Category: Sightings

MID-ARGYLL: First report of a Grasshopper Warbler today – in field just south of Cairnbaan hotel in the ‘meadows’, also 2 Common Sandpipers at Loch Gilp, 2 summ- plum Red-throated Divers last night off Ardrishaig and a summ- plum Black-throated Diver there last week (Colin MacFarlane). A Cuckoo at Carsaig today (Lottie Goodlet) also one at Rhudle Mill -between Lochgilphead and Kilmartin (Andy Paton) and at Cairnbaan (Jim Dickson). First report of a Sedge Warbler – in one of the reed-filled leachate ponds at Lingerton waste dump today (Andrew Tongue) – also 2 heard on Moss road, ISLAY (Gary Turnbull per Ian Brooke).
TIREE: Glossy Ibis again on its favoured roadside pool at Kilmoluaig. Big arrival of Black-tailed Godwits involved 338 birds at 3 sites around West Tiree including the first 2 colour-ringed birds of the spring. 2 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, 4 Redwing and 1 Water Rail at Balephuil (John Bowler).
KINTYRE: At Machrihanish SBO today – a Peregrine, a Sparrowhawk, a Black-tailed Godwit, 8 Whimbrel, 15 Sandwich Tern and 32 White Wagtails. At Strath (The Laggan) an adult Whooper, 16 White-fronts and a Pink-footed Goose. At Drumlemble; 4 Whoopers (Eddie Maguire).
MULL:  A 2cy male Black Redstart was showing well at Killiechronan (Carole & Paul Moore per Alan Spellman).
COWAL: Neil Hammatt reports his first Swallow at Clachaig today and eagerly awaits arrival of House Martins – usually many nests on neighbours house.

KINTYRE: At Strath (Laggan) floods – a Whooper Swan, 10 White-fronts and a Pink-foot Goose plus 88 Lesser BB Gulls. At Machrihanish SBO- a 3CY Iceland Gull >S, 5 Whimbrel >N and 6 White Wagtails on the point (Eddie Maguire).  In Kintyre – 7 noisy Common Sandpipers and 6 noisy Sandwich Terns (2 at Kennacraig) also, a Little Egret and a Greenshank at Kennacraig, lots of Willow Warblers and the odd Chiffchaff here and there and 19 White-fronts still at Tayinloan (Neil Hammatt).
MULL: A drake Shoveler at Suidhe Farm, Bunessan – scarce on Mull (Tony Jefree per Alan Spellman).
MID-ARGYLL: Some recent notes for Mike Harrison in Connel – Willow Warbler – 2 on 11 Apr,  plenty around on 18 Apr, Blackcap – possibly 1 on 16 Apr, definitely 1 on 17 Apr and 2 on 18 Apr, Chiffchaff 1 or 2 on 18 Apr and Cuckoo – 1 on 18 Apr.

MID-ARGYLL: Large numbers of Siskin 20+ and 6 Redpoll visiting garden feeders daily and male Blackcap at Carsaig House (Jon Close). A Glaucous Gull at Lingerton rubbish tip, Lochgilphead today and a Cuckoo at Loch Arail, Knapdale on 15th Apr (Andrew Tongue per David Jardine).
TIREE: An adult Iceland Gull and 2w Glaucous Gull at Traigh Bhagh, 1 Lapland Bunting, 11 Sand Martin and 3 White Wagtail at Sorobaidh Bay and 2 White Wagtail at Balephetrish Bay (John Bowler).
KINTYRE: A Whimbrel and 16 White Wagtails at Machrihanish SBO (Eddie Maguire).

COWAL: 2 Nuthatch at Benmore Gardens hide today (Andrew Mcfarlane).
TIREE: WeBs count today found: 1 Sand Martin at Sorobaidh Bay, 12 Sand Martin at Loch a’ Phuill – also 2w Glaucous Gull and 11 Black-tailed Godwits there, 2w Iceland Gull, 1 Pink-footed Goose and 8 Black-tailed Godwits at Loch Bhasapol. 1f Brambling still at Balephuil plus 1 Redwing, 1m Blackcap and 4 Goldcrest (John Bowler).
MID-ARGYLL: I watched a large forked tail raptor today up above Oakfield woods/Brackley, Lochgilphead, which I am sure was a Red Kite (Nicola Gray-Stephens).
ISLAY: The drake Green-winged Teal as seen again at RSPB Loch Gruinart (James How).
KINTYRE: 8 White Wagtails at Machrihanish SBO (Eddie Maguire).

MID-ARGYLL: A Common Sandpiper and 2 Sand Martins at the Add Estuary. Also 20 Shelduck at Loch Crinan and single Pink-footed Goose still with the local Canadas/Greylags  and a fem Hen Harrier (Jim Dickson). Malcolm Chattwood has confirmed a pair of Dipper on the Add river at Bridgend today.
TIREE: 1 Siskin new at Balephuil – plus 1f Brambling, 1m + 1f Blackcap, 3 Willow Warbler, 6 Goldcrest and 1m Chiffchaff (John Bowler).

COWAL: A probable Arctic rather than Common Tern off Hunter’s Quay, also 10 Sandwich Tern and a surprise of Tawny Owl near Sandbank (Alistair McGregor). A Glaucous Gull among a mixed flock of gulls at the mouth of the River Auchalick at Auchalick between Kilfinan and Potavadie, also a 2 White Wagtails and in the same area a km up river in larches about 10 /15 Crossbills, Chiffchaffs calling and a 2 Sand Martin (Allister Hamilton).
MID-ARGYLL: Around Keills – a Swallow today and adult White-tailed Eagles, also up to 3 Sandwich Terns in recent days (John Aitchison).
MULL: A day visit to the Ross of Mull/Loch na Keal included 2 drake Common Scoter, a Black-throated Diver, 5 Greenshank, several singing Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers, calling Crossbills, 2 Swallows and at least 5 Goldcrests on Iona (Jim Dickson/David Jardine).
KINTYRE: A report of a Cuckoo calling from the slopes of Ben Guillion, Campbeltown on 10th April (Alec Wilson per Eddie Maguire).
TIREE: Glossy Ibis again at Kilmoluaig, 1 Sandwich Tern at Crossapol Point, 1 Little Tern at Balephetrish Bay (John Bowler).

MID-ARGYLL: A Black-throated Diver off Ardrishaig/Lochy Fyne late morning, also juv Glaucous Gull again just south of Inverneill (Jim Dickson). A male Blackcap today in Anne-Lise Dickie/Bill Allan’s garden in Scammadale Glen. A House Martin was at Lingerton, Lochgilphead today (Andrew Tongue per David Jardine).
KINTYRE: Another look for the reported male Cirl Bunting today was unsuccessful. Present in Alasdair Patterson’s garden at Port Righ, Carradale were 2 Yellowhammers (regular there), now 4 Brambling (2mm,2ff), a female Reed Bunting, 2 Greenfinch, 60+ Siskins, good nos of Chaffinch and Goldfinch – also 3 Whoopers over heading NE. A Cuckoo was at just north of Grogport (Jim Dickson).
ISLAY: 4 Sandwich Terns off Port Charlotte most of the day, a Glaucous Gull near Loch Gorm House, loch Indaal, 65 Golden Plover at Rockside and a Wheatear Machir Bay (Mike Peacock).

KINTYRE: Yesterday evening Alasdair Patterson cautiously identified a male Cirl Bunting at his garden feeding station at Port Righ, Carradale. It was feeding voraciously and was seen well at about 15 feet away with the black and yellow head markings and black throat seen well. No sign of it today despite a good search. Male and female Brambling, 70+ Siskin, 15 Goldfinch present – also a pair of Magpies recently. One Manx Shearwater off Skipness (Jim Dickson).
MID-ARGYLL: Two Sandwich Terns sitting out on the mud at Loch Gilp early afternoon (Jim Dickson).
MULL: Bryan Rains found 2 Lapland Buntings at Glen More yesterday evening. A Common Sandpiper, on the south shore of Loch Na Keal, opposite Eorsa (Pete and Jan Hall per Alan Spellman) and another Common Sandpiper at Pennyghael this morning (Jim & Linda Hurles per Alan Spellman).
ISLAY: A Magpie at Easter Ellister along with 5 Mistle Thrush, 4 Swallows and 1 Sand Martin (Mike Peacock).

MULL: I saw the Firecrest again this morning at 07.25 in my front garden (just along from the Argyll Hotel in Iona village street) – Carol Dougall.
COWAL: On Loch Loskin outside Dunoon this afternoon, 30 + Sand Martins and two drake and one duck Mandarin and a pair of Grey Wagtail (Alistair McGregor).
TIREE: The Glossy Ibis back at Kilmoluaig pool (also there on 10 Apr), 1f Brambling, 17+ Goldcrest, 1m Blackcap, 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Woodpigeon, 2 Dunnock, 2 Linnet and 2 Chaffinch at Balephuil. Ad Iceland Gull at Loch Bhasapol. 26 Greenland White-fronts north over Balephetrish at 1200hrs, 84 Great Northern Divers off Balemartine (John Bowler). 1f Blackcap at Baugh (Bill Welstead). 300 Greenland White-fronts north over Hynish at 1145hrs (Peter Isaacson).
Male Black Redstart at Carnan Mor this evening (John Bowler).
ISLAY: A Hawfinch showing well in a garden in Port Wemyss early afternoon. We also had a 1st-summer  Iceland Gull at Claddoch. Also at Gruinart, the Green-winged Teal still and two Ruff from the north hide (Val Wilson, David & Pauline Clugston). A Magpie was a rarity at Kilchoman today (Ian & Margaret Brooke).

NORTH ARGYLL: One Swallow just arrived at Rhugarbh Croft, Appin – five days earlier than last year (Mary Gregory). A Greenshank and a pair of Wigeon at Loch Tulla, also 30 Sand Martins feeding low over the loch (Roger Broad).
MID-ARGYLL: Both Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff singing at Lerigoligan, Ardfern this morning.  Also, a female Brambling feeding on sunflower hearts in our garden (Ju Randall). A Magpie today at Bellanoch around 11am (Annette & Roger Anderton).
TIREE: 1 Willow Warbler and 5 Goldcrests at Balephuil, 1 Willow Warbler at Meningie, 9 Black-tailed Godwits and 1 Goldeneye at Loch a’ Phuill (John Bowler).