Category: Sightings

MID-ARGYLL: A day for finding NUTHATCHES! – A pair were visiting a garden in Inveraray (near the golf course) around 1pm for over an hour, eating sunflower seed hearts (Joan Thomson). A pair were seen and the male heard calling a mile NE of Kilmichael Glassary after 1.30pm (Blair Urquhart). Looks like this species is becoming very well established in Argyll now. This is a good time to listen out for them and check your bird feeders – all records of them are welcomed.
KINTYRE: A Kingfisher was at Kennacraig today and an Iceland Gull was at Campbeltown harbour (Rik Morley, Neil Hammatt). A fem/imm type Hen Harrier was photographed at Bleachfield, the Laggan (at last!) – (Eddie Maguire).
TIREE: Roger Broad has sent in his pictures of the two rarities currently on the island – many thanks.

MID-ARGYLL: Lots of Woodcock around (4.30am this morning) especially along Bellanoch road across the Moine Mhor Moss – a dozen scattered along the road and then more individuals on way back to Tayvallich and then a few more in Carsaig (Jon Close). In fields around Barsloisnoch farm this morning – 10 Mistle Thrush and 5 Fieldfares (Jim Dickson).
TIREE: 1w Ring-billed Gull now at Greenhill, the Glossy Ibis at Balevullin, 5 Snow Bunting at Traigh Bhagh, a near-adult Glaucous Gull at The Reef, a Juv Glaucous Gull at Hough Bay and a juv Glaucous Gull at Greenhill (John Bowler).
COWAL: This afternoon at Dunoon crazy golf – 25 Purple Sandpipers and 16 Turnstones, also about 8 Shags feeding near the gantocks (Alistair McGregor).
MULL: Colin MacFarlane saw an early Puffin off Bloody Bay today, from the Tiree ferry.
KINTYRE: 2 male Hen Harriers and 7 Reed Buntings at Bleachfield, The Laggan (Eddie Maguire).

TIREE: 1w Ring-billed Gull again at Sandaig today (Andy Robinson, Ben Jones et al),  3CY Iceland Gull at Gott Tip (Graham Todd), 2CY Iceland Gull at Heylipol Church  (Steph Cope).

MULL: A Red-necked Grebe was on Loch Spelve, seen from the Croggan Road (Gaëtan D’hoest).
TIREE: Glossy Ibis again at Balevullin (Roger Broad et al), a dead Little Auk near the Ringing Stone and Juv Glaucous Gull at the Ringing Stone (Roger Broad), 3CY and a juv Glaucous Gull at Balephetrish Bay (John Bowler), a juv Glaucous Gull at Milton (Andy Robinson), a juv Glaucous Gull at West Hynish (Morag McCullagh), a Jack Snipe at Milton (Steph Cope) and 3 Scaup at Loch a’ Phuill (Morag McCullagh).

MID-ARGYLL: Whilst walking his dog today in Kilmartin Glen James Lehmann was treated to the sight of a White-Tailed Eagle soaring high over the fields and being harried by Hooded Crows.
KINTYRE: On Saturday 28^th a Little Egret was seen on the shore between Tayinloan and Kennacraig (Janice O’Neill).
TIREE: Today, a Glossy Ibis showed well at Balevullin, a 3CY Glaucous Gull at Traigh Bhi, 3CY Glaucous Gull , 2 Red Knot at Clachan and a Juv Glaucous Gull at Kilmoulaig.(John Bowler).  Also 2 Iceland Gulls between Hynish and West Hynish (Andy Robinson & Steph Cope).
On Sunday 29^th 1 Great Skua at Gott Bay – very early for here (Andy Robinson & Alison Phillip),1 Glossy Ibis at Balevullin (Graham Todd), 1 Jack Snipe – near Scarinish, a 3CY Glaucous Gull at Heanish and a Juv Glaucous Gull at The Reef and Traigh Bhagh(John Bowler).  Also a Juv Glaucous Gull at Balephetrish Bay (Morag McCullagh)

MID-ARGYLL: Today near Claonaig, a male Hen Harrier (Val Wells per David Bridge)
KINTYRE: In addition to photographing the male Hen Harrier at Bleachfield Farm today a Merlin and 3CY Iceland Gull were also seen (Eddie Maguire).
TIREE: A very early Great Skua at Gott Bay (Andy Robinson, Alison Phillip), the Glossy Ibis again at Balevullin (Graham Todd), 1 Jack Snipe, near Scarinish and also a dead 3CY Iceland Gull there, a 3CY Glaucous Gull at Heanish, and juv Glaucous Gulls at The Reef and Traigh Bhagh (John Bowler). A Juv Glaucous Gull at Balephetrish Bay (Morag McCullagh).

TIREE: Glossy Ibis again at Balevullin today, although flushed by a Merlin. Juvenile Iceland Gull at Barrapol, 3 Juv Glaucous Gulls at Sandaig, Traigh Ghrianal and Balephetrish Bay also 1 Dunnock and 4 Redwing in sub-song at Balephuil (John Bowler).
COWAL: A juv Glaucous Gull was at Otter Ferry today and reports of a White-tailed Eagle there recently (Neil Hammatt).

MID-ARGYLL: A Great Skua was at the fish farm at Braevallich (Loch Awe) this morning – definite ID. Also 5 Mandarins (4 males +1 female) and a male and female Goldeneye. We have a resident population of Cormorants of between 14-19 but this went up today to 24. Most I have seen there (Alan Dykes).
KINTYRE: An adult Iceland Gull was at Campbeltown today. The Buzzard was at Bleachfield along with 3 male Hen Harriers; all 3 went down to roost there 16:14-16:22hrs. (Eddie Maguire).

MID-ARGYLL: Highlight of todays WeBS count at Loch Crinan was a flock of 77 Lapwings – the highest number there for many years. Also a 2CY Glaucous Gull, with an injured wing, nearby in fields at East Lodge, Poltalloch (Jim Dickson).
TIREE: A 2CY Ring-billed Gull new at Barrapol corner – later flew to Loch a’ Phuill, and the Glossy Ibis again at Balevullin (John Bowler).

MULL: An early Puffin at sea off NW Mull, seen from the Tiree ferry (John Bowler).
MID-ARGYLL: Rob Lightfoot reports that he saw a Jack Snipe in Scammadale Glen on 21 Jan…excellent views from his car. Also a male Hen Harrier in the glen recently – unusual in winter there. Two White-fronted Geese with Greylags and Canadas’ at the Moine Mhor yesterday (Sandy Mitchell).
KINTYRE: A report of a Little Egret at Lochan Luing, Point Sands caravan park seen today and also standing in trees there at time. Presumably the same bird that has apparently been around the Tayiniloan area in last few days (Maggie Young).
ISLAY: Several white-winged gulls on the island just now: Glaucous with; 1 at Laphroaig, 2 nr Bowmore, 1 at Blackrocks and 1 at Ballinaby, also Iceland Gulls at Claddach, 1 nr Bowmore and 1 at Ballinaby. A Todd’s Canada Goose is at Cornabus and 5 Snow Buntings at Carnain (per Ian Brooke).
TIREE: A new 3CY Glaucous Gull at The Reef today (John Bowler).