Please send your sightings to Jim Dickson (Argyll Bird Recorder) to:
Posts on this page are for scarce & rare sightings. Descriptions will be required for species listed by the Argyll, Scottish & British rare bird committees prior to their acceptance. Rare bird forms are available from Jim.
The Argyll Bird Club has a Facebook group if you wish to post your own sightings and photographs for all other reports. In addition, please submit any relevant records to BTO BirdTrack or the Argyll bird recording system. Contact Malcolm Chattwood email:
The 2025 ARGYLL BIRD REPORT Volume 37 with Systematic List for 2025 will shortly be in preparation and will be published as a PDF in spring – (available to ABC members only by an emailed link)
Recent Reports of Scarce & Rare Sightings 2026
ARGYLL SPRING MIGRANTS TABLE: Click this link to download latest table
12th October
COLL: The OLIVE-BACKED PIPIT – first seen on 9 Oct was noted & photographed again today at 2.19pm (Murphy Hand).
10th October
TIREE: An adult POMARINE SKUA and 5 SOOTY SHEARWATERS passed > W at Aird (John Bowler).
ISLAY: A 4hr seawatch from Frenchman’s Rocks produced highlights of; 1 GREY PHALAROPE, 1 LEACH’S PETREL & 2 LITTLE AUK (Clive McKay, Rogs Wolhuter).
MULL: A seawatch from NW Mull produced highlights of 6 LEACH’S PETREL, 1 GREY PHALAROPE & 1 LITTLE AUK (Theo de Clermont).
9th October
COLL: An excellent find in the form of a first record for Argyll of an OLIVE-BACKED PIPIT at Arinagour (Mark Warren).
6th October
ISLAY: Now 2 GLOSSY IBIS at Gruinart as well as the GREAT WHITE EGRET (Rogs Wolhuter).
COLL: A BALEARIC SHEARWATER was seen >SW past Toraston at 5.50pm (Mark Warren).
TIREE: Juv BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER at Loch a’ Phuill today (John Bowler).
5th October
COLL: A moulting adult AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER was seen and photographed in fields at Airleod nr the airfield (Mark Warren). A PIED FLYCATCHER was at the campsite (Mark Warren).
ISLAY: A LEACH’S PETREL passed Frenchman’s Rocks (Clive McKay).
4th October
MULL: A 1cy LITTLE GULL was seen from the Fishnish hide (Vaughan Foulkes-Arnold).
ISLAY: A juv CURLEW SANDPIPER was seen from the south hide at Gruinart, as well as the GREAT WHITE EGRET (Teresa Morris).
3rd October
MULL: A juv BLACK TERN was seen from the Tiree-Oban ferry to NW of Duart Point in with large numbers of Kittiwakes (Jim Dickson, Theo de Clermont). An adult SABINE’S GULL was seen from the Tiree-Oban ferry off Scallastle, Sound of Mull (David Jardine).
2nd October
ISLAY: A GREAT WHITE EGRET was found at Gruinart (Cathy Earle).
TIREE: Two juv SABINE’S GULLS passed >SW off Hynish (David Jardine, Theo de Clermont). The juv AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER was at Ruaig and a juv CURLEW SANDPIPER nearby (Jim Dickson, Jack Waldie).
MULL: A 2w RING-BILLED GULL was photographed with Common Gulls on Calve Is. off Tobermory (Vaughan Foulkes-Arnold).
30th September
ISLAY: A LEACH’S PETREL was seen from the Kennacraig – Islay ferry (Patrick Cavanagh).
TIREE: A juv PECTORAL SANDPIPER was at Balinoe, BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER at Heylipol, GREY PHALAROPE & LITTLE GULL passed Hynish and a 1cy PIED FLYCATCHER was at Balephuil.
29th September
TIREE: A GREY PHALAROPE passed >SW off Hynish (David Jardine, Jack Waldie). A 1w MEDITERRANEAN GULL was found at Clachan (Theo de Clermont, Jim Dickson).
28th September
TIREE: The 1cy BARRED WARBLER – first found on 21 Sep was noted for it’s last day at Balephuil (John Bowler et al). A juv BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER was seen at Loch an Eilein (Jim Dickson, Jack Waldie).
MULL: A GLOSSY IBIS is still present at Fidden (John Smallman).
27th September
TIREE: A 1cy LITTLE GULL was seen at sea to N off Vaul (Theo de Clermont, Jim Dickson). A LEACH’S PETREL and GREY PHALAROPE passed >SW off Hynish and a juv AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER was at Balinoe (Theo de Clermont, David Jardine).
26th September
MID-ARGYLL: A CATTLE EGRET was seen on the upper shoreline at Inveraray (Prof R Furness, S & E Furness).
COLL: Two 1cy LITTLE GULLS were seen together at sea SE of Coll (Theo de Clermont, Jim Dickson).
TIREE: A juv BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER was re-found at Barrapol (David Jardine, Jim Dickson, Theo de Clermont) and 2 SOOTY SHEARWATERS passed >W off Vaul (Jim Dickson, Theo de Clermont).
ISLAY: The imm AMERICAN WIGEON (first found late Aug) was seen and photographed better today at Head of Loch Indaal, also 2 juv CURLEW SANDPIPERS still at Carnain (Rogs Wolhuter).
25th September
MULL: A juv SABINE’S GULL was seen from the Tiree ferry NW of Mull (David Jardine).
TIREE: An imm RING-NECKED DUCK was new in at Loch a’ Phuill (John Bowler). The juv AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER was refound at Ruaig (Theo de Clermont, Jim Dickson).
24th September
TIREE: A LEACH’S PETEL was seen flying inland over the road at Crossapol (Pete Roberts et al).
23rd September
MID-ARGYLL: A 1cy LITTLE GULL was seen out from Ormsary (David Jardine).
TIREE: A LAPLAND BUNTING was heard calling over The Reef (John Bowler).
22nd September
KINTYRE: A second-winter MEDITERRANEAN GULL was seen from the Arran ferry in the Kilbrannan Sound flying towards Lochranza (Jim Dickson).
21st September
MULL: A GLOSSY IBIS was seen at Fidden (Jan McCracken).
TIREE: A 1cy BARRED WARBLER was at Balephuil today (John Bowler).
20th September
TIREE: A new juv AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER was found at Balinoe (John Bowler). A LEACH’S PETREL was seen from the Oban to Barra ferry (M. Nowes).
MULL: Highlight of a sea-watch from Caliach Point included 4 LEACH’S PETRELS (Theo de Clermont).
ISLAY: A GLOSSY IBIS was seen at Laphroaig (Bertie Brown per David Dinsley).
19th September
COLONSAY: Two LAPLAND BUNTINGS were seen over the Golf course area (Tom Jordan).
ISLAY: Highlights of a sea-watch from Frenchman’s Rocks included 9 LEACH’S PETRELS & 2 GREY PHALAROPES (Clive McKay).
TIREE: Two juv BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS were new at Kilkenneth and a juv PECTORAL SANDPIPER also there (John Bowler, Keith Gillon).
MID-ARGYLL: A juv MARSH HARRIER was seen towards Cnoc Mor on the west side of Loch Nell (Peter Roberts).
17th September
MULL: Two GLOSSY IBIS flew over car at close range in the Fionnphort to Bunessan area (Andrew Walsh). A Seawatch from Caliach Point produced highlights of a LEACH’S PETREL & 3 SOOTY SHEARWATERS (Theo de Clermont).
KINTYRE: A seawatch from Machrihanish SBO produced highlights of 34+ LEACH’S PETREL & 2 SOOTY SHEARWATERS (John Sweeney et al).
TIREE: A seawatch from Balevullin produced highlights of a LEACH’S PETREL & 2 SOOTY SHEARTWATERS (Keith Gillon). A PECTORAL SANDPIPER was at Sandaig & the BAIRD’S SANDPIPER still at Gott Bay.
ISLAY: A TURTLE DOVE was at Ardtalla & a GREAT CRESTED GREBE off Claggan Bay (David Hunter) and a seawatch from Frenchman’s Rocks produced highlights of 1 LITTLE GULL & 3 LEACH’S PETRELS (Clive McKay).
MID-ARGYLL / GIGHA, KINTYRE: Three LEACH’S PETRELS were seen from the Islay ferry between mouth of West Loch Tarbert & Gigha (David Wood).
COLONSAY: A juv SABINE’S GULL was seen off An Rubha (Tom Jordan).
15th September
COWAL: A 1cy LITTLE GULL in with large numbers of other gull species inc several MEDITERRANEAN GULLS still there (Neil Hammatt).
TIREE: An impressive influx of GLOSSY IBIS across the island with perhaps as many as 14 birds involved. Also 3 juv PECTORAL SANDPIPERS found, the BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER, AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER and BAIRD’S SANDPIPER still all present. Also a GREEN SANDPIPER on the island (John Bowler et al).
ISLAY: A GLOSSY IBIS was noted at Keills, nr Ballygrant (Rogs Wolhuter).
14th September
TIREE: A 1cy AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER at Ruaig, in the same Golden Plover flock as the long-staying Buff-breasted Sandpiper, although the Baird’s Sandpiper has not been seen at Gott Bay since yesterday (John Bowler).
ISLAY: A TURTLE DOVE was at Portnahaven (Mary Redman).
MULL: A juv CURLEW SANDPIPER was seen briefly at Scallastle, also three 1cy LITTLE GULLS out on the reefs there and yesterday 13th a 1cy MEDITERRANEAN GULL also at Scallastle (Theo de Clermont).
12th September
MID-ARGYLL: Three MEDITERRANEAN GULLS (two 1cy & an adult) on Isle of Luing this morning (David Jardine, Frank Cavanagh).
COWAL: Eight MEDITERRANEAN GULLS (all non-adults) at Otter Ferry today (Neil Hammatt).
MULL: Three GREEN SANDPIPERS were noted on Calve Island, off Tobermory (Morgan Foulkes-Arnold).
11th September
MULL: An adult SABINE’S GULL was seen and photographed from the Craignure to Oban ferry this morning (Jack Waldie).
TIREE: A juv BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER was found at Ruaig this morning and a juv BAIRD’S SANDPIPER was at Gott Bay this evening (Keith Gillon, John Bowler).
10th September
ISLAY: Now 19 PINTAIL at Loch Gruinart after 11 arrived there on 4 Sep. Also a LEACH’S STORM PETREL & 2 STORM PETRELS seen from the Islay ferry (Jim Dickson).
TIREE: A 1cy Hobby hunting Swallows at Carnan Mor, Tiree this afternoon (John Bowler).
8th September
TIREE: A busy 2hr sea watch from Aird this morning produced: an adult SABINE’S GULL, 10 LEACH’S STORM PETRELS, 12 SOOTY SHEARWATERS, 2 GREY PHALAROPES, 7 ARCTIC SKUAS, 4 GREAT SKUAS and a high count of 14,625 MANX SHEARWATERS (John Bowler).
MULL: A 4.5hr sea watch from Caliach Point produced: 4 SABINE’S GULL (an adult & 3 juvs), 4 LEACH’S STORM PETRELS, 12 Arctic SKUAS, 7 GREAT SKUAS & 1 SOOTY SHEARWATER (Theo de Clermont, Oscar Lovell).
ISLAY: A 3hr sea watch from Frenchman’s Rocks produced highlights of: 2 SOOTY SHEARWATERS, c3,000 MANX SHEARWATERS, 104 BRENT GEESE & 5 PINTAIL (Clive McKay).
7th September
COWAL: A 1cy MEDITERRANEAN GULL was at Ostel Bay today (Neil Hammatt).
ISLAY: An adult MEDITERRANEAN GULL was at Carnain then later off Gartnatra, Loch Indaal (Jim Dickson).
MULL: A report of a male GOSHAWK being mobbed over Fanmore, Loch na Keal (Tim Dixon).
6th September
TIREE: A SOOTY SHEARWATER and 1 LEACH’S STORM PETREL past Hynish (John Bowler).
ISLAY: A 1cy LITTLE GULL was seen from the Islay ferry to N of Gigha (Clive McKay).
4th September
ISLAY: Five juv CURLEW SANDPIPERS and 3 juv LITTLE STINTS in the Carnain area of Loch Indaal (Jim Dickson).
TIREE: The 1cy BARRED WARBLER still present at Balephuil, also a LEACH’S STORM PETREL and a POMARINE SKUA >W past Aird (John Bowler).
3rd September
MID-ARGYLL: Two CURLEW SANDPIPERS and 1 LITTLE STINT were at the Add Estuary (Frank Cavanagh).
ISLAY: A distant view of the imm AMERICAN WIGEON candidate in the Wigeon flock at head of Loch Indaal. Also 15 STORM PETRELS the highlight from the Islay ferry early afternoon (Jim Dickson).
TIREE: A 1cy BARRED WARBLER was new in at Balephil today, also a PIED FLYCATCHER there (John Bowler).
COLONSAY: A juv SABINE’S GULL was seen from the Oban to Colonsay ferry at 17.45 (Durwyn Lilley).
2nd September
MID-ARGYLL: A probable GOSHAWK was seen flying over Crinan Ferry, also a CURLEW SANDPIPER at the Add Estuary (Frank Cavanagh).
TIREE: A juv LITTLE STINT still at Gott Bay (John Bowler).
COLL: A SOOTY SHEARWATER seen off Coll (David Jardine).
30th August
TIREE: A LESSER WHITETHROAT was at Carnan Mor, Balephuil and a 1cy PIED FLYCATCHER was in the garden at Balephuil (John Bowler).
ISLAY: Better views of the 1cy AMERICAN WIGEON today with clear views of the pure white axilla. Also a QUAIL was heard calling from the Gaelic centre area at head of Loch Indaal (Rogan Wolhuter).
29th August
ISLAY: A good candidate for a 1cy AMERICAN WIGEON in with the Wigeon flock at the head of Loch Indaal and a juv LITTLE STINT was at Blackrock beach, Loch Indaal (Rogan Wolhuter).
TIREE: A juv CURLEW SANDPIPER was at Traigh nan Gilean (Sandaig) (John Bowler).