Category: Sightings

MID-ARGYLL: A Golden Eagle being harried by a buzzard, at Kames (just south of Kilmelford) mid-afternoon today (Ju Randall).
TIREE: 4 juv Knot and 14 White Wagtails at Gott Bay, 1 Whimbrel at Ruaig, 145 Black-tailed Godwits and 4 juv Knot at Kenovay. A dead Cuvier’s Beaked-whale at Scarinish, 1 of 2 here just now (John Bowler).
KINTYRE: An Osprey, perched for a good half hour + at West Loch Tarbert opposite the pier (Steve & Ruth Herrington).

MID-ARGYLL: An adult Little Gull at Loch Crinan this morning (Jim Dickson).
TIREE: A sea-watch in S7-8 with rain at Hynish today 1210-1310hrs produced (all birds heading SW): 1 Balearic Shearwater, 3 Great Skua, 8 Storm Petrel, 376 Manx Shearwater, 418 Kittiwake, 457 Gannet, 74 Fulmar, 42 Shag, 1 Puffin and 15 large auk. The Rosy Starling still present at Kenovay to 25 Aug at least (John Bowler).

ISLAY: Autumn in full swing early this morning at Port Charlotte – lovely photo from Mike Peacock.
MID-ARGYLL: At the Add Estuary this evening – 26 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Greenshank, 3 Red Knot and a 1CY Kittiwake in with the other gulls. Also a male Hen Harrier over the Moine Mhor (Jim Dickson).

Sound of Jura: From the Islay ferry today – 350 Manx Shearwaters, 420 Kittiwakes inc 370 on An Dubh Sgeir, Gigha, 1 Great Skua, 1 Arctic Skua. Only a few Common Guillemots – some flying and 20+ Razorbill. 5 Sandwich Terns in West Loch Tarbet (Jim Dickson).

MID-ARGYLL: At Loch Crinan mid-morning: 2 x 1CY Mediterranean Gulls – also 11 Bar-tailed Godwits, 16 Dunlin and an Osprey there. Nearby at the Add Estuary 2 juv Greenshank and 2 Wigeon (Jim Dickson).
ISLAY: Malcolm Ogilvie has reported that a Monarch butterfly was seen on a buddlea in Bridgend, Islay, on 19th. Possibility of a transatlantic migrant although usually noted in the UK later in the autumn. Also being noted that some of these are now being released at weddings…..

ISLAY: A note from James Butcher (one of the RSPB wardens at Loch Gruinart) saying waders there now include: 2000+ Dunlin, 200+ Sanderling, 43 Black-tailed Godwit and 23 Red Knot.
TIREE: Rosy Starling still at Kenovay today also 120 juv Black-tailed Godwits on the shore at Balephetrish Bay.
MULL: A report of a Goshawk at Calgary beach today (Matt Francis).

KINTYRE: A juvenile Mediterranean Gull again today but appears to be a new/different individual. Also 30 Black- tailed Godwits >S bringing this months passage total so far to 246 >S on 6 dates (a well above average showing). An American Mink was very active around the point this morning (Eddie Maguire).
MID-ARGYLL: At Loch Gilp this morning – an big increase in Oystercatcher with 356 birds, also 1 Greenshank, 1 Lapwing, 2 juv Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Bar-tailed Godwits (ad + 2 juvs), 1 Wigeon, 11 Herons. At the Add Estuary –  inc: 4 juv Black-tailed Godwit, 2 juv Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Greenshank, 2 Wigeon, 10 Teal (Jim Dickson).
TIREE: The Rosy Starling is still at Kenovay at lunch-time – also seen there on 18 and 19 Aug (John Bowler).

KINTYRE: At the Machrihanish SBO today – a juvenile Mediterranean Gull.  Best of the rest was 144 Black-tailed Godwits >S (5 flocks / largest 60) and 3 Bar-tailed Godwit >S (Eddie Maguire).
MID-ARGYLL: At Loch Crinan/Add Estuary – 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Greenshank, 1 Knot (first of autumn there) and f Hen Harrier (Jim Dickson).

SOUND of JURA: An early morning seawatch from Kennacraig to Port Ellen, Islay produced – 2 Sooty and 225 Manx Shearwater, 2 Storm Petrel, 2 Great Skua, 162 Kittiwake, 1,420 auks (mostly Common Guillemots but inc at least 28 Razorbill), 10 Black Guillemot, 2 Fulmar, 110 Gannet, 1 Arctic and 1 Sandwich Tern (Jim Dickson).
TIREE: Rosy Starling showing well on feeders at Kenovay at lunch-time – apparently been there since at least 14 Aug (Alex and Dolina MacDonald per John Bowler). Nick Wall saw an adult Grey Plover at Greenhill today and 4 Bar-tailed Godwit at Gott Bay yesterday.

TIREE: Nick Wall has kindly provided photos of the adult Ring-billed Gull he found near Hough Bay on 14 Aug. 1 Merlin at Vaul – first of autumn here (John Bowler).
MID-ARGYLL: A Kingfisher was at the Crinan Canal (nr Fraser’s wagon at Crinan wood) – also 4 Moorhen there (Jim Dickson).
KINTYRE: A juv Ruff at Machrihanish SBO today (Eddie Maguire).