ISLAY: the Rose-coloured Starling is still at Laphroaig today (Gary Turnbull). A male Velvet Scoter paired with a female Common Scoter on the sea at Port Charlotte, presumably the once captive birds at Easter Ellister seen in recent years (Mike Peacock).
TIREE: a sea-watch from Aird in W6 with squalls 15.15-16.15hrs (all heading west): 1,749 Manx Shearwaters, 264 Arctic Terns, 168 Gannets, 96 large auks, 36 Kittiwakes, 21 Little Terns and 6 Fulmars (John Bowler).
Category: Sightings
23rd June
ISLAY: the Rose-coloured Starling is still present at/just outside Laphroaig today, seen by Ian & Margaret Brooke.
MULL: a Red-necked Phalarope was seen on the sea between Iona and Staffa yesterday morning then flew towards Loch Scridain (per Birdguides).
22nd June
KINTYRE: at Machrihanish SBO today; a Whimbrel flew south calling, a Little Tern was by the Arctic Tern colony and the regular 2CY Iceland Gull was seen many times (Eddie Maguire). Yesterday at Balloch Farm (Laggan) 2 Quail were heard and one was seen and a belated report of a pair of Garganey at Strath Farm (The Laggan) on 25 May (Malcolm Blanchflower per Eddie Maguire).
TIREE: an adult Curlew Sandpiper was new at Loch a’ Phuill, also 2 Great Skuas there and 1 Woodpigeon was new in at Balephuil (John Bowler).
21st June
KINTYRE: at Machrihanish SBO today the long-staying 2CY Iceland Gull (from 16th May) is still present. The May / June duckling productivity so far includes 8 broods / 55 ‘Shelducklings‘ (mean brood size = 6.8) and the Common Eiders now have 5 broods / 19 ducklings (mean brood size = 3.8) (Eddie Maguire).
ISLAY: a report of a Rose-coloured Starling at Laphroaig today but require further details (per Ian Brooke).
20th June
MID-ARGYLL: a Little Egret has been at the north end of Loch Craignish lagoon, Ardfern for the past two days (Jan Brown). At Cairnbaan today a pair of Spotted Flycatchers, singing Garden and Grasshopper Warblers and a Blackcap but the highlight was an imm White-tailed Eagle over the house at mid-day. A pair of Spotted Flycatchers in Jon Close’s garden at Carsaig.
ISLAY: the drake Ring-necked Duck is still on Loch Finlaggan (per Ian Brooke).
18th June
MID-ARGYLL: a report of a Short-eared Owl seen in the Moine Mhor area on 17 Jun (John Halliday). A report of a Hobby from 15 Jun has been submitted – seen chasing a martin in the Loch Leathan area (Chris & Rob Blackwell/Jock Hunter).
COLONSAY/ORONSAY: reports coming in of up to three different Quail sightings in the last week or so, one from Oronsay, two from Colonsay (per David Jardine).
17th June
TIREE: photos have now appeared of the Rose-coloured Starling that was reported from The Green on 3 Jun (Iain Macdonald per John Bowler).
MID-ARGYLL: Malcolm Chattwood noted a distant tern at his inland BBS square this morning, about 5 miles N of Lochgilphead however the identity is not certain. No further sign of the Common Rosefinch nr Crinan today. Now 4 Bar-tailed Godwits at Loch Gilp (Jim Dickson).
COWAL: three Puffins were noted in Loch Fyne opposite Minard today.
16th June
MID-ARGYLL: a report of an adult male Common Rosefinch seen yesterday at about 4pm near Crinan ( towards end of at the B841 at NR792936). It was on the road and initially looked injured but flew off when approached to within 1 metre (Robin & Rachel Hamilton).
TIREE: a 2CY Little Gull at Loch a’ Phuill with ca 120 Kittiwakes (many 2CY birds) and 40 Arctic Terns (8 x 2CY birds) (John Bowler).
15th June
COLONSAY: a Greenish Warbler was seen and recorded singing at Loch Turraman this morning (Ian Fisher, David & Janet Jardine, Martin Davison, Anne Middleton). There are two previous Argyll records both in Kintyre, in 1983 and 1987.
14th June
MID-ARGYLL: at Loch Gilp today 3 Long-tailed Ducks (summer male and female and a female type in transition) also 4 Gannets feeding in the loch, 3 Bar-tailed Godwits, several Eiders with ducklings, 2 Red-throated Divers and 14 Red-breasted Mergansers. At least 70 Common Guillemots off Ardrishaig flying up Loch Fyne (Jim Dickson).
COLONSAY: breeding of Great Skua was confirmed for the first time on Colonsay (it has bred on Oronsay) (Martin Davison/David Jardine).
