Hogganfield Loch, Glasgow (1 Viewer)

[Moraybirdlover]

I had a great afternoon urban birding there last saturday. I was delighted to see the ruddy ducks and goldeneye both firsts for me.
We were taken out by a couple of experienced local birders who very generously gave up their time and drove us around. we also visited the Gadloch and Millichen Floods.
Saw a Greater White fronted goose at the Gadloch(among a lot of Pink footed and graylag)

 

[allanpcameron]

When I was out yesterday, for the second time a local dog walker, asked me if I was a twitcher because there is a lesser scaup, blown in from America on the loch.
Does this ring true? The dog walker is a bit scary the way he sidles up when you're focussed through your binos!
I was interested in Gadloch and Millichen Floods, I can find Gadloch on a map, but where was Millichen? Are they easily accessed, walking wise I mean?
Allan

 

[Moraybirdlover]

Sorry but as I say we were driven round and I do not know Glasgow very well,so I couldn't tell you how to get there. As far as I know a lesser Scaup has been seen at Hogganfield but we were not fortunate enough to see it last week.

 

[Samphibian]

I'd heard about the lesser scaup, only saw an immature scaup though. Thanks for your nice comment about the photos Stuarty!

 

[Samphibian]

Saw the following yesterday:

mute swan
whooper swan
mallard
goldeneye
tufted duck
goosander
lesser scaup (whoop whoop!!!)
herring gull
black headed gull
common gull
lesser black backed gull
pochard
ruddy duck
heron
cormorant
coot
moorhen
woodpigeon
carrion crow
jackdaw
magpie
rook
treecreeper
bluetit
redwing
fieldfare
dunnock
blackbird
starling
kestrel
little grebe
great crested grebe
pied wagtail

 

[colonelboris]

Regarding birding sites within an hour of Glasgow, Cumbrae is pretty good for waders and ducks most times of year and also warblers in the summer. Balloch can also turn up a few nice birds. Ardmore, on the north bank of the Clyde and out near Cardross can turn up a lot of birds - I went twitching for a diver out that way, but got bitten by a clegg instead... You can also pick up seals there and a lot of nice warblers in summer. I also saw my only ever Grasshopper Warbler and Twite there.
I did manage to visit Hogganfield Loch once and took quite a few photos of the Coots, Greylags and Black-headed Gulls when I used to digiscope.