Sightings – Argyll Bird Club

19th July

TIREE: A moulting adult American Golden Plover was found at Sandaig yesterday with the Golden Plovers there (Toby Green). Re-found at the north end of Loch a’ Phuill around mid-day today (John Bowler).

18th July

MID-ARGYLL: An adult Black-tailed Godwit new in at the Add Estuary, also 5 Greenshank, 5 Common Sandpipers and an Osprey. At Loch Gilp – a non-br Bar-tailed Godwit, 3 Whimbrels and 5 juv Redshanks. Also a juv Black Guillemot off Ardrishaig and 80+ Common Terns around Duncuan Island (Jim Dickson/David Pearson).

Juv BLACK-HEADED GULL – Add Estuary, Mid-Argyll 18th July (Jim Dickson).

17th July

MID-ARGYLL: At the Add Estuary this morning – 6 Greenshank and 9 adult Dunlin. A female Red-breasted Merganser with 17 ducklings was presumably from one duck however a female with 25 ducklings was more likely from 2 laying ducks (Jim Dickson).
TIREE: Rosy Starling found along south edge of Loch a’ Phuill this morning (Andy Robinson) and still showing well there this afternoon (John Bowler/ Toby Green). 67 Golden Plover at Sandaig (Toby Green).

OYSTERCATCHERS – Add Estuary, Mid-Argyll 17th July (Jim Dickson).

Mergansers – Add Estuary, Mid-Argyll 17th July (Jim Dickson).

16th July

TIREE: 6 Sanderling and 175 Dunlin at Gott Bay, 71 adult Little Terns at 2 sites plus at least 12 fledged birds, 1 Black-tailed Godwit at Cornaigmore, 9 Greenshank around the island plus 1 Sandwich Tern (Toby Green), 2 Wigeon at Loch a’ Phuill – first of the autumn (John Bowler).
MID-ARGYLL: At least 15 Common Swifts over High Street/Tesco car park in Oban this evening (Mike Anderson).

14th July

ISLAY: The Rosy Starling at Ardnave was refound this morning (Peter Roberts/Mike Peacock/Roger Broad) in a large flock of Starlings but distant and flighty.
COLL/TIREE: 3 Sooty Shearwaters from the Oban to Tiree ferry this evening near Gunna Sound (Toby Green).

13th July

ISLAY: A report of a Rosy Starling at Ardnave yesterday afternoon (per Islaybirdblog).
MID- ARGYLL: 2 Greenshanks at the Add Estuary this afternoon (Jim Dickson). An Osprey hunting over the shallows of Ardmaddy Bay this afternoon and a White-tailed Eagle over Cuan Sound yesterday (John Sedgwick).
NORTH ARGYLL: A Nuthatch, thought to be a first-year bird was at feeders in Barcaldine today (Doug Fontaine).

12th July

MID-ARGYLL: a few more birds around the Moine Mhor late morning today including – 1 Whimbrel, 1 Greenshank, 41 Redshanks, 8 Common Sandpipers, 1 Kestrel and 1 Osprey at the Add Estuary, a pr of Moorhen with 2 young near Crinan, 2 prs Common Whitethroats with fledged juvs, 2 prs Whinchats with fledged juvs, 1 pr Spotted Flycatchers with fledged juvs and 8 Lesser Redpolls around Dunadd hill fort (Jim Dickson).
COWAL: A Nuthatch was seen and photographed at Inveruglas (Arrochar/Succoth) by Morgan Kain -visiting birder from Canada.

COMMON WHITETHROAT – Dunadd, Mid-Argyll 12th July (Jim Dickson).

juv SPOTTED FLYCATCHER – Dunadd, Mid-Argyll 12th July (Jim Dickson).

juv WHINCHAT – Dunadd, Mid-Argyll 12th July (Jim Dickson).

KESTREL – Moine Mhor, Mid-Argyll 12th July (Jim Dickson).

11th July

MID-ARGYLL: At the Add Estuary this morning – 3 juvenile Greenshank also 7 Common Sandpipers. At Keillmore (Loch na Cille) – 1 Swift, 7 House Martins. At Loch Gilp this afternoon – 2 adult (male & female) Bar-tailed Godwits – different from the 2 non-br plumaged birds yesterday (Jim Dickson).

Ad f Bar-tailed Godwit – Loch Gilp, Mid-Argyll 11th July (Jim Dickson).

RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS – Loch Gilp, Mid-Argyll 11th July (Jim Dickson).

10th July

COWAL: 3 Common Scoter off St Catherine’s today (Neil Hammatt).
MID-ARGYLL: Still 1 Whimbrel at Loch Gilp, also 15 Curlew, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits and now 9 juvenile Black-headed Gulls. Also 12 Greylag Geese which are unusual there – maybe ties in with a recent breeding expansion near Castleton (Jim Dickson).

9th July

MID-ARGYLL: Today at Loch Gilp – 4 Whimbrel and 10 Curlew. At the Add Estuary 3 juvenile Black-headed Gulls (David Pearson).
COWAL: A Nuthatch was at Ormidale yesterday (Bob Furness).

7th July

MID-ARGYLL: At Loch Gilp today – a single Whimbrel and also first juvenile Black-headed Gull (Jim Dickson).

4th July

TIREE: 1 Swift at Carnan Mor (John Bowler).
KINTYRE: A colour-ringed Sandwich Tern (Right leg = metal Left leg c/r = tall white) at Machrihanish SBO was Eddie Maguire’s first there and perhaps first c/r bird noted in Argyll.

3rd July

TIREE: 1 Crossbill flew south at Balephuil also 1 adult Curlew Sandpiper and 1 Whimbrel at the Reef (John Bowler).
MID-ARGYLL: 10 Swifts flying around the Mid-Argyll and A&B hospitals this afternoon (Jim Dickson).
COWAL: 2 Swifts over Alexandra parade, Kirn today (Andrew Webster).

2nd July

COLONSAY: On Oronsay yesterday the long staying 2CY Iceland Gull from Kiloran turned up again (Patrick Styles). This year has seen imm Iceland Gulls into late June also on Islay, Tiree, Mull and Kintyre…..
MID-ARGYLL: A Common Scoter off Crinan yesterday (David Jardine) is a good record for that area.

1st July

MID-ARGYLL: Paul Finnigan at Finn falconry, Taynuilt has kindly sent through an image of the dark morph female type Honey-buzzard found at the roadside near Dalavich on 15 June but sadly died shortly afterwards in care. It has been sent for a full post mortem.

HONEY-BUZZARD – Mid-Argyll June 2018 (Paul Finnigan).

27th June

MID-ARGYLL: the male Pied-billed Grebe is still at Loch Feorlin (Roger Broad).

26th June

KINTYRE: At least 290 Red-breasted Merganser in a single flochk and 51 Common Scoter – also 1 Black-throated Diver at the Sound of Gigha today (Jim Dickson).
TIREE: An adult Curlew Sandpiper was at Loch a’ Phuill this evening (John Bowler).
NORTH ARGYLL: A Nuthatch was actively calling in oak woodland at Lochawe today. Also a pr of Ring Ouzels bred this year at Cruachan (David Fotheringham).
COLONSAY: A single Whooper Swan on Oronsay today (Patrick Styles).
ISLAY: The male Ring-necked Duck is still at Loch Finlaggan.

CURLEW SANDPIPER – Loch a’ Phuill, Tiree 26th Jun (John Bowler).

24th June

TIREE: A female Marsh Harrier flew south at Sandaig to Loch a’ Phuill (John Bowler).
ISLAY: Mike Peacock and Peter Roberts have been studying one and probably more Common (Mealy) Redpolls in breeding habitat at Gortantaoid (NE of Loch Gruinart) in recent days.

COMMON REDPOLL – Balephuil, Tiree 23th Jun (John Bowler).

COMMON REDPOLL – Gortantaoid, Islay 24th Jun (Mike Peacock).

22nd June

COLL: The adult Rosy Starling is still at Sorisdale today (Ben Jones per Iain Fergus).

21st June

COLL: An adult Rosy Starling was seen and photographed at Sorisdale today (Iain Fergus).

ROSY STARLING – Sorisdale, Coll 21st Jun (Iain Fergus).

19th June

MID-ARGYLL: A report of a dying Honey Buzzard south of Oban on Friday 15th – later died in care. Awaiting further details (per Alistair McGregor).
COLL: A probable Black Kite photographed west of Arinagour on Friday 15th (Paul Brooker per Ben Jones/John Bowler).

OSPREY – Add Estuary, Mid-Argyll 19th Jun (Jim Dickson).

15th June

MID-ARGYLL: At Lochgilphead meadows – 9 Swifts flying low in low cloud/rain, also 1 Kestrel (Jim Dickson).
COWAL: Leif Brag reports his first ever Common Redstart in Cowal – between Glenbranter and Strachur.

REDSTART – Glenbranter, Cowal 15th Jun (Leif Brag).

14th June

MID-ARGYLL: 3 adult Sandwich Terns at Loch Gilp, 16 Dunlin at Loch Crinan and 77 Black-headed Gulls at the Add Estuary (Jim Dickson).
MULL: A report sent to Alan Spellman of a Black Tern at Loch na Keal (Pam Brown et al) – this is a rarity in Argyll with the last record 7 years ago – please can the finders get in touch re. more details – many thanks – Jim Dickson

13th June

TIREE: 2 Storm Petrel SW off Hynish late this afternoon in S6-7 with rain, in a steady SW movement of commoner seabirds: 1 GN Diver, 28 Fulmar, 89 Gannet, 16 Kittiwake, 128 large auk (mostly Razorbills), 306 Manx Shearwater, 36 Puffin and 8 Arctic Tern (John Bowler).
COLL: 2 Barnacle Geese – one with a damaged wing – at Cornaigbeg (Ben Jones per John Bowler).
ISLAY: The drake Ring-necked Duck is still at Loch Finlaggan (per Ian Brooke).

12th June

ISLAY: A Pomarine Skua reported from a boat SSE off Lagavullin today (per BirdGuides).
TIREE: 3 Storm Petrel from the Tiree ferry (John Nadin). 1 late Redwing at Gott Bay (John Bowler).

11th June

ISLAY: The male Ring-necked Duck is still at Loch Finlaggan. Also an Osprey there this afternoon – chasing a White-tailed Eagle! (Mike Peacock).

SEDGE WARBLER – Dunadd, Mid-Argyll 11th Jun (James Lehmann).

WHINCHAT – Dunadd, Mid-Argyll 11th Jun (James Lehmann).

10th June

COWAL: The family of Kingfishers on the River Eachaig have now fledged. Also a Green Woodpecker heard and seen in the area (nr Benmore gardens) last Thurs 7th Jun and a few days before that as well (Alistair McGregor).
TIREE: A Little Stint was at Gott Bay (Keith Gillon).

SONG THRUSH – Benmore Gardens, Cowal 10th Jun (Jim Dickson).

9th June

TIREE: Keith Gillon yesterday evening had brief views of a Subalpine Warbler in the garden at Torosa, Cornaigbeg. No sign of it this morning. (per Angus Murray/Birdline Scotland). A fem Pied Flycatcher was at Balephuil (John Bowler).
KINTYRE: A flock of 43 Dunlin arrived mid morning. These birds had long bills / bright rufous upperparts which, along with the late passage date, suggest they were nominate alpina (Eddie Maguire).

PIED FLYCATCHER – Balephuil, Tiree 9th Jun (John Bowler).

DUNLIN – MSBO, Kintyre 9th Jun (Eddie Maguire).

8th June

MULL: Another Rosy Starling – this time in a private garden on the Ross of Mull yesterday (per Birdguides).

Juv STONECHAT – Dunadd, Mid-Argyll 8th Jun (James Lehmann).

7th June

TIREE: No further reports of the Rosy Starling or Eurasian Reed Warbler today.
COLL: A report of a Rosy Starling at Clabhach yesterday would be in addition to the Tiree bird (per David Andrews).
MULL/COLL: A report of a summer plumaged White-billed Diver off NW Mull – photographed on Tues 5th June (per Birdguides).

6th June

KINTYRE: Eddie Maguire reported an adult Yellow-legged Gull candidate that flew past the Machrihanish SBO late morning today. Update – appears likely to be a pale Lesser Black Backed Gull in bright sunlight (Jim Dickson).
TIREE: A Rosy Starling at Hynish at ca 6pm (Keith Gillon). An elusive singing Eurasian Reed Warbler at Balephuil today (John Bowler).

EURASIAN REED WARBLER – Balephuil, Tiree 6th Jun (John Bowler).

Ad YELLOW-LEGGED GULL candidate – MSBO, Kintyre 6th Jun (Eddie Maguire).

5th June

TIREE: 1f Pied Flycatcher new at Carnan Mor this evening, 1 Garden Warbler in sub-song at Balephuil – also 2 Woodpigeon, 1m Grasshopper Warbler, 1m Whitethroat and 2 Chiffchaff there (john Bowler).

PIED FLYCATCHER – Balephuil, Tiree 5th Jun (John Bowler).

GARDEN WARBLER – Balephuil, Tiree 5th Jun (John Bowler).

Juv BLACKCAP – Barsloisnoch, Mid-Argyll 5th Jun (James Lehmann).

4th June

COWAL: A likely Little Egret was at Kames Bay, Tighnabruiach this morning (S Bennett).
ISLAY: 19 Common Scoter off Port Charlotte this morning, later in the day 3 scoter came off the sea onto the loch at Easter Ellister, 2 Common & a male Velvet Scoter – the male Velvet Scoter is paired again with the female Common Scoter as in previous years (Mike Peacock).

COMMON & VELVET SCOTER – Easter Ellister, Islay 4th Jun (Mike Peacock).

3rd June

TIREE: A non-singing Marsh Warbler new at Balephuil this am, also 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1m Chiffchaff and 1 Goldfinch there. 2 Common Redpoll, 1m Whitethroat, Cuckoo and 1 Woodpigeon at Carnan Mor (John Bowler).1 Woodpigeon, 2 Redpoll, 1 Spotted Flycatcher and 1m Blackcap at the Manse / Glebe (Keith Gillon).

MARSH WARBLER – Balephuil, Tiree 3rd Jun (John Bowler).

2nd June

TIREE: 1 Redwing at Baugh, with a damaged leg (Bill Welstead per John Bowler). Yesterday, 1st Jun, the 2CY Bonaparte’s Gull again briefly in the gull colony at Barrapol but then flew towards Loch a’ Phuill at 1345hrs (John Bowler).

1st June

KINTYRE: An immaculate adult Mediterranean Gull in summer plumage was flying south so close to MSBO that it couldn’t be photographed! A Whimbrel also seen flying south (Eddie Maguire)
ISLAY: 2 Swifts over Ardnave Point were the first seen this year and on 30th May a Green-winged Teal was in front of the South Hide at Gruinart (James Butcher)

31st May

ISLAY: An adult Little Stint at 9.45 this morning at the muddy hole at Saligo gate (Margaret & Ian Brooke).
TIREE: 2CY Bonaparte’s Gull found late this pm in gull colony at Barrapol and then flew towards Loch a’ Phuill at 1810hrs (Ben Steel) – but no sign of it at Loch a’ Phuill later on. Quail calling intermittently at Balephuil early this morning – also 2 Spotted Flycatchers still there. 2CY Little Gull, ad Little Stint and 1-2 Curlew Sandpipers at Loch a’ Phuill this afternoon (John Bowler).

30th May

COWAL: A Hoopoe was seen in a garden at Tighnabruaich yesterday during the day and again twice in the evening (Jean Irvine).
KINTYRE: The report of Nightjar calling at Mausdale recently now appears to have been a Grasshopper Warbler….
ISLAY: The Little Egret has reappeared – yesterday in the merse creeks at Bridgend (per Ian Brooke). A pair of Garganey at the Gruinart south hide this afternoon (James How per Ian Brooke).
TIREE: At least 12 Spotted Flycatchers at Balephuil / Carnan Mor in the evening with another 4 around the island (John Bowler).

29th May

COLONSAY: A 2CY Iceland Gull at Kiloran Bay today (Patrick Styles).
KINTYRE: A report of a Nightjar ‘churring’ near Mausdale the last two evenings, after 10pm (per Alisdair Paterson).
TIREE: No further sign of the Common Rosefinch at Balephuil today but no fewer than 7 Spotted Flycatchers between there and Carnan Mor, 1 pair of Common Whitethroats, 1 pair of Blackcaps, 4 Common Redpoll and a record influx of 12 Woodpigeons including a flock of 10 which flew off W (John Bowler). Also 1 Pied Flycatcher today (Ben Steel per John Bowler).

Some photos below of a Meadow Pipit that was attacking a Collared Dove for about 5 minutes at Balephuil, Tiree the other day – the dove was pursued by the pipit in flight and continued to be mobbed on the ground – I’m sure the pipit mistakenly thought the dove was a Cuckoo – as a Cuckoo in the area. The Collared Dove looked perplexed! (Jim Dickson).

28th May

TIREE: A 2CY male Common Rosefinch singing and showing briefly at Balephuil this morning – also 2 Spotted Flycatchers, 1m Blackcap, 1m Whitethroat, 1m Cuckoo, 1 Dunnock, 2 Goldfinch and 1 House Martin there. 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Common Redpoll, 1m Blackcap and 1 singing Dunnock at the Glebe/Manse. Ad Little Stint again at Gott Bay. 3CY Iceland Gull and Common Redpoll at Kenovay (John Bowler). Later in the evening – 1 Garden Warbler at Balephuil plus 4 Spotted Flycatchers (John Bowler).

Recent Reports 2018