1 on 28 Aug, (AKMcN), 8 on 17 Sep (IPG), 6 on 22 Sep (AKMcN), 12 on 9 Oct, 6 on 17 Oct (ANi), 11 on 22 Oct (JBB), 8 on 19 Nov (IPG), max count 18 on 5 Dec (JBB), 8 on 17 Dec (ANi), 4 on 17 Dec (IPG), 3 on 18 Dec (JBB), 4 at West Ferry on 9 Sep, 1 on 10 Sep, 3 there 17-23 Sep, 4 Erskine shore-Longhaugh Point 16 Sep (IPG), 1 on 8 Oct (JMC), 5 Milton Island 16 Sep (IPG).

 

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa

Monthly minimum numbers reported are presented in the following table:

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
	0	1	2	224	8	3	85	48	52	32	8	2

Winter reports were of 1 Milton Island 12 Feb (JSW,VW), and 2 at Dumbuck on 21 Mar (JGT).

Spring passage birds were 1 at East Damhead near Carluke 9 Apr (JND), 3 Baron's Haugh 16 Apr (JCM), 1 at Carbarns Pool 18 Apr, an exceptionally large flock of 137 there on 25 Apr, still 65 on 26 Apr, 9 on 27 Apr (AIE), 24 West Ferry-Longhaugh Point 22 Apr, 42 on 23 Apr, 17 on 24 Apr, 14 on 25 Apr, max 74 on 26 Apr, a flock of 53 being pursued by a Peregrine on 27 Apr, 28 on 28 Apr (IPG,DSF et al), 1 at Newshot Island on 5 May (AJR), 3 in a flooded field at Longhaugh Point on 7 May (JMC), 2 at Milton Island on 14 May (JSW,VW), 2 Ardmore 23 May (ANi), 2 on the Erskine shore on 13 June (FH), and 1 at Baron's Haugh on 13 June (GJB).

The earliest autumn records involved 45 at Balgray Resr on 2 July (JJS), 16 at Cardross on 3 July (AGG), 2 at Baron's Haugh on 8 July (per BS), 1 at Ballochruin Pools on 9-10 July (AKMcN et al), 2 S past Midross 10 July (ADW), 2 on Erskine shore on 13 July (FH), and an adult in breeding plumage at Loch Thom on 13 July (MMcG). Autumn passage at the usual sites for the species is detailed below.

Newshot Island 1 on 21-22 July, 5 on 4 Sep, 4 on 8 Sep, 6 on 11 Sep (AJR,ECD), 3 on 15 Sep (JJS), 2 on 17 Sep (ACMB), 5 on 2 Oct (AJR), max 12 on 13 Oct (FH).

Baron's Haugh 4 on 23 July (JJM), 6 on 25 July (ECD), 2 on 27 July (DA), 4 on 28 July, 5 on 30 July (SCo), 1 on 23 Aug (DA per BS), max 14 on 30 Aug (JCM).

Carbarns Pool 3 on 27 July (AIE), 1 on 23 Aug (DA per BS), 2 on 26-27 Aug (ECD,AIE), max 14 on 28 Aug (GJB), 14 on 1 Sep, 2 on 2 Sep (AIE).

Erskine shore 4 on 16 Sep (IPG), 2 on 18 Sep ( per JJM).

Longhaugh Point 8 on 25 July (JGT), 8 on 9 Sep, 13 on 10 Sep (IPG), 12 on 12 Sep (JGT), 9 on 16 Sep, 20 on 17 Sep, 20 on 22 Sep, max count 28 on 23 Sep (IPG), 16 on 25 Sep (ADW), 1 on 26 Sep (DSF), 7 on 30 Sep (IPG), 15 on 8 Oct (JMC), 7 on 10 Oct (JGT).

Other autumn reports were of 1 at Cardross on 14 July (GJB), 2 Ardmore North Bay 3 Aug, 1 on 7 Aug (ANi), 18 at Milton Island high tide roost on 16 Sep, and 1 at West Ferry on 30 Sep (IPG).

Wintering birds were 8 at Longhaugh Point on 7 Nov (JGT), 2 there on 21 Dec (DSF), and presumably the same 2 at Erskine shore on 29 Dec (JTT).

 

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	8	7	-	8	0	0	0	0	1	13	10	10
Helensburgh to Rhu	5	0	-	0	0	0	0	0	31	24	1	24
Rhu to Coulport	19	10	-	22	0	0	0	0	13	9	0	2
Clyde Estuary Total	32	17	n/c	30	0	0	0	0	45	46	11	36

Other reports included 12 at Cairndhu Point, Helensburgh 11 Mar (DHMcE), 11 at Helensburgh on 3 May, 1 on 12 May (HS). An unusual spring passage report was of 1 at Newshot Island on 17 Apr (FH).

Inland autumn passage birds were a summer-plumaged adult at Carbarns Pool on 20 July, and even more unusual, another 1 there on 20 Aug (DA). Autumn-winter Clyde estuary reports included 3 at Ardencaple on 3 Aug, 28 on 20 Aug (HS), 11 Lunderston Bay 11 Aug (FG), 12 at Ironotter Point 2 Sep (IPG), 16 on 8 Dec (GMi), 31 at Kidston Point, Helensburgh on 27 Sep (HS), 7 at Lunderston Bay on 29 Oct, and 33 at Helensburgh-Rhu Point on 15 Nov (DSF).

 

Knot Calidris canutus

Winter-spring reports were of 8 in Ardmore North Bay on 15 Jan (IPG), 1 Cardross Bay 25 Jan (AGG), and 2 on the Erskine shore on 21 Feb (ECD), 6 on 9 Mar (FH). An inland spring passage report was of 1 at Carbarns Pool on 25 Apr (DA).

Autumn-winter estuary reports included 7 (5 in breeding plumage) at Ardmore North Bay 19 Aug (ANi), 5 on 7 Sep (JDo), 3 on 17 Sep (IPG), 15 on 19 Sep, 6 on 22 Sep (JBB), 4 on 30 Sep (JDo), singles on various dates 12 Oct-19 Dec (GJB,ANi), 2 on 17 Oct (ANi), 6 Erskine shore-Longhaugh Point 16 Sep, and 3 at West Ferry on 17 Sep (IPG).

 

Ruff Calidris pugnax

Autumn reports were of 2 over Carbarns Pool at 1130 hrs on 18 Aug, 1 at Baron's Haugh on 17 Sep, 1 there on 23 Sep (DA per BS, JCM), 1 at Longhaugh Point on 17 Sep (JMC), and 11 at the Meetings, including 8 at Carstairs Junction, and 3 (a ♂ and 2 ♀♀) in a field by the River Clyde at Yett, Libberton on 15 Oct (JND,ADW).

 

Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea

The only report in 2006 was of a juvenile on the Erskine shore on 18-19 Sep (per JJM, GJB).

 

Sanderling Calidris alba

An inland spring passage bird was at Harelaw Resr, Barrhead on 9 May (no observer details), and in autumn 4 were on the shore at East Ferry on 25-26 Sep (ADW).

 

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 Port Glasgow *	530	770	-	0	5	0	0	0	44	60	65	120
Ironotter Point/Cardwell Bay	3	0	-	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Dumbarton-Rhu	193	113	-	0	191	0	1	0	26	0	290	280
Clyde Estuary Total	726	883	n/c	0	196	0	1	0	73	60	355	402

* (including Milton Island to Dumbarton Rock)

Winter-spring reports included 620 at Longhaugh Point on 29 Jan (IPG), and 57 in Cardross Bay on 14 Feb (JBB). Spring reports on the Clyde estuary were of 20 at West Ferry on 26 Apr, and 190 at Cardross on 14 May, 16 on 26 May (IPG). Inland winter-spring reports were of singles at Carbarns Pool on 25 Feb, 13-14 Mar, 25 Apr and 16-17 May (AIE), and 1 at Baron's Haugh from 25 Apr-16 May (JCM).

Inland autumn reports included 2 on shingle bank of River Clyde at The Meetings on 15 July (ADW), 1 Douglas Estate Ponds 16 July-13 Aug (KS et al), 1 on intertidal mud of the Black Cart Water at Yonderton on 16 July (IPG), 2 Balgray Resr 26 July-15 Sep (JSW,VW,JJS et al), 3 Daer Reservoir 7 Aug (JSW,VW), 1 Carbarns Pool 20-23 Aug (AIE), 2 at Baron's Haugh 7-25 Sep, and 1 from 5 Oct-7 Nov (JCM). Two adults flew S past Cloch Point at 1653 hrs on 8 July (IPG).

Autumn-winter Clyde estuary reports included 46 on Erskine shore 22 July, 300 on 23 Dec (ECD), 8 West Ferry 10 Sep, 44 Erskine shore-Longhaugh Point 16 Sep (IPG), 50 on 21 Sep (FH), and 320 at Woodhall on 6 Dec (DSF).

 

Little Stint Calidris minuta

The only report in 2006 was of a juvenile at Baron's Haugh from 23-30 Sep (DA,JCM).

 

Woodcock Scolopax rusticola

Winter-spring reports were of 2 flushed on Muirhouse Muir 1 Jan (JTK), 1 at the Endrick Mouth on 1 Jan and 2 Feb (ANi), 1 flying over Aird Meadow on 3 Jan, 1 on 14 Mar (RSPB), 3 exiting from Lapwing Lodge Plantation (NS439590) at dusk (1652 hrs) on 3 Jan (IPG), 1 Helensburgh Resrs 3 Jan (AMcI), 1 at Southhill Woods, Dolphinton 8 Jan (AMcA), 2 Cardowan Moss 12 Jan (CRS), 1 at Darleith on 18 Jan, 2 on 21 Jan, 1 on 3 Feb (FL), 1 disturbed from hill drain on Leap Moor (at NS227696) on 21 Jan (IPG), 1 flushed at Patterton roundabout pond on 21 Jan (GRW), 1 at Raith Burn on 22 Jan (ECD), 1 at the Endrick Mouth on 31 Jan and 13 Feb, 2 on 20 Mar (GJB), 1 at Linwood Community Woodland on 3 Feb, 1 at Newshot Island on 7 Feb (ECD), 1 Ardmore 21 Feb (GJB), 2 at Calderglen Country Park 22 Feb (JJM), 1 Balloch 5 Mar (ASl), 1 at Cathkin Braes on 5 Mar and 31 Mar (DWM), 1 Carron Valley Forest 5 Mar (AKMcN), 1 at Banton Burn on 6 Mar (PGC), 1 flushed from top of peat hag at the upper Green Water (at NS277685) on 11 Mar (IPG), 1 at Overtoun Burn on 15 Mar (ECD), 1 at Baron's Haugh 17 Mar (per BT), and 2 at Merryton on 18 Mar, 1 on 23 Mar (AIE).

Breeding Roding birds reported were 1 Auchengillan 29 Mar (SPM), 1 Garelochhead 14-18 Apr (AMcI), 1 Colgrain 7 May (DHMcE), 1 at Darleith 16 June (FL), and none recorded at Seath Ave, Langbank (DSF).

Autumn-winter reports were of 1 at Merryton on 19 Nov (AIE), 1 at Calderglen Country Park on 24 Nov (JJM), 2 at Barscube Hill west on 27 Nov, singles on 28 Nov and 23 Dec (DSF), 1 North Arkleston Farm 28 Nov (ECD), 2 Darleith 5-15 Dec (FL), 1 Baron's Haugh 8 Dec (JCM), 1 at Inchinnan on 15 Dec (AMo), 1 at Pollok Lodge Wood, Newton Mearns on 17 Dec and 25 Dec (GRW), 1 at Gleddoch Golf Course 18 Dec (DSF), 1 Erskine 19 Dec (AJR), 1 Loch Ardinning SWT Reserve 19 Dec, 1 Mugdock Country Park 19 Dec (per BT), and 1 at Dungoil 24 Dec (FH).

 

Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus

Monthly minimum numbers reported are presented in the following table:

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
	21	20	3	2	1	1	64	32	16

Winter-spring reports involved 3 at Paisley Moss LNR on 3 Jan (ADW), 1 at Windlaw Marsh on 3 Jan (DWM), 8 on 22 Jan (CRS), max 12 on 5 Feb (IL et al), 5 on 9 Feb (SAW), 2 on 27 Feb (DWM), 1 on 22 Apr (per JJM), 4 at Hogganfield Park LNR on 7 Jan (IL), 4 at Littleton Resr on 14 Jan, 3 on 10 Feb and 11 Mar, 2 at Waulkmill Glen Resr on 14 Jan (JSW,VW), 2 Craigmarloch, Kilmacolm on 5 Feb, 2 on saltmarsh East Ferry 12 Feb (ADW), and 1 at Endrick Mouth on 20 Feb (GJB). One was flushed from blanket bog on Queenside Muir (440m above sea level at NS282640) on 21 Apr (IPG), and a late individual was at Leitchland Dam, Gourock on 7 May (FG).

Autumn-winter reports were of a very early individual at Aber Bog, Endrick Mouth on 10 Sep (AKMcN), followed by 1 at Longhaugh Point on 8 Oct (JCM), 1 on 19 Nov, 15 at Craigmarloch Marsh, Kilmacolm on 22 Oct (ADW), 1 at Paisley Moss LNR 22 Oct (IPG), 1 watched from Phoenix Hide at Baron's Haugh 21-28 Oct, 2 on 29-31 Oct (DA et al), an excellent count of 25 at Windlaw Marsh on 22 Oct (IL), 20 on 24 Oct (SL), 8 on 29 Oct (CRS), 6 on 5 Nov, 20 on 12 Nov, 7 on 26 Nov, 4 on 17 Dec (IL et al), 1 at Newshot Island 23 Oct (FH), 6 at Bridgend Farm Pool on 25 Oct, 1 at Twechar Marsh on 25 Oct, 2 at Broadwood Loch on 25 Oct, 1 at Fannyside Muir on 25 Oct, 1 at Balgrochan Marsh, Lennoxtown on 25 Oct (ADW), 1 at Littleton Resr on 25 Oct (DLC), 4 on 16 Dec (JSW,VW), 1 Newshot Island 25 Oct, 7 at Hogganfield Park LNR on 27 Oct (IPG), 3 on 28 Oct (CRS), 2 on 24 Nov, 4 on 6 Dec (IPG), 4 at Merryton Pond on 5 Nov (AIE), 1 at Barscube Hill east on 9 Nov (DSF), 1 at Erskine saltmarsh on 19 Nov, 1 at West Ferry on 19 Nov (ADW), 1 at Aird Meadow 20 Nov (RSPB), 1 at Milton shore on 24 Nov, and 4 at Barscube Hill west pond on 23 Dec (DSF).

 

Snipe Gallinago gallinago

Winter-spring reports included 27 at Paisley Moss LNR on 3 Jan (ADW), 30 at Waulkmill Glen Resr on 14 Jan (JSW,VW), 26 at Windlaw Marsh on 22 Jan (CRS), 120 at Craigmarloch, Kilmacolm on 5 Feb, and 15 at Castle Semple Loch on 17 Feb (ADW).

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

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Ben Lomond	2	ECD	Endrick M, Aber Bog	1	SNH	Leitchland Dam	1	FG
Colgrain Marsh	1	DHM	Endrick M, Crom Mhin	17	SNH	Loch Ardinning SWT Res	1	JTK
Commore Dam	1	J&VW	Endrick M, Low Mains	6	SNH	Lochcraig Reservoir	1	JVW
Craigmarloch Marsh	1	ADW	Endrick M, Ring Point	2	SNH	Lochwinnoch RSPB	4	RSPB
Crawhin Hill	4	IPG	Endrick M, Wards Pond	2	JTT	Logan Reservoir	1	RJH
Daff Reservoir	1	IPG	Gleann nan Caorrunn	1	JTT	Picketlaw Reservoir	1	ADW
Darleith Marsh	1	FL	Kelly Cut	1	ECD	Woolfords Cottages	2	ADW

Summary: 52 pairs reported at 21 sites, including an exceptional survey result of 17 pairs on the Crom Mhin at the Endrick Mouth (ed.).

Autumn-winter reports included 30 at Baron's Haugh on 23 July (JJM), 25 at Robroyston Park LNR on 15 Sep, 118 on 10 Oct (IPG), 15 on open mud Ardmore North Bay 17 Sep (IPG), 30 on 23 Sep (per JJM), 47 on 9 Oct (JBB), 30 at Merryton on 29 Sep, 42 on 5 Nov (AIE), 40 at Waulkmill Glen Resr 2 Oct (IAM), 25 at the Endrick Mouth on 3 Oct (ANi), 98 at Biggar Moss on 12 Oct (JSW,VW), 47 along R Clyde, Thankerton-Carstairs Junction 15 Oct (JND,ADW), an exceptional 170 at Craigmarloch Marsh on 22 Oct (ADW), 24 at Paisley Moss LNR 22 Oct (IPG), 61 Windlaw Marsh 24 Oct (SL), 28 on 3 Nov (SAW), 20 on 5 Nov, 20 on 26 Nov, 5 on 17 Dec (IL et al), 49 Balgrochan Marsh 25 Oct, 17 Broadwood 25 Oct (ADW), 16 at Heritage Park, East Kilbride on 2 Nov (DWM), 20 at Aird Meadow on 3 Nov (RSPB), 22 Hogganfield Park LNR 24 Nov (IPG), 18 on Milton shore 24 Nov (DSF), and 43 at Littleton Resr on 16 Dec (JSW,VW).

 

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos

Spring arrival/passage reports involved 1 on the River Kelvin at Dawsholm Park on 15 Apr (JC), 1 at Baron's Haugh on 16 Apr, 3 on 18 Apr (JCM), 2 at East India Harbour, Greenock 22 Apr (ADW), 1 Strathclyde Loch 23 Apr (JJM), 1 at Old Kilpatrick on 20 Apr (FH), 5 at White Loch (Renf) on 20 Apr (PB), 2 at Balgray Resr 22 Apr (SAW), 1 Ardmore Point 23 Apr (ANi), 2 Culter Waterhead Resr 23 Apr (JSW,VW), 2 Ladymuir Resr 24 Apr (ECD), 2 Black Cart Water 26 Apr (FH), and 1 at Hogganfield Loch on 28 Apr (GCC).

Breeding reports

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Ardgowan Point	1	ADW	Endrick M, Ring Point	2	SNH	Loch Lomond, Inverbeg	1	AMcI
Auchendores Reservoir	1	ECD	Endrick M, Shore Wood	2	SNH	Loch Lomond, Rossdhu	2	SL
Bennan Loch	1	J&VW	Endrick W, Ballochruin B	1	AKM	Loch Lomond, Sallochy	1	HS
Black Loch	1	WK	Endrick W, Ballochruin P	1	AKM	Loch Thom	1	ECD
Brother Loch	1	WK	Endrick W, Carron V R	1	AKM	Locherwood Comm Wood	1	FH
Calder Water	3	ECD	Garelochhead	1	AMcI	Lochwinnoch Reserve	1	RSPB
Camps Reservoir	9	J&VW	Glenbuck Loch	3	RJH	Logan Reservoir	1	RJH
Camps Water	1	J&VW	Glengavel Water	3	J&VW	Midross Golf Course	7	SL
Cart mouth	1	FH	Lairig Arnan	1	ECD	Mugdock Reservoir	1	IM
Cloch Point	1	IPG	Leperstone Reservoir	1	FH	Powbrone Burn	1	J&VW
Daff Reservoir	1	FG	Loch Arklet	1	ECD	R Clyde at Lamington	2	J&VW
Douglas Estate Ponds	2	KS	Loch Lomond, Balmaha	1	JJM	Waulkmill Glen Resr	1	J&VW
Dunwan Dam	3	WK	Loch Lomond, Firkin	2	DHM

Summary: 66 pairs reported at 38 sites in 2006.

Post-breeding/autumn passage records included 6 at Balgray Resr 9 July (JCh), max 16 on 15 July, 10 on 21 July (JSW,VW), 6 on 29 July (SAW), 3 at Ballochruin Pools on 9 July (per BS), 7 at the Cart/Clyde confluence on 10 July, 2 on 18 Aug (ECD), 10 along the Endrick Water at Ballochruin on 10 July (AKMcN), 6 on River Clyde at Lamington 10 July (JSW,VW), 1 Gartloch Pool 13 July (GCC), a flock of 8 Ardmore Point 16 July, 4 along Black Cart Water at Yonderton 16 July (IPG), 2 Hogganfield Loch 18-22 July, 1 on 29 July, 1 on 8 Aug (GCC,CRS), 7 at the Great Harbour, Greenock on 22 July (FG,IPG), 8 at Carbarns Pool-Baron's Haugh 24 July (ECD), 2 at Cloch Point on 5 Aug (IPG), 3 Daer Resr 7 Aug (JSW,VW), 1 Loch Thom 10 Aug (MMcG), 12 along River Clyde, Wolfclyde-Carstairs Junction 12 Aug (JND,ADW), 1 Waulkmill Glen Resr 13 Aug (JSW,VW), 4 Rothesay Quay 18 Aug (ECD), 6 at Newshot Island on 22 Aug, 1 on 4 Sep (AJR), and 1 on the River Clyde at Dalmuir on 22 Aug (ECD).

Late autumn/winter reports were of 1 at Baron's Haugh on 9 Sep (GS), 1 on River Clyde at Carbarns Pool on 25 Sep (AIE), 1 at Dunwan Dam on 8 Oct (JFD), 1 along the Black Cart Water at Yonderton from 10-29 Oct (AMo), and 1 at Finlaystone Point on 16 Nov (ECD).

 

Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus

Few reports of the wintering birds at Baron's Haugh/Carbarns, with reports of 3 Baron's Haugh 30 Jan (JCM), 1 on 3 Feb (GJB), 3 at Carbarns Pool during Feb, 3 on 9 Mar (per BS), 1 on 19 Mar (AET), 2 on 28 Mar (GJB), and at least one present until 23 Apr (AIE).

Autumn 2006 produced a record estimated total of 33 birds, with exceptional numbers at Baron's Haugh, where the first 1 on 2 July, then 2 on 8 July, 2 on 20-23 July, 1 on 27 July, 4 on 30‑31 July, 2 on 1-5 Aug, 7 on 12 Aug, 5 on 14-18 Aug, an unprecedented peak count of 9 on 19 Aug, 3 on 21-23 Aug, 1 from 2-5 Sep, 2 on 7 Sep, 2 on 19 Sep, 1 on 21 Sep, 3 there 23‑24 Sep, 2 on 25-27 Sep, 3 from 29‑30 Sep, 1 on 5-7 Oct, 3 from 13-30 Oct, 1 on 7 Nov (DA et al per BS, also GS,JJM et al), along River Clyde 3 at Cormiston Towers, and 1 at The Meetings on 15 July (JND,ADW), 2 at Douglas Estate middle pond on 16 July (MMcG,JTT), 3 on 30 July (per JSW,VW), 5 on 6 Aug (KS), 1 on 8 Aug (IF), 4 on 13 Aug, 1 on 17 Sep (KS), 1 at Carbarns Pool on 7 Aug (AIE), 2 on 15 Aug (GJB), 8 along River Clyde, Cormiston-The Meetings 12 Aug (ADW), 3 flew down River Clyde past Langholm Farm on 14 Aug (IF), 1 there on 12 Oct (JSW, VW), 2 along South Medwin Water at Ogscastle Bridge on 20 Aug (ADW), 2 at Garvald Quarry on 23 Aug (AMcA), 1 at Ballochruin Pool 21 Sep (per BT), 2 along River Clyde near Wolfclyde Bridge 15 Oct, and 1 along River Clyde by Quothquan Lodge on 15 Oct (ADW).

Winter reports (Nov-Dec) involved 2 at Baron's Haugh on 26 Nov, 1 at Carbarns Pool 26 Nov, 2 on 1-2 Dec (IF,DA), 1 at Merryton on 9-27 Dec (DA,AIE), and 1 along the River Clyde at Lamington on 9 Dec (IF).

 

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 *	477	1179	nc	1037	4	5	58	292	1014	897	754	838
West Ferry to Newark Castle	200	3	nc	220	0	0	79	18	660	400	164	123
Port Glasgow to Gourock Bay	11	12	nc	26	0	0	0	0	5	16	31	4
Dumbarton to Craigendoran	437	440	nc	676	0	0	31	95	113	262	279	369
Clyde Estuary Total	1199	1722	nc	1984	5	5	242	492	1915	1664	1267	1409

* (including Milton Island to Dumbarton Rock)

Other reports from the estuary included 331 at Woodhall on 8 Jan (DSF), and 300 at the Cart mouth roost on 19 Jan, 160 on 16 Feb (FH). Inland winter reports involved 1 Balgray Resr 1 Jan (JSW,VW), singles noted Merryton/Carbarns between 29 Jan-19 Feb (AIE), and very unusually, 1 on the White Cart Water at Pollok Country Park on 6 Feb (CRS).

Spring return/inland passage included 2 at Douglas Estate Ponds on 12 Mar, where 8 on 8 Apr, 8 on 14 May and 14 on 11 June, 2 at Douglas Water Pools on 12 Mar, 8 on 2 Apr, 4 on 8 Apr, 2 on 14 May, 6 on 11 June (KS,JJM), 11 at Ballochruin Pool on 25 Mar, 8 on 28 Mar, 10 on 2 Apr, 11 on 8 Apr, 10 on 14 Apr, 4 on 7 May (AKMcN), 1 Garvald Quarry 14-19 Mar (AMcA), 2 at Millichen Flood 2 Apr (AKMcN), 2 on Endrick Water at Drymen Bridge on 3 Apr (JTT), 9 at the Endrick Mouth on 10 Apr, 4 on 14 May, 3 on 12 June (DRMcC), 2 at Carbarns Pool 15 Apr, 1 on 1-13 May (AIE), and 5 at Newshot Island on 13 May (ECD).

Breeding reports

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Ballochruin Pool	1	AKM	Endrick M, Aber Bog	2	SNH	R Clyde at Lamington	1	J&VW
Biggar Moss	4	J&VW	Endrick M, Crom Mhin	1	SNH	South Medwin Pools	2	J&VW
Bridgend Farm Pool	2	KH	Endrick M, Ring Point	8	SNH	Twechar Marsh	1	PGC
Douglas Estate Ponds	2	KS	Loch Walton	1	AKM

Summary: 25 pairs reported from 11 'sites' in 2006. Other breeding season reports included a well-grown juv noted at Ballochruin Pool on 10 July (AKMcN).

Inland reports in autumn were of 9 at Ballochruin Pool on 18 June, 3 on 10 July (AKMcN), a juv at Gartloch Pool 13-18 July, again on 3-6 Aug (IPG), 6 at Douglas Estate Ponds on 16 July, 4 at Douglas Water Pools on 16 July (KS), 1 at Broadwood Loch on 19 Aug (NLRS), and 4 at Baron's Haugh on 19 Aug, 1 on 3 Sep (JCM). A winter bird was at Merryton on 9 Dec (AIE).

Clyde estuary reports included 120 at Newshot Island 15 Sep (JJS), 868 Erskine shore-Longhaugh Point 16 Sep, 660 Finlaystone Point-Woodhall 17 Sep, 88 Ardmore-Craigendoran 17 Sep (IPG) - giving a total of 1736 at these four sites 15-17 Sep (IPG,JJS), 248 at the Cart/Clyde confluence on 21 Nov (ECD), 300 at Newshot Island on 17 Dec (AJR), and 124 at Ardmore on 17 Dec (IPG).

 

Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola

Spring passage birds were 1 at Bridgend Farm Pool, Kirkintilloch from 26 Apr-1 May (per BS, ADW), and 1 at Baron's Haugh from 22-24 May (AGJ et al).

 

Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus

The wintering individual at Newshot Island was present until 24 Apr (ECD,ACMB et al).

Spotted Redshank

Autumn reports involved 2 birds: a juv in Robroyston Park LNR from 23 Aug-7 Sep (IPG,BZ), same bird also seen at Frankfield Loch 24-25 Aug (IF,IPG), and 1 on Erskine shore 7 Oct (ECD).

 

Greenshank Tringa nebularia

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 Erskine	0	2	nc	4	0	0	0	0	1	1	0	2
Erskine to West Ferry	0	0	nc	2	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	0
Langbank to Newark Castle	7	2	nc	0	0	0	9	0	10	0	5	8
Milton Island to Dumbarton Rock	0	0	nc	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Clyde Estuary Total	7	4	nc	7	0	0	11	2	13	1	5	10

Counts of the Finlaystone Point (Clyde estuary) flock

	15 JanW	23 Feb	8 Mar	25 July	17 Sep	18 Sep
Finlaystone Point	7	7	1	9	10	22
Auchendores Reservoir *	6	n/c	n/c	n/c	n/c	n/c
Total	13	7	1	9	10	22
Observers	GT,JGT	JGT	JGT	J&VW	IPG	DSF
	25 Sep	29 Sep	3 Nov	22 Nov	7 Dec	12 Dec
Finlaystone Point	9	9	7	5	9	6
Auchendores Reservoir *	n/c	n/c	n/c	n/c	n/c	n/c
Total	9	9	7	5	9	6
Observers	DSF	DSF	DSF	J&VW	JGT	DSF

*Inland high tide roost W WeBS count 1 possible duplication involved

Other winter-spring reports from the estuary were of 1 wintering at Newshot Island until at least 9 Apr, 2 there 24 Jan-1 Apr, 3 on 29 Mar, 4 from 9-12 Apr, still 1 from 14-24 Apr (ACMB,ECD et al), 1 Cardross Bay 9 Jan (AGG), 1 Woodhall 10 Feb (GJB), 1 Ardmore South Bay 9 Apr, 1 on 23 Apr (IPG,ANi), and 1 on the Erskine shore on 7 May (per JJM). The only inland spring passage report involved 1 at the Loch Ardinning SWT Reserve on 17 Apr (JTK).

Autumn-winter reports from Finlaystone Point included 9 on 25 July (JSW,VW), and a high peak count of 22 on 18 Sep (DSF). See table above. Other Clyde estuary reports in autumn involved 1 on the Erskine shore on 9 July (ECD), 1 in Ardmore North Bay 24 July-23 Sep (ANi et al), 1 on 7 Aug (GJB), 2 on 13 Aug (AKMcN) and 17 Aug (FH), 2 on 4 Sep (ANi), 1 on 11 Sep (GJB), 2 on 17 Sep (IPG) and 1-2 Oct (ADW,ANi), 1 at Newshot Island 4 Aug-11 Nov, 2 on 9 Sep and 5 Nov, 2 on 17 Dec (JJS,ACMB et al), and 6 at Woodhall on 15 Sep, 3 on 4 Dec, 1 on 6-26 Dec (DSF).

Inland autumn passage involved 1 along River Clyde at The Meetings 15 July (JND,ADW), 1 at Balgray Resr 29 July-15 Sep, 2 on 1-28 Aug (JSW,VW,SAW), 1 at Baron's Haugh on 1 Aug, 2 on 12 Aug, 3 on 14 Aug, 1 on 17-18 Aug (DA per BS et al), 2 there 19-23 Aug, 1 on 8 Nov (JCM, GS, DA per BS), 1 at Carbarns Pool on 7 Aug (DA), 2 on 15-17 Aug (GJB,ECD), 2 on 5-8 Sep (AIE), 2 at Douglas Estate 6-8 Aug (KS,IF), 2 on 17 Sep (KS), 1 at Robroyston Park LNR 23 Aug (BZ), 1 at Merryton on 10 Sep (AIE), and 1 at Douglas Water Pool on17 Sep (KS).

Winter reports away from Finlaystone Point were of 2 at Newshot Island on 5 Nov and 17 Dec (ACMB), and 1 at Baron's Haugh on 8 Nov (DA).

 

Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla

Winter-summer reports included 3 ads off Ardmore Point on 9 Apr (IPG), 1 S past Cloch Point at 1045 hrs on 27 May (MMcG,JTT), and 1 N and 2 S/2hrs past there on 21 June (IPG).

Autumn-winter reports included 1 N and 2 S/3hrs past Cloch Point 29 July, 3 N and 2 S/½hr on 26 Aug, 4 N and 15 S/1hr on 3 Sep, 35 S/¾hr on 24 Sep (IPG), 1 Newshot Island 4 Sep (AJR), and 9 feeding with Sandwich Terns at Kilcreggan-Rosneath Point on 17 Sep, 8 on 20 Sep, 10 on 22 Sep (IPG,ADW).

 

Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus

Winter-spring roost counts included 1700 Hogganfield Loch 13 Jan (GCC), and a pre-roost count of 17,000 Longhaugh Point-Dumbarton on 29 Jan (IPG). Other reports included 110 Tollcross Park 13 Jan (CRS), 556 Carbarns Pool 23 Jan (AIE), 270 Queen's Park Pond, Glasgow 9 Feb (JMcO), 681 W past Central Quay, River Clyde, Glasgow between 1640-1710 hrs on 3 Mar (DSF), 500 at Newshot Island on 5 Mar (AJR), 334 at Barr Loch on 8 Mar (RSPB), and 360 at Millichen Flood on 28 Mar (AKMcN).

Breeding summary (table overleaf): 1,580 pairs reported from nine colonies, an apparent decrease of 21% at colonies also counted in 2005 (marked with *), but slewed by a decrease of 55.5% at Cowgill Loch caused by destruction of habitat by the removal of sedge beds. Other breeding notes: (i) 10 on nests Gartloch Pools (south pool) 4 May, 11 on 10 May, gradually building to 23 occupied nests by 31 May when at least one brood hatched, 27 nests on 9 June, ca 50 young fledged by 13 July; second year of breeding at site (GCC), (ii) 100 juvs noted Carron Valley Reservoir 2 July (AKMcN).

Black-headed Gull breeding colony counts

Colony site	Pairs/nests	Obs	Colony site	Pairs/nests	Obs
Barscube Hill	49 nests	ADW	Douglas Water Pools *	2 nests	KS
Biggar Moss *	6 nests	J&VW	Gartloch Pool (South)	27 nests	GCC
Carron Valley Reservoir *	300 pairs	AKM	Garvald Quarry *	3 nests	AMcA
Cowgill Loch *	356 nests	J&VW	Harelaw Dam (island)	835 nests	J&VW
Douglas Estate Ponds *	2 pairs	KS	Woolfords	9 nests	JND

Post-breeding/autumn-winter reports included 200 aerial feeding (presumably on flying ants) at Arkleston on 25 July, 400 aerial feeding at Dumbarton on 25 July, 200 aerial feeding at Cardross on 25 July (DHMcE), 400 hawking flying ants off Langbank 25 July (DSF), counts of 1300 Milton Island 29 July, 1010 at Havoc on 29 July (MMcG,JTT), 2040 Finlaystone Point at low tide 1 Aug (JGT), 400 aerial feeding at Bowling on 20 Aug (DHMcE), a count of 1000 Milton Island 22 Aug (ECD), 1000 aerial feeding at Dumbarton 10 Sep (DHMcE), counts of 392 Carbarns Pool 22 Sep, 480 there 19 Nov (AIE), and 900 at Millichen Flood on 20 Dec (CRS). Roost counts were of 7,500 off Langbank on 30 Nov (DSF), and 750 at Hogganfield Loch on 18 Dec (GCC).

 

Little Gull Hydrocoloeus minutus

Reports involved an estimated ten individuals birds during the year, more than usual: an adult at Newshot Island on 29 Mar (AJR), a 2nd-summer bird on 15 Apr, an adult on 28 Apr (JJS), an adult feeding off Inverkip at 1655 hrs on 22 July (BZ,IPG et al), presumed same bird feeding in Lunderston Bay at 2100 hrs on 5 Aug (IPG) and 8 Aug (GJB), a 1st-summer bird at Ardmore Point on 23 July and 5 Aug (ANi), 2 adults S past Cloch Point at 1702 hrs on 29 July (IPG), an imm Cardross Bay 14 Aug (GJB), an adult Cardwell Bay 15 Aug (ADW), an adult off the west end of Greenock Esplanade at 1600 hrs on 9 Sep, the same or another bird there at 1800 hrs on 1 Oct (IPG), and 2 birds (ad and 1st-w) at Baron's Haugh on 11 Oct (JCM).

 

Mediterranean Gull Ichthyaetus melanocephalus

Reports were of a 2nd-s bird which flew upriver under Erskine Bridge on 8 Aug (AJR), two 1st-w birds at Carbarns Pool on 7 Oct (DA per BS), a 1st-w bird nearby at Lower Carbarns Farm on 8 Oct (AIE), a 1st-w bird at Carbarns Pool at 1230 hrs on 17 Oct (DA), a 1st-w bird at Garnqueen Loch 9 Nov-18 Dec (IPG), and an adult at Newshot Island on 26 Nov (AJR).

 

Common Gull Larus canus

Winter-spring reports involved 130 at Garvald Quarry on 24 Jan (AMcA), 125 at Kirklandneuk Park, Renfrew on 6 Feb (ECD), a poor spring passage noted with max 100 at Rossbank Farm, Arden 4 Mar (DHMcE), 260 Ardmore North Bay 21 Mar (AKMcN), 70 Endrick Water at Drymen Bridge 3 Apr (JTT), and 430 at Ballochruin Pool on 14 Apr (AKMcN).

Breeding colony counts

Colony site	Pairs/nests	Obs	Colony site	Pairs/nests	Obs
Bennan Loch	2 nests	J&VW	L Lomond, Firkin	4 pairs	DHMcE
Bowling Oil Terminal	2 nests	J&VW	L Lomond, Inchcailloch	15 prs	AKM
Camps Reservoir	14 nests	J&VW	L Lomond, Inverbeg	4 pairs	DHMcE
Daff Reservoir	3 nests	IPG	Loch Thom (island)	18 nests	IPG
Harelaw Dam	1 nest	J&VW	Lochcraig Reservoir tower	3 nests	J&VW
Kaim Dam	2 nests	GB	Midross Golf Course	1 pair	SL

Summary: 69 pairs reported at 12 colonies in 2006, with yet again no report from the most important site at Coulport MoD base (ed.). Other notes included: (i) 80 ads present on the Loch Thom island 16 Apr, but only 18 occupied nests 20 May, no young evident and 8 still on nests 26 June (IPG), (ii) 5 large juvs noted on Inchcailloch on 2 July (AKMcN).

Autumn-winter reports included 470 in Ardmore North Bay on 13 Aug (AKMcN), 380 Barscube Hill 17 Aug (DSF), 600 at roost on Barcraigs Resr on 20 Aug, 580 feeding in grass field east of Auchendores Resr 16-17 Sep (IPG), 300 Thankerton 15 Oct (JND,ADW), and 230 feeding in a field spread with slurry at High Burnside, Johnstone on 26 Nov (IPG).

 

Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus

Winter-spring reports included 1 at Carbarns Pool 5-11 Jan, 6 on 14 Jan, 7 on 28 Feb, 3 on 20 Apr (AIE), 2 at Baron's Haugh on 5 Jan, 1 at Mugdock Country Park on 6 Jan (AKMcN), 5 at Tower Farm Pond 11 Mar (JND,ADW), 1 at Caplaw Dam on 14 Jan (IPG), 20 at Strathclyde Loch on 21 Jan (JMcO), and 2 at Barr Loch on 6 Feb, 5 on 2 Apr (RSPB).

Breeding reports were of only 5 occupied nests on the Loch Thom island on 20 May, 3 failed pairs and 2 pairs with well-grown b/1 and b/2 on 26-27 June (IPG), and a pair with nest at Bowling (former) oil terminal, but failed (JSW,VW).

Autumn-winter reports included 6 at the Endrick Mouth on 10 Sep (AKMcN), and 8 at the South Medwin Pools on 12 Oct (JSW,VW).

 

Glaucous Gull Larus hyperboreus

Very unusually, none reported in 2006.

 

Iceland Gull Larus glaucoides

Scarcer than usual in 2006. Winter-spring reports involved a 2nd-winter bird at Hogganfield Loch intermittently from 8 Dec 2005 until 13 Apr 2006 (initially identified as 1st-w, then misidentified by two observers as a 1st-w Glaucous Gull due to large size and 'two-tone' bill, before realisation that it was a dark 2nd-w Iceland Gull when it began to moult and grow adult mantle feathers in March), same bird seen nearby on amenity grass beside Gartloch Road on 24 Feb and 13 Apr, and at Bishop Loch on 17 Mar (GCC et al), also an adult at Heritage Park, East Kilbride on 17 Feb (JJM), an adult at Greengairs landfill site on 10 Mar (JJS), and a 2nd-w bird at Boglestone Road, Rutherglen on 11 Mar (JMcO). The only autumn-winter report was of an adult at the Strathclyde Loch gull roost on 3 Dec (KC,JJS).

 

Herring Gull Larus argentatus

Winter-spring reports involved 2900 at the Cathkin Landfill on 8 Jan, 3800 on 16 Jan, 5300 on 20 Jan, only 900 on 27 Jan, 230 on 3 Feb (GCC), and 2000 at a pre-roost gathering off Ardmore Point on 14 Jan (DHMcE).

Breeding colony counts

Colony site	Pairs/nests	Obs	Colony site	Pairs/nests	Obs
Glasgow, SECC	1 nest	JJM	Loch Thom (island)	16 nests	IPG

Remains under-recorded. Other notes included: (i) an active colony, but uncounted at Devol Industrial Estate, Port Glasgow (ADW).

 

Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus

Wintering reports included 240 at roost Balgray Resr on 13 Jan (JJS), 1 at Castle Semple Loch on 2 Jan (RSPB), 6 at Carbarns Pool on 11 Jan (AIE), 8 at Tollcross Park, Glasgow on 13 Jan (CRS), and 11 at Queen's Park Pond, Glasgow on 17 Jan (JMcO).

Spring return included 1 at Aird Meadow on 17 Feb, 58 at Barr Loch on 8 Mar (RSPB), and 28 at Carbarns Pool 21 Feb, 91 on 17 Mar (AIE). Spring-summer counts included 350 at Auchenheath on 1 Apr (JND,ADW), 150 at Queen's Park Pond on 18 Apr (JMcO), and 600 at Dumbuck on 17 May (DHMcE).

Breeding colony counts

Colony site	Pairs/nests	Obs	Colony site	Pairs/nests	Obs
Glasgow, SECC	7	JJM	Hogganfield B&Q (former)	40	IPG
Dumbarton bonded warehouses	70	IPG	Port Glasgow, Ferguson's yard	1	ADW
Dumbuck warehouses	300	DHMcE

Summary: In a continued low level of reporting, 418 pairs reported at five sites in 2006. Other breeding notes included: (i) an active colony, but uncounted, at Devol Industrial Estate, Port Glasgow (ADW); (ii) 350 young noted at Dumbuck foreshore 16 July, suggesting a good breeding season (JSW,VW).

Autumn counts included 304 at Craigmaddie Resr on 19 Sep (AKMcN), and 55 at Thankerton on 15 Oct (JND,ADW). Winter reports included an exceptional 930 still at the Balgray Resr roost on 2 Dec (JJS).

 

Sandwich Tern Thalasseus sandvicensis

Spring-summer reports included 4 at Ardmore Point 16 Apr (ANi), 15 on 24 Apr (AKMcN), 11 on 19 June (FL), 4 in Cove Bay 18 Apr (DL), 7 off Port Glasgow 20 Apr (DSF), 1 East India Harbour 22 Apr, 1 Inchgreen 22 Apr (ADW), 1 at West Ferry on 22 Apr (IPG), 2 Newshot Island 3 May (AJR), 10 fishing off Kempock Point 7 May (IPG), and 3 at Erskine shore on 7 May (GJB). Inland, one was at Baron's Haugh on the rather early date (for overland passage) of 8 June (JCM).

Autumn movements at Cloch Point involved 3 S/3hrs on 29 July (IPG), 23 N and 31 S 1545-1845 hrs on 5 Aug (FG), 31 N and 37 S 1500-1700 hrs on 17 Aug (IPG), 20 feeding offshore on 21 Aug (MMcG), 6 S/½hr on 26 Aug, 5 N and 7 S/1hr on 3 Sep (IPG), a fishing flock of 51 on 9 Sep (FG), and 7 on 14 Sep (MMcG). Other coastal reports in autumn involved 8 Ardmore North Bay 16 July (IPG), 26 on 29 July (MMcG,JTT), 50 on 3 Aug (ANi), 70 on 7 Aug (AKMcN), 70 on 16 Aug, 100 on 20 Aug (HS), 5 on 21 Sep (FL), 38 on 22 Sep (AKMcN), an adult with a juv at Bowling 16 July (JSW,VW), 8 feeding off S side Ardmore Point 22 July, 12 Cardwell Bay 5 Aug (IPG), 40 there on 15 Aug (ADW), 8 at Newshot Island on 16 Aug, 4 on 15 Sep (AJR), 12 off Port Glasgow 17 Aug (DSF), 51 feeding off Ironotter Point 17 Aug, 7 E and 12 W past there in one hour on 1 Sep (IPG), 42 in Lunderston Bay 25 Aug (FG), 112 feeding Kilcreggan-Rosneath Point (viewed from Greenock) on 26 Aug, 49 on 2 Sep (IPG), 70 on 10 Sep (ADW), 99 on 12 Sep, 56 on 17 Sep (IPG), 45 on 22 Sep (ADW), 40 S/1½hrs past Inverkip 2 Sep, 21 W past Longhaugh Point at 1715 hrs on 16 Sep (IPG), 66 Ardmore Point-Kilcreggan (viewed from Greenock) on 23 Sep, and 42 Kilcreggan-Rosneath Point on 24 Sep (IPG), 15 on 8 Oct (ADW).

Inland were 2 over Hamilton on 8 Aug (JCM), 2 over Aird Meadow on 19 Aug (RSPB), a juv fishing at Hogganfield Loch on 19 Sep (JJM), and 2 at Balgray Resr on 22 Sep (SAW).

The latest autumn reports were of 2 Ardmore Point 1-3 Oct (ADW,ANi et al), 1 on 12 Oct (ANi), 15 still at Kilcreggan on 8 Oct, 1 off Whiteforeland Point, Greenock 10 Oct (ADW), 1 Ardmore Point 16 Oct (HS), and 2 exceptionally late birds off Greenock Esplanade on 22 Oct (ADW), possibly same birds as 2 at Ardmore North Bay on the same day (JBB).

 

Common Tern Sterna hirundo

Spring-summer reports involved 1 off Port Glasgow 21 Apr, 1 off Langbank 25 Apr, 2 on 27 Apr, 1 off West Ferry 5 May (DSF), 6 fishing off Kempock Point 7 May (IPG), 10 Ardmore Point 22-23 May, 1 on 4 June (ANi,FL), 1 on 12 June (AKMcN), 8 Newshot Island 17 May, 10 on 21 May (AJR), 20 Longhaugh Point 23 May, 1 fishing Bowling Harbour 9 June, 12 June and 28 June (DHMcE), and 2 at Erskine shore on 17 June (FH).

Breeding again occurred on pier blocks at the former Bowling oil terminal, with 28 birds present on 7 May (ADW), 24 on 14 May, 37 active nests and 52 birds on 11 June (JSW,VW), 100 there on 29 July (MMcG,JTT), and 20 still present on 22 Aug (ECD). Difficulty in accessing the site prevented an assessment of breeding success (ed.).

Autumn reports were of 10 at Newshot Island on 10 July, 4 on 21 July, 3 on 30 July, 4 on 16 Aug (AJR), 1 at Ardmore Point on 14 July (GJB), 2 on 16 July, (IPG), 3 on 17 July (AKMcN), 13 on 29 July (MMcG), 56 on 30 July (AKMcN), 30 on 3 Aug (ANi), 47 on 7 Aug (AKMcN), 40 on 12 Aug (JDo), 29 on 13 Aug (AKMcN), 26 on 21 Aug (AKMcN), 1 on 25 Aug (GJB), 4 juvs on 28 Aug (AKMcN), 2 on 7 Sep (ANi), 1 juv on 22 Sep (AKMcN), 2 on 26 Sep (FL), 6 off Langbank on 15 Aug, 23 off West Ferry 17 Aug, 1 off Kelburn Park, Port Glasgow 18 Aug (DSF), 5 past Cloch Point 18 Aug (MMcG), 24 off Ironotter Point on 11 Sep (GMi), 1 off Colgrain on 6 Sep and 9 Sep (DHMcE), and 1 at Longhaugh Point on 16 Sep (IPG).

 

Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea

Spring-summer reports were of 10 W past Kempock Point at 2030 hrs on 20 May (IPG), and 1 in Ardmore North Bay on 21 May (ANi).

Autumn reports involved 1 at Ardmore Point on 3 July, 7 on 29 July (MMcG,JTT), 1 on 7 Aug and 28 Aug (GJB), 26 adults S past Cloch Point between 1700-2000 hrs on 29 July (IPG), and 2 in Loch Long on 12 Oct (JGS).

Common/Arctic Tern Sterna hirundo/paradisaea

Unidentified 'commic' terns were 3 juvs off Greenock Esplanade on 20 Aug (IPG). A single bird inland at Aird Meadow on 21 Sep was reported as Common (anon. per RSPB), but more likely to have been an Arctic Tern inland on such a late date (ed.).

 

Great Skua Stercorarius skua

One flew S past Cloch Point at 1655 hrs on 8 July, and one flew S past Inverkip at 1700 hrs on 10 Sep (IPG).

 

Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus

Spring reports involved a light morph bird chasing Sandwich Terns in Ardmore North Bay on 26 May, and a light morph (same bird?) N past Cloch Point at 1715 hrs on 27 May (IPG).

Autumn reports produced up to 27 birds, an exceptional year: a dark morph S past Lunderston Bay at 1700 hrs on 22 July (KS,IPG et al), 6 dark morphs between Ardmore Point and Captyannis at 0940 hrs and another dark morph soon afterwards off Kilcreggan on 19 Aug (JTT,BZ et al), 3 (2 light ads, 1 juv) chasing Sandwich Terns there 1730-1800 hrs, then 2 light ads E at 1840 hrs and 3 dark ads W at 1855 hrs past Ironotter Point 31 Aug, a dark ad chasing terns off Inverkip 1655-1725 hrs then flying S on 2 Sep (IPG), 4 (including 3 light morphs) past Cloch Point 9 Sep (FG), 2 dark juvs S past there at 1607 hrs on 22 Sep (IPG), 3 dark morphs S past Inverkip at 1715 hrs on 10 Sep (IPG), a dark morph chasing Sandwich Terns off Kilcreggan-Rosneath Point at 1720 hrs on 10 Sep (ADW), 2 on 12 Sep (GJB), a dark morph there again at 1800 hrs on 17 Sep (IPG), one at 1300 hrs on 22 Sep (ADW) and 1800 hrs on 24 Sep (AB,IPG), possibly same bird W past Greenock Esplanade at 1635 hrs on 22 Sep, and a dark morph S past Wemyss Point at 1530 hrs on 22 Sep (IPG).

Inland, 2 dark morphs landed on Dunwan Dam at 1100 hrs on 17 Sep (JFD).

 

Little Auk Alle alle

One was seen feeding off Cloch Point on 12 Dec (DLC).

 

Common Guillemot Uria aalge

Winter-summer reports included 78 off East India Harbour-Greenock Esplanade on 9 Apr (IPG), 1 off West Ferry 30 Apr (ADW), a total of 686 Gourock-Wemyss Point, including 584 fishing off Kempock Point on 7 May, and 7 N and 19 S/2hrs past Cloch Point after SW gale 21 June (IPG).

Autumn reports included a build-up of failed breeders and/or moulting birds to 62 off Cloch Point on 2 July, 4 N and 53 S/1hr on 7 July, 18 N and 7 S/1hr on 8 July, 16 N and 67 S/1½hrs on 9 July, 5 N and 37 S/2hrs on 12 July, 129 off Greenock Esplanade 2 July, 426 on 21 July, ca 400 on 17 Aug, 271 on 17 Sep, 177 on 1 Oct, ca 400 Cloch Point-Wemyss Bay 21 July (IPG), a record WeBS count of 2,914 on the Clyde estuary on 17 Sep (per JSW,VW), including a massive count of 1,863 Cloch Point-Wemyss Bay, 1,660 of these Inverkip-Wemyss Bay on 17 Sep, decreasing sharply to 392 including 226 Inverkip-Wemyss Bay only five days later on 22 Sep, 50 off Kempock Point on 17 Sep, and 790 Kempock Point-Wemyss Bay, including 310 off Wemyss Point, on 1 Oct (IPG).

Numbers of Guillemots were 'wrecked', many dying of starvation and others inland, during mid-Sep: 14 at Newshot Island 8 Sep, 8 on 15 Sep (AJR), 2 Endrick Mouth 10 Sep (AKMcN), 14 dead on R Clyde in Glasgow city centre 11 Sep (GCC), 7 dead on Helensburgh shoreline 12 Sep, 1 in a Garelochhead garden 12 Sep (AMcI), 1 Baron's Haugh 15 Sep (JCM), 9 Bowling Harbour-Longhaugh Point on 16 Sep (IPG), 1 Balgray Resr 18 Sep (JCh), 22 on Loch Lomond between Balloch and Duck Bay on 19 Sep (ADW), 3 on R Clyde at Richmond Park 20 Sep (GCC), 1 on R Clyde at Carbarns Pool 22 Sep (AIE), 15 dead on the Garelochhead shoreline 22 Sep (AMcI), 2 Ardlui 25 Sep, 1 Inverbeg 25 Sep (FH), 1 Balmaha Bay 25 Sep (AKMcN), 1 Duck Bay 26 Sep, 1 Balloch 26 Sep (ADW), 1 on 30 Oct (GJB), and 1 at Waulkmill Glen Resr 1-2 Oct (IAM).

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

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Guillemot	17	131	nc	323	695	3	1020	986	2914	60	29	93
Razorbill	2	4	nc	22	9	0	4	31	84	8	2	1
Black Guillemot	8	51	nc	80	87	41	98	36	62	11	8	20

 

Razorbill Alca torda

See WeBS table above. Winter-spring reports involved 24 with larger nos of Guillemots off Kempock Point 30 Apr, still at least 8 on 7 May (IPG), 1 at the Rhu Narrows on 6 May (MMcG, JTT), and 1 at McInroy's Point on 13 May (JTT).

Autumn-winter reports were of 2 N past Cloch Point on 29 July (IPG), an unusually large flock, especially for the time of year, of 23 off Cloch Point on 1 Aug (FG), 2 with 21 Guillemots there on 17 Aug (IPG), 1 off Woodhall 11 Sep, 3 on 22 Sep, 2 on 5 Dec, 1 on 8 Dec (DSF), 1 off Battery Park, Greenock on 12 Sep (GJB), 3 off Longhaugh Point 16 Sep, 24 Ardmore North Bay 17 Sep (IPG), 1 on 8 Sep (GJB), 1 West Ferry 21 Sep, 4 on 22 Sep, 1 on 27 Sep, 2 on 29 Sep (IPG,DSF), 2 off Port Glasgow 22 Sep (DSF), 3 Lunderston Bay 30 Sep (FG), 1 off Ardmore Point 8 Oct, and 11 off East India Harbour on 29 Oct (IPG). During a 'wreck' of Guillemots, a juv was at Newshot Island on 15 Sep (AJR), one was on Loch Lomond in Duck Bay on 26 Sep (ADW), and later a 1st-w bird was in Glasgow City Centre on the River Clyde at Springfield Quay on 23 Oct (JJM).

 

Black Guillemot Cepphus grylle

See WeBS table under Guillemot. Winter-spring reports included 11 off Newark Castle on 1 Feb, 13 on 17 Feb, 25 on 10 Apr, 12 at Port Glasgow on 17 Feb, 27 on 20 Apr, 10 off East India Harbour, Greenock on 19 Feb, 23 on 20 Apr (DSF), 60 between Port Glasgow and Greenock Esplanade on 9 Apr (IPG), and an early morning census of 44 along Greenock waterfront on 22 Apr (ADW).

Breeding reports

Site	Nests/Pairs	Obs	Site	Nests/Pairs	Obs
Gourock, Kempock Point	1 nest	J&VW	Greenock, James Watt Dock	1 pair	ADW
Greenock, Clydeport	2 nests	J&VW	Greenock, Ocean Terminal	1 pair	ADW
Greenock, East India Harbour	6 pairs	ADW	Greenock, Victoria Harbour	5 pairs	ADW
Greenock, Great Harbour	4 nests	IPG et al	Inverkip Power Station	3 nests	IPG
Greenock, Inchgreen	6 pairs	ADW

Summary: 10 nests reported at 4 sites in 2006 (observers in table), and an additional 19 potential breeding pairs in an early morning census on 22 Apr (ADW).

Other breeding notes included: (i) 19 adults off Greenock Esplanade on 2 July and 21 July; (ii) 35 adults Great Harbour-Greenock Esplanade on 22 July including birds carrying fish to at least 4 nests in and around Great Harbour; and (iii) at least 6 adults carrying fish N past Wemyss Point (towards Inverkip power station) on evening of 5 Aug (IPG).

Autumn counts included 19 (all adults) off Ardmore Point 16 July, 35 (all adults) Great Harbour-Greenock Esplanade 22 July (IPG), 39 off Ocean Terminal, Greenock on 15 Aug (ADW), and at least 32 Cloch Point-Wemyss Bay on 1 Oct (IPG).

 

Puffin Fratercula arctica

Two flew W past East India Harbour, Greenock on 20 Apr (DSF).

 

Red-throated Diver Gavia stellata

Winter-spring reports from the Clyde estuary included 8 off Custom House Quay, Greenock on 1 Jan, 2 Lunderston Bay 1 Jan, 11 Langbank-Longhaugh Point 3 Jan, 29 off Ardmore Point on 14 Jan (ADW), 33 on 28 Jan (AGG), 61 on 1 Apr, 77 on 9 Apr, 72 on 21 Apr, max count of 102 (mostly imms) on 14 May (IPG), 4 on 22 May, 1 on 28 May (ANi), 36 Newark Castle-Port Glasgow 17 Feb, 35 off East India Harbour, Greenock 19 Feb, 24 on 2 Mar, 40 on 20 Apr, 6 off Kilcreggan 19 Feb, 12 off Scott Lithgow, Port Glasgow 19 Feb, 6 on 20 Apr, 5 off Kelburn Park, Port Glasgow 20 Apr (DSF), 4 on 29 Apr (ADW), 10 off West Ferry 21 Apr, 2 on 5 May (DSF), 3 feeding in channel of River Clyde at low tide Dumbuck 22-23 Apr (IPG), 5 Gare Loch 6 May (MMcG), 1 feeding amongst large flock of auks off Kempock Point 7 May (IPG), and 1 at Wemyss Bay on 27 May (MMcG).

Clyde Estuary counts (WeBS per JSW,VW) The spring build-up on the Clyde estuary consists mainly of immature birds in non-breeding plumage (ed.).

	Jan	Feb	Mar†	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Erskine-West Ferry *	2	5	nc	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	1
Langbank-Newark Castle	0	0	nc	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	5	0
Newark Castle-Gourock Bay	2	1	nc	70	23	0	0	0	0	3	5	5
Kempock Point-Wemyss Bay	0	0	nc	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3
Dumbarton-Cardross	2	2	nc	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	1
Cardross-Craigendoran Pier	29	29	nc	77	102	1	1	0	11	29	8	31
Craigendoran Pier-Rhu Point	0	4	nc	1	4	0	0	1	4	1	1	0
Rhu Point-Rosneath	0	0	nc	3	1	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
Rosneath-Kilcreggan	2	8	nc	40	2	0	0	0	0	2	1	5
Kilcreggan-Coulport	1	3	nc	7	3	0	3	1	0	0	3	0
Clyde Estuary Total	37	51	nc	202	135	1	4	2	15	36	26	45

* including Milton Island to Dumbarton Rock

† March count called off due to heavy snowfall

Reports of spring movements past Cloch Point involved 1 adult S at 1612 hrs on 7 May, single adults S at 1922 hrs, 1932 hrs and 2000 hrs on 19 May, 2 S and 1 N at 2032 hrs on 24 May, and 1 adult S at 1634 hrs on 21 June (IPG).

Red-throated Diver counts from Ardmore Point and Greenock in 2006

	14 JanW	12 FebW	1 Apr	9 AprW	14 MayW	11 JuneW	16 JulyW
Ardmore Point	29	29	61	77	102	1	1
Greenock-Port Glasgow	2	3	nc	70	23	0	0
Clyde Estuary total *	37	51	61	202	135	1	4
Ardmore observer	IPG	IPG	IPG	IPG	IPG	IPG	IPG
	13 AugW	17 Sep	W 1 Oct	8 OctW	19 NovW	5 Dec	17 DecW
Ardmore Point	0	11	47	29	8	nc	31
Greenock-Port Glasgow	0	0	15	3	5	47	5
Clyde Estuary total *	2	15	64	36	26	47	45
Ardmore observer	AKMcN	IPG	ADW	IPG	IPG	DSF	IPG

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

w WeBS count date

Breeding:

Site A (Renfrewshire) Pair present 6 Apr (MMcG); no birds 19 Apr (IPG); one heard 3 May, pair on 15 May (per SL); pair present, one bird sitting on loch shore 23 June (IPG); not present 24 June (per SL) or on 9 July (IPG).

Site C (West Stirlingshire) Pair with nest on island 23 May, and with b/1 small young on 21 June (IF et al).

Site F (West Stirlingshire) Pair present 13 July (DJC).

Autumn-winter reports of birds passing Cloch Point involved 1 N on 20 July, 1 S at 1800 hrs on 5 Aug (FG,IPG), 2 S at 1830 hrs on 9 Sep (FG), and 1 S at 1645 hrs on 17 Sep (IPG).

Other autumn-winter reports on the Clyde estuary included 1 fishing off Cloch Point 14 July, 3 on 24 Sep, 1 on 3 Dec, 1 off Greenock Esplanade 14 July, 1 off Ardmore Point 16 July, 2 on 19 Aug, 11 on 17 Sep (IPG,ADW et al), max autumn count 47 on 1 Oct (ADW), 43 on 16 Oct (AKMcN), 31 on 17 Dec (IPG), 2 S past Inverkip on 19 Aug (MMcG), 1 N at 1745 hrs on 2 Sep, 1 S at 1735 hrs on 17 Sep, 1 off Great Harbour, Greenock 22 July (IPG), 6 off Scott Lithgow, Port Glasgow 11 Sep, 10 on 22 Sep, max 47 on 5 Dec, 46 on 6 Dec, 34 on 7 Dec, 29 on 8 Dec (DSF), 13 on 24 Dec (IPG), 1 W past Kempock Point at 1330 hrs on 22 Sep, 12 off Greenock on 25 Sep (ADW), 15 on 1 Oct, 26 on 29 Oct (IPG), 3 in Lunderston Bay 24 Sep (ADW), 2 on 1 Oct (IPG), 3 on 17 Dec (FG), 2 still in breeding plumage Wemyss Bay 24 Sep (AB,IPG), 1 at Longhaugh Point on 26 Sep (ADW), and 2 in Cove Bay on 14 Oct (JTT).

Inland autumn-winter reports involved 1 at Camps Resr 9 Oct (LMcB), 1 Hogganfield Loch 5 Nov (PA), 1 Ryat Linn Resr 28 Nov (BG), and 1 at Lochgoin Resr on 17 Dec (JFD).

Selected counts of divers and grebes at Ardmore Point in 2006

	14 Jan	12 Feb	1 Apr	9 Apr	14 May	26 May	11 June
Red-throated Diver	29	29	61	77	102	15	1
Great Crested Grebe	63	81	n/r	14	7	17	8
Slavonian Grebe	24	33	12	22	0	0	0
Observer	ADW	IPG	IPG	IPG	IPG	IPG	IPG
	16 July	13 Aug	17 Sep	1 Oct	8 Oct ‡	19 Nov †	17 Dec
Red-throated Diver	1	0	11	47	29	8	31
Great Crested Grebe	71	113	90	91	33	36	79
Slavonian Grebe	0	0	3	7	0	3	4
Observer	IPG	AKMcN	IPG	ADW	IPG	IPG	IPG

† = not ideal count conditions ‡ = poor count conditions (rough water)

 

Black-throated Diver Gavia arctica

No winter-spring reports on the Clyde estuary.

Breeding: Site A (W Stir) a pair on 26 Apr and 3 May, ♀ incubating 17 May, 2 small chicks on 3 June, both chicks fully grown and still being fed by adults on 17 July (DJC et al); this was the first success at the site since 1995, and prior to that 1985 (ed.).

An autumn-winter report involved a 1st-winter bird inland on Walton Dam 12-15 Dec (WM,JSW, VW et al), and relocated on nearby Glanderston Dam 18-31 Dec (IAM,IF et al).

 

Great Northern Diver Gavia immer

Autumn-winter reports involved an immature bird off Ardmore Point 20-29 Oct (ANi,JBB et al), and one off the west side of Ardmore Point on 9 Dec (ANi), 17 Dec (IPG) and 23 Dec (ANi).

 

Leach's Petrel Oceanodroma leucorhoa

One was observed at Ardmore Point, foraging close to the shore on the south side, during late afternoon on 4 Dec (ANi). This followed SSW gales over the previous 24 hours (ed.).

 

Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis

Reports, all at Cloch Point, were of 1 S during one hour 1945-2045 hrs on 24 May (IPG), 1 S at 1055 hrs on 27 May (MMcG,JTT), and a record Clyde count of 2 N and 13 S between 1600 hrs and 1800 hrs during strong SW winds on 21 June (IPG).

 

From 2007 report

10 past Wemyss Bay in five minutes 1000-1005 hrs on 24 May 2006 (ADW).

 

Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus

Counts at Cloch Point in 2006

Date	21 June	29 June	6 July	7 July	8 July	9 July	9 July	9 July
Time	1600-1800	n/r	n/r	2000-2100	1645-1745	1630-1800	1st count	2nd count
Wind	SW 7	n/r	n/r	SW 3	S 5	SW 3	n/r	n/r
Birds N	37	4	32	20	30	62	10	71
Birds S	88	1	201	126	267	174	22	83
Observer	IPG	FG	FG	IPG	IPG	IPG	FG	FG
Date	10 July	10 July	13 July	12 July	13 July	14 July	17 July	17 July
Time	n/r	1925-1955	n/r	1730-1930	2040-2110	1930-2030	n/r	1500-1700
Wind	n/r	n/r	n/r	SW 3	n/r	SW 3	n/r	S 3
Birds N	40	60	390	184	55	12	21	61
Birds S	63	89	63	32	59	26	20	162
Observer	FG	MMcG	FG	IPG	MMcG	IPG	FG	IPG
Date	20 July*	29 July	30 July	31 July	1 Aug	5 Aug	6 Aug	7 Aug
Time	n/r	1700-2000	n/r	n/r	n/r	n/r	n/r	1905-1935
Wind	n/r	SW 3	n/r	n/r	n/r	n/r	n/r	n/r
Birds N	95	744	53	81	227	106	34	6
Birds S	81	997	18	65	104	150	39	12
Observer	FG	IPG	FG	FG	FG	FG	FG	MMcG
Date	9 Aug	10 Aug	11 Aug	17 Aug	18 Aug	20 Aug	21 Aug	24 Aug
Time	1555-1625	1850-1950	1800-1900	1500-1700	1610-1640	1530-1630	1920-1950	2000-2030
Wind	n/r	n/r	W 2-3	N 1	n/r	W 3	n/r	n/r
Birds N	7	37	9	288	2	7	135	1
Birds S	12	35	0	81	2	45	179	37
Observer	MMcG	MMcG	FG	IPG	MMcG	IPG	MMcG	MMcG
Date	24 Aug	26 Aug	30 Aug	1 Sep	3 Sep	4 Sep	7 Sep	9 Sep
Time	n/r	1630-1700	1855-1925	n/r	1730-1830	n/r	n/r	n/r
Wind	n/r	SW 2	n/r	n/r	SW 5	n/r	n/r	n/r
Birds N	59	1	4	43	2	6	0	8
Birds S	9	3	37	18	4	28	5	40
Observer	FG	IPG	MMcG	FG	IPG	FG	FG	FG
Date	10 Sep	12 Sep	14 Sep	19 Sep
Time	n/r	n/r	1710-1740	n/r
Wind	n/r	n/r	n/r	n/r
Birds N	2	0	1	40
Birds S	18	18	4	9
Observer	FG	FG	MMcG	FG

Counts of Manx Shearwater at Ironotter Point and Inverkip 2006

Ironotter Point Inverkip

Date	31 Aug	1 Sep	Date	2 Sep	10 Sep
Time	1800-1900	1730-1830	Time	1830-1930	1700-1800
Wind	W 3	NW 3	Wind	NE 2	SE 2
Birds E	268	33	Birds N	154	100
Birds W	275	81	Birds S	55	46
Observer	IPG	IPG	Observer	IPG	IPG

Other reports were of 14 flying up river past Cardross Bay on 8 July (AGG), 18 W past Greenock Esplanade 2055-2110 hrs 14 July, 735 in feeding flocks Cloch Point-Wemyss Point 2000-2030 hrs 20 July (IPG), 229 in three feeding flocks off Cloch Point 20 July (FG), 120 in feeding flock only 250 metres offshore 21 July (IPG), 1,250 counted from boat Greenock- Wemyss Bay 0930-1000 hrs 22 July (IPG et al), 42 feeding with gull flock off west end Greenock Esplanade at 2030 hrs on 29 July, 180 at 2130 hrs on 5 Aug, 397 feeding off Greenock Esplanade at 1800 hrs on 17 Aug, at least 82 feeding Greenock Esplanade-Custom House Quay at 1730 hrs on 20 Aug (IPG), 6 off Ardmore Point 21 Aug (AKMcN), 1 Loch Long 26 Aug (JTT), 2 off Kilcreggan 2 Sep (ADW), 105 off Wemyss Point on 16 Sep (FG), 164 on 17 Sep, and a late 1 W past Greenock Esplanade at 1648 hrs on 22 Sep (IPG).

 

Gannet Morus bassanus

During the first half of the year reports included 3 Lunderston Bay 31 Mar (FG), 3 off East India Harbour, Greenock 20 Apr (DSF), 3 Inchgreen 22 Apr (ADW), 1 off Ardmore Point 23 Apr (ANi), and 29 fishing off Kempock Point on 30 Apr, 44 on 7 May (IPG).

Counts of birds passing Cloch Point included 26 first-summer and 2 second-summer imms amongst the large numbers seen (see table below) during a SW gale on 21 June (IPG).

Systematic observations of Gannets passing Cloch Point and Wemyss Point (by FG, IPG et al), are presented in the following tables.

Gannet counts at Cloch Point in 2006

Date	19 May	21 June	21 June	6 July	7 July	8 July	9 July	9 July
Time	1915-2015	1600-1800	n/r	1830-1930	2000-2100	1645-1745	1630-1800	Part 1
Wind	SW 3	SW 7	n/r	n/r	SW 3	S 5	SW 3	n/r
Birds N	8	8	31	7	39	7	41	14
Birds S	18	193	53	46	25	36	11	29
Observer	IPG	IPG	FG	FG	IPG	IPG	IPG	FG
Date	9 July	10 July	12 July	13 July	14 July	17 July	20 July	29 July
Time	Part 2	1925-1955	1730-1930	n/r	1930-2030	1500-1700	n/r	1700-2000
Wind	n/r	n/r	SW 3	n/r	SW 3	S 3	n/r	SW 3
Birds N	8	17	16	16	3	23	27	235
Birds S	18	12	4	21	8	65	31	186
Observer	FG	MMcG	IPG	FG	IPG	IPG	FG	IPG
Date	30 July	31 July	7 Aug	9 Aug	10 Aug	14 Aug	17 Aug	18 Aug
Time	n/r	n/r	1905-1935	1555-1625	1850-1950	1930-2000	1500-1700	1610-1640
Wind	n/r	n/r	n/r	n/r	n/r	n/r	N 1	n/r
Birds N	92	16	16	16	74	15	36	22
Birds S	51	70	8	24	63	33	24	1
Observer	FG	FG	MMcG	MMcG	MMcG	MMcG	IPG	MMcG
Date	20 Aug	21 Aug	24 Aug	26 Aug	30 Aug	1 Sep	3 Sep	4 Sep
Time	1530-1630	1920-1950	2000-2030	1630-1700	1855-1925	n/r	1730-1830	n/r
Wind	W 3	n/r	n/r	SW 2	n/r	n/r	SW 5	n/r
Birds N	10	25	9	2	9	54	37	15
Birds S	17	18	21	1	22	57	38	21
Observer	IPG	MMcG	MMcG	IPG	MMcG	FG	IPG	FG
Date	9 Sep	10 Sep	12 Sep	14 Sep	19 Sep	24 Sep
Time	n/r	n/r	n/r	1710-1740	n/r	1530-1615
Wind	n/r	n/r	n/r	n/r	n/r	NE 2
Birds N	6	16	9	10	118	3
Birds S	9	24	20	7	194	17
Observer	FG	FG	FG	MMcG	FG	IPG

Other reports included 6 offshore at Colgrain on 12 Aug (DHMcE), 6 E and 7 W past Ironotter Point between 1730-1830 hrs on 1 Sep, 36 fishing Lunderston Bay 2 Sep (IPG), 21 off Kilcreggan 6 Sep (RSPB), 43 on 20 Sep (ADW), 19 N and 43 S past Inverkip between 1700-1800 hrs on 10 Sep, 44 fishing off Wemyss Point-Wemyss Bay 17 Sep, 21 between Gare Loch-Ardmore Point-Greenock 8 Oct (IPG), 1 off Ardmore 9 Oct (ANi), and 1 S past Cove on 14 Oct (JTT).

 

Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo

Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) count totals, detailing the most important sites reported in 2006, are provided in the following table (per JSW,VW):

Clyde Area Total	236	314	130	183	162	95	169	335	456	620	391	413
Sites recorded (70 in total)	30	33	28	24	15	9	10	11	24	28	26	36
Clyde Estuary	106	117	-	116	125	80	151	304	365	514	266	253
Black Cart Water	8	12	10	9	9	8	3	7	20	11	18	8
Strathclyde Country Park	0	60	2	1	2	0	0	0	6	12	-	18
Baron's Haugh	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	10	8	11	14	5
Hillend Reservoir	12	37	35	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	1
Hogganfield Loch	10	0	7	7	2	0	0	3	7	17	0	31
Lochwinnoch	16	10	7	7	0	0	8	1	1	5	14	9
Brother Loch	16	6	13	2	0	0	0	-	0	1	2	12

Inland reports included 6 at Carron Valley Reservoir 9 Jan, 7 at Mugdock Loch 14 Jan (AKMcN), 40 Strathclyde Loch 31 Jan (MMcG), 25 at the tree roost by the River Clyde upstream of Glasgow Green on 9 Feb, 10 on 31 Mar (CRS), 12 at Hogganfield Loch island tree roost 10 Feb (IPG), 10 at Aird Meadow 17 Feb (RSPB), 4 Barcraigs Resr 8 Apr (IPG), 7 flew downstream past SECC, Glasgow at 0600 hrs, followed by another 3 at 0615 hrs on 29 Apr (JJM).

Autumn-winter Clyde estuary reports included dusk roost counts of 482 West Ferry-Greenock (162 West Ferry, 320 on Captyannis and buoys off Greenock) on 17 Aug, 875 (185 West Ferry, 690 on Captyannis and surrounding buoys) on 31 Aug, and a record Clyde estuary count of 890 Longhaugh Point-Inverkip (240 Longhaugh Point-Dumbarton, at least 600 on and around the Captyannis, 50 on Inverkip jetty) on 17 Sep (IPG).

Inland reports included 18 at the Endrick Mouth on 10 Sep, 11 Carron Valley Reservoir 8 Oct (AKMcN), 8 Merryton/Carbarns 8 Oct (AIE), 17 Hogganfield Loch 10 Oct, max 31 on 18 Dec, 8 at Gartloch Pools 9 Nov (IPG), 10 Castle Semple Loch 19 Nov (RSPB), 10 fishing communally at Bishop Loch on 24 Nov (IPG), and 24 at the tree roost beside the River Clyde upstream of Glasgow Green on 12 Dec (CRS).

 

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	40	29	-	22	27	12	10	14	11	58	30	72
Gourock-Wemyss Bay	4	0	-	0	0	1	0	1	8	4	2	13
Cardross-Craigendoran	8	12	-	27	14	4	9	8	27	19	28	33
Helensburgh-Coulport	17	40	-	24	6	4	8	14	35	35	29	28
Clyde Estuary Total	69	81	n/c	73	47	21	27	37	81	116	89	146

Other winter-spring reports included 1 off West Ferry 1 Jan, 24 off Scott Lithgow, Port Glasgow 17 Feb, 62 off East India Harbour, Greenock 19 Feb (DSF), 4 S/1hr Cloch Point 19 May (IPG).

Autumn-winter reports included a minimum of 150 flighting to roost at dusk on the Inverkip power station jetty on 2 Sep (IPG), 27 off Ardmore Point on 17 Sep, 19 on 8 Oct, 28 on 19 Nov, 33 on 17 Dec (IPG), 5 unusually far up the estuary at Newshot Island on 15 Sep, 3 on 10 Oct, 1 on 24 Oct-7 Nov (AJR), one exceptionally far up the estuary at Colin's Isle, River Cart on 23 Sep ( per JSW,VW), one inland on the River Clyde between Carbarns and Baron's Haugh from 23-27 Sep (DA,AIE), and one inland at Castle Semple Loch on 10 Oct (MMcG).

 

Bittern Botaurus stellaris

One was disturbed from the Aber Bog at the Endrick Mouth on 26 Feb (AKMcN).

 

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea

Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) count totals, detailing the most important sites reported in 2006, are provided in the following table (per JSW,VW):

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Clyde Area Total	148	104	54	81	65	64	129	135	195	170	149	103
Sites recorded (98 in total)	38	30	31	29	29	25	27	30	41	41	33	35
Clyde Estuary	43	30	-	11	23	19	52	56	104	100	50	38
Black Cart Water	5	1	1	7	2	3	21	23	9	7	2	4
Endrick Mouth	9	11	3	12	6	9	10	6	4	5	2	1
Summerston	3	1	0	0	-	-	-	1	2	1	41	3
Douglas Estate Ponds	6	7	5	4	2	3	2	6	7	4	8	6
Strathclyde C Park	32	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	-	0
Baron's Haugh	-	-	-	-	-	-	2	4	3	4	2	2
Coves Reservoir	3	1	3	1	0	0	0	0	6	7	6	6

Winter-spring reports included 7 at Pollok Country Park on 6 Feb (CRS).

Breeding reports (occupied nest counts) are presented in the following table:

Site	2006	Obs	Site	2006	Obs
Ardgowan, Crowhill Wood *	12	ADW	Gartfairn Wood, Endrick Mouth *	8	SNH
Barmichael Plantation, Hamilton *	46	CMW	Glen Moss SWT Reserve	1	ADW
Bishopton, BAe Systems	35	SL	Hogganfield Loch (island) *	2	GCC
Buchanan Castle, East Lodge *	18	JM	Kilmacolm, Milton	12	ADW
Camallt House, Fintry	4	JTK,JM	Levengrove Park, Dumbarton *	3	J&VW
Crooks Plantation, Lochwinnoch *	7	ECP	Rossdhu Park, Loch Lomond *	5	JTK, JM
Douglas Estate	10	ADW	Waulkmill Glen Reservoir *	7	J&VW
Endrick Bridge, Balfron *	7	JM

Summary: 177 nests reported at 15 heronries, no change in total at comparable sites (*) since 2005 (census results per ADW); a new major heronry was discovered during an ecological survey of the former Royal Ordnance Factory grounds at Bishopton (SL). Breeding notes: (i) probably 2 nests Hogganfield Loch, one apparently failed, the other containing at least one young (heard calling) 13 Apr-4 May (IPG).

Clyde Heronry Nest Counts 1995-2006

Site	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006
Ardgowan, Crowhill Wood	nc	7	8	11	10	12	14	11	7	nc	10	12
Balfron, Endrick Bridge	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1+	6	6	7
Barochan Moss	nc	0	nc	nc	nc	nc	nc	nc	nc	nc	nc	nc
Barr Loch	4	4	4	2	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Bishopton, BAe Systems	nc	nc	nc	nc	nc	nc	nc	nc	nc	nc	nc	35
Brother Loch	nc	2	1	3	2	2	nc	2	3	nc	3	nc
Buchanan Castle, East Lodge	24	22	21	20	17	19	22	18	23	17	14	18
Cloch Point Wood	nc	3	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Corsehouse Plantation	nc	2	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	nc	nc	nc
Coulport	1	0	-	3	-	-	nc	nc	nc	nc	nc	nc
Craigallian Loch	-	-	1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Crawford, Tewsgill Hill	1	6	3	3	6	4	nc	2	6	nc	2	5
Douglas Estate	nc	-	1	7	7	8	10	nc	nc	nc	nc	10
Drumclog	nc	3	5	0	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Dumbarton, Levengrove Park	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	4	4	3
Endrick Mouth, Gartfairn Wood	4	3	11	10	10	11	11	12	12	10	10	8
Finlaystone Est., Brackenhead Pltn.	41	36	35	32	27	34	31	29	25	nc	22	nc
Fintry, Camallt House	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	nc	4
Fintry, Spittalhill Farm	nc	2	nc	2	nc	nc	nc	nc	7	-	-	-
Garelochhead	nc	-	-	-	1	1	1	1	nc	nc	nc	nc
Garelochhead, Mambeg	nc	nc	nc	nc	nc	1	1	nc	nc	nc	nc	nc
Glazert W, Blairtummock Pltn.	nc	3	-	-	-	-	-	-	nc	nc	nc	nc
Glazert W, Craigbarnet Farm	nc	-	1	2+	nc	4	nc	nc	nc	nc	nc	nc
Glen Fruin, Drumfad	-	-	-	9	9	10	nc	13	17	nc	9	nc
Glengavel Reservoir	nc	nc	2	3	6	7	6	5	6	nc	nc	nc
Hamilton, Barmichael Plantation	nc	40	43	36	22	48	52	49	48	43	48	46
Helensburgh, Daligan	-	-	1+	nc	nc	nc	nc	nc	nc	nc	nc	nc
Hogganfield Loch	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	2	2
Kilmacolm, Duchal Estate	15	23	18	14	18	16	19	-	-	-	-	nc
Kilmacolm, Glen Moss	nc	-	1	1	4	4	nc	5	4	nc	nc	1
Kilmacolm, Milton	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	9	9	6	nc	12
Kilsyth, Dumbreck	-	-	1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Libberton, Brownhill Farm Wood	nc	11	10	-	-	-	-	-	14	nc	-	-
Libberton, Yett Farm Wood	-	-	-	10	8	10	nc	13	-	nc	11	14
Loch Lomond, Midross	-	1	0	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	nc
Loch Lomond, Rossdhu Park	7	4	5	5	5	6	5	5	5	5	5	5
Lochwinnoch, Crooks Plantation	-	-	-	-	2	4	4	4	4	4	4	7
Longriggend, Pleamuir Wood	nc	-	-	10+	6	nc	nc	18	15	nc	nc	nc
Milngavie, Low Craigton	nc	nc	nc	nc	nc	3	nc	2	3	nc	4	nc
Pettinain, Northflatt	nc	1	nc	nc	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Rhu, Ardencaple	nc	nc	nc	nc	nc	nc	1	nc	nc	nc	nc	nc
Rosneath Point	nc	1	nc	nc	nc	nc	nc	nc	nc	nc	nc	nc
Strathaven, Lambhill	-	2	1	2	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Waulkmill Glen Reservoir	nc	nc	nc	nc	nc	2	2	7	7	8	7	7
Clyde Area Total (nests)	97	176	173	224	160	203	179	205	209	106	161	177

Post-breeding/autumn-winter reports included 12 Langbank 25 July (DSF), 16 Ardgowan 7 Aug (FG), 6 Frankfield Loch 11 Aug (CRS), 10 Rosneath Point 20 Aug (ADW), 11 on Black Cart Water at Colin's Isle 29 Aug (ECD), 32 Bowling Dock 3 Sep (IPG), 11 in Ardmore North Bay on 16 Sep (JBB), 59 Finlaystone Point 17 Sep (JGT), 23 on 29 Sep (DSF), 7 Merryton 22 Sep (AIE), 24 Erskine saltmarsh 26 Sep (ADW), 14 at roost in field Ardencaple 1 Oct (DHMcE), 20 along River Clyde, Wolfclyde-Carstairs Junction 15 Oct (JND,ADW), 14 Coves Resr 8 Nov (MMcG), and 6 at Hogganfield Loch on 1 Dec (CRS).

 

Osprey Pandion haliaetus

Spring-summer reports were of one carrying a fish over Kaimend on 28 Mar (TC), one S over M8 near Bishopton 8 Apr (SJM), one Endrick Mouth 4-28 Apr (ANi et al), one N through Culter Glen 23 Apr (JSW,VW), one West Ferry 30 Apr (ADW), one Carron Valley Reservoir 30 Apr (DRMcC), a pair summered Duneaton Water/upper Clyde (per RSPB), one fishing Castle Semple Loch 7 June (RSPB), one east along Clyde estuary past Ardoch at 1425 hrs on 11 June (IPG), one over Inchcailloch 17 June (AKMcN), one fishing North Rotten Burn upstream of Rottenburn Bridge 1600-1610 hrs then soaring high and gliding down towards Inverkip on 27 June (IPG), 2 Carron Valley Resr 2 July (AKMcN), one circling briefly over Evan Drive, Giffnock 7 July (JKB), one fishing along River Clyde Symington-Wolfclyde 8 July, and 2 Midross 10 July (ADW).

Three known pairs bred in the Clyde area in 2006 (ed.). 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 fledged one chick (RAB).
Site B	pair on territory (GJB), large juv noted on 10 July (AKMcN), successfully fledged (RAB).
Site C	unoccupied (RAB).
Site D	pair fledged three chicks (RAB).
Site E	unoccupied (RAB).

Autumn reports involved singles at Carron Valley Resr on 2 July, 23 July, 20-30 Aug (AKMcN, JM), 2 at Balmaha on 19 July (ANi), 2 at Inchcailloch on 3 July, one on 12 Aug (AKMcN), single(s) along River Clyde at Cormiston, Quothquan and The Meetings on 12 Aug (JND,ADW), one at Newshot Island on 16 Aug (AJR), one fishing on Loch Lomond at Rowardennan on 17 Aug (NTS), 3 at the Endrick Mouth on 24 Aug (ANi), and one S over Croy on 1 Oct (SB).

 

Honey-buzzard Pernis apivorus

A satellite-tracked juvenile from a breeding site in North Scotland was roosting at Corselaw Forest (NT020506) by the A70 Carnwath-Tarbrax road on 13 Sep, and a second juvenile (from the same brood of two) was present at Mainshill Wood near Douglas on 24 Sep, subsequently migrating S of Scaur Hill at 0849 hrs on 26 Sep (www.roydennis.org).

 

Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos

Breeding reports were of a pair with nest (♀ incubating) at a regular site on Loch Lomondside on 3 Apr (ECD), the pair changing places on nest 9 Apr (FH). Non-breeding reports were of a pair at that breeding site on 9 Apr (JTT), 3 there on 29 May (ECD), and outside of the usual range, one flying from Misty Law to Slaty Law (Ayrshire) on 27 June (JJG).

 

Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus

Breeding season reports included a territory Carnbooth Farm (SL), a territory Endrick Mouth, Ring Point (SNH), 2 prs each rearing 2 young Linn Park (SAW), a pair Lochwinnoch Reserve (RSPB), a pair displaying over the Long Plantation, Douglas Estate 2 Apr (JJM), 1 Glen Douglas 3 Apr, 1 Renfrew Golf Course 7 Apr (ECD), a pair soaring Cathkin Braes 1 Apr (DWM), a ♂ over Richmond Park, Glasgow 25 Apr (JJM), 1 Marjory Rd, Renfrew 26 Apr (ECD), a ♂ at Nemphlar on 30 Apr (JND,ADW), a ♂ Possil Marsh 7 May (ADW), 1 over Locherwood Community Wood-land 9 May, 1 Knapps Loch 20 May (FH), a pair displaying Garscube Estate 22 May, b/3 there on 24 July, a ♀ over Johnstone town centre 14 July (TB), and a ♂ at Paisley Road West, Cardonald on 20 July (DHMcE).

Other reports included a pair soaring over Ladymuir Forest on 28 Oct (DSF), a ♂ at Paisley Road West, Cardonald on 14 Nov, and a ♀ there on 21 Nov (DHMcE).

Two observers reported a total of 102 bird-days in 2006, compared to 527 bird-days in the case of Kestrel, i.e. 16% of sightings were of Sparrowhawk (see table below).

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Total	Observers
	2	5	5	11	4	3	5	5	7	8	6	4	65	IPG
	4	2	1	1	4	1	2	6	1	2	6	7	37	JSW,VW
	6	7	6	12	8	4	7	11	8	10	12	11	102	All

 

Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus

Reports were of a ♀ at the Endrick Mouth on 23 Apr (no observer details), and a satellite-tracked Tay reedbed juv ♀ (from a brood of four) in the vicinity of Bonnyton Moor-East Moorhouse, Newton Mearns 29-30 Sep (www.roydennis.org).

 

Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus

Population generally still high following a prolonged period of high field vole numbers between 1996 and 2004 (ed.). Winter-spring reports were of a ♂ at Barr Loch on 1 Jan and 20 Feb (RSPB), a ♀ Merryton 2 Jan-1 Feb (AIE), a ♂ hunting Burdiehouse (Ayrshire)-Knowes 14 Jan, a ♂ hunting in rushy field by B775 NE of Lapwing Lodge 14 Jan (IPG), a ♀ Baron's Haugh 1 Feb (JCM), a ♂ at Aird Meadow on 17 Feb, a 'ringtail' there 14-15 Mar, a ♂ on 31 Mar and 1 Apr (RSPB), a ♂ Creuch Hill 22 Feb (MMcG), a ♂ at Drumclog on 27 Feb (NDW), a ♂ on moor at Greengairs on 10 Mar (JJS), a 'ringtail' at the Overton Burn on 15 Mar (ECD), a ♂ Finnich Glen 25 Mar (AKMcN), and a 'ringtail' at Loch Ardinning SWT Reserve on 28 Mar (ECD).

Breeding season reports included in Lanarkshire a ♀ hunting beside the B7078 at Crawfordjohn on 18 Apr (JDa), a 'ringtail' at Martin Cleuch on 11 July (SRi); in Renfrewshire a ♂ Queenside Muir 9 Apr (ECD), 4 (including 3 ♂♂) near Muirshiel Country Park 15 Apr (NDW), a ♂ displaying Lairdside Hill on 25 Apr, a ♂ at Crawhin Hill on 23 June (MMcG), and a 1st-s ♂ hunting Creuch Hill on 9 July (IPG); in West Stirlingshire a ♀ at Queen's View 14 Apr (GJB), a ♂ present at a regular breeding site, with spectacular sky-dancing, but no ♀ appeared, and heather devastated by heather beetle (JTK); in Dunbartonshire 2 prs in the Glen Fruin area on 6 May (MMcG). More sensitive breeding data relating to nesting areas have been withheld (ed.).

Breeding summary: 4 territories occupied in Lanarkshire part of Muirkirk & North Lowther Uplands SPA, 2 territories elsewhere (RG,SS et al); in Renfrewshire 6 territories occupied in Renfrewshire Heights SPA (IPG et al); only one territory reported West Stirlingshire (JTK); and only 2 pairs occupying territories of 7 surveyed in Dunbartonshire (JGS et al). Declines apparent in Renfrewshire and West Dunbartonshire following vole crash in 2004-2005 winter. Unfortunately still no data provided by Central Raptor Study Group, rendering Clyde population data incomplete (ed.).

County	Territories occupied	Occupied by pairs	Unmated males	Nest sites located	Successful nests	Young fledged
Lanarkshire	6	5	1	3	1	3
Renfrewshire	6	3	3†	3	0	0
West Stirlingshire	1	0	1	0	0	0
West Dunbartonshire*	3	2	1	1	1	2
Total	16	10	6	7	2	5

* including former part now in Argyll & Bute UA.

† including one territorial male striding the county border with Ayrshire.

Autumn-winter reports were of a ♂ at Waterhead, Campsie Muir 20 Aug (AKMcN), 3 Glen Fruin 10 Sep (EMcC), a ♂ Aber Bog 10 Sep (AKMcN), a ♂ Boshee Hill 13 Sep (JSW,VW), a ♀ hunting Meadow Pipits Colgrain 24 Sep (DHMcE), a ♀ Creuch Hill 3 Oct (MMcG), a ♂ Endrick Mouth 3 Oct (ANi), a ♀ on 6 Nov (GJB), a 'ringtail' Garvald Quarry 9 Oct (AMcA), a ♀ being chased NW by two crows at Moniabrock on 29 Oct (LH,KMcG), a ♀ hunting in rushy field nearby at Weels (NS352626) at 1505 hrs on 25 Nov (IPG), a ♀ going to roost at Whittliemuir at 1625 hrs on 18 Nov, at least 1 adult ♂ and 1 'ringtail' there 1600-1615 hrs on 16 Dec, 2 adult ♂♂ at 1555 hrs on 23 Dec (IPG), an adult ♂ Harelaw Resr, Barrhead 4 Nov (SJM), an adult ♂ hunting Aird Meadow on 11 Nov, 21 Nov, 2 Dec and 4 Dec (RSPB), a 'ringtail' Helensburgh Resrs 29 Nov (HS), an adult ♂ SW of Barr Loch on 14 Dec (RSPB), a 'ringtail' on Blackhill Muir, Helensburgh 18 Dec, a 'ringtail' Ballevoulin, Glen Fruin 19 Dec (ANi), a ♀ being mobbed by a Short-eared Owl only just over the Clyde boundary at Drumnessie (NS739816) on 26 Dec (MW), a ♀ Barr Loch 26 Dec (MMcG), and a ♂ over the marsh at Darleith on 29 Dec (ANi).

 

Red Kite Milvus milvus

None reported in 2006.

 

Buzzard Buteo buteo

Winter-spring reports included 6 South Medwin Pools 14 Jan (MMcG), 4 Ballochruin 3 Mar (AKMcN), 7 Snar confluence-Mountherrick 11 Mar, 4 Lamington 11 Mar (JND,ADW), and 5 at Aird Meadow on 17 Mar (RSPB).

Breeding season reports (from 1 April, soaring birds unless otherwise stated) included in Lanarkshire 6 over Tod's Well 28 Apr (CRS), 7 visible around Gartloch Pools 28 Apr (IPG), 1 by the M8 at Baillieston 13 May (ADW), 2 prs Millerston/Bogside, Glasgow 16 May, an unprecedented (for Glasgow) 12 birds soaring and interacting low over houses at Millerston on 19 May (IPG); in Renfrewshire 2 at Queenside Muir on 9 Apr, 2 at Clovenstone on 9 Apr (ECD), 6 Barscube Hill 21 May (ADW), and 1 at Brownside Braes on 5 June which was the observer's first record there (TB).

Breeding reports (prs = apparently occupied territories)

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Ardardan	1	DHM	Eaglesham, Crosslees	1	J&VW	Lenzie, Bothlin Burn	1	JTM
Ardmore Point	1	AKM	East/West Millichen	1	SL	Leperstone Reservoir	2	J&VW
Bishopton, Chestnut Ave	1	ECD	Endrick Mouth, Low Mains	2	SNH	Loch Libo	1	J&VW
Bishopton BAE (part)	1	SL	Erskine	1	ECD	Locherwood Com Wood	1	FH
Brother Loch	1	WK	Erskine Hospital	1	FH	Lochwinnoch Reserve	1	RSPB
Brownhill Farm	1	ADW	Ferryhill Plantation	1	DSF	Longhaugh Point	1	FH
Calderglen Country Park	1	JJM	Garscube Estate	1	TB	Merryton/Carbarns	2	AIE
Camis Eskan	1	DHM	Garvald Quarry	1	AMcA	Mid Netherton Farm	1	SL
Cardross, Brooks Road	1	DHM	Glanderston Wood	1	J&VW	Midross Golf Course	1	SL
Carnbooth Farm	1	SL	Glen Douglas	2	ECD	Meikle Bin	1	ECD
Colgrain	2	DHM	Heathfield	1	ECD	Neilston Pad	1	J&VW
Corrie of Balglass	1	FH	Harelaw Dam	1	J&VW	Newbigging old railway	1	ADW
Darnley Glen	1	J&VW	Howwood, Skiff Wood	1	RSPB	North Moorhouse	1	J&VW
Dolphinton	2	AMcA	Knapps Loch	1	FH	Ogscastle	1	ADW
Douglas Estate	3	JJM	Knockenae Wood	1	J&VW	Waulkmill Glen Resr	1	J&VW
Drumpellier Golf Course	1	CL	Lang Craigs	1	ECD

Summary: 55 occupied territories reported at 47 sites in 2006. Other notes included (i) 2 prs at Colgrain reared 2 young each (DHMcE); (ii) 2 prs Merryton/Carbarns reared 2 young each (AIE).

Autumn-winter reports included 5 soaring over Rhu on 13 Aug (DHMcE), 3 at High Plewland, Glengavel Resr 20 Aug (SRi), 6 Glen Fruin 26 Aug (JTT), 5 soaring over Ferryhill Plantation on 8 Sep (DSF), 7 at Aird Meadow on 8 Sep (RSPB), 6 Endrick Mouth 10 Sep (AKMcN), 4 soaring over Millerston-Frankfield Loch 15 Sep (IPG), 1 Possil Marsh 17 Sep (JJM), 4 at Parkhill Wood, Lochwinnoch 14 Jan (MMcG), 3 over Heritage Park, East Kilbride on 30 Sep (DWM), 4 Walston 5 Nov (FH), 4 over Barscube Hill area on 18 Nov and 17 Dec (DSF), 1 hunting from hawthorn bushes Hogganfield Park LNR 18 Dec (IPG), and 6 in Glen Fruin on 19 Dec (ANi).

Two observers reported a total of 690 Buzzard bird-days in 2006 (see table below).

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Total	Observers
	34	29	23	35	47	37	40	30	37	57	21	22	412	IPG
	17	25	28	35	13	31	21	33	22	28	16	9	278	JSW,VW
	51	54	51	70	60	68	61	63	59	85	37	31	690	All

 

Barn Owl Tyto alba

Winter-spring reports were of 1 at Darleith throughout Jan, 2 on 13 Feb, 1 on 9 Mar (FL), 1 at Quarry Farm, East Kilbride on 14 Jan (SCo), 1 hunting Drygate, Howwood at 0515 hrs on 14 Jan, 1 at Barnaigh/B786 junction at 1730 hrs on 18 Jan (IPG), 1 flew across from Barr Loch to Aird Meadow at 2330 hrs on 25 Jan and again on 13 Feb (per RSPB), 1 calling Colgrain at 2300 hrs on 29 Jan (DHMcE), singles at the Endrick Mouth on 31 Jan, 13 Feb (GJB) and 20-21 Mar (DRMcC), 1 hunting Castle Semple Loch at 2000 hrs on 13 Feb (RSPB), 1 hunting beside the A737 at the Johnstone exit on 25 Feb (MMcG), 1 calling at Cloch Caravans at 0230 hrs on 28 Feb (FG), and 1 hunting at Soame Bridge, Eaglesham Moor on 1 Mar (per JTT).

Breeding season reports were of a pair at Pedmyre (SL), 1 at Arden on 1 Apr, 1 Helensburgh Resrs 1 Apr (ANi), 1 Elliston Bridge, Howwood at 2235 hrs on 3 Apr (MMcG), 1 hunting in field on south side of A737 at Mid Gavin Farm, Howwood (NS378594) at 2200 hrs on 9 May (LMo), 1 Auchengaich 14 Apr (ANi), 1 Darleith July-Aug (FL), 1 dead on M8 eastbound near Junction 30 on 21 July (DSF), and 1 across the B786 at Gibblaston Farm (NS350665) at 2200 hrs on 22 July (IPG).

Breeding summary: only eight potential territories reported in 2006, and no confirmed breeding record (ed.).

Autumn-winter reports involved 1 at Hattrick Farm, Quarrier's Village at 2300 hrs on 19 Aug (AB), 1 at Barnaigh/B786 junction at 2300 hrs on 25 Aug, 2 there at 2230 hrs on 20 Sep (IPG), 1 at 2220-2240 hrs on 2 Nov (AB,IPG), 1 at 0010 hrs on 4 Nov (IPG), 2 in Cloch Point area on 27 Aug (FG), 1 Helensburgh Golf Course 6 Sep (PC), 1 at Inchinnan Industrial Estate at 0100 hrs on 26 Sep (ACMB), 2 calling, including 1 in flight over Gleddoch Golf Course 12 Oct, 1 from 13 Oct-16 Nov, 1 flushed from golfers' shelter on 16 Nov (DSF), 1 over B834 at Blane Bridge, Killearn at 1836 hrs on 26 Oct (JTT), 2 Darleith 19 Nov-28 Dec (FL), 1 flushed from crag at Dumbrock Muir 5 Dec (JTK), 1 over M8 at Inchinnan at midnight 16 Dec (DSF), 1 by B786 roadside at Moniabrock at 2010 hrs on 16 Dec, 1 nearby at Barnaigh/B786 junction at 0215 hrs on 17 Dec (AB,RCD), 1 at 1620 hrs then 2 there at 2335 hrs on 25 Dec (IPG), 1 Ravenshaw, Barscube Hill 26 Dec (DSF), and 1 at Helensburgh Resrs on 27 Dec (ANi).

 

Tawny Owl Strix aluco

Winter-spring reports included 2 calling Dougalston 1 Jan (JTK), 1-2 Darleith Jan-Mar (FL), a pair calling Seath Ave, Langbank Jan-Apr (DSF), 1 roosting in hollow of alder Alnus sp at Mugdock Country Park on 6 Jan (JTK), 1 calling at corner of Maryhill Rd and Sandbank St at 2300 hrs on 16 Jan (KF), 1 Raith Burn 22 Jan (ECD), up to 4 calling ♂♂ at Cloch Caravans Feb-Apr (FG), 1 calling Millarochy Bay 21 Feb (AKMcN), and 1 dead at Wards Pond on 25 Feb (ANi).

Breeding reports

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Auchengillan	1	SPM	Dolphinton	1	AMcA	Langbank village	1	DSF
Br of Weir, Kilbarchan Rd	1	DHM	Eaglesham, Cross Keys	1	MMacL	L Lomond, Sallochy	1	FH
Calderglen Country Park	1	JJM	Endrick M, Pentagonal Wd	1	JTT	Lochwinnoch RSPB	1	RSPB
Cloch Caravans	1	FG	Endrick M, Ring Wood	1	JTT	Merryton/Carbarns	1	AIE
Darleith	1	FL	Endrick M, Wards Farm	1	JTT	Mugdock Castle	1	AKM
Deaconsbank Drive	1	GRW	Glen Luss	1	ANi	Mugdock Loch	1	AKM

Summary: 18 pairs reported at 18 sites in 2006. Heavily under-recorded (ed.).

Autumn-winter reports included 1 calling Tollcross Park 27 July (per JSW,VW), 2 Meadowhead Valley 31 Aug, 1 in a Dolphinton garden 1 Sep (AMcA), 1 flushed South Medwin Pools 30 Sep (IF), 4 calling ♂♂ at Gleddoch Golf Course on 12 Oct, 2-3 on 10 Nov, 3 on 26 Dec (DSF), 1 at Garelochhead 13 Oct (AMcI), 1 calling Neilston Pad 25 Oct (JSW,VW), 1 calling Cedarwood Ave, Newton Mearns at 0645 hrs on 28 Nov (JMcO), and 1 mobbing a fox at Seath Ave, Langbank on 15 Dec (DSF).

 

Long-eared Owl Asio otus

Winter-spring reports included 3 roosting in pines Garnkirk Moss Plantation, Glasgow 27 Jan (DCa), and 1 on the east side of Auchendores Resr at ca 1900 hrs on 3 Mar (CC,KC).

Autumn-winter reports were of 1 on a roadside fencepost by the B786 near Hill of Barnaigh at 2350 hrs on 31 Oct (IPG).

 

Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus

Winter-spring reports were of 1 at Dumbrock Muir on 26 Jan and 1 on 17 Apr (GJC), and 1 by the A70 at Darby Burn, near Tarbrax on 18 Apr (per RSPB).

These were the only reports submitted in the whole of 2006, probably the lowest on record, reflecting the scarcity of the species throughout the Clyde area at this time (ed.).

 

Kingfisher Alcedo atthis

Winter-spring reports were of 1 at Hogganfield Loch on 3 Jan (per BT), 12 Jan and 18 Feb (CRS), 2 at the Endrick Mouth on 3 Jan (ANi), 1 at Balgray Resr and 1 at Waulkmill Glen Resr on 14 Jan, 1 at Rouken Glen Pond on 27 Feb (JSW,VW), 1 on the River Cart at Colin's Isle on 28 Feb (ECD), and 1 by the Jamaica St Bridge in Glasgow City Centre on 18 Apr (KB).

Breeding season reports included on the River Clyde frequent observations of a pair at Merryton/ Carbarns, but no evidence of breeding (AIE); on the White Cart Water an active nest between Holehouse and Waterfoot, an active nest on the Kittoch Water just upstream of Kittoch Bridge (SL), 2 occupied nests in Linn Park, Glasgow, 1 bird at Rosshall on 30 May, 2 at Bull Wood on 30 May (CRS); on the River Kelvin 1 at Kirklee Bridge on 17 Apr (JJM), 1 at Summerston on 19 Apr (GJB), an occupied nest at Kelvin Way bridge on 2 May (GC), a pair with b/2 at Garscube Estate on 24 July, a pair with b/3 at Cawder Cuilt on 21 Aug (TB); on the Endrick Water 1 at the Endrick Mouth on 4 Apr (ANi), 1 at Balfron Bridge on 15 Apr (JM); and elsewhere an active nest on the South Medwin at Newholm (JND), on the Forth & Clyde Canal 1 bird at Bishopbriggs on 27 Mar (PGC) and 1 at Maryhill Locks on 14 Apr (JJM), 1 on the R Calder at Lochwinnoch on 6 Apr, 1 at Aird Meadow on 27 June (RSPB), 1 on the Brock Burn at Darnley Mill on 18 Apr and 25 Apr (JSW,VW), a ♂ on the Rotten Calder Water at Calderglen Country Park on 13 May (JJM), and 1 on the River Gryfe at Crosslee on 14 June (FH). Summary: up to 19 potential breeding territories, with 7 pairs confirmed, reported in 2006.

Autumn-winter reports included 1 on the F&CC at Craigmarloch on 4 Aug (PGC), 3 on the Brock Burn at Crookston Castle on 6 Aug (SM), 1 at Rouken Glen Pond on 7 Aug, 1 on the White Cart Water at Cathcart on 12 Aug (JMcO), singles along River Clyde at Cormiston, Thankerton, Quothquan and The Meetings 12 Aug , and singles at Wolfclyde, Cormiston and The Meetings on 15 Oct (ADW), 2 on River Clyde at Carbarns 17 Aug (ECD), 1-2 wintered between Ryat Linn Resr, Waulkmill Glen Resr and Balgray Resr 22 Aug-22 Dec (JSW,VW), 1 at Calderglen Country Park on 2 Sep (DWM), 1 on the Broom Burn at Broompark Drive, Newton Mearns 17 Sep, 1 perched at the Broom Pond on 27 Nov (GRW), 1 at the Cart/Clyde confluence on 9 Oct (ECD), 1 at Newshot Island 10-24 Oct (AJR), 3 on the R Kelvin at Kelvingrove Park on 24 Oct (MMcG), 2 on the White Cart Water upstream of the M77 viaduct at Pollok Estate on 29 Oct (SJE), 2 at Aird Meadow on 29 Oct (RSPB), 1 at the Auldhouse Burn, Buchanan Drive, Newton Mearns on 20 Nov (GRW), and 1 at Barnbeth Pond, Bridge of Weir on 16 Dec (GB).

 

Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major

Winter-spring reports included 3 at Dougalston on 1 Jan (AKMcN), 2 at Dumbrock Muir 27 Jan (AKMcN), 2 at Bar Hill on 12 Feb (FH), and 3 in Dawsholm Park on 15 Apr (JC); singles reported widely (ed.).

Breeding reports

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Ardgowan Estate	1	FG	Erskine Hospital	1	FH	L Lomond, Sallochy	1	DHM
Ardmore Point	1	per BT	Formakin Estate	1	FH	Langbank village	2	DSF
Auchengillan	1	per BT	Garelochhead	1	AMcI	Linn Park	2	SAW
Ballochruin Bridge	1	AKM	Garelochhead	1	AMcI	Loch Ardinning SWT Res	1	JTK
Ballochruin Pool	1	AKM	Garscube Estate	1	TB	Lochwinnoch Reserve	1	RSPB
Bishopton BAE (part)	1	SL	Gartloch Wood	1	CRS	Merryton	1	AIE
Bishopton, Chestnut Ave	1	ECD	Glasgow, Dawsholm Pk	1	JC	Milngavie C Centre	1	AKM
Carnbooth Farm	2	SL	Glasgow, Queen's Park	1	per BT	Milngavie G Course	1	AKM
Cathkin Braes	1	SAW	Glasgow, Tollcross Park	1	CRS	Mugdock Country Park	7	AKM
Cloch Caravans	1	FG	Gourock, Darroch Park	1	JJM	Neilston Pad	1	J&VW
Craigmarloch Wood	2	DSF	Houston House	1	GB	Nemphlar, Rothesbank	1	ADW
Daff Plantation	1	JMcO	Inversnaid RSPB	1	ECD	Overtoun House	1	FH
Dalzell Estate	1	MMcG	Kilsyth, High Banton	1	PGC	Pollok Country Park	1	CRS
Darleith	1	FL	L Lomond, Balloch	1	per BT	Renfrew Golf Course	1	FH
Darnley Mill	1	J&VW	L Lomond, Inchcailloch	1	JJM	Rutherglen, Woodburn Pk	1	DWM
Endrick M, Aber Bog	1	SNH	L Lomond, Inveruglas	1	JTT	Springburn Park	1	CRS
Endrick M, Low Mains	1	SNH	L Lomond, Ross Wood	1	per BT	Waulkmill Glen	2	J&VW
Endrick M, Shore Wood	2	SNH	L Lomond, Roward'n	1	ECD

Summary: 65 pairs reported at 53 sites in 2006.

Autumn-winter reports included a pair with a juv at Lochwinnoch RSPB Nature Centre 7 July, (RSPB), 1 Barscube Hill Pond 13 Sep, 1 at Barscube Hill West on 13 Sep, 8 Nov and 17 Dec (DSF), 1 at Colgrain on 22 Sep (DHMcE), 3 on Inchcailloch 25 Sep (AKMcN), 1 at Drums Estate 13 Oct (DSF), 1 at Queen's View 23 Oct (AKMcN), 1 at Garshangan 29 Oct (IPG), 2 Finlaystone Estate 6 Nov, 1 Loch Thom 22 Nov (DSF), and 1 in Gartloch Wood on 6 Dec (GCC).

 

Green Woodpecker Picus viridis

Reports in 2006 involved 1 at Highlandman's Wood (NS2884), Helensburgh on 3 Mar (ANi), 1 calling at Overtoun House on 15 Mar and 22 Mar, a pair and a juv there on 6 June (FH,ECD), 1 on 11 July (GJB), 1 at Loch Ardinning SWT Reserve 23 Mar (per BT), 1 calling at Auchentorlie above Bowling on 16 Apr (JM), 1 Muirshiel Country Park 20 Apr (AGJ), 1 in Dawsholm Park, Glasgow on 27 Apr (RH), 1 at Craigmarloch Wood, Port Glasgow 21 May (DSF), 1 at Lang Craigs on 24 June and 5 Nov (ECD), 1 at Darleith during Aug and on 4 Sep, again 22-24 Nov (FL), and 1 flying from Bogside Wood towards Finlaystone Estate on 7 Aug (ADW).

Summary: up to 3 potential territories occupied during the breeding season (under-recorded), but confirmed only at the regular site on the southern slopes of the Kilpatrick Hills; despite fewer reports than usual, several reports were outside the usual range of the species (ed.).

 

Kestrel Falco tinnunculus

Breeding season reports included 1 Queenside Muir 9 Apr, 1 Duchal Muir on 9 Apr and 23 June, 1 Loch Ardinning SWT Reserve 19 May, 1 Baron's Haugh 26 May, 1 Heathfield 23 June, and 1 at Meikle Bin on 27 June (ECD).

Breeding reports (prs = apparently occupied territories)

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Carbarns	1	AIE	East/West Millichen	1	SL	Hillington Ind. Estate	1	DHM
Carmunnock, Carnbooth	1	SL	Endrick, Low Mains	1	SNH	Howwood, St V Hospice	1	RSPB
Carmunnock, Windlaw	1	SL	Ferryhill Plantation	1	DSF	Kilmacolm, Milton	1	ADW
Colgrain	1	DHM	Garscube Estate	1	TB	Linwood Moss	1	FH
Corrie of Balglass	1	FH	Garvald Quarry	1	AMcA	Locherwood Comm Wood	1	ECD
Darleith	1	FL	Gavinburn Farm	1	DHM	Mid Netherton Farm	1	SL
Dolphinton, White Hill	1	AMcA	Glasgow, Linn Park	1	SAW	Neilston Pad	1	J&VW
Douglas Estate	1	JJM	Heathfield	1	MMcG	Paisley, Arkleston	1	DHM

Summary: 24 pairs reported at 24 sites in 2006. Other notes included: (i) the pair at St Vincent's Hospice nested on a pylon (per RSPB); (ii) the pair at Colgrain reared 3 young in a hole in an Ash tree in an open location at the edge of a pasture field (DHMcE); and (iii) the Carbarns pair reared 3 young (AIE).

Autumn-winter reports included 8 Garvock Hill 21 Aug (MMcG), and 6 Glen Fruin 19 Dec (ANi).

Two observers reported a total of 527 bird-days in 2006, compared to 102 bird-days in the case of Sparrowhawk, i.e. 84% of sightings were of Kestrel (see table below).

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Total	Observers
	38	26	24	28	23	23	32	15	29	25	42	20	325	IPG
	20	19	17	23	9	17	21	13	7	17	15	24	202	JSW,VW
	58	45	41	51	32	40	53	28	36	42	57	44	527	All

 

Merlin Falco columbarius

Winter-spring reports involved 1 Aird Meadow 5 Jan (RSPB), a ♀ at Dumbrock Muir on 14 Jan and 19 Jan, a ♂ on 9 Feb (GJB), a ♀ Killoeter 7 Feb (FL), 1 Westraw Mains and 1 at the Duneaton Water confluence 11 Mar (JND,ADW), a ♀ over Darndaff Moor 11 Mar (IPG), and a ♀ at Queenside Muir on 15 Mar (JJG).

Breeding season reports were of a ♀ at the Greenock Cut on 8 Apr (SJM), a ♂ at Dumbrock Muir on 25 May (GJB), a ♀ at Auchineden (at NS505795) on 23 May (IF), 1 at Baron's Haugh 8 June (JCM), a ♂ Shielhill Farm 23 June (IPG), 1 at Garvald Quarry 26 June (AMcA), and a ♀/imm at Daer Resr on 7 Aug (JSW,VW). The only confirmed breeding report involved a pair fledging 3 young at a confidential site in South Lanarkshire (ER).

Autumn-winter reports involved a ♂ at Left Law 14 Aug (SRi), a juv Ardmore Point 4 Sep (ANi), 1 at Garvald Quarry on 8 Sep (AMcA), singles at Aird Meadow on 15 Sep, 3 Nov and 17 Dec (RSPB), 1 hunting south of Lang Craigs on 8 Oct (per JJM), a ♂ at Carstairs Junction on 15 Oct (JND,ADW), a ♀ Dargavel Burn at Gled Craig 19 Oct (DSF), a ♀ hunting Fieldfares at Garshangan 29 Oct (IPG), a ♂ Crossford 4 Nov (per IL), a ♂ White Loch (Renf) 25 Nov (JGS), and 1 at Lochwinnoch Nature Centre on 17 Dec (RSPB).

 

Peregrine Falco peregrinus

Winter-spring reports included 1 over White Cart Water at the M8 flyover on 2 Jan (ECD), a ♂ picked up injured in George Square, Glasgow on 16 Jan, rehabilitated at Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue Centre and released at the Stobcross crane, Finnieston, where ♀ also present, on 24 Jan (AC,GC,JJM et al), a ♂ seen there on 1 Feb and 13 Feb (JJM), 1 on Netherlee Church roof 23 Jan (SAW), a ♀ killing a feral pigeon at Pollok Country Park on 7 Feb (JCh), a ♀ Lamington 11 Mar (JND,ADW), 1 at Aird Meadow on 9 Mar and 14 Apr (RSPB), and 1 at Auchenheath Farm on 1 Apr (JND,ADW).

Breeding: Lanarkshire a pair reared b/4 Falls of Clyde (SWT); pair b/2 at a quarry site (per JSW,VW); Renfrewshire R1 nested initially at usual scrape, but later ♀ seen sitting on old Raven's nest, but failed, probably change of ♂ (JSW,VW); R2 pair on territory 21 Apr, droppings around 2004 nest site, either failed already or not nesting, subsequently apparently nesting on nearby pylon, no adults apparent on 10 June, adult ♂ present 1 July but no sign of success, adult ♂ chasing off Buzzard 23 July (IPG,JMR et al); R3 pair failed but relaid then successful with b/3 fledged by 27 July (SJM); R4 a pair copulating 23 Apr (IPG), pair present and ♀ on nest 5-21 May (KMcG), nest empty and site abandoned 22 June (JMR); W Stirlingshire of 6 territories checked, five were occupied, one failed, and the remaining four fledged a total of 8 young (JTK).

Other breeding season reports involved a pair displaying over Broken Cross OCS on 2 Apr, a ♂ over Douglas Estate Pond 2 Apr (JJM), 1 Gleann nan Caorrunn 9 Apr (JTT), a ♂ pursuing a flock of 53 Black-tailed Godwits at West Ferry on 26 Apr (IPG), 1 on the Stobcross crane, Finnieston 12 May (JJM), 1 at Wards Pond 2 June (MMcG,JTT), and 2 at Corrie of Balglass on 8 June (FH).

Autumn-winter reports included a hunting ♀ S of Whinhill Golf Course, Greenock 21 Aug (MMcG), 1 in a field at Boclair Rd, Bearsden 23 Aug (HM), 2 at Baron's Haugh on 3 Sep (JCM), 1 at Aird Meadow on 3 Sep (RSPB), 1 at Garvald Quarry on 15 Sep and 15 Oct (AMcA), 2 over Garscube Estate on 26 Sep (TB), 1 at Carstairs Junction on 15 Oct (JND,ADW), a ♂ at Glasgow Cathedral on 9 Nov (IPG), and 1 hunting feral pigeons in Bellshill Main Street on 12 Dec (IL).

 

Great Grey Shrike Lanius excubitor

One remained on Dumbrock Muir from 27 Nov 2005 until at least 6 Apr (ECD,JTK et al), and one was at the east end (south side) of Castle Semple Loch on 19 Mar (RSPB et al).

One was at Muirhouse Muir on 24 Oct (DS), at Blairskaith (NS602762) on 8 Dec (JTK), and what was presumed to be the same bird at Dumbrock Muir (NS554728) on 18 Dec (ECD).

 

Jay Garrulus glandarius

Winter-spring reports were of 1 at Finlaystone Estate 1 Jan-19 Feb, 2 on 21 Feb, 3 on 1 Mar, still 2 on 11 Apr (RB), 1 Cathkin Braes 5 Jan (SAW), 3 Endrick Mouth 6 Jan (AKMcN), singles noted at Merryton/Carbarns on 14 Jan, 23 Feb, 25 Mar (AIE), nearby 1 Baron's Haugh 31 Jan (MMcG), 2 Carbeth Loch 15 Jan (AKMcN), 1 at Hill House, Helensburgh 16 Jan (ANi), 1 Ardgowan Estate 21 Jan (IC), 2 at Red Road, Cardross 24 Jan (FL), 2 Dumbrock Muir 27 Jan (JJM), 1 at Loch Ardinning SWT Reserve 8 Feb (FH), 1 at the Dougalston walkway on 10 Feb and 17 Mar (per BT), 1 at Dullatur 12 Feb (FH), 2 Endrick Mouth 25 Feb (ANi), 1 Rowardennan 2 Mar (ECD), 1 at Darleith 12 Mar (FL), 1 by the F&CC at Knightswood on 12 Mar (GJC), and 1 at Finnich Glen on 25 Mar (AKMcN).

Reports during the breeding season were of 3 territories Endrick Mouth (SNH), a territory Mugdock Country Park, with a family party of 5 noted on 16-18 Aug (AKMcN), 1 Houston House 14 May (GB), 2 at Loch Ardinning SWT Reserve 17 May (JTK), 1 at Muir Park Resr on 29 May (JTT), 1 at Bargane Plantation on 23 June (FG), 1 at Lang Craigs on 24 June (ECD), 1 at Ardess on 29 June (NTS), and 1 at a nut-feeder at Darleith on 12 July (FL). Summary: up to 11 possible pairs at 9 sites reported, with confirmed breeding at Mugdock Country Park. With the species now more widespread than previously recorded, breeding evidence is sparse, presumably due to the birds' secretive nature (ed.).

Autumn reports included 1 at a feeder in Dalmore Crescent, Helensburgh during Aug (HS), 4 at Auchineden on 1 Aug (GJB), 1 at Muirshiel Country Park on 17 Aug (IPG), 1 at Baron's Haugh on 17 Aug and 1 Oct (ECD,JCM), 1 Kilmannan Resr 25 Aug (GJB), 2 Killoeter 30 Aug (FL), 1 at Barscube Hill West on 7 Sep, 2 Gleddoch Plantation 9 Sep, 2 Barscube Hill Pond 11 Sep (DSF), 1 at Carron Valley Reservoir on 15 Sep (GJB), 1 on 23 Sep (DRMcC), 1 at Colgrain on 22 Sep and 22 Oct (DHMcE), 2 at Mugdock Country Park on 25 Sep, 6 on 29 Oct (GC), 7 on 24 Nov (GJC), singles at Merryton/Carbarns on 27 Sep, 8 Oct, 17 Oct, 29 Oct and 19 Nov (AIE), 1 at Ladymuir Forest on 2 Oct and 28 Oct (DSF), 2 at Hill House, Helensburgh on 13 Oct and 18 Dec (ANi), 2 at Rowardennan Hotel on 15 Oct (NR), 1 at Bargane Plantation on 24 Oct (ADW), 1 at Cathkin Braes 7 Nov (DWM), 1 Finlaystone Estate 10 Nov (DSF), 2 Mugdock Loch 13 Nov (AKMcN), and 1 at Dumbrock Muir on 18 Dec (ECD).

 

Magpie Pica pica

Winter-spring reports included counts of 20 in Tollcross Park, Glasgow on 13 Jan (CRS), and 15 in Queen's Park, Glasgow on 16 Feb (per BT).

Breeding reports (prs = apparently occupied nests)

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Balgray Reservoir	3	J&VW	East/West Millichen	3	SL	Merryton/Carbarns	2	AIE
Bishopton BAE (part)	1	SL	Glasgow, Linn Park	1	JMcO	SC Park, North Haugh	3	IL
Colgrain	3	DHM	Langbank village	3	DSF

Summary: 19 pairs reported at 8 sites in 2006 (heavily under-recorded).

Autumn-winter counts included 12 at Merryton Wood on 29 Sep (AIE), 24 at Garscube Estate on 10 Oct (TB), 30 at Rosshall on 13 Nov (SPM), 18 at Kelvingrove Park on 25 Nov (MMcG), and 14 at Glasgow Green on 12 Dec (CRS).

 

Jackdaw Coloeus monedula

Winter-spring reports included 400 in pre-roost beside Glen Moss 2 Jan (IPG), 114 Carbarns Pool 9 Jan (AIE), 100 Balloch 25 Feb (per BT), 470 at roost Daldowie 21 Dec (CRS).

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

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Bishopton BAE (part)	1	SL	Merryton/Carbarns	5	AIE	Pilmuir Quarry	20	J&VW
Langbank village	14	DSF

Jackdaw breeding summary: 40 pairs at 4 sites.

Autumn-winter counts include 180 Carbarns 14 Oct (AIE).

 

Rook Corvus frugilegus

Winter-spring reports included 150 Cardross 28 Jan (JBB), and 100 feeding on a freshly slurried field at Darleith on 5 Feb (FL).

Rookery nest counts are shown in the following table:

Rookery site	Nests	Date	Observer	Rookery site	Nests	Date	Observer
Bishopton, Cora Campus	63	April	DSF	Milngavie Dougalston (N)	84	10 Apr	AKMcN
Cardross Church	2	21 Mar	AKMcN	Milngavie, Baldernock Ch	5	9 Apr	AKMcN
Carstairs Junction, Grangehall	14	30 Apr	JND,ADW	Milngavie, Baldernock House	119	14 Apr	AKMcN
Daldowie	245	19 Apr	CRS	Milngavie, Baldernock Manse	31	10 Apr	AKMcN
Dumbarton, Strathleven Pl	7	mid-Apr	JM	Milngavie, Boghall	3	14 Apr	AKMcN
Erskine Hospital	105	23 Mar	FH	Milngavie, Chestnut Lane	12	24 Apr	AKMcN
Glenboig, Mount Ellen GC	126	28 Apr	IPG	Milngavie, Dougalston (S)	27	4 Apr	AKMcN
Inchinnan, Greenhead	30	12 May	FH	Milngavie, Dumgoyne Ave	4	9 Apr	AKMcN
Kilmacolm, Milton	67	12 May	ADW	Milngavie, Mains E (N)	43	24 Apr	AKMcN
Kilsyth, High Banton	58	27 Mar	PGC	Milngavie, Mains E (S)	40	24 Apr	AKMcN
Langbank, Elmbank	15	Apr	DSF	N Mearns, Kirkhill House	4	10 Apr	J&VW
Langbank, Gleddoch House	8	Apr	DSF	Neilston Railway Station	5	10 Apr	J&VW
Langbank, Main Road	28	Apr	DSF	Newhouse (South)	14	30 Apr	JND,ADW
Langbank, Seath Avenue	21	Apr	DSF	Newhouse (North)	7	30 Apr	JND,ADW
Lochwinnoch, Hungry Monk	3	6 May	MMcG	West Ferry, Ferryhill Pl	7	Apr	DSF
Mearns Castle	30	8 Apr	J&VW	West Netherhouses	11	4 May	MMcG
Merryton Farm	50	Apr	AIE

Summary: 1288 nests counted at 33 rookeries in 2006.

 

Carrion Crow Corvus corone

Breeding reports (prs = territorial or nesting pairs)

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Ardmore Point	1	AKM	Erskine Harbour	1	FH	Lochcraig Reservoir	1	J&VW
Ballochruin	1	AKM	Gimlet Burn	1	IPG	Lochgoin Reservoir	1	WK
Brother Loch	1	WK	Kilmacolm High Dam	1	WK	Lochwinnoch Reserve	1	RSPB
Creuch Hill	2	IPG	Kilmardinny Loch	1	AKM	Merryton/Carbarns	3	AIE
Dunwan Dam	2	WK	Kirkland Bridge	1	SL	Milngavie, Chestnut Lane	1	AKM
Endrick M, Crom Mhin	1	SNH	Kittoch Bridge	1	SL	Milngavie, Mains Estate	1	AKM
Endrick M, Low Mains	4	SNH	Loch Thom	1	MMcG	Raith Burn	1	IPG

Summary: 28 pairs reported from 21 sites in 2006. Other notes included: (i) slight recovery on West Renfrew Heights due to reduced persecution by gamekeepers (IPG); (ii) of the 3 prs at Merryton/Carbarns, 2 prs had three young each, and one pair's nest was blown down from pylon (AIE).

Autumn-winter reports included a partial albino at Wemyss Point on 27 July, a Carrion/hybrid pair with b/3, all with extensive white feathers on wings (more than just white primary shafts which is not uncommon), one with hybrid plumage, at Wemyss Point on 5 Aug (IPG), 20 Newshot Island 15 Sep (AJR), 50 over Aird Meadow 15 Sep (RSPB), 26 on shore West Ferry 10 Oct, and 25 on Erskine shore 19 Nov (ADW).

 

Hooded Crow Corvus cornix

Birds reported as 'pure' Hooded Crows were 12 at Coiregrogain 14 Feb, 2 at Inveruglas 14 Feb, 2 Ben Lomond 2 Mar (ECD), a pair Coire nan Each, Inveruglas 23 Apr (MMcG,JTT), 2 Cardross Bay 25 July (GJB), 2 Auchengaich 29 July (MMcG,JTT), 1 Millichen Flood 8 Aug (GJB), 1 at Inversnaid 28 Aug (AKMcN), 1 Douglas Estate 17 Sep (KS), and 2 Helensburgh-Rhu Point 15 Nov (DSF).

Carrion x Hooded Crow hybrids (C. corone x cornix) reported were 1 at Helensburgh 6 Feb-7 Dec (GJB), 1 Langholm Farm 11 Mar (JND,ADW), 1 Strathaven 19 Mar (JTT), 1 Duchal Moor 6 May-25 June (IPG,KMcG), 1 at West Kilbride, Glen Fruin 6 May, 4 at Ballevoulin 29 July (MMcG,JTT), 2 at Barochan interchange 31 July, 1 Brookfield 31 July, and 1 at Auchentiber, Strathgryfe on 27 Sep (ADW).

 

Raven Corvus corax

Reports during the first half of the year included 1 at Balmore Haughs 2 Jan (HM), 2 Ardmore North Bay 15 Jan, 1 present and calling frequently in wood at Ardmore at least 15 Jan-9 Apr (IPG), 3 on 14-19 Feb (FL et al), very scarce West Renfrew Heights Jan-Mar (IPG), a pair Baron's Haugh 1 Feb (JCM), 2 Conic Hill 2 Feb, 2 Coiregrogain 14 Feb (ECD), 12 Walston 21 Feb (JCM), 4 Creuch Hill 22 Feb (MMcG), 4 over Cardross Bay 27 Feb (AGG), 2 Ben Lomond 2 Mar (ECD), 2 west over East Kilbride 8 Mar, 2 over Windhill Farm, Strathaven 2 Apr (JJM), 5 at lamb corpse South Langbank 6 Apr (DSF), 2 N over Howwood 8 Apr (IPG), 2 on the Crow Rd near Lennoxtown 7 Apr (JTT), 4 Auchendores Resr 8 Apr (DSF), 2 W over there on 9 Apr (IPG), a pair Coire nan Each, Inveruglas 23 Apr (JTT), and 2 prs over the Fintry Hills at Loch Walton on 23 Apr (AKMcN).

Breeding reports involved 10 pairs nesting Renfrewshire (7 on pylons, 1 on a communications mast, 2 in quarries), including a pair which started building at their usual quarry site but moved to a nearby pylon (outcome unknown), at least 4 pairs successful rearing 7 young (not a good year), one quarry pair failed early, one pair built nest on communications mast but apparently did not lay, and outcome unknown at 3 sites (IPG,JSW,VW et al); Lanarkshire only one breeding pair reported (on natural cliff but outcome unknown) (AIE), believed to be considerably under-recorded, particularly in South Lanarkshire (ed.); disappointingly, information for West Stirlingshire withheld by Central Scotland Raptor Study Group (ed.); 3 nests reported West Dunbartonshire, including one tree nest, and a pair showing interest in a communications mast but no nest built (JM). Other breeding season notes included a ♀ gathering grass for nest lining at a pylon in Renfrewshire from 3.5 km away, at least four times (accompanied by mate) and against a blustery SW wind, on 25 Feb (IPG).

Post-breeding reports included 4 Glen Fruin 6 May (MMcG), 4 Overtoun House 6 June (FH), a pair with two juvs over Dumbarton Rock 11 June (JSW,VW), 2 prs in apparent territorial dispute, including aerial displays, Garvock Hill 22 June (IPG), 6 there on 30 Aug (MMcG), 6 at Meikle Bin 27 June (ECD), pair b/3 on Little Misty Law 25 June (nearest known nest site in North Ayrshire) (IPG), 2 Martin Cleuch, Culter Glen 11 July (SRi), a moulting pair Cat Craig 15 July (IPG), 2 at Cashel 20 July (ECD), 1 in Glasgow at Garscadden Wood 25 July (CRS), 6 Lairdside Hill 1 Aug (JTT), 2 at Dolphinton on 14 Aug and 16 Aug (AMcA), flock 36 Misty Law 10 Sep (per KMcG), 2 in Glasgow over Garscube Estate 20 Sep (TB), 2 Barcraigs Resr 25 Sep (IPG), 3 Garvald Quarry 26 Sep (AMcA), 4 SW over Seath Ave, Langbank 1 Oct (DSF), an apparently injured bird on the gasometer at Dawsholm/Anniesland, Glasgow 14-15 Oct (JJM), 4 Lang Craigs 5 Nov (ECD), a roost of 46 birds at Crawfordjohn on 26 Nov (JDa), 3 Aird Meadow 1 Dec (RSPB), 9 in pre-roost gathering Hartfield Moss (at NS417567) at 1555 hrs on 16 Dec (IPG), 4 Inversnaid 23 Dec, 3 Daer Resr 24 Dec (JTT), and 2 at Dungoil on 24 Dec (FH).

 

Waxwing Bombycilla garrulus

Following relatively few reports at the end of 2005, good numbers moved into the area after the New Year: 1 at Drymen on 2 Jan (per JM), 1 at Balfleurs St, Milngavie 2 Jan (JTK), 1 feeding on Guelder Rose (Viburnum opulus) berries in the observer's garden in Havelock Place, Helensburgh on 3 Jan, followed by 3 on 4 Jan, 9 on 10 Mar (CMacL), 1 Garscube Estate 4 Jan (TB), 20 Pollok Country Park 8 Jan (per RSPB), 12 in Knightswood, Glasgow 8 Jan (per BT), 1 in a High Banton garden, Kilsyth 19 Jan (PGC), 2 in Craigielea Rd, Renfrew on 24 Jan (ECD,FH), 21 at Stonelaw Woods, Burnside 26 Jan (JMcO), 36 at Kirklandneuk Park, Renfrew 26 Jan, 17 on 30 Jan (ECD), 39 at Harmony Row, Glasgow 30 Jan, 81 at the north entrance to the Clyde Tunnel on 30 Jan (LJP), 80 there on 4 Feb (JC), 14 in Gartcraig Rd, Glasgow on 3 Feb, 15 on 6 Feb, 14 on 7 Feb, 9 on 10 Feb (CRS), 2 at Jenny's Well LNR, Paisley 4 Feb (MSm), 40 Violet Street, Paisley 5 Feb, 21 in Seedhill Rd, Paisley 6 Feb (GTW), 6 Langcroft Rd, Glasgow 11 Feb (JJM), 82 Westerlands, Anniesland 12 Feb (JC), 64 F&C Canal near Temple 12 Feb, 50 Knightswood Cross 16 Feb (LJP), 37 Blythswood Square, Glasgow 21 Feb (JMcO), 14 at Woodcroft Ave, Broomhill, Glasgow on 23 Feb, followed by 82 on 26 Feb, 96 on 27 Feb, 2 on 28 Feb, 29 on 1 Mar, 19 on 2 Mar, 30 on 4 Mar, 44 on 6 Mar, 14 on 12 Mar, 7 on 18 Mar, 4 on 20 Mar, 31 on 22 Mar, 10 on 23 Mar, 14 on 24 Mar, 7 on 1 Apr (per BT), 12 Main Street, Busby 1 Mar (JMcO), 35 on 9 Mar (JSW, VW), 17 on 11 Mar (SAW), 40 at Dover St, Glasgow 7 Mar (KWa), 3 by A8 at Greenock/Port Glasgow boundary 9 Mar, 80 on 10 Mar, 65 on 11 Mar (ADW), 20 Langton Road, Newlands early March, 8 on 26-27 Mar (per RSPB), 30 feeding on cotoneasters at Wyndford PS, Glasgow on 12 Mar (JJM), 64 feeding on rosehips St Andrew's Academy, Paisley 13 Mar, 18 flying N over Hawkhead Road, Paisley on 15 Mar (JTT), 50 at Kelvingrove Park 15 Mar (CJMcI), 40 Clarkston Rd, Netherlee on 20 Mar (SAW), 20 on 22 Mar, 13 on 23 Mar (JMcO), 8 at Tesco car park, Milngavie on 17 Mar (AKMcN), 30 at Athole Gardens, Glasgow on 22 Mar (CJMcI), 1 Bellsmyre Ave, Dumbarton on 31 Mar (per JJM), 14 at the Botanic Gardens, Glasgow at 1030 hrs on 3 Apr (per JJM), 30 at Sauchiehall St/Elderslie St, Glasgow at 1840 hrs on 3 Apr, 16 N over Ascog Rd, Bearsden on 3 Apr (TB), 20 NE over The Murray, East Kilbride on 6 Apr (per JJM), 25 over First Ave, Netherlee at 1900 hrs on 8 Apr (SAW), 6 briefly at Strathview Rd, Bellshill on 9 Apr (IL), 23 at Hattonrig Rd/Reema Rd, Bellshill on 18 Apr (per JJM), 30 feeding on tree buds Maxwell Park 23-24 Apr (AT), and 34 still there on 27 Apr (DMcL).

The only end of year report was of 11 at Dykebar Garden Centre, Paisley on 25 Dec (ECD).

 

Coal Tit Periparus ater

Winter-spring reports included a count of 13 at Southhill Woods, Dolphinton on 8 Jan (AMcA).

See overleaf for breeding table.

Autumn-winter reports included counts of 56 at Southhill Woods, Dolphinton on 14 Aug (AMcA), and 10 at Locherwood Community Woodland on 5 Dec (ECD).

Coal Tit breeding reports (prs = territorial pairs or singing ♂♂)

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Avon Gorge	1	FH	Langbank village	4	DSF	Merryton/Carbarns	2	AIE
Bishopton BAE (part)	1	SL	Leperstone Reservoir	1	FH	Midross Golf Course	7	SL
Carnbooth Farm	11	SL	Loch Ardinning SWT Res	1	JTK	Renfrew Golf Course	2	FH
Endrick M, Shore Wood	1	SNH	L Lomond, Inveruglas	1	JTT	SC Park, North Haugh	3	IL
Kilmacolm, Milton	1	ADW	Locherwood Com Wood	3	FH
Kirkland Bridge	1	SL	Lochwinnoch Reserve	5	RSPB

Summary: 45 pairs reported at 16 sites in 2006.

 

Willow Tit Poecile montanus

Winter-spring reports involved only singles at Greenhead on 4 Feb and 21 Mar. The only breeding report was of a breeding pair at Greenhead, their brood of 9 being ringed on 6 June. Autumn-winter reports were of single birds at Greenhead on 16 Dec and 26 Dec (JCM).

This species appears to be in imminent danger of becoming extinct in the Clyde area (ed.).

 

Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus

Winter-spring reports included 10 at Aird Meadow on 25 Jan (RSPB).

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

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Bishopton, BAE (part)	6	SL	Erskine Harbour	3	FH	Lochwinnoch Reserve	22	RSPB
Bishopton, Chestnut Ave	2	FH	Erskine STW	1	FH	Longhaugh Point	3	FH
Blackhouse Farm	2	SL	Formakin Estate	3	FH	Merryton/Carbarns	7	AIE
Carnbooth Farm	15	SL	Glasgow, Tollcross Park	1	CRS	Mid Netherton Farm	13	SL
Darnley Glen	1	CRS	Kilmardinny Loch	2	AKM	Midross Golf Course	40	SL
Douglas Water Pools	1	JJM	Kirkland Bridge	4	SL	Milngavie, Mains Estate	1	AKM
East/West Millichen	13	SL	Kittoch Bridge	4	SL	Pollok Country Park	4	CRS
Endrick M, Aber Bog	5	SNH	Langbank village	12	DSF	Possil Marsh SWT Res	1	JJM
Endrick M, Crom Mhin	1	SNH	Leperstone Resr	2	FH	Renfrew, Haining Road	1	FH
Endrick M, Low Mains	6	SNH	Linwood Moss	1	FH	SC Park, North Haugh	8	IL
Endrick M, Ring Point	1	SNH	Loch Ardinning SWT	4	JTK	Waulkmill Glen	2	CRS
Endrick M, Shore Wood	1	SNH	Loch Lomond, Ross Park	5	FH	Windlaw Farm	1	SL

Summary: 199 pairs reported from 36 sites in 2006.

Autumn-winter counts included 20 at Strathclyde Country Park on 8 Aug (AKMcN), and 10 at Kirklandneuk, Renfrew on 11 Nov (ECD).

 

Great Tit Parus major

Winter-spring reports included 3 in song at Dougalston on 1 Jan (AKMcN), and a count of 10 at Aird Meadow on 6 Feb (RSPB).

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

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Balmuildy Bridge	1	CRS	Erskine Harbour	4	FH	Merryton/Carbarns	12	AIE
Bishopton BAE (part)	1	SL	Formakin Estate	2	FH	Mid Netherton Farm	7	SL
Bishopton, Chestnut Ave	3	FH	Glasgow, Tollcross Park	1	CRS	Midross Golf Course	18	SL
Carnbooth Farm	14	SL	Johnstone, Russell Street	1	JTT	Milngavie, Mains Estate	2	AKM
Darnley Glen	3	CRS	Kilmardinny Loch	4	AKM	Pollok Country Park	6	CRS
East/West Millichen	7	SL	Kirkland Bridge	3	SL	Possil Marsh SWT Res	2	JJM
Endrick M, Aber Bog	5	SNH	Kittoch Bridge	3	SL	Renfrew, Haining Rd	1	FH
Endrick M, Crom Mhin	2	SNH	Langbank village	12	DSF	Renfrew, Marjory Road	1	ECD
Endrick M, Low Mains	5	SNH	Linwood Moss	2	FH	SC Park, North Haugh	6	IL
Endrick M, Ring Point	1	SNH	Loch Ardinning SWT	2	JTK	Waulkmill Glen	2	CRS
Endrick M, Shore Wood	5	SNH	Lochwinnoch Reserve	12	RSPB	Windlaw Farm	1	SL

Great Tit breeding summary: 151 pairs reported at 33 sites in 2006. Notes included: first juvs noted in Renfrew on 18 June (ECD).

 

Skylark Alauda arvensis

Winter-spring flock counts included 90 Walston 18 Feb (JTT), 100 between Red Road and Cardross Crematorium 28 Feb (ANi), 50 Cornalees Bridge 10 Mar (MMcG). Breeding season reports included a ♂ in song at Gartloch Pool on 2 Feb (CRS), late return to West Renfrew Heights, first singing ♂ on 11 Mar (IPG), and none bred at Hogganfield Park LNR for the second year running (GCC).

Breeding reports

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Ardmore Point	1	ANi	Cathkin Braes	4	SAW	Endrick M, Ring Point	7	SNH
Balgray Reservoir	2	J&VW	Colaouse Hill-Garvock	4	MMcG	Erskine	1	ECD
Barscube Hill	10	DSF	Crawhin Hill	5	IPG	Erskine Sewage Works	3	FH
Ben Lomond	4	ECD	Darndaff Muir	9	MMcG	Finnich Glen	4	AKM
Bennan Loch	3	J&VW	Douglas Water Pools	1	JJM	Glasgow, Robroyston Pk	3	GCC
Bishop Loch	2	CRS	Duchal Moor	6	ECD	Harelaw Dam	5	J&VW
Bishopton Ponds M8	1	FH	East/West Millichen	12	SL	Heathfield	1	ECD
Cardowan Moss	2	CRS	Endrick M, Crom Mhin	27	SNH	Kelly Cut	4	ECD
Knapps Loch	3	FH	Meikle Bin	1	ECD	Paisley Moss LNR	1	FH
Leitchland Dam	2	FG	Merryton/Carbarns	3	AIE	Ptarmigan Ridge	1	ECD
Lin Burn/M8	3	SL	Mid Netherton Farm	7	SL	Renfrew-Yonderton (1km)	3	FH
L. Ardinning SWT Reserve	1	JTK	Mugdock Country Park	1	AKM	Wenchly Top	9	IPG
Loch Thom	1	MMcG	Muirhouse Muir	2	AKM	Windlaw Farm	17	SL
Lochgoin Reservoir	6	WK	Newshot Island	1	ECD
Longhaugh Point	6	FH	Orchard Farm Pool	1	CL

Summary: 190 pairs reported at 43 sites in 2006.

Autumn-winter reports included 20 at Cardross 22 Sep (JBB), 10-12 on passage over Merryton 25 Sep, up to 30 over there in 2 hrs on 17 Oct (AIE), 25 at Darleith 29 Oct (FL), 40 at Arkleston on 16 Nov, 30 on 27 Nov , 60 on 1 Dec (FH,ECD), and 50 at Portnauld on 17 Dec (ECD).

 

Sand Martin Riparia riparia

Spring arrival was not as early as in some recent years, reports including 1 at Baron's Haugh on 27 Mar (JCM), 120 on 5 Apr (per BS), 4 at Merryton/Carbarns on 27 Mar, 11 on 30 Mar, 120 on 2 Apr (AIE), 8 at Aird Meadow 30 Mar (RSPB), 15 over the River Clyde at Daldowie, Glasgow on 31 Mar (CRS), 3 at Douglas Water Pools on 2 Apr (JJM), 10 at Auchendores Resr 2 Apr (GT), 4 at the Endrick Mouth on 4 Apr (ANi), 6 at Newshot Island on 7 Apr (AJR), and subsequent reports of 80 at Auchendores Resr on 8 Apr (DSF), 150 on 22 Apr (IPG), 50 at Bardowie Loch on 10 Apr (AKMcN), 20 Black Cart Water, Yonderton 21 Apr (FH), 3 separate individuals NW over Queenside Hill during the afternoon of 23 Apr (IPG), 50 at Aird Meadow on 24 Apr (RSPB), 20 over the River Clyde at Glasgow Green on 25 Apr (JJM), 200 at Douglas Estate on 20 May (MMcG), and 100 at Daldowie on 23 June (CRS).

Sand Martin breeding colonies in 2006 (pairs = apparently occupied burrows)

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Garvald Quarry	352	AMcA	R Clyde, Merryton	186	AIE	W Cart Water, The Ford	4	SL
Greenoakhill Sand Qy	360	JRo	R Clyde, Rothesay Dock	20	ECD	W Cart Water, Pollok CP	5	J&VW
Herdshill (bing)	2	ADW	R Kelvin, Balmuildy	2	JC
Powbrone Burn	16	J&VW	Tarbrax (bing)	2	ADW

Summary: 949 pairs reported from 10 colonies in 2006. Other breeding comments: (i) Drumbeg Sand Quarry site was totally deserted (JM); (ii) 40 going into cracks in the wall at Rothesay Dock on 10 July (ECD); no sign of any using the purpose built wall at Renfrew on 10 July (ECD).

Autumn reports included a leucistic bird noted at Merryton/Carbarns on 2 July (DA), 200 over South Medwin Pools on 10 July (JSW,VW), 2 at Newshot Island on 25 Aug (AJR), 15 at Garvald Quarry on 25 Aug (AMcA), 50 Douglas Estate 29 Aug (JSW,VW), 1 Baron's Haugh 1 Sep (GJB), 20 Aird Meadow 4 Sep (RSPB), and 40 at Craigends Bridge, Bridge of Weir on 5 Sep (ADW).

 

Swallow Hirundo rustica

Spring arrival involved 1 at Baron's Haugh on 30 Mar (JCM), 6 on 5 Apr (per BS), 2 NW over Hogganfield Loch at 1815 hrs on 1 Apr (JJM), 1 there on 5 Apr (CRS), 3 on 7 Apr (GCC), 1 at Carbarns Pool 2 Apr (AIE), 4 at Auchendores Resr 2 Apr (GT), 12 on 6 Apr (DSF), 70 on 22 Apr (IPG), 1 at Drymen Bridge 3 Apr (JTT), 1 at Wards, Endrick Mouth on 4 Apr (ANi), 6 at Ryat Linn Resr on 5 Apr, 2 at Rouken Glen Park Pond 7 Apr (JSW,VW), 15 at Barcraigs Resr on 8 Apr (IPG), 1 at Linn Park on 10 Apr (SAW), 1 at Bardowie Loch on 10 Apr (AKMcN), 9 at Crom Mhin on 10 Apr (ANi), 1 at Howwood on 11 Apr (IPG), 2 at Gartloch Pool on 11 Apr (GCC), and small nos widespread at farms in West Renfrewshire by 14 Apr (IPG).

Breeding reports

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Cornalees Bridge	3	MMcG	Carbarns Farms	2	AIE	Lochwinnoch Reserve	2	RSPB
Barrance	3	J&VW	Creuch Hill (hut)	1	IPG	Mid Netherton Farm	2	SL
Bishopton BAE (part)	2	SL	East/West Millichen	4	SL	Midross Golf Course	4	SL
Camps Reservoir (hut)	2	J&VW	Finlaystone Estate	7	DSF	Wintercleugh	2	J&VW
Camps Resr, Grains	2	J&VW	Formakin Estate	1	FH
Campshead	2	J&VW	Langbank village	2	DSF

Summary: 41 pairs reported at 16 sites in 2006. Other notes included: a late brood left nest at Langbank village on 30 Aug (DSF).

Autumn reports included 250 at Gartloch Pool on 14 Aug (GCC), 100 at Colgrain 17 Aug, 60 on 3 Sep, last 3 on 3 Oct (DHMcE), 100 at Aird Meadow 1 Sep (RSPB), 80 past Merryton/Carbarns on 3 Sep, 50 on 21 Sep (AIE), 50 at Craigends Bridge, Bridge of Weir on 5 Sep (ADW), 240 at Barscube Hill East on 8 Sep (DSF), 20 Cashel 23 Sep (AKMcN), 1 Cathkin Braes 26 Sep (SAW), 20 Darleith 30 Sep (FL), 1 Langlands 30 Sep (NDW), 2 Gleddoch Golf Course 1 Oct (DSF), 2 NW high over Ardmore Point on 2 Oct (ANi), 5 at Moyne Farm on 3 Oct, 1 Balgray Resr 9 Oct (JSW, VW), 4 Garvald Quarry 9 Oct (AMcA), a very late 1 SW over East Kilbride on 4 Nov (ADW), and 1 at Newton Mearns on 8 Nov (JMcO).

 

House Martin Delichon urbicum

Spring arrival/passage reports included 1 at Baron's Haugh 9-10 Apr (per BS,JCM), 1 at Wards, Endrick Mouth 10 Apr (ANi), 2 Barnsford Bridge 15 Apr (AJR), 1 Cathkin Braes 15 Apr (SAW), 1 at Balgray Resr 17 Apr (JSW,VW), 8 at Auchendores Resr on 22 Apr (IPG), 1 Colgrain 23 Apr (DHMcE), nest building Culter Waterhead 23 Apr (JSW,VW), 7 at Newshot Island on 23 Apr (AJR), 4 at Inveruglas 23 Apr (JTT), 2 Newshot Island 25 Apr (ECD), 1 Black Cart Water 27 Apr (FH), 3 in Langbank village 27 Apr (DSF), 5 Aird Meadow 3 May (RSPB), 100 Auchendores Resr 15 May (ECD), and 1 NW over Duchal Moor at 1830 hrs on 29 May (IPG). Summer counts included 45 (including juvs) feeding over Birkmyre Park, Kilmacolm on 26 July (IPG).

Breeding reports

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Ardgowan House	1	FG	Garelochhead	8	AMcI	N Mearns, Kirkhill	6	GRW
Camps Resr, Grains	28	J&VW	L Lomond, Ardess Lodge	4	NTS	N Mearns, Westacres	38	GRW
Camps Resr, houses	11	J&VW	Langbank village	6	DSF	Renfrew, Britannia Way	1	FH
Campshead	23	J&VW	Lochwinnoch, Lochhead Ave	1	YR	Wintercleugh (2 houses)	22	J&VW
Cornalees Bridge	4	MMcG	Midross Golf Course	4	SL

Summary: 157 pairs reported from 14 colonies in 2006. Other notes included: (i) breeding numbers very low Helensburgh (DHMcE); (ii) for the first year ever, no breeding took place at Carbarns Farms (AIE).

Autumn reports included 400 at Balgray Resr on 8 Aug (JSW,VW), 20 at Killearn on 13 Aug (DHMcE), 150 at Craigends Bridge, Bridge of Weir on 5 Sep (ADW), 6 at Darleith on 5 Sep (FL), 20 at Barscube Hill East on 8 Sep, 60 at Gleddoch Golf Course 9 Sep (DSF), 14 Renfrew 9 Sep (FH), 4 at Garelochhead on 14 Sep (AMcI), 10 Newshot Island 15 Sep (AJR), 3 at Garvald Quarry on 15 Sep (AMcA), 1 Baron's Haugh 19 Sep (GJB), and 2 at Aird Meadow on 22 Sep (RSPB).

 

Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus

Winter-spring reports included 15 at Cruach Tairbeirt 1 Jan 12 regularly coming to feeder in a Shandon garden during Jan (JCl), 25 Pollok Country Park 7 Jan (LMcB), 50 Mugdock Country Park 8 Jan (RG), 15 Tollcross Park 13 Jan (CRS), 20 at Lochwinnoch RSPB Reserve on 31 Jan and 11 Feb (RSPB), 8 Boden Boo 18 Jan (ECD), 10 Cathkin Braes 16 Jan (DWM), 13 on feeders at Cloch Caravan Park 19 Jan (FG), 8 Loch Bowie 25 Jan (ECD), 12 Linn Park 26 Jan (SAW), 12 at Loch Ardinning SWT Reserve 26 Jan (FH), 20 Baron's Haugh 31 Jan (MMcG), 11 on peanut feeder Seath Ave, Langbank 31 Jan (DSF), and 12 at Dean Park Rd, Renfrew on 28 Feb (ECD).

Breeding reports (prs = territorial pairs or family parties)

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Arden House	1	FH	Glasgow, Linn Park	3	SAW	Nethan (Burnfoot)	1	JND
Brownside Braes	2	TB	Glen Moss	1	DSF	Newshot Island	2	DSF
Calderglen Country Pk	1	JJM	Hogganfield Park LNR	1	GCC	Old K'trick, The Saltings	1	FH
Carnbooth Farm	3	SL	Kirkland Bridge	1	SL	Pollok Country Park	1	per BT
Cathkin Braes	1	DWM	Kittoch Bridge	1	SL	Possil Marsh SWT Res	1	ADW
Dr'pellier, Monkland Cl	1	CL	Knocknairshill Cemy	1	ADW	Robroyston Park LNR	1	GCC
East/West Millichen	1	SL	L Lomond, Cashel	1	per BT	Rutherglen, Overtoun Pk	1	DWM
Endrick M, Ring Point	2	SNH	L Lomond, Rowardennan	1	per BT	SC Park, North Haugh	2	IL
Endrick M, Shore Wood	1	SNH	Loch Ardinning SWT Res	1	JTK	SC Park, Roman Fort	1	IL
Erskine Harbour	1	FH	Lochwinnoch Reserve	4	RSPB	Yetson	1	ADW
Erskine, Boden Boo	1	ECD	Merryton/Carbarns	1	AIE
Formakin Estate	1	FH	Midross Golf Course	5	SL

Summary: 49 pairs reported at 34 sites in 2006.

Autumn-winter reports included a family party at Merryton by 5 July, 21 on 8 Oct (AIE), 20 at Colgrain on 3 Sep (DHMcE), 24 Aird Meadow 22 Sep (RSPB), 25 Mugdock Country Park 25 Sep (GC), 2 flocks of 10 and 12 at Finlaystone Point on 29 Sep, 20 on 3 Nov (DSF), 20 St Vincent St, Glasgow 23 Oct (DHMcE), 17 Ardmore Point 19 Nov (IPG), 6 Renfrew Golf Course 1 Dec (FH), 17 Ardgowan Square, Greenock 9 Dec (ADW), 20 Muirshiel Country Park 19 Dec (per BT), 14 at Frankfield Loch on 19 Dec (GCC), 14 Inversnaid 23 Dec (JTT), 22 at Barr Loch 26 Dec (MMcG), 14 Linn Park 27 Dec (SAW), and 16 at Erskine Wood on 29 Dec (JTT).

The ten largest flocks reported in autumn-winter averaged 20.2 birds (cf. mean flock size 22.7 birds 1987-2005), suggesting that the 2006 breeding season may have been slightly below average in terms of productivity (ed.).

 

Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix

Arrivals and spring passage reports involved 3 singing ♂♂ at Sallochy on 25 Apr (IF), a ♂ in song Rowardennan 28 Apr (ECD), and a transient ♂ in song Linn Park 6 May (SAW).

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

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Faslane	1	JTT	Inversnaid	3	ECD	L Lomond,Rowardennan	6	per BT
Glen Falloch	2	per BT	L Lomond, Cashel	1	per BT	L Lomond, Sallochy	4	JJM
Glen Luss	2	HS	L Lomond, Firkin	2	DHM
Inverkip, Crowhill Wd	1	ADW	L Lomond, Inchcailloch	7	JJM

Summary: 29 pairs reported at 10 sites in 2006.

 

Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus

Arrivals (singing ♂♂) were 1 at Baron's Haugh 4 Apr (JCM), 1 Carbarns 10 Apr (DA), 1 at Bishop Loch LNR on 11 Apr (GCC), 1 at Newshot Island on 12 Apr, 8 on 23 Apr (AJR), 1 Aird Meadow 13 Apr, 21 on 26 Apr (RSPB), 1 at Langbank village on 13 Apr (DSF), 1 at Garelochhead 14 Apr, 1 at Kilcreggan 14 Apr (AMcI), 1 Great Western Rd, Glasgow 14 Apr (JJM), 2 Loch Ardinning SWT Reserve 15 Apr, 5 on 17 Apr (JTK), 1 at Colgrain on 15 Apr (DHMcE), 4 at Hill House, Helensburgh on 15 Apr (ANi), 2 Dumbrock Loch 16 Apr (AKMcN), 1 Linn Park 16 Apr (SAW), 1 Erskine Harbour 17 Apr, 1 Park Quay, Erskine 17 Apr, 2 Shilton Lane, Erskine 17 Apr (FH), 2 Balgray Resr 17 Apr (JSW,VW), 2 at Cathkin Braes 18 Apr, 12 on 23 Apr (DWM), 1 at Westerton Station, Bearsden 19 Apr (TB), 1 Cornalees Bridge 19 Apr (IPG), 1 Killoeter 19 Apr (FL), 1 Ben Nevis Rd, Paisley 20 Apr (JTT), and 8 at Muirshiel Country Park on 21 Apr (IPG).

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

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Arden House	1	FH	Endrick M, Aber Bog	8	SNH	Kittoch Bridge	1	SL
Balgray Reservoir	12	J&VW	Endrick M, Crom Mhin	19	SNH	Knapps Loch	9	FH
Ballochruin Bridge	2	AKM	Endrick M, Low Mains	13	SNH	Langbank village	15	DSF
Bishopton BAE (part)	8	SL	Endrick M, Ring Point	6	SNH	Lenzie, Bothlin Burn	12	JTMcE
Bishopton, Chestnut Ave	2	FH	Endrick M, Shore Wood	9	SNH	Leperstone Reservoir	3	FH
Black Cart Water	3	FH	Endrick M, Wards Pond	3	FH	Lin Burn/M8	1	SL
Blackhouse Farm	4	SL	Erskine Harbour	8	FH	Linn Park	2	SAW
Brownside Braes	31	TB	Erskine, Boden Boo	5	ECD	Linwood Moss	11	FH
Carnbooth Farm	12	SL	Erskine, Park Quay	4	ECD	Loch Ardinning SWT	18	JTK
Carron Valley Forest	25	AKM	Formakin Estate	5	FH	Kirkland Bridge	2	SL
Cathkin Braes	11	DWM	Gartsherrie Wood	8	CL	L Lomond, Cashel	5	per BT
Cawder Cuilt	1	TB	Glen Moss SWT Res	17	DSF	L Lomond, Firkin	4	DHM
Colgrain	4	DHM	Glasgow Green	2	JJM	L Lomond, Inversnaid	9	per BT
Dolphinton garden	1	AMcA	Glasgow, Richmond Pk	1	JJM	L Lomond, Inveruglas	6	JTT
Drumpellier Country Park	16	CL	Glen Falloch	2	per BT	L Lomond, Luss	5	RAB
Drumpellier Golf Course	6	CL	Greenock, Gt Harbour	1	MMcG	L Lomond, R'dennan	8	per BT
Drumpellier, Monkland Cl	9	CL	Gryfe Plantation	5	MMcG	L Lomond, Ross Park	14	FH
Dunrod Farm	1	MMcG	Hurlet Hill	3	CRS	L Lomond, Rossdhu	10	SL
E Kilbride, Heritage Park	4	JJM	Inchinnan village	2	FH	L Lomond, Sallochy	12	FH
East Gavin Farm	4	TB	Inverkip, Crowhill Wd	2	ADW	Locherwood Com Wood	7	FH
East Kilbride, Langlands	16	DWM	Kilbarchan	9	per BT	Lochwinnoch, Barrodger	1	MMcG
East/West Millichen	2	SL	Kilmardinny Loch	1	AKM	Lochwinnoch Reserve	42	RSPB
Longhaugh Point	7	FH	Newton of Belltrees	3	MMcG	Rottenburn Bridge	1	MMcG
Mid Netherton Farm	7	SL	Paisley Moss LNR	4	FH	Rowbank Cottage	3	MMcG
Midross Golf Course	84	SL	Petershill, Red Road	1	CRS	SC Park, North Haugh	16	IL
Mugdock Country Park	10	per BT	PG, Craigmarloch Wood	12	DSF	SC Park, Roman Fort	7	IL
Muirhouse Muir	1	AKM	Pilmuir Quarry	3	J&VW	Skiff Wood	20	per BT
N Mearns, Harvie Ave	1	GRW	Possil Marsh SWT Res	9	JJM	Waulkmill Glen	5	J&VW
N Mearns, Patterton	3	GRW	Renfrew Golf Course	1	FH	West Netherhouses	1	MMcG
Neilston Pad	15	J&VW	Renfrew, Blythswood IE	2	FH	Windlaw Farm	1	SL
Newshot Island	5	AJR	Renfrew, Haining Rd	1	FH

Summary: 772 pairs reported at 96 sites in 2006. Other notes included: a record number of breeding pairs in the Merryton/Carbarns area (AIE).

Autumn reports included 1 on heather moor near Craig of Todholes on 15 July (IPG), 17 at Loch Ardinning SWT Reserve on 20 July (JTK), 20 at Newshot Island on 4 Aug, 2 on 4 Sep (AJR), 1 in Newton Terrace, Sauchiehall St, Glasgow on 8 Aug, 17 Aug and 4 Sep (DHMcE), 10 Balgray Resr 4 Sep (JSW,VW), 1 Ardmore Point 8 Sep (ANi), 6 Barscube Hill Pond 8 Sep, 2 on 11 Sep (DSF), 1 Barscube Hill West 11 Sep, 2 Barscube Hill East 11 Sep (DSF), 1 Cloch Caravans 14 Sep (FG), 1 Possil Marsh 17 Sep (JJM), 2 West Millichen Farm 9 Oct (TPD), and an unusually late ♂ in sub-song at Garscube Estate on 10 Oct (TB).

 

Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita

Spring arrival (singing ♂♂) involved 3 at Daldowie on 31 Mar (CRS), 1 Baron's Haugh 3 Apr (GJB), 1 Glenoran, Rhu 8 Apr (HS), 1 Drums Estate 9 Apr (DSF), 1 Ross Wood 9 Apr (AKMcN), 1 Linn Park 10 Apr (SAW), 1 Boden Boo, Erskine 11 Apr (FH), 1 Cathkin Braes 11 Apr (DWM), 1 Erskine 12 Apr (ECD), 3 Erskine Hospital 14 Apr (FH), 1 Garelochhead 14 Apr (AMcI), 1 Maxwell Park 18 Apr (JJM), 1 Ardmore Point 16 Apr (ANi), 2 Waulkmill Glen 18 Apr (JSW, VW), 2 Formakin Estate 19 Apr (FH), and 1 in Langbank village on 20 Apr (DSF).

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

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Auchendores Reservoir	1	ADW	Garscube Estate	4	TB	Lochwinnoch Reserve	1	RSPB
Avon Gorge	3	FH	Glasgow Green	1	JJM	Mugdock Country Park	2	AKM
Black Cart Water	1	FH	Glasgow, Linn Park	6	SAW	Muirshiel Country Park	1	ECD
Calderglen Country Pk	1	JJM	Glasgow, Rosshall Park	1	CRS	Nemphlar, Rothesbank	1	JND
Carnbooth Farm	2	SL	Gourock, Cloch Road	1	DHM	Pollok Country Park	3	per BT
Cathkin Braes	2	DWM	Howwood, Belltrees Rd	1	JTT	Renfrew Golf Course	2	FH
Dalzell Estate	1	ECD	Inverkip, Crowhill Wood	1	ADW	Renfrew, Blythswood	1	ECD
East Gavin Farm	1	TB	Kilbarchan	1	per BT	Rouken Glen Pond	2	J&VW
Elderslie, Main Road	1	JTT	Kilmacolm, W Glen Road	1	ADW	SC Park, North Haugh	1	IL
Endrick M, Low Mains	1	SNH	Langbank village	6	DSF	SC Park, Roman Fort	2	IL
Erskine Harbour	1	FH	L Lomond, Balmaha	1	JJM	Skiff Wood	2	per BT
Erskine Hospital	1	DHM	L Lomond, Inveruglas	1	ECD	Waulkmill Glen	3	J&VW
Erskine, Boden Boo	3	ECD	L Lomond, Rowardennan	4	NTS
Formakin Estate	1	FH	L Lomond, Sallochy	1	FH

Summary: 71 pairs reported from 40 sites in 2006.

Autumn reports included 1 in a Dolphinton garden on 10 Sep (AMcA), 1 at Endrick Mouth 10 Sep (AKMcN), a ♂ in song Drums Estate 11 Sep (DSF), a ♂ singing in willow in marsh Robroyston Park LNR 14 Sep (GCC), 1 at Finlaystone Estate on 14 Sep, 1 Parklea 15 Sep (DSF), a ♂ in song Muirshiel Country Park visitor centre 15 Sep (ECD), 1 Garelochhead 15 Sep (AMcI), 2 Gleddoch Golf Course 17-22 Sep, 1 on 30 Sep, 4 Finlaystone Point 18 Sep, a ♂ in song on 29 Sep (DSF), 1 at Ardess Lodge 18 Sep (NTS), 1 Baron's Haugh 22 Sep (CJMcI), 1 at Merryton on 25 Sep and 29 Sep (AIE), 1 at Cleuch Farm, Crawfordjohn 1 Oct (JDa), 1 Newshot Island 2 Oct (AJR), a ♂ in song at North Haugh on 3 Oct (AKMcN), and 1 at Balgray Resr on 29 Oct (JSW,VW).

Wintering birds were 1 in scrub between Lamont Farm and Rashielee, Erskine on 24 Nov (AJR), 1 at Baron's Haugh on 26 Nov (JCM), a singing ♂ at Ross Priory (NS413874) on 26 Nov (MSt), and 1 at The Hammills, White Cart Water, Paisley on 27 Nov (GTW).

 

Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus

Spring arrival (of singing ♂♂) involved 1 at North Haugh, Strathclyde Country Park on 23 Apr (IL), 2 at Aird Meadow 26 Apr, 20 on 17 May (RSPB), 1 at Black Cart Water at Inchinnan 27 Apr (FH), 1 at Hogganfield Park LNR on 27 Apr, 4 on 4 May (GCC), 1 at Wards Pond on 28 Apr (ECD), 3 at Merryton/Carbarns on 29 Apr (AIE), and 5 at Endrick Mouth on 3 May (DRMcC).

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

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Ardmore Point	1	ANi	Bishopton Pond	1	FH	Darleith	1	FL
Auchendores Reservoir	1	ECD	Blackhouse Farm	5	SL	Dolphinton, Blyth Road	3	AMcA
Balgray Reservoir	15	J&VW	Carron Valley Forest	1	AKM	Douglas Estate	9	KS
Baron's Haugh	20	DA	Cathkin Braes	6	SAW	Douglas Water	2	KS
Biggar, Heavyside	1	SRi	Colgrain	1	DHM	East Kilbride, Heritage L	2	JJM
E Kilbride, Langlands	1	DWM	Kilsyth Cemy Pond	3	PGC	Neilston Pad	4	FH
East/West Millichen	5	SL	Kirkland Bridge	1	SL	Newshot Island	5	AJR
Endrick M, Aber Bog	14	SNH	Leperstone Reservoir	2	FH	Paisley Moss LNR	4	FH
Endrick M, Crom Mhin	10	SNH	Lin Burn/M8	3	SL	PG, Craigmarloch Pond	1	DSF
Endrick M, Low Mains	14	SNH	Linwood Moss	1	FH	Picketlaw Reservoir	2	ADW
Endrick M, Ring Point	5	SNH	Loch Ardinning SWT	1	JTK	Possil Marsh SWT Res	16	JJM
Endrick M, Wards Pond	2	SNH	Lochwinnoch Reserve	142	RSPB	Ryat Linn Reservoir	2	J&VW
Erskine, unspecified	1	ECD	Longhaugh Point	6	FH	SC Park, North Haugh	20	IL
Erskine, Park Quay	2	ECD	Merryton/Carbarns	16	AIE	SC Park, Roman Fort	5	IL
Gartloch Pool	1	CRS	Midross Golf Course	5	SL	Waulkmill Glen Resr	6	J&VW
Hogganfield Park	1	JJM	Millerston Pond	2	GCC	Windlaw Farm	4	SL

Summary: 376 pairs reported at 48 sites in 2006. Other notes included one carrying food at Hogganfield Park LNR on 18 July (GCC).

Autumn reports included 15 at Balgray Resr on 9 July (JCh), 1 at Newshot Island on 25 Aug (AJR), and 1 at Garvald Quarry on 25 Aug (AMcA).

 

Grasshopper Warbler Locustella naevia

Spring arrival (of singing ♂♂) involved 1 at Newshot Island on 23 Apr (AJR), 1 Black Cart Water at Inchinnan 26 Apr (FH), 1 at Wards Pond, Endrick Mouth on 28 Apr (ECD), 1 at Barr Loch on 29 Apr, 1 Castle Semple Loch 29 Apr (RSPB), 1 at Carron Valley Resr on 30 Apr (DRMcC), 1 at Hogganfield Park LNR 4 May (GCC), and 1 at Lindsaybeg, Chryston on 10 May (IPG).

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

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Ardmore Point	1	ANi	Endrick M, Crom Mhin	5	SNH	Lochwinnoch Reserve	3	RSPB
Balgray Reservoir	1	J&VW	Endrick M, Low Mains	13	SNH	Lochwinnoch, Hall Fm	1	RSPB
Bargeddie Church	1	CRS	Endrick M, Ring Point	1	SNH	Merryton/Carbarns	2	AIE
Baron's Haugh	3	ECD	Endrick M, Wards Pond	1	SNH	Milngavie, Allander W	2	SJL
Biggar, Heavyside	1	SRi	Erskine Harbour	1	FH	Milngavie,Galbraith Rd	1	IM
Bishop Loch/Craigend	2	CRS	Erskine Hotel	1	DSF	Mugdock Country Park	1	AKM
Black Cart Water	1	FH	Erskine shore	2	ECD	Muirhouse (NS421560)	1	IPG
Brownside Braes	1	TB	Gartloch West Cottages	1	GCC	Myres Hill	1	J&VW
Carron Valley Resr	1	ECD	Glen Douglas	1	AMcI	N Mearns, M77 Jctn 4	1	GRW
Cathkin Braes	3	SAW	Glen Fruin	1	AMcI	Neilston Pad	2	FH
Chryston, Lindsaybeg	1	IPG	Greenfield (NS252696)	1	MMcG	Newshot Island	1	AJR
Colgrain	1	DHM	Hamilton, Raith Haugh	2	SRi	Peaton Hill	1	AMcI
Craigallian Loch	1	AKM	Hogganfield Park LNR	2	GCC	Possil Marsh SWT Res	2	JJM
Douglas Estate	1	KS	L Lomond, Ardess	2	NTS	Waulkmill Glen Resr	1	J&VW
E Kilbride, Langlands	1	DWM	L Lomond, Sallochy	1	GJB	Weels Farm (NS3562)	1	IPG
East/West Millichen	3	SL	Linwood Pool-E Candrens	10	GG	Windlaw Farm	2	SL
Endrick M, Aber Bog	2	SNH	Loch Ardinning SWT	1	JTK

Summary: 94 pairs reported at 50 sites in 2006.

Autumn reports included 1 singing at Gartloch Pools on 4 Aug (JJS).

 

Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla

Overwintering reports were of a ♂ at Marjory Rd, Renfrew 1-2 Jan (ECD), a ♂ Fisher Gardens, Paisley 4-6 Jan (per RSPB), a ♂ at Park Rd, Inchinnan from 8 Jan-9 Mar (BG), a ♀ at Langside Dr, Kilbarchan 11-18 Jan (per RSPB), a ♂ at Cloch Caravan Park 15-19 Jan (FG), a ♂ in Ailsa Dr, Giffnock 29 Jan (ACMB), a ♂ Woodvale Dr, Bearsden 15 Feb-6 Mar (HM), a ♀ Cedarwood Ave, Newton Mearns on 23 Feb and 22 Mar (PMcO), a ♂ Seil Dr, Simshill 26 Feb (JGW), and 1 at Dalmore Crescent, Helensburgh on 15 Mar (HS). These made a total of 13 birds recorded over the winter of 2005/06, including 10 ♂♂ and 2 ♀♀ (ed.).

Arrival reports (of singing ♂♂ unless otherwise stated) involved 2 at Baron's Haugh 9 Apr (JCM), a ♂ feeding on ivy berries Langbank village 12 Apr, first song heard 20 Apr with obvious arrival on 26 Apr when 4 ♂♂ in song (DSF), 2 Netherton Braes 14 Apr (SAW), 1 Erskine Harbour 17 Apr (FH), 1 at Darnley Glen on 18 Apr, 1 Waulkmill Glen Resr 18 Apr (JSW,VW), 1 Garscube Estate 18 Apr (TB), 1 Formakin Estate 19 Apr (FH), 2 Daldowie 19 Apr (CRS), 1 Ardardan 20 Apr (FL), 1 Dougalston 21 Apr (JTK), 1 at Darleith 23 Apr (FL), 1 at Newshot Island on 23 Apr (AJR), 1 at Kilmardinny Loch 24 Apr (AKMcN), 1 at Boylestone Quarry, Barrhead on 25 Apr (SJM), 2 Aird Meadow 26 Apr (RSPB), 1 at Merryton on 27 Apr (AIE), and 1 at the entrance to Great Harbour, Greenock on 29 Apr (MMcG).

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

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Ardgowan/Crowhill Wd	15	ADW	Garscube Estate	4	TB	Longhaugh Point	1	FH
Ardmore Point	1	HS	Glasgow, Linn Park	7	SAW	Merryton/Carbarns	8	AIE
Ardoch	1	DHM	Glasgow, Queen's Park	2	per BT	Mid Netherton Farm	1	SL
Avon Gorge	2	FH	Glasgow, Richmond Pk	1	JJM	Midross Golf Course	22	SL
Bishopton BAE (part)	2	SL	Glasgow, Rosshall Park	1	CRS	Mugdock Country Park	2	per BT
Bishopton,Chestnut Ave	2	ECD	Glen Moss SWT Res	1	ADW	Muirshiel Country Park	1	IPG
Black Cart Water	1	FH	Gourock, Cloch Road	1	DHM	N Mearns, Broompark Dr	1	GRW
Brownside Braes	5	TB	Hogganfield Park LNR	3	GCC	N Mearns, Kirkhill House	1	J&VW
Calderglen Country Park	6	JJM	Inchinnan village	1	FH	N Mearns, Leslie Avenue	1	GRW
Carbeth Loch	1	AKM	Inversnaid	2	ECD	N Mearns, Public Park	1	GRW
Cardross	1	AGG	Kilmacolm, W Glen Rd	1	ADW	Newshot Island	2	AJR
Carnbooth Farm	9	SL	Langbank village	5	DSF	Old Kilpatrick,Saltings	2	FH
Cathkin Braes	4	DWM	Lenzie, Bothlin Burn	2	JTMcE	Paisley Moss LNR	1	FH
Cawder Cuilt	1	TB	Leperstone Resr	1	FH	Paisley, Falside Road	1	DHM
Colgrain	1	DHM	Linwood Moss	2	FH	Parkhill Wood	3	FH
Craigendmuir	2	CRS	Linwood Pool	1	ADW	Pollok Country Park	2	per BT
Dalmuir Park	1	DHM	L Lomond, Balmaha	2	per BT	Possil Marsh SWT Res	1	JJM
Dalzell Estate	1	ECD	L Lomond, Cashel	3	per BT	Renfrew Golf Course	3	FH
Darnley Mill	3	J&VW	L Lomond, Firkin	1	DHM	Renfrew, Colin's Isle	1	ECD
Dolphinton garden	1	AMcA	L Lomond, Inchcailloch	2	JJM	Rutherglen, Overtoun Pk	1	DWM
E Kilbride, Langlands	1	DWM	L Lomond, Inveruglas	1	ECD	Ryat Linn Reservoir	2	J&VW
Endrick M, Aber Bog	1	SNH	L Lomond, Luss	1	DHM	SC Park, North Haugh	13	IL
Endrick M, Low Mains	1	SNH	L Lomond, Ross Park	3	FH	SC Park, Roman Fort	7	IL
Endrick M, Shore Wd	2	SNH	L Lomond, Rossdhu	4	SL	Skiff Wood	2	per BT
Endrick Mouth	1	JTT	L Lomond, R'dennan	2	ECD	Spiersbridge Wood	1	GRW
Erskine Harbour	3	FH	L Lomond, Sallochy	1	FH	Stonebyres Falls	2	JND
Erskine, Boden Boo	3	ECD	Loch Sloy	1	ECD	Waulkmill Glen	5	J&VW
Formakin Estate	2	FH	Lochwinnoch Reserve	10	RSPB	Windlaw Farm	1	SL

Summary: 229 pairs reported at 84 sites in 2006.

Autumn reports included 1 at Newshot Island on 8 Sep (AJR), 2 in a Dolphinton garden 10 Sep (AMcA), 1 at Baron's Haugh on 15 Sep (JCM), 1 at Westerton, Bearsden on 21 Sep (TB), and a ♂ at North Haugh, Hamilton Low Parks on 3 Oct (AKMcN).

Winter reports were of a ♂ in Haining Rd, Renfrew on 2 Nov (FH), a ♀ Kingswood Rd, Bishopton 12 Nov (OBS?), 2 ♂♂ at Milngavie rail station on 15 Nov (per VW), a ♀ in Ormonde Dr, Netherlee 19-24 Nov (SAW), a ♀ Lochlip Rd, Lochwinnoch 24 Nov (RSPB), a ♂ at the Transport Museum car park, Glasgow on 29 Nov (MMcG), a ♂ Gleniffer Dr, Barrhead 2-3 Dec (DLC), 1 alarm-calling at Westerton Station, Bearsden on 6 Dec (TB), 2 at Laggary Park, Rhu 8-19 Dec (SM per FL), and a ♂ in Marjory Rd, Renfrew on 10 Dec (ECD).

 

Garden Warbler Sylvia borin

Arrivals were 1 at Erskine on 25 Apr (GJB), 1 at Baron's Haugh on 29 Apr (GS), 10 singing ♂♂ at Midross on 30 Apr (ECP,ADW), and 1 at Aird Meadow on 3 May (RSPB).

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

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Ardmore Point	1	ANi	Erskine (NS4670)	1	AJR	Loch Lomond, Sallochy	4	HS
Ballat	2	DHM	Erskine, Boden Boo	1	ECD	Lochwinnoch Reserve	5	RSPB
Bishopton BAE (part)	2	SL	Formakin Estate	2	FH	Longhaugh Point	1	FH
Calderglen Country Pk	2	JJM	Garvald Road	1	AMcA	Maudslie Estate	1	JMcO
Carnbooth Farm	1	SL	Glasgow, Richmond Pk	1	JJM	Merryton/Carbarns	4	AIE
Cathkin Braes	1	DWM	Glen Moss	1	DSF	Midross Golf Course	30	SL
Craigendmuir	1	CRS	Lenzie, Bothlin Burn	1	JTMcE	Mugdock Castle	1	AKM
Daligan	1	DHM	Linwood Moss	1	FH	Newshot Island	1	AJR
Darleith	1	FL	Loch Lomond, Ardess	1	NTS	Possil Marsh SWT Res	1	ADW
Dolphinton garden	1	AMcA	Loch Lomond, Cashel	1	per BT	SC Park, North Haugh	8	IL
E Kilbride, Heritage Pk	1	JJM	Loch Lomond, Firkin	3	DHM	SC Park, Roman Fort	4	IL
Endrick M, Low Mains	3	SNH	L Lomond, Inchcailloch	3	JJM	Skiff Wood	1	per BT
Endrick M, Ring Point	3	SNH	Loch Lomond, Luss	2	DHM	Windlaw Farm	2	SL
Endrick M, Shore Wd	4	SNH	Loch Lomond, Rossdhu	2	DHM

Summary: 108 pairs reported from 41 sites in 2006.

Autumn-winter reports included 1 in Linn Park on 16 Aug (SAW), 1 at Ardmore Point on 21 Aug (ANi), and 1 in a Dolphinton garden on 10 Sep (AMcA).

 

Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca

Breeding season reports were of a ♂ at Merryton on 28 Apr, heard singing until 28 May, started again on 16 June, last heard on 5 July, but no evidence of breeding (AIE), and 1 singing ♂ at Baron's Haugh 19 May-5 June, but no evidence of breeding there either (GJB et al). Despite intensive searching during May and June, no territories could be located at any of the traditional sites in Renfrewshire (TB).

 

Whitethroat Sylvia communis

Spring arrival involved a singing ♂ at Ardmore Point 23 Apr (ANi), 1 at North Haugh, Strathclyde Country Park on 23 Apr (IL), 1 at Erskine on 25 Apr (GJB), 1 at Black Cart Water at Inchinnan 26 Apr (FH), 1 Parkhill Woods 27 Apr (per RSPB), 1 Merryton 29 Apr (AIE), 1 at Endrick Mouth 29 Apr (ANi), 2 Hogganfield Park LNR 2 May (GCC), 1 Barr Castle 3 May (RSPB), 3 at Cathkin Braes 5 May (SAW), 1 Ferryhill Plantation 5 May, and 2 Newshot Island 6 May (DSF).

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

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Ardmore Point	2	HS	Carnbooth Farm	6	SL	East Kilbride, Kittoch	1	DWM
Avon Gorge	2	FH	Carron Valley Reservoir	1	DRMcC	East Kilbride, Langlands	1	DWM
Balgray Reservoir	3	J&VW	Cathkin Braes	3	DWM	East/West Millichen	3	SL
Bargeddie Church	2	CRS	Cawder Cuilt	3	TB	Easterhouse, Tod's Well	2	CRS
Baron's Haugh	4	ECD	Colgrain	1	DHM	Endrick M, Low Mains	1	SNH
Bearsden, Westerton	1	TB	Craigendmuir	1	CRS	Endrick M, Ring Point	2	SNH
Bishopton BAE (part)	7	SL	Daldowie	2	CRS	Erskine, Boden Boo	3	ECD
Bishopton, Chestnut Ave	2	ECD	Darnley Glen	3	J&VW	Erskine, Park Quay	5	ECD
Black Cart Water	1	FH	Dumb'n, Hunter's Burn	1	J&VW	Gartloch Pool	1	GCC
Brownside Braes	7	TB	Dumbrock Muir	3	AKM	Glasgow Green	1	JJM
Cardowan bing	1	CRS	East Gavin Farm	1	TB	Glasgow, Robroyston LNR	2	GCC
Cardowan Moss	1	CRS	East Kilbride, Heritage Loch	1	per BT	Glen Moss, Kilmacolm	3	DSF
Hamilton, Chatelherault	1	AKM	Lochwinnoch Reserve	1	RSPB	Pilmuir Quarry	1	J&VW
Hogganfield Park LNR	1	JJM	Longhaugh Point	5	FH	Possil Marsh SWT	6	JJM
Knapps Loch	4	FH	Merryton/Carbarns	16	AIE	Renfrew High School	1	FH
Langbank village	3	DSF	Midross Golf Course	4	SL	Ryat Linn Reservoir	1	J&VW
Lin Burn/M8	2	SL	Mugdock Country Park	2	AKM	SC Park, North Haugh	7	IL
Linwood Moss	9	FH	N Mearns, Patterton	1	GRW	SC Park, Roman Fort	3	IL
Loch Ardinning SWT	3	ECD	Newshot Island	2	AJR	Skiff Wood	1	per BT
Loch Lomond, Cashel	4	ECD	Paisley Moss LNR	1	FH	Waulkmill Glen Resr	1	J&VW
L Lomond, Ross Park	1	FH	Paisley, Kersland School	1	JTT	Windlaw Farm	4	SL
L Lomond, Sallochy	1	FH	Paisley, St Andrew's Ac	1	JTT

Summary: 172 pairs reported at 65 sites in 2006.

Autumn-winter reports included 6 individuals Balgray Resr 9 July (JCh), 6 Cardross Bay 13 July (per BT), 2 ♂♂ Lunderston Bay 11 Aug (FG), 3 Bishop Loch 15 Aug (CRS), 3 at Baron's Haugh 17 Aug (ECD), a ♀ Linn Park 20-21 Aug (SAW), 1 Garvald Quarry 20 Aug (AMcA), 2 Balmuildy Bridge 3 Sep (CRS), 1 in a Dolphinton garden 8 Sep (AMcA), 1 Ardmore Point 8 Sep (ANi), a ♀ alarm-calling Hogganfield Park LNR 15 Sep (GCC), and a juv at Finlaystone Point 21 Sep (DSF).

 

Goldcrest Regulus regulus

Winter-spring reports included 5 at Baron's Haugh on 8 Jan (ECD), and 1 on peanut feeders in Seath Ave, Langbank 22 Jan-6 Mar (DSF).

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

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Bishopton BAE (part)	4	SL	Glasgow, Linn Park	5	SAW	Loch Ardinning SWT	1	JTK
Bishopton, Chestnut A	1	ECD	Glasgow, Tollcross Pk	1	CRS	Locherwood Comm Wd	2	FH
Carnbooth Farm	7	SL	Glen Moss SWT Res	3	ADW	Lochwinnoch Reserve	2	RSPB
Carron Valley Forest	2	AKM	Inverkip, Crowhill Wd	3	ADW	Merryton/Carbarns	3	AIE
Cathkin Braes	1	DWM	Inversnaid	1	per BT	Midross Golf Course	6	SL
Craigallian Loch	2	per BT	Johnstone, Russell St	1	JTT	Milngavie, Mains Estate	1	AKM
Daldowie	3	CRS	Kilmardinny Loch	1	AKM	Mugdock Country Park	2	AKM
Darleith	1	FL	L Lomond, Balmaha	5	per BT	Pollok Country Park	2	per BT
Dolphinton,Southhill Wd	1	AMcA	L Lomond, Inveruglas	1	JTT	Renfrew, Haining Road	1	FH
Endrick M, Ring Point	2	SNH	L Lomond, Ross Park	2	FH	Rouken Glen	4	J&VW
Finnich Glen	3	AKM	L Lomond, Rossdhu	2	SL	SC Park, North Haugh	6	IL
Garelochhead	1	AMcI	L Lomond, Sallochy	1	ECD	Waulkmill Glen	3	J&VW
Garscadden Wood	1	CRS	Langbank, Gleddoch	1	ADW
Garscube Estate	3	TB	Langbank, village	4	DSF

Summary: 97 pairs reported at 40 sites in 2006.

Autumn counts included 10 at Garvald Road on 4 Aug, 16 at Southhill Woods, Dolphinton on 14 Aug and 22 Sep (AMcA), 12 Linn Park 23 Sep (SAW), and 15 Rowardennan 16 Oct (per BT).

 

Wren Troglodytes troglodytes

Winter-spring reports included 5 going to roost in a Dolphinton garden on 7 Jan (AMcA).

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

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Arden House	1	FH	Endrick M, Wards Pond	3	SNH	Longhaugh Point	4	FH
Berryglen Burn	3	IPG	Erskine Harbour	6	FH	Merryton/Carbarns	25	AIE
Bishopton, Chestnut Av	1	FH	Erskine Sewage Works	1	FH	Mid Netherton Farm	14	SL
Bishopton BAE (part)	9	SL	Formakin Estate	3	FH	Midross Golf Course	68	SL
Black Cart Water	1	FH	Inchinnan village	3	FH	Milngavie, Chestnut Lane	1	AKM
Blackhouse Farm	5	SL	Kilmardinny Loch	8	AKM	Muirshiel Mine gully	2	IPG
Carron Valley Forest	2	AKM	Kirkland Bridge	3	SL	Paisley Moss LNR	3	FH
Cathkin Braes	1	DWM	Kittoch Bridge	6	SL	Possil Marsh SWT Res	6	JJM
Darnley Glen	5	CRS	Langbank village	8	DSF	Renfrew, Haining Road	1	FH
Douglas Water Pools	2	JJM	Leperstone Reservoir	2	FH	SC Park, North Haugh	17	IL
East/West Millichen	16	SL	Lin Burn/M8	2	SL	SC Park, Roman Fort	5	IL
Endrick M, Aber Bog	12	SNH	Linwood Moss	7	FH	Tollcross Park	1	CRS
Endrick M, Crom Mhin	7	SNH	Loch Ardinning SWT R	10	JTK	Waulkmill Glen	4	CRS
Endrick M, Low Mains	5	SNH	Loch Lomond, Ross Park	4	FH	Windlaw Farm	12	SL
Endrick M, Ring Point	7	SNH	Locherwood Com Wood	6	FH
Endrick M, Shore Wood	7	SNH	Lochwinnoch Reserve	53	RSPB

Summary: 372 pairs reported at 46 sites in 2006. Other breeding notes included: newly fledged b/6 in heather Leap Moor 23 June (IPG).

Autumn-winter reports included counts of 14 in Southhill Woods, Dolphinton on 22 Sep (AMcA), and 11 at Loch Ardinning SWT Reserve on 16 Oct (JTK).

 

Nuthatch Sitta europaea

Winter-spring reports involved 1 in an Inchconnachan Ave, Balloch garden on 8 Jan (ED), 1 at Dalzell Estate on 8 Jan (ECD), 3 on 30 Jan (JCM), and 2 on 31 Jan (MMcG).

Breeding continued at Dalzell Estate, Motherwell for a second year, with 2 active nests there, one in a bat-box and the other in an elm tree (JJM), and a brood of 6 ringed on 26 May (JCM).

The only report in autumn-winter was of 2 in Dalzell Estate on 30 Oct (MMcG). Considering that two pairs are now breeding in the estate and fledging young, reported sightings are surprisingly few and far between (ed.).

 

Treecreeper Certhia familiaris

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

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Carnbooth Farm	4	SL	Inverkip, Crowhill Wood	1	ADW	Loch Lomond, Sallochy	1	FH
Chatelherault C Park	1	AKM	Inversnaid RSPB Reserve	1	ECD	Lochwinnoch Reserve	4	RSPB
Cloch Caravan Park	1	FG	Kittoch Bridge	1	SL	Merryton/Carbarns	3	AIE
Dawsholm Park	1	JC	Langbank village	2	DSF	Midross Golf Course	3	SL
Endrick M, Low Mains	1	SNH	Linn Park	4	SAW
Gleann nan Caorrunn	1	JTT	Loch Ardinning SWT Res	1	JTK

Summary: 29 pairs reported at 16 sites in 2006.

 

Starling Sturnus vulgaris

Winter-spring counts included 100 Millichen Flood 14 Jan (JC), 250 Merryton/Carbarns 19 Jan (AIE), 320 South Langbank 1 Feb (DSF), 200 Crawford 11 Mar (JND,ADW), 300 Cornalees Farm 15 Mar (MMcG), 120 Pollok Country Park 31 Mar (CRS), and an exceptional flock (considering the date) of 700 “presumed migrants” at East Damhead on 9 Apr (JND).

Breeding reports

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
East/West Millichen Farms	21	SL	Lochwinnoch Reserve	3	RSPB	Midross Golf Course	1	SL
Endrick M, Shore Wood	1	SNH	Merryton/Carbarns	8	AIE
Langbank village	24	DSF	Mid Netherton Farm	2	SL

Summary: 60 pairs reported from a small sample of 7 sites in 2006. Other breeding reports included first adults carrying food Glasgow 28 Apr, first fledged young 18 May (GCC), first fledgling Johnstone 13 May, with large numbers by 20 May (JTT), first young noted Bowling Oil Terminal 14 May (JSW,VW), and first fledged young noted at Langbank village on 30 May (DSF).

Post-breeding reports included 80 at Eurocentral on 21 May (JTT), 740 including many juvs and one total albino Merryton 3 June (AIE), 61 juvs at Barrodger Farm, Lochwinnoch 8 July (MMcG), 600 at Roberton Mains on 27 July (AMcA), and 110 at Ardmore Point on 28 Aug (AKMcN).

Roost counts included 2000 going into hangar at Greenock recycling depot 24 Sep (AB,IPG). Other autumn-winter counts included 220 Garvald Quarry 1 Sep (AMcA), 300 Garvel Dock, Greenock 16 Sep (JTT), 250 Ardmore North Bay 9 Oct (JBB), 250 Barscube Hill South 17 Dec (DSF), and 115 at Balmaha on 23 Dec (JTT).

 

Ring Ouzel Turdus torquatus

Spring arrivals reported were 1 at Ben Glas Burn 14 Apr (ECD), and a pair at Culter Waterhead on 23 Apr (JSW,VW).

Breeding season reports (in addition to those above) were of a nest which was predated at Big Wool Gill, Leadhills (CR), 1 on Ben Vorlich on 2 June (FH), and 1 at Grains, Camps Resr on 28 June (JSW,VW).

None reported in autumn.

 

Blackbird Turdus merula

Winter-spring reports included first song Langbank village 1 Mar, and 6 in song at Netherton by Langbank on 2 Mar (DSF).

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

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Bishopton, Chestnut Ave	4	FH	Endrick M, Ring Point	3	SNH	Loch Lomond, Ross Park	1	FH
Bishopton BAE (part)	4	SL	Endrick M, Shore Wood	4	SNH	Locherwood Com Wood	2	FH
Black Cart Wtr, Renfrew	2	FH	Endrick M, Wards Pond	1	SNH	Lochwinnoch Reserve	21	RSPB
Blackhouse Farm	1	SL	Erskine Harbour	3	FH	Longhaugh Point	5	FH
Carnbooth Farm	19	SL	Erskine STW	2	FH	Merryton/Carbarns	13	AIE
Carron Valley Forest	1	AKM	Formakin Estate	2	FH	Mid Netherton Farm	14	SL
Cathkin Braes	6	DWM	Inchinnan village	2	FH	Midross Golf Course	19	SL
Darnley Glen	2	CRS	Kirkland Bridge	2	SL	Possil Marsh SWT Res	2	JJM
Dolphinton garden	1	AMcA	Kittoch Bridge	1	SL	Renfrew, Haining Rd	1	FH
East Kilbride, Langlands	5	DWM	Knapps Loch	2	FH	SC Park, North Haugh	17	IL
East/West Millichen	8	SL	Langbank village	45	DSF	SC Park, Roman Fort	6	IL
Endrick M, Aber Bog	2	SNH	Leperstone Reservoir	1	FH	Victoria Park	1	CRS
Endrick M, Crom Mhin	4	SNH	Linwood Moss	3	FH	Waulkmill Glen	5	CRS
Endrick M, Low Mains	6	SNH	Loch Ardinning SWT Res	1	JTK	Windlaw Farm	4	SL

Summary: 248 pairs reported at 42 sites in 2006. Other notes included: (i) first fledged young noted in Langbank village on 14 May (DSF); (ii) subjectively, an apparently larger than usual breeding population evident in Renfrewshire (IPG).

Autumn-winter reports included 20 at Newshot Island 16 Oct (AJR), 21 Finlaystone Point 7 Nov (DSF), 35 Longhaugh Point 19 Nov (ADW), 17 Kelburn Park, Port Glasgow 7 Dec, and 12 in Seath Ave, Langbank on 27 Dec (DSF).

 

Fieldfare Turdus pilaris

Winter-spring reports included some reasonably high counts: 200 at Pettinain on 14 Jan (MMcG, JTT), 150 at Balmuildy Bridge on 16 Jan (CRS), 50 at Bingham's Pond on 16 Jan (LMcB), 60 at Cathkin Braes 21 Jan (SAW), 70 at the White Cart Water at Renfrew 26 Jan (ECD), 120 Picketlaw Resr 29 Jan (per BT), 121 at Merryton on 29 Jan, 85 on 5 Feb, 76 on 23 Mar, 30 on 21 Apr (AIE), 74 Newmill Farm 3 Feb (AMcA), 100 at Garscube Estate on 3 Feb (TB), 70 West Millichen Farm 14 Feb (CRS), 150 East Yonderton 4 Mar (ECD), 120 Shielhill Farm 17 Mar (MMcG), 60 North Commonside 18 Mar (JTT), 80 at Crossmyloof on 20 Mar (JMcO), 100 at Pollok Country Park on 31 Mar (CRS), 83 Corehouse 1 Apr (JND,ADW), 200 by the River Clyde at Lamington on 5 Apr (JSW,VW), 30 over Netherlee 12 Apr (SAW), 50 Darleith 13 Apr (FL), 100 W over Eaglesham on 17 Apr (MMacL), 25 at Shielhill Farm 19 Apr (IPG), and 1 at Muirshiel Country Park on 20 Apr (AGJ). Records from previous years indicate that large flocks can gather in central Lanarkshire in spring (ed.), such as the one of 3000 at East Damhead, near Carluke on 9 Apr (JND); it would be worth investigating this phenomenon more closely (ed.). An unusual summer sighting was of 1 at Tandlemuir Farm, near Lochwinnoch, on 13 June (ZB).

Autumn-winter reports included 5 at Loch Arklet 16 Oct (NR), 4 at Red Road, Cardross 18 Oct (FL), 4 at Newshot Island on 24 Oct, 100 there on 7 Nov (AJR), 5 E over Barscube Hill 24 Oct, 227 on 1 Nov, 120 on 9 Nov (DSF), 100 at Killoeter on 27 Oct (FL), 80 at Merryton/Carbarns on 29 Oct, 250 on 5 Nov, 470 on 19 Nov (AIE), 120 at Garshangan on 29 Oct (IPG), 60 at Glespin on 29 Oct (JTT), 250 feeding on rowans at Muirhouse Muir on 30 Oct (AKMcN), 100 SE over Newton Mearns on 30 Oct (JMcO), 60 Linn Park 1 Nov (SAW), 100 at Carrot Farm on 2 Nov (JSW,VW), a high count of at 700 at Priestside Farm, Kilmacolm on 3 Nov (ADW), 330 at Cathkin Braes on 3 Nov, 150 at Balgray Resr on 4 Nov (SAW), 80 on 26 Dec (JCh), 100 Erskine 7 Nov (AJR), 150 at Gleddoch Golf Course 11 Nov (DSF), 200 at Arkleston 12 Nov, 150 on 19 Nov (ECD), 97 Garscube Estate 21 Nov (TB), 150 at Hogganfield Park LNR 24 Nov, 135 on 6 Dec (IPG), 60 at Town of Inchinnan on 27 Nov (ECD), 250 Darleith 5 Dec (FL), 112 at Gartloch Woods on 6 Dec (GCC), 140 at Barscube Hill East on 17 Dec (DSF), 50 Glen Fruin 19 Dec (ANi), 150 at Abington on 24 Dec, and 200 at Watermeetings on 24 Dec (JTT).

 

Redwing Turdus iliacus

Winter-spring reports included 50 at Ardmore on 2 Jan (JBB), an influx of ca 200 to Queen's Park, Glasgow on 4 Jan (KB), 80 at Shilton Lane, Erskine on 11 Jan (FH), 50 Darleith 12-13 Jan (FL), 50 Ardmore Point 15 Jan (IPG), 82 Garscube Estate 24 Jan (TB), 80 Overtoun House 25 Jan (ECD), 150 at Merryton on 5 Feb, 97 on 23 Mar (AIE), 100 Colgrain 26 Feb-19 Mar (DHMcE), 54 at Netherton by Langbank on 2 Mar (DSF), and 250 at Harperfield Lodge11 Mar (JND,ADW). After heavy overnight snow across Scotland, a hard weather movement of small numbers (10‑20/hr) heading SW was observed over Howwood until ca 1400 hrs on 12 Mar (IPG), also during continued cold weather 200 over Aird Meadow 12 Mar (RSPB), 250 at Cornalees Bridge on 15 Mar, 80 Baron's Haugh 18 Mar (MMcG), and 360 at Douglas Estate on 23 Mar (ECD). Latest reports in spring were of 40 at Corehouse 1 Apr (JND,ADW), 40 Darleith 5 Apr (FL), 3 at Erskine 12 Apr (AJR), 3 at Linn Park 13 Apr (SAW), and 2 at Beinglas Farm on 14 Apr (ECD).

Autumn-winter reports included 20 around Mugdock village on 8 Oct (AGJ), 1 at Colgrain on 11 Oct, 150 on 22 Oct, low numbers thereafter with no flock of more than 20 (DHMcE), 10 flying over an Eaglesham garden on 11 Oct, 50 on 16 Oct (MMacL), 2 over Garscube Estate on 12 Oct, 3 over Cairnhill Woods on 12 Oct (TB), 20 at Darleith on 13 Oct (FL), 4 S over Cardross Bay on 13 Oct (DWM), 17 Barscube Hill 13 Oct, 280 on 22 Oct, 195 on 25 Oct (DSF), 30 Glen Fruin 14 Oct, 10 at Middle Gartocharn 14 Oct (JTT), 3 at Merryton/ Carbarns 15 Oct, 110 on 29 Oct, 350 on 5 Nov, 120 on 19 Nov (AIE), 30 at Ardess on 15 Oct (NTS), 149 S over Dargavel Burn on 19 Oct (DSF), 75 Loch Ardinning SWT 19 Oct (AKMcN), 200 Mugdock Country Park 20 Oct (per BT), 190 Kilmacolm 23 Oct (DSF), 190 W over The Whangie 23 Oct (AKMcN), 250 Erskine 24 Oct, 112 Newshot Island 24 Oct (AJR), 83 at Forest Plantation, Cumbernauld 25 Oct (ADW), 60 Glen Moss 26 Oct (DSF), 250 Cathkin Braes 29 Oct (CRS), 420 feeding on rowans at Balrossie, Kilmacolm 29 Oct (IPG), 150 Balgray Resr 29 Oct (JSW,VW), 300 at Baron's Haugh on 30 Oct (MMcG), 300 Endrick Mouth 31 Oct (AKMcN), 146 Finlaystone Estate 6 Nov, 140 at Gleddoch Golf Course 11 Nov (DSF), 150 at Balmoral Place, East Kilbride 18 Nov (per BT), 200 Darnley Glen 1 Dec (JSW,VW), 50 Croftamie 8 Dec (JTMcE), 76 at Longhaugh Point pools on 21 Dec (DSF), and 60 at Cornalees Bridge on 30 Dec (MMcG).

 

Song Thrush Turdus philomelos

Winter-spring reports included first song in Glasgow Botanic Gardens 2 Jan (JJM), 1 in song Cathcart 2 Jan (JMcO), first song noted Langbank village on 20 Jan (DSF), first song noted Johnstone 23 Jan (JTT), first song noted Darleith 23 Jan (FL), first song noted Renfrew 23 Jan (FH), and a count of 10 at Colgrain on 4 Mar (DHMcE).

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

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Ardgowan/Crowhill Wd	6	ADW	Erskine	1	ECD	Glasgow, Maxwell Park	11	JJM
Bishopton, Chestnut Ave	1	ECD	Finnich Glen	1	AKM	Merryton/Carbarns	9	AIE
Bishopton BAE (part)	4	SL	Formakin Estate	2	FH	Mid Netherton Farm	2	SL
Calderglen Country Pk	2	JJM	Garscube Estate	1	TB	Midross Golf Course	22	SL
Carnbooth Farm	11	SL	Garvald Quarry	1	AMcA	Milngavie,Chestnut Lane	1	AKM
Carron Valley Forest	1	AKM	Glasgow,Richmond Pk	2	JJM	N Mearns,Broompark Dr	1	GRW
Cathkin Braes	3	DWM	Hurlet Hill	1	CRS	N Mearns,Leslie Avenue	1	GRW
Cloch Point	1	MMcG	Inchinnan village	1	FH	Overtoun Burn	1	ECD
Darnley Glen	2	CRS	Inversnaid Hotel	1	ECD	Overtoun House	4	FH
Dolphinton garden	1	AMcA	Kilmacolm, Glen Moss	1	DSF	P Glasgow, Newark C	2	DSF
Dolphinton, Southhill Wd	1	AMcA	Kittoch Bridge	1	SL	Possil Marsh SWT Res	2	JJM
Douglas Water Pools	2	JJM	L Lomond, Inveruglas	1	JJT	Renfrew, Haining Rd	1	FH
East Kilbride, Langlands	2	DWM	L Lomond, Ross Park	2	FH	Rottenburn Bridge	1	MMcG
East/West Millichen	2	SL	L Lomond, R'dennan	1	ECD	Spiersbridge Wood	1	GRW
Endrick M, Aber Bog	1	SNH	Langbank village	18	DSF	SC Park, North Haugh	20	IL
Endrick M, Crom Mhin	3	SNH	Loch Ardinning SWT	1	JTK	SC Park, Roman Fort	6	IL
Endrick M, Low Mains	1	SNH	Locherwood	1	ECD	Windlaw Farm	2	SL
Endrick M, Ring Point	2	SNH	Lochwinnoch Reserve	5	RSPB
Endrick M, Wards Pond	1	SNH	Longhaugh Point	1	FH

Summary: in a moderately high level of reporting, 177 pairs at 55 sites in 2006.

Autumn-winter reports included light overnight passage heard over Colgrain on 12 Oct (DHMcE), 5 heard at night over Barscube Hill on 12 Oct, an influx of 10 on 13 Oct (DSF), ca 30 migrants at Cathkin Braes 13 Oct (GCC), 12 Newshot Island 16 Oct (AJR), 10 Aird Meadow 29 Oct (RSPB), 3 in song Erskine shore 16 Dec (DSF), 1 in song Cardross 18 Dec, and 1 in song Newton Terrace, Glasgow on 18 Dec (DHMcE).

 

Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus

Winter-spring reports included first song Langbank village 18 Jan (DSF), and a count of 16 in Lunderston Bay on 19 Mar (FG).

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

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Auchengillan	1	SPM	Formakin Estate	1	FH	Merryton/Carbarns	2	AIE
Balloch	1	per BT	Garscube Estate	1	TB	Midross Golf Course	1	SL
Bishopton BAe (part)	1	SL	Glasgow, Queen's Pk	1	per BT	Mount Pisgah	1	MMcG
Carnbooth Farm	1	SL	Lairig Arnan	1	ECD	Muirshiel Visitor Centre	1	MMcG
Carrot	1	J&VW	Langbank, Gleddoch	1	ADW	N Mearns, Kirkhill House	1	J&VW
Cathkin Braes	1	DWM	Langbank village	3	DSF	Pollok Country Park	1	per BT
Cochno Farm	1	ADW	Leitchland Dam	1	FG	Pt Glasgow, Craigmarloch	1	DSF
Darleith	1	FL	Loch Ardinning SWT	1	JTK	Renfrew Golf Course	1	FH
East/West Millichen	1	SL	L Lomond, Inveruglas	1	JTT	Rottenburn Bridge	1	MMcG
Endrick M, Aber Bog	1	SNH	L Lomond, Ross Park	1	FH	Rutherglen, Overtoun Park	1	DWM
Endrick M, Low Mains	1	SNH	Loch Thom	1	MMcG	SC Park, North Haugh	1	IL
Endrick M, Ring Point	5	SNH	Locherwood Com Wd	1	ECD
Endrick M, Shore Wd	5	SNH	Lochwinnoch Reserve	1	RSPB

Breeding summary: 48 pairs reported at 37 sites in 2006.

Autumn-winter reports included counts of 11 in Linn Park, Glasgow on 2 July (SAW), 23 Corse Hill 23 July (JSW,VW), 10 Glasgow Green 25 July (AH), 26 in a Dolphinton garden on 6 Aug, 32 Garvald Quarry 17 Aug (AMcA), 17 in Tollcross Park, Glasgow 25 Aug (CRS), 40 in Garscube Estate 1 Sep (TB), 12 at Gryfe No.1 Resr 28 Sep (DSF), and 12 at Darleith on 12 Oct (FL).

 

Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata

Spring arrivals reported were 1 at Rashielee, Erskine on 5 May (AJR), 1 Rowardennan 5 May (per BT), 1 Langbank village 5 May (DSF), 1 Crowhill Wood, Inverkip 8 May (ADW), 1 Glen Luss 9 May (HS), 2 Aird Meadow 10 May (RSPB), 1 Dalzell Estate 12 May (JCM), a pair Craigmarloch Wood 13 May (DSF), 1 Darleith 14 May (FL), and 2 at Merryton Wood on 19 May (AIE).

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

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Bishopton, Ch'nut Ave	1	ECD	Endrick M, Shore Wd	1	SNH	Kittoch Bridge	1	SL
Burnfoot	1	SRi	Finnich Glen	1	GJB	L Lomond, Ardess Wd	1	NTS
Carnbooth Farm	1	SL	Fintry	1	per BT	L Lomond, Cashel	1	ECD
Cathkin Braes	1	DWM	Garvald Quarry	1	AMcA	L Lomond, Rossdhu	1	SL
Craigmarloch Wood	2	DSF	Garvock Lodge	1	FG	Loch Sloy	1	ECD
Dalzell Estate	1	JCM	Glasgow, Linn Park	1	SAW	Lochwinnoch Reserve	3	RSPB
Darleith	2	FL	Glen Falloch Farm	1	ECD	Merryton Wood	1	AIE
Douglas Estate	1	MMcG	Glen Luss	1	HS	Muirshiel Country Pk	1	IPG
Douglas Estate	1	ECD	Greenock Cut	1	ECD	South Newton	1	IPG
Endrick M, Ring Point	1	SNH	Inverkip, Crowhill Wd	1	ADW	Tinto	1	per BT

Summary: 34 pairs reported from 30 sites in 2006.

Autumn reports included 3 at Strone, Glen Fruin on 29 July, 3 Loch Bowie 29 July (MMcG,JTT), 1 Baron's Haugh 1 Aug (GJB), 5 Aird Meadow 8 Aug (RSPB), 1 at Endrick Mouth on 11 Aug (GJB), 1 in a Dolphinton garden 12-13 Aug and 10-13 Sep, 2 in Blyth Road, Dolphinton 19 Aug (AMcA), 1 in Broomknowe Rd, Kilmacolm on 20 Aug (AB,IPG), 1 High Plewland, Glengavel Resr 20 Aug (SRi), 2 Darleith 23 Aug (FL), 1 Garscube Estate 23 Aug (TB), 1 Lunderston Bay 25 Aug (FG), 1 Balgray Resr 25 Aug, 5 Linn Park 27 Aug, 3 on 7 Sep (SAW), 1 Douglas Estate 29 Aug (JSW,VW), and 1 at Garvald Quarry on 15 Sep (AMcA).

 

Robin Erithacus rubecula

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

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Arden House	2	FH	Erskine Harbour	6	FH	Merryton/Carbarns	16	AIE
Bishopton, Chestnut Ave	2	FH	Erskine STW	1	FH	Mid Netherton Farm	13	SL
Bishopton BAE (part)	6	SL	Formakin Estate	6	FH	Midross Golf Course	70	SL
Blackhouse Farm	1	SL	Glasgow, Tollcross Park	1	CRS	Milngavie, Chestnut Lane	1	AKM
Kirkland Bridge	2	SL	Knapps Loch	1	FH	Milngavie, Mains Estate	1	AKM
Kittoch Bridge	4	SL	Langbank village	25	DSF	Paisley Moss LNR	1	FH
Carnbooth Farm	20	SL	Leperstone Reservoir	3	FH	Pollok Country Park	7	CRS
Carron Valley Forest	2	AKM	Lin Burn/M8	1	SL	Renfrew, Haining Rd	1	FH
Douglas Water Pools	1	JJM	Linwood Moss	10	FH	SC Park, North Haugh	10	IL
East/West Millichen	8	SL	Loch Ardinning SWT Res	5	JTK	SC Park, Roman Fort	3	IL
Endrick M, Aber Bog	3	SNH	Loch Lomond, Sallochy	3	FH	Waulkmill Glen	3	CRS
Endrick M, Crom Mhin	1	SNH	Locherwood Com Wood	2	FH	Windlaw Farm	3	SL
Endrick M, Ring Point	1	SNH	Lochwinnoch Reserve	19	RSPB
Endrick M, Shore Wood	7	SNH	Longhaugh Point	2	FH

Summary: 274 pairs reported at 40 sites in 2006.

 

Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca

Spring arrival reports were of 4 at Sallochy on 25 Apr (IF), 1 on 4 May (FH), and 1 at the Endrick Mouth on 29 Apr (ANi).

Breeding results from Loch Lomondside nestbox schemes: Inversnaid: no report; Comer Estate: no report; Kenmore Wood, Tarbet: three pairs nested, all hatched, but for the first time since 1988, no chicks were reared due to predation, thought to be Tawny Owl; several tit broods suffered the same fate (RAB); Ross Point, Sallochy: no report from nestbox scheme, a pair noted on 17 May (JJM). Elsewhere, breeding reports were of a territory occupied at Shore Wood, Endrick Mouth (GJB,ANi), 4 ♂♂ Inversnaid RSPB Reserve on 19 May (ECD), and a singing ♂ at Firkin on 21 May (DHMcE).

The only autumn passage report was of 1 at Park Quay, Erskine on 25 Aug (AJR).

 

Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros

Two records in 2006: a ♀/juv in a Chryston garden 28-29 Aug (DG), and a ♀ at Inchinnan Industrial Estate near Barnsford Bridge on 29 Oct (AMo).

 

Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus

Earliest arrivals noted were a ♂ in song at Rowardennan Youth Hostel on 14 Apr (ECD), 1 at Sallochy on 18 Apr, 2 on 25 Apr (IF), 1 at Muirshiel Country Park on 20 Apr (AGJ), a ♂ in a hawthorn hedge at Pedmyre, Carmunnock 23 Apr (ADW), and 3 at Endrick Mouth 29 Apr (ANi).

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

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Dolphinton, White Hill	1	AMcA	Glen Luss	10	HS	L Lomond, Rowardennan	1	RAB
Endrick M, Aber Bog	1	SNH	L Lomond, Cashel	1	per BT	L Lomond, Sallochy	3	FH
Endrick M, Shore Wood	1	SNH	L Lomond, Inchcailloch	3	JJM	Loch Ardinning SWT Res	1	JTK

Summary: 22 pairs reported at 9 sites in 2006.

Autumn reports included a ♀ Erskine shore 16 July (GMcG), a ♀ Erskine Harbour 8 Aug (AJR), a ♂ Endrick Mouth 11 Aug (ANi), 1 Ardess Lodge 15 Aug (NTS), a ♀ in hedge Busby 19 Aug (ADW), 1 Garvald Quarry 20 Aug (AMcA).

 

Whinchat Saxicola rubetra

Arrivals were 1 at Loch Ardinning SWT Reserve on 21 Apr (IM), a ♂ at Merryton 5-7 May (AIE), and a ♂ at Todd's Well, Glasgow on 10 May (GCC).

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

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Auchineden	1	GJB	Dunwan Dam	1	WK	Loch Arklet	1	ECD
Biggar, Heavyside	1	SRi	Gleann nan Caorrunn	1	ECD	Mugdock Country Park	1	GJB
Burncrooks Reservoir	1	GJB	Kelly Cut	2	ECD	Muirhouse Muir	4	AKM
Coiregrogain	1	ECD	Loch Lomond, Cashel	1	ECD	Overtoun Burn	1	ECD
Douglas Estate	1	KS	Leap Moor (NS231704)	1	IPG	Overtoun House	1	ECD
Dumbrock Muir	1	AKM	Loch Ardinning SWT Res	3	ECD	Tinto	1	ECD

Summary: 24 pairs reported at 18 sites in 2006. Other breeding notes included: pair b/2+ recently fledged young Leap Moor 23 June (IPG).

Autumn reports involved 3 at Loch Ardinning SWT Reserve on 20 July (JTK), 1 at Cathkin Braes on 28 July, 2 on 22 Aug, 1 on 31 Aug and 9 Sep (SAW), a juv at Gartloch Pool 10 Aug (GCC), 2 juvs at Barscube Hill East on 17 Aug, 2 on 8 Sep, an adult and a juv at Barscube Hill West on 17 Aug, a juv on 19 Aug, 2 ♂♂ on 13 Sep, 1 ♂ on 22 Sep (DSF), 2 at Ogscastle Bridge 20 Aug (ADW), and 1 at Merryton on 23 Sep (AIE).

 

Stonechat Saxicola rubicola

Winter-spring reports were of 12 at Cruach Tairbeirt on 1 Jan (LMcB), a pair at Merryton/ Carbarns 1-11 Jan, a ♀ on 12-29 Jan (AIE), a pair at Carrot Farm on 2 Jan and 5 Mar (JSW,VW), a pair Aird Meadow 2 Jan-24 Feb, 2 prs on 12 Mar, 13 at Aird Meadow on 13 March after a heavy snowfall, 5 on 17 Mar (RSPB), a ♂ Cathkin Braes 5 Jan, a pair on 28 Jan (SAW), 2 at Millichen on 7 Jan, 14 Jan and 4 Mar (JC), a pair Windyhill 14 Jan (IPG), a ♀ at Raith Burn 22 Jan (ECD), 2 prs Dumbrock Muir 27 Jan, a ♀ Cashel 28 Jan (AKMcN), a ♂ in song flight at Weels Farm beside the B786 on 5 Feb (IPG), a pair Neilston Pad 9 Feb-6 Mar, a ♂ Greenock Cut 18 Feb (FH), a pair Ardmore Point 19 Feb (MMcG), 1 Bonnyton Golf Course 26 Feb (JSW,VW), 3 Barr Loch 8 Mar (RSPB), a ♂ Westraw Mains 11 Mar (ADW), 4 Cardross Bay-Seabank Cottage 12 Mar (AGG), 3 Killearn 19 Mar (GJC), a pair Possil Marsh 29 Mar (GRB), a ♂ Tinto 23 Mar (ECD), an imm ♂ at Caplaw Dam 8 Apr (IPG), and a pair with nest material at Robroyston Park LNR on 9 Apr (AJY).

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

Site	Grid Ref	Prs	Obs	Site	Grid Ref	Prs	Obs
Ardmore North Bay	NS319788	1	IPG	Carron Valley Reservoir	-	1	AKM
Barnaigh/B786 junction	NS358623	1	IPG	Colgrain	-	1	DHM
Barscube Hill	-	2	DSF	Clovenstone	NS333618	1	IPG
Berryglen Burn / mine road	NS285650	1	IPG	Coiregrogain	-	1	ECD
Bessie Burn	NS287650	1	IPG	Commore Dam	-	2	J&VW
Biggar, Heavyside	NT051376	1	SRi	Coplie Burn	NS311654	1	IPG
Birthwood-Culter Waterhead	-	4	J&VW	Coplie Burn	NS318654	1	IPG
Calder Water, N bank	NS303649	1	IPG	Corse Hill	-	1	J&VW
Calder Water, S bank	NS297654	1	IPG	Cowgill	-	1	J&VW
Calder Water, W bank	NS308638	1	IPG	Crawhin Reservoir	NS245708	1	IPG
Calder Water, W bank	NS308644	1	IPG	Creuch Hill, E side	NS268683	1	IPG
Calder Water, W bank	NS308647	1	IPG	Creuch Hill, NE side	NS269686	1	IPG
Camps Reservoir	-	3	J&VW	Dolphinton, White Hill	-	1	AMcA
Douglas Water Pool	-	1	KS	Lairig Arnan	-	1	ECD
Duchal Moor	NS302667	1	IPG	Leitchland Dam	-	1	FG
Duchal Moor	NS304669	1	IPG	Loch Ardinning SWT Res	-	1	ECD
Duchal Moor	NS305667	1	IPG	Mill Burn NS311658	-	1	IPG
Duchal Moor	NS308660	1	IPG	Muirhouse Muir	-	1	AKM
Duchal Moor, Mill Burn	NS301663	1	IPG	Muirshiel Mine	NS282650	1	IPG
Dumbrock Muir	-	1	AKM	Muirshiel, Burnbrae Burn	NS321650	1	IPG
Endrick M, Low Mains	-	1	SNH	Muirshiel, Burnbrae Burn	NS323653	1	IPG
Finnich Glen	-	1	AKM	Myres Hill	-	1	J&VW
Gleann nan Caorrunn	-	1	ECD	North Rotten Burn	NS264672	1	IPG
Glen Fruin	-	1	MMcG	North Rotten Burn	NS268671	1	IPG
Glengavel Burn	-	1	J&VW	Overtoun Burn	-	1	ECD
Harestane Burn	NS261688	1	IPG	Overtoun House	-	1	FH
Kelly Cut/Gimlet Burn	NS236710	1	IPG	Possil Marsh SWT Reserve	NS583699	1	JJM
Kelly Cut/Leap Moor	NS233705	1	IPG	Queenside Burn	NS301646	1	IPG
Knackie Burn/mine road	NS307641	1	IPG	Queenside Muir	NS306639	1	IPG
Knock More	NS298678	1	IPG	Queenside Muir	NS294648	1	IPG
Knocknairs Hill	-	1	ADW	Snypes Dam	-	1	J&VW
L Lomond, Ardess	NS364995	1	NTS	Tarbrax bing	-	1	JND
L Lomond, Ardvorlich	-	1	ECD	Tinto	-	1	ECD
L Lomond, Cashel	-	1	ECD	Wenchly Top/Kelly Burn	NS235695	1	IPG
L Lomond, Coire Corrach	NS374995	1	NTS	White Grane Burn	NS286631	1	IPG

Summary: 77 pairs reported at 70 sites, despite deep snow lying on hills for two weeks in March (cf. 70 pairs at 43 sites in 2005). Other notes included (i) the pair at Ardmore North Bay had fledged b/3 on 14 May, and feeding another brood in nest on 16 July (IPG); (ii) the pair at Colgrain fledged 2 young, but area vacated when farmer cut the rushes on 8 June (DHMcE).

Autumn-winter reports were of a juv at Aird Meadow on 10 July, 2 on 16 Sep, a pair on 30 Sep (RSPB), a ♀ at Gryfe No.1 Resr on 17 July (DSF), a juv Robroyston Park LNR 18 July (GCC), pair on 20 Sep (BZ,GCC), 1 at Strone and 1 at Auchengaich, Glen Fruin on 29 July (MMcG,JTT), pair b/4 juvs Calder Glen (NS3261) on 2 Aug (JTT), 4 (3 juvs) Ardmore Point 9 Aug (JBB), 1 on 1 Oct (ADW), a pair on 8 Oct and 12 Oct (IPG,JBB), 4 on 18 Nov (ANi), 1 on 6 Dec, 4 on 18 Dec, 1 on 26 Dec (ECD,ANi), 7 at Barscube Hill West on 14 Aug, 6 on 17 Aug, 6 on 13 Sep, 2 on 25 Oct, 2 on 17 Dec (DSF), 3 juvs at Ogscastle Bridge 20 Aug (ADW), 7 at Barscube Hill East on 8 Sep (DSF), 1 Bishopton 12 Sep (ACMB), 2 Raith Burn, Muirshiel Country Park 15 Sep (ECD), 3 at Cathkin Braes on 16 Sep, a ♂ on 10 Oct, a ♀ on 3 Nov, a pair on 12 Nov, 3 on 16 Dec (SAW,DWM), 1 Merryton/Carbarns 23-29 Sep, 3 on 8 Oct, 2 prs and a ♀/imm on 17 Oct, 2 prs until 26 Nov (AIE), 1 Roberton Mains Farm 23 Sep (AMcA), 1 Mugdock Country Park 25 Sep (GC), a pair Colgrain 26 Sep-Jan 2007 (DHMcE), 8 Craigmarloch Wood 28 Sep (DSF), 4 at Myres Hill on 1 Oct, 1 on 24 Oct, (JSW,VW), a ♂ Ladymuir Forest 2 Oct (DSF), 5 at Cornalees Bridge on 3 Oct (MMcG), 1 at Harelaw Dam 3 Oct, 1 at Snypes Dam on 3 Oct, a pair 18 Dec (JSW,VW), 3 (2 ♂♂) at Tod's Well on 4 Oct (CRS), a pair Duchal Moor 4 Oct , a ♂ at East Yonderton 7 Oct (ECD), 14 Loch Arklet 16 Oct (NR), 2 on 23 Dec (JTT), a ♂ at Dargavel Burn on 19 Oct (DSF), 8 Bridgend, Kirkintilloch 25 Oct (ADW), a ♀ at Barnsford Bridge on 29 Oct (AMo), 2 prs West Millichen 1 Nov (GCC), 1 on 29 Dec, 2 on 9 Dec (JC), 2 Lunderston Bay 2 Nov (FG), a pair Glen Douglas 2 Nov (AMcI), a ♂ at Blackstoun Farm on 3 Nov (FH), a pair Cathkin Marsh 7 Nov (JJM), a ♂ at Littleton Resr 8 Nov (JSW,VW), a ♀ on Erskine shore 19 Nov (ADW), 1 on 23 Dec (ECD), a ♂ at Craigallian Loch 29 Nov (ECD), 1 at Locherwood Community Woodland on 5 Dec and 19 Dec (ECD), a pair near Gartloch Pool (at NS676670) on 6 Dec (GCC), a ♂ at Craigallian Loch 11 Dec (ECD), 1 by River Clyde at Lamington on 15 Dec, 1 at Harelaw pig trap on 18 Dec (JSW,VW), 2 at the Loch Ardinning SWT Reserve on 19 Dec (JTK), 2 ♂♂ at Muirshiel barytes mine on 19 Dec (ECD), 1 at Crawfordjohn on 24 Dec (JTT), 2 Balgray Resr 25-26 Dec (JCh,JSW, VW), 2 South Medwin Pools 30 Dec (JTT), 2 Loch Thom 30 Dec (MMcG), and 1 at Overtoun Burn on 30 Dec (ECD).

 

Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe

Spring arrival/passage reports included 4 ♂♂ Coiregrogain-Loch Sloy on 3 Apr (ECD), a ♂ at Endrick/Blane confluence on 7 Apr (JTT), a ♀ at Helensburgh Resrs on 8 Apr (DRMcC), 4 at Ardmore Point 9 Apr (ANi), a ♂ at Cornalees Bridge 8 Apr (SJM), 2 Clovenstone 9 Apr (ECD), 2 at Blairvockie 10 Apr (NTS), 3 Ben Glas 14 Apr (ECD), 2 ♂♂ at Cathkin Braes on 15 Apr, 6 on 5 May (SAW), 3 Harestonhill Pond 18 Apr (JCM), 11 migrants in one field at Hillside Farm on 30 Apr (IPG), and 25 migrants at Windlaw Farm/Cathkin Braes on 5 May, with a ♀ still there on 12 May (ADW). Amongst the eleven migrants at Hillside Farm on 30 Apr, one ♂ was strikingly larger and more brightly marked than the others, so thought to be of the Greenland race O o leuchorroa (IPG); this implies that the remaining birds were of a continental destination, perhaps Scandinavian (ed.).

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

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Auchineden	1	GJB	Corrie of Balglass	1	FH	Loch Thom	1	MMcG
Ben Lomond	4	ECD	Cowgill	5	J&VW	Muirshiel Mine	1	IPG
Bennan Loch	2	J&VW	Creuch Hill, SE side	1	IPG	Queenside Muir (NS3064)	1	IPG
Camps Reservoir	4	J&VW	Culter Waterhead Resr	2	J&VW
Coiregrogain-Sloy	5	ECD	Lairig Arnan	1	ECD

Summary: 29 pairs reported at 13 sites in 2006.

Autumn reports included 2 Barscube Hill West 14 Aug, 1 on 13 Sep (DSF), 3 at Anston Burn on 14 Aug (SRi), 3 Ryeflat 19 Aug (ADW), 1 Carbarns Pool 5 Sep (AIE), a ♀ Cathkin Braes 9 Sep (SAW), 1 at Raith Burn, Muirshiel Country Park on 15 Sep (ECD), 1 Erskine shore 16 Sep (DSF), 2 juvs at Ardmore Point on 17 Sep (IPG), 1 on 22 Sep (JBB), 2 on 30 Sep (HS), 1 on 10 Oct (FL), 1 “Greenland” bird Finlaystone Point 21 Sep (DSF), 1 Garelochhead 22 Sep, 1 Glen Fruin 23 Sep (AMcI), 1 Cardross 23 Sep (JBB per JJM), 1 “Greenland” bird at Harelaw Resr, Greenock 28 Sep (DSF), 2 at Moyne Farm 3 Oct (JSW,VW), and 1 at South Cathkin landfill on 15 Oct (JJM).

 

Dipper Cinclus cinclus

Winter-spring reports included 3 on the Endrick Water at Ballochruin on 4 Mar (AKMcN).

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

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Broom Burn, Broompark	1	GRW	Garvald Burn	1	AMcA	R Falloch, Beinglas Farm	1	ECD
Broom Burn, Capel Ave	1	GRW	Inversnaid RSPB Res	1	ECD	Rouken Glen	1	J&VW
Calderglen Country Park	2	JJM	Kilsyth, Banton Burn	1	PGC	Ryat Linn	1	J&VW
Camps Water	1	J&VW	Loch Lomond, Firkin	1	DHM	W Cart Water, Cathcart	1	JMcO
Finnich Glen	1	GJB	R Clyde, Falls of Clyde	1	MMcG	W Cart Water, Linn Park	2	SAW

Summary: 17 pairs reported at 15 sites in 2006. Notes included: first brood seen on the White Cart Water in Linn Park on 19 Apr (SAW).

Summer-winter reports included a juv along North Rotten Burn at NS268670 on 26 June (IPG), 1 at Capelrig Burn near St Cadoc's PS on 22 Sep, 1 Broom Burn 15 Oct (GRW), 1 on River Kelvin at Kelvingrove Park on 24 Oct and 25 Nov (MMcG), 2 on River Clyde at Daldowie 21 Dec (CRS), 1 in song Gallangad Burn 23 Dec, and 1 at Inversnaid on 23 Dec (JTT).

 

House Sparrow Passer domesticus

Winter-spring reports included 40 at East Millichen on 7 Jan and 4 Mar (JC), 18 in Marjory Rd, Renfrew 6 Feb (ECD),10 Garnethill Park, Glasgow 4 Mar (per BT), 43 at Auchenheath on 1 Apr, and 10+ “trapped in a hawthorn bush by a ♀ Sparrowhawk” at Dillarburn on 1 Apr (JND,ADW).

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

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Cathcart, Cartvale Care	1	JMcO	Glasgow, Cadogan Sq	5	JTT	Lochwinnoch Reserve	1	RSPB
Cathcart, Rannoch Street	1	JMcO	Glasgow, George Square	1	JMcO	Muirend, Somerfield	1	JMcO
East Kilbride, Heritage Pk	2	DWM	Kilsyth, High Banton	11	PGC	Mid Netherton Farm	3	SL
East/West Millichen Farms	12	SL	Langbank, Seath Avenue	7	DSF

Summary: 45 pairs reported from a sample of 11 sites in 2006. Of the 11 prs in a High Banton garden, 5 were in nest-boxes and 6 on the house and garage (PGC).

Autumn-winter reports included 10 Marjory Rd, Renfrew 14 July, 12 on 14 Dec (ECD), 46 at Millichen Farms 17 July, 40 on 18 Sep, 40 on 9 Dec (JC,CRS), 40 Caldarvan Station 30 July (JTT), 86 Battery Park, Gourock 11 Sep (per BT), 12 in a Netherlee garden 23 Sep (SAW), and 53 Helensburgh-Rhu Point 15 Nov (DSF).

 

Tree Sparrow Passer montanus

Winter-spring counts included in Glasgow 16 at Millichen Farms on 3 Jan (JC), 12 on 4 Jan (ECD), 19 on 7 Jan, 7 on 14 Jan (JC), 8 on 15 Jan (JJM), 15 on 24 Feb (JTK), 19 on 4 Mar (JC), 7 on 2 Apr, 5 on 15 Apr (AKMcN), 8 on 22 Apr (JC), and in South Lanarkshire 9 at Meadowflat on 6 Jan (JND,ADW), and 7 at Poplarglen on 21 Mar (JND).

Breeding reports (prs = territorial pairs or occupied nests)

Site	Grid ref	Prs	Obs
Braidwood, Linnside	NS835477	1	JND
Braidwood, Oldhill Farm	NS834486	1	JND
Braidwood, Poplarglen	NS826478	5	JND
Braidwood,	NS836482	1	JND
Braidwood, Waygateshawhead Farm	NS847486	2	JND
Carluke, Meadowhead Farm	NS829489	1	JND
Glasgow, East/West Millichen Farms	NS570720	12	SL
Kirkfieldbank, Greenrig Farm	NS856421	1	JND,ADW
Kirkfieldbank, West Kilbank	NS852433	5	JND,ADW
Lanark, East Nemphlar	NS887444	5	JND
Paisley (near), Walkinshaw Gardens	NS464668	3	GTW
Tillietudlem	NS811459	5	JND,ADW
Tillietudlem (kennels)	NS800454	3	JND
Tillietudlem (nursery)	NS804454	1	ADW
Tillietudlem, Craignethan	NS807454	1	JND,ADW

Summary: 47 pairs reported from 15 sites, including 32 pairs in NS84 (South Lanarkshire).

Autumn-winter reports included 4 at Millichen on 17 July (JC), 2 on 6 Aug (CRS), 8 on 9 Oct (JJM), max 26 on 20 Oct, 9 on 22 Oct, 12 on 29 Oct, 15 on 9 Dec, 25 on 23 Dec (JC).

 

Dunnock Prunella modularis

Winter-spring reports included first song heard Renfrew 17 Jan (FH).

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

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Bishopton BAE (part)	1	SL	Kilmardinny Loch	2	AKM	Milngavie, Chestnut Lane	1	AKM
Black Cart Water	1	FH	Kittoch Bridge	1	SL	Milngavie, Mains Estate	2	AKM
Carnbooth Farm	8	SL	Langbank village	15	DSF	Newton of Belltrees	1	MMcG
Carron Valley Forest	2	AKM	Linwood Moss	1	FH	Paisley Moss LNR	3	FH
Cathkin Braes	3	DWM	Loch Ardinning SWT Res	1	JTK	Possil Marsh SWT Res	1	JJM
Douglas Water Pools	1	JJM	Lochwinnoch Reserve	8	RSPB	Renfrew, Haining Road	2	FH
East/West Millichen	16	SL	Longhaugh Point	1	FH	SC Park, North Haugh	5	IL
Endrick M, Ring Point	1	SNH	Merryton/Carbarns	14	AIE	SC Park, Roman Fort	6	IL
Erskine Sewage Works	1	FH	Mid Netherton Farm	9	SL	Waulkmill Glen	1	CRS
Inchinnan village	1	FH	Midross Golf Course	16	SL	Windlaw Farm	6	SL

Summary: 131 pairs reported at 30 sites in 2006.

Autumn-winter reports included one using a peanut feeder in Langbank village during June-July and in Nov (DSF).

 

Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava

A spring migrant ♂ was at Carbarns Pool on 28 Apr (SLo).

 

Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea

Winter-spring reports from built-up areas included 1 in Ben Nevis Road, Paisley on 30 Jan (JTT).

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

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Avon Gorge	1	FH	Earn Water, Blackhouse	1	SL	R Calder, Muirshiel-mine	3	IPG
Ballochruin Bridge	1	AKM	Endrick M, Low Mains	1	SNH	R Clyde at Lamington	1	J&VW
Berryglen Burn	1	IPG	Endrick W, Ballochruin	1	JTT	R Kelvin, Garscube Estate	1	TB
Black Loch	1	WK	Formakin Estate	1	FH	R Kelvin, Killermont Br	1	HM
Broom Burn, Broompark	1	GRW	Inveruglas Water	1	JTT	Rossdhu Bay	1	SL
Calderglen Country Park	2	JJM	Loch Lomond, Firkin	2	DHM	Rouken Glen	2	J&VW
Camps Reservoir	4	J&VW	Loch Thom	1	ECD	Ryat Linn	1	J&VW
Carbarns Pool	1	AIE	Midross Golf Course	1	SL	White Cart W, Linn Park	4	SAW
Carnbooth Farm	1	SL	N Rotten Burn (upper)	3	IPG	W Cart W, Pollok C Park	1	CRS
Cornalees Bridge	1	ECD	Powbrone Burn	1	J&VW	Waulkmill Glen Reservoir	1	J&VW
Culter Glen	1	per BT	Glasgow, Queen's Park	1	per BT
Darleith	1	FL	R Avon, Chatelherault	1	AKM

Summary: 47 pairs reported at 34 sites in 2006.

Autumn-winter reports included 5 at Newshot Island on 30 July (AJR), 1 in High St, Paisley on 26 Oct, 1 in Argyle St, Glasgow on 26 Oct (JTT), and 4 Helensburgh-Rhu Point 15 Nov (DSF).

 

White Wagtail Motacilla alba alba

Reports were of 1 Auchendores Resr 11 Apr (RB), 2 Newshot Island 16 Apr, 1 on 4 Sep, 2 on 15 Sep (AJR), 2-5 Carbarns Pool 16 Apr-3 May, 5 on 23 Apr and 26 Apr (AIE), 3 on 2 May (ECD), 1 on 15 May (GJB), 2 Ardmore Point 16 Apr, 3 on 20 Apr, 5 on 23 Apr (ANi), 2 on 24 Apr (AKMcN), 1 on 5 May (GJB), 4 Baron's Haugh 18 Apr (JCM), 1 on 1 Apr (GJB), 1 Cardross Bay 29 Apr and 13 May, 20 on 23 Sep (AGG), 2 R Clyde at Lamington 12 Sep (JSW,VW), 7 Baron's Haugh 7 Dec (JCM). See Clyde Ringing Group Report (ed.).

 

Pied Wagtail Motacilla alba yarelli

Winter-spring reports included 17 on King George V Playing Field, Renfrew on 18 Jan, and 16 along the Black Cart Water from Normandy Hotel to Yonderton on 26 Apr (FH). The date of the last record suggests the birds were more likely to be White Wagtails, especially as this is a traditional site for spring migrants (ed.).

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

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Barscube Hill	1	DSF	Garscube Estate	2	TB	Longhaugh Point	1	FH
Bishopton BAE (part)	1	SL	Hamilton, North Haugh	1	AKM	Mid Netherton Farm	1	SL
Merryton/Carbarns	2	AIE	Hogganfield Park LNR	3	GCC	Midross Golf Course	10	SL
Carstairs Junction	1	MMcG	Kirkland Bridge	1	SL	Muirshiel Mine	1	IPG
Colgrain	2	DHM	Langbank village	3	DSF	R Clyde at Lamington	1	J&VW
Darleith	1	FL	Loch Lomond, Firkin	1	DHM	Shielhill Farm	1	MMcG
East/West Millichen	2	SL	Loch Lomond, Sallochy	1	FH
Endrick M, Ring Point	7	SNH	Lochend Loch	1	CL

Summary: 45 prs reported at 22 sites in 2006.

Autumn-winter reports included 20 Baron's Haugh 26 Aug, 17 Carbarns Pool 26 Aug (ECD), 15 at Newshot Island 4 Sep (AJR), 35 Gleddoch GC 6 Sep, 66 on 26 Sep (DSF), 30 R Clyde at Lamington 12 Sep (JSW,VW), 130 with 50% White at roost Olympia, East Kilbride on 17 Sep, 405 (50% White) on 22 Sep (IL), 30 Carbarns Pool 25 Sep, 30 on 7 Oct, 93 on 20 Oct (AIE,DA), and 180 in a pre-roost gathering at Victoria Harbour, Greenock on 1 Oct (IPG).

 

Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis

Winter-spring reports included 60 Lunderston Bay 8 Jan (FG), 34 at Millichen Flood 14 Jan (JC), 60 on 10 Apr (CRS), 14 roosting in heather Crawhin Hill on 21 Jan (IPG), 40 over Aird Meadow 12 Mar (RSPB), 45 Carbarns Pool 14 Mar (JCM), 50 on 27 Mar (AIE), 30 Newshot Island 1 Apr (ECD), 110 on passage Finnich Glen 2 Apr (AKMcN), 70 Ballochruin Pool 7 Apr (JTT), 24 N/hour over Colgrain on 9 Apr (DHMcE). Return to hill territories included 50 on Queenside Muir 9 Apr, 20 Ben Glas Burn 14 Apr (ECD), 35 birds in a 6‑km transect Cornalees-Leap Moor-Crawhin Hill on 19 Apr, and 21 in a 4‑km transect over Queenside Muir on 21 Apr (IPG).

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

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Barscube Hill	17	DSF	Endrick M, Ring Point	7	SNH	Mid Netherton Farm	2	SL
Carron Valley Forest	1	AKM	Endrick M, Wards Pond	2	SNH	Muirhouse Muir	1	AKM
Cathkin Braes	2	DWM	Gartloch Pool	1	GCC	West Ferry	1	FH
East Kilbride, Langlands	4	DWM	Loch Ardinning SWT	1	JTK	West Renf Heights (70ha)	68	IPG
Endrick M, Aber Bog	4	SNH	Loch Walton	1	AKM	Windlaw Farm	3	SL
Endrick M, Crom Mhin	1	SNH	Longhaugh Point	10	FH
Endrick M, Low Mains	9	SNH	Merryton/Carbarns	3	AIE

Summary: 138 pairs reported at 19 sites in 2006. Other breeding notes included: (i) a singing ♂ at Gartloch Pool on 9 June was first breeding record for the site (GCC); (ii) first adults noted carrying food Duchal Moor 29 May (IPG); (iii) the sample survey on the West Renfrew Heights (68 prs in 70 ha) indicated no change from 2005 (IPG); (iv) noticeable departure from territories West Renfrew Heights commencing 29 June, loose flocks widespread by 15 July; (v) more than usual (ca 20 prs/km²) still feeding second broods in nests on Duchal Moor 23 July (IPG).

Autumn-winter reports included 50 Barscube Hill West 17 Aug, 60 on 7 Sep, 53 on 22 Sep, 10 on 8 Dec, 90 Barscube Hill East 17 Aug, passage noted S over Langbank village from 29 Aug (DSF), 20 over Possil Loch on 17 Sep, 46 over Millichen Flood 17 Sep (JJM), 60 Bardowie Loch 17 Sep (AKMcN), 40 Cardross 22 Sep (JBB), 20-30 SW over Merryton 22 Sep (AIE), 50 pursued by a ♀ Hen Harrier at Colgrain on 24 Sep (DHMcE), 40 Craigmarloch Wood 28 Sep (DSF), 32 over Aird Meadow 24 Nov (RSPB), and 26 at King George V Playing Field, Renfrew on 23 Dec (FH).

 

Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis

Spring arrival reports included 1 over Newshot Island on 16 Apr (AJR), 1 at Loch Ardinning SWT Reserve 17 Apr (per BT), 1 Sallochy 18 Apr (IF), 1 singing Mugdock Country Park 18 Apr (GJB).

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

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Auchineden	1	GJB	Glen Luss	2	HS	L Lomond,Rowardennan	1	ECD
Carron Valley Forest	1	per BT	Inversnaid	3	ECD	L Lomond, Sallochy	6	FH
Craigmarloch Wood	4	DSF	L Lomond, Ardess	2	ECD	Loch Ardinning SWT Res	1	JTK
Dolphinton, Southhill Wd	1	AMcA	L Lomond, Balmaha	1	per BT	Mugdock Country Park	1	GJB
Dumbrock Muir	1	AKM	L Lomond, Cashel	1	per BT	Muirhouse Muir	1	AKM
Endrick Mouth	1	GJB	L Lomond, Inchcailloch	5	JJM	Muirshiel Country Park	1	IPG
Finnich Glen	1	GJB	L Lomond, Luss	1	RAB	Sloy Dam Road	5	JTT
Glen Falloch Farm	1	ECD	L Lomond, Ross Wood	1	AKM

Summary: 43 pairs reported at 23 sites in 2006.

Autumn reports included 1 S over Kelburn Park, Port Glasgow on 17 Aug, 1 S over Barscube Hill East on 17 Aug, and 2 over Barscube Hill West on 8 Sep (DSF).

 

Rock Pipit Anthus petrosus

Winter-spring records were of 20 going to roost in the inner wall of Victoria Harbour, Greenock on 1 Jan, 12 on 3 Jan, 12 on 5 Mar (ADW), 3 at Ardmore South Bay on 2 Jan (JBB), 1 on 7 Jan and 14 Jan (DHMcE), 4 on 28 Jan (SPM), 4 on 28 Feb, 1 on 11 Mar (ANi), 1 on 21 Mar (AKMcN), 1 Helensburgh Pier 28 Jan (DHMcE), 3 Bowling Oil Terminal 12 Feb (JSW,VW), 2 East India Harbour, Greenock 19 Feb-2 Mar (DSF), 1 on 22 Apr (ADW), 4 Cardross Bay 26 Feb (JBB), and 1 at Cairndhu Point, Helensburgh on 11 Mar (DHMcE).

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

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Ardmore Point	1	IPG	Greenock, East India Harbour	2	DSF	Port Glasgow, Scott Lithgow	1	DSF

Summary: Only 4 pairs reported at 3 sites in 2006, in a poor level of reporting. Other notes included: a pair at Ardmore Point (at NS312786) on 11 June were the first recorded there during the breeding season by the observer in 18 years (IPG).

One was inland at Baron's Haugh on 25 Sep (DA per BS). Autumn-winter reports were of 1 at Ardmore Point 11 July (AKMcN), 1 on 17 Oct, 18 Nov and 19 Nov, 3 on 24 Nov, 4 on 6 Dec, 2 on 11 Dec (ANi,IPG,ECD et al), 1 at Garvel Dock, Greenock 16 Sep (JTT), 1 at Lunderston Bay on 30 Sep (FG), 10 at the Victoria Harbour, Greenock roost on 1 Oct, only 2 on 24 Dec (IPG, ADW), 2 at Lunderston Bay on 29 Oct, 1 at the former Scott Lithgow yard, Port Glasgow on 8 Nov, and 5 between Helensburgh-Rhu Point on 15 Nov (DSF).

 

Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs

Winter-spring reports included 50 at Heritage Park, East Kilbride on 3 Jan (DWM), 42 at West Millichen Farm on 3 Jan (JC), 40 at Erskine STW on 5 Jan (ECD), in Clydesdale 500 at Walston, 300 at Midhill Farm and 240 at Heatheryhall on 6 Jan (JND,ADW), 100 at Walston on 14 Jan (MMcG,JTT), 110 at Barscube Hill on 1 Feb, first song heard Langbank 14 Feb (DSF), 30 Aird Meadow 19 Feb (RSPB), 300 at Blackstoun Farm on 27 Feb (ECD), and in Clydesdale 100 at West Town, 210 Mountherrick, and 60 at Crawfordjohn, all on 11 Mar (JND,ADW).

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

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Bishopton BAE (part)	4	SL	Endrick M, Wards Pond	3	SNH	Locherwood Comm Wd	9	FH
Bishopton Pond	2	FH	Erskine STW	4	FH	Lochwinnoch Reserve	26	RSPB
Bishopton, Chestnut Ave	3	FH	Inchinnan village	1	FH	Longhaugh Point	4	FH
Black Cart Water	2	FH	Kilmacolm, Knapps Loch	4	FH	Merryton/Carbarns	27	AIE
Blackhouse Farm	1	SL	Kilmacolm, Leperstone	4	FH	Mid Netherton Farm	9	SL
Carmunnock, Windlaw	7	SL	Kilmardinny Loch	4	AKM	Midross Golf Course	80	SL
Carnbooth Farm	28	SL	Kirkland Bridge	4	SL	Milngavie, Chestnut Lane	1	AKM
Darnley Glen	4	CRS	Kittoch Bridge	3	SL	Milngavie, Mains Estate	4	AKM
Douglas Estate Ponds	1	JJM	Lairig Arnan	1	ECD	Possil Marsh SWT Res	1	JJM
East/West Millichen	16	SL	Langbank village	33	DSF	Renfrew, Haining Rd	1	FH
Endrick M, Aber Bog	9	SNH	Lin Burn/M8	1	SL	SCP, North Haugh	15	IL
Endrick M, Crom Mhin	17	SNH	Linwood Moss	1	FH	SCP, Roman Fort	5	IL
Endrick M, Low Mains	12	SNH	Loch Ardinning SWT Res	10	JTK	Waulkmill Glen	5	CRS
Endrick M, Ring Point	9	SNH	Loch Lomond, Ross Park	6	FH	West Ferry	1	FH
Endrick M, Shore Wood	6	SNH	Loch Lomond, Rossdhu	3	SL

Summary: 391 pairs reported from 44 sites in 2006.

Autumn-winter reports included 50 at Gleddoch Golf Course 30 Sep, 150 at North Glen Farm, Barscube Hill 25 Oct (DSF), 100 Blackstoun Farm 3 Nov (FH), 60 Locherwood Community Woodland 5 Dec, and 120 at Lennox Forest on 11 Dec (ECD).

 

Brambling Fringilla montifringilla

Winter-spring reports involved 2 West Millichen 3 Jan (JC), 150 Walston 6 Jan (JND,ADW), 30 there on 14 Jan (MMcG,JTT), 16 on 18 Feb (JTT), a ♀ in an Erskine garden 28 Jan (ACMB), a ♀ in a Milngavie garden 29 Jan (IM), a ♂ in a Howwood garden 7 Feb (IPG), a ♂ Dalmore Cres, Helensburgh 16 Feb (HS), nearby a ♂ Glen Dr, Helensburgh 12 Mar (ANi), 6 at Braehead (Lan) 11 Mar, 3 Mountherrick 11 Mar (JND,ADW), and 4 (2 ♂♂) Cathkin Braes 15 Apr (SAW).

Autumn-winter reports were of 1 S calling over Barscube Hill 13 Oct, 1-2 North Glen Farm, Barscube Hill 25 Oct (DSF), 1 in a Mugdock garden 13 Oct (AGJ), 16 Loch Arklet 16 Oct (per BT), 2 at Biggar Moss 28 Oct (JTT), 1 Erskine 16 Nov (AJR), 2 on track above Blairskaith Quarry 8 Dec (JTK), and 20 at Damhead Farm, Carluke on 30 Dec (JND).

 

Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula

Winter-spring counts included 14 at Loch Ardinning SWT Reserve on 4 Jan (ECD) and 11 Jan (JTK), 11 Southhill Woods, Dolphinton 8 Jan (AMcA), 10 Killoch Glen, Neilston 12 Jan (IWMcM), 9 Ben Bowie 28 Jan, 6 Linwood Moss 4 Feb (FH), and 8 Craw Rd, Paisley 21 Feb (per RSPB).

Breeding reports (prs = territorial pairs or family parties)

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Barrangary Woods	1	SL	Erskine Harbour	1	FH	Merryton/Carbarns	1	AIE
Barrance	1	J&VW	Erskine, Boden Boo	1	ECD	Midross Golf Course	1	SL
Bishopton BAE (part)	3	SL	Glasgow, Bishop L LNR	1	GCC	Myres Hill	1	J&VW
Brownside Braes	1	TB	Glasgow, Carnbooth Fm	3	SL	Possil Marsh SWT Res	1	JJM
Calderglen Country Pk	1	JJM	Glasgow, Cathkin Braes	2	DWM	Rutherglen, Overton Pk	1	DWM
Corse Hill	1	J&VW	Glasgow, Dawsholm Pk	1	JC	SC Park, North Haugh	4	IL
Darleith	2	FL	Glasgow, Garscube Est	1	TB	SC Park, Roman Fort	2	IL
Darnley Mill	1	J&VW	Glen Moss, Kilmacolm	1	JMcO	Tillietudlem	1	JND
Dolphinton garden	1	AMcA	Kittoch Bridge	1	SL	Waulkmill Glen	1	J&VW
Endrick Mouth	1	ANi	Lochwinnoch Reserve	1	RSPB

Summary: 39 pairs reported from 29 sites in 2006.

Autumn-winter reports included 5 at Gleddoch Plantation 9 Sep, 16 on 11 Nov, 9 at Glen Moss on 26 Oct, 16 Ladymuir Forest 28 Oct, 6 Barscube Hill West 2 Nov, 14 Barscube Hill 11 Nov, 8 on 28 Nov (DSF), 7 Linn Park 8 Nov (SAW), 7 Corse Hill 8 Dec (JSW,VW), 7 Loch Ardinning SWT Reserve 18 Dec (ECD), and 6 at Barrance on 24 Dec (JSW,VW).

 

Greenfinch Chloris chloris

Winter-spring reports included 1 singing Dougalston 1 Jan (AKMcN), 20 at feeders Darleith Jan-Mar (FL), 45 Ardmore Point 3 Jan (AKMcN), 50 Walston 6 Jan, 30 West Gladstone 6 Jan (JND, ADW), 19 Marjory Rd, Renfrew 13 Jan (ECD), first song heard Langbank 24 Jan (DSF), and 50 in Linn Park 1 Feb (SAW).

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

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Bishopton Ponds	1	FH	Glasgow, Cathkin Braes	2	DWM	Lochwinnoch Reserve	3	RSPB
Bishopton, Chestnut Ave	1	FH	Glasgow, Mid Netherton	6	SL	Longhaugh Point	2	FH
Black Cart Water	1	FH	Glasgow, Millichen Farms	3	SL	Merryton/Carbarns	10	AIE
Blackhouse Farm	1	SL	Glasgow, Tollcross Park	2	CRS	Midross Golf Course	5	SL
Darnley Glen	1	CRS	Glasgow, Victoria Park	2	CRS	Orchard Farm Pool	1	CL
Drumpellier Country Park	5	CL	Glasgow, Windlaw Farm	4	SL	Paisley Moss LNR	2	FH
Drumpellier Golf Course	5	CL	Inchinnan village	2	FH	Possil Marsh SWT Res	1	JJM
Drumpellier, Monklands C	4	CL	Inverkip, Crowhill Wd	2	ADW	Renfrew, Haining Rd	1	FH
Erskine Harbour	1	FH	Knapps Loch	2	FH	Rutherglen, Overton Pk	1	DWM
Formakin Estate	1	FH	Langbank village	23	DSF	SC Park, North Haugh	3	IL
Gartsherrie Wood	7	CL	Linwood Moss	2	FH	SC Park, Roman Fort	9	IL
Glasgow, Carnbooth Fm	5	SL	Loch Lomond, Rossdhu	1	SL

Summary: 122 pairs reported from 35 sites in 2006. Other notes included first juvs noted Dolphinton 27 May (AMcA).

Autumn-winter counts were of 50 Barscube Hill Pond 9 Sep (DSF), 30 Cardross 22 Sep (JBB), 60 Gleddoch GC 30 Sep, 35 Port Glasgow 5 Dec (DSF), and 32 Ardmore Point 26 Dec (ECD).

 

Twite Linaria flavirostris

A summer report was of 6 at Loch Arklet on 10 June (JC). Autumn-winter reports were of 14 at Loch Arklet on 16 Oct, 11 at Duneaton Water (no precise locality provided) on 20 Oct (per BT), 18 Ardardan 2 Dec (FH), and 2 on the south shore of Ardmore Point on 17 Dec (IPG).

 

Linnet Linaria cannabina

Winter-spring reports included 100 at Walston on 6 Jan, 100 at Newton of Covington on 6 Jan (JND,ADW), and 450 in a wild bird crop at Summerston Farm on 13 Jan (IPG), 78 Mid Netherton Farm 26 Feb (SL).

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

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Ardencaple	1	HS	Cornalees Bridge	1	ECD	Glen Moss, Kilmacolm	1	DSF
Barscube Hill	2	DSF	Erskine Harbour	2	FH	Kelly Cut, Balgray Resr	1	IPG
Blackhouse Farm	1	SL	Glasgow, Cathkin Braes	2	DWM	Knapps Loch	1	FH
Bowfield Dam (NS4058)	1	IPG	Glasgow, Millichen Farms	3	SL	Merryton/Carbarns	3	AIE
Colgrain	2	DHM	Glasgow, Windlaw Farm	3	SL	Midross Golf Course	3	SL

Summary: 27 pairs reported at 15 sites in 2006.

Autumn-winter reports included 50 at The Meetings on 12 Aug (JND,ADW), 40 at Barscube Hill East on 17 Aug, 60 on 22 Sep (DSF), 70 Darleith 19 Aug (FL), 40 Barscube Hill Pond 8 Sep, 140 at Gleddoch Plantation on 11 Sep (DSF), 16 Bogside Farm, Langbank 16 Sep (IPG), 28 at Carbarns on 17 Sep, 50 on 8 Oct (AIE), 50 Ardmore Point 23 Sep (per BT), 40 at Aird Meadow on 7 Oct (RSPB), 47 Mid Netherton 31 Oct (SL), 19 West Millichen 1 Nov (GCC), 28 on 19 Dec (SL), 80 Arkleston 16 Nov (FH), 70 Carnbooth 21 Nov, 120 Pedmyre 6 Dec, and 220 at Windlaw Farm on 18 Dec (SL).

 

Common Redpoll Carduelis flammea

None reported in 2006.

 

Lesser Redpoll Carduelis cabaret

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

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Barscube Hill	1	ADW	Endrick M, Shore Wood	7	SNH	Loch Lomond, Rossdhu	1	SL
Bishopton BAE (part)	1	SL	Glasgow, Carnbooth Fm	1	SL	Lochwinnoch Reserve	6	RSPB
Carron Valley Forest	1	AKM	Glasgow, Cathkin Braes	1	DWM	Midross Golf Course	29	SL
Craigmarloch Wood	2	DSF	Glen Moss, Kilmacolm	1	DSF	SC Park, North Haugh	1	IL
Dumbrock Muir	1	AKM	Helensburgh G C	1	DHM	SC Park, Roman Fort	1	IL
East Kilbride, Langlands	3	DWM	Kirkland Bridge	1	SL
Endrick M, Ring Point	8	SNH	Loch Ardinning SWT Res	1	ECD

Summary: 68 pairs reported at 19 sites in 2006, including a notable 29 pairs at Midross Golf Course.

Autumn-winter reports included 15 Cashel 20 July (ECD), 50 Mugdock Country Park 17 Oct (per BT), 10 Gleddoch Plantation 17 Oct (DSF),70 Glespin 28 Oct (JTT), 12 Greenhead Pond 16 Dec, 50 on 26 Dec (JCM), 19 Loch Ardinning SWT Reserve 19 Dec (JTK), and 20 at Barrance 24 Dec (JSW,VW).

 

Crossbill Loxia curvirostra

Winter-spring reports were of 1 calling over SECC, Glasgow at 1530 hrs on 24 Jan (JJM), 2 at Corse Hill 28 Jan (JSW,VW), 3 Linn Park 3 Feb (SAW), 1 flying through Gleann nan Caorrunn in a snowstorm on 9 Apr (JTT), 1 Sallochy 9 May (GJB), and a territory in part of the BAE site at Bishopton (SL).

Summer-winter reports were of 6 at Sallochy on 11 June (DHMcE), 7 Cashel 20 July (ECD), 2 W over Queen St, Helensburgh 23 July (DHMcE), 3 Carron Valley Forest 23 July, 2 on 20 Aug, 2 on 8 Oct (AKMcN), a ♂ Linn Park, Glasgow 30 July (SAW), 36 (6 groups comprising about 6 birds) Ladymuir Forest 2 Oct, 2 on 28 Oct (DSF), 10 Garadhban Forest, Drymen 2 Oct (HS), 3 S over Douglas Estate 16 Oct (per VW), a ♂ in song Barscube Hill West 17 Oct, 2 E over there on 25 Oct, 2 ♂♂ S over on 28 Nov, 2 on 17 Dec (DSF), 8 (2 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀ and 3 juvs) Corse Hill 2 Nov, 4 on 8 Dec (JSW,VW), 4 W over Kilpatrick 24 Nov (DSF), 1 singing from Scots Pine in Dykebar Garden Centre, Paisley 26 Nov (DHMcE), 1 Mugdock Country Park 27 Nov (AKMcN), 9 Lennox Forest 8 Dec (JTK), 5 on 9 Dec (ECD), and 17 at Muirshiel Country Park on 24 Dec (WB).

 

Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis

Winter-spring reports included 1 in song at Dougalston 1 Jan (AKMcN), 10 Marjory Rd, Renfrew 12 Jan (ECD), and 11 in Haining Rd, Renfrew 15 Jan (FH).

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

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Ardmore Point	1	AKM	Glasgow, Mid Netherton	4	SL	Langbank village	7	DSF
Blackhouse Farm	1	SL	Glasgow, Millichen Farms	3	SL	Lochwinnoch Reserve	8	RSPB
Colgrain	2	DHM	Glasgow, Provanhall Hse	2	GCC	Merryton/Carbarns	2	AIE
Craigmarloch Wood	3	DSF	Glasgow, Windlaw Farm	3	SL	Midross Golf Course	12	SL
Darnley Glen	1	CRS	Inverkip, Crowhill Wood	1	ADW	Newshot Island	1	AJR
Endrick M, Low Mains	1	SNH	Kilmacolm, Birkmyre Pk	3	IPG	SC Park, North Haugh	1	IL
Ferryhill Plantation	1	DSF	Kilmardinny Loch	1	AKM	SC Park, Roman Fort	1	IL
Glasgow, Carnbooth Fm	3	SL	Kittoch Bridge	2	SL	Waulkmill Glen	2	CRS

Summary: 66 pairs reported at 24 sites in 2006. Other notes included (i) first juvs noted Marjory Rd, Renfrew 14 June (ECD); (ii) first juvs noted Haining Rd, Renfrew 15 June (FH); and (iii) first juvs noted Dolphinton 28 June (AMcA).

Autumn-winter flock counts included 40 Newshot Island 21 July (AJR), 30 Loch Thom 9 Aug (MMcG), 100 on thistles Colgrain Marsh 17 Aug (DHMcE), 100 North Newton Farm 13 Sep (FG), 100 Millichen Flood 14 Sep (GJB), 40 Cathkin Braes 16 Sep (SAW), 30 Aird Meadow 21 Sep and 26 Oct (RSPB), 85 in two flocks Merryton/Carbarns 25 Sep (AIE), 45 Mugdock Country Park 25 Sep (GC), 30 Balgray Resr 26 Sep, 60 on 23 Oct (JSW,VW), 50 Waulkmill Glen Resr 27 Sep (JSW,VW), 65 Gryfe No 1 Resr 28 Sep (DSF), 60 Hogganfield Loch LNR 1 Oct, 40 Tod's Well 4 Oct (CRS), 140 Robroyston Park LNR 10 Oct (GCC), 50 Dargavel Burn 20 Oct, 43 Finlaystone Point 3 Nov, 55 Gleddoch GC 11 Nov, 55 Erskine shore 17 Nov (DSF), 20 Corse Hill 8 Dec (JSW,VW), 30 Greenhead Pond 10 Dec (JCM), and 47 at Castle Semple Loch 23 Dec (RSPB).

The ten largest flocks reported in autumn-winter averaged 79 birds (cf. mean flock size 52 birds during 1987-2006), suggesting that 2006 was another highly productive breeding season (ed.).

 

Siskin Spinus spinus

Winter-spring reports included 28 in a Netherlee garden 10 Jan (SAW), 30 Linwood Moss 11 Jan (FH), 80 Balmuildy Bridge 16 Jan (CRS), 20 Darnley Mill 18 Jan, 50 at Strathclyde Country Park on 22 Jan (JSW,VW), 55 Merryton 29 Jan (AIE), first song noted Langbank 1 Feb (DSF), and 60, many in song Cathcart with 7” of snow on 12 Mar (JMcO).

Breeding reports (prs = territorial pairs, singing ♂♂ or recently fledged broods)

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Bishopton BAE (part)	1	SL	Langbank village	5	DSF	Midross Golf Course	2	SL
Inverkip, Crowhill Wood	1	ADW	Lochwinnoch Reserve	2	RSPB	Muirshiel Country Park	1	IPG
Kilmacolm, Glen Moss	1	ADW

Summary: 13 pairs reported from 7 sites in 2006. Other breeding season observations included a pair in a Dolphinton garden during June (AMcA).

Autumn-winter counts included 23 Garvald Rd 5 Sep (AMcA), 14 Barscube Hill 13 Sep, 25 Gryfe No.1 Resr 28 Sep, 40 Gleddoch GC 30 Sep (DSF), 30 Garadhban Forest 2 Oct (HS), 20 Carron Valley Forest 8 Oct (AKMcN), 25 Balmuildy Bridge 9 Oct (CRS), 15 coming to seed Ailsa Drive, Giffnock 12 Oct-end Dec (ACMB), 25 Rowardennan 16 Oct (per BT), 60 Aird Meadow 17 Oct (MMcG), 40 at Loch Ardinning SWT Reserve 19 Oct (AKMcN), 60 Merryton 29 Oct (AIE), 30 at Kelvingrove Park 25 Nov (MMcG), 40 First Ave, Netherlee 30 Nov (SAW), 110 Garscube Estate 4 Dec (TB), 90 Renfrew GC 8 Dec (ECD), 42 Kelburn Pk 8 Dec, 35 Finlaystone Point 11 Dec (DSF), 24 Baron's Haugh 16 Dec (JCM), 38 to seed Seath Ave, Langbank 27 Dec (DSF), 30 on the cycle track at Brookfield 28 Dec (FH), 40 Mugdock Country Park 29 Dec (AKMcN), and 35 by the Allander Water at Murray Park on 31 Dec (AKMcN).

 

Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis

Three reports in 2006: 12 on Ben Lomond (at NN373025) on 31 Jan (NTS), 1 Loch Arklet 16 Oct (NR), and 1 on Ben Reoch on 25 Nov (FH).

 

Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella

Winter-spring reports were of 30 at Shilton Lane, Erskine on 1 Jan (ACMB), 53 at Millichen Farms on 3 Jan, 42 on 14 Jan, 40 on 15 Jan, 40 on 4 Mar (JC,JJM), 14 on 15 Apr (AKMcN), 25 at Covington Mill on 6 Jan, 15 at Newton of Covington on 6 Jan, 20 at Blackhouse on 6 Jan (JND, ADW), and 50 at Cathkin Braes on 28 Jan, 40 on 3 Mar (SAW).

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

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Barscube Hill	5	DSF	F&CC, Cadder	3	CRS	Leperstone Reservoir	1	FH
Bishopton (east)	2	IPG	Flenders Farm	1	J&VW	Lin Burn/M8	5	SL
Black Cart Water	1	FH	Garvald Quarry	1	AMcA	Lochfauld Farm	1	ADW
Cardross, Brooks	1	DHM	Geilston	1	FL	Lochwinnoch, Balgreen	5	IPG
Cawder Cuilt	1	TB	Glasgow, Millichen Farms	15	SL	Longhaugh Point	1	FH
Craigmarloch Wood	2	DSF	Kilcreggan	1	AMcI	Lower Carbarns	1	AIE
Erskine STW	2	FH	Kilmacolm, Cloak Road	3	IPG	N Mearns, Burnhouse Fm	1 J&VW
Erskine, Shilton Lane	1	FH	Kirkland Bridge	2	SL

Summary: 60 pairs reported at 25 sites in 2006.

Autumn-winter reports included 32 at Shilton Lane, Erskine 12 July (ACMB), 5 Cardross Bay 22 Sep (JBB), 16 Arkleston Cemetery 28 Nov (ECD), 14 Barscube Hill West 8 Dec (DSF), max 18 at Meiklehill Farm, Lenzie feeding station 12 Dec (FC), 68 at West Millichen Farm feeding station 23 Dec (JC), and 50 at Windlaw Farm wild bird cover on 24 Dec (SAW).

 

Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus

Winter-spring reports included up to 11 (8 ♂♂) coming to seed in a small garden Kenmure View, Howwood 1 Jan-15 Apr, 2 ♂♂ until 19 Apr, 1 ♂ on 22 Apr (IPG), 8 Cathkin Braes 3 Jan (DWM), 20 Auchentibber near Blantyre 14 Jan (NDW), 50 West Millichen 16 Jan (CRS), 45 Dumbrock Muir 16 Jan (CJMcI), 12 at Loch Ardinning SWT Reserve on 1 Feb and 28 Mar (ECD), and 8 at Muirhouse Muir on 20 Feb (AKMcN).

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

Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs	Site	Prs	Obs
Antermony Loch	2	ADW	Dumbrock Muir	1	AKM	Lin Burn/M8	1	SL
Ardmore Point	1	ANi	Eaglesham, High Dam	2	ADW	Linwood Pool	2	ADW
Auchendores Reservoir	1	DSF	Earn Water	5	SL	Loch Ardinning SWT	3	JTK
Balgray Reservoir	10	J&VW	East Kilbride, Heritage Pk	1	DWM	Loch Lomond, Cashel	2	ECD
Ballat	1	DHM	East Kilbride, Langlands	3	DWM	Loch Lomond, Rossdhu	3	SL
Baron's Haugh	10	DA	East/West Millichen	6	SL	Lochfauld Marsh	5	ADW
Barscube Hill	1	ADW	Endrick M, Aber Bog	9	SNH	Lochwinnoch Reserve	35	RSPB
Biggar Moss	1	J&VW	Endrick M, Low Mains	6	SNH	Longhaugh Point	3	FH
Biggar, Heavyside	3	SRi	Endrick M, Ring Point	3	SNH	Merryton/Carbarns	8	AIE
Biggar, Session Fields	2	SRi	Endrick M, Wards Pond	5	SNH	Midross Golf Course	12	SL
Black Loch	1	WK	Erskine Harbour	3	FH	Mugdock Country Park	1	AKM
Blackhouse Farm	2	SL	Erskine, Newshot Island	3	AJR	Muirhouse Muir	1	AKM
Carron Valley Reservoir	1	ECD	Garvald Quarry	1	AMcA	Nemphlar, Lockhartbank	3	ADW
Cathkin Braes	1	ADW	Glasgow, Cathkin Braes	3	DWM	N Mearns, M77 J4	1	GRW
Cathkin Marsh	12	ADW	Glasgow, Cawder Cuilt	1	TB	Overtoun House	1	ECD
Cobbinshaw Resr	6	ADW	Glasgow, Hogganfield Marsh	1	CRS	Picketlaw Reservoir	1	ADW
Colgrain Marsh SWT Res	2	DHM	Glasgow, Mid Netherton	1	SL	Pilmuir Dam	2	J&VW
Commore Dam	2	J&VW	Glasgow, Windlaw Farm	4	SL	Possil Marsh SWT Res	7	JJM
Craigallian Loch	1	AKM	Glen Douglas	2	ECD	R Clyde at Lamington	2	J&VW
Craigmarloch Pond	1	DSF	Glenbuck Loch	2	RJH	Robroyston Ponds	2	AJY
Craigmarloch Marsh	6	ADW	Harestonhill Pond	1	ADW	Ryat Linn Reservoir	1	J&VW
Crawhin Reservoir	1	IPG	Heathfield	1	ECD	Scart Marsh SINC	5	ADW
Darleith	1	FL	Herdshill	1	ADW	SC Park, North Haugh	6	IL
Dolphinton, Blyth Br Rd	1	AMcA	Kilsyth Cemetery Pond	1	PGC	Tarbrax	1	JND
Dolphinton, Southhill Wd	1	AMcA	Kypeside Fishery	1	RJH	Waulkmill Glen Resr	4	J&VW
Douglas Estate	7	KS	Leperstone Reservoir	2	J&VW

Summary: 259 pairs reported at 77 sites in 2006, including 35 pairs at the Lochwinnoch RSPB Reserve (RSPB), and 12 pairs at Cathkin Marsh SWT Reserve (ADW).

Autumn-winter reports included 9 Possil Marsh 17 Sep (JJM), 16 at Loch Ardinning SWT Reserve on 25 Sep and 16 Oct, 15 on 22 Nov (JTK), 21 on 18 Dec (ECD), 10 at Newshot Island on 2 Oct (AJR), 12 Thankerton 15 Oct, 16 Quothquan 15 Oct (JND,ADW), 11 Loch Arklet 16 Oct (per BT), 9 at Barscube Hill West 17 Oct (DSF), 40 near Glespin on 28 Oct (JTT), 8 at Longhaugh Point on 19 Nov (ADW), 12 Aird Meadow 21 Nov (RSPB), 8 at Dumbrock Muir on 29 Nov (ECD), and 12 at Daer Resr on 24 Dec (JTT).

 

Escapes

Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus

One with Canada Geese at Carbarns Pool on 3 June and 22 June (AIE); one with moulting Greylag flock at Hogganfield Loch from 6 June-1 Aug (GCC), two on 1 Oct (CRS); one with moulting Greylag flock at Loch Walton on 2 July (AKMcN), and two (presumably the same birds coming together after moult) with 344 feral Greylags at Millichen Flood on 15 Aug (AKMcN), one there 22-23 Aug (GJB et al), and one with 300 Greylags at Craigmaddie Resr on 18 Aug (HM), 2 on 19 Sep (AKMcN).

Snow Goose Chen caerulescens

One with Canada Geese at Loch Lomond Golf Course 19 June (SL).

Mallee Ringneck Barnardius barnardi

One at Douglas Estate on 10 Sep (IF).

Ring-necked Parakeet Psittacula kramerii

One at Brownside Drive, Burnside, feeding on crab apples 6 Sep-28 Nov, back again 16-18 Dec (AR).

Monk Parakeet Myiopsitta monachus

One Bearsden 21 July (GJB).

Budgerigar Melopsittacus undulatus

A white bird over Bishop Loch on 28 Apr (CRS).

Greater Blue-eared Glossy Starling Lamprotornis chalybaeus

One at the Botanic Gardens, Glasgow 4 July-14 Aug (VB,JJM et al), said to have been present for several weeks before the first reported date.