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

19th October

MID-ARGYLL: A male Brambling was amongst the Chaffinches in my garden in Connel this morning and a male Yellowhammer this afternoon (Mike Harrison). At Loch Gilp this morning – the Little Egret still present, 2 Pale-b Brents and 6 Shelducks were new in. At Cairnbaan 18 Fieldfares and 4 Redwings flew over. At the Add Estuary 3 Gadwall (2mm, 1 f) so different from the group at Loch Gilp on 17 Oct (Jim Dickson). Another Brambling today…this time at Glenfyne Park, Ardrishaig in a small Chaffinch flock (Colin McFarlane).

Yellowhammer – Connel, Mid-Argyll 19 Oct (Mike Harrison).

Brambling – Connel, Mid-Argyll 19 Oct (Mike Harrison).

Little Egret – Loch Gilp, Mid-Argyll 19 Oct (Jim Dickson).

18th October

MID-ARGYLL: Viewed from Ormsary (Loch Caolisport) were a Pomarine and an Arctic Skua off the Point of Knap today (Stu Crutchfield).

17th October

TIREE: Very busy sea-watch off Aird in NW7-8 with squalls 0755-0855 hrs: 1 juv Long-tailed Skua, 3 juv Sabine’s Gulls, 1 Pomarine Skua, 2 Lesser BB Gulls, 7 Arctic Skua (3 light-phase), 3 Manx Shearwaters, 15 Great Skuas, 3 Red-t Divers, 48 GN Divers, 3 Black Guillemot, 48 Eider, 154 Gannets, 1550 Kittiwakes and 4390 large auks. 30 Whooper Swans at Loch an Eilein and scattered groups of Redwing around the island, also a Brambling at Balephuil (John Bowler).
MID-ARGYLL: At Loch Gilp today – the 1w American Wigeon still there, also 3 Gadwall (m + 2ff), a Little Egret, 9 Barnacle Geese over and 3 1w Lesser BB Gulls. At the Add Estuary – a f/imm Goldeneye (first of autumn there), 4 Goosander, an adult Lesser BB Gull and 3 Jays (Jim Dickson).
KINTYRE: A Sea-watch at MSBO 08:00-15:00hrs (7hrs). F8 / light squalls >S in gale included 7 Whooper Swans, 2 Barnacle Geese, 7 Gadwall, a Long tailed Duck, 9 Red-throated Divers, 21 Great Northern Divers, a Leach’s Petrel, 27 adult / 4 juvenile Northern Gannets, 2 Manx Shearwaters, 2 Grey Plovers, 35 Ringed Plovers, 170 Sanderlings, 6 Great Skuas, 3 juvenile Pomarine Skuas, 2 juvenile Arctic Skuas, 240 Black-legged Kittiwakes, a 2cy Glaucous Gull and 7 Arctic Terns (Eddie Maguire).

Gadwall – Loch Gilp, Mid-Argyll 17 Oct (Jim Dickson).

Great Skua – MSBO, Kintyre 17 Oct (Eddie Maguire).

Leach’s Petrel – MSBO, Kintyre 17 Oct (Eddie Maguire).

Glaucous Gull – MSBO, Kintyre 17 Oct (Eddie Maguire).

Little Egret – Loch Gilp, Mid-Argyll 17 Oct (Jim Dickson).

16th October

TIREE: Obvious arrival overnight with easterly winds: 200+ Redwings, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Brambling, 2m Blackcap, 12+ Common Redpolls, 10 Goldfinch, 1 Chiffchaff and 1 Goldcrest at Balephuil plus 45 Greenland White-fronts and 15 Whooper Swans heading south there. 123 Whoopers and 52 Tufted Ducks at Loch a’ Phuill plus 12 Barnacle Geese over SE also 20 Redwings at Meningie, 50 Redwings at Balinoe and 1 Wheatear at the Reef (John Bowler).

Common Redpoll – Balephuil, Tiree 16 Oct (John Bowler).

Mistle Thrush – Balephuil, Tiree 16 Oct (John Bowler).

15th October

Islay/Kintyre: A late Storm Petrel from the ferry S off Jura this afternoon followed by another NE off Gigha (Clive McKay).
TIREE: Flocks of 22, 6, 60 and 4 Whooper Swans, 90+ Barnacle Geese in flocks of up to 32, and 12 and 4 Greenland White-fronts all heading over south. 60+ Redwing, 1 Woodcock, 5 Goldfinch and 1 Common Redpoll at Carnan Mor. 2 ad and 1 juv Moorhen at Sandaig. 2 Chiffchaff, 1m Blackcap, 1 Dunnock, 2 Goldcrest and 4 Common Redpoll at Balephuil (John Bowler).
ORONSAY: 1 Snow Bunting, groups of 18, 9, & 42 Whooper Swans and 2, 21 Greenland White-fronts all heading south. Also 3 P-b Brents, 1 Common Tern, 1 Jackdaw (rare here), and a chatter of 15 Chough (Morgan Vaughan).

Snow Bunting – Oronsay, Colonsay 15 Oct (Morgan Vaughan).

Choughs – Oronsay, Colonsay 15 Oct (Morgan Vaughan).

14th October

MID-ARGYLL: The 1w American Wigeon still at Loch Gilp today (David Jardine/Jim Dickson). A pair of Mandarin at Loch a’ Chroiag, Ford and a single Long-tailed Duck at Loch Ederline (David Jardine).
KINTYRE: The Little Egret was seen again this morning at Kennacraig (Val Wells).

American Wigeon – Loch Gilp, Mid-Argyll 14 Oct (Jim Dickson).

13th October

MID-ARGYLL: A wonderful sighting of a Barn Owl at Loch Dun Caltuinn (Whooper Loch to me!) near Carsaig (Lottie Goodlet). A productive walk up the hill south of Cairnbaan to Dail Loch included – 12 Redwings, 28 Lesser Redpolls, 18 + 40 Goldfinch, 4 Siskins, 60+ Chaffinch, 2 + 4 Bullfinch, 8 Goldcrest, 1 Jay, also the House Martin is still about.. (Jim Dickson).
KINTYRE: Driving to Skipness we were treated to a spectacular hunting display by the Hen Harrier. We also saw a Black Grouse (Val Wells).
COWAL: A Whimbrel was at the head of the Holy Loch, Dunoon today (Alistair McGregor).

Whimbrel – Holy Loch, Cowal 13 Oct (Alistair McGregor).

12th October

MID-ARGYLL: A Swallow and a House Martin spent over an hour feeding above Cairnbaan this afternoon. Small numbers of Redwings now dotted around the woods nr the Argyll & Bute Hospital (Jim Dickson).

11th October

MID-ARGYLL: A Red Kite today on Seil island (Wendy Raine).
KINTYRE: A female Hen Harrier again nr Spion Kop/ B8001 (Val Wells). Sea-watching at the Machrihanish SBO quiet with only 2 juv Northern Gannets >S. Also the 2CY Iceland Gull turned up again, a Grey Heron got very close to the Observatory and 6 Grey Wagtails and 12 Twite were present (Eddie Maguire).
TIREE: 2 Pink-footed Geese new at Balephetrish, also 126 Barnacle Geese there. First Goldeneye of the autumn at Loch a’ Phuill plus 1 juv/f Scaup there.1 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Goldcrest, 3 Chaffinch, 6 Goldfinch and 1 Dunnock at Balephuil. Flock of 320 Linnet at the Reef. 1 Redwing at Balinoe (John Bowler).

Iceland Gull – MSBO, Kintyre 11 Oct (Eddie Maguire).

Grey Heron – MSBO, Kintyre 11 Oct (Eddie Maguire).

Grey Wagtail – MSBO, Kintyre 11 Oct (Eddie Maguire).

10th October

COWAL: 2 Swallows and 3 Redwings noted in the Dunoon area today, also 2 Purple Sandpipers at the ‘Crazy golf’ (Alistair McGregor/George Newall).
MID-ARGYLL: Seeing more flocks of Long-tailed Tits around e.g. 9 in Cairnbaan, 7 at Bellanoch and 15 nr Lochgilphead caravan park (Jim Dickson).

9th October

MID-ARGYLL: The Little Egret first seen a few months back at the Loch Craignish lagoon, Ardfern has been coming and going and seen again on Sat 7 Oct during a WeBS count. Also today saw first flock of Redwings and Fieldfares. (Ju Randall). The 1w male American Wigeon again on Loch Gilp this morning (Jim Dickson). At least 5 Redwings were flocking with about 20 Mistle Thrushes near Connel this morning (Mike Harrison).
COWAL: A group of 9 Redwings in a garden at Bischop’s Glen, Dunoon today….also a few Goldfinches still about in juvenile plumage (George Newall).
TIREE: At Loch a’ Phuill today on WeBS count – 1 juv Scaup, 33 Greenland White-fronts, 31 Whoopers and 1 Coot at Loch a’ Phuill – also 2 Gadwall, 3 Pintail, 32 Tufted Duck and 14 Shoveler there. Highlights elsewhere included – 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 2 Goldcrest, 4 Goldfinch, 5 Common Redpoll at Balephuil, 5 Swallow, 5 Redwing, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 2m Blackcap, 1 Goldcrest and 3 Dunnock at the Glebe,15 Greenland White-fronts at the Reef and 38 Barnacle Geese at Balephetrish (John Bowler).
NORTH ARGYLL: A Greenshank at Dalrannoch, Loch Crearan on WeBS count today (Robin Harvey).

1w American Wigeon – Loch Gilp, Mid-Argyll 9 Oct (Jim Dickson).

8th October

TIREE: A Grey Wagtail and a Kestrel were new in at Balephuil today (John Bowler).
MID-ARGYLL: At Loch Gilp this am – a single Greenshank, 11 Bar-tailed Gowits and 1 Grey Wagtail. Also a single House Martin in Cairnbaan (Jim Dickson). At Loch Fyne south of Ardrishaig – 90 Gannets and 80 Manx Shearwaters in part of a feeding frenzy on the loch, also of interest during a WeBS count there – 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Swallows, 4 Red-throated Divers and a Willow Warber (Alan Dykes).
KINTYRE: The Little Egret was seen again at Kennacraig today (Ian Brooke).

6th October

MID-ARGYLL: A Magpie was in a Lochgilphead garden today (Carol Allan)….always a good find away from the Cowal area…
TIREE: A Lesser Whitethroat new at Kenovay with a Willow Warbler (Jim Dickson). 1 juv Little Stint briefly at Balephetrish Bay, 1w male Ring-necked Duck still at Loch a’ Phuill am with 25 Whooper Swans but not found pm (John Bowler), also 1 juv Greater Scaup, 6 Pintail, 12 Shovelers and 3 Black-tailed Godwits there pm (Jim Dickson). 1 Lapland Bunting flew south over Barrapol, 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Goldcrest, 1m Blackcap, 2 Chaffinch, 2 Goldfinch and 5 Common Redpoll at Balephuil / Carnan Mor. 1m Blackcap, 2 Goldcrest and 2 Chaffinch at An Airidh, Cornaigmore (John Bowler). 4 Great Skua, 1 Arctic Skua, 124 Kittiwake, 1 GN Diver, 2 Manx Shearwaters, 2 Wigeon and 1 Barnacle Goose passed off Hough Bay 08:50- 9:20 (Jim Dickson).

Twite – Port Fada, Tiree 6 Oct (Jim Dickson).

juv Gannet – Balephetrish, Tiree 6 Oct (Jim Dickson).

Lesser Whitethroat – Kenovay, Tiree 6 Oct (Jim Dickson).

5th October

TIREE: Sea-watch from Aird 0730-0830 in NW6-7 (all heading W): 1 Pomarine Skua, 8 Arctic Skua, 3 Great Skuas, 3 Manx Shearwaters, 4 Great Northern Divers, 6 Scaup, 1 Tystie, 64 Kittiwake, 269 Gannet and 365 large auk (John Bowler/Jim Dickson). 1 Yellow-browed Warbler still at the Glebe with a Redwing, Chiffchaff and Goldcrest plus a Greenshank over there. 3 Ruff at Scarinish. 4 juv Whooper Swans at Loch Bhasapol (Jim Dickson). 1 Jack Snipe at Baugh (Steph Cope).
KINTYRE: Sea-watch at Machrihanish SBO 09:00-15:00hrs WNW 5 with squalls: Grey Phalarope >S at 12:20 just after a squall, also a Pale-bellied Brent, 8 Barnacle Geese and 9 Red-throated Diver A Northern Wheatear was present and 29 Twite were trapped including 24 new birds colour-ringed and 5 retraps (Eddie Maguire).
ISLAY: Sea-watch Frenchman’s rocks 10:-12:00 NW 6: 2 Great Skua, 325 Kittiwake, 135 Auk sp, 4 Great Northern Diver, 2 Diver sp.,3 Common Scoter, 3 Long-tailed Duck, 137 Barnacle Goose (Mike Peacock).

Wheatear – Machrihanish SBO, Kintyre 5 Oct (Eddie Maguire).

Ruff- Scarinish, Tiree 5 Oct (Jim Dickson).

P-b Brent Goose – MSBO, Kintyre 5 Oct (Eddie Maguire).

4th October

TIREE: Sea-watch from Aird 0800-0900 in W7 produced (all heading W): 1 Leach’s Petrel, 1 Pomarine Skua, 1 Arctic Skua, 5 Great Skuas, 14 Manx Shearwaters, 4 GN Divers, 10 Kittiwake, 183 Gannets and 398 large auks. 9 Redwings, 1 Willow Warbler and 1 Goldcrest at Balephuil (John Bowler). 1 Yellow-browed Warbler again at The Glebe, also 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest and 1 Goldfinch there, plus 1 Common Redpoll over. Flocks of 110, 60 and 24 Barnacle Geese and 7 Whooper Swans south over the island. 1f Blackcap at Whitehouse, 2 Goldcrests at Vaul (Jim Dickson).
ISLAY: 6,550 Barnacle Geese arrived at Loch Gruinart (James How).

Whooper Swans – Balephetrish, Tiree 4 Oct (Jim Dickson).

Goldcrest – The Glebe, Tiree 4 Oct (Jim Dickson).

Yellow-browed Warbler – The Glebe, Tiree 4 Oct (Jim Dickson).

3rd October

COWAL: 3 Purple Sandpipers at Dunoon Crazy Golf today (George Newall).
TIREE: A 1 hr seawatch at Aird 7:30- 8:30 produced – 1 Leach’s Petrel, 2 Great Skuas, 17 Manx Shearwaters, 1 G N Diver, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 590 large auks, 135 Gannets and only 3 Kittiwakes. 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldfinch and 1 Goldcrest at The Glebe. 1w male Ring-necked Duck still at Loch a’ Phuill. 2 juv Black-tailed Godwits and 1 juv Knot at Sandaig (Jim Dickson).
ISLAY: Sea-watch at Frenchman’s rocks 0800 – 1200 NW 5-6: Red-throated Diver 3, Great Northern Diver 17, Diver sp. 12, Great Skua 1, Common Scoter 5, Whooper Swan 7, Barnacle geese 181. Merlin on the walk back and fem Hen Harrier over the crofts at Portnahaven (Mike Peacock). Geese arriving at Loch Gruinart today: Barnacles 1440, Pink-footed 14, PB Brents 26 (James How).

Golden Plover – Greenhill, Tiree 3 Oct (Jim Dickson).

Wheatear – Balephuil, Tiree 3 Oct (Jim Dickson).

Willow Warbler – The Glebe, Tiree 3 Oct (Jim Dickson).

2nd October

TIREE: A busy sea-watch from Aird this am in WNW 7-8 with squalls, totals in 2 hrs from 07:15hrs (all heading W) 2 Leach’s Petrel, 1 Grey Phalarope, 1 Pomarine Skua, 4 Arctic Skua, 18 GN Diver, 2 RT Diver, 33 Great Skuas, 69 Manx Shearwater, 139 Kittiwake, 4 Fulmar, 1380 Gannet, 3320 large auk, 1 PB Brents and 1 Long-tailed Duck (John Bowler with Jim Dickson later on). 1 Yellow-browed Warbler and 1 Willow Warbler at the Glebe ( Jim Dickson).
4 PB Brent at Sorobaidh Bay and 3 at Salum Bay. 1 juv Knot at Gott Bay. 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 5 Common Redpoll and 1 Goldcrest at Balephuil (John Bowler).
KINTYRE: Seawatch 07:30 – 15:30hrs / NW 6 > 8 with frequent squalls. Noteworthy gale species were 12 Leach’s Petrels, 2 Grey Phalaropes and 8 Great Skuas. A supporting cast included 22 Pb Brent Geese, 4 Northern Pintail, 10 Greater Scaup, 26 Red-throated Divers, 17 juvenile Northern Gannets, 8 Bar-tailed Godwits and 2 juvenile Arctic Terns (Eddie Maguire).

Great Skua – MSBO, Kintyre 2 Oct (Eddie Maguire).

1st October

TIREE: 1 Coal Tit still at Carnan Mor also 2 Blackcap and 2 Goldcrest there. 15 Ruff with 750 Golden Plover at Crossapol. 1 Willow Warbler, 1m Blackcap, 1f Chaffinch, 1 Goldfinch at Balephuil (John Bowler). 1 juv Knot at Greenhill and 2 juv Grey Plover at Loch a’ Phuill , 13 PB Brents at Salum Bay (Jim Dickson).

Peregrine – Balephuil, Tiree 1 Oct (Jim Dickson).

30th September

TIREE: 1 Coal Tit new at Carnan Mor and 1 Coal Tit at Meningie. 1w male Ring-necked Duck at Loch a’ Phuill, also 3 Pintail, 2 Grey Plover and 3 PB Brent (John Bowler).1 Eurasian Coot new at Loch Bhasapol, 9 PB Brent at Gott Bay plus 1 juv Knot. 14 Ruff at Baugh (Jim Dickson). 11 PB Brent at Traigh nan Gilean (Steph Cope).

Grey Plovers – Loch a’ Phuill, Tiree 30 Sep (Jim Dickson).

29th September

ISLAY: Highlights at RSBP Loch Gruinart included – 2 Curlew Sandpipers, 14 Ruff, 12 Black-tailed Godwits, 125 Pale-bellied Brents and 21 Barnacle Geese (James How) and 200 Pale-bellied Brents seen there later (Bob McMillan). A highlight of 217 Pale-bellied Brents past Frenchman’s rocks late morning (Mike Peacock).
MID-ARGYLL: The 1w male American Wigeon still at the head of Loch Gilp with Eurasian Wigeons (Jim Dickson). A scold of 14 Jays today over the Walled Garden at the Maltlands, Inveraray (Glyn Toplis).

P-b Brents – Frenchman’s Rocks, Islay – 29 Sep (Mike Peacock).

28th September

TIREE: A Juvenile American Golden Plover on its own in the NW corner of Loch a’ Phuill this afternoon, also a 1w male Ring-necked Duck in with the Tufted Ducks there plus 16 Shovelers, 1 Pintail and 8 juvenile Ruff on nearby floods. A flock of 22 juvenile Ruff at Baugh. Now 8+ Blackcaps and 8+ Goldcrests at Carnan Mor (John Bowler).
MID-ARGYLL: A Kingfisher was at the Ormsary fish farm….a first record in this area (Errol/Stu Crutchfield).

27th September

COMMON GUILLEMOT DEATHS – Over the last week or so dead and dying Common Guillemots have been noted in the West of Scotland and in Argyll at the head of some sea lochs e.g. Loch Fyne, Long & Gilp. In order to monitor the scale of this we would welcome your reports of any dead and dying auks (numbers/location/any abnormalities etc).

A Common Guillemot in Loch Awe (North end) – obviously unwell (and in the wrong environment!). Alan Dykes

TIREE: 1 Osprey fishing at Loch Bhasapol this morning (Chris Aller).

26th September

MID-ARGYLL: A juvenile Ruff was at Loch Gilp late morning (Jim Dickson).
KINTYRE: The Little Egret is still at Kennacraig today (Bob McMillan).
TIREE: Group of 8 juv Ruff at Balinoe, also a Norwegian leg-flagged Bar-tailed Godwit there (John Bowler).

Bar-tailed Godwit – Balinoe, Tiree 26 Sep (John Bowler).

Ruff- Loch Gilp, Mid-Argyll 26 Sep (Jim Dickson).

25th September

MID-ARGYLL: At Loch Gilp today…more Common Guillemots apparently disorientated in the fog today with around 20 birds heading up the loch (Heather Cameron). A Merlin was seen near Dunadd today (James Lehmann).
KINTRYE: Now 2 2CY Iceland Gulls in a field near the Machrihanish SBO today (Eddie Maguire).
TIREE: 1 Lesser Whitethroat at the Manse. 1 Chiffchaff new at Balephuil with 4 Blackcaps, 6 Common Redpolls and 2 Goldfinch. 1 Pale-bellied Brent Goose at Balephetrish Bay (John Bowler).

Sanderlings and Dunlins – Tiree 25 Sep (Richard Whitson).

24th September

MID-ARGYLL: A fem/imm American Wigeon was in with the Wigeon flock at Loch Gilp late morning. Also several dead and dying Common Guillemots around the loch and good numbers of Goldcrests in any suitable habitat (Jim Dickson).
KINTYRE: At the Machrihanish SBO the 2CY Iceland Gull is starting to look a bit smarter as it gets through the moult (Eddie Maguire).
TIREE: 1 Yellow-browed Warbler at Carnan Mor with a Lapland Bunting heading S over there (John Bowler).

American Wigeon – Loch Gilp, Mid-Argyll 24 Sep (Jim Dickson).

Yellow-browed Warbler – Carnan Mor, Tiree 24 Sep (John Bowler).

Iceland Gull – MSBO, Kintyre 24 Sep (Eddie McGuire).

23rd September

TIREE: 1 Yellow-browed Warbler again in the garden at Balephuil with 3 Goldcrests and 3 Blackcaps. 1hr sea-watch off Hynish in SE7-8 from 2pm produced highlights of: 1 juv Sabine’s Gull and 1 Grey Phalarope (John Bowler).
COWAL: Kingfisher showing well still from the Sandbank hide, also 70+ Turnstones and 3 Guillemots at Kirn (Alistair McGregor & George Newall).

Kingfisher – Sandbank, Cowal 23 Sep (Alistair McGregor).

Common Guillemot – Kirn, Cowal 23 Sep (Alistair McGregor).

22nd September

TIREE: 1 Yellow-browed Warbler was new in the garden at Balephuil today, with 4 Goldcrests and 3 Blackcaps. A 1 hr sea-watch at lunchtime off Hynish produced highlights; 4 Leach’s Petrels, 1 Storm Petrel, 3 Great Skuas and 1 Balearic Shearwater (John Bowler).
COWAL: An imm/sub-adult White-tailed Eagle this morning on the shore at Strachur Bay (Iain Wilkie).

Yellow-browed Warbler – Balephuil, Tiree 22 Sep (John Bowler).

21st September

TIREE: The imm Pied Flycatcher is still at Carnan Mor/ Balephil today (John Bowler).
MID-ARGYLL: 2 Slavoinan Grebes were off the tip off Taynish/ Linne Mhuirich today and a Jay and Blackcap nearby. Also 1 Greenshank, 60 + Wigeon, 20 + Teal and a m Peregrine at the Add Estuary (Colin MacFarlane). A sub-adult White-tailed Eagle was being chased by a single raven along the Meadows towards Cairnbaan this morning at 0830hrs (Blair Urquhart).
MULL: A Wryneck was spotted at the Balmeanach farm turn off, Gribun this afternoon (Mark Appleton & Terry Tiller per Alan Spellman).

Wryneck – Gribun, Mull – 21 Sep (Kerry Tiller).

20th September

TIREE: A small fall at Balephuil this morning after last night’s rain included: 1 imm Pied Flycatcher, 1 imm male Common Redstart, 1 showy Grasshopper Warbler, 6 Common Redpolls and 1m Blackcap (John Bowler).

Sedge (left) and Grasshopper Warblers (right) Balephuil, Tiree 20 Sep (John Bowler).

Pied Flycatcher – Balephuil, Tiree 20 Sep (John Bowler).

19th September

TIREE: 1 Lapland Bunting on The Reef, also a Snow Bunting heading S overhead there (John Bowler).
COWAL: George Newall heard a Chiffchaff in his Dunoon garden today and also managed a photo of the Kingfisher from the Sandbank hide, Holy Loch.
MULL: A Red Kite was at Gribun Mull (Pete Hall per Alan Spellman).

Kingfisher – Holy Loch, Cowal 19 Sep (George Newall).

18th September

TIREE: The Lesser Whitethroat is still at the Manse and 2+ Common Redpolls at the Glebe, also 4+ at Balephuil and 6 at Vaul (John Bowler).

17th September

COWAL: Kingfisher again at the Kilmun hide Holy Loch (Alistair McGregor).
TIREE: A Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler and 3 Dunnock at the Manse, Scarinish. 2 m Blackcap, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Willow Warbler and 2 Sedge Warbler at Balephuil (John Bowler). 1 Goldcrest at Hynish and 2 Redpoll sp at Cornaigmore and 1 Ruff at Loch Bhasapoll (Argyll Bird Club group). 1 Ruff at Vaul (Mark Mallalieu).

Kingfisher – Holy Loch, Cowal 17 Sep (Alistair McGregor).

16th September

TIREE: A Buff-breasted Sandpiper west of Loch Bhasapol this afternoon in with Golden Plovers – found by the visiting Argyll Bird Club group – they also reported an adult Long-tailed Skua from the ferry between Mull and Coll. Also 1 Greenland Redpoll on roadside at east end of Traigh Bhi (John Bowler).
COWAL: A Kingfisher again from the Kilmun hide at the Holy Loch, also a Little Grebe from there and a Chiffchaff was heard (Alistair McGregor).

Little Grebe – Holy Loch, Cowal 16 Sept (Alistair McGregor).

15th September

KINTYRE: A Little Egret is still at Kennacraig (Jim Dickson). At the Machrihanish SBO (15:00hrs) a flock ca. 120 Pink-footed Geese in off sea (Eddie Maguire).
MULL: A Turtle Dove at Treshnish NW Mull today (Anand Prasad).

Little Egret – Kennacraig, Kintyre 15 Sept (Jim Dickson).

14th September

TIREE: A sea-watch from Aird in NW7 from Aird (0700-0800) produced the following (all heading west): 1 juv Sabine’s Gull, 1 Leach’s Petrel, 2 Storm Petrel, 2 RT Diver, 1 Great Skua, 2 Fulmar, 2 Arctic Skua, 25 Kittiwake, 82 large auk, 97 Manx Shearwater and 151 Gannets. Also 1 juv Ruff, 9 Black-tailed Godwits and 1 juv Shelduck at Middleton (John Bowler).
ISLAY: Highlights today included – a Great Skua off Portnahaven, at Loch Indaal – 6 Arctic Terns, 1 Greenshank, 31 Common Scoters, 52 Wigeon, 1 Slavonian Grebe, 1 Greater Scaup and a juv Black-throated Diver. At Craigens – a juv Whinchat and at Loch Gruinart – 2 Peregrines, an imm White-tailed Eagle, 2 ad Whooper Swans and a single Barnacle Goose (Jim Dickson).
COWAL: At Ardyne this morning – 4 Sandwich Terns and a single ‘Greenland’ Wheatear (George Newall).

Whooper Swan – Gruinart, Islay 14 Sept (Jim Dickson).

13th September

ISLAY: Highlights today included a group of 7 Gadwall new in at Loch Gorm, a female Greater Scaup off Blackrocks, 5 Arctic and 1 Sandwich Tern off Bruichladdich and 2 Ruff and 2 Golden Plovers in off the sea during a sea-watch near Frenchman’s Rocks this morning (07:25 – 08:50) which included 127 Kittiwakes, 930 Manx Shearwaters, 11 Fulmars, 1 Arctic Tern and 2,100 large auks (Jim Dickson).
COLL: An imm White-tailed Sea Eagle at Sorisdale, Coll (John Bowler).

12th September

ISLAY: Highlights today included: 27 Common Scoters, 2 Greater Scaup, 2 Slavonian Grebes, 2 Ruff, 2 Whooper Swans, 2 Barnacle Geese, 11 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Arctic Terns, 3 Pintails, 1 Hen Harrier, 1 Peregrine and 3 Sparrowhawks (Jim Dickson).
KINTYRE: A sea-watch at the MSBO 07:00-16:00hrs / light wind variable mainly WSW. All species >S. Gadwall 8, Northern Gannet 3 juveniles, Red-throated Diver 18 >S, Sanderling 60, Bar-tailed Godwit 8, Whimbrel 2 and the 2CY Iceland Gull was relocated nearby (Eddie Maguire & Jarrod Hadfield).
COWAL: The WeBS count at the Holy Loch today had highlights of a Kingfisher, 2 Black-tailed Godwits and a high count of 13 Goosanders (George Newall & Alistair McGregor).

Iceland Gull – Machrihanish, Kintyre 12 Sept (Eddie Maguire).

Red-throated Diver – MSBO, Kintyre 12 Sept (Eddie Maguire).

11th September

TIREE: A sea-watch from Aird in NW7-8 with squalls 0655-0825hrs produced (all heading W out of the Minch): 1 Grey Phalarope, 1 Pomarine Skua, 5 Arctic Skua, 6 Arctic Tern, 1 Red-throated Diver, 25 Great Skua, 44 large auk, 41 Fulmar, 49 Kittiwake, 230 Manx Shearwaters, 941 Gannet and 30 Golden Plover. Also, the 1w Red-breasted Flycatcher still in gardens at Balephuil all day, 2 juvenile Buff-breasted Sandpipers at Loch a’ Phuill, 1 juvenile Little Stint at Vaul Bay and 9 Black-tailed Godwits at Sandaig (John Bowler).

Buff-breasted Sandpipers – Loch a’ Phuill, Tiree 11 Sept (John Bowler).

Red-breasted Flycatcher – Balephuil, Tiree 11 Sept (John Bowler).

Little Stint – Vaul Bay, Tiree 11 Sept (John Bowler).

KINTYRE: A sea-watch at the MSBO 07:00-19:00hrs (12hrs). NW 5 / light squalls produced: P-b Brent Goose 2, Common Scoter 5, Northern Gannet 2 juveniles (the first), Manx Shearwater 600, Leach’s Petrel 1, Grey Phalarope 3, Great Skua 4, Pomarine Skua 1 juvenile, Arctic Skua 2, Long-tailed Skua 1 juvenile, Black-legged Kittiwake 700+, Sandwich Tern 5, Arctic Tern 12 (Eddie Maguire & Jarrod Hadfield)).

Leach’s Petrel – MSBO, Kintyre 11 Sept (Eddie Maguire).

Juv Long-tailed Skua – MSBO, Kintyre 11 Sept (Eddie Maguire).

10th September

TIREE: At Balephuil today there was a first-winter Pied Flycatcher seen this morning and a first-winter Red-breasted Flycatcher in the afternoon, both birds were being very elusive (John Bowler)

9th September

TIREE: A sea-watch from Aird in NW7 with squalls: highlights included – 1 Leach’s Petrel and 1 Pomarine Skua (John Bowler).
COWAL: A Kingfisher seen on the post from the bird hide on the Holy Loch this afternoon (George Newell /Alistair McGregor).
MID-ARGYLL: A Kingfisher was at Strone point near Inveraray (Hugh Nicol). 1 Whitethroat and 1 Whimbrel at Balviar, Seil today (John Sedgewick).
On Luing at Toberonochy – a juv Curlew Sandpiper and 8 calling Water Rails at Balvicar, Seil at dusk (David Jardine).
ISLAY: Highlights around Loch Indaal today included – a Ruff, a Whimbrel, an Osprey, 2 Brent Geese, a Long-tailed Duck, 2 Slavonian Grebes and at Loch Gruinart – 7 Knot and 2 Brent Geese (per Ian Brooke).
NORTH ARGYLL: An early report of a f/imm Goldeneye at Loch Creran during WeBS count (Robin Harvey).