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
30th June
MULL: Have just received news from Dave Allan of a BLACK KITE at Ardalanish on the Ross of Mull on 24th June.
ISLAY: The ROSY STARLING was seen again in Bowmore on the shore at the water treatment works (Gary Turnbull).
25th June
MULL: The ROSY STARLING was seen again at Fionnphort today and was first seen nearby at Knockvologan on 23 June by Will Cook.
COLONSAY: A MARSH HARRIER today at RSPB Oronsay (Morgan Vaughan).
ISLAY: A ROSY STARLING found in a central Bowmore garden this morning (Gary Turnbull).
24th June
MID-ARGYLL: A RED KITE was seen in Kilmichael Glen, N of Lochgilphead early afternoon (Blair Urquhart).
MULL: A report (per Birdguides) of a first-summer ROSY STARLING at Fionnphort ferry terminal with the Common Starling flock there. Another sighting of the presumed ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD (noted at Lochdon on 14 June) at Croggan – distant views but power hovering for voles and some phone scoped photos (Theo de Clermont).
16th June
COWAL: A GREENISH WARBLER was in song today (confirmed by video/recording) west of Dunoon (Alex Ash). This is the 4th Argyll record – all have been in spring with last one, also in song, on Colonsay on 15th June 2017.
ISLAY: The GREAT WHITE EGRET is still being reported from the RSPB Loch Gruinart reserve.
14th June
MULL: A report of a ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD from the Lochdon area (Chris Ladley, Steve Toher et al).
11th June
MID-ARGYLL: In Oban – the 2cy/female ROSY STARLING is still in a garden in middle of the town and today also a HOOPOE turned up in a garden at Pulpit Hill.
COLONSAY: An adult LONG-TAILED SKUA and also a Great Skua were seen from the ferry off the north end of Colonsay this afternoon (David Jardine/Martin Davison).
9th June
MID-ARGYLL: A ROSY STARLING seen and photographed at feeders in a private garden in Oban this afternoon.
6th June
KINTYRE: A male EUROPEAN SERIN was found in a garden at Lephenstrath this morning feeding with other finches and also in song at times (Ann & Noel Hand). Will be the first record for Argyll if accepted by the SBRC.
5th June
ISLAY: A GREAT WHITE EGRET was at RSPB Loch Gruinart south hide area today (Peter Roberts).
TIREE: Two CURLEW SANDPIPERS were at Hough and a LITTLE STINT at Vaul (Keith Gillon).
2nd June
MULL: A male GOLDEN ORIOLE was seen today at a site on the Ross of Mull at Torr na Sealga (Ben Porter per Ewan Miles), also a report of a GREAT WHITE EGRET at Langamull, flying west around Caliach Point (Dave & Carol Adams).
31st May
ISLAY: A WRYNECK was seen briefly at Kinnabus this morning – searched for but not relocated (David Dinsley).
24th May
MULL: A new species for Mull – a male BLACK-HEADED BUNTING was found at Tiroran this morning around 7.30 in a private garden but unfortunately only hung around for less than an hour. Photos to follow..
TIREE: A female type RED-BREASTED FLYCATCHER in a private garden at Balephuil this afternoon (John Bowler).
22nd May
KINTYRE: A TURTLE DOVE arrived at a private garden nr Gigalun, Isle of Gigha (Keith Helm).
21st May
COLONSAY: A female RING-NECKED DUCK was found at East Loch Fada late evening yesterday and again – in better light this morning (Ian Fisher/David Jardine).
20th May
TIREE: A red adult male COMMON ROSEFINCH made a brief visit to a private garden in Balephuil around midday (John Bowler) and a WOOD SANDPIPER was at Balevullin this morning (Zul Bhatia).
19th May
ISLAY: A female HAWFINCH – early evening in at garden feeders in Glenegedale (Martin Armstrong).
TIREE: Two male GARGANEY at Loch Bhasapol this afternoon and the female BLUE-HEADED WAGTAIL was seen again at Balevullin in the morning (John Bowler).
18th May
ISLAY: A report of a COMMON CRANE this morning in fields near Carnduncan (a farmer per James How), nut not seen subsequently. A BLUE-HEADED WAGTAIL was at RSPB Loch Gruinart this afternoon (James How).
TIREE: A female BLUE-HEADED WAGTAIL was at Balevuillin this morning (Oliver Smart per John Bowler).
16th May
MULL: A BLACK KITE flew over Dervaig this afternoon (Theo de Clermont) – will be a new species for Mull & 5th for Argyll if accepted by the SBRC.
ISLAY: A MARSH HARRIER was seen at Saligo around 2pm today (Paul Hackney).
11th May
TIREE: A STONE-CURLEW was found and seen well near the Camp-site at Balinoe around 7.30 am but was not seen again after 8am (Keith Brockie). Only the third record for Argyll and a new species for Tiree if accepted by the SBRC.
ISLAY: a male GARGANEY was at RSPB Loch Gruinart – from the south hide (James How).
7th May
ISLAY: A male DARK-EYED JUNCO was found today in a private garden near Kildalton. A new species for Argyll.
28th April
MID-ARGYLL: A report of a SPOTTED REDSHANK at the Add Estuary this afternoon (Colin Woolf). Update – now confirmed as a Common Redshank.
25th April
MULL: A breeding plumaged SPOTTED REDSHANK was found at Laggan Bay (Theo de Clermont/Ewan Miles). Videograbs below.
17th Apr
ISLAY: An imm male MARSH HARRIER was at Loch Tallant (D. Clugston, V. Wilson per A. Murray).
14th April
KINTYRE: An adult YELLOW-LEGGED GULL was at Kilkenzie, N of Campbeltown this am (Jim Dickson, Neil Hammatt), but no sign of the CATTLE EGRET found yesterday nr Stewarton nr Campbeltown by Victoria Russell. The three SURF SCOTERS are still off Rhunahaorine Point, Sound of Gigha (Jim Dickson, Neil Hammatt).
13th April
KINTYRE: Three (a female & two imm males – both prob 2cy’s) SURF SCOTER late am today – at the Sound of Gigha (David Jardine & Frank Cavanagh).
11th April
TIREE: A pair of GARGANEY at Loch a’ Phuill this morning, also the 3 RING-NECKED DUCK are still present (Dylan Daunt). Five DOTTEREL were seen later at Loch a’ Phuill (John Bowler).
5th April
MID-ARGYLL: A male HAWFINCH was seen behind the Oban Hospital (LIDGH), Glean Sheileach around 10.50 am (Margaret Keirnen).
29th March
COLL: A female type BLACK REDSTART was seen on the island today (Greg Smith).
TIREE: The 2cy RING-BILLED GULL was found again at Hough Bay today (John Bowler).
KINTYRE: The SNOW GOOSE is still at Drumlemble, The Laggan (Catherine Cochrane).
26th March
KINTYRE: Two drake VELVET SCOTER were at the Sound of Gigha today (David Jardine et al). Also present were 100+ Great Northern Divers, 60-70 Slavonian Grebe & 11 Long-tailed Duck.
24th March
MULL: A GREEN WOODPECKER was reported at Croig (per Mullbirds) and apparently has been in that area most of March (Jim Spence).
22nd March
TIREE: A 2cy RING-BILLED GULL was found at Hough today (Keith Gillon).
ISLAY: The adult RED-BREASTED GOOSE was relocated at Octomore (Larry Griffin).
19th March
MID-ARGYLL: A RED KITE was seen over Kilninver (John Speirs). A STOCK DOVE was seen over Dunnamuck N of Lochgilphead (Jim Dickson).
13th March
KINTYRE: A white-phase adult SNOW GOOSE in with geese at Drumlemble this pm (Chris Griffin per Birdguides reports). Also reported 14 & 15 Mar.
25th February
ISLAY: An adult WHITE-BILLED DIVER drifting SW off Carraig Fhada, nr Port Ellen this morning with 15 Great Northern nearby and a further 8 Great Northern further to SW (Will Scott).
Also, generally more Iceland Gulls appearing in last few days with prob 5 or more on Islay..
19th February
COLONSAY: Two POMARINE SKUA – at sea off Colonsay (David Jardine). Presumably a consequence of storm Eunice.