Scarce & Rare Sightings 2022

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 2021 ARGYLL BIRD REPORT was published on 23rd April (click here) Argyll Bird Report 33 2021

 

SPRING MIGRANTS TABLE 2022 :SPRING MIGRANTS 10.06.2022

AVIAN INFLUENZA (BIRD FLU) – FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE LINKS BELOW

https://www.gov.scot/publications/avian-influenza-bird-flu/pages/dead-or-sick-wild-birds-what-to-do/
https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/advice/how-you-can-help-birds/disease-and-garden-wildlife/avian-influenza-updates/

Recent Reports of Scarce & Rare Sightings 2022

 

31st December

ISLAY: Female-type SURF SCOTER showing well on Loch Indaal, Islay with a small group of Common Scoters off Blackrock viewed from the Sunderland Memorial by A847 at 11:15 (Jonathan Farooqi).

SURF SCOTER (on right) – Islay 31st Dec (Jonathan Farooqi).

27th December

COLL: Breaking news today of a fem/imm HARLEQUIN DUCK found & photographed at Feall Bay on 22 Dec by Ben Jones. One previous Argyll record – on Islay in Oct 1987.

HARLEQUIN – Coll, 22nd Dec (Ben Jones)

26th December

MID-ARGYLL: A WAXWING in Kilmartin this morning was a good find and new garden species for Frank Cavannagh.


22nd December

KINTYRE: The male RING-NECKED DUCK is still at Loch Lussa (Jim Dickson/David Jardine).

RING-NECKED DUCK – Kintyre 22nd Dec (Jim Dickson)

17th December

KINTYRE: The Richardson’s CACKLING/TODD’S CANADA GOOSE duo were opposite the Campbeltown Airport terminal building this afternoon and a Snow Bunting in the hills above Tayinloan (Tom Lowe).


16th December

TIREE: A drake GREEN-WINGED TEAL was at Loch Bhasapol this afternoon and 7 (inc 5 juvs) EUROPEAN WHITEFRONTED GEESE were at Balephuil. Also a juv GLAUCOUS GULL at Loch a’ Phuill (John Bowler).

EUROPEAN WHITEFRONTED GEESE – Tiree 16th Dec (John Bowler)

13th December

KINTYRE: The drake RING-NECKED DUCK & drake POCHARD are still at Loch Lussa and also 2 CACKLING GEESE there (Alex Ash).


12th December

KINTYRE: A drake RING-NECKED DUCK on Loch Lussa this afternoon – also a drake POCHARD there (Alex Ash).
MID-ARGYLL: A RED KITE at Dunbeg this morning (David Jardine).

RING-NECKED DUCK – Kintyre 12th Dec (Alex Ash)

6th December

MID-ARGYLL: A juvenile SPOTTED SANDPIPER was found at Clachan, Seil Island around midday (Jack Waldie). Only the fifth record for Argyll if accepted by the BBRC.

SPOTTED SANDPIPER – Seil, Mid-Argyll 6th Dec (Jack Waldie)
SPOTTED SANDPIPER – Seil, Mid-Argyll 6th Dec (Jack Waldie)

3rd December

MULL: The YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER at Craignure is still present, seen at midday (Chris Austick, Nancy Somerville).
KINTYRE: A TODD’S CANADA GOOSE and a CACKLING GOOSE were in a field at Kilmichael, N of Campbeltown along with Greenland White-fronted and Greylag geese (Tom Lowe).

TODD’S (left) and CACKLING GOOSE (right) Kintyre – 3rd Dec (Tom Lowe).

1st December

MULL: A ‘SIBERIAN’ CHIFFCHAFF was in a garden at Dervaig today (Pete Walkden, Ewan Miles).


28th November

MULL:YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER was found at Craignure on 27 Nov & still present today (Chris Austick).
TIREE: A ‘SIBERIAN’ CHIFFCHAFF was new at Balephuil today and also a fem POCHARD at Loch Bhasapol (John Bowler).


24th November

ARGYLL: Not a full invasion however a trickle of WAXWING sightings with single birds reported from Tarbert, Kintyre on 16/11, Fionnphort, Mull on 20/11, Port Charlotte, Islay on 20/11 and two sites at Carradale, Kintyre on 23 & 24/11.
COWAL: A fem/imm GARGANEY was at the Holy Loch on 19 Nov (Alex Ash).


22nd November

KINTYRE: Interesting reports from Neil Brown of MAGPIE sightings from four separate areas of 5 birds today from Southend to Carradale.


18th November

ISLAY: A report of a COMMON/PALLID SWIFT over Port Wemyss – seen for a minute or so then flew off south (S Graham per Islay Whatsapp group).


17th November

TIREE: A juvenile male LESSER SCAUP was found at Loch Bhasapol this morning. With 33 Tufted Duck and 2 juv Greater Scaup (Jim Dickson).

LESSER SCAUP – Tiree 17th Nov (Jim Dickson)
LESSER SCAUP – Tiree 17th Nov (Jim Dickson)

16th November

MID-ARGYLL/KINTYRE: A WAXWING flew over into a private forest area (per Birdguides).


15th November

ISLAY: A YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER was found this morning in Port Charlotte (Stuart/Islay WhatsApp group).
TIREE: A recently deceased SOOTY SHEARWATER was found on the tideline at Traigh Bhagh, Crossapol (Hayley Douglas).

SOOTY SHEARWATER – Tiree 15th Nov (Jim Dickson)

13th November

TIREE: A group of 4 presumed TODD’S CANADA GEESE turned up at Salum (Jim Dickson).
KINTYRE: An imm BLACK REDSTART was reported at unfinished house near Largiebaan, Mull of Kintyre (Stu Crutchfield).


10th November

ISLAY: A LEACH’S PETREL and a juv POMARINE SKUA both seen from the Kennacraig to Islay ferry just before 3pm (Mark Lewis).


8th November

TIREE: A juvenile ROSE-COLOURED STARLING was with a group on Common Starlings at Vaul seaside area this morning (Jim Dickson).
KINTYRE: A f/imm BLACK REDSTART was found near the ferry slip at Tarbert (Mark Lewis).

ROSE-COLOURED STARLING – Tiree 8th Nov (Jim Dickson)

6th November

ISLAY: A juvenile PALLID HARRIER was found by Neil McMahon and his group this afternoon – first at Machir Bay and again later at Sanaigmore. Only the third record for Argyll if accepted by the BBRC.
MID-ARGYLL: The male RING-NECKED DUCK from Loch nan Druimean has now moved to Loch Scammadale (Jack Waldie).

PALLID HARRIER – Islay 6th Nov (Neil McMahon)
PALLID HARRIER – Islay 6th Nov (Neil McMahon)
PALLID HARRIER – Islay 6th Nov (Neil McMahon)

1st November

MID-ARGYLL: A male RING-NECKED DUCK with the usual Tufties at Loch nan Druimnean, S of Oban (David Jardine). A good find away from Islay & Tiree.

RING- NECKED DUCK – Mid-Argyll 1st Nov (David Jardine)

31st October

MULL: A probable PALLID SWIFT was reported at Fionnphort at 15.20 hrs, but ID not confirmed (Andrew Painting). Also, a COMMON/PALLID SWIFT was seen overhead at Kilchoan on Thurs 27 Oct (Ewan Miles) and the HOOPOE still present at Croig until 29 Oct at least.


27th October

ISLAY: A juv/1cy COMMON ROSEFINCH was in a garden on west side of Loch Gruinart  at lunchtime (James How).
MULL: The HOOPOE at Croig has been seen again today. Last noted on 20th Oct.

COMMON ROSEFINCH – Islay 27th Oct (James How).

26th October

KINTYRE: A report of a COMMON/PALLID SWIFT seen briefly over Ronachan Point (Alex Ash). A 1cy MEDITERRANEN GULL was at Stewarton y’day 25 Oct (Neil Brown).
TIREE: A juvenile AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER was at Barrapol late morning (Jim Dickson).
COLL: A belated report, via ebird of a ‘Siberian’ LESSER WHITETHROAT seen and photographed at Arinagour on 19th Oct (Andy Tonge).

AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER – Tiree 26th Oct (Jim Dickson).

24th October

TIREE: The FIRECREST & ‘Siberian’ LESSER WHITETHROAT are still at Balephuil – also 3 Blackcaps there & a further 3 Blackcaps around the island. Also, a Snow Bunting at Sandaig & a Ruff at Barrapol.

SNOW BUNTING – Tiree 24th Oct (Jim Dickson)

22nd October

TIREE: A FIRECREST was new in at the garden in Balephuil this afternoon. The ‘Siberian’ LESSER WHITETHROAT is still present, also 2 Blackcaps & 3 Goldcrest (Jim Dickson).
KINTYRE: A COMMON/PALLID SWIFT was seen briefly over Lephenstrath at 15.30 today (Ann Hand).
ISLAY: A GREY PHALAROPE was at Loch Gruinart today (Judith Hooper).

FIRECREST – Tiree 22nd Oct (Jim Dickson).
FIRECREST – Tiree 22nd Oct (Jim Dickson).

21st October

TIREE: A putative ‘Siberian’ LESSER WHITETHROAT was at Balephuil today (Jim Dickson). A juv POMARINE SKUA, juv Arctic Skua & 1 Storm Petrel were seen from the Tiree ferry off Gunna Sound on 20th Oct (John Bowler).
MULL: A fem VELVET SCOTER was found at Loch na Keal (Brian Boyes).

SIBERIAN LESSER WHITETHROAT – Tiree 21st Oct (Jim Dickson)

18th October

ISLAY: A GREY PHALAROPE was found dead at Currie Sands, Portnahaven today (Mary Redman).
MULL: A HOOPOE was at Croig from 16- 18 Oct (Mike Hardaker).
RED KITES – a big record (by Argyll standards) influx was witnessed today with 5 together over Loch Frisa, Mull and 10 together over Tayinloan area, Kintyre

Grey Phalarope – Islay 18th Oct (Mary Redman)

17th October

TIREE: A YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER was new in at Balephuil today along with migrant Siskins (John Bowler).
KINTYRE: A juv MEDITERRANEAN GULL flew over the goose fields at Rhunahaorine today (Tom Lowe).


16th October

ISLAY: A GREY PHALAROPE hanging around the sea area at Port Wemyss opposite Orsay from early afternoon.
MULL: Passage at Caliach Point included 1 Arctic Skua and 1 adult POMARINE SKUA > S (Theo de Clermont).


15th October

MULL: A GREY PHALAROPE was seen from the Colonsay to Oban ferry – towards Mull (Frank Cavanagh)


13th October

MULL: A late season WHIMBREL flew over Salen Bay today (Theo de Clermont).
TIREE: A juv AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER was seen again at Loch A’ Phuill today (John Bowler).


12th October

TIREE: The juv BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER was seen again at Loch A’ Phuill (John Bowler).
ISLAY: A male POCHARD was at Loch Gorm today (Peter Roberts). A LITTLE EGRET, 3 RUFF & 12 GADWALL were at Loch Gruinart floods (Bob Davison et al).


11th October

ISLAY: Now 2 TODD’S type CANADA GEESE reported at Loch Gruinat (James How).


10th October

TIREE: Juvenile BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER again at Loch a’ Phuill today, also 4 POMARINE SKUAS and 1 SOOTY SHEARWATER off Aird in 1hr from 0730am (John Bowler).
ISLAY: A TODD’S type CANADA GOOSE at Loch Gruinart today (James How).


8th October

TIREE: Juv PECTORAL SANDPIPER again at Loch a’ Phuill.
COLL: A LONG-TAILED SKUA (age not given) was reported from the Oban – Tiree ferry off Coll early afternoon (per Birdguides).
ISLAY: A small type CANADA (Cackling?) GOOSE was reported at Bridgend today in with c 1600 Barnacle Geese (Mark Newell).


7th October

TIREE: A good day for Nearctic waders with single juv BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER, PECTORAL SANDPIPER and AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER at Loch a’ Phuilland another juv AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER at Crossapol (John Bowler).
ISLAY: An adult MEDITERRANEAN GULL was at Blackrock, Loch Indaal (Martin Newell). Two TREE SPARROWS were seen near Redhouse yesterday (Gary Turnbull).


5th October

TIREE: A juvenile AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER – presumably a new individual was found at Barrapol today (John Bowler).
ISLAY: A report of a TURTLE DOVE in the Loch Gorm area today (per Islay WhatsApp).


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