31st January
MULL: A Red-necked Grebe was on Loch Spelve, seen from the Croggan Road (Gaëtan D’hoest).
TIREE: Glossy Ibis again at Balevullin (Roger Broad et al), a dead Little Auk near the Ringing Stone and Juv Glaucous Gull at the Ringing Stone (Roger Broad), 3CY and a juv Glaucous Gull at Balephetrish Bay (John Bowler), a juv Glaucous Gull at Milton (Andy Robinson), a juv Glaucous Gull at West Hynish (Morag McCullagh), a Jack Snipe at Milton (Steph Cope) and 3 Scaup at Loch a’ Phuill (Morag McCullagh).
30th January
MID-ARGYLL: Whilst walking his dog today in Kilmartin Glen James Lehmann was treated to the sight of a White-Tailed Eagle soaring high over the fields and being harried by Hooded Crows.
KINTYRE: On Saturday 28th a Little Egret was seen on the shore between Tayinloan and Kennacraig (Janice O’Neill).
TIREE: Today, a Glossy Ibis showed well at Balevullin, a 3CY Glaucous Gull at Traigh Bhi, 3CY Glaucous Gull , 2 Red Knot at Clachan and a Juv Glaucous Gull at Kilmoulaig.(John Bowler). Also 2 Iceland Gulls between Hynish and West Hynish (Andy Robinson & Steph Cope).
On Sunday 29th 1 Great Skua at Gott Bay – very early for here (Andy Robinson & Alison Phillip),1 Glossy Ibis at Balevullin (Graham Todd), 1 Jack Snipe – near Scarinish, a 3CY Glaucous Gull at Heanish and a Juv Glaucous Gull at The Reef and Traigh Bhagh(John Bowler). Also a Juv Glaucous Gull at Balephetrish Bay (Morag McCullagh)
29th January
MID-ARGYLL: Today near Claonaig, a male Hen Harrier (Val Wells per David Bridge)
KINTYRE: In addition to photographing the male Hen Harrier at Bleachfield Farm today a Merlin and 3CY Iceland Gull were also seen (Eddie Maguire).
TIREE: A very early Great Skua at Gott Bay (Andy Robinson, Alison Phillip), the Glossy Ibis again at Balevullin (Graham Todd), 1 Jack Snipe, near Scarinish and also a dead 3CY Iceland Gull there, a 3CY Glaucous Gull at Heanish, and juv Glaucous Gulls at The Reef and Traigh Bhagh (John Bowler). A Juv Glaucous Gull at Balephetrish Bay (Morag McCullagh).
28th January
TIREE: Glossy Ibis again at Balevullin today, although flushed by a Merlin. Juvenile Iceland Gull at Barrapol, 3 Juv Glaucous Gulls at Sandaig, Traigh Ghrianal and Balephetrish Bay also 1 Dunnock and 4 Redwing in sub-song at Balephuil (John Bowler).
COWAL: A juv Glaucous Gull was at Otter Ferry today and reports of a White-tailed Eagle there recently (Neil Hammatt).
27th January
MID-ARGYLL: A Great Skua was at the fish farm at Braevallich (Loch Awe) this morning – definite ID. Also 5 Mandarins (4 males +1 female) and a male and female Goldeneye. We have a resident population of Cormorants of between 14-19 but this went up today to 24. Most I have seen there (Alan Dykes).
KINTYRE: An adult Iceland Gull was at Campbeltown today. The Buzzard was at Bleachfield along with 3 male Hen Harriers; all 3 went down to roost there 16:14-16:22hrs. (Eddie Maguire).
26th January
MID-ARGYLL: Highlight of todays WeBS count at Loch Crinan was a flock of 77 Lapwings – the highest number there for many years. Also a 2CY Glaucous Gull, with an injured wing, nearby in fields at East Lodge, Poltalloch (Jim Dickson).
TIREE: A 2CY Ring-billed Gull new at Barrapol corner – later flew to Loch a’ Phuill, and the Glossy Ibis again at Balevullin (John Bowler).
25th January
MULL: An early Puffin at sea off NW Mull, seen from the Tiree ferry (John Bowler).
MID-ARGYLL: Rob Lightfoot reports that he saw a Jack Snipe in Scammadale Glen on 21 Jan…excellent views from his car. Also a male Hen Harrier in the glen recently – unusual in winter there. Two White-fronted Geese with Greylags and Canadas’ at the Moine Mhor yesterday (Sandy Mitchell).
KINTYRE: A report of a Little Egret at Lochan Luing, Point Sands caravan park seen today and also standing in trees there at time. Presumably the same bird that has apparently been around the Tayiniloan area in last few days (Maggie Young).
ISLAY: Several white-winged gulls on the island just now: Glaucous with; 1 at Laphroaig, 2 nr Bowmore, 1 at Blackrocks and 1 at Ballinaby, also Iceland Gulls at Claddach, 1 nr Bowmore and 1 at Ballinaby. A Todd’s Canada Goose is at Cornabus and 5 Snow Buntings at Carnain (per Ian Brooke).
TIREE: A new 3CY Glaucous Gull at The Reef today (John Bowler).
24th January
MULL: The Red-necked Grebe was still at Pennyghael, Loch na Keal today at around 2pm, although it spent most of its time underwater and it was very choppy (John Bowler).
KINTYRE: Two male Hen Harriers appeared at Bleachfield, The Laggan today…one just after it pounced on a Short-tailed Vole (Eddie Maguire).
23rd January
NORTH ARGYLL: Robin Harvey reports that on his WeBS count in Loch Creran on Saturday he saw a Little Egret at Dalrannoch again. Also a Greenshank at South Shian (west) and one at An Sailean (not in Creran).
22nd January
TIREE: On today’s WeBS count: 3CY Iceland Gull at Scarinish – probably 4-5 here just now. 3 juv Glaucous Gulls involved singles at Sandaig, Traigh Ghrianal and Balephetrish Bay – probably 5-6 here just now. 4 Scaup and 2 Pintail at Loch a’ Phuill (John Bowler).
KINTYRE: Two female Hen Harriers today seen from the house – (Redhouse to Claonaig Rd), also flushed 2 Woodcock on the track up to the house (Val Wells).
MID-ARGYLL: At Braevallich (Loch Awe) today; 6 Whooper Swans, 1 Goldeneye and 1 Mandarin. Also 5 Woodcock between Braevallich and Ford this evening (Alan Dykes).
21st January
MID-ARGYLL: James Lehmann managed to get close to Purple Sandpipers at one of the small islands in Loch Craignish.
20th January
MID-ARGYLL: Today at the head of Loch Gilp, a female Kingfisher and 4 Knot and 4 Black-throated Divers off Ardrishaig. Also 1 Greenshank at Caol Scotnish and 17 Lapwing at Barsloisnoch. (David Jardine). 3 pairs of Tufted Duck at Loch nan Druimnean (Malcolm Chattwood). The continuing cold weather has allowed Jim Dickson to take these photographs of foraging Common Snipe in his garden at Cairnbaan.
KINTYRE: Two male Hen Harriers were present Bleachfield, The Laggan between 1300-1700hrs and later both went to roost in the juncus at 1609 and 1640hrs. At least 5 Reed Buntings were also in the area (Eddie Maguire).
COWAL: At Tarsan Dam 1 Male Kestrel and Shelduck and Great Spotted Woodpecker at Loch Riddon. A walk round the Holy Loch produced 83 Canada Geese, 10 Common Snipe and a female Hen Harrier (Donnie McFarlane).
TIREE: The 2CY Glossy Ibis again at Balevullin Pools at 3pm (Steph Cope) and then at Balevullin at 3.30pm (Morag McCullagh). 4 Scaup still at Loch a’ Phuill (John Bowler).
19th January
COWAL: Common Snipe and Wigeon were spotted feeding around Holy Loch today (Alistair McGregor). A White-Tailed Eagle was reported near Largiemore – “almost a habit” (Yvonne McCrone).
TIREE: Presumed 3CY Iceland Gull at the Reef, Juv Glaucous Gull again at Balephetrish (Morag McCullagh per John Bowler).
18th January
KINTYRE: A worthwhile substitute for the anticipated but absent Hen Harrier is this Merlin at Bleachfield. (Eddie Maguire).
TIREE: 2 juv Iceland Gulls and 1 juv Glaucous Gull in with a large gull flock on the Traigh Bhi machair, 1 juv Glaucous Gull at Sorobaidh Bay, 4 Scaup and 47 Goldeneye at Loch a’ Phuill (John Bowler)
17th January
MID-ARGYLL: A male Blackbird with a ring on its left leg appeared in my garden on 6 January and has been seen each day since then. The ring number shows that this is the same bird which visited the garden from 2 February to 6 March 2017 and from 21 December 2015 – 8 February 2016. It was ringed near Oslo, Norway, on 15 April 2013.(Mike Harrison)
15th January
KINTYRE: Whilst waiting for a female Hen Harrier to appear Eddie Maguire wouldn’t have been disappointed with another cracking shot of this male at Bleachfield.
TIREE: The first leg of the goose count today provided a juv Glaucous Gull at Balephetrish Bay, a juv Iceland Gull at Crossapol, plus another juv Iceland Gull dead on the Reef road, a neck-collared Greenland White-fronted Goose at Gott and 5 Pink-Footed Geese at Whitehouse (John Bowler)
12th January
MULL: A Red-necked Grebe was found off Pennyghael, Loch Scridain by Bryan Rains on 10 Jan and was still there today. David Jardine reports a Whimbrel and a Glaucous Gull at Knock this afternoon.
TIREE: The Glossy Ibis has been seen again – now at Balevullin today and yesterday (Rachel Gwilym per John Bowler).
COWAL: A report of a Glossy Ibis at the Holy Loch, Dunoon on 10 Jan – please note this story was picked up wrongly from the local paper and no ibis report from the Holy Loch (as yet anyway!!).
9th January
MID-ARGYLL: A flock of ca 90 Fieldfares at Killinochonoch/ Ballymeanoch – also several flocks of Common Gulls (70 -250) between Bridgend and Oban. A single Greenshank at the head of Loch Feochan and 10 Tufted Ducks on Loch na Druimean (Jim Dickson).
8th January
MID-ARGYLL: A Nuthatch is still visiting most days to James Lehmann’s garden, nr Barsloisnoch farm. At Loch Gilp this morning – 3 Red Knot, 12 Bar-tailed Godwits and 4 Whooper Swans (ad = 3 imms) on the loch (Jim Dickson). A report of 5 White-tailed Eagles recently flying over from Isle of Danna to Castle Sween and also a Magpie at Barrahormid (S of Tayvallich) on Sat 6th (Alastair Ross).
KINTYRE: Superb photos from Eddie Maguire of a male Hen Harrier over juncus at Bleachfield, The Laggan this afternoon – a long wait there paid off!
7th January
TIREE: The Glossy Ibis is still at Cornaigmore as well as an Iceland Gull there (John Bowler).
MID-ARGYLL: No further word on the reported Gyr Falcon in the Oban area. If anyone has details on this please can they get in touch, thanks.
6th January
MID-ARGYLL: A report of a Gyr Falcon in Oban today but no further details as yet and currently unconfirmed (per Birdguides). On Isle of Luing today – a juv (2CY) Iceland Gull at Toberonochy and a Jay (an island rarity) at Dubh Leathad (David Jardine). A Little Grebe on the canal near Crinan, also a Jay there and a Kingfisher at Loch Gilp this morning (Jim Dickson).
ISLAY: On the Oa today – a Waxwing at Kinnabus, a Glossy Ibis nr Loch Kinnabus and a Todd’s Canada Goose also in the area (David Wood per Ian Brooke).
MULL: Still 5 Glossy Ibis on the Ross of Mull today at Loch Pottie and another Glossy Ibis was at Tobermory Bay. Also a juv (2CY) Glaucous Gull at Knoch fish farm (per Angus Murray).
4th January
MULL: Two Glossy Ibis on Iona today and apparently a group of 5 together nearby at Fidden on 25th & 26th Dec and again a couple of days ago (David Holden per Alan Spellman)…so potentially 7 in Argyll at present (inc. birds on Tiree and at Ardnacross, Mull).
3rd January
TIREE: The Glossy Ibis is still at Cornaigmore, also 1 Fieldfare and 1 Water Rail showing at Balephuil (John Bowler).
ISLAY: A juv (2CY) Iceland Gull at Portnahaven today (same bird as seen yesterday by James How) and another seen at Blackrock, Loch Indaal – also a Little Auk flying NE between Nave Island and Ardnave Point today (Janet & David Franklin per Ian Brooke).
MID-ARGYLL: Six Bullfinches (3m, 3f) on the Hypericum in our garden in Minard today (Sally Hall).
2nd January
ISLAY: A drake Green-winged Teal again at RSPB Gruinart reserve (last seen there on 7 Nov), also a juv Iceland Gull near to Loch Gorm (Janet & David Franklin per Ian Brooke).
ISLAY: A juv (2CY) Iceland Gull was on the Rhinns of Islay today (James How per Ian Brooke).
1st January
NORTH ARGYLL: A beautiful male Hen Harrier today from the road down to Achnacroish, on the Isle of Lismore around 1.30pm (Robert Croma).
MID-ARGYLL: At the mouth of Loch Caolisport and Eilean Traighe highlights this morning: 112 Goldeneyes, 90 Eiders, 5 Common Scoters, 25 Teal, 6 Great Northern Divers, 1 Shelduck and 1 Grey Wagtail (Jim Dickson).
TIREE: The drake Green-winged Teal was again at Loch a’ Phuill today (John Bowler).