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ZEISS DTI thermal imaging cameras. For more discoveries at night, and during the day.

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  1. G

    Western Scotland birding

    I think we discovered the SWT's masterplan. Don't let on, or else we'll have loads of reserves spraying Agent Orange and defoliating.
  2. G

    Western Scotland birding

    I suggest that every fortnight or so one of us posts a message saying how terrible a place it is, and definitely not worth visiting.
  3. G

    Western Scotland birding

    the hedge cutting was apparently due to the hedges dying from the ground up- the foliage looked ok, but they were in decline. I'll take their word for it, but for the first few months of the year the place was desolate. Huge difference now that the warblers are back, and the fnches/ y'ammer...
  4. G

    Western Scotland birding

    Whenever I go to Ardmore Point, I park just after the level crossing and walk round to the South Bay. I then double back and cut across the fields to the north bay. Never walked all the way around, although been told by other folk its v. muddy (not always a bad thing!) Last time I was there...
  5. G

    Western Scotland birding

    You make that sound like a bad thing!!! Access to the North Bay at Ardmore (where you'll be in Shelduck heaven) is especially muddy, and I'd recommend cutting through the field next to the path. It will still be muddy, but it shouldn't be over the top of your boots....
  6. G

    Western Scotland birding

    Depending on the tides and whether you have a car, Parklea on the south bank of the Clyde Estuary or Ardmore Point/ Cardross Bay on the North bank are excellent sites and relatively easy to access. Hogganfield is the only place I've seen goosander being fed pan bread.
  7. G

    Western Scotland birding

    sounds like a pretty good trip, Whokens. Some good birds to tick off there.
  8. G

    Western Scotland birding

    Kingfisher is always a good bird to see, and often quite tricky. The Haugh is lucky that it has a couple of places where you're likely to see one. I love birding for the sake of it, but getting a good 'un always makes a good day's birding into a great day's birding, I've found.
  9. G

    Western Scotland birding

    i was at Hoggy on Saturday, and got the whoopers. No sign of the ruddy duck, though, which was really the reason I went. Will try again this weekend, but am starting to think I've missed my chance for this year. Is this the earliest for whoopers? They've been at Baron's Haugh/ Carbarns for...
  10. G

    Western Scotland birding

    there's probably a medical term for folk who voluntarily stand on exposed shorelines during a storm. My wife has a specific word she uses, but I'm pretty sure its not a scientific one..... My day out converted this farmboy to the wonders of shore- watching. And as I clearly need the practise...
  11. G

    Western Scotland birding

    I'm certain they were sandwich terns now. My first experience of any species of tern, the short tail originally made me think little tern, but if juvie Sandwich terns also have short tails, then it makes sense now. They were a lot smaller than I was expecting, so that didn't help. (I had...
  12. G

    Western Scotland birding

    Hi, At the time I was convinced they were Little Tern, but now I'm not sure at all. I had based on it on the short, shallow tail and small size. Birdtrack also threw up a query, saying the numebrs were unusual. I've had a look on t' internet at various pictures, and realised that sandwich...
  13. G

    Western Scotland birding

    Irvine Harbour Hi, I was at Irvine harbour this morning, up to about 12 noon. Weather atrocious, visibility poor, but did get eider, cormorant, plenty of mutes, oystercatchers, lapwing, ringed plover, and a dozen or so little terns, in winter plumage. I spent about an hour at the...
  14. G

    Western Scotland birding

    Hi Andy, Yep, that sounds like me. Slightly rotund chappy, wading through mud on the way back to the Haugh, in a bit of a rush. btw. I agree with the point you made that eventually the Clyde will take the rest of the path. I'm waiting for NLC and the RSPB to come up with a plan. I'll be...
  15. G

    Western Scotland birding

    Hi Andy, I was at the Haugh on Sunday (wearing cammo gear) but dunno if we spoke. I've heard the BW teal was at the Haugh yesterday, visible from the Phoenix Hide. If it doesn't hang around, its possible it may head to Strathclyde Park. There's also a pink- footed goose reported at Strathy...
  16. G

    Western Scotland birding

    I was at the Marsh a couple of weeks ago, and was lucky to get Yellowhammer, Meadow Pipit and grasshopper warbler. No raptors, though. I've always found it worthwhile just to hang around at the Marsh, with the farmland and landfill site surrounding it, there's always something moving about...
  17. G

    Western Scotland birding

    Trying to hide my jealousy, Rik.... That was one helluva day's birding!!!
  18. G

    Western Scotland birding

    Ordinarily, I wouldn't let gale force winds, driving rain and severe weather warnings put me off....however, youngest mini- Sand decided to throw up most of last night, so don't feel guilty about not venturing out. Gettign that kind of pent- up, caged, captive, pacing the room feeling, though...
  19. G

    Western Scotland birding

    sounds like you had a good morning- the Haugh is great for lifer- ticks if you're new to birdwatching. It was for me, at least. The whooper swan was apparently injured over the winter and wasn't able to travel with the rest of the gang. The nesting mutes on the Haugh keep it in the corner to...
  20. G

    Western Scotland birding

    cheers for the directions, guys. It means I can go looking specfically for them, although if the rain stays off I may stay a while and do a circuit. Depends on whether I remember to bring my cold weather gear or not.....
  21. G

    Western Scotland birding

    Hi, Whereabouts on the reserve did you see the wheatear? I was looking last sunday across the fence into the landfill site (where they were last year) but didn't see anything. I have a day off on Thursday (thanks to my union) and will try and nip in on my way to Irvine.
  22. G

    Western Scotland birding

    Hi Stewart, On my first day there, I armed myself with a decent book (in my case, the RSPB guide that was a freebie when I took out membership) and spent about 6 hours at the Haugh, basically, just exploring, pausing, observing with my ears as much as my eyes, and getting used to 'getting my...
  23. G

    Western Scotland birding

    Baron's Haugh 22nd April Quiet day at Baron's Haugh, sunday. Willow warblers, chiffchaffs and blackcaps in abundance in the woods, the Haugh itself was very quiet, with only teal, wigeon and a solitary shelduck being of note during a 2 hour visit. Common Sandpipers noted by other visitors...
  24. G

    Western Scotland birding

    Baron's Haugh Made it back to the Haugh today, and it didn't disappoint. Didn't get any green woodpeckers either visually or audibly, but did get the pair of stock doves near Dazell House. Got my first swallows, willow warbler, blackcap and shelduck of the year. Good variety of birds on the...
  25. G

    Western Scotland birding

    Hi, The Sandies are back at the Haugh, although when I was there last week they weren't in as big numbers as there maybe will be later in the year. The Green Woodpecker hasn't been mentioned recently, but if you have a fetish for nuthatches, there are now about a half dozen pairs nesting in...
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