'Hogging all the Bread'

We had a really enjoyable long weekend up in Glasgow the weekend before last, visiting friends in their new abode in 'rural' north Glasgow. The journey up was a mere 7 1/2 hours! but with Costa Coffee & Burger King to keep us fat & entertained on the way up, as well as our cheesy music selection, time just flew by. As well as memorable wine sampling, 'wii' playing & meals out in a local pub (where we had our first ever taste of 'Haggis'), Indian Restaurant & a delicious Italian 'at home' we also managed to get out into the air occasionally . . .

I was amazed to see Goosander's scrapping for bread along with gulls & coots at Hogganfield (all pics shown) but not so amazed at dipping a Firecrest at Gosford Estate (great area though & we did see 2 nuthatch). We also briefly visited SOC HQ & had a very fresh walk along the coast at Musselburgh, where we spotted numerous Velvet Scoters, Long-tailed Ducks, a couple of GC Grebe, 1 Slav Grebe, Barwits, Knot & flushed a smart Lapland Bunting along the path which we called through to birdline Scotland. After doubling our hosts 'house list' & enjoying his fine river & mountain window views it was time to depart south again! Where's the coffee . . . .

All Barred Out . . . 

Phil arrived back on the Isle today & we said our farewells to Martin, who, after drinking the Obs dry was returning to Glasgow at the end of his Autumn birding trip. After a days absence the second Grey Phalarope rejoined the other still feeding close to the shore in South Haven. A Barred Warbler & Common Redpoll (Islandica) were trapped in the Plantation by Deryk & Phil. A cracking male & a female Long-tailed Duck showed well in North Haven. In the afternoon a single panel net was erected on the beach & Phil trapped 3 Snow Bunting from the sizable flock still present in the Havens.