14th June
MID-ARGYLL: at Loch Gilp today 3 Long-tailed Ducks (summer male and female and a female type in transition) also 4 Gannets feeding in the loch, 3 Bar-tailed Godwits, several Eiders with ducklings, 2 Red-throated Divers and 14 Red-breasted Mergansers. At least 70 Common Guillemots off Ardrishaig flying up Loch Fyne (Jim Dickson).
COLONSAY: breeding of Great Skua was confirmed for the first time on Colonsay (it has bred on Oronsay) (Martin Davison/David Jardine).
13th June
MID-ARGYLL: at the Moine Mhor (from Drimvore to Crinan Ferry) several parties of Whinchats and Stonechats with juvs, also juv Grey Wagtail and several juv Pied Wagtails about now. Still 2 Bar-tailed Godwits at Loch Gilp (Jim Dickson).
12th June
KINTYRE: at Machrihanish SBO more seabirds moving than of recent with good numbers of Manx Shearwaters and Common Guillemots, also 4 Storm Petrels. The 2CY Iceland Gull is still present (Eddie Maguire/Jim Dickson).
ISLAY: the drake Ring-necked Duck is still present at Loch Finlaggan (Toby Green).
MID-ARGYLL: 2 Bullfinch, 35 Siskins and a group of 10 Long-tailed Tits were at Cairnbaan.
11th June
MID-ARGYLL: a Garden Warbler in song and also carrying food beside the Crinan canal bird hide at the Add Estuary (Jim Dickson).
8th June
JURA: Angela Harrell has sent through some sightings from Jura over the last few days and include 2 male Hen Harriers, 2 Short-eared Owls, 6 different Cuckoos and today a Whimbrel at Ardfin with another Short-eared Owl there.
KINTYRE: Clive McKay has sent in a photo of the Reed Bunting nest with a Cuckoo egg he found near Campbeltown in late May.
COWAL: Neil Hammatt has just been told of two areas where Pied Flycatchers have nested this year; at Glenbranter and at Kenmore, Loch Lomond (Clyde)….presumably they are very under recorded in Argyll so all reports very welcome.
7th June
KINTYRE: a Lesser Whitethroat was heard singing (and was recorded), in hawthorn next to Cnoc Ban, 100 yds north of Southend church (Neil Hammatt).
COWAL: the Rose-coloured Starling was seen again at Kirn, Holy Loch area on Tues 30 May with excellent photos taken by Lizzy Owen (per Alison Ireland).
4th June
KINTYRE: no further sign of the Sooty Tern at the Machrihanish SBO, which will be only the third Scottish record if accepted by the BBRC, but the bleached 2CY Iceland Gull is still hanging around there (Eddie Maguire).
3rd June
MID-ARGYLL: Mike Murray reports that nesting Barn and Tawny Owls appear to be doing well this summer. Mike was also out on Lunga, Treshnish Isles recently and got a photo of a ringed Puffin…presumably one of the birds ringed by the auk ringing group that visit each summer. Numbers there fluctuate each year around 3,000 or so apparently occupied burrows (per Robin Ward).
2nd June
KINTYRE: Eddie Maguire managed to photograph a Sooty Tern (at 100 metres at 11.04 am) as it flew S past the Machrihanish SBO. Quite an astonishing record for the west of Scotland and an excellent UK record. Well done Eddie (Jim).
TIREE: 1 Curlew Sandpiper at Gott Bay this morning (Mark Mallalieu per John Bowler).
31st May
KINTYRE: a bleached 2CY (first-summer) Iceland Gull was at Machrihanish SBO at 13:35 hrs today (Eddie Maguire).
TIREE: 1 Barnacle Goose at Loch na Gile, 1m Chiffchaff at the Glebe, 1m Chiffchaff and 2 Common Redpoll at Balephuil. Also 1 Hummingbird Hawk-moth at Traigh Bhi, first Marsh Fritillaries (50+) and Four-spotted Chasers out on central sliabh (John Bowler).
30th May
TIREE: a c/r Sanderling seen at Vaul Bay on 26 May (Jim Dickson) now has details back per John Bowler: Colour code: Y/GWR Ring: T075507 ESI Age: 6 Sex: – Date: 26/05/2015 Catching place: Punta Balea, Cangas (Pontevedra), Spain 42º14’55″N 08º47’27″W Anilladores/ringers: Antonio Fernández Cordeiro.
29th May
TIREE: 2 Sandwich Terns new at Loch a’ Phuill today, 1m Chiffchaff and 14 Collared Doves at Balephuil, 1m Pochard at Loch na Faing, 2 House Martins at Cornaigmore, 5m Ruff on a ploughed field at Balephetrish, 6 Storm Petrels off Balemartine early am (John Bowler).1 Little Stint at Balephetrish Bay (Mark Mallalieu).
28th May
TIREE: 1f Black Redstart was at Heylipol Church (Mark Mallalieu). 1 Dunnock new at Carnan Mor with 4 Common Redpolls there, 1 House Martin at Balemartine, 1m Pochard at Heylipol Church loch (John Bowler). 1 Storm Petrel between Coll and Mull (Jim Dickson).
27th May
TIREE: 1f Siskin, 1f Redstart, 4 Common Redpolls, 2 Woodpigeons, 4 Spotted Flycatchers, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Grasshopper Warbler and 3m Orange-tip Butterflies at Carnan Mor / Balephuil (only 1 previous Tiree record of this butterfly). 1 Woodpigeon and 1 Spotted Flycatcher at The Glebe (John Bowler/Jim Dickson).
MID-ARGYLL: Nine Swifts over the Tesco car park after the rain stopped this evening (Elspeth and Michael Anderson).
26th May
MID-ARGYLL: a Little Egret was found at the Add Estuary this evening. Other good birds there were a pair of Lapwing and an Osprey (Lynsey Gibson).
COLONSAY: a pale-phase Arctic Skua was off the NE island (David Jardine).
25th May
COWAL: an adult Rose-coloured Starling was found in a garden this morning at Hunters Quay (Paul & Ruhi) and seen again later by George Newall and Alistair McGregor.
MULL: a Little Egret was at Knock, Loch na Keal yesterday (per Alan Spellman).
24th May
MID-ARGYLL: a second-year Little Gull today at Loch Gilp (Jim Dickson). The Nuthatch in Ardrishaig has been sighted again this week (Lynsey Gibson).
TIREE: a Red-rumped Swallow at Gott Bay today found by ABC chairman Mike Harrison then stayed around the ‘pink house’ area bring seen by John Bowler and later by Graham Todd.
22nd May
TIREE: after the rain stopped this evening: 1f Pied Flycatcher, 1 Wood Warbler (not singing), 1 Spotted Flycatcher and 1 Goldcrest at Carnan Mor (John Bowler).
KINTYRE: a Little Egret came in off the sea at 13:00hrs from the direction of Islay / Jura and landed in front of the Machrihanish SBO hide! (Eddie Maguire). A second-year Iceland Gull was near the MSBO near to the marine research buildings (Bob Relph).
ISLAY: reports per Ian Brooke….there was a Little Egret at RSPB Gruinart reserve yesterday evening (possibly the bird seen at Machrihanish today?), the Ring-necked Duck was still at Loch Finlaggan yesterday and today a male Garganey was at Gruinart.
19th May
TIREE: an immature Glaucous Gull at Vaul Bay – pale iris so presumably a 3CY bird. 1 Spotted Flycatcher at Vaul and 1 at Carnan Mor – also 1m Cuckoo there (John Bowler).
KINTYRE: a ‘Yellow’ Wagtail was near the Machrihanish Observatory on 16 May and had a grey head therefore likely a Grey-headed or perhaps Blue-headed type (Bob Relph). Today Eddie Maguire reported flocks of Sanderlings and small tundra type Ringed Plover at the Obs (Uisead Point) and passing through.
18th May
COWAL: the imm/non-breeding Great White Egret is still at the head of the Holy Loch. The breeding adult has not been seen since Monday. It is feeding on small crabs and when it catches a flounder it flies off with it in the direction of the old gravel pits (Alistair McGregor).
17th May
COWAL: two Great White Egrets apparently turned up at the Holy Loch on Mon 15 May! Alistair McGregor and George Newall managed to see one of them the following day however no sign of them this morning. (update: one seen this evening). There had been two of this species at Baron’s Haugh, Clyde until late Sun 14 May….a full breeding adult and a non-breeding/imm therefore most likely the same birds. They may well turn up elsewhere in Argyll! in addition a Little Egret was reported from the head of Loch Riddon also on 15 May and Alistair McGregor managed to see it there yesterday. Swifts are back at Hillfoot, Dunoon this evening (George Newall).
MID-ARGYLL: a Garden Warbler seen and heard at Taynish early morning (Jon Close). 3 Swifts over Lochgilphead meadows this evening (Jim Dickson).
ISLAY: three Spotted Flycatchers at Kinnabus, The Oa today….first of the year there (David Wood).
TIREE: 1,700 Sanderlings and 900 Dunlins at Gott Bay including several leg-flagged Sanderling, over 2,100 Sanderlings on the island today.1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1m Cuckoo, 1 Goldfinch, 2 House Martins and 1 Chiffchaff at Balephuil. 1 Chiffchaff at Sorobaidh Bay creek. 1 Whimbrel at Loch an Eilein (John Bowler).
16th May
MID-ARGYLL: a belated report of a Magpie at Bridgend (north of Lochgilphead) on 6 May (John McInally)…always a good record in Mid-Argyll. At Kilmartin this evening a Spotted Flycatcher, a Garden Warbler, Blackcaps, Chiffchaff, Whitethroat, Yellowhammer, a pair of Grey Wagtails, Redpolls and Common Sandpipers (Jim Dickson). Six Swifts over Oban (above Tescos) this evening (Anne-Lise Dickie).
ISLAY: a report of a male Ring-necked Duck today at Loch Finlaggan (Andrew Greenwood per Ian Brooke).
TIREE: 1 Knot and 7 Bar-tailed Godwits at Gott Bay (Zul Bhatia). 1 Pink-footed Goose at Balevullin. 1 Purple Sandpiper, 220 Ringed Plovers and 1 Whimbrel at Hough Bay (John Bowler).
15th May
COLONSAY: on Oronsay today, a fleeting view of a Garganey (Morgan Vaughan).
TIREE: 1 Green Sandpiper and 1 Swift at Loch a’ Phuill. 1 Arctic Skua (dark phase) off Hynish.1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Grasshopper Warbler and 1 Chiffchaff at Balephuil (John Bowler).
14th May
TIREE: a Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Spotted Flycatcher and 2 House Martins new at Carnan Mor (John Bowler).
12th May
COLL: two Spotted Flycatchers this morning at the Lodge plantation (John Bowler). Singing Wood and Garden Warbler in the Lodge plantation this afternoon (John Bowler).
COWAL: a photo of a Cuckoo from Glen Massan recently from Alistair McGregor who notes numbers down a bit in the area this year….
11th May
MULL: a Turtle Dove was found at Kintra (Deargphort) at mid-day but not seen later (Jeremy and Margaret Roberts).
TIREE: this evening, John Bowler saw an adult male Ruff on the shore at Mannal and a Spotted Flycatcher at Balephuil.
COWAL: two Sanderlings at Toward today (Alistair McGregor).
10th May
COWAL: five Purple Sandpipers at Dunoon crazy golf, plus 1 Turnstone (George Newall). Five Common Swifts around Dunoon primary School this afternoon (Tom Callan).
MID-ARGYLL: three Sedge Warblers around Ormsary today (Stu Crutchfield).
TIREE: a Wood Sandpiper on pool at Kilmoluaig this afternoon (David Palmar per John Bowler).
ISLAY: at Kilchoman, Ian Brooke continues to create a feeding and nesting an area attractive to many species. An upgrade of the feeding station is proving popular with Golfinch at present. The drake Garganey is still at Gruinart, also a Ruff in breeding plumage and our first report of a Spotted Flycatcher (per Ian Brooke).
9th May
COWAL: Ian Giles sent in this great image on Mandarins at the Holy Loch taken on 3rd May. Two Common Swifts were over Toward Castle this afternoon (Cherry Cook).
KINTYRE: at Rhunahaorine Point this evening several members of the ABC committee roped off a small area to protect breeding birds vulnerable from disturbance. In a couple of hours over 50 species were noted in the area including several Great Northern Divers, 60+ Common Scoters, a Grey Plover, 4 Sanderlings, Crossbills and Tree Pipits (photo shows one with a brood patch).
8th May
COWAL: at Ardkinglas woodland today a Nuthatch feeding a fledgling (Neil Hammatt).
MID-ARGYLL: in Glen Fyne – no sign of Ring Ouzels but Grey Wagtail, Whinchat, Redstart, Garden Warbler, Peregrine, Common Sandpipers, Cuckoos and Wheatears seen (Jim Dickson).
TIREE: no sign of the Subalpine Warbler today (John Bowler).
KINTRYE: seven Common Swifts over Campbeltown Lowland Church at 17:50hrs (Eddie Maguire).
ISLAY: a male Garganey again at Gruinart RSPB reserve (per Ian Brooke).
MULL: a Black Swan was at Lochdon – first seen at Duart Castle yesterday (Alan Spellman).
7th May
MID-ARGYLL: three Swifts at Kilmichael Glassarry today, with the first returning bird there on May 5th (Annette Anderton per Malcolm Chattwood).
TIREE: a male Western Subalpine Warbler in hawthorns at Carnan Mor this evening – occasionally in song – also 1 Common Redpoll and 1m Blackcap there. 1 Tree Sparrow, 1m, 1f Blackcap, 1m Grasshopper warbler, 2 Corncrakes fighting in the open, 1 Redwing and 2 Robins (nesting) at Balephuil. 1,500 Dunlins and 400 Ringed Plovers between Balephetrish and Clachan – also 1 Whimbrel and 26 Shelducks at Clachan (John Bowler).
6th May
KINTYRE: a Lesser Whitethroat was noted at Point Sands campsite yesterday (Neil Hammatt).
A report of 2 male Goshawks seen at the N and S ends of the Kintyre way last week – 30 Apr and 4 May (Chic McSherry).
MID-ARGYLL: at Barnakill, Crinan Canal today: Garden, Sedge, Grasshopper and Wood Warblers, also 3 Blackcaps, Cuckoo and Common Sandpiper (Jim Dickson).
A Swift was seen in Oban today (Malcolm and Sue Chattwood).
TIREE: Lesser Whitethroat, Tree Pipit, 2m Blackcap, Cuckoo, 6 Willow Warblers and 1 Common Redpoll at Carnan Mor. Tree Sparrow, 2 Lesser Redpolls, Whitethroat, 1m Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Grasshopper Warblers, 3 Willow Warblers, 6 Sedge Warblers and 1f Chaffinch at Balpehuil (John Bowler).
A white-phase Gyrfalcon was reported from Tiree Airport on the evening of 4 May – seen by several people including Airport staff and a pilot but not seen since.
5th May
MULL: another (or same as earlier) Nuthatch at Craignure today (Alan Spellman).
MID-ARGYLL: Whinchats seen in 6 areas around the Moine Mhor today also 6 Wheatears between Drimvore and Dalvore (Jim Dickson). A Whinchat was near the Loch Nant dam today (Roger Broad).
SCARBA: not many reports received from this island however on a visit there David Jardine noted Wood Warbler, Redstart, Whitethroat, Blackcap in the woodland below Kilmory Lodge. Also, returning via Corryvreckan, not without looking at Eilean Mor (there were no Puffins to be seen), but interestingly there was a single Purple Sandpiper with a couple of Turnstones.
TIREE: a Tree Sparrow all day at Balephuil, also 1 Common Redpoll, 1 Whitethroat, 1m,1f Blackcap, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Grasshopper Warblers, 3 Willow Warblers, 1f Chaffinch and 2 Chiffchaffs there. Low thousands of Dunlin and hundreds of Ringed Plovers on the machairs and beaches included 800 Dunlin and 500 Ringed Plover between Vaul and Caoles. 400 Dunlin at Balephetrish Bay. 520 Dunlin and 180 Ringed Plover at Loch a’ Phuill, also juv Glaucous Gull there, 5 White Wagtails, 80 Sand Martins and 3 Black-tailed Gowits. 1 Pale-bellied Brent Goose at Gott Bay (John Bowler).
ISLAY: a Swift was seen over Loch Indaal today (Gary Turnbull).
4th May
COWAL: at Ardkinglass gardens today 2 Nuthatches and 2 Wood Warblers (Neil Hammatt et al).
COLONSAY: more recent sightings per David Jardine included a Dotterel on Oronsay on 1 May and a Whitethroat on Colonsay on 2 May.
MID-ARGYLL: at Taynish NNR this morning at least 8 Wood Warbler territories, also 5 separate sightings of Tree Pipits. Also on 1 May up to 5 Cuckoo’s calling and one female ‘burbling’ at Moine Mhor 05.00 hrs (Jon Close). Two Whitethroats in Ormsary on 2 May (Stu Crutchfield).
ISLAY: a male Marsh Harrier was at the Gruinart RSPB reserve today (James How per Ian Brooke).
TIREE: a reeling and 1 non-reeling Grasshopper Warbler new at Balephuil this morning with a Tree Sparrow there this evening. 1m Ring Ouzel briefly at Hynish plus 2 Common Sandpipers there, also late report of a juv Iceland Gull there on 30 April (John Bowler).
3rd May
MID-ARGYLL: today at the Moine Mhor BBS square birds of note were Wood Warbler, Whitethroat, Redstart, 2 Blackcaps, 3 Whinchats, 4 Grasshopper Warblers, 2 Sedge Warblers, 3 Cuckoos, Dipper and 2 Common Sandpipers. Nearby another Whinchat. A Garden Warbler was singing at Cairnbaan (Jim Dickson).
COWAL: Neil Hammatt has encounted several areas with Wood Warblers, Sedge Warblers, Redstarts and Garden Warblers in areas usually poorly covered in the past.
TIREE: a Garden Warbler, 1 Whitethroat and 1 Chiffchaff new at Balephuil. 1m Blackcap at Carnan Mor. 1 Wood Sandpiper at Loch a’ Phuill this evening – also 1 pair Pochard, 3 Whooper Swans, 1 Black-tailed Gowits, 6 Little Terns, 33 Arctic Terns and 290 Dunlins there (John Bowler). 56 Whimbrels were at Salum (Robin Harvey).
MULL: a Brambling was in a garden at Dervaig yesterday (Pam Brown per Alan Spellman).
2nd May
COWAL: on Neil Hammatt’s new BBS square at Ardno, Cowal (nr. Cairndow) he noted Redstart, Whinchat, Garden Warbler and 3 Wood Warblers. Also two Ring Ouzels and Common Whitethroat in Glen Fyne, Mid-Argyll on 30 Apr. George Newall/Alistair McGregor saw Grasshopper Warbler at head of Loch Striven, heard a few Redstarts in Achnabreck Wood near Loch Riddon, and saw one male and several Cuckoos were singing. On the river at the first bridge in Glen Massan by the timber houses, 4 male Mandarin Ducks, 2 male Goosanders, and a pair of Grey Wagtail (Cherry Cook).
KINTYRE: 42 Whimbrels, 38 Sandwich Terns and 15 White Wagtails at the Machrihanish SBO today (Eddie Maguire).
TIREE: Mixed flock of ca 2,150 Dunlins and 1,250 Sanderlings at Gott Bay today including 9 leg-ringed Sanderling – also 1 Grey Plover there. Scattered mixed groups of hundreds of Ringed Plovers and Dunlins on the machairs and other beaches today. 1 Robin, 1 Cuckoo, 3m Corncrakes and 1 Goldcrest at Balephuil. 2 new moths for Tiree in the garden moth-trap last night: Early Tooth-striped and Clouded Drab (John Bowler).
29th April
COWAL: The colour ringed Lesser Black-Backed Gull remains a visitor to a garden in Dunoon tempted by cheese. It spends a fair bit of time on a neighbour’s roof showing its ring well (George Newall).
TIREE: Today at Sorobaidh Bay: 1f Lapland Bunting, 5 Arctic Terns, 3 White Wagtails and 1m Greenland Wheatear; 70 Black-tailed Godwits at Heylipol; 25 Black-tailed Godwits at Loch a’ Phuill, plus 6 Arctic Terns, 2 Little Terns and 81 Dunlin. 4 late Greenland White-fronts at Barrapol (John Bowler).
MULL: 28 Apr – an Osprey over Lochdon heading NW (Alan Spellman).
28th April
NORTH ARGYLL: At the gravel pits at Benderloch today: 3 Little Grebe chicks; the Sedge Warblers have returned with 2 singing males (Robin Harvey)
TIREE: Today, 2m Lapland Buntings in full summer plumage at Loch an Eilein; 1f Lapland Bunting and 1 Pink-footed Goose at The Reef; 1m Blackcap singing at Balephuil; 108 Black-tailed Godwits at Heylipol and 65 Black-tailed Godwits at Balephuil (John Bowler).
25th April
COWAL: A colour ringed Lesser Black-Backed Gull was a visitor to a garden in Dunoon earlier today. (George Newall)
TIREE: Today 6 Lapland Buntings still at Sorobaidh Bay; A record influx of at least 2,270 Black-tailed Godwits: 1,750 in single flock at Kilmoluaig was quite a sight – including 15 colour-ringed birds; 470 at Loch an Eilein including 7 colour-ringed birds and a lone Knot, 38 at An Fhaodhail including 2 colour-ringed birds, 12 at Loch Bhasapol; 1 Arctic Tern and 5 Little Terns at Traigh Bhagh. Also scattered small groups of Whimbrel and low thousands of Golden Plover and still 6 Redwing at Balephuil. (John Bowler)
MID-ARGYLL: on 23 Apr two adult and one immature Whooper Swans at northern side of Loch Sween (Michael Gallico)
24th April
MID-ARGYLL: Cuckoo , Common Sandpiper and Grasshopper Warbler in Kilmichael Glen today (Blair Urquhart). Update for 22 Apr – 120 Pale-bellied Brents on Loch Gilp increased to 200 in area through the day and headed north over Oakfield, Lochgilphead in late evening. At around noon 90 White-fronted Geese seen heading north over Lochgilphead (Simon Lawrence).
TIREE: Today 6 Lapland Bunting inc 4 males again by feeders at south end of Sorobaidh Bay – also 6 White Wagtails there inc 1 with entirely pale grey crown; 1 juv Glaucous Gull at Traigh Bhagh; 135 Black-tailed Godwits at The Reef inc 2 colour-ringed birds; 325 Black-tailed Godwits at Loch Bhasapol inc 3 colour-ringed birds and 2 Common Terns at Loch a’ Phuill (John Bowler). Also today 30 Black-tailed Godwits at Kilkenneth including 1 colour-ringed bird (Tim Frank)
COWAL: Still 10 Purple Sandpipers at Dunoon Crazy Golf course today. Update for 22 Apr – 3 Sandwich Terns offshore at Dunoon. (George Newall)
KINTYRE: Yesterday – a Common Swift briefly over Campbeltown (Eddie Maguire)
23rd April
MID-ARGYLL: A Grasshopper Warbler reeling at Slockavullin today (David Jardine). A Nuthatch made the observer’s day when it was spotted feeding on the bird table in a garden in Ardrishaig this morning. (Lynsey Gibson).
TIREE: Today: 1m Corncrake calling at Mannal; 2 Arctic Terns off the Maze – first of the spring here; 28 Whimbrel, 15 Wheatears and 32 White Wagtails along the coast between Sandaig and Balevullin ;1 pair Pochard at Heylipol Church loch;220 Turnstones and 15 Purple Sandpipers at Hough Bay (John Bowler).
Yesterday: 1 Osprey north high over Loch a’ Phuill and 6 Whimbrel; 18 Whimbrel, 14 Blackwits and 2 Little Terns at Traigh Bhagh;1,500 Golden Plover at Balevullin; 2,500 Golden Plover at the Reef
