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).
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.
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).
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).
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).
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.
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).
1st December
MULL: A ‘SIBERIAN’ CHIFFCHAFF was in a garden at Dervaig today (Pete Walkden, Ewan Miles).
28th November
MULL: A 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).
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).
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).
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).
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.
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.
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).
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.
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).
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).
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
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).
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).