Category: Sightings

Update on some recent sightings: ISLAY – the RED-BREASTED GOOSE, AMERICAN WIGEON, LESSER SCAUP, CACKLING GOOSE and POCHARDS are still present on the island as well as a few Snow Buntings. MULL – the RED-BACKED SHRIKE not reported after 4th Nov, the odd report of Snow Buntings, Bramblings and Kingfisher. Fieldfares nos  still small. COWAL – a single Great Crested Grebe back at Loch Long, also high numbers of Siskin reported. MID-ARGYLL –  Redwings nos appear to have peaked as birds move through and Fieldfare nos starting to pick up with some flocks up to 200 birds. Goldeneye nos still very low however good nos of Wigeon.

MID-ARGYLL: A first-winter LITTLE GULL was just off the front green at Lochgilphead, Loch Gilp this afternoon (Jim Dickson).

ISLAY: A juvenile GLAUCOUS GULL was seen just north of Bruichladdich pier today (Dan Brown) – first report of the autumn/winter.

ISLAY: An adult ‘RUSSIAN’ WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE with Greenland birds – in fields to the east of Loch Gruinart. Also noted at Gruinart a very distant and therefore only ‘possible’ WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER with Dunlin and a dark & rufous juvenile harrier that showed good features for a Nearctic NORTHERN HARRIER – one to look out for tomorrow.. (Dan Brown).
MULL: The 1cy RED-BACKED SHRIKE is still present in the Salen area.

ISLAY: A Juv/first-winter male LESSER SCAUP was new in and a bit flighty today at Loch Skerrols (Dan Brown).
MULL: A RED KITE today high over Balmeanach (Jacqui and Mike Murphy).

GENERAL: Thrushes & finches – large flocks of finches, particularly SISKINS have been recorded across Argyll in the last week including 200+ in COWAL, 175 on JURA and more than usual on ISLAY. The largest numbers of BRAMBLING for many years are being reported now and today 70 were noted along the east side of JURA along with counts of 350 CHAFFINCH and 110 GOLDFINCH. An obvious influx of FIELDFARE arrived today and included hundreds on ISLAY, c 550 on JURA and c200 around the wider Moine Mhor area. Also many flocks of 100+ REDWINGS being noted and 1,000 on JURA
MULL: The 1cy RED-BACKED SHRIKE is still showing ar Aros, nr Tobermory today.
JURA: A ‘SIBERIAN’ CHIFFCHAFF was seen nr the school in Craighouse today (Dan Brown).
ISLAY: Birds of note across the island today included – 5 male COMMON POCHARD, 1 CACKLING GOOSE, 1 fem RING-NECKED DUCK, 2 LITTLE EGRETS, male AMERICAN WIGEON, RED-BREASTED GOOSE (un-ringed), 1 LITTLE AUK.

TIREE: An early sea-watch off Aird produced 3 POMARINE SKUAS and 4 LITTLE AUKS, also 3 late MANX SHEARWATERS.  Also a LAPLAND BUNTING at the Reef (John Bowler).

ISLAY: A group of 5 drake COMMON POCHARD found on Loch Gorm today (highest number in Argyll for many years) – with an impressive count of 237 TUFTED DUCKS (Dan Brown).
MULL: A 1cy RED-BACKED SHRIKE was found today at Aros nr Tobermory (Dr Mark Williams).

GENERAL: Still good numbers (hundreds rather than thousands) of REDWINGS being reported however very few FIELDFARES this autumn (small counts only). More than average numbers of BRAMBLING being reported (double figures in some places) and in last week or so has seen widespread reports of RING OUZEL (mostly singles).
ISLAY: Another report of the RED-BREASTED GOOSE at Gruinart today, also the LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER was reported again from the RSPB Gruinart north hide and the drake AMERICAN WIGEON is still at Loch Skerrols.
TIREE: The two female RING -NECKED DUCKS at Loch a’ Phuill have remained there in recent days and therefore different from the two reported from Islay. A ‘SIBERIAN’ CHIFFCHAFF was at Balephuil on 26th Oct (John Bowler).

ISLAY: A LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER found at RSPB Gruinart reserve, north hide (James How). A RED-NECKED GREBE reported from Uiskentuie, Loch Indaal – seen close in early afternoon (Dave Nevitt). Also an AMERICAN WIGEON, two RING-NECKED DUCKS on Loch Skerrols (first found yesterday) & also a YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER at Gruinart on Wed 27th (details required from the finders please, thanks).
MULL: A SOOTY SHEARWATER was seen off north Mull from a whale watching boat (Joe Fryer – per Mullbirds website).