MID-ARGYLL: at least 3 family groups of Grey Wagtails seen around the Moine Mhor area this morning (Slockavullin, Dalvore and Ballymeanoch), an Osprey fishing at the Add Estuary and a Redstart in song at Tayness/Slockavullin (Jim Dickson).
5th July
Category: Sightings
4th July
MID-ARGYLL: at Keills John Aitchison noted 60 mostly juv Starlings being chased by a Peregrine, also 2 Swifts there. Nearby along the coast of Isle of Danna there were 15 Swifts on the move south (Jane Smith per John Aitchison).
MULL: a Greenshank was at Craignure Bay and an adult Slavonian Grebe was at the head of Loch na Keal (Dave Pierce per Alan Spellman).
COWAL: at Knockdow Estate there were 3-4 adult Moorhens with up to a total of 9 young, also 2 broods of Little Grebes (Alistair McGregor & George Newall).
3rd July
MULL: two Crossbills overhead at Glengorm (Stuart Gibson per Alan Spellman).
COWAL: Tom Callan reports a considerable influx of Crossbills around the Otter Ferry area as evidenced by the extent of stripping of Larch cones. Also he had a count of over 80 Goosanders at Loch Riddon on 2 July.
2nd July
MID-ARGYLL: John & Julie Sutton noted a Greenfinch at feeders in their garden at Lochgair, nr Glashan Burn and is there first record there since 2015 and also their first ever garden record of House Sparrow!
MULL: a report yesterday of a 2CY Iceland Gull at Knockvologan (per Alan Spellman).
1st July
NORTH ARGYLL: Moorhens have bred at Benderloch gravel pits (Robin Harvey). Remains a scarce species on the Argyll mainland…
COWAL: a report from Clive McKay of a Honey -buzzard he saw in Cowal yesterday…await more details…
MID-ARGYLL: at Keills, Loch na Cille John Aitchison reports lots of species with young now in the area including a female Red-breasted Merganser with 4 small ducklings, Grasshopper Warbler reeling near the old Chapel with Wheatears nesting there, Red-throated Divers noted on the loch, Spotted Flycatcher towards Tayvallich and 14 Mistle Thrushes and a female Redstart recently.
30th June
MID-ARGYLL: at the Moine Mhor early morning: Short-eared Owl hunting, female Hen Harrier hunting, 2 Linnets, several Lesser Redpolls, a Whitethroat and a family of Whinchats. Also an adult and 2CY male Hen Harrier there recently and 3 Grasshopper Warblers reeling (Jon Close/Jim Dickson).
29th June
TIREE: Common (Mealy) Redpoll family again at Balephuil, also 1 Robin there (John Bowler).
28th June
TIREE: An adult Little Grebe at Loch Riaghain, 1 Robin at Balephuil – also pair Swallow with f/4 there and pair Common Redpoll with f/2+, 4 Bar-tailed Godwits including 1 in full summer plumage at Gott Bay, also 820 Arctic Terns there including 600+ 2CY birds, 1 Great Skua over The Reef and a pair of Greenfinches with f/1+ at The Glebe (not always an annual breeder here). 1 Siskin at Balephuil on 27 Jun – is unusual in summer on Tiree (John Bowler).
ISLAY: the male Velvet Scoter is back at Easter Ellister, seen yesterday, but no female Common Scoter with it (Peter Roberts).
MID-ARGYLL: a Short-eared Owl seen again at the Moine Mhor today (Jon Close).
KINTYRE: I spotted a Jay while driving nr Clachan. I’m not a birdwatcher but thought this was rare (Dave Campbell). Many thanks for this record Dave…they can be a bit secretive and views are often just brief glimpses (Jim D).
26th June
ISLAY: the adult male Rose-coloured Starling is still at Laphroaig today (photos taken on 24 Jun below) and the drake Ring-necked Duck remains at Loch Finalaggan (per Ian Brooke).
MID-ARGYLL: Errol Crutchfield got this image (below) of a Tawny Owl at Ormsary taken late on 25 Jun.
25th June
MID-ARGYLL: a short walk around Dunadd Hill Fort this morning was productive with no less than 8 Whinchats (4 ads+ 4 juvs), 2 Stonechats, 4 Lesser Redpolls, a juv Twite, 2 Whitethroats, 2 Spotted Flycatchers, 2 Mistle Thrush and several Willow Warblers. Nearby at Dalvore Wood were singing Blackcap and a Wood Warbler, also 2 Spotted Flycatchers, and more Whinchats at Drimvore, Dalvore, Crinan Ferry Road and Islandadd Road, with at least 12 pairs in the area recently (Jim Dickson).
A Monarch butterfly was found by Janet Jardine in their garden this morning….an exceptionally odd record in summer, presumably released? (Janet & David Jardine).
TIREE: 5 Golden Plover fresh in at Sandaig, an early return (John Bowler).
