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 2022 ARGYLL BIRD REPORT Volume 34 with Systematic List for 2022 was published on 21 March 2023 as a PDF – (available to ABC members only by an emailed link)
SPRING MIGRANTS TABLE 2023 : SPRING MIGRANTS 01.06.2023
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 2023
11th June
TIREE: The male AMERICAN WIGEON is back at Loch a’ Phuill this afternoon, after a spell at Loch an Eilein (with 2 male Wigeon), also 1 Little Stint and 1 Knot there (John Bowler).
ISLAY: A female MARSH HARRIER at the east end of Loch Gorm this afternoon (Fiona MacGillivray).
9th June
KINTYRE: A belated report of a female type COMMON ROSEFINCH in a garden at Gigalum, south Isle of Gigha on approx 1st June (Keith Helm).
MID-ARGYLL: Another MARSH HARRIER – fem type – over Dunadd, nr Moine Mhor on 3rd June, following a report there on 29 May (James Lehmann).
7th June
TIREE: A LESSER WHITETHROAT seen and giving some song at Balephuil (John Bowler).
MULL: A report received today of a BLACK KITE sighting over Achnahard, near Ardtun, Ross of Mull on 30th May – as it flew overhead and off to the east (David Fleet. Hans-Joachim Augst & Claudia Visse) from Kiel, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany.
6th June
TIREE: A 2cy ICELAND GULL was at Traigh Bhi near Loch a’ Phuill, also a CURLEW SANDPIPER at Hynish (Jim Dickson, Amy Robjohns).
5th June
TIREE: The male AMERICAN WIGEON seen again late evening at Loch a’ Phuill and 2 LITTLE STINTS there in the afternoon (Jim Dickson).
4th June
TIREE: A male AMERICAN WIGEON late evening at Loch a’ Phuill (John Bowler).
COLL: At least 7 ARCTIC SKUAS mostly dark-phase birds & 1 GREAT SKUA on the island (Amy Robjohns).
3rd June
MULL: An adult LONG-TAILED SKUA reported again in waters between Mull & Coll (Sea Life Mull).
2nd June
ISLAY: A TURTLE DOVE made an appearance at the RSPB farm at Kinnabus, The Oa this morning. (David Dinsley).
COWAL: A probable RED-RUMPED SWALLOW – was seen briefly with other hirundines in the hills to the south of Stronafian early evening (Neil Hammatt).
TIREE: A fem COMMON REDSTART and a male PIED FLYCATCHER were at Balephuil (John Bowler).
1st June
TIREE: Two LITTLE STINT were at Gott Bay early morning & 3 CURLEW SANDPIPER at Hynish early evening (Keith Gillon) and a singing LESSER WHITETHROAT at Cornaigbeg mid-morning & early afternoon (Keith Gillon/John Bowler).
31st May
MULL: An as yet unconfirmed report of a CETTI’S WARBLER near the Tobermory water treatment works – would potentially be a new species for Argyll.
29th May
MID-ARGYLL: A report of a MARSH HARRIER early morning around the Dunadd area (per James Lehmann).
TIREE: A female BLACK REDSTART early evening at Balephuil (John Bowler).
MULL: An adult LONG-TAILED SKUA was seen off Tobermory & NW Sound of Mull this morning (Stuart Gibson).
26th May
MID-ARGYLL: A first summer (2cy) MEDITERRANEAN GULL at Loch Gilp this morning (Jim Dickson).
ISLAY: A LITTLE STINT at north hide scrapes, RSPB Loch Gruinart c 08.30 hrs (James How).
21st May
MULL: A report of a HOBBY carrying prey of some sort at Balliscate after 4pm (Vaughan Foulkes-Arnold).
19th May
MULL: The adult male AMERICAN WIGEON is still present at Killiechronan, Loch na Keal.
18th May
MULL: A HOOPOE was in fields beneath Arle Lodge, North of Salen after 19.30 hrs (Theo de Clermont).
15th May
MULL: A male AMERICAN WIGEON found at midday just north of Killiechronan, Loch na Keal (Andy Beevers per Ewan Miles).
ISLAY: A WOOD SANDPIPER at RSPB Gruinart north hide this evening (James How).
12th May
TIREE: A WOOD SANDPIPER was new in at a site on the island this morning (John Bowler) and one was at an inland site in North Argyll on 9 May (Jim Dickson/David Jarrdine).
COLONSAY: The long staying HOOPOE was seen again at Milbuie in the morning.
ISLAY: A male GREEN-WINGED TEAL was reported again at RSPB Loch Gruinart.
11th May
ISLAY: A ‘possible’ (80% sure) WHISKERED TERN off Port Ellen at Kilnaughton Bay 2.30pm – showing a very dark belly (Steve Rogers).
MULL: A HOOPOE was at Lochbuie, Mull in the woods by the house at the start of the track leading up to the stone circle (Keith Warren).
8th May
ISLAY: A male GARGANEY at RSPB Gruinart south hide today (James How).
KINTYRE: A male HAWFINCH was in a garden at Southend 4-6 May (Margaret Bakes).
6th May
TIREE: A HOOPOE was at The Manse, Scarinish this morning (John Bowler).
4th May
COLL: A HONEY-BUZZARD flew over Arinagour this evening, also a LONG-TAILED SKUA was seen off there on 2 May (Greg Smith).
TIREE: A female MARSH HARRIER today at Loch Bhasapol (John Bowler).
2nd May
COLONSAY: The long staying HOOPOE is still at Milbuie – seen after 4pm today (Alan Davis).
MULL: An adult LITTLE GULL was seen at the Sound of Mull today (Greg Smith).
1st May
TIREE: A HOBBY flew around and over the garden at Balephuil (1030-35hrs) before heading off towards Hynish, also a female Redstart there (John Bowler).
26th April
TIREE: A TREE SPARROW was at Balephuil today (John Bowler).
COLONSAY: The elusive HOOPOE turned up again at Milbuie this evening (David Jardine).
24th April
ISLAY: A PECTORAL SANDPIPER & drake GREEN-WINGED TEAL at north hide, RSPB Loch Gruinart, Islay late afternoon (per James How).
COLONSAY: The long staying HOOPOE is still around today – turning up in various gardens (David Jardine et al).
23rd April
MULL: Two DOTTEREL today at Caliach Point (Tony Dudley Clarke per Mike Murphy).
21st April
ISLAY: A 2cy ICELAND GULL off Nave Island, Ardnave (Peter Roberts).
COWAL: A RED KITE flew over Glen Striven at 2.50 pm (Neil Hammatt).
KINTYRE: A HOBBY was seen well, flying into the wind along the Gobagrennan Road, north of Campbeltown (Neil Brown).
20th April
COLONSAY: A female LAPLAND BUNTING found today at he south end of Oronsay (David Jardine). Also a 2cy ICELAND GULL at the Strand (Janet & David Jardine).
19th April
KINTYRE: A RED KITE was seen flying over Lephenstrath Bridge early afternoon ( A & N Hand).
COLONSAY: Another report of the HOOPOE on the island – now at Kilchattan this morning (per David Jardine).
MULL: A RED KITE was seen flying W over Salen (Martin Keivers per Mull Birds).
17th April
TIREE: A male GOLDEN ORIOLE was in the gorse near Heylipol Church in the evening. Also a Lapland Bunting and a Whimbrel at Crossapol Point this morning (John Bowler).
14th April
MULL: An adult GLAUCOUS GULL was seen at Loch Tuath (Oliver Smart).
COLONSAY: HOOPOE still present on the island (Morgan Vaughan).
13th April
COLONSAY: The HOOPOE is still present at Milbuie today – it fourth day (per David Jardine).
MID-ARGYLL: A presumed RED KITE (Buzzard sized, long thin wings & forked tail..) above Achnabreck, N Lochgilphead early afternoon (Fiona Dickson).
MULL: A report of a BLACK REDSTART yesterday 12 Apr at Loch Spelve (per Birdguides), and a dark-phase adult POMARINE SKUA of NW Mull on 12 Apr (I. Greene)
11th April
COLONSAY: A HOOPOE was found at Milbuie yesterday – 10/4 and still there today (Lotta Leehay – spelling?).
TIREE: A 2cy MEDITERRANEN GULL was at Loch an Eilein today – only 10th record for Tiree (John Bowler).
8th April
KINTYRE / MID-ARGYLL: Two STOCK DOVES today – one at Saddel, Kintyre and 1 at Kerrera, Mid-Argyll (David Jardine). A first-summer (2cy) MEDITERRANEAN GULL was at the head of Loch Gilp with c 20 Black-headed Gulls this morning (Jim Dickson).
1st April
MULL: An adult GLAUCOUS GULL was at Loch na Keal today (Alan Graham).
ISLAY: The RED-BREASTED GOOSE is still present at Gruinart today.
31st March
TIREE: A STOCK DOVE was at Balinoe today – only the fifth record for the island (John Bowler).
27th March
MULL: An ALPINE SWIFT was seen near a group of 7 Sand Matins at Pennygown campsite then flew towards the airfield – 2km east of Salen (Adrian Robinson).
26th March
ISLAY: RED-BREASTED GOOSE, SURF SCOTER & AMERICAN WIGEON are all still present on the Island. An early House Martin was recorded yesterday at Port Wemyss.
ARGYLL (general): Summer migrants recently include – Sand Martins from 19/3, Wheatears from 21/3, Sandwich Terns from 21/3, Manx Shearwater from 22/3, Chiffchaffs from 24/3, House Martin from 25/3 and Willow Warbler from 26/3. An Argyll spring migrants table will be posted in due course.