Category: Sightings

COWAL: In George Newall’s garden at Bishop’s Glen today inc. – 8 Jays, 8 Blackbirds, 3 Reed Buntings, a Treecreeper, Song Thrush, all 4 regular Tits etc , but finches other than Chaffinch conspicuous by their absence. Alistair McGregor found 2 Lesser Black-Backed Gulls in Dunoon this morning. Also a Brambling at the Holy Loch bird hide and a good view of a Peregrine flying past.
MID-ARGYLL: At Poltalloch this morning – 10 Fieldfares, 5 Mistle Thrush, 2 Song Thrush (in song), 60 Jackdaws, 17 Teal and a male Stonechat (Jim Dickson).

MID-ARGYLL: A Lesser Black-Backed Gull at Loch Gilp today showing blackish upperparts of the Scandinavian race intermedius  also a single Lapwing at the head of the loch calling noisily! (Jim Dickson). David Jardine picked up a dead Woodcock from the roadside at Minard on his way to the ABC spring meeting yesterday…prior to giving a talk on…Woodcock! Bob Furness has now weighed the bird and it was 323g which is above average weight for this species therefore perhaps not badly affected by the cold weather. David also reports seeing three while driving across the Moine Mhor road yesterday evening.

MID-ARGYLL/COWAL: In Lochgilphead and Cairnbaan today good numbers of Song Thrush and Blackbirds – appears to have been a significant increase during the hard weather so presumably have come from further east (Jim Dickson). Alan Forsyth in Innellan has noted – many Song Thrushes around the village and they look absolutely desperate and appear to be in unfamiliar surroundings – they are lingering around roads –one bounced off a car windscreen.

MID-ARGYLL: A Common Snipe has been visiting my garden in Cairnbaan again as a result of the weather (Jim Dickson).
COWAL: At the Holy Loch hide – 4 Lapwings, 1 Woodcock in the wood , 5 Snipe, 20+ Redwing , also 11 Dunnock at the feeding station beside the hide  – most I’ve ever seen together at one time (Alistair McGregor).

MID-ARGYLL: Balvicar Bog, Seil Island – a single Water Rail seen just past the Easdale crossroads. Frequently heard here but rarely seen – I guess the harsh weather is making them less shy and skulking (John Sedgwick).

MID-ARGYLL: A Waxwing seen today just after 1.0 pm while driving back from Lochgilphead,  as turned corner and Tayvallich Bay comes into view . Surprised but see others being reported in Angus and in Lothian (Jon Close).
ISLAY: Some recent sightings from Mike Peacock – Sun 25th at Gruilinbeg  50+ Fieldfares and 30 Skylarks, and an adult Iceland Gull at Sanaigmore.  2 Iceland Gulls at Ballinaby on the Fri 23rd – attached picture of the 3CY and on the Thur 22nd at Machir Bay – 3 Glaucous Gulls and an adult Iceland Gull.
COWAL: Six Jays in George Newal’s garden in Dunoon again today- see if you can spot all six…

MULL: Experienced birder Stuart Gibson reports today – Two littoralis Scandinavian Rock Pipits with two local petrosus Rock Pipits feeding on wet pasture in front of Lochbuie House. Great comparison with both races in the same field of view: blue/grey head and upperparts and peach colour of throat being particularly prominent. How many of these Scandinavian birds do we have on the Isle of Mull? The next month is the time to seek them out, as littoralis birds begin to colour up prior to their return migration, so give those Rock Pipits a second glance!
COWAL: A possible Great Skua in Kirn Bay on Thurs 22nd – harassing ducks and gulls (Frances Lynn).

MID-ARGYLL: I looked for the adult Glaucous Gull at Ardfern again today and try for a decent photo.  Sadly, I did find it – dead, on the shore near the village hall here and next to a deer carcass.  Beautiful bird (Ju Randall).
COWAL: George Newal had 6 Jays in his garden in Dunoon today…usually only 2-3 birds visit and this equals the record of 6 birds seen there last year also on 24th Feb!.

COWAL: A belated report of a female Blackcap at a feeder in Hunters Quay on 9th Feb from Callum Satchel.
TIREE: An adult and 2x 3CY Glaucous Gulls at The Reef, adult Glaucous Gull at Salum and a 3CY Iceland Gull at Gott Bay (John Bowler).
KINTYRE: Neil Brown caught a Great Spotted Woodpecker and first one he has ringed at the feeding station nr Campbeltown.

MID-ARGYLL: An adult Glaucous Gull was on the shore of Loch Craignish near the Village Hall this afternoon. Also of interest is a Moorhen which has apparently been living in someone’s garden opposite the Galley of Lorne Inn, in Ardfern, for the past couple of weeks! (Ju Radnall). Another Moorhen has been visting a garden at Luib Cottages, nr Slockavuillin in the last few weeks (Vivien Little).
TIREE: The 2CY Ring-billed Gull again at Sandaig, an adult Iceland Gull at Hough, a juv Glaucous Gull at Kilkenneth, 4 Greater Scaup at Loch a’ Phuill and 1 Pink-footed Goose at Barrapol (John Bowler).
KINTYRE: A female Hen Harrier and a Stonechat at Bleachfield and an adult Iceland Gull at Campbeltown Pontoon today (Eddie Maguire).