What to look for in April in the Clyde area
The Month of Warblers and Others
Following on from last month’s write up, the theme of our summer migrants is still firmly on the agenda. I consider April to be mainly about the arrival of our migrant breeding warblers, although in the birding world nothing is certain, and other species will arrive during this period.
So, what warblers travel all the way from Africa to our beloved Clyde?
Following on from last month’s write up, the theme of our summer migrants is still firmly on the agenda. I consider April to be mainly about the arrival of our migrant breeding warblers, although in the birding world nothing is certain, and other species will arrive during this period.
So, what warblers travel all the way from Africa to our beloved Clyde?
Chiffchaff – As mentioned previously this bird tends to be the first to arrive in March and is widespread, generally within mature deciduous woodland. Click below to hear the classic onomatopoeic Chiffchaff call
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Willow Warbler – Again a very common bird for us and we should count ourselves lucky! Why? In many places in England this species is now exceptionally scarce where it was once common. It is not fully understood why, but one strong theory is global warming? A study concluded that as Willow Warblers nest very low to the ground they prefer an optimum mean temperature at ground level of 13 degrees and in many places in England, especially in the south east, it’s just too warm? In any case within our recording area, they can be found in many areas as long as there is mixed woodland, scrub etc. For example, I have noted up to 16 different singing males within the circumference of Frankfield Loch which takes 20 -30 minutes to walk around! The song of the Willow Warbler is a true sign of spring and summer.
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Willow Warbler © John Agnew
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Blackcap – Another widespread and increasingly common warbler with a superb song. This bird along with Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff can all be found in similar types of habitats and again within my recording area of Gartloch, Frankfield and Bishop Loch all three of these species can be heard and seen in very close proximity.
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Whitethroat – Only going on my own patch observations, the Whitethroat tends to be the next warbler to appear but as mentioned it may be different for other birders and in different areas and there of course can always be the odd bird that appears sooner than expected! A bird of open scrub with its scratchy call and skittish behaviour, it’s not a bird that likes to hang about! Often seen in Hawthorn and Bramble scrub and again widespread and fairly common.
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Whitethroat © Donald Wilson
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Grasshopper Warbler- I love this special skulking warbler. Put enough time in at the right time of day and you will be rewarded with great views as the male reels his distinctive call as he climbs up a tall sprig of grass or in some Willow or Hawthorn scrub. This species is localised and widespread throughout the Clyde and I believe to be an increasing breeder? At Gartloch and surrounding area I have recorded up to 16 pairs. They can be heard and viewed from the main lay-by on the B806 Gartloch road. When they first arrive, they can be singing right up to mid-afternoon, but as always first light in spring is best. Other areas where they can be heard and seen are Loch Lomond, Cathkin Marsh, Merrryton, Balgray Reservoir, Lochwinnoch, etc. At Gartloch I can almost set my watch of their arrival to the 19th of April but in 2022 my first patch reeling bird was on the 17th.
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Sedge Warbler – Another active, at times showy, very vocal warbler, and, when viewed closely is stunning! Again, a widespread species which can be found in any wetland area with tall grasses or reeds and in similar locations to the Gropper (birder speak for Grasshopper Warbler).
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Sedge Warbler © Davie Abraham
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Wood Warbler- Whilst the first three on the list all arrive mainly in early April, this superb bright warbler tends to be a later arrival to the oak woodlands. Again, we are extremely lucky to have this bird as it seems to be a declining species in many areas of England.
Lesser Whitethroat- I would say our rarest breeding warbler of which I have only seen twice myself, with one at Barron’s Haugh many years ago and the singing male at Merrryton last year. The latter site has been a fairly consistent place to see this species with it being recorded most years even if a breeding pair does not materialise.
Other species to look out for during April include:
Sandwich Tern- Can be found at the occasional inland site on passage but anywhere along the Clyde estuary should, with some patience, produce feeding and flyby Sandwich Terns. Ardmore or Greenock are very good spots to try.
Swallow – Our true sign of summer, and as I write this article, a very early one has already been seen this year in Clyde! It is a widespread bird although like many species is declining. Who does not get a lift when they see their first Swallow of the year? I know I do!
Tree Pipit- Another speciality species that is relatively easy to find with its characteristic song and parachute flight call when displaying on territory. To see Tree Pipit, the oak woodlands of Loch Lomond such as RSPB Loch Lomond, Cashel or Inversnaid should produce birds. Some of the upland areas such as the Whangie and Kilpatrick Braes can produce birds as well as providing a good walk. Tree Pipit is usually, the first of the oak woodland summer breeding migrant specialists to arrive (usually around mid-month).
Pied Flycatcher- As above, again another oak woodland species and one that we are also very lucky to have as a summer visitor and breeder. Pied Flycatchers tend to sing high up in the canopy but for example at RSPB Inversnaid and Sallochy, specialist nest boxes have been provided where a few pairs nest. With patience, from a distance, you can observe birds visiting their nest sites. I stress at a distance as unfortunately there have been witnessed instances of birders and particularly photographers getting far too close to nesting birds and using playback to attract them nearer. So, please keep your distance!
Sandwich Tern- Can be found at the occasional inland site on passage but anywhere along the Clyde estuary should, with some patience, produce feeding and flyby Sandwich Terns. Ardmore or Greenock are very good spots to try.
Swallow – Our true sign of summer, and as I write this article, a very early one has already been seen this year in Clyde! It is a widespread bird although like many species is declining. Who does not get a lift when they see their first Swallow of the year? I know I do!
Tree Pipit- Another speciality species that is relatively easy to find with its characteristic song and parachute flight call when displaying on territory. To see Tree Pipit, the oak woodlands of Loch Lomond such as RSPB Loch Lomond, Cashel or Inversnaid should produce birds. Some of the upland areas such as the Whangie and Kilpatrick Braes can produce birds as well as providing a good walk. Tree Pipit is usually, the first of the oak woodland summer breeding migrant specialists to arrive (usually around mid-month).
Pied Flycatcher- As above, again another oak woodland species and one that we are also very lucky to have as a summer visitor and breeder. Pied Flycatchers tend to sing high up in the canopy but for example at RSPB Inversnaid and Sallochy, specialist nest boxes have been provided where a few pairs nest. With patience, from a distance, you can observe birds visiting their nest sites. I stress at a distance as unfortunately there have been witnessed instances of birders and particularly photographers getting far too close to nesting birds and using playback to attract them nearer. So, please keep your distance!
Pied Flycatcher © John Hutton
Redstart – Like the last two species Redstarts love oak woodland and they tend to arrive later in the month. As well as being stunning, particularity the males, they also sing high up in the canopy, and so a tip is, like all birds familiarise yourself with the calls and song. They can be very tricky to spot. It’s best to try and see these birds as soon as they arrive before the foliage is fully out in order to give you a better chance of good views. Another interesting fact of these birds is that they do not hang about to breed. Birds have been noted to be on the nest within 24 hours of their arrival. As well as the Loch Lomond area, Redstarts have isolated breeding territories throughout the Clyde, such as near Culter Glen in South Lanarkshire.
Common Sandpiper – Usually the first records are around the 14th of the month but like many of our summer visitors, they seem to be arriving earlier? When will our first be recorded and where this year? This mainly fresh water wader can be found along most of our rivers and tributaries as well as mainly fresh water lochs. Although on migration they can be found at the coast both when arriving and leaving as well as small pools and scrapes. Do you have a nearby water course that you’ve not really checked out?
Cuckoo – Again one of our iconic sounds of summer. An unmistakable call, and again for me a bird I have always loved finding, listening to and watching. In Scotland this species is definitely holding its own, if not increasing and in Clyde it can be found in many places. Any moorland place can be good such as the high moorland at Inversnaid and you don’t need to walk far to connect. Palacerigg Country Park at Cumbernauld had at least two calling males with perched and flight views in 2022. Mugdock Country Park and Muirshiel Country Park are also a good bet for Cuckoo.
So, there you go! Lots of new birds to find, see and hear in April. This can be one of the best birding months of the year so get out there and see how many of these species you can find just as they are arriving from their long haul flights all the way from Africa.
Remember there are absolutely loads of places without any official records in Clyde so when you are out please report your observations on BirdTrack. The new BirdTrack App is very easy for recording what you see as you are walking about!
Donald Wilson, 21 March 2023