Birds 2017 – Page 5 – Argyll Bird Club

22nd April

MID-ARGYLL: 60+ Pale-bellied Brents on the mud at Loch Gilp this morning (Malcolm Chattwood). A Cuckoo calling at Tayvallich (Colin MacFarlane).
COLL: 0n 19th April 120 non-breeding Ravens at Crossapol, a White-tailed Eagle on Gunna and a Merlin at Totronald (Colin MacFarlane).
COWAL: 6 Purple Sandpipers at Dunoon Crazy Golf Course and at least 2 Cuckoos singing near Bishop’s Glen (George Newall).
KINTYRE: A significant passage of around 50 White Wagtails at Machrihanish SBO this morning with many loitering to feed on hatching kelp flies (Eddie Maguire).

21st April

KINTYRE: A French ringed Goldfinch was controlled at Machrihanish SBO yesterday adding to the 68 which have been ringed at the Observatory to date in April. (Eddie Maguire).
NORTH ARGYLL: a Nuthatch was heard singing and then seen in a tree at Dalmally on 13^th April (Miranda Shephard).
TIREE: 1m Lapland Bunting again at south end of Sorobaidh Bay on cattle feeder at lunchtime– also 79 PB Brent there including the same 5 colour-ringed birds as yesterday plus 12 White Wagtails. 8 Whimbrel at Traigh Bhagh, 58 Black-tailed Godwits and 1 Little Tern at Loch Bhasapol. 3 Blackcap, 1 Goldcrest and 6 Redwing still at Balephuil (John Bowler).

20th April

MID-ARGYLL: 24 Pale-bellied Brents grounded on the mud at Loch Gilp this morning (Jim Dickson). 3 White Wagtails reported from Keills on 18 Apr (John Atchison). A Nuthatch was at feeders today in a garden at the head of Loch Scotnish (per Morag Rea).
NORTH ARGYLL: a Mandarin Duck was at the north end of Loch Awe yesterday, also a pr of Crossbills (Bob Grove).
COLL: some reports through from David Andrews on the island included a record of Lapland Bunting at Sorisdale on 28^th Mar.
TIREE: 122 Pale-bellied Brents grounded in mist this am at Sorobaidh Bay including 5 colour-ringed birds (and 1 oddly pale-spotted bird) also 8 White Wagtails there. 6,350 Golden Plover at The Reef plus 1,950 in other flocks around West Tiree. 76 Black-tailed Godwits at Loch Bhasapol included 2 new colour-ringed birds. 65+ Black-tailed Gowits at Loch a’ Phuill (John Bowler).

P-b Geese – Sorobaidh Bay, Tiree 20 Apr (John Bowler).

Black-tailed Godwits – Tiree 20 Apr (John Bowler).

Lapland Bunting – Sorisdale, Coll 28 Mar (David Andrews).

P-b Brent Geese – Loch Gilp, Mid-Argyll 20 Apr (Jim Dickson).

19th April

MID-ARGYLL: 6 Black-tailed Godwits were new in at Loch Gilp where still 9 Bar-tailed Godwits. Also 2 ff Wheatears there. At Dalvore woods, Moine Mhore a m Redstart, Wood Warbler and Tree Pipit with 3 mm Wheatears nearby and an Osprey fishing at the Add Estuary. A Cuckoo calling at Cairnbaan this evening (Jim Dickson). More Swallows just north of Lochgilphead today (Malcolm Chattwood).
KINTYRE: 35 Sanderlings, at least 20 Whimbrel and 15+ White Wagtails at the Machrihanish SBO today (Eddie Maguire). 3 Common Swifts over Campbeltown this evening 19:45 hrs (Eddie Maguire/Rab Morton)
TIREE: a pair of Common Scoter off Sorobaidh Bay – also 160 GN Diver, 600+ Manx Shearwaters and 1 Minke Whale there in flat calm seas. 2 Pale-bellied Brents at north end of Sorobaidh Bay plus 6 Goldfinch, 4 Whimbrels,1 Willow Warbler, 10 White Wagtails and 1 Little Tern. 2,700 Golden Plover and 83 Black-tailed Godwits this afternoon at Loch a’ Phuill including colour-ringed birds from Iceland and E. Scotland (John Bowler).
COWAL: several Sand Martins and Swallows in the Glen Massan, and excellent views of a Cuckoo (George Newall/Alistair McGregor).

White Wagtail – MSBO, Kintyre 19 Apr (Eddie Maguire).

Whimbrel – MSBO, Kintyre 19 Apr (Eddie Maguire).

Redstart – Dalvore, Mid-Argyll 19 Apr (Jim Dickson).

Osprey – Add Estuary, Mid-Argyll 19 Apr (Jim Dickson).

Wheatear – Loch Gilp, Mid-Argyll 19 Apr (Jim Dickson).

18th April

COWAL: 55 Pink-footed Geese > NW over Glendaruel at 12:10 (Clive McKay).
KINTYRE: a report of around 80 geese (Pink-feet?) > N over Carradale this morning. Another separate report later of around 300 > N. Also Tree Pipit and 4 Reed Buntings at Carradale Bay (Alisdair Paterson).
The 2CY Iceland Gull is still at Campbeltown harbour (Eddie Maguire).
NORTH ARGYLL: the Common Sandpipers are back at the Benderloch gravel pits (Robin Harvey).
TIREE: 67 Black-tailed Gowits (2 colour-ringed birds) and 1 Greenshank (1^st of year here) at Loch a’ Phuill – also 12 White Wagtails there. 1m and 1f Blackcap at Balephuil plus 1 Goldcrest, 1 Willow Warbler, 1m Wheatear and 6 Redwings. 3 White Wagtails at Sorobaidh Bay (John Bowler).
MULL: a House Martin seen this morning at Croggan (Steve Hiscock).
ISLAY: a 1w Little Gull at Black Rocks, Loch Indaal and a Glaucous Gull there later… Gary Turnbull: Wild Islay Birding
Also 2 Arctic Terns (first report) at Loch Indaal (Angus Hogg).
COLONSAY: on Oronsay a Little-ringed Plover was found and causing much excitement with the team there (Morgan Vaughan).
COLL: first report of a Corncrake at Totronald RSPB reserve (Ben Jones).

Little-ringed Plover – Oronsay 18 Apr (Amy Millard).

1w Little Gull- Loch Indaal, Islay 18 Apr (Gary Turnbull).

1w Little Gull (with B-h Gull) Loch Indaal, Islay 18 Apr (Gary Turnbull).

Iceland Gull – Campbeltown, Kintyre 18 Apr (Eddie Maguire).

Siskin – Cairnbaan, Mid-Argyll 18 Apr (Jim Dickson).

Lesser Redpoll – Dunoon, Cowal 12 Apr (George Newall).

17th April

MID-ARGYLL: a Cuckoo heard calling at Cairnbaan this morning, also two Blackcaps in song there. Ad Little Gull still at Loch Gilp (Jim Dickson). First Swallows at Ormsary today and also a House Martin this afternoon (Stu Crutchfield). A Tree Pipit this morning in Kilmichael forest during my BBS transect (David Jardine). Grasshopper Warbler (our first report) heard at Minard today (Sally Hall).
Mull: two Tree Pipits singing at Glen Aros this morning (Sean Foote and Abi Jacobs).
TIREE: six Lapland Bunting (4 males) were at Sorobaidh Bay, also 5 White Wagtails there.
A m Blackcap singing at Balephuil (arrived evening of 15 April, was first of spring here), also 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Goldcrest and 6 Redwings there. 2 pairs of Gadwall noted today (John Bowler). An imm White-tailed Eagle soaring high over Milton (Christian Verstraete).
MULL: a Cuckoo was heard calling at Croggan (Steve Hiscock per Alan Spellman) and one at Lochdon (Andrea Mackenzie per Alan Spellman).
ISLAY: a Cuckoo was at Ballygrant (Angus Hogg).

Lapland Buntings – Sorobaidh Bay, Tiree 17 Apr (John Bowler).

Blackcap – Balephuil, Tiree 17 Apr (John Bowler).

14th April

TIREE: a juv Glaucous Gull and 2 Little Terns at Gott Bay – an obvious increase in waders with 190 Ringed Plovers there and 4 new leg-flagged Sanderlings on 3 beaches. 2 Pale-bellied Brents at Balephetrish Bay. A Pink-footed Goose with 405 Barnacle Geese at Balephetrish (most of the 4,600 Barnies that wintered here and almost all of the 900 Greenland White-fronts have moved north). A male Chaffinch singing at Balephuil – a rare treat here – also a Willow Warbler, 5 Redwings and 2 Goldcrests there (John Bowler). 20+ Shelducks watched arriving from the south at Traigh Bhi (Rob Archer).
KINTYRE: a Stock Dove at Killellan Park, south Kintyre (Eddie Maguire / Rab Morton), and a report for 12 Apr with a Little Tern and a Bar-tailed Godwit just N of Kennacraig jetty (Eddie Maguire per Darragh Hudson).
COWAL: 29 Purple Sandpipers at Crazy Golf, Dunoon this afternoon (George Newall).
ISLAY: a Sedge Warbler was heard singing at Keills yesterday – first report (Gary Turnbull).
NORTH ARGYLL: a 2CY Iceland Gull, Kilcheran Loch, Lismore, also a 2CY Whooper Swan there (David Jardine). Also on Lismore a House Martin at Achnacroish and 2 Red-throated Divers and a Black Guillemot off the pier, from new resident to Lismore (Robert Croma).

Mandarins – Kilmun, Cowal 14 Apr (Ian Giles).

13th April

MID-ARGYLL: a flock of 21 Kittiwakes flew up Loch Gilp then headed back south, also several Swallows in Lochgilphead now. 25 Sand Martins and 4 Swallows by the Crinan Ferry turnoff (Jim Dickson).
TIREE: A massive flock of 7,500 Golden Plover at The Reef with 550 more at Loch a’ Phuill. 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Goldfinch, 1 Redwing and 1 Goldcrest at Balephuil. 5 Black-tailed Gowits at Loch an Eilein (John Bowler). 1 juv Glaucous Gull at Gott Bay, with 4 Little Terns, 44 Pale-bellied Brents (3 ringed) and 4 Purple Sandpipers later on at Gott Bay (Rob Archer).

Golden Plovers – The Reef, Tiree 13 Apr (John Bowler).

12th April

KINTYRE: at the Machrihanish SBO the first Whimbrel (3) and a light movement of Razorbills with 210 >S / 3hrs (Eddie Maguire). Sand and House Martins at Low Smerby and a Common Sandpiper at Claonaig (Neil Hammatt).
COWAL: Nuthatches seen occasionally in my garden at Glenbranter, with a recent sighting of one there (Agnes MacPhillimy).
TIREE: a Whimbrel at Traigh Bhagh was the first arrival report for the island (John Bowler).

Razorbills – MSBO, Kintyre 12 Apr (Eddie Maguire).

10th April

KINTYRE: just received a report of our first Cuckoo (7^th April) at Clachan, Kintyre (Ged Connelly per Alasdair Paterson).
COWAL: 15 Purple Sandpipers and 29 Turnstones yesterday at Dunoon Crazy golf (George Newall).
In Benmore Gardens this morning – 2 singing Chiffchaffs, 3 singing Willow Warblers, a singing Blackcap, 2 Swallows and a Nuthatch in full song (Steve Petty).
TIREE: 3 juv Glaucous Gulls at Loch Bhasapol and 1 juv at Loch a’ Phuill – also 550 Golden Plover there. 29 Pale-bellied Brent Geese at Gott Bay and 1 at Sorobaidh Bay. A total of 66 Black-tailed Godwits at 3 lochs (John Bowler). 200+ Marsh Fritillary caterpillars out on the sliabh in the sunshine (with Neil Ravenscroft).
MID-ARGYLL: the female Greater Scaup is still on Ballachuan Loch, Seil (David Jardine).

Golden Plovers – Tiree Apr (Richard Whitson).

9th April

KINTYRE: at the Machrihanish SBO today 19 Great Northern Divers, 2 Common Scoters, 2 Sandwich Terns, 4 White Wagtails and ca. 20 Bottle-nosed Dolphins (Eddie Maguire).
TIREE: 1 Woodpigeon and 1 Collared Dove new at Balephuil – also 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaffs, 6 Linnets and 2 Goldcrests there. Three White Wagtails new at Loch a’ Phuill plus 25 Sand Martin, 1 Swallow, 550 Golden Plovers and 20 Black-tailed Godwits there and 1 Grey Plover at Sorobaidh Bay (John Bowler), also 3 Sand Martins at Milton (Martin Finnigan).
MID-ARGYLL: two Common Sandpipers at Taynuilt towards Bonawe furnace (Stuart Edwards).

Great Northern Divers- MSBO, Kintyre 9 Apr (Eddie Maguire).

Bottle-nosed Dolphin – MSBO, Kintyre 9 Apr (Eddie Maguire).

8th April

KINTYRE: another summer plumaged ‘Scandinavian’ Rock Pipit was found by Eddie Maguire at the Machrihanish Observatory today.
MID-ARGYLL: Willow Warblers now becoming more widespread e.g. several seen along the Crinan canal today (Colin MacFarlane et al) and around Kilmartin (Malcolm Chattwood et al).
First report of a male Ring Ouzel, in song, at Beinn Buidhe, Glen Fyne today (Graeme Garner).
MULL: first report of a Common Sandpiper with one today at Loch Beg (Bryan Rains/Steve Hiscock).
TIREE: 26 Whooper Swans north at Balephuil– also 1 Willow Warbler (first of spring there), also 2 Chiffchaffs, 3 Goldcrests and 50 Redwings (latter with much sub-song) 3 Goldfinch, 1 Sparrowhawk, 6 Wheatears and 5 Manx Shearwaters at West Hynish and 1 Swallow at Barrapol (John Bowler).

Scandinavian Rock Pipit – MSBO, Kintyre 8 Apr (Eddie Maguire).

7th April

MID-ARGYLL: A Whimbrel on the shore of Loch Craignish, south of Ardfern this evening (David Jardine).
TIREE: 20 Black Guillemots on dawn count off Ceann a’ Mhara and 5 m Wheatear on shore; 1 juv Glaucous Gull, 18 Black-tailed Godwits and 4 Sand Martin at Loch a’ Phuill (John Bowler).

6th April

COWAL: The first record this year of a Wood Warbler seen near Stonefield, Glen Massan this afternoon (Alistair McGregor)
NORTH ARGYLL: A pair of Gadwall at Ardtur pond this evening (David Jardine).

Glaucous Gull – Tiree 6 Apr (Richard Whitson).

5th April

COWAL: A male Brambling joined two Lesser Redpolls in a garden this morning at Knockdow (George Newall). Also an Osprey on the Kilmun side of Holy Loch this afternoon. (Alistair McGregor)
KINTYRE: Today a first winter Iceland Gull at Campbeltown Harbour. (Eddie Maguire)
TIREE: Today, A juvenile Glaucous Gull, 4 Sand Martin, 18 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 PB Brent Geese and 28 Whooper Swans at Loch a’ Phuill; 1m Wheatear, 2 Linnet, 1 Barn Swallow, 1 Goldcrest and 50 Redwing at Balephuil; another juvenile Glaucous Gull and 5 Whoopers at Loch Bhasapol; 75 Greenland White-fronted Geese at Kenovay and 3,850 Golden Plover at The Reef (John Bowler)

4th April

KINTYRE: Today 62 Sanderling and 5 White Wagtails at Machrihanish SBO. Also at Westport Marsh: 60 Eurasian Teal, 6 Northern Shoveler (4 males), 5 Little Grebe, 9 Moorhen and 6 displaying Lapwing. (Eddie Maguire). Two Sandwich Terns at Portrigh Bay, Carradale today (Alasdair Paterson).
TIREE: A group of circa 100 Brent Geese [pale bellied] today, with Greylags in a croft field opposite Loch Bhasapol (Stephanie Cope).

Sand Martin – Tiree 2 Apr (Richard Whitson).

White Wagtail – Machrihanish SBO 4th April (Eddie Maguire)

3rd April

KINTYRE: The Black Swan and 5 Whoopers still present at Kilkivan, The Laggan today. Yesterday a Scandinavian Rock Pipit at Machrihanish SBO (Eddie Maguire)
TIREE: Amongst a flock of Sanderlings at Balemartin yesterday were three colour-ringed individuals. Two were ringed in Iceland in May 2016 and the third in the Netherlands in Aug 2016. (Richard Whitson)

Scandinavian Rock Pipit – Machrihanish SBO 2nd April (Eddie Maguire)

2nd April

MID-ARGYLL: a first sighting of a Nuthatch on a bird feeder in a garden at Lochgair (John and Julie Sutton). An Osprey was seen successfully fishing at Bellanoch today (Caroline Anderson).
TIREE: Yesterday a House Martin at Heylipol and today Corncrakes at Balinoe and Barrapol (Stephanie Cope).

Ringed Plover and Sanderlings- Tiree 2 Apr (Richard Whitson).

Osprey fishing at Bellanoch Mid-Argyll 2 Apr (Caroline Anderson)

1st April

MID-ARGYLL: an adult Little Gull again at Loch Gilp this morning (Jim Dickson).
KINTYRE: two Greenshanks at Carradale Bay (Ged Connelly per Alasdair Paterson).
COWAL: a hybrid drake American x Eurasian Wigeon found today at the Holy Loch (George Newall, Alsitair McGregor).

hybrid American x Eurasian Wigeon – Holy Loch, Cowal 1 Apr (Alistair McGregor).

31st March

TIREE: some recent photos and reports from Stephanie Cope on Tiree included a Wheatear at Sandaig on 26 Mar, colour-ringed Sanderlings at Sorobaidh Bay on 23 Mar, a sub-adult White-tailed Eagle at Crossapol on 29 Mar and several Glaucous Gulls still around the island. Also a 4.5m headless Minke whale dead stranded in Scarinish Harbour. Many thanks Stephanie.
ISLAY: the drake Green-winged Teal seen again at Gruinart (Richard Belter) and 3 Lapland Buntings at Ardnave (Mark Eden).
KINTYRE: at Westport Marsh today: 8 Greylags, 10 Shelducks, 2 Wigeons, 83 Teal, 5 Shoveler (3 males), a male Tufted Duck, 5 Little Grebe, 7 Moorhen and 9 Lapwing (much display) (Eddie Maguire).

Glaucous Gull and Minkie Whale – Scarinish, Tiree 29 Mar (Stephanie Cope).

Wheatear – Sandaig, Tiree 26 Mar (Stephanie Cope).

Sanderling – Sorobaidh Bay, Tiree 23 Mar (Stephanie Cope).

30th March

KINTYRE: a Black Swan appeared with five Whoopers, a Pink-footed and 40 White-fronted Geese at Kilkivan, The Laggan today (Eddie Maguire).
TIREE: a single Barn Swallow at Barrapol (Stephanie Cope).
ISLAY: a single Barn Swallow at Rockside (Bob Davison).
NORTH ARGYLL: a Chiffchaff singing in Benderloch today (Robin Harvey).

Black Swan- Laggan, Kintyre 30 Mar (Eddie Maguire).

29th March

KINTYRE: arrivals at Machrihanish SBO included 2 Sandwich Terns resting on the shore and 2 Sand Martins passing N, also 2 Common Scoters passed S (Eddie Maguire).
COWAL: 26 Purple Sandpipers and 1 Turnstone today at Crazy Golf. 2 Lesser Redpolls with several Siskins on the niger feeders in the garden. At Knockdow yesterday no sign of Stock Doves but the usual Moorhens and a pair of Little Grebes. Chiffchaffs almost everywhere. (George Newall).
MID-ARGYLL: The Mandarin ducks have been back with us at Durran, Loch Awe the last couple of weeks and surprised me today by perching on a nest box! (Mary Stewart).
MULL: three Barn Swallows at Knock are out first Argyll reports (Damian Jamrozik per Alan Spellman).

Grey Heron- Ardentinny, Cowal Mar (Steve Petty).

Greenfinch – Cairnbaan, Mid-Argyll 29 Mar (Jim Dickson).

Mandarins- Durran, Loch Awe 29 Mar (Mary Stewart).

27th March

KINTYRE: at least 5 White Wagtails at Machrihanish SBO today and the regular leucistic adult Herring Gull put in an appearance (Eddie Maguire).
ISLAY: a Sandwich Tern was at Bruichladdich today (Peter Roberts). A report of a Great Grey Shrike at Avonvoggie (per Ian Brooke) was perhaps same as earlier bird on Islay.
MID-ARGYLL: a flock of 10 Redwings were enjoying the evening sunshine in Connel today and a Moorhen was on the Lusragan Burn in Connel. This could well be the same bird as was first seen there in December (Mike Harrison).

White Wagtail – MSBO, Kintyre 27 Mar (Eddie Maguire).

Herring Gull – MSBO, Kintyre 27 Mar (Eddie Maguire).

22nd March

MID-ARGYLL: a pair of Goldeneyes were displaying and mating at Loch Gilp, also 3 Little Gulls there (an adult + 2 first-winters = 5 different birds there this year) (Jim Dickson).
Three female Greater Scaup with four Tufted Ducks were at Ballachuan Loch, Seil and possibly the first Scaup records for Seil.. (David Jardine).

Goldeneyes – Loch Gilp, Mid-Argyll 22 Mar (Jim Dickson).

21st March

MID-ARGYLL: a male Northern Wheatear this morning along the shore at Lingerton dump, Loch Gilp (Andrew Tongue). A 2CY Iceland Gull in a field 2km NE of Oban this morning (Jim Dickson).
NORTH ARGYLL: the Little Egret was again at Dalrannoch, Loch Creran. Photo taken through the barge window (Laurance Larmour).
TIREE: at least 306 Whooper Swans counted passing through Tiree today – most touched down briefly in heavy squalls before heading north again. Three juv Glaucous Gulls – singles at Loch Bhasapol, Crossapol and Balephetrish and 100’s of Black-headed Gulls and dozens of Lesser Black-backed Gulls around now (John Bowler).
KINTYRE: an adult Iceland Gull flew past the Machrihanish Seabird Observatory (Eddie Maguire).

Whoopers- Loch a’ Phuill, Tiree 21 Mar (John Bowler).

Little Egret – Loch Creran 21 Mar (Laurance Larmour).

Glaucous Gull – Tiree 21 March (John Bowler).

20th March

NORTH ARGYLL: I work at Loch Creran north of Oban and was interested to see a Little Egret through the window six feet away from me, perched on the handrail of our barge as I sat eating lunch today (Laurance Larmour).
TIREE: two Goldcrests and 1 Goldfinch at Balephuil, 2 Goldfinch at Balinoe, 2,450 Golden Plovers and 120 Turnstones at the Reef and a juv Glaucous Gull at Loch Bhasapol (John Bowler).

Teal – Loch Gilp, Mid-Argyll 20 Mar (Jim Dickson).

19th March

ISLAY: a Sand Martin (our first report) and a House Martin at the RSPB Gruinart floods and male & female Peregrine plus an adult White-tailed Eagle there (Mike Peacock).

Reed Bunting – Keillmore, Mid-Argyll 19 Mar (Amanda Chadderton).

13th March

MID-ARGYLL: Whooper Swans have been stopping off and flying over Loch Gilp in recent days with 16 there on 10 Mar (Simon Lawrence) and 18 on the Loch today then flew off N over the town (Jim Dickson/Simon Lawrence). Also still 90+ Skylarks in a field at Drimvore and at least 2 in song at the Add Estuary (Jim Dickson).
KINTYRE: A sleepy 1w Iceland Gull at Campbeltown pontoon again today (Eddie Maguire). Also 12 Yellowhammers at a garden ground feeding station in a Campbeltown garden. This is the largest flock seen in this area for many years (Eddie Maguire / Esther Thompson).
TIREE: 2 juv Glaucous Gulls together at Baugh – others single juvs (perhaps the same?) at Crossapol and The Reef, 1 juv Glaucous Gull at Balephetrish Bay, 1 Fieldfare at Beinn Gott, 1 Goldcrest at The Glebe, ca 300 Black-h Gulls, 50 Lesser BB Gulls and 20+ Pied Wagtails around East Tiree today on the goose count (John Bowler).
NORTH ARGYLL: a Little Egret again at Dalrannoch, Loch Creran during the WEBS count (Robin Harvey).
COWAL: around 40 Whooper Swans flying all around the Kyles of Bute last night in full moonlight and then headed west. (David Blair).

Little Grebe – Loch Gilp, Mid-Argyll 13 Mar (Jim Dickson).

Yellowhammer – Campbetowm, Kintyre 13 Mar (Eddie Maguire).

Iceland Gull – Campbeltown, Kintyre 13 Mar (Eddie Maguire).

Whoopers – Loch Gilp, Mid-Argyll 13 Mar (Jim Dickson).

9th March

ISLAY: a juv/1w Iceland Gull at Laggan Bay (David Clugston/Val Wilson per Angus Murray).
MID-ARGYLL: 10 Lesser BB Gulls at Loch Gilp at lunchtime and the female Long-tailed Duck still at Loch Ceann a’ Chroin this evening (David Jardine).

Cormorant – Loch Riddon, Cowal 9 Mar (Alistair McGregor).

Iceland Gull – Campbeltown, Kintyre Mar 17 (Gary Woodburn).

Black Guillemots – Kintyre Mar 17 (Gary Woodburn).

8th March

ISLAY: the 1w Ring-billed Gull is still present and now west of Craigens (David Clugston/Val Wilson per Angus Murray). Many thanks to John Nadin/Gary Woodburn for sending through images from their recent Islay visit.

Golden Eagle – Islay Mar 17 (Gary Woodburn).

1w Ring-billed Gull – Islay 3 March (Gary Woodburn).

7th March

MID-ARGYLL: an adult Little Gull again at the head of Loch Gilp (Jim Dickson).
KINTYRE: a Greenshank and 3 Bar-tailed Godwits were at Kennacraig (Jim Dickson).

Little Gull – Loch Gilp, Mid-Argyll 6 Mar (Jim Dickson).

6th March

TIREE: 2 juv Glaucous Gulls at Sorobaidh Bay, 2 juv Glaucous Gulls at north end of the Maze hanging around a 9 metre Sperm Whale bobbing in the surf, plus another freshly dead juv Glaucous Gull there (John Bowler).

Sperm Whale and Glaucous Gull- Tiree 6 Mar (John Bowler).

5th March

ISLAY: the Great Grey Shrike is still present today at Carnain (Gary Turbull: Wild Islay Birding).
MULL: an Iceland Gull at the Sound of Mull seen from the Oban – Tiree ferry (Toby Green per Angus Murray).
MID-ARGYLL: Three male and two female Bullfinches were feeding in a crab-apple tree in Connel today, their first visit of the spring to this tree (Mike Harrison). Nine Whooper Swans flew N over Loch Gilp at 4pm and an adult Little Gull also there (Jim Dickson). A Kingfisher and 2 Greenshanks at Caol Scotnish (Alan Dykes).

Great Grey Shrike – Carnain, Islay 5 Mar (Gary Turnbull).

2nd March

ISLAY: a Lapland Bunting found by Chris Mills on The Oa today (David Wood).
KINTYRE: four Iceland Gulls in Kintyre today with first-winters just north of Tayinloan and between Tayinloan and Campbeltowm, a second-winter at Campbeltown harbour and an adult on the road to Machrihanish by the airport turn off. Also 2 Pink-footed Geese at Drumlemble and the regular 22 Barnacle hybrids (John Nadin/Jimmy Steele).
TIREE: a Goldcrest at Balephuil – first of the spring here and 26 Whooper Swans new at Loch an Eilein (John Bowler).

Lapland Bunting – The Oa, Islay 2 Mar (David Wood).

27th February

MID-ARGYLL: 20+ Black-throated Divers on Loch Caolisport early morning (Stu Crutchfield).
TIREE: three juvenile Glaucous Gulls at Sorobaidh Bay –with 14 ad Black-headed Gulls and 1 ad Lesser BB Gull there, also 1 juvenile Glaucous Gull at Traigh Bhagh and 1 Mistle Thrush at Balephuil (John Bowler).

juv Glaucous Gull – Tiree 27 Feb (John Bowler).

Mistle Thrush – Balephuil, Tiree 27 Feb (John Bowler).

26th February

MID-ARGYLL: a flock of 93 Skylarks was at Drimvore this morning (Jim Dickson).

Pied Wagtail – Drimvore, Mid-Argyll 26 Feb (Jim Dickson).

Skylarks – Drimvore, Mid-Argyll 26 Feb (Jim Dickson).

25th February

KINTYRE: a juvenile Iceland Gull was at Tarbert harbour (Neil Hammatt).
NORTH ARGYLL: the ABC trip to Lismore today led by David Jardine included 2 Greenshanks (3 Otters) and concluded with a flurry of several White-tailed and a single Golden Eagle near Loch Laich.

Iceland Gull – Tarbert, Kintyre 25 Feb (Neil Hammatt).

22nd February

MID-ARGYLL: a first-winter and an adult Little Gull at Loch Gilp as well as an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull and a single Red Knot. The orange neck collared Greylag Goose was re-found at Barsloisnoch (NDI) (Jim Dickson).
TIREE: a sea-watch this morning off Aird, with highlights of a Little Auk and 3 Long-tailed Ducks. Also a Snow Bunting at Traigh nan Gilean this afternoon (John Bowler).
KINTYRE: just received a very early report of a grounded Manx Shearwater in a garden at Carradale harbour sometime w/c 6^th Feb, confirmed by photos. (Ian McGhie per Mike Harrison).
COWAL: a Kingfisher at the top of Loch Striven today was a nice surprise and also a Waxwing at Ardentinny on Sun 19^th (Neil Hammatt).

1w + ad Little Gulls- Loch Gilp, Mid-Argyll 22 Feb (Jim Dickson).

16th February

MID-ARGYLL: the adult Little Gull again at Loch Gilp this morning, also 5 Lapwings there which is very unusual for this site (Jim Dickson). A juvenile Glaucous Gull today just past the turning to Croabh Haven towards Oban (Bob Grove). A male Brambling was at Ormsary (Stu Crtuchfield).
COWAL: 26 Purple Sandpipers at Dunoon crazy golf today (George Newall).

Lapwing – Loch Gilp, Mid-Argyll 16 Feb (Jim Dickson).

Lapwings – Loch Gilp, Mid-Argyll 16 Feb (Jim Dickson).

15th February

MID-ARGYLL: a Kingfisher was at the Crinan Canal nr Kilmahumaig then flew towards Bellanoch (Jim Dickson).
TIREE: a drake Green-winged Teal, juvenile Glaucous Gull, 2 Gadwall and 1f Scaup at Loch a’ Phuill, also 1 Lapland Bunting at Barrapol and a juvenile Glaucous Gull at Traigh Ghrianal (John Bowler).
ISLAY: a report today of a group of 13 ‘small’ Canada Geese (type yet unknown) (Fiona McGillvray & Mandy Hodkinson per Ian Brooke) and also a report of a Great Grey Shrike at Bridgend.