Category: Sightings

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).

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).

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).

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).

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).

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).

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).

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).

MID-ARGYLL: James Lehmann managed to get close to Purple Sandpipers at one of the small islands in Loch Craignish.

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).