MID-ARGYLL: A Common Snipe has been visiting my garden in Cairnbaan again as a result of the weather (Jim Dickson).
COWAL: At the Holy Loch hide – 4 Lapwings, 1 Woodcock in the wood , 5 Snipe, 20+ Redwing , also 11 Dunnock at the feeding station beside the hide – most I’ve ever seen together at one time (Alistair McGregor).
MID-ARGYLL: Balvicar Bog, Seil Island – a single Water Rail seen just past the Easdale crossroads. Frequently heard here but rarely seen – I guess the harsh weather is making them less shy and skulking (John Sedgwick).
MID-ARGYLL: A Waxwing seen today just after 1.0 pm while driving back from Lochgilphead, as turned corner and Tayvallich Bay comes into view . Surprised but see others being reported in Angus and in Lothian (Jon Close).
ISLAY: Some recent sightings from Mike Peacock – Sun 25th at Gruilinbeg 50+ Fieldfares and 30 Skylarks, and an adult Iceland Gull at Sanaigmore. 2 Iceland Gulls at Ballinaby on the Fri 23rd – attached picture of the 3CY and on the Thur 22nd at Machir Bay – 3 Glaucous Gulls and an adult Iceland Gull.
COWAL: Six Jays in George Newal’s garden in Dunoon again today- see if you can spot all six…
MULL: Experienced birder Stuart Gibson reports today – Two littoralis Scandinavian Rock Pipits with two local petrosus Rock Pipits feeding on wet pasture in front of Lochbuie House. Great comparison with both races in the same field of view: blue/grey head and upperparts and peach colour of throat being particularly prominent. How many of these Scandinavian birds do we have on the Isle of Mull? The next month is the time to seek them out, as littoralis birds begin to colour up prior to their return migration, so give those Rock Pipits a second glance!
COWAL: A possible Great Skua in Kirn Bay on Thurs 22nd – harassing ducks and gulls (Frances Lynn).
MID-ARGYLL: I looked for the adult Glaucous Gull at Ardfern again today and try for a decent photo. Sadly, I did find it – dead, on the shore near the village hall here and next to a deer carcass. Beautiful bird (Ju Randall).
COWAL: George Newal had 6 Jays in his garden in Dunoon today…usually only 2-3 birds visit and this equals the record of 6 birds seen there last year also on 24th Feb!.
COWAL: A belated report of a female Blackcap at a feeder in Hunters Quay on 9th Feb from Callum Satchel.
TIREE: An adult and 2x 3CY Glaucous Gulls at The Reef, adult Glaucous Gull at Salum and a 3CY Iceland Gull at Gott Bay (John Bowler).
KINTYRE: Neil Brown caught a Great Spotted Woodpecker and first one he has ringed at the feeding station nr Campbeltown.
MID-ARGYLL: An adult Glaucous Gull was on the shore of Loch Craignish near the Village Hall this afternoon. Also of interest is a Moorhen which has apparently been living in someone’s garden opposite the Galley of Lorne Inn, in Ardfern, for the past couple of weeks! (Ju Radnall). Another Moorhen has been visting a garden at Luib Cottages, nr Slockavuillin in the last few weeks (Vivien Little).
TIREE: The 2CY Ring-billed Gull again at Sandaig, an adult Iceland Gull at Hough, a juv Glaucous Gull at Kilkenneth, 4 Greater Scaup at Loch a’ Phuill and 1 Pink-footed Goose at Barrapol (John Bowler).
KINTYRE: A female Hen Harrier and a Stonechat at Bleachfield and an adult Iceland Gull at Campbeltown Pontoon today (Eddie Maguire).
ISLAY: Two Glaucous Gulls have been on the Machir Bay beach all week and they were joined yesterday by an adult Iceland Gull and a further 2 Glaucous today as well as a leucistic 2CY Common Gull (Mike Peacock). A male Bullfinch near the Woollen Mill yesterday (Val Peacock).
TIREE: A male Green-winged Teal at Baugh Road Bridge, a 4CY Iceland Gull at Scarinish, a juv Iceland Gull and juv Glaucous Gull at The Reef, 4 Pied Wagtails at Salum, a Knot at Gott Bay, first Black-headed Gulls of the year here: 2 at Balinoe, 3 at Vaul, 3 at Gott Bay, 1 at Balephetrish (John Bowler).
MID-ARGYLL: Another report of a Nuthatch in the Barsloisnoch area (nr Loch Crinan), this time from Fiorna Cairns Smith, a mile or so to the west of the regular Mheall Cottage sightings. A juvenile Glaucous Gull was at Kames, Loch Melfort today (David Jardine).
NORTH ARGYLL: Highlights on Robin Harvey’s Loch Crearan WeBS count today included a Greenshank, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 2 Shelducks, a Goosander and 21 White-fronted geese however no signs of the Little Egrets there or at An Sailean.
KINTYRE: An update on the Sooty Tern at Machrihanish SBO seen by Eddie Maguire on 2/6/17….this has been accepted by the BBRC and is now an additional species to the Argyll list which now stands at 355, congratulations to Eddie!
MID-ARGYLL: Adult Little Gull back at the head of Loch Gilp…last there on 23 Dec (Jim Dickson). An adult Iceland Gull was on the Island of Danna this afternoon (David Jardine).
TIREE: 1w Ring-billed Gull again at Sandaig – also 2 ad Iceland Gull there and 4 Glaucous Gulls (2 ads, 1 x 3rd winter and 1x 2nd winter bird) plus 120 Twite and 50 Skylark. 2w Iceland Gull at Loch Bhasapol (John Bowler). 1 Pink-footed Goose at Barrapol (Steph Cope).
