by Donald Wilson
April: Arrival of spring migrants hots up plus a Sand Martin spectacular!
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So April has come and gone, who can believe it! Yet again April has proven to be one of the top months for additions to the annual species bird count, with an amazing 25 added. By the end of the month, most of our summer breeding migrants have settled into their territories, singing away with their usual gusto! Some are already sitting on eggs!
Let's start with a positive - the number of our commoner warblers is definitely increasing year on year. Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Whitethroat, Blackcap, even Sedge Warbler and Grasshopper Warbler all seem to be doing well. There may be a few more Garden Warbler around this year too, however at the time of writing it seems that Wood Warbler numbers are down on recent years. |
Whitethroat © John Agnew
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Another negative, after some chat with a few local “patchers”, all agree that it has been a strange spring so far. Generally the number of passage waders has been lacking in places where we've grown accustomed to seeing a decent number and variety. Why? It's not clear but one theory may be that the sustained good weather, with high pressure over the UK, has meant many birds have basically shot through with no need to stop - which is more likely in inclement weather. Secondly, certainly in South Lanarkshire, it seems our breeding raptors are well down too and time will only tell if things have improved as we go through the breeding season.
The stand-out spectacle of the month award must go to Sand Martin’s at Strathclyde Park. I suppose like many, I take this amazing little hirundine for granted at times, but who doesn't get a lift from seeing their first one flitting by in early spring, maybe in March but certainly April, I know I do! But then multiply that by 4,000 plus ! On the 18th that’s just what was witnessed at Strathclyde Park. I must admit I’m a bit of a fair weather birder but sometimes it pays dividends to go out when the weather is just awful!
During migration times, Spring and Autumn, a weather depression (wind and rain to you and me) can mean birds are forced down to get out of the bad weather, rest up and/or take the opportunity to feed up, as battling against the elements is not an option.
Strathclyde Country Park over the years has had several of these amazing birding spectacles and what a sight it must have been. I'm kicking myself that I didn't make the effort to go and witness it first hand!
The day before there had been another sizable congregation at Castle Semple Loch. Mixed with these huge Sand Martin flocks were small numbers of House Martins and Swallows, but towards the end of the month reports of these species have been building as more birds arrive back at their breeding territories.
The stand-out spectacle of the month award must go to Sand Martin’s at Strathclyde Park. I suppose like many, I take this amazing little hirundine for granted at times, but who doesn't get a lift from seeing their first one flitting by in early spring, maybe in March but certainly April, I know I do! But then multiply that by 4,000 plus ! On the 18th that’s just what was witnessed at Strathclyde Park. I must admit I’m a bit of a fair weather birder but sometimes it pays dividends to go out when the weather is just awful!
During migration times, Spring and Autumn, a weather depression (wind and rain to you and me) can mean birds are forced down to get out of the bad weather, rest up and/or take the opportunity to feed up, as battling against the elements is not an option.
Strathclyde Country Park over the years has had several of these amazing birding spectacles and what a sight it must have been. I'm kicking myself that I didn't make the effort to go and witness it first hand!
The day before there had been another sizable congregation at Castle Semple Loch. Mixed with these huge Sand Martin flocks were small numbers of House Martins and Swallows, but towards the end of the month reports of these species have been building as more birds arrive back at their breeding territories.
Sand Martin © Frank Gibbons
Let's turn our attention now to what else has been seen this month.
The most unusual record of the month was an early morning photograph from Baron’s Haugh, which showed a White Stork. It was still not 0730 when it was reported to have flown off. Across the weekend there were further records with sightings over the M80 at Cumbernauld and later further east over Linlithgow. This species is a rare visitor to the region and sometimes one that escapes from collections – why not check out the Online Clyde Bird Reports to read about previous appearances of White Stork in Clyde.
That aside, April continued like March ended with the arrival of spring migrants.
Species that had started to arrive last month began to be reported more regularly, including Little Ringed Plover with reports primarily on the scrape at RSPB Lochwinnoch and at RSPB Baron's Haugh. Back in the day (2013) I remember twitching a very rare breeding pair at Loch Leven for my first UK and Scottish encounter with this lovely little plover. How things have changed with this species being one of the local and national winners in terms of population increase. With a bit of assistance I managed to get a rough idea of the number of recorded breeding pairs in Scotland and Clyde. The latest survey data is from 2021. The Scottish population numbered then 66-68 breeding pairs with Clyde on 13 (roughly 20% of Scottish pairs). Since then in my opinion there has been a continuing expansion and hence increase in the breeding population in Clyde. Ok, no specific science but the number of birds and sightings reported here have definitely been increasing. On top of that there are huge swathes of ground where no birding boots go and so I firmly believe both locally and nationally this species is under recorded. My estimate currently would be that we have easily between 20-30 breeding pairs. Maybe a topic for the discussion group and/or a proper field census to be taken next year.
Ospreys were reported frequently throughout the month, with four at RSPB Loch Lomond (8th) and others at Drymen (2nd), RSPB Lochwinnoch (8th), Newshot Island (12th) and further up river towards the city centre at the Science Centre, Govan (13th), successfully fishing at Bennan Loch (Newton Mearns, 15th) and Glanderston Dam (Barrhead, 24th). Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers and Blackcaps are widespread now and continue to sing from their territories across the region. Wheatears were noted sporadically, beginning mid-month, often in coastal locations like Ardmore. Eleven were reported there on the 19th, showing the species’ preference for short grass and open terrain on passage.
Black-tailed Godwits were recorded widely on passage throughout the month and in increasing numbers too. Early sightings included 1–5 birds at Balmore Pool, RSPB Baron's Haugh, and Newshot Island. Numbers grew significantly mid-month, with up to 30 at Balgray Reservoir on the 13th and 18 at Lochwinnoch by the 27th. By late April, concentrations were noted again at Baron's Haugh and Longhaugh Point, where 21 were counted on the 27th.
The most unusual record of the month was an early morning photograph from Baron’s Haugh, which showed a White Stork. It was still not 0730 when it was reported to have flown off. Across the weekend there were further records with sightings over the M80 at Cumbernauld and later further east over Linlithgow. This species is a rare visitor to the region and sometimes one that escapes from collections – why not check out the Online Clyde Bird Reports to read about previous appearances of White Stork in Clyde.
That aside, April continued like March ended with the arrival of spring migrants.
Species that had started to arrive last month began to be reported more regularly, including Little Ringed Plover with reports primarily on the scrape at RSPB Lochwinnoch and at RSPB Baron's Haugh. Back in the day (2013) I remember twitching a very rare breeding pair at Loch Leven for my first UK and Scottish encounter with this lovely little plover. How things have changed with this species being one of the local and national winners in terms of population increase. With a bit of assistance I managed to get a rough idea of the number of recorded breeding pairs in Scotland and Clyde. The latest survey data is from 2021. The Scottish population numbered then 66-68 breeding pairs with Clyde on 13 (roughly 20% of Scottish pairs). Since then in my opinion there has been a continuing expansion and hence increase in the breeding population in Clyde. Ok, no specific science but the number of birds and sightings reported here have definitely been increasing. On top of that there are huge swathes of ground where no birding boots go and so I firmly believe both locally and nationally this species is under recorded. My estimate currently would be that we have easily between 20-30 breeding pairs. Maybe a topic for the discussion group and/or a proper field census to be taken next year.
Ospreys were reported frequently throughout the month, with four at RSPB Loch Lomond (8th) and others at Drymen (2nd), RSPB Lochwinnoch (8th), Newshot Island (12th) and further up river towards the city centre at the Science Centre, Govan (13th), successfully fishing at Bennan Loch (Newton Mearns, 15th) and Glanderston Dam (Barrhead, 24th). Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers and Blackcaps are widespread now and continue to sing from their territories across the region. Wheatears were noted sporadically, beginning mid-month, often in coastal locations like Ardmore. Eleven were reported there on the 19th, showing the species’ preference for short grass and open terrain on passage.
Black-tailed Godwits were recorded widely on passage throughout the month and in increasing numbers too. Early sightings included 1–5 birds at Balmore Pool, RSPB Baron's Haugh, and Newshot Island. Numbers grew significantly mid-month, with up to 30 at Balgray Reservoir on the 13th and 18 at Lochwinnoch by the 27th. By late April, concentrations were noted again at Baron's Haugh and Longhaugh Point, where 21 were counted on the 27th.
Black-tailed Godwit © Rick Bolton
New migrants reported this month began with Common Sandpiper records starting from April 3rd, with individuals reported from Uddingston and later from several other locations including Barr Loch, Lilly Loch, Balgray Reservoir, Dungavel (Strathaven), and Hillend Reservoir.
RSPB Lochwinnoch scored the first Wood Sandpiper of the spring on April 8th. Then two different individuals were found by the same observer (lucky them!) at Baron’s Haugh on 22nd and on 29th.
Wood Sandpiper can turn up anywhere where there’s water and exposed mud and what a smart little wader it is! They fly through heading mainly to northern europe where they breed. However in Scotland it is considered a rare breeding bird with no more than 35-50 breeding pairs, all in the far north and we are lucky to have usually several occurrences in Clyde each year, especially during spring migration.
Also first reported on the 8th was Cuckoo. Early records came in from Bothwell Castle and Glen Fruin that day and by the end of the month there were six calling in Glen Fruin and a further three along the nearby Yankee Road, and five between Loch Arklet and Inversnaid. Tree Pipits arrived by April 9th, a record from Carbeth followed by others seen at Inversnaid, and Sallochy. Sightings increased towards the end of the month, including Glanderston Wood and Glespin. Redstarts were first reported on April 11th and became more widespread in the second half of the month. Key locations included RSPB Loch Lomond and sites up the eastern side of Loch Lomond including Inversnaid, Ross Wood, and Sallochy.
Grasshopper Warblers began reeling from April 11th at BAE Systems, Bishopton and others noted as the month went on at East Craigend (Erskine), Glen Fruin and at other sites with scrub and reedbeds in the area. A steady passage of White Wagtails was noted throughout April, with birds regularly seen from the 12th at Balgray Reservoir and later at other stopover sites such as Lochwinnoch, Endrick Mouth, Strathclyde Park, Longhaugh Point, peaking at 25 individuals at Balmore Pool on the 20th. Sedge Warblers arrived mid-month, with first birds singing at RSPB Lochwinnoch (16th) and two there the following day, and by the end of the month it was hard not to hear the noisy, restless song from suitable scrub and reedbeds across the region!
An early Common Tern was reported from Rosneath Point on 12 April, marking the return of this summer visitor to coastal waters, with three more seen at their traditional colony at Bowling by the 21st. Whimbrels are typically passing through Clyde from mid-to-late April and into May. Three were seen at Ardmore on the 19th, with records also coming in from West Ferry and RSPB Lochwinnoch scrape. A great count of 71 were in fields near RSPB Lochwinnoch on the 29th.
Whitethroats arrived from mid-April, with records from Easter Braes (19th), RSPB Baron’s Haugh, Balgray, Torrance, and Cathkin by 21st. Whinchat was first noted on 19 April at Ardmore and another at Balgray on the 22nd and six at Balcorrach Wood, Campsie Glen.
A female Marsh Harrier was seen at RSPB Baron's Haugh on 20 April and one male Pied Flycatcher was reported at Ross Wood on 21 April. Another oakwood specialist, Wood Warbler, was first reported singing at Rowardennan and Sallochy by the 22nd. Garden Warblers appeared from 22 April, with birds at East Craigend and Sallochy.
Reed Warbler was confirmed late in the month with a singing bird at Newshot Island on 27 April and the first Swifts of the season appeared on 27 April at Balgray Reservoir, having made their long journey from sub-Saharan Africa. They are usually one of our later migrants to arrive - in fact it can be early May before they are widespread. So cherish them screaming in the skies while you can because typically they have finished breeding and are ready to head south again by early August.
RSPB Lochwinnoch scored the first Wood Sandpiper of the spring on April 8th. Then two different individuals were found by the same observer (lucky them!) at Baron’s Haugh on 22nd and on 29th.
Wood Sandpiper can turn up anywhere where there’s water and exposed mud and what a smart little wader it is! They fly through heading mainly to northern europe where they breed. However in Scotland it is considered a rare breeding bird with no more than 35-50 breeding pairs, all in the far north and we are lucky to have usually several occurrences in Clyde each year, especially during spring migration.
Also first reported on the 8th was Cuckoo. Early records came in from Bothwell Castle and Glen Fruin that day and by the end of the month there were six calling in Glen Fruin and a further three along the nearby Yankee Road, and five between Loch Arklet and Inversnaid. Tree Pipits arrived by April 9th, a record from Carbeth followed by others seen at Inversnaid, and Sallochy. Sightings increased towards the end of the month, including Glanderston Wood and Glespin. Redstarts were first reported on April 11th and became more widespread in the second half of the month. Key locations included RSPB Loch Lomond and sites up the eastern side of Loch Lomond including Inversnaid, Ross Wood, and Sallochy.
Grasshopper Warblers began reeling from April 11th at BAE Systems, Bishopton and others noted as the month went on at East Craigend (Erskine), Glen Fruin and at other sites with scrub and reedbeds in the area. A steady passage of White Wagtails was noted throughout April, with birds regularly seen from the 12th at Balgray Reservoir and later at other stopover sites such as Lochwinnoch, Endrick Mouth, Strathclyde Park, Longhaugh Point, peaking at 25 individuals at Balmore Pool on the 20th. Sedge Warblers arrived mid-month, with first birds singing at RSPB Lochwinnoch (16th) and two there the following day, and by the end of the month it was hard not to hear the noisy, restless song from suitable scrub and reedbeds across the region!
An early Common Tern was reported from Rosneath Point on 12 April, marking the return of this summer visitor to coastal waters, with three more seen at their traditional colony at Bowling by the 21st. Whimbrels are typically passing through Clyde from mid-to-late April and into May. Three were seen at Ardmore on the 19th, with records also coming in from West Ferry and RSPB Lochwinnoch scrape. A great count of 71 were in fields near RSPB Lochwinnoch on the 29th.
Whitethroats arrived from mid-April, with records from Easter Braes (19th), RSPB Baron’s Haugh, Balgray, Torrance, and Cathkin by 21st. Whinchat was first noted on 19 April at Ardmore and another at Balgray on the 22nd and six at Balcorrach Wood, Campsie Glen.
A female Marsh Harrier was seen at RSPB Baron's Haugh on 20 April and one male Pied Flycatcher was reported at Ross Wood on 21 April. Another oakwood specialist, Wood Warbler, was first reported singing at Rowardennan and Sallochy by the 22nd. Garden Warblers appeared from 22 April, with birds at East Craigend and Sallochy.
Reed Warbler was confirmed late in the month with a singing bird at Newshot Island on 27 April and the first Swifts of the season appeared on 27 April at Balgray Reservoir, having made their long journey from sub-Saharan Africa. They are usually one of our later migrants to arrive - in fact it can be early May before they are widespread. So cherish them screaming in the skies while you can because typically they have finished breeding and are ready to head south again by early August.
Wheatear © John Agnew
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Grasshopper Warbler © John Agnew
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Some of our winter visitors were still seen into April.
Whooper Swans were recorded in several locations early in the month, with notable movements including 100 over Lochwinnoch, 47 over Erskine, and 25 on Loch Lomond on the 1st. Later, four remained at Town of Inchinnan on the 19th. Another species with significant numbers on passage was Pink-footed Geese. Over 450 flew over Croftamie on the 7th, and smaller northbound flocks were seen over multiple locations, including Baron's Haugh, Rouken Glen, and Barrhead. A large group of 500 were at Libberton and 300 were feeding at Longhaugh on the 6th and 234 at Balmore Pool on the 12th. Later in the month on the 26th, 130 were migrating north over Loch Lomond, with further flocks noted over Erskine and other sites. Greenland White-fronted Geese were noted in small numbers, with two birds present on Wards Pond on the 1st of April, and a single injured individual seen at Net Bay, RSPB Loch Lomond on the 26th.
There were no Smew or Ring-billed Gull records in April, but the drake Ring-necked Duck was occasionally reported from Bingham’s Pond and Kilmardinny Loch. The wintering probable Siberian Lesser Whitethroat was reported again early in the month from Austine Drive, Hamilton. Great White Egret reports continued with one at Barr Loch and another near Eastfield Farm, Pettinain remaining through April. Pre-migration Fieldfare flocks were reported in the Crawford–Leadhills area on the 12th, with five over Craigend the same day. A group of 50 flew over Cathkin Marsh on 17th heading for their breeding grounds in northern and eastern Europe. There was just the one report of Redwing - a single bird reported from Lennox Park, Milngavie on the 16th suggesting most had left the area in March.
Finally, Green Sandpipers numbers at RSPB Baron’s Haugh were down this month as overwintering birds moved on to their breeding grounds in northern Europe and there weren’t many Jack Snipe records either with one bird flushed at Balgray Reservoir on the 9th and two at the same site on the 16th.
Whooper Swans were recorded in several locations early in the month, with notable movements including 100 over Lochwinnoch, 47 over Erskine, and 25 on Loch Lomond on the 1st. Later, four remained at Town of Inchinnan on the 19th. Another species with significant numbers on passage was Pink-footed Geese. Over 450 flew over Croftamie on the 7th, and smaller northbound flocks were seen over multiple locations, including Baron's Haugh, Rouken Glen, and Barrhead. A large group of 500 were at Libberton and 300 were feeding at Longhaugh on the 6th and 234 at Balmore Pool on the 12th. Later in the month on the 26th, 130 were migrating north over Loch Lomond, with further flocks noted over Erskine and other sites. Greenland White-fronted Geese were noted in small numbers, with two birds present on Wards Pond on the 1st of April, and a single injured individual seen at Net Bay, RSPB Loch Lomond on the 26th.
There were no Smew or Ring-billed Gull records in April, but the drake Ring-necked Duck was occasionally reported from Bingham’s Pond and Kilmardinny Loch. The wintering probable Siberian Lesser Whitethroat was reported again early in the month from Austine Drive, Hamilton. Great White Egret reports continued with one at Barr Loch and another near Eastfield Farm, Pettinain remaining through April. Pre-migration Fieldfare flocks were reported in the Crawford–Leadhills area on the 12th, with five over Craigend the same day. A group of 50 flew over Cathkin Marsh on 17th heading for their breeding grounds in northern and eastern Europe. There was just the one report of Redwing - a single bird reported from Lennox Park, Milngavie on the 16th suggesting most had left the area in March.
Finally, Green Sandpipers numbers at RSPB Baron’s Haugh were down this month as overwintering birds moved on to their breeding grounds in northern Europe and there weren’t many Jack Snipe records either with one bird flushed at Balgray Reservoir on the 9th and two at the same site on the 16th.
Swallow © Frank Gibbons
So here are the 25 new species since March:
| Black-throated Diver | Common Sandpiper | Common Tern | Cuckoo | Dotterel |
| Garden Warbler | Grasshopper Warbler | Marsh Harrier | Pied Flycatcher | Ptarmigan |
| Redstart | Reed Warbler | Sedge Warbler | Short-eared Owl | Spotted Flycatcher |
| Swift | Tree Pipit | Whimbrel | Whinchat | White Stork |
| White-tailed Eagle | Whitethroat | Wood Sandpiper | Wood Warbler | Yellow Wagtail |
This brings the list to 184*
(182 confirmed - *Yellow-legged Gull subject to assessment by SBRC. Lesser Scaup subject to assessment by BBRC. )
April beats March as the new best of the year so far at 165 species - thanks to the mix of spring migrants and still some long-staying winter species.
May can be a special month with lots of activity and all our resident and migratory breeding birds in full breeding mode, so enjoy and I'll be back in early June with what's been seen! I trust you are all enjoying this fantastic run of good weather and can get out birding as much as possible!
A full current species list, month by month for 2025, can be viewed here - the order and nomenclature follow the Clyde list.
We welcome any corrections or suggestions - please do get in touch at: https://www.birdsinclyde.scot/contact-us.html
May can be a special month with lots of activity and all our resident and migratory breeding birds in full breeding mode, so enjoy and I'll be back in early June with what's been seen! I trust you are all enjoying this fantastic run of good weather and can get out birding as much as possible!
A full current species list, month by month for 2025, can be viewed here - the order and nomenclature follow the Clyde list.
We welcome any corrections or suggestions - please do get in touch at: https://www.birdsinclyde.scot/contact-us.html