Please send your sightings to Jim Dickson (Argyll Bird Recorder) to:
More detailed species reports for Islay, Kintyre and Mull can be viewed at the following websites: Islay: (Ian Brooke): http://islaybirds.blogspot.co.uk/ Kintyre: (Eddie Maguire): http://www.machrihanishbirdobservatory.org.uk/reports.htm Mull: (Alan Spellman) http://www.mullbirds.com/
SPRING MIGRANTS 2017 : SPRING MIGRANTS 2017 updated 22 June
Recent Reports 2017
20th July
TIREE: two Greenshanks new in at Loch a’ Phuill and 1 Greenshank at The Reef (John Bowler).
MID-ARGYLL: a Grasshopper Warbler reeling at Cairnbaan all week (Jim Dickson). I was chuffed to see my first Crossbill (male) in the forestry at Ardcastle point today (Joan Thomson).
19th July
TIREE: a Swift at Ruaig sliabh (Christian Verstraete) and 2 Swifts near the Glebe (Martin Finnigan).
ISLAY: small numbers of Swifts noted on the island (per Ian Brooke).
NORTH ARGYLL: Robin Harvey got this photo on 18 Jul of a Ringed Plover chick (one of two chicks) on Tralee beach and assures us the birds were not disturbed or agitated.
18th July
MID-ARGYLL: at Ruadh Sgeir in the Sound of Gigha off Carsaig with Dougie Menzies a count of 1,000+ roosting 2CY Kittiwakes, nesting Shags, Cormorants and approx. 300 Common Terns (Jim Dickson).
TIREE: three Swifts at Ceann a’ Mhara, 1 Swift at Sandaig and a Grasshopper Warbler reeling at Balephuil (John Bowler).
17th July
MID-ARGYLL: a Little Gull still at the Add Estuary with 2 Swifts there and 6 Swifts over Loch Gilp (Jim Dickson).
TIREE: 1 Pale-bellied Brent Goose at Loch a’ Phuill, 89 Sanderlings, 9 Dunlins, 3 Bar-tailed Godwits and 420 Arctic Terns (50 x 2CY birds) at Gott Bay (John Bowler).
15th July
MID-ARGYLL: an adult Little Gull was new at the Add Estuary, also 2 ad Common Terns and 2 juv Black-headed Gulls there with 20+ ads. At Loch Gilp a mass of hirundines feeding low over the exposed mud with 100+ Swallows, 20 Sand Martins and 8 House Martins, also 3 Swifts over the loch. Also 80+ Black-headed Gulls with several juvs and 30+ Common Terns (Jim Dickson). A Whimbrel was at Keillmore today (John Aitchison).
KINTYRE: an adult male Merlin was at Cour (N of Carradale) today (Alasdair Patterson).
JURA: a single Storm Petrel was seen from the Colonsay ferry off SE Jura (David Jardine).
13th July
TIREE: 1 Goldcrest and 1 reeling Grasshopper Warbler at Balephuil, 70 Golden Plovers at Barrapol, 1 ad Common Tern, 2 Great Skuas and 1f Red-breasted Merganser with brood/9 at Loch a’ Phuill (John Bowler).
12th July
KINTYRE: a migrant Willow Warbler in MSBO garden today (Eddie Maguire).
MID-ARGYLL: a male and female Hen Harrier plus Short-eared Owl hunting over the Moine Mhor early morning (Jim Dickson).
TIREE: two Ospreys flying near Milton pier (Tim Sawyer), 2 Black-tailed Godwits at Cornaigmore (John Bowler).
11th July
MID-ARGYLL: a single Whimbrel at Loch Gilp this morning (Jim Dickson).
KINTYRE: The first juv Black-headed Gulls and Sandwich Terns have appeared over the last few days. Seven Black-tailed Godwits going south along with a few Red Knots (3), Sanderlings (8), and a single Turnstone (Eddie Maguire).
9th July
ISLAY: Siskins at Kilchoman today with a Goldfinch being the odd one out. Also a Sparrowhawk…perhaps eyeing up a meal! (Ian Brooke).
TIREE: 19 Black-tailed Godwits and a surprise Pale-bellied Brent Goose at Loch a’ Phuill today (John Bowler) and 1 Greenfinch with 1 fledged young at Baugh (Bill Welstead).
MULL: a Black Swan again at Lochdon (Dave Pierce per Alan Spellman). 71 Black-tailed Godwits flying S over Treshnish Farm (Anand Prasad).
8th July
KINTYRE: the 2CY Iceland Gull showing well at Machrihanish SBO…now has a pale iris (Eddie Maguire).
TIREE: a Siskin at Balephuil and 1 Goldcrest at Carnan Mor – both very unusual mid-summer records here, also 1m Grasshopper Warbler still reeling at Balephuil and 1 Common Sandpiper at Sorobaidh Bay (John Bowler).
MID-ARGYLL: a m Grasshopper Warbler still reeling at Cairnbaan (Jim Dickson).
COWAL: 11 Black Guillemots counted at Dunoon Pier and 2 Sandwich Terns on the rocks(Alistair McGregor).
7th July
COWAL: some sightings around Glendaruel from Allister Hamilton; 1 Woodcock roding in the evening, Tree Pipits seen carrying food in three locations, 1 family of 5 Whinchats near the top third of the Glen and 2 pairs further down, N of Caravan Park, Blackcaps singing, 2 f Redstarts N of the caravan park; one 500m N and one 0.75 km N.
TIREE: 280 2CY Arctic Terns at The Green, also 14 Little Terns there (John Bowler).
MULL: six Greenshanks at Salen Bay (Dave Pierce per Alan Spellman).
6th July
MID-ARGYLL: a pair of Crossbills were at Leac na Ban farm, south of Bellanoch (Alex Hamilton per Morag Rea). John Aitchison reports two successful Barn Owl nests in the Crinan and Scotnish areas recently.
5th July
MID-ARGYLL: at least 3 family groups of Grey Wagtails seen around the Moine Mhor area this morning (Slockavullin, Dalvore and Ballymeanoch), an Osprey fishing at the Add Estuary and a Redstart in song at Tayness/Slockavullin (Jim Dickson).
4th July
MID-ARGYLL: at Keills John Aitchison noted 60 mostly juv Starlings being chased by a Peregrine, also 2 Swifts there. Nearby along the coast of Isle of Danna there were 15 Swifts on the move south (Jane Smith per John Aitchison).
MULL: a Greenshank was at Craignure Bay and an adult Slavonian Grebe was at the head of Loch na Keal (Dave Pierce per Alan Spellman).
COWAL: at Knockdow Estate there were 3-4 adult Moorhens with up to a total of 9 young, also 2 broods of Little Grebes (Alistair McGregor & George Newall).
3rd July
MULL: two Crossbills overhead at Glengorm (Stuart Gibson per Alan Spellman).
COWAL: Tom Callan reports a considerable influx of Crossbills around the Otter Ferry area as evidenced by the extent of stripping of Larch cones. Also he had a count of over 80 Goosanders at Loch Riddon on 2 July.
2nd July
MID-ARGYLL: John & Julie Sutton noted a Greenfinch at feeders in their garden at Lochgair, nr Glashan Burn and is there first record there since 2015 and also their first ever garden record of House Sparrow!
MULL: a report yesterday of a 2CY Iceland Gull at Knockvologan (per Alan Spellman).
1st July
NORTH ARGYLL: Moorhens have bred at Benderloch gravel pits (Robin Harvey). Remains a scarce species on the Argyll mainland…
COWAL: a report from Clive McKay of a Honey -buzzard he saw in Cowal yesterday…await more details…
MID-ARGYLL: at Keills, Loch na Cille John Aitchison reports lots of species with young now in the area including a female Red-breasted Merganser with 4 small ducklings, Grasshopper Warbler reeling near the old Chapel with Wheatears nesting there, Red-throated Divers noted on the loch, Spotted Flycatcher towards Tayvallich and 14 Mistle Thrushes and a female Redstart recently.
30th June
MID-ARGYLL: at the Moine Mhor early morning: Short-eared Owl hunting, female Hen Harrier hunting, 2 Linnets, several Lesser Redpolls, a Whitethroat and a family of Whinchats. Also an adult and 2CY male Hen Harrier there recently and 3 Grasshopper Warblers reeling (Jon Close/Jim Dickson).
28th June
TIREE: An adult Little Grebe at Loch Riaghain, 1 Robin at Balephuil – also pair Swallow with f/4 there and pair Common Redpoll with f/2+, 4 Bar-tailed Godwits including 1 in full summer plumage at Gott Bay, also 820 Arctic Terns there including 600+ 2CY birds, 1 Great Skua over The Reef and a pair of Greenfinches with f/1+ at The Glebe (not always an annual breeder here). 1 Siskin at Balephuil on 27 Jun – is unusual in summer on Tiree (John Bowler).
ISLAY: the male Velvet Scoter is back at Easter Ellister, seen yesterday, but no female Common Scoter with it (Peter Roberts).
MID-ARGYLL: a Short-eared Owl seen again at the Moine Mhor today (Jon Close).
KINTYRE: I spotted a Jay while driving nr Clachan. I’m not a birdwatcher but thought this was rare (Dave Campbell). Many thanks for this record Dave…they can be a bit secretive and views are often just brief glimpses (Jim D).
26th June
ISLAY: the adult male Rose-coloured Starling is still at Laphroaig today (photos taken on 24 Jun below) and the drake Ring-necked Duck remains at Loch Finalaggan (per Ian Brooke).
MID-ARGYLL: Errol Crutchfield got this image (below) of a Tawny Owl at Ormsary taken late on 25 Jun.
25th June
MID-ARGYLL: a short walk around Dunadd Hill Fort this morning was productive with no less than 8 Whinchats (4 ads+ 4 juvs), 2 Stonechats, 4 Lesser Redpolls, a juv Twite, 2 Whitethroats, 2 Spotted Flycatchers, 2 Mistle Thrush and several Willow Warblers. Nearby at Dalvore Wood were singing Blackcap and a Wood Warbler, also 2 Spotted Flycatchers, and more Whinchats at Drimvore, Dalvore, Crinan Ferry Road and Islandadd Road, with at least 12 pairs in the area recently (Jim Dickson).
A Monarch butterfly was found by Janet Jardine in their garden this morning….an exceptionally odd record in summer, presumably released? (Janet & David Jardine).
TIREE: 5 Golden Plover fresh in at Sandaig, an early return (John Bowler).
24th June
ISLAY: the Rose-coloured Starling is still at Laphroaig today (Gary Turnbull). A male Velvet Scoter paired with a female Common Scoter on the sea at Port Charlotte, presumably the once captive birds at Easter Ellister seen in recent years (Mike Peacock).
TIREE: a sea-watch from Aird in W6 with squalls 15.15-16.15hrs (all heading west): 1,749 Manx Shearwaters, 264 Arctic Terns, 168 Gannets, 96 large auks, 36 Kittiwakes, 21 Little Terns and 6 Fulmars (John Bowler).
23rd June
ISLAY: the Rose-coloured Starling is still present at/just outside Laphroaig today, seen by Ian & Margaret Brooke.
MULL: a Red-necked Phalarope was seen on the sea between Iona and Staffa yesterday morning then flew towards Loch Scridain (per Birdguides).
22nd June
KINTYRE: at Machrihanish SBO today; a Whimbrel flew south calling, a Little Tern was by the Arctic Tern colony and the regular 2CY Iceland Gull was seen many times (Eddie Maguire). Yesterday at Balloch Farm (Laggan) 2 Quail were heard and one was seen and a belated report of a pair of Garganey at Strath Farm (The Laggan) on 25 May (Malcolm Blanchflower per Eddie Maguire).
TIREE: an adult Curlew Sandpiper was new at Loch a’ Phuill, also 2 Great Skuas there and 1 Woodpigeon was new in at Balephuil (John Bowler).
21st June
KINTYRE: at Machrihanish SBO today the long-staying 2CY Iceland Gull (from 16th May) is still present. The May / June duckling productivity so far includes 8 broods / 55 ‘Shelducklings‘ (mean brood size = 6.8) and the Common Eiders now have 5 broods / 19 ducklings (mean brood size = 3.8) (Eddie Maguire).
ISLAY: a report of a Rose-coloured Starling at Laphroaig today but require further details (per Ian Brooke).
20th June
MID-ARGYLL: a Little Egret has been at the north end of Loch Craignish lagoon, Ardfern for the past two days (Jan Brown). At Cairnbaan today a pair of Spotted Flycatchers, singing Garden and Grasshopper Warblers and a Blackcap but the highlight was an imm White-tailed Eagle over the house at mid-day. A pair of Spotted Flycatchers in Jon Close’s garden at Carsaig.
ISLAY: the drake Ring-necked Duck is still on Loch Finlaggan (per Ian Brooke).
18th June
MID-ARGYLL: a report of a Short-eared Owl seen in the Moine Mhor area on 17 Jun (John Halliday). A report of a Hobby from 15 Jun has been submitted – seen chasing a martin in the Loch Leathan area (Chris & Rob Blackwell/Jock Hunter).
COLONSAY/ORONSAY: reports coming in of up to three different Quail sightings in the last week or so, one from Oronsay, two from Colonsay (per David Jardine).
17th June
TIREE: photos have now appeared of the Rose-coloured Starling that was reported from The Green on 3 Jun (Iain Macdonald per John Bowler).
MID-ARGYLL: Malcolm Chattwood noted a distant tern at his inland BBS square this morning, about 5 miles N of Lochgilphead however the identity is not certain. No further sign of the Common Rosefinch nr Crinan today. Now 4 Bar-tailed Godwits at Loch Gilp (Jim Dickson).
COWAL: three Puffins were noted in Loch Fyne opposite Minard today.
16th June
MID-ARGYLL: a report of an adult male Common Rosefinch seen yesterday at about 4pm near Crinan ( towards end of at the B841 at NR792936). It was on the road and initially looked injured but flew off when approached to within 1 metre (Robin & Rachel Hamilton).
TIREE: a 2CY Little Gull at Loch a’ Phuill with ca 120 Kittiwakes (many 2CY birds) and 40 Arctic Terns (8 x 2CY birds) (John Bowler).
15th June
COLONSAY: a Greenish Warbler was seen and recorded singing at Loch Turraman this morning (Ian Fisher, David & Janet Jardine, Martin Davison, Anne Middleton). There are two previous Argyll records both in Kintyre, in 1983 and 1987.
14th June
MID-ARGYLL: at Loch Gilp today 3 Long-tailed Ducks (summer male and female and a female type in transition) also 4 Gannets feeding in the loch, 3 Bar-tailed Godwits, several Eiders with ducklings, 2 Red-throated Divers and 14 Red-breasted Mergansers. At least 70 Common Guillemots off Ardrishaig flying up Loch Fyne (Jim Dickson).
COLONSAY: breeding of Great Skua was confirmed for the first time on Colonsay (it has bred on Oronsay) (Martin Davison/David Jardine).
13th June
MID-ARGYLL: at the Moine Mhor (from Drimvore to Crinan Ferry) several parties of Whinchats and Stonechats with juvs, also juv Grey Wagtail and several juv Pied Wagtails about now. Still 2 Bar-tailed Godwits at Loch Gilp (Jim Dickson).
12th June
KINTYRE: at Machrihanish SBO more seabirds moving than of recent with good numbers of Manx Shearwaters and Common Guillemots, also 4 Storm Petrels. The 2CY Iceland Gull is still present (Eddie Maguire/Jim Dickson).
ISLAY: the drake Ring-necked Duck is still present at Loch Finlaggan (Toby Green).
MID-ARGYLL: 2 Bullfinch, 35 Siskins and a group of 10 Long-tailed Tits were at Cairnbaan.
11th June
MID-ARGYLL: a Garden Warbler in song and also carrying food beside the Crinan canal bird hide at the Add Estuary (Jim Dickson).
9th June
COWAL: on the crossing from Tarbert to Potavadie Neil Hammatt saw 2 adult Arctic Skuas (originally posted as Long-tailed, now re-id’d from photos) flying N up Loch Fyne.
KINTYRE: 300+ Manx Shearwaters in waters between Arran and Skipness late morning (Jim Dickson).
8th June
JURA: Angela Harrell has sent through some sightings from Jura over the last few days and include 2 male Hen Harriers, 2 Short-eared Owls, 6 different Cuckoos and today a Whimbrel at Ardfin with another Short-eared Owl there.
KINTYRE: Clive McKay has sent in a photo of the Reed Bunting nest with a Cuckoo egg he found near Campbeltown in late May.
COWAL: Neil Hammatt has just been told of two areas where Pied Flycatchers have nested this year; at Glenbranter and at Kenmore, Loch Lomond (Clyde)….presumably they are very under recorded in Argyll so all reports very welcome.
7th June
KINTYRE: a Lesser Whitethroat was heard singing (and was recorded), in hawthorn next to Cnoc Ban, 100 yds north of Southend church (Neil Hammatt).
COWAL: the Rose-coloured Starling was seen again at Kirn, Holy Loch area on Tues 30 May with excellent photos taken by Lizzy Owen (per Alison Ireland).
5th June
TIREE: 1 ad Little Stint again at Loch a’ Phuill also 1 ad Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Knots, 22 Redshanks and 12+ Dunlins there and 2 Sandwich Terns at The Green. A report of a “pink” starling at The Green on 3 June and awaiting photos that were taken of it (John Bowler).