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

23rd August

Tiree: 3 Ruff, 2 Greenshank and 7 Black-tailed Godwits on floods at Baugh (John Bowler), also 1 Sandwich Tern and 1 Whimbrel at Caoles (Kevin Rylands).

KINTYRE: At Strath farm pool (The Laggan) – 41 Black-tailed Godwits and 4 Ruff (Eddie Maguire).
MID-ARGYLL: At the Add Estuary/Moine Mhor – mixed flock of 60+ Ringed Plovers and Dunlins, also 1 Lapwing, a 1w Wheatear, a juv Whinchat, 10+ Stonechats and a flock of 55 Goldfinch (Jim Dickson). On the Isle of Luing – c120 alba Wagtails (including White Wags) at Kilchattan and 1 juv Black-tailed Godwit at Blackmill Bay (David Jardine).
TIREE: 1 Shelduck at Loch a’ Phuill (Kevin Rylands), 5 Black-tailed Godwits at Vaul and 103 Swallows hawking over The Reef (John Bowler).

Juv Whinchat – Moine Mhor 22 Aug (Jim Dickson).

Ruff and Black-tailed Godwits – The Laggan, Kintyre 22 Aug (Eddie Maguire).

Ruff – The Laggan, Kintyre 22 Aug (Eddie Maguire).

21st August

MID-ARGYLL: Now 3 Wigeon at the head of Loch Gilp. A Whinchat and a Whitethroat at the Add Estuary -no sign of the Marsh Harrier (Jim Dickson).

20th August

TIREE: a Pectoral Sandpiper this afternoon at Loch a’ Phuill, also 55 Black-tailed Godwits and 6 Ruff (John Bowler).1 Common Sandpiper at Balemartine (Kevin Rylands).
MID-ARGYLL: At the Add Estuary this morning – 1 ad male White Wagtail, 39 Ringed Plovers and 47 Dunlins (Jim Dickson).
KINTYRE: At Strath farm pool (The Laggan) – 14 Black-tailed Godwits and 1 Ruff (Eddie Maguire).

Mallards – Crinan, Mid-Argyll 20 Aug (Jim Dickson).

19th August

MID-ARGYLL: A single eclipse drake Wigeon at the head of Loch Gilp today (Jim Dickson).
ISLAY: Off Frenchman’s Rocks this morning in WNW F6-7 produced – 1,435 Manx Shearwaters 340 Gannets, 41 Fulmars, 6 Kittiwakes, 2 Whimbrels, 4 Great Skuas, 1 Arctic Skua (dark phase) and 14 Shags (Mike Peacock/Peter Roberts/Martin Armstrong) also Mike saw a Greenshank at Port Charlotte earlier flying up Loch Indaal.
TIREE: A sea-watch from Aird 1220-1320hrs in WNW F7 produced – 2 Storm Petrels, 1 Arctic Skua, 10 Great Skuas, 1 Black Guillemot, 2 Kittiwakes, 24 Fulmars, 106 Gannets and 495 Manx Shearwaters (John Bowler). Also a tight group of 25 Redshanks at The Green (Kevin Rylands).

18th August

KINTYRE: Still one Little Egret at Kennacraig early morning (Val Wells) and roosting there at 11am (Jim Dickson).

Little Egret – Kennacraig 18 Aug (Jim Dickson).

MID-ARGYLL: A Kingfisher was on the Lusragan Burn in Connel this morning (Mike Harrison). At the Add Estuary/Moine Mhor today – the juv male Marsh Harrier is still hunting the land and shore immediately N of the estuary, also 2 Ospreys and 2 male Hen Harriers there (Jim Dickson/James Lehman/John Aitchison). Sue Chattwood saw 2 Swifts over Kilmichael Glassary, Lochgilphead today.
TIREE: 30 Black-tailed Godwits and 1 Whimbrel at Loch a’ Phuill, 9 Black-tailed Godwits flew west at Traigh Bhagh, also 1 Robin new in at Balephuil (John Bowler).

Marsh Harrier – Add Estuary 18 Aug (Jim Dickson).

Osprey – Moine Mhor 18 Aug (Jim Dickson).

17th August

MID-ARGYLL: The juvenile (male?) Marsh Harrier was again at the Add Estuary/ Moine Mhor around 4pm today…watched on the ground at distance of c 600 metres then it flew to pursue an Osprey! (Jim Dickson). Still present around 5.30pm when David Jardine saw it again and also managed some photos…
Over Oban this evening still at least 4 Swifts (Mike Anderson).

Marsh Harrier – Moine Mhor 17 Aug (David Jardine).

Marsh Harrier – Add Estuary 17 Aug (Jim Dickson).

Marsh Harrier pursuing an Osprey – Add Estuary 17 Aug (Jim Dickson).

16th August

TIREE: A seawatch off Hynish at lunchtime produced – 1 Balearic Shearwater, 4 Sooty Shearwaters, 3 Storm Petrel, 1 Arctic Skua and 1 Great Skua in amongst 1,530 Manx Shearwaters, 224 Gannets, 66 Fulmars, 35 Kittiwakes, 77 Shags and 16 large auks (John Bowler).
MID-ARGYLL: At the Add Estuary – 4 Dunlins and 9 Ringed Plovers also 2 Wheatears there (Jim Dickson).
KINTYRE: Have just heard that David Bridge and Val Wells saw 2 Little Egrets at Kennacraig bay on 1st August. Also m + f Hen Harriers seen from the Skipness road recently and a juv Cuckoo there on 24 Jul.

Juv Cuckoo being fed by Meadow Pipit – 24 Jul (David Bridge).

Moorhens – nr Crinan, Crinan Canal, Mid-Argyll 16 Aug (Jim Dickson).

14th August

ISLAY: Good luck to the Islay birders representing the various birding interests on Islay at the British Birdfair at Rutland Water this week.
KINTYRE: 15 Black-tailed Godwits at Strath Farm, The Laggan on 14 Aug (Eddie Maguire).
TIREE: 1 PB Brent Goose, 1 Gadwall and 1 Wigeon still at Loch a’ Phuill. 233 Sanderlings including the first 3 juveniles, 56 Common Terns (35 juvs) and 6 Arctic Terns (4 juvs) at Gott Bay (John Bowler).

13th August

MID-ARGYLL: at Lochgilphead Caravan Park a nice view of a pair of Pergerines flying over and calling to each other. Also a Sparrowhawk hunting along the hedge there (John McInally).
TIREE: 250 Golden Plovers at Barrapol. 1 Juv Corncrake at the Reef (John Bowler).

12th August

MULL: a report received from Felicity Hansen of a Nightjar calling briefly on the nights of 8-9 and 9-10 Aug in her garden at Dervaig.
MID-ARGYLL: A report of a female type Marsh Harrier today on the Moine Mhor moss from Dave Pearson. He saw it well (distinctly dark chocolate brown plumage, creamy head, no pale rump and larger than Hen Harrier) and was hunting for about 7 minutes. An Osprey on the sands at Loch Crinan while a 2CY male Hen Harrier flew over it…(Jim Dickson).
The Osprey was seen by John McInally upstream of the Islanadd bridge and a Greenshank was at the Add Estuary.
TIREE: 105 Dunlins Miodar-Vaul, 1m Corncrake still calling at Hough also 8 Bottle-nosed Dolphins in Gunna Sound (John Bowler).

11th August

MID-ARGYLL: at the Add Estuary/Loch Crinan a few waders arrived after over-night rain with 5 adult Black-tailed Godwits, 24 Dunlins and 7 Ringed Plovers. Also 80 Meadow Pipits at Drimvore and 70 at Dalvore (Moine Mhor), also 35 Goldfinches nr Crinan Ferry (Jim Dickson). Some recent photos (below) sent in from Morag Rea includes a garden visiting Short-tailed Vole that appears to have not had much luck….
TIREE: a Juvenile Ruff and 9 Black-tailed Godwits and 3 Whimbrels at Loch a’ Phuill, also 1 Gadwall, 1 PB Brent Goose and 1 Wigeon (John Bowler).

10th August

MID-ARGYLL: an Osprey was over Loch Gilp this evening (Anne Eustace).

Sparrowhawk – Tayvallich, Mid-Argyll (Morag Rea).

8th August

MID-ARGYLL: at least 15, possibly 20, Common Swifts over Argyll Square Oban this evening (Mike Anderson)….update from David Jardine – 18 were over Tescos at 18:50 hrs.
MULL: a Wood Sandpiper at Pennyghael on 5 August (seen on the ground and in flight, and also calling) on 5 August (Rob Strong per Alan Spellman).

7th August

TIREE: a Red Knot at Gott Bay (Kevin Rylands) and 1 Black-tailed Godwit at The Reef (John Bowler).

6th August

MID-ARGYLL: at the Add Estuary this morning a second-winter/sub-adult Little Gull, 9 Ringed Plovers, a Red Knot, 2 Swifts and a Short-eared Owl. Nearby at Crinan a single Garden Warbler and a Moorhen (Jim Dickson).
COWAL: a report of a Little Egret at the head of Loch Long late evening on 4 Aug and there again on the 5 Aug but not today (Ian Millar)…perhaps the same bird that was at the Holy Loch recently?
KINTYRE: a Little Egret and a Greenshank were at the Kennacraig ferry terminal bay on 4 Aug (per Ian Brooke).
TIREE: an adult Red-throated Diver, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Greenshank and 4 Whooper Swans at Loch a’ Phuill (John Bowler/Kevin Rylands) also a probable Pectoral Sandpiper there but only seen in flight (with a Dunlin heading off NW) and didn’t call…..2 Arctic Skuas and 1 Great Skua between Coll and Tiree (John Bowler).

Little Egret – Loch Long, Cowal 4 Aug (Ian Millar).

Common, Black-headed & Little Gull – Add Estuary 6 Aug (Jim Dickson).

4th August

MID-ARGYLL: a report of possible nesting Kingfishers at Dubh Loch, NE of Inveraray at the head of Glen Shira this summer has just come to light (Ruth Morely per Carl Farmer).
COWAL: Alistair McGregor reports that the Little Egret was still at the head of the Holy Loch last evening – also 8 Sandwich and 1 Common Tern there. Tom Callan reported a flock of Goosanders with a minimum of 95 at Loch Riddon.
ISLAY: a flock of 11 small geese, presumed Brents was seen off the Rhinns, Islay today. An exceptionally early date for this species with early birds usually appearing mid-to late August (Mike Peacock/ Peter Roberts).

3rd August

MID-ARGYLL: around the Moine Mhor and Add Estuary this morning – a Short-eared Owl hunting, 4 Common Sandpipers, 2 Whinchats, a juv Whitethroat, 6 Linnets, 160+ Meadow Pipits and 24 (mostly juvs) Pied Wagtails (Jim Dickson).

Common Whitethroat – Moine Mhor, Mid-Argyll 3 Aug (Jim Dickson).

Short-eared Owl – Moine Mhor, Mid-Argyll 3 Aug (Jim Dickson).

Pied Wagtail – Moine Mhor, Mid-Argyll 3 Aug (Jim Dickson).

2nd August

MID-ARGYLL: four juv Black-tailed Godwits new in at Loch Crinan this morning and nearby at the Add Estuary still 2 Greenshanks and 2 Common Sandpipers (Jim Dickson). On Luing…at least 4 Whimbrels and 28 Dunlins at Toberonochy this evening (David Jardine).

1st August

COWAL: a Little Egret has been at the head of the Holy Loch since Saturday 29th July and an Osprey there today (Alistair McGregor).
MID-ARGYLL: a single Whimbrel at Loch Gilp this morning (Jim Dickson). Five Swifts over Oban this evening (Mike Anderson).

Little Egret – Holy Loch, Cowal 29 Jul (Alistair McGregor).

31 July

MULL: a report of a Reed Warbler seen well by a client on Pete Hall’s wildlife tours. It was in reeds at Ardvergnish. Await full details but would be a first for Mull if accepted by the ABRC.

30th July

TIREE: a Great Skua at Traigh Bhaigh yesterday (photo below) and ca100 Puffins off Coll on the Oban-Coll ferry (David Jardine). Today: a Juv Wood Sandpiper still on small lochan at Milton today. 16 ad Black-tailed Godwits at Salum, 5 Greenshanks at Loch a’ Phuill and 273 Sanderlings counted around the coast (John Bowler).
MID-ARGYLL: at the Add Estuary this morning – 2 Greenshanks, 27 Dunlins, 2 Ringed Plovers, 2 Common Sandpipers, 1 Red Knot, 150+ Meadow Pipits, 4 Wheatears. At Loch Gilp – 3 Bar-tailed Godwits, 65 Common Terns and a Common Whitethroat (Jim Dickson).

Greenshanks – Add Estuary, Mid-Argyll 30 Jul (Jim Dickson).

Great Skua with GBB Gull – Traigh Bhaigh 29 Jul (David Jardine).

Black-tailed Godwits – Salum, Tiree 30 Jul (John Bowler).

28th July

MID-ARGYLL: six adult Red Knots were new at Loch Crinan today, also 2 Dunlin, 2 Common Sandpipers and a s/p Turnstone at the Add Estuary. Also a single Swift over Cairnbaan (Jim Dickson). An egret was seen today at the bay (Loch Beag) in front of Craignish Castle nr. Ardfern and perhaps the Little Egret seen nearby in June (Rachael Mackenzie).
COLL: a report of a Kingfisher at Arinagour on 16 July (per Ben Jones/John Bowler).
ISLAY: a Grasshopper Warbler ‘reeling’ at Foreland this morning (Peter & Pia Roberts per Ian Brooke).
TIREE: a Wood Sandpiper at Milton (Christian Verstraete), 4 Greenshanks and 1 Pale-bellied Brent at Loch a’ Phuill and1 juv Cuckoo at Balephuil (John Bowler).

Juv Willow Warbler – Add Estuary, Mid-Argyll 28 Jul (Jim Dickson).

26th July

COWAL: Alistair McGregor got some photos of a Sandwich Tern catching Sand Eels off Coal Pier, Dunoon and doing a bit of acrobatics…
MID-ARGYLL: still a Grasshopper Warbler reeling at Cairnbaan, also Chaffinch post-breeding numbers building up with 45 there. A total of 60+ House Sparrows counted in the Letterdail area of Cairnbaan. At Loch Crinan a single Turnstone in summer plumage and at least 60-70 Swallows there. At least 6 fledged Common Terns on the mud at Loch Gilp (Jim Dickson).

Sandwich Tern – Dunoon, Cowal 26 Jul (Alistair McGregor).

25th July

ISLAY: a single Greenshank at Loch Indaal and a reeling Grasshopper Warbler at Coastguards, Machir Bay (per Ian Brooke).

23rd July

MID-ARGYLL: Morag Rea sent in a couple of good photos taken recently of Great Spotted Woodpeckers at Tayvallich.

Juv Great Spotted Woodpecker – Tayvallich, Mid-Argyll (Morag Rea).

Fem + juv Great Spotted Woodpecker – Tayvallich, Mid-Argyll (Morag Rea).

22nd July

MID-ARGYLL: at the Add Estuary this morning – 2 juv Greenshanks new in, also 1 Whimbrel, 5 Dunlins and 2 Common Sandpipers (Jim Dickson).

Juv Wren – Add Estuary, Mid-Argyll 22 Jul (Jim Dickson).

Wren – Add Estuary, Mid-Argyll 22 Jul (Jim Dickson).

21st July

MID-ARGYLL: at Loch Gilp today – 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Whimbrel, 42 Black-headed Gulls and 45 Common Terns (Jim Dickson).

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.

Ringed Plover chick – Tralee, North Argyll 18 Jul (Robin Harvey).

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).

Shags – Ruadh Sgeir, Sound of Jura 18 Jul (Jim Dickson).

2CY Kittiwakes- Ruadh Sgeir, Sound of Jura 18 Jul (Jim Dickson).

Common Terns – Ruadh Sgeir, Sound of Jura 18 Jul (Jim Dickson).

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).

Lesser Redpoll – Cowal 12 Jul (Alistair McGregor).

Willow Warbler – Machrihanish SBO, Kintyre 12 Jul (Eddie Maguire).

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).

Sparrowhawk – Kilchoman, Islay 9 Jul (Ian Brooke).

Siskins & Goldfinch – Kilchoman, Islay 9 Jul (Ian Brooke).

Red-breasted Merganser – Dunoon, Cowal 9 Jul (Alistair McGregor).

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).

Black Guillemots – Dunoon, Cowal 8 Jul (Alistair McGregor).

Grasshopper Warbler – Balephuil, Tiree 8 Jul (John Bowler).

Iceland Gull – MSBO, Kintyre 8 Jul (Eddie Maguire).

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.