Please send your sightings to Jim Dickson (Argyll Bird Recorder) to:
Posts on this page are for scarce & rare sightings. Descriptions will be required for species listed by the Argyll, Scottish & British rare bird committees prior to their acceptance. Rare bird forms are available from Jim.
The Argyll Bird Club has a Facebook group if you wish to post your own sightings and photographs for all other reports. In addition, please submit any relevant records to BTO BirdTrack or the Argyll bird recording system. Contact Malcolm Chattwood email:
The 2023 ARGYLL BIRD REPORT Volume 35 with Systematic List for 2023 is now published as a PDF – (available to ABC members only by an emailed link)
2024 Spring Migrants Table: SPRING MIGRANTS 2024 to 1 July
Recent Reports of Scarce & Rare Sightings 2024
15th November
ISLAY: A CACKLING GOOSE was found in with the Barnacle Goose flock at Cornabus (Ed Burrell).
12th November
COLL Good numbers of GREAT SHEARWATERS & SOOTY SHEARWATERS remain, also 3 Manx in the sea area around Hawes Bank with 815 & 263 respectively (Sea Life Mull team, Stuart Gibson et al). This will be the last SLM trip of the season as weather becomes unsuitable for further excursions.
MID-ARGYLL: A GREAT WHITE EGRET was seen & photographed on the mud out from the front green at the head of Loch Gilp (Leonie Sweeney).
11th November
TIREE: A male & female RING-NECKED DUCK are still present at Loch Bhasapol – also now 5 male POCHARD and male & female GREATER SCAUP at Loch a’ Phuill. A ‘SIBERIAN’ CHIFFCHAFF again at Balephuil. Also, an immature POMARINE SKUA and 1,800 Kittiwakes off Milton (John Bowler).
9th November
ISLAY: A juv PALLID SWIFT was seen and photographed at Tighncachia, Coullabus around 1pm and remained in the area for several hours allowing a few Islay birders to see it. (Frank & Partrick Cavanagh, Jacob New et al). This will become the first record for Argyll if accepted by the BBRC. A male BLACK REDSTART was reported at Bowmore Harbour (David Coleman).
MID-ARGYLL: A GREAT WHITE EGRET was seen & photographed at the Add Estuary mid-morning then it flew off to SE (Andy Paton). A juv OSPREY was seen & photographed by the River Add at Dalvore, Moine Mhor (Jim Dickson)
7th November
COLL/TIREE: A count of 30+ GREAT SHEARWATERS between Coll & Tiree (per John Bowler).
MULL: A report of a GREY PHALAROPE (Harry Revell) – Sound of Mull area?
MID-ARGYLL: A drake PINTAIL in with the Wigeon flock at Loch Gilp (Jim Dickson).
4th November
COLL/TIREE: A phenomenal gathering of c6000+ GREAT SHEARWATERS & 300+ SOOTY SHEARWATERS, also 3 Manx Shearwaters – mostly in the sea area around Hawes Bank in an area roughly 10km x 5 km and (Sea Life Mull team, Jim Dickson, Stuart Gibson, Bob McMillan Jack Waldie et al).
3rd November
TIREE: A new ‘SIBERIAN’ CHIFFCHAFF was at The Glebe, Scarinish today (JohnBowler).
COLL/TIREE: A count of 600+ GREAT SHEARWATERS and a 1cy LITTLE GULL, also c2,000 Kittiwakes & an Arctic Skua from the Oban-Tiree Ferry in the area between south Coll & Tiree (Jim Dickson, David Jardine, Josh Harris).
2nd November
COLL/TIREE: A count of 765 GREAT SHEARWATERS and 5 SOOTY SHEARWATERS from the Oban-Tiree Ferry in the area between Coll & Tiree (Andrew Russell et al).
MID-ARGYLL: An adult MEDITERRANEAN GULL was at Loch Gilp (Jim Dickson, David Jardine).
1st November
MULL: Two fem/imm VELVET SCOTER were at Salen Bay.
COWAL: A YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER was in a garden in Dunoon (Frauke Thornton) – first record for Cowal.
30th October
TIREE: Ad male & 1cy fem RING-NECKED DUCKS still at Loch a’ Phuill (John Bowler)
ISLAY: The adult RED-BREASTED GOOSE again at Gruinart, also 3 male POCHARD at Loch Gorm.
COLL: At sea NE of Coll from SeaLifeMull – 70+ GREAT SHEARWATER, 5 SOOTY SHEARWATER, 1 POMARINE SKUA & 2 ARCTIC SKUAS.
28th October
COLL: At sea NE of Coll from SeaLifeMull – 66 GREAT SHEARWATER, 20 SOOTY SHEARWATER and a 1cy LITTLE GULL.
TIREE: Male RING-NECKED DUCK again at Loch a’ Phuill.
MID-ARGYLL: A GREAT WHITE EGRET at Cairndow, head of Loch Fyne (David Jardine).
25th October
ISLAY: 1cy female LESSER SCAUP still at Loch Skerrols. A YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER at Loch Kinnabus (David Wood et al).
MULL: A LESSER WHITETHROAT was noted on Iona (Neil McMahon/Naturetrek).
COLL: At sea NE of Coll from SeaLifeMull – 5 GREAT SHEARWATERS, 10 SOOTY SHEARWATER.
23rd October
TIREE: A CURLEW SANDPIPER was at Balinoe (John Bowler)
ISLAY: The adult RED-BREASTED GOOSE again at Gruinart.
21st October
MULL: A GREY PHALAROPE was inland at Torloisk Road, Dervaig (Ewan Miles).
ISLAY: Ad male RING-NECKED DUCK and 1cy female LESSER SCAUP still at Loch Skerrols.
20th October
ISLAY: Ad male RING-NECKED DUCK and 1cy female LESSER SCAUP at Loch Skerrols.
MID-ARGYLL: Ad male RING-NECKED DUCK at Loch Nell – probably a returning bird (Jack Waldie).
17th October
COLL NE sea area: ‘Sea Life Mull’ trip today had 5 GREAT SHEARWATERS and 40 SOOTY SHEARWATERS (
TIREE: A LAPLAND BUNTING at Sandaig and the male & 1cy fem RING-NECKED DUCK still at Loch a’ Phuill (John Bowler).
16th October
TIREE: A juv female RING-NECKED DUCK has joined the adult male and the male Greater Scaup at Loch a’ Phuill today (John Bowler).
ISLAY: A CACKLING GOOSE reported at Gruinart today.
14th October
COLL/HIGHLAND REGION at sea: A count of 600+ GREAT SHEARWATERS was made from the Oban-Barra ferry (per Birdguides) and 20+ were seen off the Cairns of Coll (Stuart Gibson/Sealife Mull).
KINTYRE/MID-ARGYLL: 2 GREAT CRESTED GREBES were seen in West Loch Tarbert from the Islay ferry (Theo de Clermont et al).
12th October
COLL/HIGHLAND REGION at sea: A count of 1,000+ GREAT SHEARWATERS was made from the Oban-Barra ferry (Mark Lewis) and 4 GREAT and 1 CORY’S SHEARWATERS were noted from Aird TIREE (John Bowler).
ISLAY: An adult RED-BREASTED GOOSE (returning bird) was back at Loch Gruinart today (Theo de Clermont et al).
10th October
NORTH ARGYLL: A juvenile SPOTTED REDSHANK was reported from Loch Laich today (per Birdguides) – more details are required please.
ISLAY: An adult male RING-NECKED DUCK was found at Loch Skerrols today (Theo de Clermont).
TIREE: The RING-NECKED DUCK is still present at Loch a’ Phuill and a 1w RING OUZEL was at Balephuil (John Bowler).
MID-ARGYLL/MULL: A LITTLE GULL and a POMARINE SKUA were reported from the Mull ferry (C Taylor).
8th October
ISLAY: A YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER was seen in a garden west side of Loch Gruinart (Clive McKay).
7th October
ISLAY: A TURTLE DOVE was found at Portnahaven (Mary McGregor).
TIREE: New YELLOW-BROWED WARBLERS were noted on the island with 3 at Balephuil and 1 at Balinoe Campsite & The Glebe bird still present. An adult male RING-NECKED DUCK was found at Loch a’ Phuil (Theo de Clermont, Jim Dickson).
COWAL: 2 GREAT WHITE EGRETS were seen at Loch Riddon (Stuart Kelly).
6th October
TIREE: The AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER and 2 YELLOW-BROWED WARBLERS and a SIBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF (Balephuil) still present and a new SIBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF found at Kilmaluaig (Theo de Clermont, Jim Dickson).
5th October
TIREE: A juv SABINE’S GULL flew W past Hynish (John Bowler).
MID-ARGYLL: 3 YELLOW-BROWED WARBLERS were found on Kerrera today (Anne McGregor).
4th October
TIREE: A CATTLE EGRET was found at The Glebe (John Bowler, Theo de Clermont, Jim Dickson) – only the second for Tiree and seventh for Argyll.
3rd October
TIREE: At least 5 YELLOW-BROWED WARBLERS with bird at Hough Bay, Vaul Haven, Vaul Seaside, The Glebe & Balephuil (John Bowler, Theo de Clermont, Jim Dickson, Stuart Gibson).
NORTH ARGYLL: A GREY PHALAROPE was seen from the ferry (David Jardine).
30th September
TIREE: 10+ GREAT SHEARWATERS off Gunna Sound, from ferry (Theo de Clermont) and 3 seen from Milton (John Bowler). 2 YELLOW-BROWED WARBLERS at Balephuil (John Bowler, Jim Dickson) and 1 YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER at The Glebe (Jim Dickson, Stuart Gibson).
29th September
COLONSAY: A PECTORAL SANDPIPER was found at Garvard today (Ross Ahmed).
MID-ARGYLL: A GREAT WHITE EGRET was seen at Clachan-Seil, Seil Island yesterday 28 Sep (Stephen Fenwick). 2 first-winter MEDITERRANEAN GULLS were noted during the BTO Winter Gull Survey (WingGS) counts at Loch Gilp (David Jardine) on 28 Sep.
26th September
TIREE: Adult AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER still at Sandaig and juv BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER again at Ruaig (Jim Dickson).
23rd September
COWAL / CLYDE recording region: A GREAT WHITE EGRET was seen flying N up Loch Long at 12.15 past Glen Mallan jetty towards Arrochar direction (John Simpson).
TIREE: The juv BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER was seen again today at Ruaig/Kirkapol (Nick Wall).
MULL: A YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER was found at Dervaig this morning (Ewan Miles).
22nd September
TIREE: Two AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVERS at Crossapol today – at least one bird from earlier and perhaps a new bird (Nick Wall).