Birds 2017 – Page 3 – Argyll Bird Club

13th September

ISLAY: Highlights today included a group of 7 Gadwall new in at Loch Gorm, a female Greater Scaup off Blackrocks, 5 Arctic and 1 Sandwich Tern off Bruichladdich and 2 Ruff and 2 Golden Plovers in off the sea during a sea-watch near Frenchman’s Rocks this morning (07:25 – 08:50) which included 127 Kittiwakes, 930 Manx Shearwaters, 11 Fulmars, 1 Arctic Tern and 2,100 large auks (Jim Dickson).
COLL: An imm White-tailed Sea Eagle at Sorisdale, Coll (John Bowler).

12th September

ISLAY: Highlights today included: 27 Common Scoters, 2 Greater Scaup, 2 Slavonian Grebes, 2 Ruff, 2 Whooper Swans, 2 Barnacle Geese, 11 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Arctic Terns, 3 Pintails, 1 Hen Harrier, 1 Peregrine and 3 Sparrowhawks (Jim Dickson).
KINTYRE: A sea-watch at the MSBO 07:00-16:00hrs / light wind variable mainly WSW. All species >S. Gadwall 8, Northern Gannet 3 juveniles, Red-throated Diver 18 >S, Sanderling 60, Bar-tailed Godwit 8, Whimbrel 2 and the 2CY Iceland Gull was relocated nearby (Eddie Maguire & Jarrod Hadfield).
COWAL: The WeBS count at the Holy Loch today had highlights of a Kingfisher, 2 Black-tailed Godwits and a high count of 13 Goosanders (George Newall & Alistair McGregor).

Iceland Gull – Machrihanish, Kintyre 12 Sept (Eddie Maguire).

Red-throated Diver – MSBO, Kintyre 12 Sept (Eddie Maguire).

11th September

TIREE: A sea-watch from Aird in NW7-8 with squalls 0655-0825hrs produced (all heading W out of the Minch): 1 Grey Phalarope, 1 Pomarine Skua, 5 Arctic Skua, 6 Arctic Tern, 1 Red-throated Diver, 25 Great Skua, 44 large auk, 41 Fulmar, 49 Kittiwake, 230 Manx Shearwaters, 941 Gannet and 30 Golden Plover. Also, the 1w Red-breasted Flycatcher still in gardens at Balephuil all day, 2 juvenile Buff-breasted Sandpipers at Loch a’ Phuill, 1 juvenile Little Stint at Vaul Bay and 9 Black-tailed Godwits at Sandaig (John Bowler).

Buff-breasted Sandpipers – Loch a’ Phuill, Tiree 11 Sept (John Bowler).

Red-breasted Flycatcher – Balephuil, Tiree 11 Sept (John Bowler).

Little Stint – Vaul Bay, Tiree 11 Sept (John Bowler).

KINTYRE: A sea-watch at the MSBO 07:00-19:00hrs (12hrs). NW 5 / light squalls produced: P-b Brent Goose 2, Common Scoter 5, Northern Gannet 2 juveniles (the first), Manx Shearwater 600, Leach’s Petrel 1, Grey Phalarope 3, Great Skua 4, Pomarine Skua 1 juvenile, Arctic Skua 2, Long-tailed Skua 1 juvenile, Black-legged Kittiwake 700+, Sandwich Tern 5, Arctic Tern 12 (Eddie Maguire & Jarrod Hadfield)).

Leach’s Petrel – MSBO, Kintyre 11 Sept (Eddie Maguire).

Juv Long-tailed Skua – MSBO, Kintyre 11 Sept (Eddie Maguire).

9th September

TIREE: A sea-watch from Aird in NW7 with squalls: highlights included – 1 Leach’s Petrel and 1 Pomarine Skua (John Bowler).
COWAL: A Kingfisher seen on the post from the bird hide on the Holy Loch this afternoon (George Newell /Alistair McGregor).
MID-ARGYLL: A Kingfisher was at Strone point near Inveraray (Hugh Nicol). 1 Whitethroat and 1 Whimbrel at Balviar, Seil today (John Sedgewick).
On Luing at Toberonochy – a juv Curlew Sandpiper and 8 calling Water Rails at Balvicar, Seil at dusk (David Jardine).
ISLAY: Highlights around Loch Indaal today included – a Ruff, a Whimbrel, an Osprey, 2 Brent Geese, a Long-tailed Duck, 2 Slavonian Grebes and at Loch Gruinart – 7 Knot and 2 Brent Geese (per Ian Brooke).
NORTH ARGYLL: An early report of a f/imm Goldeneye at Loch Creran during WeBS count (Robin Harvey).

Bar-tailed Godwits – Loch Gruinart, Islay 9 Sep (Jim Dickson).

8th September

KINTYRE: Eddie Maguire saw a juv Sabine’s Gull this afternoon passing the MSBO hide with other notable species including 2 Pomarine Skuas and 4 P-b Brent Geese.
TIREE: A juv Curlew Sandpiper was at Balephetrish Bay today and a juv Little Stint was at the Ruaig end of Gott Bay yesterday (Keith Gillon).
COWAL: A Nuthatch was on a bird feeder outside the new squirrel/ bird hide at Benmore Gardens (Janis Webster).

Juv Sabine’s Gull – MSBO, Kintyre 8 Sep (Eddie Maguire).

2nd September

TIREE: A Golden Oriole was at Vaul around mid-day (Keith Gillon). This is the first autumn record of this species for Tiree.

Golden Oriole – Vaul, Tiree 2 Sep (Keith Gillon).

KINTYRE: The Little Egret (probably a first-year bird?) is still at the head of West Loch Tarbert and presumably moves to Kennacraig where there was an Osprey this evening. Also 10 Black-throated Divers were off Cloanaig (David Jardine).
MID-ARGYLL: 10 Teal and 9 Wigeon at the Add Estuary (Jim Dickson).
COLL: A Wood Sandpiper was circuling the bay and calling at Arinagour (David Andrews per John Bowler).

31st August

MID-ARGYLL: A single juvenile Curlew Sandpiper was with Dunlin at the Add Estuary this evening (David Jardine).

Gannets and Manx Shearwaters – off Dunoon, Cowal 31 Aug (Alistair McGregor).

Manx Shearwaters – off Dunoon, Cowal 31 Aug (Alistair McGregor).

26th August

MID-ARGYLL: Near Slockavullin, opposite Ri Cruin in the Kilmartin valley a juv Green Sandpiper, only fourth for Argyll mainland (outwith Kintyre), also 65 Mallards and 6 Teal there (Jim Dickson).
TIREE: 2 Ruffs, 1 Greenshank, 55 Black-tailed Godwits, 41 Redshanks, 39 Curlews, 360 Lapwings, 3 Dunlins and 1m Hen Harrier at Loch a’ Phuill (John Bowler), 1 Kestrel at Loch Bhasapol – the first of the autumn here (Tony Davison), 1 Knot and 3 Bar-tailed Godwits at Gott Bay (Kevin Rylands).

Green Sandpiper – Kilmartin valley, Mid-Argyll 26 Aug (Jim Dickson).

24th August

TIREE: 2 Sandwich Terns at Sorobaidh Bay and 24 Black-tailed Godwits at Baugh Road Bridge (John Bowler).

Sandwich Tern – Tiree 24 Aug (John Bowler).

22nd August

KINTYRE: At Strath farm pool (The Laggan) – 41 Black-tailed Godwits and 4 Ruff (Eddie Maguire).
MID-ARGYLL: At the Add Estuary/Moine Mhor – mixed flock of 60+ Ringed Plovers and Dunlins, also 1 Lapwing, a 1w Wheatear, a juv Whinchat, 10+ Stonechats and a flock of 55 Goldfinch (Jim Dickson). On the Isle of Luing – c120 alba Wagtails (including White Wags) at Kilchattan and 1 juv Black-tailed Godwit at Blackmill Bay (David Jardine).
TIREE: 1 Shelduck at Loch a’ Phuill (Kevin Rylands), 5 Black-tailed Godwits at Vaul and 103 Swallows hawking over The Reef (John Bowler).

Juv Whinchat – Moine Mhor 22 Aug (Jim Dickson).

Ruff and Black-tailed Godwits – The Laggan, Kintyre 22 Aug (Eddie Maguire).

Ruff – The Laggan, Kintyre 22 Aug (Eddie Maguire).

20th August

TIREE: a Pectoral Sandpiper this afternoon at Loch a’ Phuill, also 55 Black-tailed Godwits and 6 Ruff (John Bowler).1 Common Sandpiper at Balemartine (Kevin Rylands).
MID-ARGYLL: At the Add Estuary this morning – 1 ad male White Wagtail, 39 Ringed Plovers and 47 Dunlins (Jim Dickson).
KINTYRE: At Strath farm pool (The Laggan) – 14 Black-tailed Godwits and 1 Ruff (Eddie Maguire).

Mallards – Crinan, Mid-Argyll 20 Aug (Jim Dickson).

18th August

KINTYRE: Still one Little Egret at Kennacraig early morning (Val Wells) and roosting there at 11am (Jim Dickson).

Little Egret – Kennacraig 18 Aug (Jim Dickson).

MID-ARGYLL: A Kingfisher was on the Lusragan Burn in Connel this morning (Mike Harrison). At the Add Estuary/Moine Mhor today – the juv male Marsh Harrier is still hunting the land and shore immediately N of the estuary, also 2 Ospreys and 2 male Hen Harriers there (Jim Dickson/James Lehman/John Aitchison). Sue Chattwood saw 2 Swifts over Kilmichael Glassary, Lochgilphead today.
TIREE: 30 Black-tailed Godwits and 1 Whimbrel at Loch a’ Phuill, 9 Black-tailed Godwits flew west at Traigh Bhagh, also 1 Robin new in at Balephuil (John Bowler).

Marsh Harrier – Add Estuary 18 Aug (Jim Dickson).

Osprey – Moine Mhor 18 Aug (Jim Dickson).

17th August

MID-ARGYLL: The juvenile (male?) Marsh Harrier was again at the Add Estuary/ Moine Mhor around 4pm today…watched on the ground at distance of c 600 metres then it flew to pursue an Osprey! (Jim Dickson). Still present around 5.30pm when David Jardine saw it again and also managed some photos…
Over Oban this evening still at least 4 Swifts (Mike Anderson).

Marsh Harrier – Moine Mhor 17 Aug (David Jardine).

Marsh Harrier – Add Estuary 17 Aug (Jim Dickson).

Marsh Harrier pursuing an Osprey – Add Estuary 17 Aug (Jim Dickson).

16th August

TIREE: A seawatch off Hynish at lunchtime produced – 1 Balearic Shearwater, 4 Sooty Shearwaters, 3 Storm Petrel, 1 Arctic Skua and 1 Great Skua in amongst 1,530 Manx Shearwaters, 224 Gannets, 66 Fulmars, 35 Kittiwakes, 77 Shags and 16 large auks (John Bowler).
MID-ARGYLL: At the Add Estuary – 4 Dunlins and 9 Ringed Plovers also 2 Wheatears there (Jim Dickson).
KINTYRE: Have just heard that David Bridge and Val Wells saw 2 Little Egrets at Kennacraig bay on 1st August. Also m + f Hen Harriers seen from the Skipness road recently and a juv Cuckoo there on 24 Jul.

Juv Cuckoo being fed by Meadow Pipit – 24 Jul (David Bridge).

Moorhens – nr Crinan, Crinan Canal, Mid-Argyll 16 Aug (Jim Dickson).

11th August

MID-ARGYLL: at the Add Estuary/Loch Crinan a few waders arrived after over-night rain with 5 adult Black-tailed Godwits, 24 Dunlins and 7 Ringed Plovers. Also 80 Meadow Pipits at Drimvore and 70 at Dalvore (Moine Mhor), also 35 Goldfinches nr Crinan Ferry (Jim Dickson). Some recent photos (below) sent in from Morag Rea includes a garden visiting Short-tailed Vole that appears to have not had much luck….
TIREE: a Juvenile Ruff and 9 Black-tailed Godwits and 3 Whimbrels at Loch a’ Phuill, also 1 Gadwall, 1 PB Brent Goose and 1 Wigeon (John Bowler).

10th August

MID-ARGYLL: an Osprey was over Loch Gilp this evening (Anne Eustace).

Sparrowhawk – Tayvallich, Mid-Argyll (Morag Rea).

6th August

MID-ARGYLL: at the Add Estuary this morning a second-winter/sub-adult Little Gull, 9 Ringed Plovers, a Red Knot, 2 Swifts and a Short-eared Owl. Nearby at Crinan a single Garden Warbler and a Moorhen (Jim Dickson).
COWAL: a report of a Little Egret at the head of Loch Long late evening on 4 Aug and there again on the 5 Aug but not today (Ian Millar)…perhaps the same bird that was at the Holy Loch recently?
KINTYRE: a Little Egret and a Greenshank were at the Kennacraig ferry terminal bay on 4 Aug (per Ian Brooke).
TIREE: an adult Red-throated Diver, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Greenshank and 4 Whooper Swans at Loch a’ Phuill (John Bowler/Kevin Rylands) also a probable Pectoral Sandpiper there but only seen in flight (with a Dunlin heading off NW) and didn’t call…..2 Arctic Skuas and 1 Great Skua between Coll and Tiree (John Bowler).

Little Egret – Loch Long, Cowal 4 Aug (Ian Millar).

Common, Black-headed & Little Gull – Add Estuary 6 Aug (Jim Dickson).

3rd August

MID-ARGYLL: around the Moine Mhor and Add Estuary this morning – a Short-eared Owl hunting, 4 Common Sandpipers, 2 Whinchats, a juv Whitethroat, 6 Linnets, 160+ Meadow Pipits and 24 (mostly juvs) Pied Wagtails (Jim Dickson).

Common Whitethroat – Moine Mhor, Mid-Argyll 3 Aug (Jim Dickson).

Short-eared Owl – Moine Mhor, Mid-Argyll 3 Aug (Jim Dickson).

Pied Wagtail – Moine Mhor, Mid-Argyll 3 Aug (Jim Dickson).

1st August

COWAL: a Little Egret has been at the head of the Holy Loch since Saturday 29th July and an Osprey there today (Alistair McGregor).
MID-ARGYLL: a single Whimbrel at Loch Gilp this morning (Jim Dickson). Five Swifts over Oban this evening (Mike Anderson).

Little Egret – Holy Loch, Cowal 29 Jul (Alistair McGregor).

30th July

TIREE: a Great Skua at Traigh Bhaigh yesterday (photo below) and ca100 Puffins off Coll on the Oban-Coll ferry (David Jardine). Today: a Juv Wood Sandpiper still on small lochan at Milton today. 16 ad Black-tailed Godwits at Salum, 5 Greenshanks at Loch a’ Phuill and 273 Sanderlings counted around the coast (John Bowler).
MID-ARGYLL: at the Add Estuary this morning – 2 Greenshanks, 27 Dunlins, 2 Ringed Plovers, 2 Common Sandpipers, 1 Red Knot, 150+ Meadow Pipits, 4 Wheatears. At Loch Gilp – 3 Bar-tailed Godwits, 65 Common Terns and a Common Whitethroat (Jim Dickson).

Greenshanks – Add Estuary, Mid-Argyll 30 Jul (Jim Dickson).

Great Skua with GBB Gull – Traigh Bhaigh 29 Jul (David Jardine).

Black-tailed Godwits – Salum, Tiree 30 Jul (John Bowler).

28th July

MID-ARGYLL: six adult Red Knots were new at Loch Crinan today, also 2 Dunlin, 2 Common Sandpipers and a s/p Turnstone at the Add Estuary. Also a single Swift over Cairnbaan (Jim Dickson). An egret was seen today at the bay (Loch Beag) in front of Craignish Castle nr. Ardfern and perhaps the Little Egret seen nearby in June (Rachael Mackenzie).
COLL: a report of a Kingfisher at Arinagour on 16 July (per Ben Jones/John Bowler).
ISLAY: a Grasshopper Warbler ‘reeling’ at Foreland this morning (Peter & Pia Roberts per Ian Brooke).
TIREE: a Wood Sandpiper at Milton (Christian Verstraete), 4 Greenshanks and 1 Pale-bellied Brent at Loch a’ Phuill and1 juv Cuckoo at Balephuil (John Bowler).

Juv Willow Warbler – Add Estuary, Mid-Argyll 28 Jul (Jim Dickson).

26th July

COWAL: Alistair McGregor got some photos of a Sandwich Tern catching Sand Eels off Coal Pier, Dunoon and doing a bit of acrobatics…
MID-ARGYLL: still a Grasshopper Warbler reeling at Cairnbaan, also Chaffinch post-breeding numbers building up with 45 there. A total of 60+ House Sparrows counted in the Letterdail area of Cairnbaan. At Loch Crinan a single Turnstone in summer plumage and at least 60-70 Swallows there. At least 6 fledged Common Terns on the mud at Loch Gilp (Jim Dickson).

Sandwich Tern – Dunoon, Cowal 26 Jul (Alistair McGregor).

23rd July

MID-ARGYLL: Morag Rea sent in a couple of good photos taken recently of Great Spotted Woodpeckers at Tayvallich.

Juv Great Spotted Woodpecker – Tayvallich, Mid-Argyll (Morag Rea).

Fem + juv Great Spotted Woodpecker – Tayvallich, Mid-Argyll (Morag Rea).

22nd July

MID-ARGYLL: at the Add Estuary this morning – 2 juv Greenshanks new in, also 1 Whimbrel, 5 Dunlins and 2 Common Sandpipers (Jim Dickson).

Juv Wren – Add Estuary, Mid-Argyll 22 Jul (Jim Dickson).

Wren – Add Estuary, Mid-Argyll 22 Jul (Jim Dickson).

19th July

TIREE: a Swift at Ruaig sliabh (Christian Verstraete) and 2 Swifts near the Glebe (Martin Finnigan).
ISLAY: small numbers of Swifts noted on the island (per Ian Brooke).
NORTH ARGYLL: Robin Harvey got this photo on 18 Jul of a Ringed Plover chick (one of two chicks) on Tralee beach and assures us the birds were not disturbed or agitated.

Ringed Plover chick – Tralee, North Argyll 18 Jul (Robin Harvey).

18th July

MID-ARGYLL: at Ruadh Sgeir in the Sound of Gigha off Carsaig with Dougie Menzies a count of 1,000+ roosting 2CY Kittiwakes, nesting Shags, Cormorants and approx. 300 Common Terns (Jim Dickson).
TIREE: three Swifts at Ceann a’ Mhara, 1 Swift at Sandaig and a Grasshopper Warbler reeling at Balephuil (John Bowler).

Shags – Ruadh Sgeir, Sound of Jura 18 Jul (Jim Dickson).

2CY Kittiwakes- Ruadh Sgeir, Sound of Jura 18 Jul (Jim Dickson).

Common Terns – Ruadh Sgeir, Sound of Jura 18 Jul (Jim Dickson).

12th July

KINTYRE: a migrant Willow Warbler in MSBO garden today (Eddie Maguire).
MID-ARGYLL: a male and female Hen Harrier plus Short-eared Owl hunting over the Moine Mhor early morning (Jim Dickson).
TIREE: two Ospreys flying near Milton pier (Tim Sawyer), 2 Black-tailed Godwits at Cornaigmore (John Bowler).

Lesser Redpoll – Cowal 12 Jul (Alistair McGregor).

Willow Warbler – Machrihanish SBO, Kintyre 12 Jul (Eddie Maguire).

9th July

ISLAY: Siskins at Kilchoman today with a Goldfinch being the odd one out. Also a Sparrowhawk…perhaps eyeing up a meal! (Ian Brooke).
TIREE: 19 Black-tailed Godwits and a surprise Pale-bellied Brent Goose at Loch a’ Phuill today (John Bowler) and 1 Greenfinch with 1 fledged young at Baugh (Bill Welstead).
MULL: a Black Swan again at Lochdon (Dave Pierce per Alan Spellman). 71 Black-tailed Godwits flying S over Treshnish Farm (Anand Prasad).

Sparrowhawk – Kilchoman, Islay 9 Jul (Ian Brooke).

Siskins & Goldfinch – Kilchoman, Islay 9 Jul (Ian Brooke).

Red-breasted Merganser – Dunoon, Cowal 9 Jul (Alistair McGregor).

8th July

KINTYRE: the 2CY Iceland Gull showing well at Machrihanish SBO…now has a pale iris (Eddie Maguire).
TIREE: a Siskin at Balephuil and 1 Goldcrest at Carnan Mor – both very unusual mid-summer records here, also 1m Grasshopper Warbler still reeling at Balephuil and 1 Common Sandpiper at Sorobaidh Bay (John Bowler).
MID-ARGYLL: a m Grasshopper Warbler still reeling at Cairnbaan (Jim Dickson).
COWAL: 11 Black Guillemots counted at Dunoon Pier and 2 Sandwich Terns on the rocks(Alistair McGregor).

Black Guillemots – Dunoon, Cowal 8 Jul (Alistair McGregor).

Grasshopper Warbler – Balephuil, Tiree 8 Jul (John Bowler).

Iceland Gull – MSBO, Kintyre 8 Jul (Eddie Maguire).

5th July

MID-ARGYLL: at least 3 family groups of Grey Wagtails seen around the Moine Mhor area this morning (Slockavullin, Dalvore and Ballymeanoch), an Osprey fishing at the Add Estuary and a Redstart in song at Tayness/Slockavullin (Jim Dickson).

Grey Wagtail – Dalvore, Mid-Argyll 5 Jul (Jim Dickson).

4th July

MID-ARGYLL: at Keills John Aitchison noted 60 mostly juv Starlings being chased by a Peregrine, also 2 Swifts there. Nearby along the coast of Isle of Danna there were 15 Swifts on the move south (Jane Smith per John Aitchison).
MULL: a Greenshank was at Craignure Bay and an adult Slavonian Grebe was at the head of Loch na Keal (Dave Pierce per Alan Spellman).
COWAL: at Knockdow Estate there were 3-4 adult Moorhens with up to a total of 9 young, also 2 broods of Little Grebes (Alistair McGregor & George Newall).

Moorhens – Knockdow, Cowal 4 Jul (Alistair McGregor).

Little Grebes – Knockdow, Cowal 4 Jul (Alistair McGregor).

1st July

NORTH ARGYLL: Moorhens have bred at Benderloch gravel pits (Robin Harvey). Remains a scarce species on the Argyll mainland…
COWAL: a report from Clive McKay of a Honey -buzzard he saw in Cowal yesterday…await more details…
MID-ARGYLL: at Keills, Loch na Cille John Aitchison reports lots of species with young now in the area including a female Red-breasted Merganser with 4 small ducklings, Grasshopper Warbler reeling near the old Chapel with Wheatears nesting there, Red-throated Divers noted on the loch, Spotted Flycatcher towards Tayvallich and 14 Mistle Thrushes and a female Redstart recently.

Moorhens – Benderloch, North Argyll 28 Jun (Robin Harvey).

30th June

MID-ARGYLL: at the Moine Mhor early morning: Short-eared Owl hunting, female Hen Harrier hunting, 2 Linnets, several Lesser Redpolls, a Whitethroat and a family of Whinchats. Also an adult and 2CY male Hen Harrier there recently and 3 Grasshopper Warblers reeling (Jon Close/Jim Dickson).

Common Whitethroat – Moine Mhor, Mid-Argyll – 30 Jun (Jim Dickson).

Whinchat – Moine Mhor, Mid-Argyll – 30 Jun (Jim Dickson).

26th June

ISLAY: the adult male Rose-coloured Starling is still at Laphroaig today (photos taken on 24 Jun below) and the drake Ring-necked Duck remains at Loch Finalaggan (per Ian Brooke).
MID-ARGYLL: Errol Crutchfield got this image (below) of a Tawny Owl at Ormsary taken late on 25 Jun.

Tawny Owl – Ormsary, Mid-Argyll 25 Jun (Errol Crutchfield).

Rose-coloured Starling – Laphroaig, Islay 24 Jun (Gary Turnbull).

25th June

MID-ARGYLL: a short walk around Dunadd Hill Fort this morning was productive with no less than 8 Whinchats (4 ads+ 4 juvs), 2 Stonechats, 4 Lesser Redpolls, a juv Twite, 2 Whitethroats, 2 Spotted Flycatchers, 2 Mistle Thrush and several Willow Warblers. Nearby at Dalvore Wood were singing Blackcap and a Wood Warbler, also 2 Spotted Flycatchers, and more Whinchats at Drimvore, Dalvore, Crinan Ferry Road and Islandadd Road, with at least 12 pairs in the area recently (Jim Dickson).
A Monarch butterfly was found by Janet Jardine in their garden this morning….an exceptionally odd record in summer, presumably released? (Janet & David Jardine).
TIREE: 5 Golden Plover fresh in at Sandaig, an early return (John Bowler).

Monarch – Kilmartin, Argyll 25 Jun (Janet Jardine).

Whinchat – Dunadd, Mid-Argyll 25 Jun (Jim Dickson).

Willow Warbler – Dunadd, Mid-Argyll 25 Jun (Jim Dickson).

Lesser Redpoll – Dunadd, Mid-Argyll 25 Jun (Jim Dickson).

22nd June

KINTYRE: at Machrihanish SBO today; a Whimbrel flew south calling, a Little Tern was by the Arctic Tern colony and the regular 2CY Iceland Gull was seen many times (Eddie Maguire). Yesterday at Balloch Farm (Laggan) 2 Quail were heard and one was seen and a belated report of a pair of Garganey at Strath Farm (The Laggan) on 25 May (Malcolm Blanchflower per Eddie Maguire).
TIREE: an adult Curlew Sandpiper was new at Loch a’ Phuill, also 2 Great Skuas there and 1 Woodpigeon was new in at Balephuil (John Bowler).

Curlew Sandpiper – Loch a’ Phuill, Tiree 22 Jun (John Bowler).

21st June

KINTYRE: at Machrihanish SBO today the long-staying 2CY Iceland Gull (from 16th May) is still present. The May / June duckling productivity so far includes 8 broods / 55 ‘Shelducklings‘ (mean brood size = 6.8) and the Common Eiders now have 5 broods / 19 ducklings (mean brood size = 3.8) (Eddie Maguire).
ISLAY: a report of a Rose-coloured Starling at Laphroaig today but require further details (per Ian Brooke).

Eiders – MSBO, Kintyre 21 Jun (Eddie Maguire).

Iceland Gull – MSBO, Kintyre 21 Jun (Eddie Maguire).

Shelducks – MSBO, Kintyre 21 Jun (Eddie Maguire).

20th June

MID-ARGYLL: a Little Egret has been at the north end of Loch Craignish lagoon, Ardfern for the past two days (Jan Brown). At Cairnbaan today a pair of Spotted Flycatchers, singing Garden and Grasshopper Warblers and a Blackcap but the highlight was an imm White-tailed Eagle over the house at mid-day. A pair of Spotted Flycatchers in Jon Close’s garden at Carsaig.
ISLAY: the drake Ring-necked Duck is still on Loch Finlaggan (per Ian Brooke).

Turnstones – Dunoon, Cowal 19 Jun (Alistair McGregor).

17th June

TIREE: photos have now appeared of the Rose-coloured Starling that was reported from The Green on 3 Jun (Iain Macdonald per John Bowler).
MID-ARGYLL: Malcolm Chattwood noted a distant tern at his inland BBS square this morning, about 5 miles N of Lochgilphead however the identity is not certain. No further sign of the Common Rosefinch nr Crinan today. Now 4 Bar-tailed Godwits at Loch Gilp (Jim Dickson).
COWAL: three Puffins were noted in Loch Fyne opposite Minard today.

Rose-coloured Starling – Tiree 3 Jun (Iain MacDonald).

15th June

COLONSAY: a Greenish Warbler was seen and recorded singing at Loch Turraman this morning (Ian Fisher, David & Janet Jardine, Martin Davison, Anne Middleton). There are two previous Argyll records both in Kintyre, in 1983 and 1987.