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Outing to: Balgray Reservoir Saturday 8th November 2025 |
Tufted Duck © Zul Bhatia
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PRICE: Free
BOOKING: We are trialling a new booking form - please complete This Form if you intend to join this outing.
TIME: 09:30 – 13:00 (approx) if easy access is possible to all four reservoirs, or 09.30 to 11.30 if only Balgray is accessible.
LEADER: John Sweeney
VENUE: Meet on the pavement beside the Balgraystone car park (NS 50705 57278). The car park itself is currently closed and this is likely to still be the case on the day of the outing. The pavement here is wide however, and locals have been parking on it without any problems (room for only 4 or 5 cars).
Weekend parking is also available at St Lukes School on the nearby Springfield Rd (NS 50600 57755; 5-10 mins walk to the meeting place).
For meeting place also see Google Maps Link and What3Words ///guess.level.earth
The area has been well-watched for over 100 years and has turned up many scarce (and occasionally rare) species over that period. Within the last five years, these have included American Wigeon, Ring-necked Duck, Lesser Scaup, Temminck’s Stint, Pectoral Sandpiper, Red-necked Phalarope, Yellow-legged Gull and Great White Egret.
The pace of the walk will be fairly relaxed and the ambience informal, with discussion and questions encouraged. The outing is suitable for birdwatchers of all levels. The walk will be led by David Horsburgh and John Sweeney, who know the area well. If you want to stay beyond the planned end of the outing, you are welcome to stay on. There is much to see / explore in the area.
BIRDS WE HOPE TO SEE: The range of species likely to be seen on the outing is highly dependent on the prevailing water levels. There should however, be a good selection of ducks, gulls and farmland birds, with a chance of Greater Scaup, Jack Snipe, Stonechat and, perhaps, Yellow-legged Gull.
The site is featured on the free Where to watch Birds in Scotland app which can be downloaded from here. This has a lot more detailed information about the site.
TRAVELLING:
By car:
Allow around half an hour by car from Central Glasgow.
Public Transport:
We suggest using McGills bus service 51, from Paisley Town Hall to Oakbank Drive, Barrhead (NS 51189 58022: 30 mins). Alternatively, the same service also runs from Barrhead Rail Station to Oakbank Drive (15 mins). From here it’s a 15- minute walk to the Balgraystone Car Park (currently closed), via Springfield Rd and Balgraystone Rd.
TERRAIN: A surfaced path runs along the south and east sides of Balgray Reservoir (2km each way), before crossing Aurs Rd and continuing to the nearby Ryat Linn, Littleton and Waulkmill Glen Reservoirs (a further 1.5km each way).
OPTICS: Binoculars are essential and a telescope would be useful.
FOOTWEAR and CLOTHING: Walking boots/trek shoes ideally, and appropriate clothing for the conditions.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: No toilets on site. The nearest toilet facilities are at Tesco Barrhead (1.7 miles) and ASDA Barrhead (1.8 miles).
NB: This outing may be postponed due to poor weather. Please check SOC Clyde branch website (www.birdsinclyde.scot) and Clyde SOC Grapevine on BlueSky in advance.
In case of any emergency, or if you have got separated from the rest of the group, John Sweeney’s number is 07803 138606.
BOOKING: We are trialling a new booking form - please complete This Form if you intend to join this outing.
TIME: 09:30 – 13:00 (approx) if easy access is possible to all four reservoirs, or 09.30 to 11.30 if only Balgray is accessible.
LEADER: John Sweeney
VENUE: Meet on the pavement beside the Balgraystone car park (NS 50705 57278). The car park itself is currently closed and this is likely to still be the case on the day of the outing. The pavement here is wide however, and locals have been parking on it without any problems (room for only 4 or 5 cars).
Weekend parking is also available at St Lukes School on the nearby Springfield Rd (NS 50600 57755; 5-10 mins walk to the meeting place).
For meeting place also see Google Maps Link and What3Words ///guess.level.earth
The area has been well-watched for over 100 years and has turned up many scarce (and occasionally rare) species over that period. Within the last five years, these have included American Wigeon, Ring-necked Duck, Lesser Scaup, Temminck’s Stint, Pectoral Sandpiper, Red-necked Phalarope, Yellow-legged Gull and Great White Egret.
The pace of the walk will be fairly relaxed and the ambience informal, with discussion and questions encouraged. The outing is suitable for birdwatchers of all levels. The walk will be led by David Horsburgh and John Sweeney, who know the area well. If you want to stay beyond the planned end of the outing, you are welcome to stay on. There is much to see / explore in the area.
BIRDS WE HOPE TO SEE: The range of species likely to be seen on the outing is highly dependent on the prevailing water levels. There should however, be a good selection of ducks, gulls and farmland birds, with a chance of Greater Scaup, Jack Snipe, Stonechat and, perhaps, Yellow-legged Gull.
The site is featured on the free Where to watch Birds in Scotland app which can be downloaded from here. This has a lot more detailed information about the site.
TRAVELLING:
By car:
Allow around half an hour by car from Central Glasgow.
Public Transport:
We suggest using McGills bus service 51, from Paisley Town Hall to Oakbank Drive, Barrhead (NS 51189 58022: 30 mins). Alternatively, the same service also runs from Barrhead Rail Station to Oakbank Drive (15 mins). From here it’s a 15- minute walk to the Balgraystone Car Park (currently closed), via Springfield Rd and Balgraystone Rd.
TERRAIN: A surfaced path runs along the south and east sides of Balgray Reservoir (2km each way), before crossing Aurs Rd and continuing to the nearby Ryat Linn, Littleton and Waulkmill Glen Reservoirs (a further 1.5km each way).
OPTICS: Binoculars are essential and a telescope would be useful.
FOOTWEAR and CLOTHING: Walking boots/trek shoes ideally, and appropriate clothing for the conditions.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: No toilets on site. The nearest toilet facilities are at Tesco Barrhead (1.7 miles) and ASDA Barrhead (1.8 miles).
NB: This outing may be postponed due to poor weather. Please check SOC Clyde branch website (www.birdsinclyde.scot) and Clyde SOC Grapevine on BlueSky in advance.
In case of any emergency, or if you have got separated from the rest of the group, John Sweeney’s number is 07803 138606.
Please note:
Participants are reminded that the Club, its branches and individual leaders of outings cannot accept responsibility for any injury suffered by individuals taking part in these outings, or any loss or damage to their property.
Participants are reminded that the Club, its branches and individual leaders of outings cannot accept responsibility for any injury suffered by individuals taking part in these outings, or any loss or damage to their property.