17th May

COWAL: two Great White Egrets apparently turned up at the Holy Loch on Mon 15 May! Alistair McGregor and George Newall managed to see one of them the following day however no sign of them this morning. (update: one seen this evening). There had been two of this species at Baron’s Haugh, Clyde until late Sun 14 May….a full breeding adult and a non-breeding/imm therefore most likely the same birds. They may well turn up elsewhere in Argyll! in addition a Little Egret was reported from the head of Loch Riddon also on 15 May and Alistair McGregor managed to see it there yesterday. Swifts are back at Hillfoot, Dunoon this evening (George Newall).
MID-ARGYLL: a Garden Warbler seen and heard at Taynish early morning (Jon Close). 3 Swifts over Lochgilphead meadows this evening (Jim Dickson).
ISLAY: three Spotted Flycatchers at Kinnabus, The Oa today….first of the year there (David Wood).
TIREE: 1,700 Sanderlings and 900 Dunlins at Gott Bay including several leg-flagged Sanderling, over 2,100 Sanderlings on the island today.1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1m Cuckoo, 1 Goldfinch, 2 House Martins and 1 Chiffchaff at Balephuil. 1 Chiffchaff at Sorobaidh Bay creek. 1 Whimbrel at Loch an Eilein (John Bowler).

Great White Egret – Holy Loch, Cowal 16 May (Alistair McGregor).
Great White Egret – Holy Loch, Cowal 16 May (Alistair McGregor).
Little Egret – Loch Riddon, Cowal 16 May (Alistair McGregor).