One Swallow does not a summer make!

One Swallow does not a summer make! but how about two or more!!

I spotted my first Swallows of this year swooping low over the water at the old timber basin at Firhill, [ on the Forth and Clyde Canal in Glasgow, behind the grounds of Partick Thistle's football stadium], last Thursday, when I stopped to talk to some colleagues who had been using the basin for sailing lessons [for kids - we use Taz dingys]. As I was standing facing the water, two beautiful Swallows swooped in low over the water, picking off the low flying midges. They returned a few seconds later and the repeated the process for a few minutes. Then one of the birds flew in and I could see the water trail where it had just scooped some water up into it's mouth whilst still on the wing - wonderful!

Then on Sunday I went with a friend of mine to Loch Winnoch. We stopped at the RSPB reserve at Aird's Bay and went for a walk around some of the hides. There were at least three pairs of nesting Mute Swans , one pair in front of one of the hides. The Bogbean plants were coming into flower in the foreground and the water reeds were tall enough to obscure the male swan except when he stuck his head up straight - for a look around. We heard a commotion on the water nearby and eventually a female Mallard Duck and two ducklings came into view. There were also five drakes - sleeping and preening in the sunshine, at a flattened area of reeds - but only their heads could be seen because of the foreground reeds. There were also the usual suspects of Blackheaded Gulls and Herring Gulls flying around the water. We also spotted four Swifts flying high across the water - following the clouds of flies no doubt. We then headed over to Castle Semple Country Park and were lucky enough to squeeze into a space when someone drove out! The place was full of people. We headed up towards the Visitor Centre and then on along the lochside towards Parkhill Woods. My friend had never been there so it was nice to show someone around and point out all the interesting places and plants. [She works 'in the wildlife sphere' as well but in a different type of job.] The Bluebells were stunning - really spectacular just now and the scent was deliciously strong. We spotted quite a few Willow Warblers, and Chiff Chaffs, and heard a Garden Warbler [ all summer visitors]. We also spotted a male Orangetip Butterfly and a Greenveined White butterfly. On our way round I pointed out one of the two areas that I know of where Oak Fern grows in Scotland [the other place I have seen it is in Calderglen Country Park in East Kilbride]. We saw more Swallows too, as we headed back towards LochWinnoch, flying over the cattle fields. A very pleasant and relaxing afternoon. The amazing thing was that although there were masses of people at the centre and quite a few around the loch we only passed four people in Parkhill woods - two leaving as we arrived, and a couple with a baby in a backpack, who passed us as we were standing watching the Willow Warblers in the trees. So it was a lovely quiet wood apart from the bird song. and the only 'human' noise was the odd plane flying over as they dropped down to land at Glasgow Airport!

Photos will follow, when I can get them uploaded!!