Trip reports

Mid Week Outing Report - Hogganfield Park and Cardowan Moss LNRs - 11 January 2012

Wednesday, 11 January 2012

A local trip to two LNRs in Glasgow on an overcast day, yet 29 hardy souls turned up, much to Jim's surprise. Jim initially briefed us on what we could expect and stressed that this was an outing to help people familiarise themselves with the habitats of both reserves although he also hoped we would see some good birds. Within a few minutes he was rushing around urging us all to make our way towards the viewing platform as an Iceland Gull had turned up. This was a new bird for some and a year tick for almost everyone!

Thereafter, as expected, we had stunning close-up views of wildfowl such as whooper swans, goosanders and goldeneye. As we walked around the loch, Jim provided information on a number of the habitat improvements undertaken by the City Council at the LNR whilst 2 buzzards soared and circled overhead. Close to the island we added pochard, teal and gadwall. We then left the lochside as Jim led us along a path that gave great views over the marshy pools and here we saw a solitary little grebe. We then crossed Avenue End Road, via a new pedestrian traffic island, to Cardowan Moss LNR. This reserve was new to most of the Group and it was good to see how a tree planting scheme of the 1990s had matured into a LNR with various pools and ponds as well as the remnant peat bog at its eastern edge. Jim also explained that this LNR was now managed by Forestry Commission Scotland under a 10 year lease from the Council. The highlights here were a small flock of siskin and a beautiful male bullfinch. We crossed back to Hogganfield for lunch at the picnic benches and then slowly made our way back to the car park. In the end at least 34 species were seen at Hogganfield with a further 5 added at Cardowan. It was good to see a number of new faces and hopefully they all enjoyed the outing. Obviously they will be most welcome at future events.