Went on an outing to Hogganfield Loch in Glasgow today.
Hogganfield Loch is managed by Glasgow City Council and is Glasgow’s most important site for migrant and wintering waterbirds.
It is also an important regional site for wildfowl.
Close Views of the Birds
It is situated in a large residential area and gives an opportunity to observe birds at close range as they have become accustomed to people. They will come very close to the shore to be fed.
In many reserves, the birds can only be observed at a distance and a scope is necessary to view many of them. At Hogganfield, the birds can be seen at close range, although the Iceland Gulls and Pochard preferred to keep their distance in the middle of the Loch.
There were a large number of people there today walking round the loch, many with dogs and prams. Some other birdwatchers were also there keeping an eye on the birds and no doubt looking for some unusual visitors.
Viewing Platform
The Council have built a viewing area and this allows visitors to get a great view of the birds and is far superior to the old one.
Among the birds seen today were:
- Lesser Blacked Backed Gulls
- Black-headed Gulls
- Tufted Ducks
- Goldeneyes
- Mallards
- Whooper Swans (adult and juveniles)
- Mute Swans
- Goosanders (male and female)
- Greylag Geese (adult and juveniles)
- Moorhen
- Coot
- Carrion Crow
- Magpie
- Pochard
- Herring Gull
- Iceland Gull
- Collared Doves
- Blue Tit
- Great Tit
It was good to get a close up view of the Whooper Swans as they can usually only be observed from a distance at my local bird pond, Baron’s Haugh, in Motherwell.
With the winter being so mild, who knows how long they will stay this year?
Further Information
Hogganfield Loch is off the M8 at Junction 12 and can also be accessed by bus from Glasgow City Centre. Numbers 6, 32, 37, 38 and 96 all go there.
Address: Hogganfield Park,Cumbernauld Road, Robroyston, Glasgow G33
Jane's Log 