by Donald Wilson
Second half of January - winter storms and signs of spring
The start of this period was marked by a dramatic shift in weather, transitioning from sub-zero temperatures to unseasonably warm conditions that felt like early spring. Just as we started to get used to the milder days, the first named storm of the year, Eowyn, hit on Friday 24th with red weather warnings of storm force winds up to one hundred miles per hour. The storm passed through and the weather was calmer by the following evening and the damage, including many trees blown down, could be assessed.
Signs that spring is not too far away included news that some bird species have already begun breeding activities. Resident breeders such as Song Thrush, Bullfinch and Mistle Thrushes were heard singing. Golden Eagles were observed displaying, and Oystercatchers and Shelduck have started moving inland to their breeding grounds. A Ringed Plover was seen inland at Balgray Reservoir on January 30th. I sometimes wonder how these dramatic swings in temperatures and weather systems affect the bird life and wildlife in general.
Signs that spring is not too far away included news that some bird species have already begun breeding activities. Resident breeders such as Song Thrush, Bullfinch and Mistle Thrushes were heard singing. Golden Eagles were observed displaying, and Oystercatchers and Shelduck have started moving inland to their breeding grounds. A Ringed Plover was seen inland at Balgray Reservoir on January 30th. I sometimes wonder how these dramatic swings in temperatures and weather systems affect the bird life and wildlife in general.
probable Siberian Lesser Whitethroat © Steve Quinn
The standout sighting of the second half of January came in the form of a Lesser Whitethroat, spotted by the residents in their garden in Austine Drive, Hamilton and reported on Thursday 16th. I know social media can be a distraction (and worse at times), but if used wisely it can be a tremendous tool for sharing news, sightings and photographs of birds so please do share your sightings. This was the case with the Lesser Whitethroat. Photos first appeared on Facebook with the homeowner not sure what he’d found. As more photos of the Lesser Whitethroat, and recordings of it calling emerged on Friday, the consensus was this was a probable eastern race or Siberian Lesser Whitethroat, a rare winter find for Clyde.
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You can use the Online Clyde Bird Report to search for previous records (1968 to 2011) of any species. Searching for Lesser Whitethroat records shows the following in winter:
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Lesser Whitethroat (2015) © Zul Bhatia
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Following winter storms, it is always worth checking various inland lochs, reservoirs, and the Clyde estuary for storm-blown birds. The only storm-related record was this year's first Little Gull at Strathclyde Loch on Saturday 25th in the form of a first winter bird. It didn’t stay long though and probably the same bird was seen over Merryton around 10am.
Little Gull © Andrew Russell
Sticking with Gulls, an adult Yellow-legged Gull* was recorded at Newshot Island on January 31 before flying downstream. Great Black-backed Gulls were unusually reported inland, with three (one adult) at RSPB Baron’s Haugh on January 26.
Many of the more unusual birds from earlier in January were still around. The Snow Goose reappeared on Wednesday 15th at RSPB Lochwinnoch, still with its Greylag flock and was seen until 19th, often spending the day around the Crossflat Farm area. On Saturday 18th, six goose species were reported at the reserve, including Greylag, Canada, Pink-footed, first winter Pale-bellied Brent, Snow, and a Barnacle Goose. Latterly the Snow Goose has not been seen but the Brent and Barnacle have been seen in recent days. Other reports of geese included 5,000 Pink-footed Geese, in four large flocks, seen around the Carstairs area with two Barnacle Geese among them on 14th, while on the same day 2,300 Pink-footed Geese were seen at Waterlands, just outside Law village. At Meikle Finnery, Gartocharn a single Barnacle Goose was amongst 2,000 Pink-footed Geese (15th). Twenty-two Greenland White-fronted Geese near the Millennium Hall, Gartocharn on Thursday 16th was a good sighting as these birds can be hard to find at times. Four Barnacle Geese were observed with Pink-footed Geese in fields along Allander Water on 25th. We received confirmation that Taiga Bean Goose from the Slamannan flock (Forth) had also been seen in Clyde. Another species for the list!
Many of the more unusual birds from earlier in January were still around. The Snow Goose reappeared on Wednesday 15th at RSPB Lochwinnoch, still with its Greylag flock and was seen until 19th, often spending the day around the Crossflat Farm area. On Saturday 18th, six goose species were reported at the reserve, including Greylag, Canada, Pink-footed, first winter Pale-bellied Brent, Snow, and a Barnacle Goose. Latterly the Snow Goose has not been seen but the Brent and Barnacle have been seen in recent days. Other reports of geese included 5,000 Pink-footed Geese, in four large flocks, seen around the Carstairs area with two Barnacle Geese among them on 14th, while on the same day 2,300 Pink-footed Geese were seen at Waterlands, just outside Law village. At Meikle Finnery, Gartocharn a single Barnacle Goose was amongst 2,000 Pink-footed Geese (15th). Twenty-two Greenland White-fronted Geese near the Millennium Hall, Gartocharn on Thursday 16th was a good sighting as these birds can be hard to find at times. Four Barnacle Geese were observed with Pink-footed Geese in fields along Allander Water on 25th. We received confirmation that Taiga Bean Goose from the Slamannan flock (Forth) had also been seen in Clyde. Another species for the list!
Barnacle Goose © Rick Bolton
Larger groups of Whooper Swans included ten at Waterlands, Law, on January 14 and thirty at Loch Libo, Uplawmoor, on January 18.
Among ducks, the drake Ring-necked Duck moved between Bingham’s Pond and Victoria Park but he does have a tendency to go missing for a few days at a time. The drake Smew returned to Broadwood Loch after the thaw and was seen regularly throughout the period. An American Wigeon remained a regular sight at Newshot Island while Mandarin Ducks were also frequently reported through January, with a high of six (4 drakes) recorded at Balloch on 16th and a female on Broompark Pond, Newton Mearns on 18th. A drake Scaup moving between Castle Semple Loch and Barr Loch was reported between 17th and 19th while a 1st-winter drake was seen on Douglas Estate east pond on January 20th. A Red-breasted Merganser was an unusual record for Castle Semple Loch, with a pair spotted there on January 18th. Twelve Pochard (Barr Loch) was a good count on the 19th and a pair of Pintail was unusual on Wards Pond (Loch Lomond) the same day.
Baron’s Haugh proved its importance as a wintering site for Green Sandpipers, with a peak count of eight recorded on Thursday 16th. Sixty Bar-tailed Godwits were at Ardmore on 27th and a Black-tailed Godwit at Newshot Island was seen occasionally through the period. A Jack Snipe was recorded at Balgray Reservoir on 27th, and among occasional Woodcock reports this month, one was reported flying over Millfield Hill, Erskine, on 30th.
The excellent winter for Great White Egrets continued. My estimate is that there is a minimum of four of these large egrets wintering in the region at Wards Pond (Loch Lomond), Castle Semple (Lochwinnoch), South Lanarkshire, Pettinain and North Lanarkshire, Lilly Loch, Airdrie area. Reports from all sites came in intermittently across the month and these birds seem settled in their winter sites. Little Egrets were regularly recorded, with sightings at Newshot Island on January 18th, Balgray Reservoir on January 19th, Bishopbriggs Park on January 17th and 31st, and Baron’s Haugh on January 26th and 31st.
There were several Kingfisher sightings, including one at Ruchill Park on the 15th. This species is definitely a crowd pleaser and with the demise of the Glasgow heavy industries and our water systems generally in good shape, almost any decent local pond, water course etc can produce one of these fantastic wee charismatic birds in winter. As the season progresses they will move away from ponds & lochs, to rivers with sandy banks where they will breed.
Among ducks, the drake Ring-necked Duck moved between Bingham’s Pond and Victoria Park but he does have a tendency to go missing for a few days at a time. The drake Smew returned to Broadwood Loch after the thaw and was seen regularly throughout the period. An American Wigeon remained a regular sight at Newshot Island while Mandarin Ducks were also frequently reported through January, with a high of six (4 drakes) recorded at Balloch on 16th and a female on Broompark Pond, Newton Mearns on 18th. A drake Scaup moving between Castle Semple Loch and Barr Loch was reported between 17th and 19th while a 1st-winter drake was seen on Douglas Estate east pond on January 20th. A Red-breasted Merganser was an unusual record for Castle Semple Loch, with a pair spotted there on January 18th. Twelve Pochard (Barr Loch) was a good count on the 19th and a pair of Pintail was unusual on Wards Pond (Loch Lomond) the same day.
Baron’s Haugh proved its importance as a wintering site for Green Sandpipers, with a peak count of eight recorded on Thursday 16th. Sixty Bar-tailed Godwits were at Ardmore on 27th and a Black-tailed Godwit at Newshot Island was seen occasionally through the period. A Jack Snipe was recorded at Balgray Reservoir on 27th, and among occasional Woodcock reports this month, one was reported flying over Millfield Hill, Erskine, on 30th.
The excellent winter for Great White Egrets continued. My estimate is that there is a minimum of four of these large egrets wintering in the region at Wards Pond (Loch Lomond), Castle Semple (Lochwinnoch), South Lanarkshire, Pettinain and North Lanarkshire, Lilly Loch, Airdrie area. Reports from all sites came in intermittently across the month and these birds seem settled in their winter sites. Little Egrets were regularly recorded, with sightings at Newshot Island on January 18th, Balgray Reservoir on January 19th, Bishopbriggs Park on January 17th and 31st, and Baron’s Haugh on January 26th and 31st.
There were several Kingfisher sightings, including one at Ruchill Park on the 15th. This species is definitely a crowd pleaser and with the demise of the Glasgow heavy industries and our water systems generally in good shape, almost any decent local pond, water course etc can produce one of these fantastic wee charismatic birds in winter. As the season progresses they will move away from ponds & lochs, to rivers with sandy banks where they will breed.
Little Egret © Frank Gibbons
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Kingfisher © John Chapman
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Several raptor species were recorded, including Hen Harriers, with a male seen at Kype Muir, Strathaven, on January 15th and a ringtail noted over Balmore Pool on January 19th. Golden Eagle was a new species for the month with two observed at Glen Fruin on January 15th. A Red Kite was spotted at Crawfordjohn on January 20th. Several sightings of Merlin occurred, with a male recorded north of Balmore on January 22nd. Peregrine records included a vocal bird at Glasgow University Tower on January 28th and an immature individual unsuccessfully hunting Feral Pigeons at Bingham’s Pond on January 29. Another Peregrine was recorded at Saint Mary’s Parish Church, Kirkintilloch, on January 31st.
Seven Black Grouse at Glen Fruin on January 26th, two at Crawford on January 20. Within our recording area we have several Black Grouse Leks. This is where male birds display and females watch from the surrounding vegetation, with the males hoping to secure the affections of a female for mating. Black Grouse are easily disturbed, and therefore we ask anyone who wants to view this amazing spectacle to navigate to the Glen Fruin Lek. Our recorder John Simpson, last year, ran a series of organised viewings for both bird watchers and photographers. If you do come across any birds on your travels please keep your distance and report your findings on Birdtrack and tick the ‘sensitive’ button. This means only you and the local recorder/s will see the record. Birds are already gathering at these leks and can be seen from now right through to late April. A pair of Red-legged Partridges were at Elvanfoot on the 20th.
Another bird on the increase in Clyde is Jay - and a pair were seen at Wellhall Cemetery in Hamilton on Saturday 18th. Jay is very secretive during its breeding season, at least that’s my experience, which makes it a very tough bird to survey. Six Ravens were recorded over Ardmore on the 19th.
For me the highlight of the month was definitely the superb find of the two Hawfinches. A new Clyde bird for me and I’m sure for many who made the pilgrimage to Lesmahagow - at least one Hawfinch was regularly recorded until January 20 but not been reported since. There was a report of a Firecrest in Fintry on 14th but wasn’t relocated subsequently. Wintering Blackcaps were spotted in gardens across the region, including a female in Giffnock on January 17th, a male in Clarkston on January 18th, and individuals in Inchinnan and Glasgow Botanic Gardens on January 26th. Crossbills were present in several areas, with four at Caldercruix Road, Airdrie, on January 20th and five at Muirshiel Country Park on January 21st. At Kirk o’ Shotts ringing station on January 19th, 140 finches were ringed, mostly Goldfinches (53), along with seven Bramblings, including one with a Norwegian ring. A garden record of a female Brambling in Strathaven came through too. It would be great if anyone who spots a Brambling could put the news out as they can be a tricky bird to see in Clyde and they are cracking birds! A lovely record of twelve Bullfinches, ten male and two female outside Strathaven Academy came through on the morning of the 18th. This is a species that seems to be doing very well and I for one bump into them almost everywhere I go - it wasn’t always like this. On the other hand, the reverse seems to be the case for Chaffinch and I can’t be the only person who feels this species is down in numbers significantly.
So that’s January done and dusted. What a great start to the year!
Happy birding in February. If you are out and about please do record your sightings using BirdTrack. More details on BirdTrack and how to access the smartphone app can be found here. Do check our FAQ for BirdTrack here too. With spring not far away - if you don’t do this already, why not start to add some basic information like “singing male” into your BirdTrack lists - all this data is valuable.
Seven Black Grouse at Glen Fruin on January 26th, two at Crawford on January 20. Within our recording area we have several Black Grouse Leks. This is where male birds display and females watch from the surrounding vegetation, with the males hoping to secure the affections of a female for mating. Black Grouse are easily disturbed, and therefore we ask anyone who wants to view this amazing spectacle to navigate to the Glen Fruin Lek. Our recorder John Simpson, last year, ran a series of organised viewings for both bird watchers and photographers. If you do come across any birds on your travels please keep your distance and report your findings on Birdtrack and tick the ‘sensitive’ button. This means only you and the local recorder/s will see the record. Birds are already gathering at these leks and can be seen from now right through to late April. A pair of Red-legged Partridges were at Elvanfoot on the 20th.
Another bird on the increase in Clyde is Jay - and a pair were seen at Wellhall Cemetery in Hamilton on Saturday 18th. Jay is very secretive during its breeding season, at least that’s my experience, which makes it a very tough bird to survey. Six Ravens were recorded over Ardmore on the 19th.
For me the highlight of the month was definitely the superb find of the two Hawfinches. A new Clyde bird for me and I’m sure for many who made the pilgrimage to Lesmahagow - at least one Hawfinch was regularly recorded until January 20 but not been reported since. There was a report of a Firecrest in Fintry on 14th but wasn’t relocated subsequently. Wintering Blackcaps were spotted in gardens across the region, including a female in Giffnock on January 17th, a male in Clarkston on January 18th, and individuals in Inchinnan and Glasgow Botanic Gardens on January 26th. Crossbills were present in several areas, with four at Caldercruix Road, Airdrie, on January 20th and five at Muirshiel Country Park on January 21st. At Kirk o’ Shotts ringing station on January 19th, 140 finches were ringed, mostly Goldfinches (53), along with seven Bramblings, including one with a Norwegian ring. A garden record of a female Brambling in Strathaven came through too. It would be great if anyone who spots a Brambling could put the news out as they can be a tricky bird to see in Clyde and they are cracking birds! A lovely record of twelve Bullfinches, ten male and two female outside Strathaven Academy came through on the morning of the 18th. This is a species that seems to be doing very well and I for one bump into them almost everywhere I go - it wasn’t always like this. On the other hand, the reverse seems to be the case for Chaffinch and I can’t be the only person who feels this species is down in numbers significantly.
So that’s January done and dusted. What a great start to the year!
Happy birding in February. If you are out and about please do record your sightings using BirdTrack. More details on BirdTrack and how to access the smartphone app can be found here. Do check our FAQ for BirdTrack here too. With spring not far away - if you don’t do this already, why not start to add some basic information like “singing male” into your BirdTrack lists - all this data is valuable.
We had six new species in this period :
| Taiga Bean Goose | Golden Eagle | Little Gull | Red-legged Partridge | Golden Plover | Lesser Whitethroat |
This brings the list to 139* (138 confirmed - *Yellow-legged Gull subject to assessment by SBRC.)
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