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 2024 ARGYLL BIRD REPORT Volume 36 with Systematic List for 2024 is now published as a PDF – (available to ABC members only by an emailed link)
SPRING MIGRANTS TABLE 2025 : SPRING MIGRANTS 2025 to 20 Apr
Recent Reports of Scarce & Rare Sightings 2025
24th April
MULL: A juvenile ICELAND GULL was noted from the Sea Life Mull vessel at sea south of Ardnamurchan (Stuart Gibson) and a male RING OUZEL was noted at Gribun (Ewan Miles).
23rd April
TIREE: A LAPLAND BUNTING was at Crossapol and a juvenile ICELAND GULL was at Loch an Eilein today (John Bowler).
22nd April
MID-ARGYLL: A RING OUZEL was found on Kerrera today (Ann McGregor). Two first-summer LITTLE GULLS were on the mud at Loch Gilp this morning (Jim Dickson).
TIREE: A SPOTTED REDSHANK was found in a central area of the island today (John Bowler).
21st April
MID-ARGYLL: The male RING-NECKED DUCK was found again at Loch Glenfeochan (David Jardine).
20th April
MID-ARGYLL: A pair of PINTAIL stopped off briefly at Loch Gilp this morning (Jim Dickson).
14th April
TIREE: A fem type BLACK REDSTART was at Balephuil today (was also seen on 13/4) (John Bowler).
ISLAY: Two TREE SPARROWS were at feeders in a garden at Bruichladdich – also a single bird there on 13/4 (Peter Roberts).
11th April
ISLAY: No sign of the female RING-NECKED DUCK at Loch Ballygrant today however a fine male was seen there (Peter Roberts).
KINTYRE: A juvenile (2cy) ICELAND GULL was at Carradale Bay today (Alasdair Paterson).
10th April
TIREE: An ALPINE SWIFT was seen flying NE along the top of the cliffs at Ceann a’ Mhara at 08:05 (Dylan Daunt), also 2 RING OUZELS seen later at this location (Andy Robinson).
JURA: A male RING OUZEL was seen at Inver House yesterday (David Jardine).
ISLAY: A belated report (received on 16/4) that the adult male SURF SCOTER, along with 2 VELVET SCOTERS, was off Port Charlotte, Loch Indaal (G Beltcher).
8th April
TIREE: A LAPLAND BUNTING flew over Balephetrish Bay today (Dylan Daunt).
ISLAY: The HOOPOE was again on the road to Ardnave today.
7th April
ISLAY: The PIED CROW was seen again at Port Wemyss (Mary Redman).
MID-ARGYLL: A 2cy LITTLE GULL was at Loch Gilp today (Jim Dickson).
6th April
ISLAY: A male RING OUZEL was found at Sanaigmore today (Mar Eden). Also reported – a BLACK REDSTART on the Gruinart to Ardnave road, where the HOOPOE was still present (R & B Mearns).
MULL: A HOOPOE was reported at Ardalanish Farm today (per Birdguides/Mullbirds).
TIREE: A juvenile GLAUCOUS GULL was at Gott Bay today (Dylan Daunt). A male RING OUZEL was at Balephuil today (John Bowler).
30th March
ISLAY: The HOOPOE was seen again between Gruinart and Ardnave.
MID-ARGYLL: The BLACK REDSTART was again at Inverliever today.
29th March
ISLAY: The PIED CROW (of unknown origin) was still present in gardens at Portnahaven this morning.
MID-ARGYLL: The male BLACK REDSTART was again along a track near Inverliever, Loch Awe today (Dani Elle Frea Ney).
28th March
ISLAY: A PIED CROW (of unknown origin) was photographed in a garden at Portnahaven and has apparently been there for a day or two. The HOOPOE at Gruinart was last noted on 26 March.
MID-ARGYLL: A male BLACK REDSTART was photographed along a track near Inverliever, Loch Awe today (Dani Elle Frea Ney).
24th March
ISLAY: A first-winter (2cy) MEDITERRANEAN GULL was found at Bridgend, Loch Indaal today (Clive McKay).
15th March
ISLAY: Two GREAT CRESTED GREBES were noted off Ardbeg today (S & L Rogers) and the RED-BREASTED GOOSE is still present in the Gruinart area.
KINTYRE: Three VELVET SCOTERS were at the Sound of Gigha today during WeBS count (David Jardine).
13th March
MID-ARGYLL: A SWALLOW was seen at Kilmory Road, Lochgilphead this morning – an early one & looks like first in Scotland this year, although quite a few reports further south in Britain from Feb (L Jenkins). n.b. as usual, we will post spring & summer migrant arrivals in a table over the next few weeks.. Reports already of Chiffchaffs, Wheatears & Blackcaps.
10th March
MID-ARGYLL: A female HAWFINCH was at a bird table in Ardrishaig this morning (Lynsey Gibson).
KINTYRE: A brief sighting (seen from moving car) of a 2cy ICELAND GULL in flight at Glenrioch, Stewarton (David Jardine/Jim Dickson).
7th March
ISLAY: A distant male SURF SCOTER with 90+ Common Scoters off Port Charlotte at midday (Peter Roberts).
KINTYRE: A male MARSH HARRIER was seen flying over the dunes at Carskiey yesterday 6th Mar (Neil Brown).
5th March
ISLAY: A GLAUCOUS or ICELAND GULL at Machir beach (Gary Turnbull), the adult RED-BREASTED GOOSE & the CACKLING GOOSE a Gruinart Flats area today (Theo de Clermont).
1st March
MID-ARGYLL: A juvenile (2cy) ICELAND GULL was at the head of Loch Gilp this morning – very likely the same individual that has been at the Add Estuary recently (Jim Dickson).
28th February
MID-ARGYLL: An adult LITTLE GULL was at the head of Loch Gilp this morning – bird has metal ring on right leg (Jim Dickson).
26th February
KINTYRE: A juv (2cy) GLAUCOUS GULL was found at Westport Beach – north end (Andrew Russell).
22nd February
ISLAY: An adult MEDITERRANEAN GULL was at Skerrols today (Clive McKay).
MID-ARGYLL: The juv (2cy) ICELAND GULL was seen again at the Add Estuary (Jim Dickson).
18th February
ISLAY: A first-winter (2cy) MEDITERRANEAN GULL was at Bridgend Merse today (Clive McKay).
16th February
ISLAY: The RED-BREASTED GOOSE was now up at Ardnave today and a RUSSIAN WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE was at Coullabus (Steve Percival).
MID-ARGYLL: A juvenile ICELAND GULL was seen in flight off Crinan Harbour – presumably same as the bird at Add Estuary on 14th Feb (Jim Dickson).
12th February
ISLAY: A CACKLING GOOSE was at Kinnabus, Oa (Henry Wyn-Jones). Two RUSSIAN WHITE-FRONTED GEESE were at Gruinart (Nick Parsons).
8th February
MID-ARGYLL / KINTYRE: A report of a possible WHITE-BILLED DIVER seen in flight from the Islay ferry at mouth of West Loch Tarbert (Frank Cavanagh).
ISLAY: Another report of the CACKLING GOOSE – at Leorin (Will Scott).
7th February
ISLAY: Another sighting of the adult RED-BREASTED GOOSE at Gruinart today (Will Scott). Update: An ICELAND GULL was seen to fly over the Oa on 4th Feb (David Wood).
27th January
MID-ARGYLL: Adult male RING-NECKED DUCK is now back at Glenfeochan Loch again, near Kilmore and a first-winter (2cy) YELLOW-LEGGED GULL was showing well early afternoon at the head of Loch Gilp – although no sign of the second-winter bird there today (Jim Dickson). Three LITTLE AUKS were seen from the Colonsay ferry this afternoon off the Garvellach Is. (David Jardine).