14th February
MID-ARGYLL: the adult Little Gull was off the Lochgilphead front green again mid-afternoon (Jim Dickson). The juvenile Kumlien’s Gull is still at Ormsary (per Birdguides).
KINTYRE: a Todd’s Canada Goose at Drumlemble, the Laggan this afternoon (per Birdguides), presumably same one of three there on 5 Feb (Dan Brown).
12th February
MID-ARGYLL: a female Brambling and 5 Greenfinch in the garden at Cairnbaan this morning (Jim Dickson), and 5 Bullfinch in the garden at Kilmartin this morning (David Jardine). Five Bar-tailed Godwits on the shore at Loch na Cille beyond Tayvallich (Morag Rea).
TIREE: a Lapland Bunting at Clachan this afternoon with Rob Still (John Bowler).
NORTH ARGYLL: a Little Egret at Dalrannoch, Loch Creran on two occasions, at 13.05 and at 16.00, along with 107 Teal at the latter time (Robin Harvey).
11th February
TIREE: a juvenile Glaucous Gull was feeding on a dead Common Dolphin at Traigh Bhagh, the third-year White-tailed Eagle was at Hynish and 3 Little Grebe, 2 Pintail and 12 Shoveler were at Loch Riaghain (John Bowler).
MID-ARGYLL: an adult Little Gull was at Loch Gilp and a Long-tailed Duck at Loch Ceann a’ Chroin, nr. Ford (David Jardine).
ISLAY: a Kingfisher was at the mouth of the Sorn (Martin Armstrong).
9th February
MID-ARGYLL: in fields at Dunadd there were at least 75 Fieldfares, 40 Redwings with 1 Song Thrush (Jim Dickson). A ringed male Blackbird has been visiting a garden in Connel since 2 February. Scrutiny of many photographs has confirmed the ring number as 7476431 from the Norwegian ringing scheme. This is the same individual which visited the same garden from 21 December 2015 to 8 February 2016. It was ringed about 25 miles SSE of Oslo, Norway, in April 2013 (Mike Harrison).
COWAL: at Knockdow estate two Stock Doves were seen well but briefly as they flew across the estate (George Newall). A Whooper Swan on Loch Loskin was the first one Alistair McGregor has seen there.
7th February
MID-ARGYLL: at Eilean Traighe, Ormsary – the juv Kumlien’s Gull still present as well as the juv/1w Iceland Gull and female Pintail. Also nearby; 54 Hooded, 4 Carrion and 4 hybrid crows (Jim Dickson).
TIREE: single juvenile Glaucous Gulls at Traigh Bhagh and at Loch Bhasapol (John Bowler).
6th February
MID-ARGYLL: on the Crinan Canal single Moorhens at Bellanoch canal basin and at Crinan wood, where a very ‘nervous’ femail Pintail flew off from the canal to join mergansers at the Add Estuary (Jim Dickson). The juvenile Iceland and Kumlien’s Gulls are still present at Eilean Traighe, Ormsary (Stu Crutchfield).
TIREE: a 1hr sea-watch from Hynish in SSE9 produced: 2 Puffins, 2 Great Northern Divers, 13 Black Guillemots, 32 Gannets, 45 Shags, 56 Fulmars, 67 Common Guillemots, 142 Razorbills and 216 Kittiwakes (John Bowler).
5th February
ISLAY: the Cackling Goose at Emeraconart (nr Ballygrant) was still with Barnacle Geese this afternoon. Many thanks to the Islay birders for their wonderful hospitality during the ‘bridge camera workshop’ this weekend….I’m sure lots of great photos to come from Islay soon! (Jim Dickson).
MID-ARGYLL: at Ormsary/mouth of Loch Caolisport – 21 Black-throated, 42 Great Northern and 8 Red-throated Divers, 4 Slavonian Grebes, single juvenile Kumlien’s and Iceland Gulls, and 11 flyover Crossbills (Dan Brown).
KINTYRE: at the Sound of Gigha (West Loch Tarbert mouth to Rhunahaorine Pt) – 72 Slavonian Grebes, 127 Great Northern Divers, 2 Velvet Scoters, 1 Long-tailed Duck, 2 Hen Harriers and a Common Sandpiper nr Ronachan Pt. A juvenile Iceland Gull at Machrihanish plus one at Campbeltown Harbour and two more at Kilmichael flood. Also a very good count of 2,003 ‘Greenland’ White-fronts around the Laggan with 3 Pink-feet, 9 Barnacles and 3 likely Todd’s Canada Geese, also 315 ‘Greenland’ White-fronts around Rhunahaorine and 140+ at Loch nan Gan Dad (Dan Brown).
On 31 Jan Dan had a good count of 326 Great Northern Divers at the Sound of Gigha and also an adult and a juvenile Glaucous Gull at the mouth of West Loch Tarbert, Kintyre.
31st January
KINTYRE: A Little Egret early afternoon reported by Graeme Garner at Tayinloan, just north of the ferry terminal, feeding in a pool above the beach.
ISLAY: a Cackling Goose was at Emeraconart (nr Ballygrant) (Dan Brown).
JURA: a Whimbrel was at Luss Bay, north end of the island (Dan Brown).
29th January
COWAL: 26 Purple Sandpipers and 38 Turnstones at Dunoon Crazy Golf today (George Newall).
MID-ARGYLL: On the ABC trip to Ormsary today the highlights included: 6 Slavonian Grebes, 17 Black-throated Divers (lots of G N D & Red-t Divers), a 1w Iceland Gull, a fem Pintail, single Golden Eagle, Peregrine & Sparrowhawk, a group of 14 Red Knot and at least 3 Grey Wagtails among the 53 species noted.
Yesterday in an Ardrishaig garden, highlights during the 1 hour RSPB garden birdwatch included: 97 Chaffinches, 1 Brambling, 8 Goldfinch, 6 Siskins, 6 Lesser Redpolls, 1 Treecreeper, 5 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker and 1 Sparrowhawk (Lynsey Gibson).
24th January
MID-ARGYLL: the adult Glaucous Gull again at the head of Loch Gilp this am (Jim Dickson). Karen Taylor has reported 20-30 Waxwings in Minard seen on 21 Jan, so may still be around.
ISLAY: Ian Brooke has said the Green-winged Teal is still at Gruinart (Bob Davison) and the mid-month island International goose counts were: 45,056 Barnacle, 4,694 White-fronted and 581 Greylag Geese.
TIREE/COLL: 1 fem Greater Scaup still at Loch a’ Phuill plus 102 Curlews. Also 2 White-beaked Dolphin off SW Coll (John Bowler).
22nd January
COWAL: a male Hen Harrier hunting between Millhouse and Ardlamont House (Allister Hamilton).
MID-ARGYLL: now 160 Chaffinches feeding in the garden at Cairnbaan. Also small flocks (up to 40+) of Meadow Pipits, appearing/on the move, in fields around the Moine Mhor (Jim Dickson).
TIREE: a 3CY Iceland Gull (the long-staying bird), 1 juv Glaucous Gull, 1f Scaup, 55 Goldeneye and 2 Gadwall at Loch a’ Phuill. 1 Woodcock at Carnan Mor (John Bowler). Also 2 Linnets at Traigh Bhagh found and photographed by Steph Cope – just the 2nd January record in 100 years on Tiree! (Steph Cope per John Bowler).
20th January
KINTYRE: at Campbeltown Loch today, single juvenile Glaucous and Iceland Gulls (Eddie Maguire).
TIREE: a juvenile Glaucous Gull again at Gott Bay today, feeding on a dead dolphin and another Glaucous at Balevullin this pm (Steph Cope per John Bowler).
19th January
MID-ARGYLL: an adult Glaucous Gull showing well at the head of Loch Gilp mid-morning (Jim Dickson).
NORTH ARGYLL: a report from Andy Dale of a single Waxwing in Achinreir, Barcaldine on 1st January, followed by a flock of 10 on 6th January. This flock was battling with a very aggressive mistle thrush over the last rowan tree with berries.
COWAL: three Black Grouse at Craigendive today (Alistair McGregor).
TIREE: a Jackdaw at Loch an Eilein – the first of the winter here (John Bowler).
17th January
TIREE: now 2 drake Green-winged Teal – 1 at Loch Bhasapol again and a new bird at Loch a’ Phuill. Also a juv Glaucous Gull at West Hynish, 1 Mistle Thrush at Mannal and 8 Pink-footed Geese at Cornaigmore. There was also juv Glaucous Gull at The Reef late yesterday (John Bowler).
MID-ARGYLL: the juv Iceland Gull was back at Eilean Traighe, Ormsary today (Stu Crutchfield). A Kingfisher brightened up a dreich afternoon at Airds Bay, Taynuilt (Mike Harrison).
NORTH ARGYLL: A Grey Wagtail was feeding in a cattle field near Ardchattan this morning (Mike Harrison). No sign of the recent Little Egret at Loch Laich, Appin however a juv Iceland Gull was there (David Jardine).
16th January
Mid-Argyll: At Loch Gilp mid-day a female Kingfisher on the old pier, also 9 Shelducks new in, 26 Bar-tailed Godwits and 9 Dunlins (David Jardine/Jim Dickson). Nearby on rocks off Lingerton Landfill an adult Glaucous Gull (Jim Dickson).
Three Snow Buntings at Allt Dearg windfarm, nr Ormsary this morning (Errol Crutchfield).
A dead Little Auk found on the strandline nr Dunstaffnage, behind SAMS (Steven Benjamins).
Kintyre: At Campbeltown Loch 2 Iceland Gulls (juv & 2w) and a juv Glaucous Gull at Bellochantuy (per Birdguides).
Tiree: a juv Glaucous Gull at Gott Bay (John Bowler).
14th January
Mid-Argyll: A few highlights this morning included: a Slavonian Grebe at Loch Gilp, 2 Black-throated, 2 Red-throated and 5 Great Northern Divers in Loch Fyne (from Brenfield point), 17 Great Northern Divers, 4 Goosanders, 6 Common Scoters, a female Pintail, 58 Goldeneye, 94 Mallards, 1 Shelduck, a juv Iceland Gull, m Sparrowhawk, 1 Carrion Crow, 1 Grey Wagtail, 16 Rock & 12 Meadow Pipits, 80+ Chaffinch, and 1 Twite at Ormsary/Loch Caolisport (Jim Dickson).
A lone Waxwing was spotted in Connel this afternoon (Mike Harrison).
North Argyll: 28 White-fronted Geese at South Ardnaclach (North Shian) were best birds on today’s WeBS, 4 of them had neck collars (Robin Harvey).
Cowal: A male Goldeneye off the Coal Pier Dunoon. First one we’ve seen here! (Cherry Cook).
Tiree: Drake Green-winged Teal at Loch Bhasapol this afternoon, a juv Glaucous Gull at Rubha Chraiginis, 1f Common Scoter,1 Shelduck and 260 Sanderling (including 5 leg-flagged birds) at Balephetrish Bay. No further sign yet of white-phase Gyrfalcon reported on 4 Jan (John Bowler).
13th January
Mid-Argyll: At Loch Gilp 3 adult Little Gulls in with 85 Black-headed (recent increase in these), also 5 Red Knot and 2 Little Grebes there. At the Moine Mhor 8 Mistle Thrush (Strathmore) and 31 Redwings with 42 Fieldfares (at Drimvore). Also 4 Greenfinch and 75 Chaffinch at Cairnbaan (Jim Dickson).
North Argyll: A Little Egret sighted today & yesterday on Loch Laich, Appin (John Landale). 20 Wigeons, 2 drake Goosander, 12 Goldeneye in upper Loch Creran (Robin Harvey).
9th January
Cowal: 42 Fieldfares and 6 Mistle Thrush near Deerpark, Glen Massan, also a single Black Grouse calling at Craigindive, Loch Striven (Alistair McGregor).
Mid-Argyll: Took a photo at Cairnbaan (through wet window) in garden of this huge Chaffinch….about the size of a Hawfinch or larger!! (Jim Dickson).
5th January
Kintyre: At the Sound of Gigha this morning appears fewer birds than usual however: 8 Whooper Swans N, 33 Great Northern Divers, 18 Slavonian Grebes, 108 Eiders, 28 Common Scoters, 41 Red-breasted Mergansers, 1 Long-tailed Duck, 8 Black Guillemots. Also 367 White-fronted Geese, 19 Lapwings, 5 Mistle Thrush and 4 Fieldfares N of Tayinloan and a Greenshank plus 6 Shelducks at Kennacraig (Jim Dickson/Neil Hammatt).
Cowal: 1 Siskin in garden in Dunoon (first there since Aug) George Newall and Red-throated Diver midday yesterday, and 4 Turnstones, between Innellan and Dunoon (Cherry Cook).
3rd January
Mid-Argyll: 5 Greenland White-fronted Geese and a male Hen Harrier at Barsloisnoch, a Greenshank at the Add Estuary, 12 Redwings at Drimvore and 85 Chaffinch at Cairnbaan. Also a report of c 30 Waxwings in Ardrishaig (nr Ardfenaig) on 30 Dec (Jim Dickson).
Cowal: 28 Purple Sandpipers at Dunoon (crazy golf area) (George Newall).
