Baron's Haugh, Motherwell, Scotland (1 Viewer)

[allanpcameron]

I managed to get to this RSPB site this afternoon. I managed to forget my bird book which explains the many "(?)" below.
It began really well with a pair of Buzzards flying pretty low, see poor photo below.
I got the photo of the cormorants (photo) at the first hide. There were a few herons around.
There was a Mistle Thrush (photo) in the field on the path down. Later there was a small of flock but they flew off before I could confirm for definite they were Redwings. Also another raptor being chased by crows, pretty sure it was a sparrowhaw.
There were some goldfinches, the usual blue and great tits, also a whitethroat (?), robins, a treecreeper (?).
On the loch there were tufted ducks and something else, Goldeneye (?), see photo.
There was a pretty large flock of lapwings, and a good number of Black Headed Gulls. There was a pair of Little Grebes quite close to the hide on the far side of the Loch (photo). There was a pair of swans in the distance which I reckon were Mute, their necks were held curved rather than straight.
I guess also some Widgeon, going by the white bars which were really clear in flight.
Huge number of Mallards all over the loch.
Despite not having the book with me which would have given me a bit more confidence in identifying things, I had a really good afternoon, and it didn't even rain.

 

[colonelboris]

It's a nice site - used to go there from time to time when I lived in Glasgow. Quite good for ducks, even in the summer and it's also worth having a look along the river bank as well.
I remember a chap being very excited about a kingfisher he could see through his bins. I put the scope on it and it was a piece of blue rope tied round the top of a post...
Lochwinnoch can also be a good reserve that's not too far from there as well. Good photo opportunities as a lot of birds use the feeders right by the windows as well as a few good hides along the loch.

 

[vivster]

baron haugh

hi there.my sister and i were there 2 wks ago and seen nuthatch goldcrest also the redwings...the kingfisher was seen flying up the river ....this web page gives you some birds that have been seen latly...

river..http://freespace.virgin.net/jimmy.maxwell/

 

[Moraybirdlover]

Hoping to visit Baron Haugh next week when I visit Glasgow.