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 2025 ARGYLL BIRD REPORT Volume 37 with Systematic List for 2025 will shortly be in preparation and will be published as a PDF in spring – (available to ABC members only by an emailed link)
Recent Reports of Scarce & Rare Sightings 2026
ARGYLL SPRING MIGRANTS TABLE: Click this link to download latest table
19th May
COLONSAY: A GREEN SANDPIPER was found feeding at Loch Turraman and a female RING-NECKED DUCK was at East Loch Fada (David Jardine).
18th May
TIREE: A male AMERICAN WIGEON was at Loch an Eilein today (John Bowler).
NORTH ARGYLL: A male RING-NECKED DUCK was at Loch Tulla (Jim Dickson, David Jardine).
17th May
MID-ARGYLL/MULL: Nine LONG-TAILED SKUAS seen heading North from the ferry between Oban & Mull (per Birdguides).
16th May
MILD-ARGYLL: The long staying CACKLING GOOSE again at the Add Estuary – with 2 BARNACLE GEESE.
ISLAY: A male GARGANEY again at RSPB Loch Gruinart late morning.
15th May
MULL: Two LONG-TAILED SKUAS off Lungs, Treshish Is (per Birdguides). PECTORAL SANDPIPER still at Loch Don. Adult POMARINE SKUA at sea off NW MULL.
ISLAY: An EGYPTIAN GOOSE appeared at Cornabus today – only the second record for Argyll – last one was at Strath, Kintyre on 22 May 2015.
MID-ARGYLL: A RED KITE was noted in the Achahoish area today.
14th May
MULL: An adult LITTLE GULL at Head of Loch na Keal (Irene Boston). Three DOTTEREL (m + 2ff) at north end of Iona at 1pm (Barry Embling). The PECTORAL SANDPIPER is still at Loch Don (Irene Boston).
ISLAY: Two LONG-TAILED SKUAS again seen heading up Loch Indaal (Kath Butterworth).
12th May
MULL, N & MID-ARGYLL at sea: Adult LONG-TAILED SKUA between Kerrera & Lismore/Mull (David Jardine).
ISLAY: Seven POMARINE & 2 LONG-TAILED SKUAS off Gartbreck, Loch Indaal (Clive McKay).
MULL: A PECTORAL SANDPIPER at Leth Fhonn, Grasspoint (Barry Embling). Two DOTTEREL at the summit of Dun da Ghaoithe (Chris Bird).
8th May
MID-ARGYLL: A possible /probable PURPLE HERON was seen in flight briefly over Kilmartin around 4pm (Frank Cavanagh).
ISLAY: A WOOD SANDPIPER was at RSPB Loch Gruinart (James How).
6th May
TIREE: A 2cy ICELAND GULL was found at Heylipol today (a very scarce species this past winter) and 3 TREE SPARROWS were at Balephuil (John Bowler).
5th May
MULL: The WHITE-BILLED DIVER is still present at Uisken Bay (per Dave Robinson).
MID-ARGYLL: The long stayer RICHARDSON’S CACKLING GOOSE was re-found today just up river at Bellanoch, Add Estuary – also 2 BARNACLE GEESE & a PINK-FOOTED GOOSE nearby (Jim Dickson).
4th May
MULL: Three DOTTERELS at Fidden, Ross of Mull today (Peter Skinner).
ISLAY: A CURLEW SANDPIPER was at Loch Gruinart on 3 May.
30th April
TIREE: A male SUBALPINE WARBLER (presumed “Western” as extensive deep pink tones below) – very elusive but singing and showing briefly occasionally in bushy roadside gardens at Balinoe from 11am to 1 pm at least (John Bowler)
MULL: A COMMON CRANE was seen in flight and photographed over Scoor (Sophie Lorraine Kadir).
26th April
COLL: A male BLACK REDSTART was seen by several folk at Arinagour today.
MID-ARGYLL: The WHITE STORK was seen again early morning in a sheep field at North Strathmore / Barsloisnoch by several observers and later what appeared to be the same bird was seen heading north high over Kilmartin.
25th April
MID-ARGYLL: A large white bird was photographed in a field at North Strathmore nr Barsloisnoch (John Weir) and later identified from a phone photo as a WHITE STORK.
MULL: A first-summer WHITE-BILLED DIVER was seen in the bay at Loch Buie (report from Birdguides).
24th April
TIREE: A WOOD SANDPIPER was at Loch a’ Phuill and the BLUE-HEADED WAGTAIL still present (John Bowler).
MULL: An adult WHITE-BILLED DIVER was seen & photographed off Uisken, Ross of Mull today (John Gilbody / Jon Wainwright) & information just received that it was first filmed there on 31 March by Andy & Helen Mortley, identified from their film by Keith Brockie.
23rd April
ISLAY: A BLACK KITE was seen drifting over Sanaigmore today (Paul Miller) – a first record for the island if accepted by the SBRC.
TIREE: A female BLUE-HEADED WAGTAIL – along with 45 White Wagtails at Loch a’ Phuill today (John Bowler).
16th April
MID-ARGYLL: A female NORTH AMERICAN WOOD DUCK today on a small pond in the Glencruitten Woods area east of Oban. Such birds are usually considered of unknown origin and presumed escapes however the possibility of a wild origin can’t always be ruled out.
NORTH ARGYLL: A WHITE-BILLED DIVER was seen just off the Linnhe Marina layby, near Appin this afternoon.
9th April
KINTYRE: At Tangy Loch early morning – a roosting TUNDRA BEAN GOOSE in with other geese including the ROSS’S GOOSE and 4 RING-NECKED DUCK (male & 3 females). The BEAN GOOSE was later refound at Drumlemble (Angus Murray).
MID-ARGYLL: A RED KITE was seen over the Moine Mhor today (per P. Leigh).
MULL: A LITTLE GULL was reported from Garmony Point today (Spike Webb).
8th April
ISLAY: A COMMON CRANE was seen flying over Loch Gruinart then settled in a field at head of the loch late morning (David Hicklin). A different individual from the Mid-Argyll bird on 19-20 March based on markings.
6th April
TIREE: An adult GREY-BELLIED BRENT GOOSE was seen & photographed at Cornaigmore where the TODD’S CANADA GOOSE is still present (John Bowler)
3rd April
ISLAY: The male GREEN-WINGED TEAL was seen again at Gruinart (James How).
MID-ARGYLL: An unconfirmed report of a CRANE in the Crinan area (large long necked bird seen above trees for 3 seconds giving a high pitched honk) (Bill Alexander. The CACKLING GOOSE was seen again in field at Drimvore with Canadas & a single Pink-footed Goose (Jim Dickson). A CUCKOO was reported in the Connell backroads area (Kyle Dodd’s).
2nd April
KINTYRE: A single SANDWICH TERN was seen from the Isle of Gigha (David Jardine).
MID-ARGYLL: A RING OUZEL was picked up calling in Kilmartin on the Merlin bird App. Also a SWALLOW & WILLOW WARBLER noted there (Frank Cavanagh).
NORTH ARGYLL: A SWALLOW was seen in Benderloch (Paul Rowan).
1st April
MID / NORTH ARGYLL: A RED KITE was seen over the Dalmally area (Linda Gibson). Addit. – presumably the same bird was seen again the following day (Glyn Topliss).
30th March
ISLAY: RED-BREASTED GOOSE still in the Gruinart area. A RUSSIAN WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE was seen in the Gruinart area (Mel Chowns).
28th March
MID-ARGYLL: The long-staying SPOTTED REDSHANK is still at Loch Gilp on east shore (Jim Dickson). A RED KITE was seen over the Moine Mhor.
ISLAY: One RING-NECKED DUCK was noted on Loch Ballygrant on 27th March (David Clugston).
26th March
KINTYRE: Six RUSSIAN WHITE-FRONTED GEESE still at Rhunahaorine & ROSS’S GOOSE still at West Machrihanish (Jim Dickson).
ISLAY: A CACKLING GOOSE (Taverner’s type) at Neriby and the RED-BREASTED GOOSE still in the Gruinart area (Peter Stronach).
25th March
KINTYRE: Five (2 males, 3 females) still at Tangy Loch & ROSS’S GOOSE at West Machrihanish (Angus Murray).
MULL: A LITTLE AUK was noted in the Sound of Mull, north of Tobermory on 24 Mar (C. Stephenson).
23rd March
TIREE: AVOCET still at Balevullin, TODD’S CANADA GOOSE at Cornaigbeg and probable ‘IRISH’ COAL TIT – a long stayer, still present (John Bowler).
MID-ARGYLL: The SPOTTED REDSHANK is still at Loch Gilp (David Jardine). a new SNOW BUNTING turned up on the island (Ann McGregor).
20th March
ISLAY: A report of a CRANE, presumed COMMON seen over Orsay Island from Port Wemyss (per Mary Redman).
MID-ARGYLL: The COMMON CRANE was seen again at Barsloisnoch 08.30-09.30 (James Lehmann).
19th March
MID-ARGYLL: The adult ROSS’S GULL was seen again in the north Oban Bay area 12noon-12.05 (Jim Dickson). A COMMON CRANE was in a field near Barsloisnoch Farm 6-6.30pm (James Lehmann, Jim Dickson).
TIREE: An AVOCET was at Balevullin (John Bowler). First record for Tiree.
KINTYRE: The ROSS’S GOOSE is still in the Drumlemble area.
18th March
TIREE: The TODD’S CANADA GOOSE was seen again at Cornaigmore (John Bowler).
MID-ARGYLL: The adult ROSS’S GULL was seen again – off the War Memorial Monument, Oban (Daniel Bailey).
KINTYRE: The ROSS’S GOOSE was seen again in the Drumlemble area. Six RUSSIAN WHITE-FRONTED GEESE were with Greenland birds at Rhunahaorine (Jim Dickson, David Jardine).
15th March
MID-ARGYLL: An adult ROSS’S GULL was seen & photographed as it flew past Ganavan Bay, nr Oban (F & P Cavanagh). Fifth record for Argyll.
13th March
MID-ARGYLL: The adult WHITE-BILLED DIVER was seen again at the Sound of Kerrera (John Speirs).