Loch Winnoch

Went today just to try out the new camera and lenses.
Tried it out with the usual birds at first and they have made a few changes to the reserve. They Have added a pond near the hide at the reserve centre which is a nich touch. They have planted a feeder in the pond but none of the birds seemed too keen to try it out just now.
Went for a walk on one of the trails and had a Sparrowhawk fly over my head. Too many tree branches to get a shot. Those sparrowhawks are fast.
There was a sighting of a Bittern but I didn't see it.
I did hear a strange call from a bird which I hadnt heard before. Like a croaky blurby sound. Didn't see what it was but it made the Heron look up who was busy concentrating.

The smaller birds seemed a bit tetchy today but I guess the Sparrowhawk was there before I arrived.
Watched the Heron from the Wilson Hide and I seemed to have the Aird Loch to myself as no one else was seen, not even a dog walker.

Went to the Aird Hide and saw the Cormorants on a float with a few Mallards. Coots and Tufties further away behind them.

As I ventured a bit further, this is when the Sparrowhawk flew over my head.

Took a back route under the railway tunnel and wondered through the thick shubbery. Came accross a healthy looking group of Long Tailed Tits but alas! They saw me first

I headed back down tot he trail and wandered along but the recent heavy rain has made the trail unpassable. If I had the rubber boots on it would have been ok to carry on.

Headed back to the centre hide to see if the GSW would show face but he didn't.
Guy set off with his digiscope as I was about to leave and told me about the Bittern. He headed towards the river and so did I. Didn't see anything.
Got back to the car and decided to go to Muirshield Hall Country Park and as I was driving down the narrow road, I could see a Buzzard in the distance. I head off having stopped for a pic or two of a nice view and as I turned a bend, the Buzzard was sitting on a post.
I looked behind me to see if anyone was coming. They weren't so, I stopped the car but the Buzzard was not having it. By the time I stopped the car, got the window down and took a pic, He was way in the distance again and my settings were in the wrong mode. Came out dark. Hope to rescue it in PS.
I headed further up and made a turn when I could to see if it would come back. Then a Kestrel flew over the car,
I stopped the car in one of the passing areas hoping the Kestrel or the Buzzard would come back but they were gone.

I hoped to maybe see some Crossbills but it was getting late in the afternoon and I had to head back before the motorway traffic got too busy.
Another day maybe.

Before heading off to Muirsheild Hall I stopped at the Semple Loch were everyone feeds the birds and I saw a Whooper Swan. I thought that must be the first this year?
Then I spotted a sign on a tree explaining it is a resident because two years ago it broke its wing and by the time they got to it, the wing was beyond repair.
So, he stays with the mute swans.

List today: I left my list in the car so trying to remember all of them will add later if I missed any out.
Chaffinches
Goldfinches
House Sparrow
Whooper Swan
Sparrowhawk
Jackdaws
Magpies
Buzzard
Heron
Kestrel
Tufted Ducks
Coots
Blue Titsi
Great Tits
Long Tailed Tits
Coal Tits
Sparrows
Mute Swans
Black Headed Gulls
Herring Gulls

Glad to have it confirmed that I saw my first Ravens at last.