Page 1 of 3
A Fabulous day in Inverclyde
Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2026 7:08 am
by Linda257
This was one of my longest days birding but it was such a beautiful place I didn't wanna leave.
A nice wee hidden gem called Loch Thom a couple of friends told me about and had heard their Ospreys had returned so how could I resist seeing an Osprey or 4
No Osprey upon arrival but immediately I saw my 1st cuckoo
I was amazed to see it fly, almost sparrowhawk like and the speed of it!! I think my 1st shot was just a luck one as these are the rest from a very bad bunch lol
Then it was like what the hell is that noise...oh no did I no just go and get another newbie
A grasshopper warbler
only one pic of that as it was a noisy but secretive wee buggar
It really was a mental start to my day but it was time to find the Osprey and over the course of 11 hours...yes it was a long shift and thousands of crap pics but managed one or 2 not so bad shots
And a few other pics I took throughout the day
I really must go back soon as was a fabulous day
Hope you all enjoyed
Re: A Fabulous day in Inverclyde
Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2026 7:42 am
by PimperneBloke
Looks awesome, congratulations on firsts! I'll have a proper look after work
Re: A Fabulous day in Inverclyde
Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2026 8:12 am
by Willpar
A fabulous day out Linda, and plenty of lovely pics.
Re: A Fabulous day in Inverclyde
Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2026 4:07 pm
by Bob S
Lovely Linda. It's on my to do list to get a nice photo of a cuckoo. We don't really get them in my local valley but I hear them when I go up to the Peaks... usually flying up too high for a photo.
Re: A Fabulous day in Inverclyde
Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2026 4:54 pm
by PimperneBloke
Wow, what a spectacular array! Is that a Redwing alongside the Cuckoo? Seems a late stayer if it is (also a bit small
)
I remember the days when you'd have been jumping for joy at the Kite and Stonechat, but now, pah, two-a-penny ;)
What's the last bird?
Congrats again, and yes, you definitely ought to go back!!
Re: A Fabulous day in Inverclyde
Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2026 6:18 pm
by Germain
Wow - that's some day and yes please go back because it is a gem of a site.
I'm so pleased you think Cuckoos are Sparrowhawk mimics.
Re: A Fabulous day in Inverclyde
Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2026 7:22 pm
by Jacksparrow
Linda257 wrote: Mon Apr 20, 2026 7:08 am
This was one of my longest days birding but it was such a beautiful place I didn't wanna leave.
A nice wee hidden gem called Loch Thom a couple of friends told me about and had heard their Ospreys had returned so how could I resist seeing an Osprey or 4
No Osprey upon arrival but immediately I saw my 1st cuckoo
I was amazed to see it fly, almost sparrowhawk like and the speed of it!! I think my 1st shot was just a luck one as these are the rest from a very bad bunch lol
Then it was like what the hell is that noise...oh no did I no just go and get another newbie
A grasshopper warbler
only one pic of that as it was a noisy but secretive wee buggar
It really was a mental start to my day but it was time to find the Osprey and over the course of 11 hours...yes it was a long shift and thousands of crap pics but managed one or 2 not so bad shots
And a few other pics I took throughout the day
I really must go back soon as was a fabulous day
Hope you all enjoyed
What a great day. The Osprey with the fish is a classic.
Re: A Fabulous day in Inverclyde
Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2026 6:46 am
by SnappyMac
Linda had a fantastic day
Great photo's and two newbies... I know what you mean about the cuckoo looking like a sparrowhawk, the first one I photographed I posted as one
Never seen one perched.
Never seen or heard the grasshopper warbler, very nice.
Looking forward to the return visit
Re: A Fabulous day in Inverclyde
Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2026 7:03 am
by Linda257
Willpar wrote: Mon Apr 20, 2026 8:12 am
A fabulous day out Linda, and plenty of lovely pics.
Thanks William
Re: A Fabulous day in Inverclyde
Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2026 7:06 am
by Linda257
Bob S wrote: Mon Apr 20, 2026 4:07 pm
Lovely Linda. It's on my to do list to get a nice photo of a cuckoo. We don't really get them in my local valley but I hear them when I go up to the Peaks... usually flying up too high for a photo.
Thanks Bob, I didn't even know cuckoo's were around that area I was in so was a great surprise. My other birder friend got great action shots of the cuckoos yesterday....not jealous
hopefully you manage to get a bit closer to some down your way
