1st October

NORTH ARGYLL: A fly-by HOBBY was noted on Lismore this morning, also a juv PECTORAL SANDPIPER in the same area (David Jardine).
ISLAY: A juv BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER was found in a field at Ballinaby in with a flock of Golden Plovers then a juv PECTORAL SANDPIPER flew over (Dan Brown).

28th September

KINTYRE: A fem GREATER SCAUP on a flooded pool at Machrihanish Water nr Parkfergus and a GREAT CRESTED GREBE on the sea off Ronachan Point today (Dan Brown).

26th September

MID-ARGYLL: A 2w LITTLE GULL was at the head of Loch Gilp early afternoon (David Jardine et al).

25th September

TIREE: A juv SABINE’S GULL flew SW off Hynish (per Birdguides).

24th September

ISLAY: The juv BLACK TERN reported again at Loch Gorm (Marc Eden).

23rd September

MULL: An adult and a juv LITTLE GULL were noted off Grass Point (F Todd).
ISLAY: A report of a juv BLACK TERN hanging around at Loch Gorm (Marc Eden).
TIREE: News that the Swedish 1cy WHITE STORK was very poorly and taken into care (per Hayley Douglas). Update – sadly the bird died overnight. It could be that the bird had collided with something?

22nd September

COLL: A juv BARRED WARBLER was seen in an area to the south of the air strip (per Birdguides).

20th September

MULL: A juv SABINE’S GULL and a juv POMARINE SKUA flew south during a seawatch from Caliach Point (Theo de Clermont). A juv BLACK TERN was seen yesterday (19th) at the entrance to the Sound of Mull, off south Lismore in with good nos of Kittiwakes, and a LEACH’S PETREL was noted off NE Coll (F Todd).

18th September

TIREE: A WHITE STORK was reported by visitors today after they first saw it yesterday in a field at Kilnaluaig. The bird was ringed – a red/orange darvic MX51 and this information led to it being identified as a fledged bird from this summer in Sweden – in a nest on top of a barn at Sniberup in central Scania southern Sweden:https://maps.app.goo.gl/owo2xxkxVS4hFagGA with two siblings and they were all ringed in the nest on the 14th of June. After that I have no reports of it until the 10th of August when it was seen in Norway(!). For some reason (part of it probably winds in the wrong direction) a big part of this year’s younglings decided to fly north in August. On the 6th “at least 40” storks were seen at Norsborg close to Stockholm ( https://maps.app.goo.gl/1TQoLPvPZnQuevvJ9 ). The 7th and 8th, 65 storks were seen in Hamnäs in Hälsingland ( https://maps.app.goo.gl/P2dodC8JaVoV9MCk8 ). From there they flew northwest to the vicinity of Orkland (close to Trondheim) in Norway ( https://maps.app.goo.gl/rhaz1FLTjao4Nkmk9 )! They arrived there on the 10th and MX51 was one of the 64 storks to arrive there. Probably he hadbeen part of the group the whole time. On the 15th most of the storks, in at least two big groups, started to fly south again. On the 16th at least 27 of them arrived back to northern Scania. For some reason MX51 was however left behind and have been on his own in Norway since then. It moved slowly to the south fairly close to the coast and was seen in several places, among others Surnadal. On the 8th of September it arrived to Fylkesnes, Bömlo ( https://maps.app.goo.gl/rhaz1FLTjao4Nkmk9 ) close to the coast between Bergen and Stavanger. MX51 remained there at least until the 14th. Regardless, MX51 must have flown right across the ocean to you. It quite an remarkable achievement! Even if it went to the Shetland islands and rested there it´s still some 350 kilometers over open sea! (with grateful thanks to Petter Albinson – from Storkprojektet i Skåne for this excellent information).

A juv BARRED WARBLER was found at Balephuil, Tiree by John Bowler while he was on his way to look for the White Stork.
ISLAY: A BARRED WARBLER was reported by Clive McKay on the west side of Loch Gruinart.

17th September

TIREE: A juv SABINE’S GULL was seen on a sea-watch from Hynish (John Bowler).

16th September

TIREE: A WOOD SANDPIPER was at Balevuillin (John Bowler)
ISLAY: A BLACK TERN was seen at the mouth of Loch Gruinart (Clive McKay) – first Islay record since 2009.

15th September

TIREE: A juv BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER was found at Crossapol (Keith Gillon).

14th September

TIREE: A juv BAIRD’S SANDPIPER was found at Loch a’ Phuill where 3 CURLEW SANDPIPERS and 2 GLOSSY IBIS remain.

13th September

MULL: Two juv CURLEW SANDPIPERS were on the golf course beanch on Iona (Theo de Clermont).
ISLAY: A 3.5 hr sea-watch from Frenchman’s Rocks produced highlights of a SABINE’S GULL, a MEDITERRANEAN GULL, 2 LITTLE GULLS and 7 LEACH’S PETRELS (Clive McKay).
TIREE: At Loch a’ Phuill 2 GLOSSY IBIS, 1 Juv PECTORAL SANDPIPER, 1 juv LITTLE STINT, 9 juv CURLEW SANDPIPERS, 12 juv RUFF, also 1 LESSER WHITETHROAT new in at Balephuil (John Bowler). An adult  POMARINE SKUA headed west between Tiree and Coll (Keith Gillon).

12th September

TIREE: An adult AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER was found at Balevullin today and a TURTLE DOVE was at Clachan (Keith Gillon).
ISLAY: Three CURLEW SANDPIPERS and a LITTLE STINT at Carnain and the juv GLOSSY IBIS still at Craigens (Jim Dickson).
MULL: a juv LITTLE STINT was at Fidden (Theo de Clermont).

11th September

TIREE: Juv BLACK TERN still at Hynish this am – also a CURLEW SANDPIPER there, 5 at Loch a’ Phuill and 18  at Vaul (Keith Gillon). The 1cy MEDITERRANEAN GULL again at Scarinish (since 6^th Sep) and now 2 GLOSSY IBIS at Loch a’ Phuill (John Bowler).
ISLAY: A juv LITTLE STINT, juv RUFF and a CURLEW SANDPIPER at Carnain, 18 juv CURLEW SANDPIPERS, 4 RUFF, 205 KNOT, 3 GOLDEN PLOVER, also 189 BRENT GEESE arrived together with smaller arrivals later at head of Loch Gruinart and only 1 GLOSSY IBIS today at Craigens, also an adult fem MARSH HARRIER hunting over Gruinart RSPB reserve (Jim Dickson).

10th September

TIREE: A juv BLACK TERN lingering off Hynish at 1430hrs (Keith Gillon) and still at Hynish at 5pm (John Bowler), a GLOSSY IBIS at Loch a’ Phuill (John Bowler), a juv PECTORAL SANDPIPER again at Balinoe this pm (Tony O’Connor).
ISLAY: Two GLOSSY IBIS still present at Craigens, also 7 LITTLE EGRETS, 5 RUFF, 6 GREENSHANK at head of Loch Gruinart and a min of 19 juv CURLEW SANDPIPERS. At Blackrocks 1 juv LITTLE STINT, 1 CURLEW SANDPIPER and another 2 juv LITTLE STINT at Carnain. 13 PINTAIL arrived at Loch Gruinart and 87 WIGEON off Bowmore (Jim Dickson).

9th September

TIREE: A record Tiree flock count of 33 juv CURLEW SANDPIPERS at Vaul Bay this am (Keith Gillon). Ajuv Little Stint again at Vaul Bay this am – but no sign of the Pied Flycatcher there. A PIED FLYCATCHER at Carnan Mor this am – was also there last night. A 1cy GREY PHALAROPE was at Balephetrish Bay (John Bowler).
ISLAY: Two GLOSSY IBIS still present at Craigens, also a juv LITTLE STINT and min 12 juv CURLEW SANDPIPERS at head of Loch Gruinart and 6 RUFF & 1 CURLEW SANDPIPER at Carnain (Jim Dickson).
COLONSAY: A juv CURLEW SANDPIPER was at Traigh nam barc (David Jardine).

8th September

ISLAY: A report of two 1cy GLOSSY IBIS yesterday on the east side of Loch Gruinart in a field on the road towards Killinallan (Bruce Taylor) & still present there today (Peter Roberts).
TIREE: A TURTLE DOVE was at Balevullin today (Keith Gillon).

7th September

TIREE: A flurry of sightings today; 1 LEACH’S PETREL, 1 SOOTY SHEARWATER, 4 Storm Petrel and 3 Arctic Terns SW off Hynish in SSE7-8 1230-1400hrs (John Bowler). 1 juv PECTORAL SANDPIPER again at Balinoe, 1 juv SPOTTED REDSHANK at Gott Bay, 1 juv MEDITERRANEAN GULL at Scarinish, 1 CURLEW SANDPIPER at Hynish and 5 CURLEW SANDPIPERS at Clachan (Keith Gillon). 7 CURLEW SANDPPERS at Balephetrish Bay (Tony O’Connor / Ewen Forbes).

4th September

TIREE: A juv BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER was found at Clachan and flew towards Cornaigmore this afternoon (Keith Gillon), also 5 CURLEW SANDPIPER at Clachan (per John Bowler).
AT SEA: Two CORY’S SHEARWATERS were reported seen from a cruise ship some 40 km NW of Islay (per ebird).

3rd September

TIREE: A TURTLE DOVE was reported between Ruaig and Caoles (per John Bowler).
MULL: An adult LONG-TAILED SKUA was seen and photographed on the shore at Lochbuie campsite (Harvey Reid).

2nd September

TIREE: The MELODIOUS WARBLER at Meningie/Balephuil was seen again this morning and the juv PECTORAL SANDPPER is still present at Balinoe (John Bowler).

1st September

TIREE: A juv PECTORAL SANDPIPER was seen in a cut silage field at Balinoe (John Bowler). Also lots of waders about just now: c30 Ruff, 10+ Knot, 170+ Blackwits, 60+ Barwits and 100s of Snipe (JB).

31st August

TIREE: A WILSON’S PETREL was seen off Hynish this afternoon which showed really nicely for ca 4 mins (from 1550hrs)  in SSE7-9 with squalls  as it worked its way around the point in great light with Stormies. Also a SABINE’S GULL seen during the seawatch (John Bowler). Will be only the third Argyll record if accepted by the SBRC.
MULL:  Four + Juvenile LITTLE GULLS were seen on a seawatch off Cailiach point this morning (Theo de Clermont).

29th August

ISLAY: A SABINE’S GULL was seen during a 3 hr seawatch from Frenchman’s Rocks (Clive McKay).
TIREE: The MELODIOUS WARBLER as seen again at Meningie (John Bowler).
MULL: A BALEARIC SHEARWATER was reported off Ardmore Point – entrance to Sound of Mull from the Sea Life Mull vessel (Tim Marshall).

27th August

TIREE: A MELODIOUS WARBLER was found in a patch of Rosa rugosa at Meningie, nr Loch a’ Phuill – second record for Tiree and third for Argyll (John Bowler).

24th August

ISLAY: A CURLEW SANDPIPER was at the head of Loch Indaal (Roger Broad, Peter Roberts et al).
TIREE: A juvenile LITTLE STINT was Loch a’ Phuill at midday (John Bowler).

23rd August

MULL: An adult LITTLE GULL was at Lochdon (Theo de Clermont).

15th August

MID-ARGYLL: The adult BONAPARTE’S GULL was seen again this morning – now on Loch Crinan (Jim Dickson) and the juv MARSH HARRIER is still around – from Crinan Ferry road (John Boyd).

14th August

MID-ARGYLL: A juvenile MARSH HARRIER was hunting over the Add Estuary / Moine Mhor (Jim Dickson).

11th August

MID-ARGYLL: An adult BONAPARTE’S GULL was at the Add Estuary – found at 10.45hrs (Jim Dickson).

8th August

MID-ARGYLL: An adult LITTLE GULL – still with a full black hood, was on the mud at Loch Crinan mid-morning before flying out to sea and south (Jim Dickson).
ISLAY: A female MARSH HARRIER was seen from the Gruinart to Loch Gorm road (Clive McKay).

7th August

MID-ARGYLL / COWAL: A sea-watch from the Tarbert to Portavadie ferry produced: c350-400 MANX SHEARWATER with 1 & probably 2 BALEARIC SHEARWATERS, 70 + GANNETS, 3 COMMON TERNS & several Common Dolphins (Jim Dickson).

5th August

ISLAY: A sea-watch from Frenchman’s Rocks 0815 for 3 hours until 1115 produced:  c.1,000-1,200 MANX SHEARWATERS, 6  STORM PETRELS and 3 ARCTIC SKUAS (Peter Roberts).
ISLAY FERRY: A sea-watch from Calmac MV Isle of Arran, Kennacraig to Port Askaig & return produced highlights of: single ad POMARINE, juv ARCTIC & a GREAT SKUA, also 5 STORM PETRELS & 2 PUFFINS (Jim Dickson).
MID-ARGYLL: A LEACH’S PETREL was reported from Ganavan Bay, N Oban (per Birdguides).

4th August

MID-ARGYLL: An adult LITTLE GULL was reported in Oban Bay this morning (per Birdguides).
TIREE: A SOOTY SHEARWATER and 14 STORM PETRELS headed SW off Hynish in 1 hr from 0755hrs in SSW7-8, also 220 Manx Shearwater. Later, 1 BALEARIC SHEARWATER and 3 STORM PETRELS headed W off Aird in 1hr from 1145am in W9 (gusting to 11/12!), also 400 Manx Shearwater (John Bowler).
ISLAY: A sea-watch off Frenchman’s Rocks for 5 hours this morning from 11.15am produced: 2 adult SABINE’S GULL, 68 STORM PETREL, a SOOTY SHEARWATER and 13 ARCTIC TERN (Clive McKay).

24th July

TIREE: A male North American WOOD DUCK of unknown origin (un-ringed) was found in a sensitive undisclosed location (John Bowler).  This species is not yet on Category A of the British list and John says: “…many recent Azores Wood Duck records and also some from Iceland have now been accepted as genuine vagrants. BOURC have recently switched Wood Duck from Category E to Category D citing four recent records from locations such as Shetland and Uist, allowing the status of the species to be reviewed more regularly. However, suspect it would still take an American ringed bird or isotope studies to warrant a switch to Category A. ” There is one previous Argyll record of a female present at Balgie Burn & West Bay Dunoon, Cowal Oct 2000 – May 2001. Update: bird was seen again at same location on 24 July – previous sighting on 9 May.

20th June

KINTYRE: A 2cy MEDITERRANEAN GULL was with other gulls at the SW corner of Machrihanish beach (Roger Broad).

16th June

ISLAY: A first-summer LITTLE GULL was seen at Craigens, Loch Gruinart (Peter Roberts).

13th June

MULL: A first-summer male COMMON ROSEFINCH was seen and in song in a private garden along the road towards Duart Castle (Alex Bayly).