by Donald Wilson
October: Two firsts for Clyde.
In the birding calendar, October is a month that gets the juices flowing for many birders and twitchers.
It’s when the autumn “big birds” can make an appearance within the British Isles. Often this is restricted to the extremities of the UK such as the Scilly Isles and Shetland, or depending on the wind direction, especially after an Atlantic storm, literally anything can turn up! A westerly gale might mean a scarce or rare bird or two on the west coast, Inner and Outer Hebrides, whereas an easterly wind could produce scarce or rare birds along the whole east coast of Scotland and the UK. However, we are in Clyde. Never say never though, and during October just about anything can turn up anywhere. So how was our October?
Well, we had our own “rare” birds with not one, but two firsts for Clyde! When dedicated patch birder, Gordon Shaw, set out to see what was at Baron’s Haugh on October 9th, he couldn't have anticipated what he’d find. He came across not one but seven Glossy Ibis!
Glossy Ibis was a species I felt was well overdue to be added to the Clyde list, as it has been increasing as a vagrant to the UK and Scotland, with even one breeding record so far in Cambridgeshire, and this year was surely going to be the year. 2025 in Europe was a fantastic breeding year for Glossy Ibis (and other species), especially in Spain which is an important breeding area nowadays for the species. That was followed by an unprecedented European heatwave in late spring through into the summer, resulting in drought, which forces the Ibis to search for reliable wetland habitats elsewhere. This brought about a mass migration also known in birding circles as an irruption, with the largest UK “fall” of Glossy Ibis ever with birds seen across the country during late summer and early autumn. Several weeks had passed since the bulk of Glossy Ibis sightings had come and gone and I thought, unfortunately, we had missed out and it was not to be.
However, Clyde has certain “proven” sites that can produce scarce and rare birds and Baron’s Haugh is definitely one of those. It appears that after the main irruption, flocks of birds split up, with some going north and luckily the stars aligned.
On the 9th the Ibis moved between the main reserve and Carbarns but the next day were nowhere to be found. The evening of 9th also saw two Glossy Ibis flying into Twechar Marsh but they also had gone the next day. Those missing out did have other opportunities, with one at Balmore Pool on the 17th, another, or the same, at South Medwin Pools the same day, and further records from the Lochwinnoch area on the 18th, where a bird was seen over Barr Loch, RSPB Lochwinnoch and later relocated nearby close to Kerse Bridge before flying off north at dusk. A Glossy Ibis remained on fields south of Kerse Bridge on the 19th and 20th, and then at the end of the month one was again reported from the Castle Semple Loch car park, of all places, on the 29th and 30th.
It’s when the autumn “big birds” can make an appearance within the British Isles. Often this is restricted to the extremities of the UK such as the Scilly Isles and Shetland, or depending on the wind direction, especially after an Atlantic storm, literally anything can turn up! A westerly gale might mean a scarce or rare bird or two on the west coast, Inner and Outer Hebrides, whereas an easterly wind could produce scarce or rare birds along the whole east coast of Scotland and the UK. However, we are in Clyde. Never say never though, and during October just about anything can turn up anywhere. So how was our October?
Well, we had our own “rare” birds with not one, but two firsts for Clyde! When dedicated patch birder, Gordon Shaw, set out to see what was at Baron’s Haugh on October 9th, he couldn't have anticipated what he’d find. He came across not one but seven Glossy Ibis!
Glossy Ibis was a species I felt was well overdue to be added to the Clyde list, as it has been increasing as a vagrant to the UK and Scotland, with even one breeding record so far in Cambridgeshire, and this year was surely going to be the year. 2025 in Europe was a fantastic breeding year for Glossy Ibis (and other species), especially in Spain which is an important breeding area nowadays for the species. That was followed by an unprecedented European heatwave in late spring through into the summer, resulting in drought, which forces the Ibis to search for reliable wetland habitats elsewhere. This brought about a mass migration also known in birding circles as an irruption, with the largest UK “fall” of Glossy Ibis ever with birds seen across the country during late summer and early autumn. Several weeks had passed since the bulk of Glossy Ibis sightings had come and gone and I thought, unfortunately, we had missed out and it was not to be.
However, Clyde has certain “proven” sites that can produce scarce and rare birds and Baron’s Haugh is definitely one of those. It appears that after the main irruption, flocks of birds split up, with some going north and luckily the stars aligned.
On the 9th the Ibis moved between the main reserve and Carbarns but the next day were nowhere to be found. The evening of 9th also saw two Glossy Ibis flying into Twechar Marsh but they also had gone the next day. Those missing out did have other opportunities, with one at Balmore Pool on the 17th, another, or the same, at South Medwin Pools the same day, and further records from the Lochwinnoch area on the 18th, where a bird was seen over Barr Loch, RSPB Lochwinnoch and later relocated nearby close to Kerse Bridge before flying off north at dusk. A Glossy Ibis remained on fields south of Kerse Bridge on the 19th and 20th, and then at the end of the month one was again reported from the Castle Semple Loch car park, of all places, on the 29th and 30th.
Cetti's Warbler © Donald Wilson
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Glossy Ibis © Donald Wilson
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I mentioned there were two Clyde firsts - lightning did strike twice! This time in the form of a Cetti’s Warbler*.
Over the years from the first UK record of Cetti’s Warbler in Hampshire in 1961 and the first recorded breeding of this species in 1973, the successful and widespread expansion of this species has been outstanding. This is despite many harsh winters over the years which can wipe out local populations.
Over the last thirty years or more we have had steady global warming which has undoubtedly aided the expansion of this charismatic warbler. I for one have watched their steady expansion northwards. I saw my first Scottish bird over the winter of 2021/22 at Ardeer in North Ayrshire and I believe Scotland had its first breeding records in 2023.
So with suitable habitat in Clyde, it was only matter of time before we had our first sighting and hey presto on the 13th reports came through of a possible Cetti's Warbler from - yes- you've guessed it - Gordon Shaw. As he walked down Chestnut walk at Baron's Haugh he'd heard what sounded like a Cetti's Warbler singing from Merryton.
Cetti’s are skulkers! One of those birds you will definitely hear before you see. The explosive and unmistakable song will always give its nearby location away but seeing one is a different story and this one was no different.
Over the years from the first UK record of Cetti’s Warbler in Hampshire in 1961 and the first recorded breeding of this species in 1973, the successful and widespread expansion of this species has been outstanding. This is despite many harsh winters over the years which can wipe out local populations.
Over the last thirty years or more we have had steady global warming which has undoubtedly aided the expansion of this charismatic warbler. I for one have watched their steady expansion northwards. I saw my first Scottish bird over the winter of 2021/22 at Ardeer in North Ayrshire and I believe Scotland had its first breeding records in 2023.
So with suitable habitat in Clyde, it was only matter of time before we had our first sighting and hey presto on the 13th reports came through of a possible Cetti's Warbler from - yes- you've guessed it - Gordon Shaw. As he walked down Chestnut walk at Baron's Haugh he'd heard what sounded like a Cetti's Warbler singing from Merryton.
Cetti’s are skulkers! One of those birds you will definitely hear before you see. The explosive and unmistakable song will always give its nearby location away but seeing one is a different story and this one was no different.
The following day, Tuesday 14th, the bird was observed at almost the opposite end of the reserve. Were there two? The bird was heard and observed over the next week or so in the vicinity of the old Phoenix hide through to the 20th. *If accepted by SBRC this would be the first record for Clyde.
Clyde has huge potential for this species to become one of our resident breeders and yes I forgot to say it is a resident breeder where it is found, so keep your eyes and more importantly your ears open!
Let’s round up the rest of the bird news for October.
Clyde has huge potential for this species to become one of our resident breeders and yes I forgot to say it is a resident breeder where it is found, so keep your eyes and more importantly your ears open!
Let’s round up the rest of the bird news for October.
Fieldfare © John Agnew
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Yellowhammer © John Chapman
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Notable wildfowl included the returning drake American Wigeon at Newshot Island from the 11th onwards. A male and female Scaup were present on Barr Loch, RSPB Lochwinnoch from the 9th but sometimes seen nearby on Castle Semple Loch during the month. A female Scaup was also reported from Baron’s Haugh on the 9th, with an eclipse Pintail there too. Earlier in the month (2nd) a female Pintail was seen on the scrape at Lochwinnoch, two were at Millichen Flood (7th), while 18 Shoveler were on Barr Loch on the 16th. There were 22 Goldeneye on Castle Semple Loch on the 26th.
Great White Egret records this month included one at Easfield Farm, Carstairs on the 3rd, regular reports from RSPB Baron’s Haugh, with up to three there on the 27th. Other reports from RSPB Lochwinnoch (from the 11th) and later in the month at Loudon Pond, Douglas Water (28th) and The Meetings (30th). Little Egret continue to be seen regularly too with reports from a number of sites including Ardmore, Longhaugh Point, Baron’s Haugh, Eastfield Farm/Carstairs Junction Bridge, Strathclyde Park and Lochwinnoch.
Further skeins of geese arrived, or passed through, this month too with up to 6,000 Pink-footed Geese in the Carstairs area on the 8th, accompanied by at least ten Barnacle Geese. Eleven Greenland White-fronted Geese were at Croftamie (near Dryman) mid-month, while two Brent Geese were reported from Ardmore North Bay on the 20th. Whooper Swans were regularly seen with larger groups including 21 at Lochwinnoch (8th), 49 at Westraw Mains and 62 at Eastfield Farm both on the 30th.
Great White Egret records this month included one at Easfield Farm, Carstairs on the 3rd, regular reports from RSPB Baron’s Haugh, with up to three there on the 27th. Other reports from RSPB Lochwinnoch (from the 11th) and later in the month at Loudon Pond, Douglas Water (28th) and The Meetings (30th). Little Egret continue to be seen regularly too with reports from a number of sites including Ardmore, Longhaugh Point, Baron’s Haugh, Eastfield Farm/Carstairs Junction Bridge, Strathclyde Park and Lochwinnoch.
Further skeins of geese arrived, or passed through, this month too with up to 6,000 Pink-footed Geese in the Carstairs area on the 8th, accompanied by at least ten Barnacle Geese. Eleven Greenland White-fronted Geese were at Croftamie (near Dryman) mid-month, while two Brent Geese were reported from Ardmore North Bay on the 20th. Whooper Swans were regularly seen with larger groups including 21 at Lochwinnoch (8th), 49 at Westraw Mains and 62 at Eastfield Farm both on the 30th.
Whooper Swans © John Agnew
A White-tailed Eagle was reported over Barr Loch (25th) and over Longhaugh Point on the 27th. A juvenile Marsh Harrier was seen over Barr Loch on the 12th, again on the 20th and over Aird Meadow on 31st, while a male Hen Harrier was at Lochwinnoch on the 1st, with a sub-adult male the next day. Two male Hen Harriers at Wards Pond (7th) and a ringtail at Fannyside Loch the same day. Further sightings included a male at Aber Bog, RSPB Loch Lomond (14th) and a male over the M77 in the Eaglesham area the next day.
A Red Kite was at South Medwin Pools (8th), Barcraigs reservoir (16th), two over Conic Hill (17th) and over Croftamie (24th). Peregrine reports included two over Balmore (10th) and two at Glasgow University (19th).
Black-tailed Godwit counts included 20 at Longhaugh Point on the 18th, and 12 were at Ardmore on the 28th. Single figures of Green Sandpiper were still to be found at Baron’s Haugh, with up to eight on the 12th, and smaller numbers at BAE Systems, Bishopton. Large post-breeding Snipe gatherings included up to 200 at Baron’s Haugh mid-month and 93 at RSPB Lochwinnoch. Two Jack Snipe were at Balgray Reservoir on the 14th. Other records included Golden Plover flocks at South Medwin with up to 425 birds early in the month. A Greenshank was noted at Parklea on the 30th.
Mediterranean Gulls included an unringed adult at Cardwell Bay, the long-lived Belgian bird returning to Strathclyde Loch with a 1st-winter bird seen at Strathclyde Park on the 28th too. Three tern species, probable Arctic Terns, were noted at Strathclyde Loch on the 9th.
Redwings and Fieldfares, became increasingly widespread as the month went on with totals exceeding 250 at Lochwinnoch and a Brambling was heard over Erskine on the 18th and another seen at Kirk o’ Shotts on the 22nd. Meanwhile, the last of the summer migrants lingered into October, with late House Martins and Swallows noted early in the month, and a late Swallow at Strathclyde Loch on the 28th. Chiffchaffs continued into October too, including one singing at Carbarns.
A Red Kite was at South Medwin Pools (8th), Barcraigs reservoir (16th), two over Conic Hill (17th) and over Croftamie (24th). Peregrine reports included two over Balmore (10th) and two at Glasgow University (19th).
Black-tailed Godwit counts included 20 at Longhaugh Point on the 18th, and 12 were at Ardmore on the 28th. Single figures of Green Sandpiper were still to be found at Baron’s Haugh, with up to eight on the 12th, and smaller numbers at BAE Systems, Bishopton. Large post-breeding Snipe gatherings included up to 200 at Baron’s Haugh mid-month and 93 at RSPB Lochwinnoch. Two Jack Snipe were at Balgray Reservoir on the 14th. Other records included Golden Plover flocks at South Medwin with up to 425 birds early in the month. A Greenshank was noted at Parklea on the 30th.
Mediterranean Gulls included an unringed adult at Cardwell Bay, the long-lived Belgian bird returning to Strathclyde Loch with a 1st-winter bird seen at Strathclyde Park on the 28th too. Three tern species, probable Arctic Terns, were noted at Strathclyde Loch on the 9th.
Redwings and Fieldfares, became increasingly widespread as the month went on with totals exceeding 250 at Lochwinnoch and a Brambling was heard over Erskine on the 18th and another seen at Kirk o’ Shotts on the 22nd. Meanwhile, the last of the summer migrants lingered into October, with late House Martins and Swallows noted early in the month, and a late Swallow at Strathclyde Loch on the 28th. Chiffchaffs continued into October too, including one singing at Carbarns.
So just the two new species this month but great that they are both firsts for Clyde (assuming the Cetti's Warbler is accepted).
In addition, the Clyde Birds Record Panel has recently accepted a record of Icterine Warbler from Stuckendroin (nr Ardlui) from June 2025.
In addition, the Clyde Birds Record Panel has recently accepted a record of Icterine Warbler from Stuckendroin (nr Ardlui) from June 2025.
| Glossy Ibis | Cetti's Warbler | Icterine Warbler (from June) |
This brings the list to 211* with two months to go.
(208 confirmed -
*Lesser Scaup subject to assessment by BBRC.
*Honey-buzzard subject to assessment by CBRP.
*Cetti's Warbler subject to assessment by SBRC )
Until next month - enjoy your birds and birding.
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
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