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 May
Recent Reports 2017
27th May
TIREE: 1f Siskin, 1f Redstart, 4 Common Redpolls, 2 Woodpigeons, 4 Spotted Flycatchers, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Grasshopper Warbler and 3m Orange-tip Butterflies at Carnan Mor / Balephuil (only 1 previous Tiree record of this butterfly). 1 Woodpigeon and 1 Spotted Flycatcher at The Glebe (John Bowler/Jim Dickson).
26th May
MID-ARGYLL: a Little Egret was found at the Add Estuary this evening. Other good birds there were a pair of Lapwing and an Osprey (Lynsey Gibson).
COLONSAY: a pale-phase Arctic Skua was off the NE island (David Jardine).
25th May
COWAL: an adult Rose-coloured Starling was found in a garden at Hunters Quay yesterday (Paul & Ruhi) and seen again today by George Newall and Alistair McGregor.
MULL: a Little Egret was at Knock, Loch na Keal yesterday (per Alan Spellman).
24th May
MID-ARGYLL: a second-year Little Gull today at Loch Gilp (Jim Dickson). The Nuthatch in Ardrishaig has been sighted again this week (Lynsey Gibson).
TIREE: a Red-rumped Swallow at Gott Bay today found by ABC chairman Mike Harrison then stayed around the ‘pink house’ area bring seen by John Bowler and later by Graham Todd.
23rd May
MID-ARGYLL: a Little Egret was at Castleton, nr Lochgilphead yesterday (Grace McLeod per Lynsey Gibson). Two Magpies were in Kilmichael Glen nr Lochgilphead today (Norma Whyte/Christine Blackwell per Lynsey Gibson)….one has been there since 6 May.
MULL: a Green Woodpecker was reported at Lochbuie on Sunday 21 May (per Alan Spellman).
ISLAY: a Quail was on the reserve in Glen Astle, The Oa (David Wood).
22nd May
TIREE: after the rain stopped this evening: 1f Pied Flycatcher, 1 Wood Warbler (not singing), 1 Spotted Flycatcher and 1 Goldcrest at Carnan Mor (John Bowler).
KINTYRE: a Little Egret came in off the sea at 13:00hrs from the direction of Islay / Jura and landed in front of the Machrihanish SBO hide! (Eddie Maguire). A second-year Iceland Gull was near the MSBO near to the marine research buildings (Bob Relph).
ISLAY: reports per Ian Brooke….there was a Little Egret at RSPB Gruinart reserve yesterday evening (possibly the bird seen at Machrihanish today?), the Ring-necked Duck was still at Loch Finlaggan yesterday and today a male Garganey was at Gruinart.
19th May
TIREE: an immature Glaucous Gull at Vaul Bay – pale iris so presumably a 3CY bird. 1 Spotted Flycatcher at Vaul and 1 at Carnan Mor – also 1m Cuckoo there (John Bowler).
KINTYRE: a ‘Yellow’ Wagtail was near the Machrihanish Observatory on 16 May and had a grey head therefore likely a Grey-headed or perhaps Blue-headed type (Bob Relph). Today Eddie Maguire reported flocks of Sanderlings and small tundra type Ringed Plover at the Obs (Uisead Point) and passing through.
18th May
COWAL: the imm/non-breeding Great White Egret is still at the head of the Holy Loch. The breeding adult has not been seen since Monday. It is feeding on small crabs and when it catches a flounder it flies off with it in the direction of the old gravel pits (Alistair McGregor).
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).
16th May
MID-ARGYLL: a belated report of a Magpie at Bridgend (north of Lochgilphead) on 6 May (John McInally)…always a good record in Mid-Argyll. At Kilmartin this evening a Spotted Flycatcher, a Garden Warbler, Blackcaps, Chiffchaff, Whitethroat, Yellowhammer, a pair of Grey Wagtails, Redpolls and Common Sandpipers (Jim Dickson). Six Swifts over Oban (above Tescos) this evening (Anne-Lise Dickie).
ISLAY: a report of a male Ring-necked Duck today at Loch Finlaggan (Andrew Greenwood per Ian Brooke).
TIREE: 1 Knot and 7 Bar-tailed Godwits at Gott Bay (Zul Bhatia). 1 Pink-footed Goose at Balevullin. 1 Purple Sandpiper, 220 Ringed Plovers and 1 Whimbrel at Hough Bay (John Bowler).
15th May
COLONSAY: on Oronsay today, a fleeting view of a Garganey (Morgan Vaughan).
TIREE: 1 Green Sandpiper and 1 Swift at Loch a’ Phuill. 1 Arctic Skua (dark phase) off Hynish.1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Grasshopper Warbler and 1 Chiffchaff at Balephuil (John Bowler).
14th May
TIREE: a Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Spotted Flycatcher and 2 House Martins new at Carnan Mor (John Bowler).
13th May
NORTH ARGYLL: 34 Dunlins at Tralee Beach and a well grown juv Moorhen at the gravel pits (Robin Harvey). At Loch Tulla, Neil Hammatt noted Greenshanks and Wigeon there yesterday.
COLL: a Pomarine Skua was seen from (flew over) the Oban – Tiree ferry on Wed 10 May (Neil Hammatt). Today, 1 Swift over the Lodge plantation and 2 White Wagtails, 2 Sand Martins and 6 Purple Sandpipers on Gunna (John Bowler).
ISLAY: a male Ruff again at RSPB Gruinart reserve (per Ian Brooke).
MULL: the first spring Redstart on the island was at Ardura (Bryan Rains per Alan Spellman).
12th May
COLL: two Spotted Flycatchers this morning at the Lodge plantation (John Bowler). Singing Wood and Garden Warbler in the Lodge plantation this afternoon (John Bowler).
COWAL: a photo of a Cuckoo from Glen Massan recently from Alistair McGregor who notes numbers down a bit in the area this year….
11th May
MULL: a Turtle Dove was found at Kintra (Deargphort) at mid-day but not seen later (Jeremy and Margaret Roberts).
TIREE: this evening, John Bowler saw an adult male Ruff on the shore at Mannal and a Spotted Flycatcher at Balephuil.
COWAL: two Sanderlings at Toward today (Alistair McGregor).
10th May
COWAL: five Purple Sandpipers at Dunoon crazy golf, plus 1 Turnstone (George Newall). Five Common Swifts around Dunoon primary School this afternoon (Tom Callan).
MID-ARGYLL: three Sedge Warblers around Ormsary today (Stu Crutchfield).
TIREE: a Wood Sandpiper on pool at Kilmoluaig this afternoon (David Palmar per John Bowler).
ISLAY: at Kilchoman, Ian Brooke continues to create a feeding and nesting an area attractive to many species. An upgrade of the feeding station is proving popular with Golfinch at present. The drake Garganey is still at Gruinart, also a Ruff in breeding plumage and our first report of a Spotted Flycatcher (per Ian Brooke).
9th May
COWAL: Ian Giles sent in this great image on Mandarins at the Holy Loch taken on 3rd May. Two Common Swifts were over Toward Castle this afternoon (Cherry Cook).
KINTYRE: at Rhunahaorine Point this evening several members of the ABC committee roped off a small area to protect breeding birds vulnerable from disturbance. In a couple of hours over 50 species were noted in the area including several Great Northern Divers, 60+ Common Scoters, a Grey Plover, 4 Sanderlings, Crossbills and Tree Pipits (photo shows one with a brood patch).
8th May
COWAL: at Ardkinglas woodland today a Nuthatch feeding a fledgling (Neil Hammatt).
MID-ARGYLL: in Glen Fyne – no sign of Ring Ouzels but Grey Wagtail, Whinchat, Redstart, Garden Warbler, Peregrine, Common Sandpipers, Cuckoos and Wheatears seen (Jim Dickson).
TIREE: no sign of the Subalpine Warbler today (John Bowler).
KINTRYE: seven Common Swifts over Campbeltown Lowland Church at 17:50hrs (Eddie Maguire).
ISLAY: a male Garganey again at Gruinart RSPB reserve (per Ian Brooke).
MULL: a Black Swan was at Lochdon – first seen at Duart Castle yesterday (Alan Spellman).
7th May
MID-ARGYLL: three Swifts at Kilmichael Glassarry today, with the first returning bird there on May 5th (Annette Anderton per Malcolm Chattwood).
TIREE: a male Western Subalpine Warbler in hawthorns at Carnan Mor this evening – occasionally in song – also 1 Common Redpoll and 1m Blackcap there. 1 Tree Sparrow, 1m, 1f Blackcap, 1m Grasshopper warbler, 2 Corncrakes fighting in the open, 1 Redwing and 2 Robins (nesting) at Balephuil. 1,500 Dunlins and 400 Ringed Plovers between Balephetrish and Clachan – also 1 Whimbrel and 26 Shelducks at Clachan (John Bowler).
6th May
KINTYRE: a Lesser Whitethroat was noted at Point Sands campsite yesterday (Neil Hammatt).
A report of 2 male Goshawks seen at the N and S ends of the Kintyre way last week – 30 Apr and 4 May (Chic McSherry).
MID-ARGYLL: at Barnakill, Crinan Canal today: Garden, Sedge, Grasshopper and Wood Warblers, also 3 Blackcaps, Cuckoo and Common Sandpiper (Jim Dickson).
A Swift was seen in Oban today (Malcolm and Sue Chattwood).
TIREE: Lesser Whitethroat, Tree Pipit, 2m Blackcap, Cuckoo, 6 Willow Warblers and 1 Common Redpoll at Carnan Mor. Tree Sparrow, 2 Lesser Redpolls, Whitethroat, 1m Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Grasshopper Warblers, 3 Willow Warblers, 6 Sedge Warblers and 1f Chaffinch at Balpehuil (John Bowler).
A white-phase Gyrfalcon was reported from Tiree Airport on the evening of 4 May – seen by several people including Airport staff and a pilot but not seen since.
5th May
MULL: another (or same as earlier) Nuthatch at Craignure today (Alan Spellman).
MID-ARGYLL: Whinchats seen in 6 areas around the Moine Mhor today also 6 Wheatears between Drimvore and Dalvore (Jim Dickson). A Whinchat was near the Loch Nant dam today (Roger Broad).
SCARBA: not many reports received from this island however on a visit there David Jardine noted Wood Warbler, Redstart, Whitethroat, Blackcap in the woodland below Kilmory Lodge. Also, returning via Corryvreckan, not without looking at Eilean Mor (there were no Puffins to be seen), but interestingly there was a single Purple Sandpiper with a couple of Turnstones.
TIREE: a Tree Sparrow all day at Balephuil, also 1 Common Redpoll, 1 Whitethroat, 1m,1f Blackcap, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Grasshopper Warblers, 3 Willow Warblers, 1f Chaffinch and 2 Chiffchaffs there. Low thousands of Dunlin and hundreds of Ringed Plovers on the machairs and beaches included 800 Dunlin and 500 Ringed Plover between Vaul and Caoles. 400 Dunlin at Balephetrish Bay. 520 Dunlin and 180 Ringed Plover at Loch a’ Phuill, also juv Glaucous Gull there, 5 White Wagtails, 80 Sand Martins and 3 Black-tailed Gowits. 1 Pale-bellied Brent Goose at Gott Bay (John Bowler).
ISLAY: a Swift was seen over Loch Indaal today (Gary Turnbull).
4th May
COWAL: at Ardkinglass gardens today 2 Nuthatches and 2 Wood Warblers (Neil Hammatt et al).
COLONSAY: more recent sightings per David Jardine included a Dotterel on Oronsay on 1 May and a Whitethroat on Colonsay on 2 May.
MID-ARGYLL: at Taynish NNR this morning at least 8 Wood Warbler territories, also 5 separate sightings of Tree Pipits. Also on 1 May up to 5 Cuckoo’s calling and one female ‘burbling’ at Moine Mhor 05.00 hrs (Jon Close). Two Whitethroats in Ormsary on 2 May (Stu Crutchfield).
ISLAY: a male Marsh Harrier was at the Gruinart RSPB reserve today (James How per Ian Brooke).
TIREE: a reeling and 1 non-reeling Grasshopper Warbler new at Balephuil this morning with a Tree Sparrow there this evening. 1m Ring Ouzel briefly at Hynish plus 2 Common Sandpipers there, also late report of a juv Iceland Gull there on 30 April (John Bowler).
3rd May
MID-ARGYLL: today at the Moine Mhor BBS square birds of note were Wood Warbler, Whitethroat, Redstart, 2 Blackcaps, 3 Whinchats, 4 Grasshopper Warblers, 2 Sedge Warblers, 3 Cuckoos, Dipper and 2 Common Sandpipers. Nearby another Whinchat. A Garden Warbler was singing at Cairnbaan (Jim Dickson).
COWAL: Neil Hammatt has encounted several areas with Wood Warblers, Sedge Warblers, Redstarts and Garden Warblers in areas usually poorly covered in the past.
TIREE: a Garden Warbler, 1 Whitethroat and 1 Chiffchaff new at Balephuil. 1m Blackcap at Carnan Mor. 1 Wood Sandpiper at Loch a’ Phuill this evening – also 1 pair Pochard, 3 Whooper Swans, 1 Black-tailed Gowits, 6 Little Terns, 33 Arctic Terns and 290 Dunlins there (John Bowler). 56 Whimbrels were at Salum (Robin Harvey).
MULL: a Brambling was in a garden at Dervaig yesterday (Pam Brown per Alan Spellman).
2nd May
COWAL: on Neil Hammatt’s new BBS square at Ardno, Cowal (nr. Cairndow) he noted Redstart, Whinchat, Garden Warbler and 3 Wood Warblers. Also two Ring Ouzels and Common Whitethroat in Glen Fyne, Mid-Argyll on 30 Apr. George Newall/Alistair McGregor saw Grasshopper Warbler at head of Loch Striven, heard a few Redstarts in Achnabreck Wood near Loch Riddon, and saw one male and several Cuckoos were singing. On the river at the first bridge in Glen Massan by the timber houses, 4 male Mandarin Ducks, 2 male Goosanders, and a pair of Grey Wagtail (Cherry Cook).
KINTYRE: 42 Whimbrels, 38 Sandwich Terns and 15 White Wagtails at the Machrihanish SBO today (Eddie Maguire).
TIREE: Mixed flock of ca 2,150 Dunlins and 1,250 Sanderlings at Gott Bay today including 9 leg-ringed Sanderling – also 1 Grey Plover there. Scattered mixed groups of hundreds of Ringed Plovers and Dunlins on the machairs and other beaches today. 1 Robin, 1 Cuckoo, 3m Corncrakes and 1 Goldcrest at Balephuil. 2 new moths for Tiree in the garden moth-trap last night: Early Tooth-striped and Clouded Drab (John Bowler).
1st May
TIREE: a male Cuckoo and 3 Sedge Warblers new at Balephuil this morning – also 1 Common Redpoll, 1m Chaffinch, 2 Goldfinch and 1 Goldcrest there. 370 Dunlins and 280 Ringed Plovers at Balephetrish Bay (John Bowler).
MID-ARGYLL: a Grasshopper Warbler reeling at Cairnbaan this afternoon, also 6 Dunlins at Loch Gilp (Jim Dickson).
COLONSAY: on Oronsay – 10 Arctic Terns and 1 pale phase Pomarine Skua this morning (David Jardine) also 2 Little Gulls there yesterday (Becky – RSPB staff per David Jardine)
COWAL: There are at least 15 occupied nests in the Little Eachaig Sand Martin colony (Geoerge Newall).
MULL: a Whinchat was at West Ardhu this morning (per Alan Spellman). Also a report of a Little Egret at Ardturn today.
30th April
TIREE: 1m and 2f Blackcap, plus 2 Redwings still at Balephuil. 1 Common Sandpiper (first of spring here) and 1 Woodpigeon east of Balevullin. 1 Purple Sandpiper and 1 Great Skua at The Green (John Bowler).
MID-ARGYLL: a Crossbill was in song in my garden (Scots Pine) at Cairnbaan (Jim Dickson).
29th April
COWAL: The colour ringed Lesser Black-Backed Gull remains a visitor to a garden in Dunoon tempted by cheese. It spends a fair bit of time on a neighbour’s roof showing its ring well (George Newall).
TIREE: Today at Sorobaidh Bay: 1f Lapland Bunting, 5 Arctic Terns, 3 White Wagtails and 1m Greenland Wheatear; 70 Black-tailed Godwits at Heylipol; 25 Black-tailed Godwits at Loch a’ Phuill, plus 6 Arctic Terns, 2 Little Terns and 81 Dunlin. 4 late Greenland White-fronts at Barrapol (John Bowler).
MULL: 28 Apr – an Osprey over Lochdon heading NW (Alan Spellman).
28th April
NORTH ARGYLL: At the gravel pits at Benderloch today: 3 Little Grebe chicks; the Sedge Warblers have returned with 2 singing males (Robin Harvey)
TIREE: Today, 2m Lapland Buntings in full summer plumage at Loch an Eilein; 1f Lapland Bunting and 1 Pink-footed Goose at The Reef; 1m Blackcap singing at Balephuil; 108 Black-tailed Godwits at Heylipol and 65 Black-tailed Godwits at Balephuil (John Bowler).
27th April
MID-ARGYLL: Flocks of 120 and 150 Black-tailed Godwits staging through Loch Gilp and then heading off north today along with 4M and 4F Pintail (Simon Lawrence).
TIREE: Today, 6 Lapland Bunting again at the Sorobaidh Bay cattle feeders; 1 House Martin at The Reef; 128 Black-tailed Godwits, 20 White Wagtail and 55 Sand Martin at Loch an Eilein whilst 30 Pale-bellied Brents flew over heading north. Also 90 Black-tailed Godwits at Loch a’ Phuill (John Bowler).
26th April
COLL: A male Garganey at “canal loch” this morning (Ben Jones)
TIREE: Today – much reduced numbers of Black-tailed Godwits here as the N winds eased off overnight: 406 Black-tailed Godwits at Loch an Eilein – 1 new colour-ringed bird; 315 Black-tailed Godwits at Loch a’ Phuill; Also 1 juv Glaucous Gull at Loch a’ Phuill; 12 White Wagtails at Loch an Eilein (John Bowler)
25th April
COWAL: A colour ringed Lesser Black-Backed Gull was a visitor to a garden in Dunoon earlier today. (George Newall)
TIREE: Today 6 Lapland Buntings still at Sorobaidh Bay; A record influx of at least 2,270 Black-tailed Godwits: 1,750 in single flock at Kilmoluaig was quite a sight – including 15 colour-ringed birds; 470 at Loch an Eilein including 7 colour-ringed birds and a lone Knot, 38 at An Fhaodhail including 2 colour-ringed birds, 12 at Loch Bhasapol; 1 Arctic Tern and 5 Little Terns at Traigh Bhagh. Also scattered small groups of Whimbrel and low thousands of Golden Plover and still 6 Redwing at Balephuil. (John Bowler)
MID-ARGYLL: on 23 Apr two adult and one immature Whooper Swans at northern side of Loch Sween (Michael Gallico)
24th April
MID-ARGYLL: Cuckoo , Common Sandpiper and Grasshopper Warbler in Kilmichael Glen today (Blair Urquhart). Update for 22 Apr – 120 Pale-bellied Brents on Loch Gilp increased to 200 in area through the day and headed north over Oakfield, Lochgilphead in late evening. At around noon 90 White-fronted Geese seen heading north over Lochgilphead (Simon Lawrence).
TIREE: Today 6 Lapland Bunting inc 4 males again by feeders at south end of Sorobaidh Bay – also 6 White Wagtails there inc 1 with entirely pale grey crown; 1 juv Glaucous Gull at Traigh Bhagh; 135 Black-tailed Godwits at The Reef inc 2 colour-ringed birds; 325 Black-tailed Godwits at Loch Bhasapol inc 3 colour-ringed birds and 2 Common Terns at Loch a’ Phuill (John Bowler). Also today 30 Black-tailed Godwits at Kilkenneth including 1 colour-ringed bird (Tim Frank)
COWAL: Still 10 Purple Sandpipers at Dunoon Crazy Golf course today. Update for 22 Apr – 3 Sandwich Terns offshore at Dunoon. (George Newall)
KINTYRE: Yesterday – a Common Swift briefly over Campbeltown (Eddie Maguire)
23rd April
MID-ARGYLL: A Grasshopper Warbler reeling at Slockavullin today (David Jardine). A Nuthatch made the observer’s day when it was spotted feeding on the bird table in a garden in Ardrishaig this morning. (Lynsey Gibson).
TIREE: Today: 1m Corncrake calling at Mannal; 2 Arctic Terns off the Maze – first of the spring here; 28 Whimbrel, 15 Wheatears and 32 White Wagtails along the coast between Sandaig and Balevullin ;1 pair Pochard at Heylipol Church loch;220 Turnstones and 15 Purple Sandpipers at Hough Bay (John Bowler).
Yesterday: 1 Osprey north high over Loch a’ Phuill and 6 Whimbrel; 18 Whimbrel, 14 Blackwits and 2 Little Terns at Traigh Bhagh;1,500 Golden Plover at Balevullin; 2,500 Golden Plover at the Reef
22nd April
MID-ARGYLL: 60+ Pale-bellied Brents on the mud at Loch Gilp this morning (Malcolm Chattwood). A Cuckoo calling at Tayvallich (Colin MacFarlane).
COLL: 0n 19th April 120 non-breeding Ravens at Crossapol, a White-tailed Eagle on Gunna and a Merlin at Totronald (Colin MacFarlane).
COWAL: 6 Purple Sandpipers at Dunoon Crazy Golf Course and at least 2 Cuckoos singing near Bishop’s Glen (George Newall).
KINTYRE: A significant passage of around 50 White Wagtails at Machrihanish SBO this morning with many loitering to feed on hatching kelp flies (Eddie Maguire).
21st April
KINTYRE: A French ringed Goldfinch was controlled at Machrihanish SBO yesterday adding to the 68 which have been ringed at the Observatory to date in April. (Eddie Maguire).
NORTH ARGYLL: a Nuthatch was heard singing and then seen in a tree at Dalmally on 13th April (Miranda Shephard).
TIREE: 1m Lapland Bunting again at south end of Sorobaidh Bay on cattle feeder at lunchtime– also 79 PB Brent there including the same 5 colour-ringed birds as yesterday plus 12 White Wagtails. 8 Whimbrel at Traigh Bhagh, 58 Black-tailed Godwits and 1 Little Tern at Loch Bhasapol. 3 Blackcap, 1 Goldcrest and 6 Redwing still at Balephuil (John Bowler).
20th April
MID-ARGYLL: 24 Pale-bellied Brents grounded on the mud at Loch Gilp this morning (Jim Dickson). 3 White Wagtails reported from Keills on 18 Apr (John Atchison). A Nuthatch was at feeders today in a garden at the head of Loch Scotnish (per Morag Rea).
NORTH ARGYLL: a Mandarin Duck was at the north end of Loch Awe yesterday, also a pr of Crossbills (Bob Grove).
COLL: some reports through from David Andrews on the island included a record of Lapland Bunting at Sorisdale on 28th Mar.
TIREE: 122 Pale-bellied Brents grounded in mist this am at Sorobaidh Bay including 5 colour-ringed birds (and 1 oddly pale-spotted bird) also 8 White Wagtails there. 6,350 Golden Plover at The Reef plus 1,950 in other flocks around West Tiree. 76 Black-tailed Godwits at Loch Bhasapol included 2 new colour-ringed birds. 65+ Black-tailed Gowits at Loch a’ Phuill (John Bowler).
19th April
MID-ARGYLL: 6 Black-tailed Godwits were new in at Loch Gilp where still 9 Bar-tailed Godwits. Also 2 ff Wheatears there. At Dalvore woods, Moine Mhore a m Redstart, Wood Warbler and Tree Pipit with 3 mm Wheatears nearby and an Osprey fishing at the Add Estuary. A Cuckoo calling at Cairnbaan this evening (Jim Dickson). More Swallows just north of Lochgilphead today (Malcolm Chattwood).
KINTYRE: 35 Sanderlings, at least 20 Whimbrel and 15+ White Wagtails at the Machrihanish SBO today (Eddie Maguire). 3 Common Swifts over Campbeltown this evening 19:45 hrs (Eddie Maguire/Rab Morton)
TIREE: a pair of Common Scoter off Sorobaidh Bay – also 160 GN Diver, 600+ Manx Shearwaters and 1 Minke Whale there in flat calm seas. 2 Pale-bellied Brents at north end of Sorobaidh Bay plus 6 Goldfinch, 4 Whimbrels,1 Willow Warbler, 10 White Wagtails and 1 Little Tern. 2,700 Golden Plover and 83 Black-tailed Godwits this afternoon at Loch a’ Phuill including colour-ringed birds from Iceland and E. Scotland (John Bowler).
COWAL: several Sand Martins and Swallows in the Glen Massan, and excellent views of a Cuckoo (George Newall/Alistair McGregor).
18th April
COWAL: 55 Pink-footed Geese > NW over Glendaruel at 12:10 (Clive McKay).
KINTYRE: a report of around 80 geese (Pink-feet?) > N over Carradale this morning. Another separate report later of around 300 > N. Also Tree Pipit and 4 Reed Buntings at Carradale Bay (Alisdair Paterson).
The 2CY Iceland Gull is still at Campbeltown harbour (Eddie Maguire).
NORTH ARGYLL: the Common Sandpipers are back at the Benderloch gravel pits (Robin Harvey).
TIREE: 67 Black-tailed Gowits (2 colour-ringed birds) and 1 Greenshank (1st of year here) at Loch a’ Phuill – also 12 White Wagtails there. 1m and 1f Blackcap at Balephuil plus 1 Goldcrest, 1 Willow Warbler, 1m Wheatear and 6 Redwings. 3 White Wagtails at Sorobaidh Bay (John Bowler).
MULL: a House Martin seen this morning at Croggan (Steve Hiscock).
ISLAY: a 1w Little Gull at Black Rocks, Loch Indaal and a Glaucous Gull there later… Gary Turnbull: Wild Islay Birding
Also 2 Arctic Terns (first report) at Loch Indaal (Angus Hogg).
COLONSAY: on Oronsay a Little-ringed Plover was found and causing much excitement with the team there (Morgan Vaughan).
COLL: first report of a Corncrake at Totronald RSPB reserve (Ben Jones).
17th April
MID-ARGYLL: a Cuckoo heard calling at Cairnbaan this morning, also two Blackcaps in song there. Ad Little Gull still at Loch Gilp (Jim Dickson). First Swallows at Ormsary today and also a House Martin this afternoon (Stu Crutchfield). A Tree Pipit this morning in Kilmichael forest during my BBS transect (David Jardine). Grasshopper Warbler (our first report) heard at Minard today (Sally Hall).
Mull: two Tree Pipits singing at Glen Aros this morning (Sean Foote and Abi Jacobs).
TIREE: six Lapland Bunting (4 males) were at Sorobaidh Bay, also 5 White Wagtails there.
A m Blackcap singing at Balephuil (arrived evening of 15 April, was first of spring here), also 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Goldcrest and 6 Redwings there. 2 pairs of Gadwall noted today (John Bowler). An imm White-tailed Eagle soaring high over Milton (Christian Verstraete).
MULL: a Cuckoo was heard calling at Croggan (Steve Hiscock per Alan Spellman) and one at Lochdon (Andrea Mackenzie per Alan Spellman).
ISLAY: a Cuckoo was at Ballygrant (Angus Hogg).
16th April
TIREE: 76 Black-tailed Gowits at Loch a’ Phuill and 300+ Manx Shearwaters and 12 Great Northern Divers off Hynish (John Bowler).
MID-ARGYLL: two Common Sandpipers at the Add Estuary this evening (David Jardine).
ISLAY: a Little Tern ans a Whimbrel at Loch Gruinart today (Angus Hogg).