by Donald Wilson
December: One more to the total & a year end round-up.
So here we are looking back on another birding year. Can you believe it? Is it me or does each year seem to fly by more quickly? They say that as you get older this is the case, but of course that is just all in the mind (but I’m definitely getting old!).
December ended up as the quietest month of the year in terms of number of species seen. Nothing mega, rare, or scarce turned up so instead I'm going to sit back with my wood burner on, pour myself a nice dram and reflect on the year that was.
Some patch watchers feel it was a tough year, with some areas that generally produce some good birding and birds having a poor year. However that can be the nature of birding and patch watching and hopefully areas that had an “off” year will have their turn again soon. I know those patchers will diligently work them come hail, rain or shine. That’s the name of the game! Long-term, patience and keeping the faith!
Overall, Clyde had one of the best years in recent memory for bird species recorded, certainly since the turn of the century.
The list of scarcities found was awesome and included two Clyde firsts, Cetti’s Warbler and Glossy Ibis. Then there were some great birds that performed long enough for those who wanted to see them to connect including two Avocet and two Hawfinch, the likely Siberian Lesser Whitethroat , Spoonbill and another Black-necked Grebe. The Baron’s Haugh Cattle Egret was a tad trickier, mind you!
To that extent the Clyde year list was blown out of the water by Andrew Russell who despite working full time, clocked-up an incredible 196 species after the latest IOC deductions of Hooded Crow! As well as twitching the majority of scarcer birds, Andrew (who spent a majority of his time birding with his father, Colin) found some crackers too such as, Storm Petrel, Purple Sandpiper (the pick of the bunch for me), Puffin and Fulmar. So a very much deserved “well done Andrew!”
December ended up as the quietest month of the year in terms of number of species seen. Nothing mega, rare, or scarce turned up so instead I'm going to sit back with my wood burner on, pour myself a nice dram and reflect on the year that was.
Some patch watchers feel it was a tough year, with some areas that generally produce some good birding and birds having a poor year. However that can be the nature of birding and patch watching and hopefully areas that had an “off” year will have their turn again soon. I know those patchers will diligently work them come hail, rain or shine. That’s the name of the game! Long-term, patience and keeping the faith!
Overall, Clyde had one of the best years in recent memory for bird species recorded, certainly since the turn of the century.
The list of scarcities found was awesome and included two Clyde firsts, Cetti’s Warbler and Glossy Ibis. Then there were some great birds that performed long enough for those who wanted to see them to connect including two Avocet and two Hawfinch, the likely Siberian Lesser Whitethroat , Spoonbill and another Black-necked Grebe. The Baron’s Haugh Cattle Egret was a tad trickier, mind you!
To that extent the Clyde year list was blown out of the water by Andrew Russell who despite working full time, clocked-up an incredible 196 species after the latest IOC deductions of Hooded Crow! As well as twitching the majority of scarcer birds, Andrew (who spent a majority of his time birding with his father, Colin) found some crackers too such as, Storm Petrel, Purple Sandpiper (the pick of the bunch for me), Puffin and Fulmar. So a very much deserved “well done Andrew!”
Bittern © Rob Swift
Let's take a quick look at what was around in December, including those Purple Sandpipers - the only new species of the month.
After a report late in November, a Bittern was again reported and videoed in the reed beds at Broadwood Loch on December 30th. The loch, in Cumbernauld, also hosted the drake Smew which remained faithful to the site, being recorded on most dates through to the end of the month. A redhead (female/immature) Smew was noted on Balgray Reservoir on a few dates from the 22nd. Other wildfowl included the drake Ring-necked Duck which continued its well-watched circuit of Glasgow parks, moving between Victoria Park Pond, Queen’s Park Pond and Bingham’s Pond across the month. The drake American Wigeon was in its 'usual location' at Newshot Island all month and best viewed from Beardmore Way near the Golden Jubilee hospital, Clydebank. The Long-tailed Duck remained present on Aird Meadow, RSPB Lochwinnoch, for much of December too. The Green-winged Teal reported last month was again noted at RSPB Baron's Haugh on Dec 2. A number of Scaup were recorded this month with two female-type birds at Broadwood Loch early in the month, four female-type on Bardowie Loch mid-month (16th), two female on Balgray (26th). Other single Scaup were reported at the River Clyde at Cunningar Loop and Gadloch. Pintail numbers peaked at 21 at the inland Millichen Flood on 20th with other records on the Clyde including 22 at West Ferry (26th).
Wintering Great White Egret remained in the area, with singles reported at RSPB Lochwinnoch, RSPB Loch Lomond area, Douglas Estate and the Clyde floodplain below Eastfield Farm.
A check on the Greenland White-fronted Geese this month found 126 split between three flocks near Gartocharn on Dec 16. Larger counts of Pink-footed Geese included a peak of c.2300 near Eastfield Farm (21st). There were 950 Pink-feet at Rigside Golf Course (13th) with eight Barnacle Geese, one Barnacle with 968 Pinks at Lampits Farm (18th) and 550 Pinks at Newshot Island (18th).
Turning to Raptors, Hen Harrier activity included sightings at Loch Ardinning, BAE Bishopton, RSPB Lochwinnoch, RSPB Loch Lomond and fields near Caldercruix. Peregrine sightings were noted across urban and rural sites, including Glasgow City Centre, Glasgow University, Balmore Pool pylon, Merryton pylon, Lily Loch (Airdrie) and the Stobhill Hospital tower. A Goshawk was seen chasing a Sparrowhawk at BAE Bishopton on Dec 4. A single Red Kite was seen at Robiesland Farm, Lanark and another at Rigside Golf Course while four were recorded at Red Moss on Dec 13. Merlin were seen at a number of sites over the month including Cathkin Marsh SWT, South Medwin Pools (Dunsyre), Tannochside and Balgray Reservoir.
Two Purple Sandpipers were found on rocks south of Cove Burgh Hall, on the eastern shore of Loch Long - a species not often recorded in Clyde and the 213th species recorded this year! Wintering Green Sandpiper were recorded at both RSPB Baron's Haugh (maximum count of six on the 24th) and BAE Bishopton. Nine Jack Snipe were at Cathkin Marsh SWT on Dec 6 and three were at Balgray Reservoir on Dec 31. Counts of Bar-tailed Godwit at Ardmore reached 65 in the south bay on the 13th and 76 in the north bay on the 17th.
The Belgian-ringed adult Mediterranean Gull was recorded several times at Strathclyde Country Park during the month. Other Mediterranean Gulls were also recorded at Paisley, Cardwell Bay and the Strathclyde Loch roost. Coastal sightings at Ardmore Point on Dec 27 included a Great Northern Diver, two Red-throated Divers, and three Slavonian Grebes. Two Slavonian Grebes were also seen off Parklea on Dec 7.
Finally, a male Brambling was present in a Killearn garden on Dec 14, a Chiffchaff was seen at the Ardmore car park on Dec 27 and a female Blackcap was seen in a Netherlee garden on Dec 31.
After a report late in November, a Bittern was again reported and videoed in the reed beds at Broadwood Loch on December 30th. The loch, in Cumbernauld, also hosted the drake Smew which remained faithful to the site, being recorded on most dates through to the end of the month. A redhead (female/immature) Smew was noted on Balgray Reservoir on a few dates from the 22nd. Other wildfowl included the drake Ring-necked Duck which continued its well-watched circuit of Glasgow parks, moving between Victoria Park Pond, Queen’s Park Pond and Bingham’s Pond across the month. The drake American Wigeon was in its 'usual location' at Newshot Island all month and best viewed from Beardmore Way near the Golden Jubilee hospital, Clydebank. The Long-tailed Duck remained present on Aird Meadow, RSPB Lochwinnoch, for much of December too. The Green-winged Teal reported last month was again noted at RSPB Baron's Haugh on Dec 2. A number of Scaup were recorded this month with two female-type birds at Broadwood Loch early in the month, four female-type on Bardowie Loch mid-month (16th), two female on Balgray (26th). Other single Scaup were reported at the River Clyde at Cunningar Loop and Gadloch. Pintail numbers peaked at 21 at the inland Millichen Flood on 20th with other records on the Clyde including 22 at West Ferry (26th).
Wintering Great White Egret remained in the area, with singles reported at RSPB Lochwinnoch, RSPB Loch Lomond area, Douglas Estate and the Clyde floodplain below Eastfield Farm.
A check on the Greenland White-fronted Geese this month found 126 split between three flocks near Gartocharn on Dec 16. Larger counts of Pink-footed Geese included a peak of c.2300 near Eastfield Farm (21st). There were 950 Pink-feet at Rigside Golf Course (13th) with eight Barnacle Geese, one Barnacle with 968 Pinks at Lampits Farm (18th) and 550 Pinks at Newshot Island (18th).
Turning to Raptors, Hen Harrier activity included sightings at Loch Ardinning, BAE Bishopton, RSPB Lochwinnoch, RSPB Loch Lomond and fields near Caldercruix. Peregrine sightings were noted across urban and rural sites, including Glasgow City Centre, Glasgow University, Balmore Pool pylon, Merryton pylon, Lily Loch (Airdrie) and the Stobhill Hospital tower. A Goshawk was seen chasing a Sparrowhawk at BAE Bishopton on Dec 4. A single Red Kite was seen at Robiesland Farm, Lanark and another at Rigside Golf Course while four were recorded at Red Moss on Dec 13. Merlin were seen at a number of sites over the month including Cathkin Marsh SWT, South Medwin Pools (Dunsyre), Tannochside and Balgray Reservoir.
Two Purple Sandpipers were found on rocks south of Cove Burgh Hall, on the eastern shore of Loch Long - a species not often recorded in Clyde and the 213th species recorded this year! Wintering Green Sandpiper were recorded at both RSPB Baron's Haugh (maximum count of six on the 24th) and BAE Bishopton. Nine Jack Snipe were at Cathkin Marsh SWT on Dec 6 and three were at Balgray Reservoir on Dec 31. Counts of Bar-tailed Godwit at Ardmore reached 65 in the south bay on the 13th and 76 in the north bay on the 17th.
The Belgian-ringed adult Mediterranean Gull was recorded several times at Strathclyde Country Park during the month. Other Mediterranean Gulls were also recorded at Paisley, Cardwell Bay and the Strathclyde Loch roost. Coastal sightings at Ardmore Point on Dec 27 included a Great Northern Diver, two Red-throated Divers, and three Slavonian Grebes. Two Slavonian Grebes were also seen off Parklea on Dec 7.
Finally, a male Brambling was present in a Killearn garden on Dec 14, a Chiffchaff was seen at the Ardmore car park on Dec 27 and a female Blackcap was seen in a Netherlee garden on Dec 31.
Goldeneye © Linda Hamilton
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Goldeneye © John Chapman
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Getting back to the review of the year and a look at some other species. I don't have sight of records for our resident and summer migrant species but my gut feel was that it was a good breeding year for many birds with the mild, dry spring making life easier. It wasn't all good news though as I also understand our breeding Hen Harriers and Short-eared Owls had another worryingly poor breeding season which might be down to reduced prey species. Wood Warbler numbers were down this year after several good years and another worry for me is the slow decline of Pied Flycatcher in Clyde. I would like to try and do something to reverse this if I could. Why this species is struggling locally is unclear to me - even nationally it is declining and is now on the Amber list of birds of conservation concern.
The Glasgow Peregrine Project continues to be a huge success but unfortunately one of the fledglings didn't make it this year - but I’m sure the birds, and the project, will go from strength to strength. Let's hope that overall our more rural Peregrines have fared well but this is a species that nationally is in trouble with the exception of the city centre breeding birds.
The Clyde Tree Sparrow population is definitely on the up again due to both the Flenders Farm Project and the Millichen Farm and surrounding area Tree Sparrow projects. This year was a very good breeding year, bucking the national trend, so please support these projects in any way you can!
Black Grouse seem to be doing well and I can think of at least five sites to see this species in Clyde, if not more. The Black Grouse watch was a huge success and has allowed many participants not only to witness these birds at their springtime lek without disturbing them, but also learning about the birds, with some other upland birds observed too.
One other bird that I have long waited on news of was Nightjar, with confirmed breeding within the Clyde recording area for the first time. It is still a rare breeder in Scotland, outwith its stronghold in Dumfriesshire. This is another species slowly expanding its range as climate change makes breeding more suitable further north.
John Simpson organised boat trips to the Firth of Clyde and to Arran with the three trips all well attended. It was great to see a return of trips like this and they afforded those attending some different local birding and some excellent views of some tricky birds to see in the area including Golden Eagle. Let’s hope these trips return in 2026 and let's see what other tricky species are seen from onboard.
So in summary, winners and losers through the breeding season, but some amazing birds have graced Clyde - and we've had some wonderful, organised trips and events so I would say 2025 was a good year. Hopefully reading this will inspire you to get out and see more birds in 2026.
As local residents interested in birds and wildlife you could also get involved in other ways too:
Here’s to a bird-filled 2026, if you can, do get out there and enjoy it!
Donald
The Glasgow Peregrine Project continues to be a huge success but unfortunately one of the fledglings didn't make it this year - but I’m sure the birds, and the project, will go from strength to strength. Let's hope that overall our more rural Peregrines have fared well but this is a species that nationally is in trouble with the exception of the city centre breeding birds.
The Clyde Tree Sparrow population is definitely on the up again due to both the Flenders Farm Project and the Millichen Farm and surrounding area Tree Sparrow projects. This year was a very good breeding year, bucking the national trend, so please support these projects in any way you can!
Black Grouse seem to be doing well and I can think of at least five sites to see this species in Clyde, if not more. The Black Grouse watch was a huge success and has allowed many participants not only to witness these birds at their springtime lek without disturbing them, but also learning about the birds, with some other upland birds observed too.
One other bird that I have long waited on news of was Nightjar, with confirmed breeding within the Clyde recording area for the first time. It is still a rare breeder in Scotland, outwith its stronghold in Dumfriesshire. This is another species slowly expanding its range as climate change makes breeding more suitable further north.
John Simpson organised boat trips to the Firth of Clyde and to Arran with the three trips all well attended. It was great to see a return of trips like this and they afforded those attending some different local birding and some excellent views of some tricky birds to see in the area including Golden Eagle. Let’s hope these trips return in 2026 and let's see what other tricky species are seen from onboard.
So in summary, winners and losers through the breeding season, but some amazing birds have graced Clyde - and we've had some wonderful, organised trips and events so I would say 2025 was a good year. Hopefully reading this will inspire you to get out and see more birds in 2026.
As local residents interested in birds and wildlife you could also get involved in other ways too:
- Join or support any project that helps some of our species, by volunteering for some hands-on conservation work.
- Adopt a patch (1km square) and record the birds passing through and even more importantly the breeding birds. If you are unsure how to do this look out for SOC & BTO workshops that often run during the year.
- Take on some practical conservation work. There’s the RSPB, Friends of Glasgow's Local Nature Reserves, The Conservation Volunteers (TCV) and the Scottish Wildlife Trust to name a few that would love to hear from you.
- Report your sightings using apps / websites like BirdTrack or eBird. See our Recording and Reporting Birds pages for more.
Here’s to a bird-filled 2026, if you can, do get out there and enjoy it!
Donald
Green Sandpiper © Frank Gibbons
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Redpoll © Linda Hamilton
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So just the one new species this month - Purple Sandpiper
| Purple Sandpiper |
This brings the final tally to 213* .
(210 confirmed -
*Lesser Scaup subject to assessment by BBRC.
*Honey-buzzard subject to assessment by CBRP.
*Cetti's Warbler subject to assessment by SBRC )
A final 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
We welcome any corrections or suggestions - please do get in touch at: https://www.birdsinclyde.scot/contact-us.html