Category: Sightings

Islay/Kintyre: A late Storm Petrel from the ferry S off Jura this afternoon followed by another NE off Gigha (Clive McKay).
TIREE: Flocks of 22, 6, 60 and 4 Whooper Swans, 90+ Barnacle Geese in flocks of up to 32, and 12 and 4 Greenland White-fronts all heading over south. 60+ Redwing, 1 Woodcock, 5 Goldfinch and 1 Common Redpoll at Carnan Mor. 2 ad and 1 juv Moorhen at Sandaig. 2 Chiffchaff, 1m Blackcap, 1 Dunnock, 2 Goldcrest and 4 Common Redpoll at Balephuil (John Bowler).
ORONSAY: 1 Snow Bunting, groups of 18, 9, & 42 Whooper Swans and 2, 21 Greenland White-fronts all heading south. Also 3 P-b Brents, 1 Common Tern, 1 Jackdaw (rare here), and a chatter of 15 Chough (Morgan Vaughan).

MID-ARGYLL: The 1w American Wigeon still at Loch Gilp today (David Jardine/Jim Dickson). A pair of Mandarin at Loch a’ Chroiag, Ford and a single Long-tailed Duck at Loch Ederline (David Jardine).
KINTYRE: The Little Egret was seen again this morning at Kennacraig (Val Wells).

MID-ARGYLL: A wonderful sighting of a Barn Owl at Loch Dun Caltuinn (Whooper Loch to me!) near Carsaig (Lottie Goodlet). A productive walk up the hill south of Cairnbaan to Dail Loch included – 12 Redwings, 28 Lesser Redpolls, 18 + 40 Goldfinch, 4 Siskins, 60+ Chaffinch, 2 + 4 Bullfinch, 8 Goldcrest, 1 Jay, also the House Martin is still about.. (Jim Dickson).
KINTYRE: Driving to Skipness we were treated to a spectacular hunting display by the Hen Harrier. We also saw a Black Grouse (Val Wells).
COWAL: A Whimbrel was at the head of the Holy Loch, Dunoon today (Alistair McGregor).

MID-ARGYLL: A Red Kite today on Seil island (Wendy Raine).
KINTYRE: A female Hen Harrier again nr Spion Kop/ B8001 (Val Wells). Sea-watching at the Machrihanish SBO quiet with only 2 juv Northern Gannets >S. Also the 2CY Iceland Gull turned up again, a Grey Heron got very close to the Observatory and 6 Grey Wagtails and 12 Twite were present (Eddie Maguire).
TIREE: 2 Pink-footed Geese new at Balephetrish, also 126 Barnacle Geese there. First Goldeneye of the autumn at Loch a’ Phuill plus 1 juv/f Scaup there.1 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Goldcrest, 3 Chaffinch, 6 Goldfinch and 1 Dunnock at Balephuil. Flock of 320 Linnet at the Reef. 1 Redwing at Balinoe (John Bowler).

MID-ARGYLL: The Little Egret first seen a few months back at the Loch Craignish lagoon, Ardfern has been coming and going and seen again on Sat 7 Oct during a WeBS count. Also today saw first flock of Redwings and Fieldfares. (Ju Randall). The 1w male American Wigeon again on Loch Gilp this morning (Jim Dickson). At least 5 Redwings were flocking with about 20 Mistle Thrushes near Connel this morning (Mike Harrison).
COWAL: A group of 9 Redwings in a garden at Bischop’s Glen, Dunoon today….also a few Goldfinches still about in juvenile plumage (George Newall).
TIREE: At Loch a’ Phuill today on WeBS count – 1 juv Scaup, 33 Greenland White-fronts, 31 Whoopers and 1 Coot at Loch a’ Phuill – also 2 Gadwall, 3 Pintail, 32 Tufted Duck and 14 Shoveler there. Highlights elsewhere included –  1 Willow Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 2 Goldcrest, 4 Goldfinch, 5 Common Redpoll at Balephuil, 5 Swallow, 5 Redwing, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 2m Blackcap, 1 Goldcrest and 3 Dunnock at the Glebe,15 Greenland White-fronts at the Reef and 38 Barnacle Geese at Balephetrish (John Bowler).
NORTH ARGYLL: A Greenshank at Dalrannoch, Loch Crearan on WeBS count today (Robin Harvey).

MID-ARGYLL: A Magpie was in a Lochgilphead garden today (Carol Allan)….always a good find away from the Cowal area…
TIREE: A Lesser Whitethroat new at Kenovay with a Willow Warbler (Jim Dickson). 1 juv Little Stint briefly at Balephetrish Bay, 1w male Ring-necked Duck still at Loch a’ Phuill am with 25 Whooper Swans but not found pm (John Bowler), also 1 juv Greater Scaup, 6 Pintail, 12 Shovelers and 3 Black-tailed Godwits there pm (Jim Dickson). 1 Lapland Bunting flew south over Barrapol, 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Goldcrest, 1m Blackcap, 2 Chaffinch, 2 Goldfinch and 5 Common Redpoll at Balephuil / Carnan Mor. 1m Blackcap, 2 Goldcrest and 2 Chaffinch at An Airidh, Cornaigmore (John Bowler). 4 Great Skua, 1 Arctic Skua, 124 Kittiwake, 1 GN Diver, 2 Manx Shearwaters, 2 Wigeon and 1 Barnacle Goose passed off Hough Bay 08:50- 9:20 (Jim Dickson).

TIREE: Sea-watch from Aird 0730-0830 in NW6-7 (all heading W): 1 Pomarine Skua, 8 Arctic Skua, 3 Great Skuas, 3 Manx Shearwaters, 4 Great Northern Divers, 6 Scaup, 1 Tystie, 64 Kittiwake, 269 Gannet and 365 large auk (John Bowler/Jim Dickson). 1 Yellow-browed Warbler still at the Glebe with a Redwing, Chiffchaff and Goldcrest plus a Greenshank over there. 3 Ruff at Scarinish. 4 juv Whooper Swans at Loch Bhasapol (Jim Dickson). 1 Jack Snipe at Baugh (Steph Cope).
KINTYRE: Sea-watch at Machrihanish SBO 09:00-15:00hrs WNW 5 with squalls:  Grey Phalarope >S at 12:20 just after a squall, also a Pale-bellied Brent, 8 Barnacle Geese and 9 Red-throated Diver A Northern Wheatear was present and 29 Twite were trapped including 24 new birds colour-ringed and 5 retraps (Eddie Maguire).
ISLAY: Sea-watch Frenchman’s rocks 10:-12:00 NW 6: 2 Great Skua, 325 Kittiwake, 135 Auk sp, 4 Great Northern Diver, 2 Diver sp.,3  Common Scoter, 3 Long-tailed Duck, 137 Barnacle Goose (Mike Peacock).