Trip reports

Millichen, Glasgow

Wednesday, 10 December 2008

On Wednesday 10th December 2008, a dozen intrepid birdwatchers met at Dobbies of Milngavie for sustenance before setting out on the midweek outing. There was no wind and the sun actually felt warm though the temperature was around freezing.

We disturbed innumerable house sparrows as we drove through East Millichen farm. At West Millichen, seed had been put out and this was attracting more house sparrows and one or two reed buntings together with various other birds. Here we also saw a stonechat. Unfortunately, no tree sparrows were seen and the commonest birds were corvids and pigeons. However, we did see the first of perhaps four buzzards that were hunting in the grass.

The fields also held a flock of lapwings, with several mistle thrushes, fieldfare, redwing and many starlings. In contrast, the 'flood' (a misnomer) held few birds though Anne startled a snipe and several Grey herons were seen together with at least 5 roe deer. A song thrush was feeding in a hedge and a kestrel was hunting over by the River Kelvin.

We spent over an hour near West Millichen before walking along past the steadings and kennels. We frightened several mallard and, at the last bridge, we alerted what was at first thought to be a moorhen but which was then identified as a water rail. What a finding for the mid weekers!

We are all looking forwards to the next midweek outing in January; all welcome.

Roger Adams