Clyde Rarities Gallery 2021
Subscribers to the Clyde Group Grapevine receive information daily on bird sightings within the Clyde area. Most days these are accompanied by one or more recent photographs taken within the area by group members. Some photographs are of common residents or of birds that are frequently seen at particular times of year, but others are of birds observed more rarely. In the latter category are truly rare birds, birds only occasionally present in the Clyde area and birds that while present in number are rarely seen due to, for example, their nocturnal habits or secretive behaviour. What follows are images of some of the birds that in one sense or other fall into the ‘rare’ category.
All the images were taken by Clyde Group members and have appeared on the Grapevine or been presented at Clyde Group meetings. They were taken in the calendar year 2021.
All the images were taken by Clyde Group members and have appeared on the Grapevine or been presented at Clyde Group meetings. They were taken in the calendar year 2021.
Ring-necked Duck, Victoria Park Pond, January 2021 (John Molloy)
Rare winter visitor to the Clyde with 2021 being a particularly good year with records from Bingham’s Pond,
Frankfield Loch, Gadloch, Hogganfield Loch, Kilmardinny Loch, Mugdock Country Park and Victoria Park.
Frankfield Loch, Gadloch, Hogganfield Loch, Kilmardinny Loch, Mugdock Country Park and Victoria Park.
Little Gull, Cardwell Bay-Gourock, January 2021 (Brian Beer)
Scarce winter visitor January-April and November/December both to the coast
and inland water bodies such as Balgray Reservoir and Strathclyde Loch.
and inland water bodies such as Balgray Reservoir and Strathclyde Loch.
Greenland White-fronted Geese, near Balmaha, January 2021 (Ian Fulton)
Winter visitor from October-April with a locally significant wintering population (up to 200) around the Endrick Mouth area of Loch Lomond.
Iceland Gull, Strathclyde Loch, January 2021 (Andrew Russell)
A scarce but regular annual winter visitor to the Clyde area most notably at inland feeding/rubbish tips and roosting sites
from December-March/April (occasionally into May).
from December-March/April (occasionally into May).
Little Ringed Plover, Endrick Water, March 2021 (Ian Fulton)
Scarce passage visitor from April-June and August/September. Scarce breeding bird.
Scaup, Hogganfield Loch, March 2021 (John Queen)
Once fairly common on Clyde Estuary but now becoming scarce (September-early May). Frequent inland records mainly of singles.
Garganey, Baron’s Haugh, April 2021 (David Abraham)
Scarce passage migrant (April-June). Occasional records in autumn (August-September). Also noted as a very scarce breeding bird.
Spoonbill, Hogganfield Park, May 2021 (Andy Davies)
At Hogganfield on 28th April, 1st May & 2nd May, presumably the same bird at RSPB Baron's Haugh / Carbarns Pool on 30th April.
White-tailed Eagle, Loch Lomond, May 2021 (John Chapman)
Formerly very rare, increasingly seen in recent years particularly around Loch Lomond. Almost annual since 2008 and over the years, seen in all months.
Woodchat Shrike, Ardmore, June 2021 (Sandy McNeil)
Third record for the Clyde, previous ones being one at Gartocharn on 7th June 1985 and one at Gartocharn 17-20 May 1996.
Long-eared Owl, Palacerigg, June 2021 (Kat McCarron)
Scarce breeding bird with just a few localised breeding areas noted. Scarce migrant and winter visitor. Under-recorded.
Barn Owl, Lochwinnoch, August 2021 (Zul Bhatia)
Uncommon resident breeding bird with less than thirty
pairs/territories located annually. Under-recorded.
pairs/territories located annually. Under-recorded.
Mediterranean Gull, Scottish Exhibition Centre, August 2021 (John Molloy)
Scarce but increasing in recent years. Most records are in autumn/winter (July-December)
but a few overwintering birds noted January-March.
but a few overwintering birds noted January-March.
Ruff, Baron’s Haugh, September 2021 (John Agnew)
Passage wader mainly April-May and from July-October. Occasional wintering records December-February.
Most records refer to inland sites/flooded fields etc.
Most records refer to inland sites/flooded fields etc.
Pectoral Sandpiper, Baron’s Haugh, September 2021 (David Abraham)
Rare passage wader with most records occurring in September/October. Most records are from inland water bodies. 2021 was an exceptional year with records of up to four birds at Frankfield Loch and singles at Balmore and RSPB Baron’s Haugh.
Great White Egret, Douglas Estate, October 2021 (John Molloy)
Rare visitor to inland waters with most records occurring in April/May and September/October. Annual since 2017.
Hen Harrier, Cathkin Marsh, October 2021 (Richard Whitson)
Scarce breeding bird. Declining species subjected to habitat loss and persecution. Reasonable number of winter records
noted annually but sadly any records of communal roosting activity are now really rare.
noted annually but sadly any records of communal roosting activity are now really rare.
Green Sandpiper, Baron’s Haugh, October 2021 (David Abraham)
Generally a scarce autumn migrant with a few wintering birds from November-February. Spring passage (April/May) less frequent. Records come
from a wide variety of mainly inland locations with RSPB Baron’s Haugh a particularly favoured locality.
from a wide variety of mainly inland locations with RSPB Baron’s Haugh a particularly favoured locality.
Brambling, Greenock, October 2021 (Brian Beer)
Winter visitor/passage migrant (October-March) and occasional irruptive years, most often amongst Chaffinch flocks.
Long-tailed Duck, Loch Lomond, November 2021 (John Chapman)
Scarce. Mostly singles noted at various inland sites (lochs/ponds) and Clyde Estuary from September-early May.
Barnacle Goose, Baron’s Haugh, November 2021 (David Abraham)
An uncommon winter visitor (October-April/May) with sporadic records noted, usually in small numbers
only - most often in amongst flocks of wintering Pink-footed Geese.
2021 was a good year for passage. Feral breeding also noted.
only - most often in amongst flocks of wintering Pink-footed Geese.
2021 was a good year for passage. Feral breeding also noted.
Smew, Hogganfield Loch, December 2021 (David Tilman)
Scarce but regular bird to the Clyde area with at least two-three records annually – most often involving single birds on inland waters.
March/April are the most favoured months for sightings.
March/April are the most favoured months for sightings.
Ring-billed Gull, Strathclyde Park, December 2021 (Dougie Edmond)
Vagrant (January-March & December). Annual since 2014 with a returning bird to Strathclyde Loch providing virtually all the records.