BALGRAY RESERVOIR - RECENT SIGHTINGS
Please note, these reports concentrate on 'red data' bird species; wetland bird counts and unusual faunal
records or counts for the area; they do not constitute a complete data base of all species recorded.
All photographs are copyright Jim Coyle.
28 October 2009
A male Blackcap feeding on hawthorn.
Source: SOC Clyde Area Grapevine/Birdline Scotland.
11 October 2009
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One Whooper Swan (and 3 Mute Swans) Source and Photo: Jim Boyd |
27 September 2009
A Green Sandpiper flying from the spillway at Balgray Reservoir towards Ryat Linn Reservoir.
Source: SOC Clyde Area Grapevine/Birdline Scotland.
23 August 2009
A drake Ruddy Duck present.
Source: SOC Clyde Area Grapevine/Birdline Scotland.
18 May 2009
A pair of Garganey close to the road at nearby Waulkmill Glen Reservoir, reported to have been there
on 14 May.
Source: SOC Clyde Area Grapevine/Birdline Scotland.
15 May 2009
An adult Black Tern actively feeding over nearby Ryat Linn Reservoir with a large flock of hirundines
and Swifts at 1200 hrs.
Source: SOC Clyde Area Grapevine/Birdline Scotland.
12 May 2009
Unusually, a Garden Warbler in song.
Source: SOC Clyde Area Grapevine/Birdline Scotland.
8 April 2009
Source: SOC Clyde Area Grapevine/Birdline Scotland.
20 March 2009
Source: SOC Clyde Area Grapevine/Birdline Scotland.
17 March 2009
60-70 Whooper Swans calling and flying north over the Reservoir in the morning.
Source: SOC Clyde Area Grapevine/Birdline Scotland.
10 February 2009
A pair of Gadwall present.
Nearby, the two wintering Green Sandpipers together in the spillway below Ryat Linn.
Source: SOC Clyde Area Grapevine/Birdline Scotland.
6 February 2009
Two Green Sandpipers still present in the spillway on the south side of the Reservoir at 1130 hrs.
Source: SOC Clyde Area Grapevine/Birdline Scotland.
3 February 2009
Two wintering Green Sandpipers in the spillway on the south side of the Reservoir.
Source: SOC Clyde Area Grapevine/Birdline Scotland.
27 December 2008
11 Whooper Swans present.
Source: SOC Clyde Area Grapevine/Birdline Scotland.
14 December 2008
Species present included: Goosander, Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Moorhen and Sparrowhawk.
Source: Jim Boyd
Friday 7 November 2008
3 Canada Geese and a Kingfisher present.
Source: Jim Boyd
Friday 24 October 2008
The female Long-tailed Duck still present.
Source: SOC Clyde Area Grapevine/Birdline Scotland.
Tuesday 21 October 2008
The Slavonian Grebe and Long-tailed Duck still present.
Source: SOC Clyde Area Grapevine/Birdline Scotland.
Friday 17 October 2008
The Slavonian Grebe and Long-tailed Duck still present.
Source: SOC Clyde Area Grapevine/Birdline Scotland.
Thursday 16 October 2008
The Slavonian Grebe still present; also a Merlin over and a passage of Redwing noted.
Nearby, six Whooper Swans on Waulkmill Glen Reservoir.
Source: SOC Clyde Area Grapevine/Birdline Scotland.
Sunday 12 October 2008
A female Long-tailed Duck and the Slavonian Grebe on Balgray Reservoir.
Also briefly nearby a Ruddy Shelduck of unknown origin with 16 Canada Geese on Waulkmill Glen Reservoir.
Source: SOC Clyde Area Grapevine/Birdline Scotland.
Wednesday 8 - Thursday 9 October 2008
A Slavonian Grebe present.
Source: SOC Clyde Area Grapevine/Birdline Scotland.
Sunday 14 September 2008
A Garden Warbler and two Sand Martins present.
Source: SOC Clyde Area Grapevine/Birdline Scotland.
Sunday 17 August 2008
The eclipse drake Lesser Scaup and two female Scaup still present.
Source: SOC Clyde Area Grapevine/Birdline Scotland.
Sunday 10 August 2008
The eclipse drake Lesser Scaup and four Scaup (two drakes) still present.
Source: SOC Clyde Area Grapevine/Birdline Scotland.
Saturday 9 August 2008
All sightings recorded from the 'concrete viewing area' opposite the main parking lay-by on Aurs Road.
Wetland Birds: 6 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Grey Heron, 2+2 Mute Swan, 61 Canada Geese, 7 Teal,
40 Mallard, 290 Tufted Duck, 4 Scaup (two drakes), 11 Coot, 128 Lapwing, 1 Common Sandpiper and four species of gull.
Summer Migrants: 1 Swallow and 1 Sedge Warbler.
Sightings recorded between 1700-1800hrs.
Source: Jim Coyle, Lynda Pritchard and Peter Hodgson.
Saturday 26 July 2008
Having heard of good sightings (see below) and knowing that a new path had been constructed, we decided to
pay a visit to a place that brought back numerous birding memories - we were not to be disappointed, despite not
locating the Lesser Scaup!
Red Data Bird species - c.40 Linnet, 9 Reed Bunting and 5 Starlings.
Wetland Birds: 8 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 2+2 Mute Swan, 42 Canada Geese, 1 Teal,
13+4 Mallard, c.225 Tufted Duck, 2 Coot, 1 Oystercatcher, c.30 Lapwing, at least 4 Common Sandpiper and
four species of gull.
Summer Migrants: 1 Swift, 1 Sand Martin, 11 Swallows, 2 House Martins, 1 Wheatear, 3 Sedge Warbler,
2 Whitethroat and 12 Willow Warbler.
Other records of note: 1 Peregrine, 1 Kestrel and c.50 Greenfinch.
In total, 44 different bird species recorded.
Sightings recorded between 9.45-1345hrs.
Source: Jim Coyle, Lynda Pritchard and Peter Hodgson.
The new footpath at Balgray Reservoir - 26 July 2008
July 2008
During July, the SOC Clyde Area Grapevine has reported Greenshank, Whimbrel, Redstart, Sandwich Tern
and, since 22 July, Lesser Scaup at the Reservoir.