Forth & Clyde Canal / River Kelvin / Dawsholm Park

So I realise it has been a long while since I took some photos. This is for a number of reasons. I was really caught up in finishing my Information Management and Preservation MSc, including writing my dissertation and since then I have been settling in to a new job as an assistant librarian at Glasgow Caledonian University. I have been getting out and about in the natural world during this time but have usually wanted to just enjoy it rather than lug about the camera which can be a curse for its weight. Now I have a job, I am hoping to save up for a less heavier "all-rounder" lens but it may be a while until that materialises...

So today I did a really simple but nevertheless fulfilling local walk which I do now and then. The whole walk forms a loop starting on the canal by Kelvindale Station and then finishing up in the North-Western corner of Dawsholm Park. The walk is varied in terms of covering canal, river and woodland and also takes in some interesting architectural features beginning with the old Temple Gasworks pictured below. The Gasworks were built in 1871 for the Partick, Hillhead and Maryhill Gas Company. When constructed they were the largest in Britain and even had their own railway line, the remains of which can still be seen running alongside the canal. You can compare my photograph with those taken in times gone by here: https://canmore.org.uk/site/44131/glasgow-temple-gasworks

Temple Gasworks seen from Cleveden Bridge

Taken from under Cleveden Bridge

So beginning at the Cleveden Road Bridge, right by Kelvindale Station, I walked along the canal eastwards towards Maryhill Locks. A fairly short canal stretch but a few squawking moorhens to be seen, including two young. Last winter I also spotted Little Grebes at this quiet corner. Of course there are often also a few mallards and coots knocking about but today I was treated to just the moorhens and a magpie up to mischief at the side of the tow path.

Moorhen

Young Moorhen

Approaching the Kelvin Aqueduct

Just before reaching the locks, you cross the Kelvin Aqueduct which was built from 1787-1790. Like the Temple Gas Works, it was the largest built in Britain at the time. When crossing the aqueduct, I stood on my tiptoes to look over the wall, down towards the river and was glad I did! There, on the pillars of an old bridge was a gulp of cormorants taking a rest from the River Kelvin's rushing waters. I just love that the collective name for cormorants is a "gulp" or a "swim". There's something about collective animal names that are always so on point. I excitedly took the path down to the river in order to get a better view and found that near them was also a heron!

Cormorants

More Cormorants!

An up-close Cormorant

Grey Heron

Also I should say, if I am incorrect and these are in fact shags then please comment and let me know. Embarrassing as it is, I still really struggle to tell the difference between the two. In this case, I went with the advice found in this BTO video which suggests that shags are rarely found inland on fresh water whereas Cormorants are: https://www.bto.org/about-birds/bird-id/bto-bird-id-cormorant-and-shag

I spent forever watching the heron and cormorants, taking advantage of the close views. Until, that is, I was interrupted by a raucous up above and there was the local buzzard being harassed by a couple of crows! As I have mentioned before, I believe the buzzards have a nest in some trees in a field by Dawsholm Park. I can often see them causing chaos out the back of our house with the seagulls, crows and magpies all giving chase. Anyway, I took their interruption this time as a sign to tear myself away and continue my walk... So heading under the Kelvin Aqueduct I continued along the River Kelvin heading north-west.

About to go under the Kelvin Aqueduct

Looking back under the Kelvin Aqueduct

This section of the walk follows the river and features some open grassland as well as trees. I was struck here by how some trees seem almost untouched by Autumn's gilding whereas others are almost bare already. It has been a strange Autumn so far. The path also takes you under the Kelvin Viaduct which I cross on the train most days when going to work. This viaduct was built in 1858. There is also evidence along this stretch of other former bridges.

The Kelvin Viaduct

Soon I came to the little bridge that crosses the Kelvin into Dawsholm Park but only after having a lovely chat with a local Glaswegian man about the weather and his elderly border collie. I aimed to do a rough diagonal across Dawsholm so that I would come out at the north-western corner meaning I could visit Morrison's on my way home. However, the park was very muddy so I ended up doing a few detours but very beautiful ones at that!

Dawsholm Park

Dawsholm Park

I got home about 2 hours later feeling refreshed. I reckon the circular could easily be done in 40 mins but of course I made many stops to take photographs and enjoy the scenery. Plus ordinarily, I would come back along the canal again rather than via Morrison's. I have included a rough map of my usual route below for reference.

Sightings

5 Moorhens (3 adults, 2 juvenile) 10+ Magpies 8 Woodpigeons 5 Cormorants

1 Grey Heron

2 Robin

1 Buzzard 3 Crows